Chapter 2

For a moment, Yuan Ying thought she hadn’t woken up, hadn’t seen the message Qiqi sent, and hadn’t rushed downstairs in such a hurry.

She thought everything she had experienced since earlier was just a dream, including now.

How could it be possible?

How could that bastard who broke up with her over a phone call three years ago and never appeared again suddenly show up at the inn she operated?

She truly believed she was dreaming, but the Zhu Feng before her eyes…

Handsome, noble, wearing a shirt that clearly cost a fortune, trousers pressed without a single wrinkle, and brand-new leather shoes without a speck of dust.

The first Zhu Feng she met wore a jacket like pickled vegetables, covered in dirt and blood. Every Zhu Feng she saw afterward wore casual pants she bought from street stalls and T-shirts that cost a hundred for three.

But the one before her was a version of Zhu Feng she had never seen before. How could someone she’d never seen appear in her dreams?

Three years apart, and you’ve forgotten me?

The magnetic voice tinged with teasing pulled Yuan Ying back to reality.

Her phone vibrated several times. She looked down and opened it to see a message from Qiqi saying that the person hadn’t waited for her and had left first, suggesting they arrange another meeting another day.

Yuan Ying turned off her phone and looked at the man before her once more.

The corners of his lips still carried a smile, his eyes holding the familiar roguishness she remembered.

He was still so strong—even the most elegant shirt couldn’t conceal the lines of his muscles and his wild nature.

He was still so tall—even leaning against the tea table with his legs slightly bent, he could still look her straight in the eye.

His hair… silver?

She paused, unable to resist taking another look.

In her memory, Zhu Feng’s hair was black, always messy and falling over his forehead. But the Zhu Feng before her had hair that was silver leaning toward dark gray.

With his sharp features and wicked-looking eyes, the unusual hair color surprisingly suited him.

Three years apart, he seemed more mature. Though nothing had changed except his hair color, it felt like everything had changed.

Yuan Ying stared at him over and over, finally unable to hold back from speaking: Zhu Feng… is it really you?

It’s me, Zhu Feng’s smile deepened, though his eyes remained dark and intense as they fixed on her. I came back for you.

Yuan Ying took a deep breath, stiffly turned around, and marched away.

Xiao Yu was replying to messages from a guest making a reservation when she looked up and saw her boss striding purposefully out of the tea room.

Bos—

Before she could finish the word, she saw Yuan Ying enter the kitchen and emerge five seconds later holding a kitchen knife.

Xiao Yu blinked, watching puzzled as Yuan Ying returned to the tea room.

If it were anyone else inexplicably carrying a kitchen knife, she would definitely think a fight was about to break out. But when it came to her boss…

Maybe she wanted to cut some fruit for the guest.

Xiao Yu looked away, lowering her head to continue chatting with the guest, then suddenly paused mid-conversation.

There wasn’t any fruit in the tea room, was there?

Then why did the boss take the knife?

Oh, maybe something was broken and needed fixing, so she took the knife to chop it.

Xiao Yu went back to replying to the guest.

In the tea room, Yuan Ying raised the kitchen knife: Come here, let me chop you.

Zhu Feng suddenly laughed, his voice deep, the two unbuttoned buttons of his shirt trembling along with his laughter.

The feeling he gave Yuan Ying was often like that of a wild beast wearing clothes—no matter how fine or expensive the garments, they couldn’t conceal the dangerous aura emanating from his very bones.

In the early days of their acquaintance, Yuan Ying often felt the urge to run away mid-conversation with him. But now… she was a brave hunter, the kitchen knife in her hand itching for action.

Her restlessness was quite obvious. Anyone with a shred of common sense would have backed away at this point.

But not Zhu Feng.

After laughing his fill, he leaned forward nonchalantly: Go ahead, chop. If you don’t kill me, I’m going to kiss you.Yuan Ying stared at his suddenly approaching face, and before he could retreat, someone intervened.

Wait, wait, wait! Let’s talk this through properly.

Only then did Yuan Ying notice there were two other people in the room.

One was smiling cheerfully, looking like a male college student.

The other sat in the corner – scar-faced, muscular, built like a bear.

She meant no offense; he genuinely resembled a bear.

How could she have failed to notice two such conspicuous figures until now?

While Yuan Ying was still processing this, the college-looking guy had already squeezed between her and Zhu Feng, bowing: Greetings, Queen.

…What did you call me? Yuan Ying hadn’t caught it clearly.

Zhu Feng cut in: Yuan Ying.

Right, Yuan Ying, the college boy smoothly corrected himself.

Yuan Ying: …

She was certain she hadn’t heard those two words earlier.

Boss Yuan, I’m Shu Lin – ‘restrain’ for Shu, ‘scale’ for Lin. I’m the King… Zhu Feng’s cousin, the young man said while tentatively reaching for the knife in her hand.

Though Yuan Ying had been brandishing the knife, she hadn’t actually intended to hurt anyone. Seeing him reach for it, she handed it over willingly.

Then she turned her gaze to the bear-like… brawny man in the corner.

That’s A Ye, Zhu Feng’s bodyguard, the young man introduced the corner-dwelling bear.

The bear looked up – fierce-faced, appearing anything but friendly.

Advocate of peace Boss Yuan instantly cooled down and took the initiative to break the stalemate: How did you find this place?

The current Jinlin Town where she resided was eighteen hundred kilometers from her previous home. She refused to believe his appearance here was coincidental.

Me? Shu Lin pointed at himself confusedly.

Before the words fully left his mouth, a powerful hand landed on his shoulder. With a gentle push, the six-foot-tall Shu Lin was brushed aside like a feather.

With the obstacle removed, Zhu Feng and Yuan Ying faced each other again.

The owner of the noodle shop downstairs told me, Zhu Feng answered her question.

Yuan Ying paused, remembering how two years ago when she sold her house and moved away, she’d eaten her final meal at the noodle shop beneath her old apartment building.

Where are you planning to go? the owner had asked.

She’d smiled back then: To Jinlin Town, to run a guesthouse.

The memory faded.

Yuan Ying grew wary: Why were you looking for me?

Zhu Feng studied her for several seconds before saying: Because I didn’t want to do long-distance anymore.

Yuan Ying: ?

Sudden silence fell over the tea room. Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Shu Lin rubbed his arms and went to face the wall.

After a prolonged silence, Yuan Ying slowly spoke: I recall we already broke up.

We didn’t.

Yuan Ying looked up: Huh?

No breakup, Zhu Feng raised his hand, initially intending to pat her head, but when she leaned back defensively, he casually lowered it again. When did we break up?

With the bear-like man watching threateningly, Yuan Ying maintained her composure as best she could: Was it a dog who called me to break up three years ago then?

What exactly did I say back then? Zhu Feng countered.

Though three years had passed, Yuan Ying’s memory of that day remained vividly clear.

It was the third month since his sudden disappearance when he unexpectedly called. Before she could even feel happy, she heard his icy voice.

I’ve gone home. Don’t look for me.

Seven words, then the call ended and could never be reached again.

That’s it, Zhu Feng nodded. I just told you not to look for me. I never mentioned breaking up.

Yuan Ying remained silent for a moment. After confirming he was serious, she turned to look at his cousin, who blinked innocently.

Give me back the kitchen knife, she said gently.

The cousin immediately looked up at the sky.

Xiao Yu had just finished replying to a guest’s message and was about to stretch when she saw the teahouse door suddenly open.

Leave my homestay within five minutes, or I’ll call the police.

Yuan Ying’s tone was calm, but her expression was far from pleasant.

She turned and went upstairs. Xiao Yu immediately raised her phone, pointing at the three people in the teahouse as a warning: Please leave immediately.

Misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding, Shu Lin hurried out to smooth things over.

Xiao Yu sneered: Bullshit, get out!

Shu Lin: …

Ten minutes later, the three of them appeared in a small restaurant eight hundred meters from Jin Yuanbao Homestay.

Shu Lin: The Queen looks really angry.

A Ye: Why did they give me such a big card?

Shu Lin: Well, her boyfriend disappeared for three years and suddenly shows up like nothing happened. Anyone would be angry.

A Ye: What’s all this messy stuff on the card?

Shu Lin: The top priority now is to calm the Queen down.

A Ye: Where’s the food? Why is there no food? Isn’t this a place to eat?

Shu Lin finally lost his patience, snatched the menu from A Ye’s hand and smacked him on the forehead with it: Food, food, food! That’s all you think about! This card is a menu, the messy stuff on it are dish names. If you don’t order, how are they supposed to serve you?!

A Ye didn’t get angry even after being hit. With his fierce-looking face, he turned and called the waiter over.

I want everything on here.

Both Shu Lin and the waiter gasped simultaneously.

Don’t listen to him. Just bring six portions of Three Treasures from the Earth Topping Rice, Shu Lin said expressionlessly, covering A Ye’s mouth.

Waiter: Six portions? Our servings are quite large.

Just six portions, Shu Lin insisted.

The waiter nodded and left.

A Ye pulled Shu Lin’s hand away: I want to eat expensive things.Three Treasures from the Earth Topping Rice is the most expensive, Shu Lin said dismissively.

A Ye narrowed his eyes: I may not know how to read, but I can count.

Three Treasures from the Earth Topping Rice was eight yuan per portion, the cheapest item on the menu.

If you can’t read, how did you match the words with the numbers? Shu Lin glared at him.

A Ye pointed at the picture of Three Treasures from the Earth Topping Rice on the menu: I recognize this.

Shu Lin: …

After a brief silence, he decisively changed the subject: What should we do now?

A Ye: Go back.

Shu Lin: Back where?

A Ye: To the Queen’s place.

Shu Lin: The Queen will call the police.

A Ye: Let her call. Doesn’t the King want her to hold him tight?

…This is why we shouldn’t bring dragons who haven’t undergone socialization training outside. Having to explain everything is really troublesome, Shu Lin turned to complain to Zhu Feng, who had been silent the whole time.

Zhu Feng calmly watched the human children playing outside the restaurant. The smile he had piled up in front of Yuan Ying had completely vanished at this moment.

The King is actually quite pitiful too, Shu Lin complained to A Ye again, though this time in a quieter voice.

Before coming to see the Queen, he had been confidently telling them how much the Queen loved him.

But what was the result? There was no sign of how much she loved him; instead, it seemed she found him quite annoying.

A Ye, tall and sturdy, glanced at Zhu Feng and said, Well, his boast fell flat. That’s a bit pitiful.

Shu Lin: …

Zhu Feng, who had been staying out of the discussion, shot a look over: I can hear you.

A Ye immediately froze, pretending to be a potted plant.

The rice dishes were quickly served. A Ye started eating, while Zhu Feng continued observing the child.

Shu Lin looked at each of them and realized none of them could be relied on. He couldn’t help but sigh.

Forget it, let’s find a place to stay first, he said, opening his phone and quickly scrolling through a hotel booking app.

Zhu Feng: Stay at her place.

I’d like to, Shu Lin replied without looking up, but the Queen’s guesthouse is fully booked. There won’t be any vacancies until tomorrow.

How do you know there will be vacancies tomorrow? Zhu Feng asked.

Shu Lin shook his phone helplessly: I just asked customer service.

Zhu Feng glanced at the chat screen on his phone but said nothing.

While Shu Lin was booking a room, A Ye had already finished six servings of rice dishes. He leaned back in his chair, satisfied, and let out a burp.

Zhu Feng stood up and walked out. A Ye immediately followed. Shu Lin hurriedly paid for the meals and rushed out after them.

Because of Zhu Feng’s appearance, Yuan Ying sulked all day.

Since childhood, she had been used to keeping her emotions under absolute control, but Zhu Feng always managed to provoke her anger easily—three years ago, and now, three years later.

She remained upset until evening. After taking a hot bath, applying a face mask, and slathering on fragrant body lotion, her mood finally improved.

Since she had told someone to leave that morning, that someone hadn’t returned. Probably his pride was hurt, and he didn’t plan on coming back.

That was just fine—it saved her the trouble of having to kick him out again.

Boss Yuan, having finished her day’s work, lazily flopped onto the bed.

Jinlin Town was located in the northernmost city of the country. Even though it was late June, the nighttime temperature was still only around ten degrees Celsius.

The heating had been turned off a month ago. Yuan Ying lay on the bed, the warmth from her bath quickly dissipating. She rolled over, wrapping the blanket around herself.

At this time last year, she had been using an electric blanket, but not this year. Because she knew that even if her hands and feet were cold now, she would still feel hot after falling asleep.

Sure enough, not long after she fell asleep, Yuan Ying felt the familiar warmth. As she tossed and turned restlessly, she accidentally hit something, and the next moment, her hand was caught.

Yuan Ying let out a muffled groan. Half-asleep, she saw a familiar silhouette.

A low chuckle escaped Zhu Feng’s throat. As he leaned down and nibbled her earlobe, a familiar shiver ran through her entire body.

Yuan Ying pushed him, instinctively trying to escape.

Thinking she was resisting, Zhu Feng gently stroked her jaw with his calloused fingertips: Be good, a kiss will help you sleep more comfortably.

This had been happening almost every day for the past month. She was used to it—it was just that the dream was keeping up with the times. Having just seen the silver-haired Zhu Feng today, the person in her dream had been updated to the latest version.

Yuan Ying relaxed her body and accepted the silver-haired Zhu Feng’s kiss.