Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

As night fell, a bloody aura filled the courtyard. A person pushed open the door, their footsteps leisurely echoing with the sound of a wooden fish being struck in the empty space. The person stopped in front of the head, placed their hands in front of them, and said compassionately, "Amitabha."

The sound of the wooden fish being struck echoed throughout the night.

The next day, July passed in bits and pieces, and August became hot.

Xiao Zheyu got up early, glanced to the left, and realized that this was the place she had gone to yesterday. She raised her hand and knocked on the door.

The door remained silent for a long time. Congrong frowned and said, "Miss, let's go downstairs and eat while we wait." Xiao Zheyu raised her hand and knocked on the door again.

The door was opened, revealing a white jacket. The person in front of her was much taller than her, and Xiao Zheyu paused slightly.

"What is it?" the man asked coldly.

Cong Rong pulled Xiao Zheyu back a step. Xiao Zheyu looked up and saw his face clearly. His eyebrows were straight, and his eyes were covered with a thin veil. The thin veil only made people think more.

Xiao Zheyu said, "Sorry, I knocked on the wrong door."

Zhou Xiuqi nodded slightly and closed the door.

Xiao Zheyu turned around, and from the other door, Meng Yingying came out yawning. After seeing her, she said, "Good morning, Master."

Xiao Zheyu nodded and said, "You can call me whatever you like."

Meng Yingying stopped yawning, walked to her side, glanced at the door, and said, "I went to my senior brother's room last night to get some things. I'm staying in another room."

Cong Rong frowned: "You did this on purpose?"

Meng Yingying stopped laughing and said, "I really went to get something, I didn't mean anything else."

Xiao Zheyu interrupted their conversation, saying, "Stop talking nonsense and take me to see those girls."

Meng Yingying calmed herself down and led them downstairs. They happened to run into Kong Fusheng, so the four of them went together. She had gotten up early this morning to wait for Xiao Zheyu to wake up and for their second encounter. However, when the two of them faced each other, there was no sense of romance at all. Instead, the air was thick with awkwardness. The atmosphere she had arranged was completely absent.

After leading her downstairs, Meng Yingying walked to the counter, and the shopkeeper looked up and said, "Miss Meng."

"Shopkeeper, where are the girls?"

The shopkeeper glanced at the kitchen and said helplessly, "I didn't intend for them to help, but they got up early and went to help in the kitchen anyway."

"The kitchen is very crowded right now. If you want to go in, please call out first."

Meng Yingying understood. From the kitchen, A Jin came out and was surprised to see her: "Little Taoist! It's so good that you're not dead!" As soon as she shouted, the people behind her surrounded her. Meng Yingying was caught off guard and surrounded. She said breathlessly, "Can you all slow down? I can't even breathe." The crowd then dispersed.

Suddenly, Meng Yingying felt as if she had entered a spider's web. She said, "I brought someone with me. Yesterday I only found one place in Liuzhou. There are many more like this in Liuzhou. She can help us solve this." She led them to Xiao Zheyu, whose gaze swept over each of their faces.

Everyone who met her gaze unconsciously lowered their heads. Ah Jin tugged at her sleeve and said, "Little Taoist, she seems very cold-hearted. Will she really help us?"

“Being cold-hearted doesn’t mean you’re not passionate about your work, don’t worry,” Meng Yingying comforted her.

Xiao Zheyu said, "I need you to come with me to the government office."

Suddenly, a chorus of hisses erupted. Meng Yingying's sleeve was pulled straight by A Jin, and she said nervously, "Little Taoist, are we going to the government office? Are you going to hand us over to the government?"

"no."

Before Meng Yingying could speak, Xiao Zheyu interrupted their thoughts, saying, "You only need to accompany me once. Only when we go to the government office will someone investigate. If it's for no reason, we can't eradicate it completely."

"If you are not brave enough, you can stay. I will not force you."

After yesterday, many people have the courage to fight with their backs against the wall. Ah Jin said first, "I can go. I will do anything as long as I can catch those bad guys."

"Me too."

"Me too, I can do it too."

Xiao Zheyu nodded as he glanced at each person.

When Xiao Zheyu arrived at the government office and revealed his identity, the officials immediately began to focus on cracking down on the case. Meanwhile, Meng Yingying was secretly observing the situation on the other side.

Time flew by, and Meng Yingying lived her life in a daze, busy digging out all these people, which took her several months.

Meng Yingying returned to the inn with a long face. A Jin greeted her first: "Miss Meng, we have developed a new dish today. Try it and see if it tastes the same as the one from your hometown."

Meng Yingying was pulled into the kitchen by her. In front of her was a bowl of golden chicken legs. She hesitated and asked, "This... what is this?"

Ah Jin pulled the somewhat hesitant Ah Li over: "You've worked hard these past few months, girl. You mentioned this dish to us before, but we've never seen it before. Try it and see if it tastes the same as the one from your hometown."

Meng Yingying picked up a chicken leg, took a bite, and saw that the skin was covered with egg. Although it wasn't crispy, it tasted delicious. She smiled, drawing A Jin's expectant gaze, and exclaimed with delight, "Delicious, delicious! It tastes exactly like the ones from my hometown!"

Ah Jin covered her mouth and smiled: "That would be wonderful. You've worked hard these past two weeks, Miss. We plan to open a restaurant together with the girls who came out back then. We'll name it after you, Miss Meng, and Miss Zhe Yu. The dishes will be made according to the taste of your hometown. If you think it's good, we each have some money, so it should be enough to open for a while."

Meng Yingying was surprised at how quickly their thoughts changed, but she was also happy: "That's great! Naming it after a name might be a bit too much..."

Ah Jin quickly waved her hand: "It was all Ah Li's idea. Ah Li is very grateful to you, but she's just used to hurting people."

Ah Jin, who had been awkwardly facing away from the two, turned around and glared angrily upon hearing Ah Jin's words: "I... I was just saying it casually!"

Ah Jin smiled and said in a coquettish tone, "Yes, I just said it casually, but I've heard it so many times these past few days."

Ahri: "You dare to make fun of me? You're asking for it."

The two laughed and played together, and Meng Yingying felt inexplicably refreshed, all her fatigue from the day disappearing.

He stepped forward to stop the two, blocking them with both hands, and said with a smile, "Seeing you like this makes me happy."

Ah Li initially tried to struggle, but ultimately lowered her eyes and remained silent, while Ah Jin smiled as she looked at Meng Yingying.

When Meng Yingying came out of the kitchen, she saw the two of them staring blankly at each other. Zhou Xiuqi was expressionless, while Xiao Zheyu seemed hesitant to speak. Meng Yingying sighed and asked, "Did you come to see me?"

Xiao Zheyu turned around, and Meng Yingying walked up to her, looking refreshed, and offered her a way out.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Zheyu didn't take her chances at all and looked at Zhou Xiuqi: "No, I'm looking for your senior brother."

Meng Yingying swayed slightly, feigning surprise: "What do you want with my senior brother?"

A look of utter bewilderment crossed Xiao Zheyu's face: "I...."

Zhou Xiuqi interrupted first, saying coldly, "I have other things to do, I'll be leaving now."

Zhou Xiuqi left without any hesitation, and Xiao Zheyu stood alone at the entrance of the inn for a long time.

"Sister Xiao, you wouldn't have fallen in love with my senior brother, would you?"

Xiao Zheyu: "No."

Meng Yingying asked with a cheeky smile, "Then why did you wait outside the inn twice in a row to catch my senior brother?"

Xiao Zheyu seemed unable to understand why, for the past two weeks, she had been paying attention to him, intentionally or unintentionally.

"I just feel that he looks a lot like an old friend of mine."

Meng Yingying stroked her chin: "An old friend?"

Xiao Zheyu didn't speak for a moment, then asked, "What are the plans for the girls?"

Looking out the window, Meng Yingying's eyes were full of satisfaction and joy: "They are planning to open a restaurant and name it after you and me."

Xiao Zheyu asked with some surprise, "A restaurant named after you and me?"

Meng Yingying smiled and nodded: "At least with the restaurant, they don't have to worry about what kind of business they will do in the future, and they can also pay off some of the family's debts."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zheyu understood the reasoning behind it and added, "I will leave a few guards behind to protect their safety and guard against those with ill intentions. I will also provide the funds for opening the restaurant."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yingying excitedly patted her arm and laughed loudly, "You've thought of everything!" She walked towards the kitchen to tell them the good news.

Xiao Zheyu was stunned by her slap and stood there, his shoulder still throbbing slightly. He shook his head helplessly and muttered to himself, "She's really a strange person."

Meng Yingying pulled the two of them to her and said with a grin, "Don't be fooled by her cold expression; she's actually very warm-hearted."

Ah Jin and Ah Li were both a little uncomfortable. Xiao Zheyu was always as dignified as a piece of beautiful jade, a kind of beauty that made people afraid to get close and break it. But after spending time with her, Meng Yingying found that Xiao Zheyu was actually a bit naive at times.

Ah Jin glanced at Xiao Zheyu and said casually, "Thank you for considering our comfort, Miss Xiao."

Ahri quickly bowed slightly, saying, "Thank you for taking such good care of us."

Xiao Zheyu was not used to such a occasion. He shifted his body slightly, then awkwardly helped the two of them up, saying in a cold tone, "No need to thank me. From now on, there is no need to be afraid or timid."

Ah Li and Ah Jin exchanged a glance, both seeing an unwavering belief in each other's eyes.

The two said in unison, "We are not afraid, we are not timid."

As dusk gradually descended and was swallowed by the night, Liuzhou City suddenly burst into a vibrant atmosphere, bustling with traffic, bright lights, and lively scenes. Meng Yingying looked out and saw lanterns all over the streets, displaying a variety of handicrafts.

Meng Yingying turned around: "Is today a holiday?"

Ah Jin kneaded the dough and said, "Miss Meng, you're so busy you've forgotten everything! Today is New Year's Day!"

Meng Yingying was somewhat surprised upon hearing this: "Today is New Year's Day?" That's the Spring Festival, and she's already been here for so long!

Ah Jin smiled and said, "I'm just about to make some dumplings. We'll have dumplings for everyone tonight for dinner."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yingying suddenly seemed to have an idea and blurted out in a moment of impulse, "Could you pack twenty of them for me in a food box?"

Ah Jin: "Of course it's possible."

Meng Yingying turned her back and slapped her forehead. Where could she find him with this box of dumplings in her hand?

After Ah Jin finished wrapping the dumplings, Meng Yingying helped her out. Suddenly, she thought of something: "Ah Jin, we can make a lucky dumpling."

Ah Jin asked in confusion, "What are lucky dumplings?"

Meng Yingying took out a copper coin from her pocket and wrapped it in a dumpling: "Whoever finds this dumpling will have a year full of good luck."

"I call them lucky dumplings."

Ah Jin chuckled: "Interesting."

The three of them worked together to make dumplings, and they finished quickly.

The shopkeeper showed himself: "Want some dumplings?"

Ah Jin quickly called out, "Manager, come on over!"

The shopkeeper, whose legs were unsteady, shook his head, saying, "My...."

Ah Jin pushed him down in front of the table: "I made these dumplings today, please have a taste."

Ah Li covered her mouth and chuckled to herself. Meng Yingying leaned closer and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Ali pointed at Ajin: "Ajin is interested in this shopkeeper."

Meng Yingying looked the two of them up and down but couldn't see any spark: "Where did you see that?"

Ahri winked and said, "Guess."

Meng Yingying followed suit, saying, "Guess if I'll guess or not?" Then she quickly sat down.

Ah Jin looked at the table full of people, her smile almost overflowing: "Today is the first year of my good days. Thank you to everyone here. You have all been kind to me, Ah Jin."

Hearing her speak, Meng Yingying realized that things were about to get emotional, so she quickly stood up, holding a wine glass in her hand: "Stop! Today I made a lucky dumpling. Whoever eats it will be lucky for the whole year. Everyone, hurry up and grab the dumplings!"

Ling Daozi: "Are the dumplings you made edible?"

Meng Yingying said, "You'll know once you eat one." After saying that, she picked up a dumpling and put it in his bowl.

Kong Fusheng, holding the bowl, exclaimed, "Wow!"

"Senior Meng, you are truly amazing."

Meng Yingying nodded: "I am omnipotent."

Kong Fusheng, his face full of curiosity, put down his chopsticks, but unexpectedly bumped into another pair. Kong Fusheng looked up and said, "Sorry."

Those eyes were glistening with tears.

The next second, the person coldly pushed his chopsticks away, without saying a word, picked up the dumpling and put it in his mouth.

Kong Fusheng was stunned and stopped moving.

Meng Yingying shook her head, her gaze falling again between Zhou Xiuqi and Xiao Zheyu. There seemed to be a membrane between Zhou Xiuqi and her. Xiao Zheyu would glance at him from time to time, while Zhou Xiuqi would always pretend to look at Xiao Zheyu out of the corner of his eye.

The two of them were sneaking around.

Meng Yingying sighed loudly, then asked, "Does anyone want to go for a walk later?"

Ah Jin: "No, I'm going to study cuisine with Ah Li later."

Zhou Xiuqi: "..."

Xiao Zheyu: "I have something to do later."

Ling Daozi drank half a bottle of strong liquor in no time and was now fast asleep. Kong Fusheng was brooding and didn't know what he was thinking, just kept eating dumplings.

Meng Yingying thought to herself, "Just what I wanted." Then she stood up.

"I have something to take care of and need to go out for a bit. I'll be right back." With that, he disappeared from everyone's sight.

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