Chapter 24 Feeling Indebted "I didn't receive the young lady's message, and her phone was switched off..."
On the way back, Meng Cenjun was restless and her thoughts were in turmoil.
He hates nothing more than things slipping out of his control, and now, seemingly without his knowledge, everything is starting to go in the worst possible direction.
He rested his elbow against the car window, his brow furrowed, silently considering a solution.
It was past nine o'clock when I got home. I first glanced at the shoes in the entryway. Lan Jia hadn't returned yet, but Aunt Ming was the first to come out to greet me.
"And her?" Meng Cenjun asked calmly.
"I finished work early today, so I guess I'll be back soon." She said with a half-smile and a half-hearted concern, "We just talked on the phone this afternoon, and he specifically asked for a late-night snack. He's really exhausted these past few days, so he needs to make up for it properly."
Meng Cenjun nodded, handed her the coat he had taken off, and said, "I'll do it."
Aunt Ming was pleasantly surprised. The two had just had a fight last night, and she was worried about how to reconcile them. Meng Cenjun's actions suggested that she was taking the initiative to make peace. As long as one of them gave in, it would be fine. The brother and sister were both soft-hearted towards each other, and in this way, everyone would be happy.
She immediately felt much more relaxed, and her smile deepened. She quickly said, "Then I'll go prepare the ingredients right away."
The kitchen was filled with the sound of running water as Aunt Ming washed vegetables. Meng Cenjun took off her cufflinks, rolled up her white shirt to her forearm, and skillfully prepared shad, slicing potatoes and carrots to make vegetarian crab roe. Her knife skills were quick and beautiful.
Actually, he is a very good cook, but he has become increasingly busy after starting work and can only enter the kitchen a few times a year. He honed these skills during his studies abroad and has not lost them to this day.
When he moved back in with Lan Jia, she was depressed, had a small appetite, was picky about food, had a thin face, and was almost gaunt. They had gone through several cooks, but none of them could satisfy her taste. Fearing she would become malnourished, he had to cook for her himself, changing the dishes and coaxing her to eat. Seeing her lack of interest, he became anxious and couldn't help but scold her sternly. Little Lan Jia would sit at a large round walnut table, always with tears in her eyes, as if she were being tortured, eating rice mixed with salty tears for a long time.
He was only in his early twenties then, his temperament hadn't settled down, and he was often irritable and restless due to many troubles. Taking on the responsibility of leading the family for the first time, he often didn't know what to do, and he was especially strict and impatient with such a young child. Now, whenever he recalls it, he feels immense pain, and all he feels towards Lan Jia is a growing sense of guilt and indebtedness.
Meng Cenjun often thought that he was such a bad-tempered person, and he didn't know how Lan Jia had put up with him all these years. He should be glad that Lan Jia didn't leave him like she left the old house. He had also imagined that if Lan Jia left, he would probably feel like he had lost his backbone, and would be anxious and lost all day long.
He was ten years older than her, and logically, he should have been ten years more experienced and mature. But now he was gradually losing his senses about whether Lan Jia depended on him more, or whether he needed her more.
The kitchen stove was turned off, but the aroma filled the air. Meng Cenjun quickly prepared a table of dishes, which were brightly colored but not to his taste. He did this only because he had deliberately catered to Lan Jia's preferences.
As things quieted down, the ticking of the clock grew louder, and it was getting late. Meng Cenjun wiped his hands and gestured to Aunt Ming, "Ask her." He was still concerned about the cold war between the two of them and was unwilling to take the initiative easily, lest he lose face as an elder.
Aunt Ming understood his thoughts and smiled. She was also wondering if Lan Jia had arrived home yet and was about to call to ask when she heard a ringing bell.
It was bodyguard Zuo Tai calling.
She listened for a moment, her face darkening.
"What's wrong?" He had a bad feeling and asked with concern.
"I couldn't reach Miss, and her phone is switched off."
Meng Cenjun's heart skipped a beat, and she forced herself to remain calm as she said, "Send someone to look for it immediately."
"Have you found it yet?" In the quiet surroundings, Lan Jia followed behind Song Qingqu and muttered to herself.
After the film crew finished work, the two left early to have dinner together. Song Qingqu suggested taking her to a local restaurant, and Lan Jia rode there on his electric scooter. They arrived at an old residential area, and after calculating the distance, she realized it wasn't far from the film crew, which put her mind at ease.
In summer, the streetlights shine even more dimly under the shade of the tall sycamore trees.
Song Qingqu, who was still scouting ahead, reassured him, "We should be there soon. That's how itinerant vendors are; they change locations every day." He then muttered to himself, "Strange... I remember it being nearby."
Lan Jia has a poor sense of direction and doesn't know the way, so she has no choice but to follow in his footsteps.
As Lan Jia stepped into a dark alley, the night breeze should have been warm, but as soon as she took a step, she felt a chilly draft brush against her face, like countless cold, boneless little hands caressing her.
She stopped in her tracks, instinctively feeling a sense of alertness and panic, like a long, drawn-out bell tolling in her ears. Lan Jia's gaze fell on Song Qingqu's back, and she thought to herself: She'd only known him for a few days, how could she have followed him to a place like this? She must have been bewitched.
She reached for her phone in her pocket, thinking she should call home to let them know she was safe, but after pressing the buttons for a while, nothing happened; it was probably out of battery and shut down. At that moment, a shadow of gloom fell over Lan Jia's heart.
“Qingqu…” she called to him from where she stood, “It’s okay if we can’t find it, or shall we go somewhere else? I know a good restaurant in the city center.”
“How can that be? The real delicacies are hidden in the countryside.” He turned to her and smiled, “You must be tired of restaurants that only serve a few cold dishes. I want to take you to try something different.”
Lan Jia remained hesitant and did not move.
The two were quite a distance apart in the alley.
"Lan Jia," Song Qingqu called her tentatively.
She pursed her lips, unsure how to properly refuse. After all, they were colleagues, and she would see each other all the time in the future.
The alley was narrow and dim, the hazy moonlight like a veil, making everything unclear. Song Qingqu looked around, understood, and then asked her with a half-smile, "Do you think I'm a bad person?"
Lan Jiading looked at him and shook her head against her will.
He noticed her wariness but wasn't annoyed. He simply said, "It's my fault for not thinking things through. It's your first time here, and we don't know each other very well yet. It's normal for you to be worried and scared."
"Qingqu, that's not what I meant..." She didn't want to leave the impression of being a malicious person, so she quickly explained.
Song Qingqu stood under the moonlight, his tall stature casting a long, hazy shadow that reminded Lan Jia of the rubber man in the animation, a long, dark, slippery villain, a childhood trauma for her, to the point that even listening to him speak had a seductive quality.
He called her name, his voice light yet certain: "Having grown up like this, you've rarely been able to make your own decisions, have you?"
Lan Jia gripped her phone tightly, a sense of panic washing over her as if she had been exposed.
I couldn't see his face clearly, but I had a feeling he was smiling.
What are you trying to say?
"Lan Jia." He didn't move, his deep eyes fixed on her. "Actually, the decision has always been in your hands."
"Just like now, there are only two choices. Do you want to leave and return to your safe and comfortable downtown mansion, or do you want to come with me to experience a new and exciting world?"
"There are only two possibilities. First, I have good intentions, I see you are depressed and I hope you can be happy, so I sincerely invite you to relax. Second, I am a bad person who is good at pretending, I deliberately approach you, lure you, bring you to this deserted place, and try to do some despicable and vile things."
"A fifty percent chance. Lan Jia, which one are you more willing to believe? Which one would you choose?"
"Or perhaps, do you dare to gamble? Do you dare to take the risk?"
"Lan Jia, I'll be waiting for you here. Are you coming or not?"
"Do you dare to come?"
He stood there, at a safe distance, seemingly posing no threat, yet his words possessed a magical power, gradually luring her deeper into his clutches.
Lan Jiaxin, as if drumming, nervously swallowed her saliva.
Undeniably, she was indeed persuaded.
She no longer wanted a well-planned, stable life; she wanted to be unrestrained, adventurous, crazy, and live life to the fullest without considering the consequences.
Angel or devil?
Life and death are irrelevant.
All the rebellious energy in his body boiled over at that moment, his blood was boiling hot, like volcanic lava.
A familiar voice suddenly hovered in her ears, advising and warning her: "Lan Jia, don't go over there."
Looking up, Song Qingqu was patiently waiting for her to make a decision.
At this moment, she is essentially cut off from the outside world, and no one knows her whereabouts.
She no longer needed to hesitate, to worry, or to fret about offending anyone. Time was on her side, and she had the right to control it as she pleased.
Lan Jia gripped the hem of her dress, trying her best to ignore the distracting noises, took a deep breath, and strode forward with unwavering determination.
The clouds dispersed, and the moonlight shone brightly, illuminating Song Qingqu's gratified smile.
Lan Jia let out a long breath, feeling an unprecedented sense of ease and comfort.
The two walked side by side through the alley. In front of them, under the residential building, was a spacious courtyard with many small wooden tables set up for dining.
An old-fashioned mala tang (spicy hot pot) stall is open for business. The warm orange lights are twinkling, and the herbal broth is bubbling and bubbling, emitting a unique and delicious aroma.
Lan Jia's stomach was empty. She closed her eyes, sniffed the air, and suddenly her appetite was whetted.
"I didn't lie to you, did I?" Song Qingqu said with a smile, as he pulled out a tissue to wipe the plastic stool and lured Lan Jia to sit down.
A few diners were scattered across the dam area, mostly nearby residents who had come downstairs for a stroll. They were wearing t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops, happily slurping down their large bowls, sweating profusely.
Lan Jia looked around, excited yet reserved. Being new to the place, she asked Song Qingqu to order food for her.
Can you eat spicy food?
She nodded, but then, as if possessed, she remembered someone who couldn't tolerate even the slightest bit of spice.
Lan Jia was startled by this thought and picked up the tea on the table, taking a big gulp.
The owner worked quickly, and soon brought out two steaming bowls of spicy hot pot.
Song Qingqu pulled out disposable wooden chopsticks and handed them to her. Lan Jia took them and instinctively rubbed the two chopsticks together before using them.
Seeing how skilled she was, he smiled slightly.
"Eat it while it's hot." He then pushed the glass vinegar jar over, "Add more if you need it."
Lan Jia hummed in agreement, about to pick up his chopsticks, when he saw the thinly sliced beef rolls and the glistening, plump meatballs in the bowl, and couldn't help but think of someone. He had always preferred vegetarian food to keep his mind rational, clear-headed, calm, and self-controlled. Eating too much meat made him gluttonous and lazy; he probably wouldn't even glance at such a hearty bowl placed in front of him.
She had always scorned his theories, and now her brows were furrowed, disgusted that he was different from her. She ate heartily as if to vent her anger, stuffing both meat and vegetables into her mouth.
By the end, only half a bowl of soup remained, and I felt nauseous from the fullness in my stomach.
Song Qingqu was just picking up a spinach when he saw her finish it off. He was surprised, then smiled and asked, "Is it good?"
Lan Jia wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead and answered truthfully.
As if he had received confirmation, his smile deepened, his tone softened, and he asked earnestly, "Lan Jia, are you happy?"
She turned her head, her eyes glistening with moisture, perhaps from the steam. Amidst her joy, she felt even more remorse for her earlier suspicions. Just as she was about to offer an explanation, the phone rang.
Of course it couldn't be hers.
Seeing the unfamiliar caller ID, Song Qingqu answered with a puzzled look. After listening for a few seconds, he looked at Lan Jia with a somewhat serious expression.
"It's for you."
In an instant, her heart pounded.
Author's Note: Guess if Brother will get angry? [Milk Tea]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com