Chapter Eighty-One: Shall We Bathe Together?

Chapter 81: Shall We Bathe Together?

Xu Yun, carrying the long-legged beauty on his shoulder, her hips raised and chest thrust out, was certainly a sight to behold. By the time he arrived at the parking lot, Ruan Qingshuang and the others were already there. Xu Yun opened the trunk, and Qiu Yan tossed the unconscious Ma Pinghai inside without hesitation.

“You drive. Take Qin Wan’er and me to the police station first,” Xu Yun said, handing the car keys to Qiu Yan while stuffing the knocked-out Qin Wan’er into the back seat.

Qiu Yan hesitated. She knew the Red Scorpion might be arriving soon, and she honestly preferred to team up with Xu Yun now—maybe they’d stand a chance at victory.

Xu Yun could see what Qiu Yan was thinking. “If we let Red Scorpion cause havoc here, people will die.”

In the end, Qiu Yan chose to leave, started the car, and drove off. The Audi left the west gate of Hedong International Hotel, brushing past a man in a black hooded sweatshirt…

Soon, Qin Wan’er delivered Xu Yun to the Hedong City Public Security Bureau. The bumpy ride woke her up.

Her first reaction was to explode: “Xu Yun! What the hell do you want?! How is this any different from harboring a criminal?”

Xu Yun pointed at the police station gates outside the window. “You can go in right now and report me for aiding a fugitive. Have me arrested. But I’ll tell you this: If you send the police to the Hedong International Hotel tonight, innocent people will get hurt. Qin Wan’er, you’re a police officer. The people’s interests should come first.”

Qin Wan’er had no rebuttal.

“Wan’er, I support Dad,” Guoguo piped up. She wasn’t like other children—she already understood what was happening.

Ruan Qingshuang stroked Guoguo’s cheek. She had never imagined such incredible things would happen around her. Admittedly, she was anxious, but with Guoguo and Xu Yun, she felt inexplicably reassured.

Xu Yun opened the car door. “Ma Pinghai is in the trunk.”

Ruan Qingshuang looked at him seriously. “Xu Yun, I trust you. You have your reasons. Let’s escort Ma Pinghai inside together.”

“I’ll see that he walks in on his own,” Xu Yun replied with a smile. He turned to Qiu Yan. “You should go back first.”

Qiu Yan said nothing. Once Xu Yun and Qin Wan’er had pulled Ma Pinghai out of the trunk, she drove away. Qiu Yan really couldn’t stand the smell of the police.

Ma Pinghai had already woken up during the drive. As he was hauled out, he greedily gulped in fresh air. Once he realized his predicament, he was dumbfounded.

“What are you doing?!” Ma Pinghai cried in panic.

“Drop the act, Ma Pinghai,” Xu Yun sneered. “You have two choices. Go inside and confess everything to Qin Wan’er, or I’ll deal with you myself.”

Ma Pinghai’s voice trembled. “Xu Yun, I’m warning you, you’ll regret this!”

“I never regret my actions!” Xu Yun replied, and with a powerful kick, sent Ma Pinghai rolling several meters. “Let’s see who ends up regretting it.”

Ma Pinghai scrambled to his feet to escape, but before he could get far, Xu Yun was already in front of him. With a heavy slap, Xu Yun sent him spinning through the air and crashing to the ground.

Xu Yun sneered coldly. “Let me show you what a real villain looks like—one who kills but doesn’t bother to bury the body.”

“Ow…ow…” Ma Pinghai wailed in pain, scrambling toward Qin Wan’er. “Murder! You’re a police officer—you heard him, he’s going to kill me!”

Qin Wan’er rolled her eyes, utterly indifferent. “Heard what? Sorry, I didn’t hear anything.”

Ma Pinghai was stunned. What did that mean?

Qin Wan’er walked straight into the station, not the least bit concerned with what was happening behind her.

Xu Yun’s gaze turned icy, and a tangible wave of killing intent washed over Ma Pinghai. “A person of no value doesn’t deserve police protection.”

A chill went through Ma Pinghai’s body, a terror so deep it seemed to freeze his soul. Suddenly, he dashed madly toward the police station, shouting, “I know about the fugitive Hao Kai! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!”

A few officers on duty rushed out. Qin Wan’er explained briefly, and they quickly handcuffed Ma Pinghai.

Xu Yun disliked dealing with the police—what happened next wasn’t his concern. That poisonous scorpion wasn’t going to be easy to deal with. If it missed its mark, it would just go into hiding again.

Qin Wan’er would probably be interrogating all night. Xu Yun didn’t wait for her and returned directly to the medicinal cuisine restaurant.

When Xu Yun got back, nothing seemed amiss. Qiangzi and the Three Tigers of the Southern City were all there. Seeing Xu Yun, they hurried over to ask about Qiu Yan—she’d seemed so cold and murderous earlier that they hadn’t dared say a word to her.

“I have no idea,” Xu Yun shrugged. “Alright, you all should head home. Oh, by the way, from now on, Jin Biao from the East District and Wu Lei from the West District are working with Sister Shuang. As for Ma Pinghai from the North… Well, since he was hiding such an important fugitive, he’ll probably get at least two years in prison.”

Everyone was shocked.

Dan Hongning couldn’t believe it. Did they really just nab Jin Biao and Wu Lei over a single meal?

“Brother, you’re not joking, right?” Qiangzi still didn’t quite get it.

Xu Yun didn’t bother explaining. “Go on, get out. We’re closing! If you disturb Sister Yan’s rest, you’re on your own.”

Just thinking of Qiu Yan’s icy demeanor made them all break out in a cold sweat. They quickly got up and left.

Only after securing the shop did Xu Yun head upstairs. Qiu Yan was sitting in the room helping Guoguo with her homework. Guoguo was unusually quiet tonight, so well-behaved it was hard to believe she was herself.

Seeing Xu Yun return, Ruan Qingshuang poured him a glass of water and asked, “Xu Yun, I think something’s wrong with Qiu Yan tonight.”

Xu Yun nodded and smiled faintly. “Here’s what we’ll do—let her sleep in Guoguo’s room tonight.”

Ruan Qingshuang hesitated. “I’m worried Guoguo won’t behave.”

“She’s more obedient with Qiu Yan than with you,” Xu Yun said knowingly. Qiu Yan’s oddness was because she sensed danger—she only felt safe staying close to Guoguo. Maybe the burden Feng Qiansui placed on her was too heavy.

“I suppose that’s the only way,” Ruan Qingshuang said, a little reluctant. She was used to Guoguo begging her for bedtime stories every night.

Xu Yun noticed Ruan Qingshuang seemed a bit off. “Are you still not feeling well? Want me to give you another massage?”

A flush colored Ruan Qingshuang’s cheeks. “No need, I’m fine now.”

“You can fool others, but not me,” Xu Yun chuckled. “Come to my room—I have something to discuss with you.”

Ruan Qingshuang nodded. “I have something to talk to you about too.”

Once inside, Xu Yun spoke first. “I suspect we want to talk about the same thing.”

“Medicinal cuisine?” Ruan Qingshuang’s brows knit together.

Xu Yun nodded. “Why does Hedong International Hotel have your medicinal cuisine recipes? I don’t remember ever working with them.”

Ruan Qingshuang was equally puzzled. “Exactly. Dan Hongning tried to partner with them before, but their boss refused.”

Xu Yun smiled wryly. “Looks like they wanted to develop their own medicinal cuisine—but this is just a cheap imitation. It seems one of our chefs leaked the recipes.”

Ruan Qingshuang didn’t seem to mind. “If it’s out there, it’s out there. Maybe it’ll help spread the cuisine’s reputation.”

“I can’t agree to that,” Xu Yun said firmly. “It’s fine to promote it, but refusing to cooperate and then stealing our recipes behind our backs is just disgusting.”

“So what will you do?” Ruan Qingshuang asked, startled.

“Don’t worry, I have a plan,” Xu Yun replied with a smile.

Just then, Guoguo finished her homework and came out humming. She called toward Xu Yun’s room, “Mom, I’m sleeping in Wan’er’s room tonight. Hehe, let Dad sleep with you.”

Embarrassed, Ruan Qingshuang hurried to open the door, her cheeks flushed. “Guoguo, don’t talk nonsense.”

Guoguo looked surprised, then sighed dramatically, casting a glance at Xu Yun. “Dad, seriously… You’re hopeless. Mom’s been in your room for ages and her clothes are still neat. How am I supposed to teach you? A man should take the initiative.”

Seeing Guoguo so serious, Ruan Qingshuang was at a loss. What on earth was this child up to?

Xu Yun felt like jumping out the window. How did he, the dashing young man, end up being called a useless weakling by Guoguo? Absolutely pathetic.

“Mom, let’s go take a bath,” Guoguo said breezily. “I don’t like bathing with Qiu Yan—she won’t let me play with the little yellow duck.”

Ruan Qingshuang nodded helplessly. “Alright, I’ll go with you. Wash up and go straight to bed, understand?”

Guoguo nodded, then gave the petrified Xu Yun a look. “Dad, want to bathe together? If you let me play with the yellow duck, I’ll let you join. Otherwise, you can bathe with Qiu Yan.”

What could Xu Yun say? All he could do was envy Guoguo. She could bathe with whomever she wanted. Damn, Xu Yun vowed, if either Ruan Qingshuang or Qiu Yan ever agreed to bathe with him, he’d forgo the yellow duck for life—even in his next life…

“Enough nonsense.” Qiu Yan, who had just gone back to her room, came out and flicked Guoguo’s forehead. She felt she really needed to discipline this kid, or she’d end up taking the fall for her antics.

“Ow…” Guoguo winced. “No need to scold me! I was just trying to help. What if someone slips in the bath? It’s safer with more people…”

“Still talking?” Qiu Yan raised her hand again.

Clutching her head, Guoguo darted into the bathroom. Ruan Qingshuang, resigned, went to get fresh clothes. Only then did Qiu Yan heave a sigh of relief.

Though Xu Yun agreed with Guoguo, he dared not say it. The girl had a point—more people meant more help, and they could even scrub each other’s backs. Why wouldn’t they want to bathe with him?