Chapter 118: The Last Whisper
While jogging lightly, Hu Yu Ying kept looking back to see if the city management folks were catching up.
But as soon as she turned her head, she bumped straight into a shadowy figure, and her woven bag dropped right at her feet.
She hurriedly bowed her head, whispering an apology: “Sorry, sorry.”
And just as she was about to bend down to pick up her bag…
A big hand snatched it up first.
Hu Yu Ying froze for a moment, then looked up along the arm to see who had saved her.
The face beneath that hand, with its anxious expression, instantly transformed into a delighted smile.
The girl grinned, and her eyes caught a flirtatious red glow, almost spilling out, as if imprinting that smile into the marrow of the person standing before her.
She gently tapped the girl’s head with her hand: “What are you dawdling for? Hurry and run!”
Meanwhile, she threw the woven bag over her shoulder.
Looking at her silhouette ahead, Hu Yu Ying’s previously dull eyes suddenly ignited with countless sparkling lights, and she nodded heavily: “Mm.”
The two, one in front, one behind, dashed through the bustling street under the colorful glow of lanterns—running, just running away, until they reached near the train tracks.
Only then did they stop, panting heavily.
Dragon Brother set down the woven bag on his back and gasped for air.
He looked up at Hu Yu Ying, whose gaze seemed to have been glued to Dragon Brother from the start.
Their eyes met, and both suddenly smiled.
The smiles were soft, quiet, but somehow peaceful.
It was like sipping a cup of aged fine wine—complex, tangled with myriad flavors, swirling over the tongue, finally settling into a gentle exchange of smiles.
Sitting on the platform, Hu Yu Ying couldn’t stop fidgeting.
She took water out of her bag, and also grabbed a piece of cardboard, fanning Dragon Brother.
Evening’s temperature was milder than the scorching noontime heat, but after such intense activity, sweat began to bead on her brow.
“Dragon bro, what do you want to eat tonight?”
She didn’t ask for anything complicated; she just genuinely wanted to know what Dragon Brother fancied.
This kind-hearted little girl wore her purest smile, making Dragon Brother feel warm and relaxed.
“Congee, with lean pork,” he said simply.
He didn’t ask Hu Yu Ying how her days had been—they both knew how fierce the competition was with the impromptu street stalls.
When the city management folks showed up, everyone scattered like leaves in the wind.
When they left, it was back to hunting for a new spot…
Especially seeing Hu Yu Ying struggle to drag her woven bag, trying to move faster.
Thinking back on the days spent lazing around at home, Dragon Brother felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest.
“Alright,” he nodded.
Hu Yu Ying was impeccably obedient before him, always doing exactly what he told her.
Taking a deep breath, she secretly cast a cautious glance at him, then asked softly: “So, uh, shall we go back home?”
Even against the police’s crackdown, she had never shown such carefulness.
Now, in front of him, she was so tentative—Dragon Brother chuckled: “Am I that scary?”
“No, not scary,” Hu Yu Ying shook her head and giggled.
“Let’s go,” Dragon Brother hoisted the woven bag, leaping down the steps and heading ahead.
Hu Yu Ying followed closely: “Dragon bro, I’ll help you.”
“Get out of here. If people see this, they’ll think I, Dragon Brother, can’t even carry a bag!”
“Should I fan you?”
“No need.”
“Or do you want a rest and some water, Dragon Bro?”
“If you keep nagging, I’ll smack you. We’ve only walked a few steps, and you want a break? Are you mocking me?”
“I’m not, I swear.” Hu Yu Ying blinked her innocent big eyes, pursed her lips, and said nothing more, obediently sticking by Dragon Brother’s side.
Under the streetlamp, their shadows stretched long. Hu Yu Ying, sneaking a little closer to Dragon Brother’s shadow when he wasn’t paying attention, made the shadows overlap perfectly…
Seeing this, Hu Yu Ying’s lips curled up, and her eyes crinkled happily—her expression a mix of joy and a bit of silly glee.
Back at their place, as soon as they stepped inside, Dragon Brother felt his whole body somehow loosen up.
Hu Yu Ying hurried to help him put down the woven bag.
“Dragon bro, wash your hands first. I’ll make lean pork congee,” she said, then hurried into the kitchen, flipping on the lights in the living room too.
After washing her hands, she skillfully headed into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and looked inside.
Nodding to herself—good, good.
There was meat, and vegetables—nothing was wasted on her.
What she didn’t tell him was that she prepared fresh vegetables every day.
Because she knew that someday Dragon Brother would come over. She didn’t want to be unprepared and have him arrive to find bland food.
Watching Dragon Brother’s actions, Hu Yu Ying’s bright eyes twinkled with a touch of pride.
Soon, she finished making the lean pork congee.
Dragon Brother finished two bowls—he hadn’t eaten such good food in a long time; her cooking was perfect for his stomach.
Seeing him finish it all, Hu Yu Ying quickly ate the last bite and started tidying up the dishes.
After putting away the bowls, she went into her bedroom, returning with a small notebook.
“Dragon Bro, this is my income for the past few days,” she said, flipping open the book, which was held together with a few fresh bills.
She looked a bit embarrassed: “My sales aren’t good…”
“Keep this money. It’s all your efforts,” Dragon Brother handed the money and the small notebook back to her.
Before she could say anything, he looked at her seriously: “You’ve worked hard.”
Hu Yu Ying’s body trembled slightly—his praise was like a gentle breeze, blowing into her dusty heart.
All her strength, effort, and false defenses these days, in this moment, because of this soft whisper, seemed to break through her heavy armor, shattering it completely.
All the suppressed grievances in her heart suddenly burst out.
It was like a child who couldn’t find their home finally returning home.
Tears welled up, and overwhelmed by longing, she threw her arms around Dragon Brother and sobbed: “I thought you wouldn’t want to care for me anymore, Dragon Bro.”
Dragon Brother stiffened, gazing at Hu Yu Ying’s tears, then sighed softly. He raised his hand, patting her head with a forced smile: “What are you talking about? I finally took in a little follower—how could I not care about you?”
“Don’t cry anymore. If you keep crying, you’ll turn ugly.”
“If you cry again, I’ll really punch you.”
Hu Yu Ying sniffed, looked up at him with her red, watery eyes and a layer of mist—so innocent, so pleading.
It’s clear she’s just begging for mercy.
Maybe her eyes got red from crying, or her voice sounded so bitter—either way, Dragon Brother turned his head uncomfortably, hiding a strange feeling in his chest…
