Chapter 105: Plaster Monkey
The village girl noticed Jiang Li’s gaze and quickly pulled Tang Seng away.
Jiang Li watched them for a moment before looking away. ’If they’re going to report a crime, they’ll go to the police station. I can just ask Huo Qing about it then.’
’But why would they come so far to report a crime?’
"Xiao Nian, let’s go inside," Jiang Li said, leading Yu Huannian in.
Carrying their things, Yu Huannian followed behind Jiang Li, feeling both nervous and expectant.
"Sis, don’t worry. Once I’ve earned enough for the betrothal gift, I’ll pay you back." A rare smile appeared on Yu Huannian’s face.
’Once this is all settled, I have to go out every day to find clues, pay back my debts, and provide for my family.’
Jiang Li raised an eyebrow. ’It’s not every day he calls me ’Sis’.’ "All right. Just talk things through calmly later. Don’t be impulsive again."
"Okay." Yu Huannian scratched his head, embarrassed.
When they arrived at Ning Sinian’s home, Jiang Li raised her hand and knocked.
Ning Rou jumped at the sound of the knock, startled. She had thought her brother already turned them away.
Ning Rou hurried to her feet and opened the door. Seeing Jiang Li and Yu Huannian standing there, she thought of yesterday’s events, and her expression turned awkward.
"Jiang Li, you’re here. Come on in."
Hearing the voices, Ning Sinian came out of the kitchen. He had thought they wouldn’t arrive until later.
"Forensic Doctor Ning, I brought Xiao Nian here today to discuss the matter between Little Rou and him," Jiang Li said as she and Yu Huannian set their things down.
Ning Rou glanced at Yu Huannian. ’I can’t believe goading him actually worked. He really came.’ "Sister Jiang Li, it’s Yu Huannian who’s unwilling, not me."
Jiang Li looked up at Ning Rou. "Xiao Nian is only eighteen. He’s afraid he can’t handle the responsibilities of the future.
"But he genuinely likes you, Ning Rou. I hope you two can clear up this misunderstanding. Of course, if you really do have a boyfriend now...
...Xiao Nian won’t keep pestering you."
Remembering the scene from yesterday, Yu Huannian clenched his fists. "Little Rou, Sis is right. We need to clear up any misunderstandings. If you were just angry, I can explain.
"But if you’ve really found someone you like, I won’t bother you anymore."
Yu Huannian lowered his head to stare at his shoes, his heart sinking. He felt it was all too soon, yet he couldn’t bear to lose her. He’d barely slept, tossing and turning all night as he thought it over.
"Then marry me." Ning Rou stood up and faced Yu Huannian.
Ning Sinian’s brow furrowed. He understood his sister less and less. ’Why is she so fixated on this?’
Yu Huannian looked up at Ning Rou, his eyes red. "I’m not of legal age to marry yet, Little Rou. Can we get engaged first?"
’I still have so much to learn. I need time to adjust to this completely different world.’
To Ning Rou, Yu Huannian’s words sounded incredibly forced, as if she were pressuring him into it.
’Why can’t Yu Huannian see things from my perspective? Back in Zhaozi Village, he was always by my side, taking care of me. Why did he change the moment we got out?’
She couldn’t accept this change. Every night, she had nightmares that all of Yu Huannian’s promises to her were empty, filling her with anxiety and fear.
"Little Rou," Ning Sinian said, giving her a look.
"All right, fine," Ning Rou agreed with a smile.
"In that case, I’ll go back and have Wu Ming pick a good date for you and Xiao Nian," Jiang Li said. Inwardly, she couldn’t help but feel happy for Ning Sinian.
Ning Rou’s expression darkened. "Wu Ming? That girl... Why is she living with you?"
"She’s helping us find clues and hunt down fugitives from the bounty list. It’s just more convenient for us to live together," Yu Huannian explained honestly, his tone placating.
"Absolutely not. You’re living together all the time—what if you two develop feelings for each other? I forbid it. You have to make her move out!"
A wave of jealousy washed over Ning Rou as she pictured Wu Ming’s cheerful, optimistic demeanor. ’If I hadn’t been abducted back then, I wouldn’t have become like this.’
’After being trapped in the mountains for two years, the world felt completely alien to her upon her return.’
"Wu Ming is Sis’s friend. We can’t possibly make her move out. I’ll move."
Jiang Li looked at Yu Huannian, wanting to say something but holding her tongue.
"It’s all right, Sis." Yu Huannian gestured for Jiang Li to let it be, then looked at Ning Rou. "Will that work?"
Ning Rou was speechless for a moment. "Fine."
Jiang Li left with Yu Huannian. Once in the car, she sat there, propping her head in her hand.
Yu Huannian gazed at the Ning family’s home. ’This is the last time.’
"Sis, didn’t you have something to do? You go on ahead. I want to walk around here for a bit."
Yu Huannian turned his head to look at Jiang Li. He remembered how she had been watching that group of people this morning. If it weren’t for him, she probably would have taken care of her own business by now.
"All right. Be safe, and call me if you need anything."
Yu Huannian opened the car door, got out, and went to sit in a nearby boba shop.
Jiang Li took out her phone and sent a message to Huo Qing, asking if anyone had come in to file a report that day.
Huo Qing called her back almost immediately. "Jiang Li, have you found a new case?"
"Not exactly. It’s like this..." Jiang Li told Huo Qing about what she had seen in her dream, asking him to keep an eye out.
"Got it. Keep me updated if anything happens." Huo Qing took notes, then had someone look into the Chinese opera Jiang Li had mentioned.
Since Huo Qing didn’t have any immediate leads, Jiang Li abandoned the idea of going over herself. Tracking wasn’t her strong suit.
Jiang Li turned the car around to go back for Yu Huannian. As she drove, she thought about Ning Rou. Her current behavior was strikingly similar to a certain animal she’d once seen at the zoo.
Jiang Li drove back to where Yu Huannian had gotten out of the car. She turned her head and saw two people outside, grappling with each other.
"Huan Nian, I’ll have my brother help us find an apartment! A decorated, move-in-ready place. We can just move right in, okay?"
Ning Rou grabbed Yu Huannian’s arm, trying to pull him toward her building.
"Little Rou, wait, don’t be like this. I need to talk to Sis first, and I have to move my things. Besides, if I’m going to rent a place, it needs to be in C City."
Before Yu Huannian could finish, Ning Rou raised her hand and slapped him squarely across the face. "Yu Huannian, you’re lying to me again!
"Is it really so hard for us to be together? Why do you keep rejecting me, time and time again?!
"Do you just not want to be with me at all?"
"Ning Rou, calm down. It’s not that I don’t want to be with you."
"Then I’m going back with you. Sister Jiang Li definitely has room. I don’t care, I’m going to live with you."
Yu Huannian frowned at Ning Rou. He was already imposing on Sis enough just by living there. Besides, he had promised to move out, and it would only be for a few days.
Just as Yu Huannian was about to refuse, Jiang Li’s voice cut in.
"Of course. Go on and pack your bags. We’ll wait for you," Jiang Li said with a smile.
"Thank you, Sister Jiang Li! I knew you were the best!"
Ning Rou happily ran upstairs.
"I’m sorry, Sis. I’ve made more trouble for you. Don’t worry, I’ll move out as soon as I can within the next few days."
Yu Huannian looked at Jiang Li sheepishly. His mother had always told him not to be shackled by love, and he’d just been about to give up on the relationship if Ning Rou continued her irrational pressuring.
"It’s fine. The more, the merrier," Jiang Li said with a smile, gazing out the window. A moment later, Ning Rou came downstairs, dragging a suitcase behind her.
’Sometimes, it’s safer to keep people right under your nose.’