CHAPTER 132: CHAPTER 122: TAKE YOU BACK

Gu Yanjing didn’t stay long at the dinner; after giving the hosts some face and meeting some people, he left Su Qi behind and took Meng Yan and Shang Chen away.

Shang Chen was driving, with Meng Yan in the passenger seat.

Gu Yanjing sat in the back, gazing out the window. After a while, he said, "Go to the Qiao Family."

Shang Chen was momentarily startled, then quickly responded, "Yes."

The Qiao Family.

After dinner, Qiao Yu and Chen Hui were strolling in the backyard.

Qiao Yuxian and Qiao Lechu were in the living room braiding Zhaocai’s hair, while Qiao Zhiang was upstairs in the study, concentrating on his homework.

She didn’t return to Fenglin Villa on the first night, and Zhaocai spent the night with Gu Yanjing.

The next day, taking advantage of Gu Yanjing being away, she took Zhaocai away...

In the backyard, Qiao Yu and Chen Hui strolled slowly through the little garden. After a while, Qiao Yu said, "Yu Xian seems to have gotten a lot closer to the family."

Chen Hui chuckled, "After all, we’re family, no matter what happens, we can’t stray too far. She’s just not used to it yet; spending more time together will help."

"I don’t even know if she wants to see Zhao Shimeng. She doesn’t say anything, and I don’t dare to ask," Qiao Yu said.

"Let’s not interfere," Chen Hui looped her arm through his and said, "Yu Xian knows what’s in her heart; we shouldn’t interfere with her decisions. We should just quietly support her from behind."

Qiao Yu patted her hand and said, "You’re right."

The two were silent for a moment, before Qiao Yu spoke again, "So why has she been staying at home for so many days?"

Chen Hui glanced at him and said, "Isn’t it good for Yu Xian to stay at home?"

"Of course it’s good. I wish she and Lechu would stay home forever," Qiao Yu said, "but I’m just worried about her. I fear she might have had a falling out with her boyfriend. I’m afraid she might be hurt."

Chen Hui thought for a moment and said, "I don’t see her as someone who’s had a fight."

"Really?" Qiao Yu asked, "Why can’t I see it?"

Chen Hui gave him another look and teased, "It’d be strange if you could see it."

Qiao Yu: "...I’m not the same as before. I’ve improved over the years."

"Yes, yes, yes," Chen Hui said, laughing, "It’s quite praiseworthy."

Qiao Yu chuckled and said, "Her boyfriend doesn’t seem simple. The day Lechu was rescued, I was anxious and only took a quick glance at him, not even realizing who he was, let alone saying a word. Shouldn’t we invite him over for a meal or something?"

"Let’s ask Yu Xian first," Chen Hui said.

"Okay." Qiao Yu held her hand and put it into his coat pocket, saying, "Thank you for your hard work."

Chen Hui smiled, held his hand back, and said nothing more.

...

In the living room, perhaps dissatisfied with its new hairstyle, Zhaocai suddenly broke free from Qiao Lechu and Qiao Yuxian and ran outside.

Its sudden struggle startled Qiao Lechu, and seeing it run out of the villa, Qiao Lechu instinctively wanted to chase after it.

Qiao Yuxian restrained her hand and said, "You stay here; I’ll go. Once it goes wild, no one can bring it back."

"Okay," Qiao Lechu obediently responded.

Qiao Yuxian glanced at her, stood up, walked out a step, paused, then returned and couldn’t help but ruffle Qiao Lechu’s hair.

She was sitting there hugging her knees on the carpet, so quiet and obedient.

Qiao Yuxian’s hand itched, and she suddenly couldn’t resist.

After ruffling, she took the leash and went out to find Zhaocai.

Qiao Lechu sat on the carpet, slightly dazed for a moment.

After Qiao Yuxian left the living room, she turned toward the doorway, then looked down and smiled slightly.

Since she was rescued, Qiao Yuxian has been coming home to spend time with her whenever she has the chance.

Despite this, it always felt like there was something between them, making the interaction somewhat distant and not close.

Yet in recent days, she’s been able to sense that the invisible barrier between them is slowly dissipating, and their relationship is gradually drawing closer.

Suddenly, she felt that maybe something good was happening after all.

...

Qiao Yuxian, holding the leash, stepped out of the villa only to find Zhaocai had pushed open the gate itself and ran out of the yard.

Thankfully, Zhaocai wouldn’t bite indiscriminately.

But if it scared someone, that wouldn’t be good either.

Qiao Yuxian immediately went out of the yard.

Once outside, she saw Zhaocai squatting beside the gate, waiting for her, it seemed.

But as soon as it saw her, it started to run further away.

"Zhaocai," Qiao Yuxian called out to it.

Zhaocai ran even faster, looking back at her while running. Its expression seemed to say: Chase me, hurry and chase me.

"Zhaocai, come back," Qiao Yuxian walked toward it.

Zhaocai, seeing her approach, ran even more joyfully.

Qiao Yuxian walked forward, speaking calmly, "Zhaocai, I’m not playing around with you, come back immediately."

Zhaocai ran even further away.

Qiao Yuxian stood in place and called out coldly, "Qiao Zhaocai! Three, two..."

As soon as "Three" was shouted, Zhaocai had already started running back, and upon hearing her call "two," it was desperately sprinting back.

Seeing it return, Qiao Yuxian walked over to it.

Zhaocai ran back, obediently squatting at her feet, with its head down, not daring to look up.

Qiao Yuxian crouched down and put a leash on it, saying, "You’re such a big dog. What if you ran out and scared someone? And you still ran when called. Daring to push open the door by yourself, you’ve gotten quite the nerve. Don’t do it again in the future."

Zhaocai let out a small whine, as if responding to her.

Qiao Yuxian gave it a gentle pat on the rear, "If there’s a next time, I really will..."

She suddenly heard footsteps behind her, so she stopped speaking and calmly petted Zhaocai’s neck without moving.

In the darkness, Zhaocai’s eyes looked behind them like cold blades, staring at the approaching person.

Qiao Yuxian turned its head, blocking its view, listening as the footsteps slowly approached.

When they were close, she quickly stood up, turned around, and threw a punch.

The person behind caught her fist, and she swung a hand chop across.

The person behind dodged back to avoid her hand.

But Qiao Yuxian pressed on, using side elbow strikes, knee lifts, and punches.

The entire set of moves was fluid and quick, cutting through the air with great force...

The attacks were extremely aggressive, yet the person on the other side only defended and did not counter, finally stopping completely.

Qiao Yuxian’s punches were lightning-fast, fierce as if disregarding life and death, but when he halted, her punch stopped steadily right in front of him.

Gu Yanjing looked at the small fist in front of him.

Shang Chen and Meng Yan stood by the car, their hearts in their throats.

As soon as Qiao Yuxian moved, Shang Chen reflexively wanted to step forward but was stopped by Meng Yan.

They watched the attack and defense, engrossed, until their Mr. Gu suddenly stood there motionless.

Qiao Yuxian’s punches were too fast; neither had time to react and could only watch as the fist moved towards their Mr. Gu.

Fortunately, it halted steadily.

Sparing both their lives.

The fist stopped, and Qiao Yuxian tilted her head slightly to look at Gu Yanjing, her clear fox-like eyes arched into a smile.

Gu Yanjing watched her smile, held the small fist in front of him, gripping it, his expression somewhat cold as he said, "Was it on purpose?"

"Just by looking at Zhaocai’s eyes, I knew it was you." Qiao Yuxian smiled at him, then shifted her gaze away, a little afraid to meet his eyes, her gaze fluttering as she said, "Zhaocai never looks at anyone else like that."

Gu Yanjing glanced at Zhaocai.

Zhaocai had a tuft on its head tied with a red string, glaring at him.

Gu Yanjing couldn’t be bothered with it, not even willing to give it a glance in this state.

Qiao Yuxian looked at the pin on his shirt collar and asked, "Why are you here?"

"To take you back."

Qiao Yuxian looked up at him.

In the night, under the streetlights, Gu Yanjing looked at her reddened little ears and said, "It’s been five days, take a break, it’s about time."

"Wha, what do you mean take a break." Qiao Yuxian stammered, as if stepped on her tail, saying, "I, I want to stay home for a few days, is, is that not okay?"

Gu Yanjing looked at her and said, "You should be heading back."

His voice was cold, like issuing a command.

"Then I’ll go back tomorrow." Qiao Yuxian said.

Gu Yanjing found it unconvincing, "Now."

"Now? In the middle of the night?" Qiao Yuxian looked at him and said, "No way, tomorrow."

Gu Yanjing looked at her, saying nothing.

Qiao Yuxian faced his gaze, lowered her head, and after a while, said, "I’ll go back to Fenglin Villa first thing in the morning."

Gu Yanjing still did not speak, just looked at her.

His gaze, calm, cold, weighty, made one feel icy in the heart.

A few seconds later, Qiao Yuxian withdrew the hand he was holding, then grabbed his wrist, pulled his hand close, and bit him on the wrist.

Like a little fox baring its teeth.

Fierce, but didn’t apply much pressure.

After biting, she let go of his hand, feigning anger, "Always scaring me. Hmph! Wait here, I’ll go in and say something."

After speaking, she waved and took Zhaocai back to the villa.

Gu Yanjing watched her back until she entered the villa, then he looked down at the small bite mark on his wrist.

A very neat small bite.

A shallow little circle.

The canine teeth marks were slightly deeper.

The gloomy Mr. Gu, who had been down for days, had a trace of a smile in his eyes.