Chapter 32

Kong Xiyan didn't get any more sleep for the rest of the night.

Whether it was the fear of doing something stupid again if she fell asleep, or the stimulation from what had just happened keeping her awake, she spent the night with her eyes wide open, watching Yanyan sleep.

By dawn, her eyes were slightly swollen with heavy dark circles. After breakfast, Chi Wanzhao ordered her to catch up on sleep in the back seat of the car.

Yanyan, on the other hand, was very excited and took her place in the passenger seat.

Kong Xiyan patted her sleepy face and didn't argue with Chi Wanzhao. She obediently lay down on the back seat. At first, she leaned against the backrest, but as the car bounced along, she gradually curled up. Chi Wanzhao noticed her awkward posture in the rearview mirror, stopped the car, helped her take off her shoes, turned her on her side, and placed a neck pillow under her head.

Only when Kong Xiyan's furrowed brow relaxed in comfort did Chi Wanzhao feel at ease and continue driving.

It took four hours to reach the nearest town to Changning Village. The bumpy ride gave Kong Xiyan a sound sleep. She woke up twice in the middle, thinking she had kicked off her shoes, silently complaining to herself about her terrible sleeping position.

Complaints aside, the ride was too comfortable for her to bother changing position.

It wasn't until Chi Wanzhao woke her up before getting out of the car that she tousled her long hair, put on her shoes, and straightened her clothes.

Chi Wanzhao parked the car in the open-air lot of a supermarket in the town. After getting out, Kong Xiyan checked the time—it was almost noon—and asked, "Chi, how about we grab lunch first?"

She had been to this town a few times and was familiar with it.

Chi Wanzhao nodded. "Alright."

Kong Xiyan left the cat food in the car, tended to Yanyan, and then walked off with Chi Wanzhao.

There were plenty of restaurants near the supermarket. Kong Xiyan still wore a wide-brimmed hat and a black mask, her long hair cascading around her cheeks. She scanned the area and finally chose a restaurant with fewer people.

Even at lunchtime, there were only four or five tables occupied.

Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao went inside and picked the most secluded spot, shielded by ornamental plants and a small partition, making it impossible to see who was seated there.

The waitress, a young woman in her twenties, noticed Chi Wanzhao studying the menu and stared at her profile with a smile. "Miss, you're really beautiful. Do you live around here? Can I get your WeChat? Our restaurant has lots of deals, and you can get a discount whenever you come!"

Chi Wanzhao calmly chose two dishes. "Just these two, thank you."

The young woman persisted. "Miss, are you sure you don't want to consider it?"

"No need."

Kong Xiyan chuckled softly at her words.

She hadn't expected that in City B, the formidable Chi, whose cold face silenced people, would be bothered by a young girl and seem at a loss. At that moment, Chi Wanzhao wasn't the high-and-mighty CEO of City B.

She was just an ordinary person.

So this ordinary person, upon hearing her chuckle, pointed at her and said, "Young lady, if you keep this up, my wife will get upset."

Kong Xiyan: ...

The young woman took the hint and left.

The food arrived quickly. Kong Xiyan had napped in the car, so she wasn't very hungry. She ate a bit of rice and then held her bowl to watch Chi Wanzhao. Her hair was still tied up, revealing a fair forehead, her lightly made-up face dignified and elegant, her features as beautiful as the moon and flowers, and her movements graceful.

Just her cold, aloof aura alone outshone most people in the industry.

No wonder that young woman had been so eager to cozy up to her.

"Full?"

Chi Wanzhao asked suddenly. Kong Xiyan withdrew her gaze, set down her chopsticks, and said, "Yes."

"Let's go."

The two were about to get up when the waitress from earlier came over with a small bowl and set it on the table, saying to Chi Wanzhao, "Miss, this is a special gift for today!"

Chi Wanzhao raised her eyes. "Thank you, but no need."

The young woman sighed. "Miss, are you sure you don't want it? It's a 'harmony for a hundred years' soup."

Just as Chi Wanzhao was about to frown, Kong Xiyan smiled and said, "We really don't—"

"Leave it here."

Chi Wanzhao said indifferently, then looked up and said, "Thank you."

When the young woman met Chi Wanzhao's clear, cold eyes, her face flushed bright red, and stars seemed to sparkle in her eyes. She stammered back, "D-Don't mention it."

Watching the young woman look back repeatedly as she left, Kong Xiyan teased, "Chi, your face really captivates people of all ages."

Chi Wanzhao glanced at her smug expression, lowered her eyes, and took a sip of the soup with a spoon. It was sweet, with tremella and lily bulbs, simmered until thick. She only took a sip before pushing it toward Kong Xiyan.

"Drink the soup."

Kong Xiyan, who never liked sweet soups, wrinkled her nose at the smell and shook her head. "No, thanks."

Chi Wanzhao pushed the bowl a little closer to her and said, "This was earned with my face. Miss Kong would be wasting it if you don't drink."

Kong Xiyan suppressed a smile.

True, it would be a waste.

She lowered her head, scooped a spoonful, and put it in her mouth. It wasn't as bad as she'd thought.

She couldn't help but take a few more sips.

The small bowl of soup was finished by the person who had claimed she didn't want any. Kong Xiyan stared at the empty bowl, a blush slowly creeping up her face. Chi Wanzhao, with a calm expression, waited for her to finish, then went to pay.

When they returned to the car, Yanyan was still asleep. Kong Xiyan took the initiative to get the luggage from the trunk, while Chi Wanzhao packed Yanyan into the carrier bag, closed the car door, and walked over to Kong Xiyan.

She made her put it on her back.

Kong Xiyan: ...

Chi Wanzhao silently helped her strap Yanyan onto her back, then took the two suitcases from her hands. They were both heavy, and carrying them was a bit of a strain. She lined up the two suitcases, placed the big black bag on top, and finally handed Kong Xiyan her own small suitcase.

Kong Xiyan: ...

"I can manage myself."

Chi Wanzhao pushed her reaching hand away. "Let's just go like this."

Kong Xiyan followed behind her, carrying Yanyan and holding the small suitcase, and softly said, "Thank you."

Chi Wanzhao turned her head to look at her. "Miss Kong, I don't like repeating myself many times."

Kong Xiyan's mind suddenly recalled what Chi Wanzhao had said after she'd thanked her before.

She'd said, "We're in a legal relationship; no need for politeness."

Legal relationship.

Kong Xiyan suddenly felt that this term meant more than just a piece of paper.

At the entrance of the town, they hitched a ride on a delivery truck. Chi Wanzhao had originally wanted to drive herself, but the road was muddy, and to prevent the car from getting stuck if it rained, it wasn't safe, so she gave up the idea and followed Kong Xiyan onto the truck.

After about an hour of bumping along, they arrived at a village. Kong Xiyan smiled. "We're almost there."

This village wasn't far from Changning Village. They had to pass through three more villages, then climb a mountain, to get there.

Changning Village was nestled between two mountains.

Chi Wanzhao looked at the muddy mountain path, the fields full of cattle and sheep, and the flocks of chickens, ducks, and geese scurrying underfoot, her expression heavy.

Half an hour later.

Kong Xiyan led Chi Wanzhao onto an oxcart. Two old oxen trudged along slowly, their backs bound with thick ropes, and they sat on a wooden plank in the back.

The elderly driver, his eyes crinkled into a smile, asked, "Young ladies, are you going to Changning Village to visit relatives?"

Kong Xiyan smiled and shook her head. "No."

"Oh. The road there isn't easy. You still have to climb a mountain to get to Changning Village. With all these things you're carrying, how will you manage?"

Chi Wanzhao really hadn't expected the situation here to be like this. Her already stiff face tightened even more. Kong Xiyan replied with a smile, "It's no trouble."

The oxcart swayed along for about two hours until they finally reached Changning Village. The elderly driver pointed at the mountain and said, "This mountain is too steep; otherwise, I'd take you all the way."

During the two-hour ride, Kong Xiyan had learned the old man's surname was Niu. She beamed and said, "Uncle Niu, thank you. No need; we can manage on our own."

Uncle Niu glanced at the sky and said, "Alright then, I'll head back. You two be careful. If it gets late, don't go up; wait until tomorrow morning."

"Got it."

Kong Xiyan nodded obediently.

A match for Yanyan, who was in the carrier on her back.

After seeing Uncle Niu off, Kong Xiyan whispered to Chi Wanzhao, "Chi, wait here for me. I'll go fetch someone."

With that, without waiting for Chi Wanzhao to react, she headed straight into the village, weaving past the first house's fence toward the back. After a short while, she came back followed by a man—tall and burly, with dark, sinewy skin and a crew cut, his face honest and simple.

He walked alongside Kong Xiyan, laughing. "Teacher Kong, you've finally come back. Yuanyuan's been talking about you every day."

Kong Xiyan's expression relaxed among familiar company. "Really? Then she must be driving you all crazy."

Chen Junshan scratched his head. "We're fine, but Teacher Wang is worn out by her."

Thinking of Chen Yuan puffing out her cheeks, glaring with wide round eyes, and pestering Wang Haining like a little shadow, she couldn't help but laugh. Chi Wanzhao stood not far away, watching the two of them chatting and laughing, and her face darkened three shades.

In the dead of winter, she still wore a trench coat over a knit top and jeans. Kong Xiyan had made her swap her high heels for a pair of blue sneakers back in town.

She looked less like a city beauty and more youthful and energetic.

But that face of hers remained perpetually cold and detached.

Kong Xiyan walked over to Chi Wanzhao with Chen Junshan and introduced them. "This is my friend Chen Junshan. And this—is Chi Wanzhao."

Chen Junshan nodded. Having spent his life in the village, he wasn't familiar with city formalities like 'Ms. Chi', so he wiped his hands on his trousers and said with a hearty laugh, "Hello there. Since you're a friend of Teacher Kong, I'll just call you Xiao Wan."

Chi Wanzhao's expression darkened several more shades.

Kong Xiyan was about to explain, but before she could speak, Chi Wanzhao reached out and shook Chen Junshan's hand, a faint smile touching her lips. "Call me whatever you like."

Chen Junshan grinned. "Let's go then. They're all waiting at home."

Yesterday, he'd been sent by Yuanyuan to wait for Kong Xiyan in Changning Village, but after waiting a full day with no sign of her, he'd figured she must have been delayed along the way. He'd stayed the night at a relative's house and planned to head back today if she still didn't show.

He hadn't expected Kong Xiyan to come looking for him.

Kong Xiyan had found out from chatting with Wang Haining that Yuanyuan had asked her brother to come pick her up, worried she'd have trouble with her luggage alone. The little girl had a surprisingly thoughtful side.

Chen Junshan, tall and strong, easily lifted both suitcases. Seeing that Kong Xiyan still had a bag on her back, he said, "Teacher Kong, let me carry that for you."

"No need—"

Before Kong Xiyan could finish, Yanyan poked her head out of the bag. Seeing Chen Junshan's extended hand, she bared her teeth, her white fur bristling, a cold glint in her azure eyes, poised to bite at any moment.

Chen Junshan was taken aback. "This cat is fierce."

This was the first time Kong Xiyan had seen Yanyan display anger. Living in the apartment for so long, she'd grown used to Yanyan's gentle nature, so she was stunned for a moment before calling out, "Yanyan?"

Yanyan turned to look at her. "Meow..."

Chi Wanzhao took the bag from Kong Xiyan's back and explained, "Yanyan just met you for the first time and isn't familiar with you yet. Some hostility is normal."

Chen Junshan chuckled honestly. "Oh, is that so? No problem. I won't carry it then."

Kong Xiyan stared at Yanyan. But as she recalled, when she'd first seen Yanyan in the apartment, the cat had seemed delighted?

And had kept sidling up to her?

At the time, she'd thought the cat was unusually friendly.

Could it be that she'd been wrong?

Chi Wanzhao ignored Kong Xiyan's questioning look, her expression calm and composed. She turned her head and asked, "Ready to go?"

Kong Xiyan answered with an 'oh'. "Let's go."

Chen Junshan lifted the two suitcases and moved to tuck the big black bag under his arm. Seeing this, Kong Xiyan hurriedly stepped forward to grab the black bag, while Chi Wanzhao took her own suitcase.

A little past five in the evening, the sky was already darkening. Worried that Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao might fall behind, Chen Junshan deliberately slowed his pace, chatting along the way.

Mostly, he would speak several sentences, and Kong Xiyan would respond with a few.

As for Chi Wanzhao.

She simply kept her brows cool and eyes cold, jaw clenched, lips pressed into a straight line, neither answering nor speaking, only looking down at the path, her gaze deep.

Chen Junshan whispered to Kong Xiyan, "Teacher Kong, does your friend not like to talk much?"

Kong Xiyan glanced at Chi Wanzhao's profile. "Sort of."

Chen Junshan nodded in understanding and continued on.

The mountain path wasn't easy to walk, especially as darkness slowly fell, making the trail underfoot even harder to see. Chen Junshan, who had spent his life here, had long since adapted.

Kong Xiyan had also lived here for three years and traversed the route many times, so she could manage.

But she was quite worried as she looked at Chi Wanzhao.

Chi Wanzhao had never walked a mountain path before. Although the moonlight offered some illumination, she still struggled to see the way clearly.

Just as she nearly stumbled, Kong Xiyan, who had been watching her closely, reached out, caught her, and pulled her to her side. Then, furrowing her brows slightly, she asked, "Why are your hands so cold?"

The temperature in the mountains was different from the town's. Once night fell, the chill quickly seeped up from the ground. Chi Wanzhao's thin trench coat offered little protection against the cold.

Of course, she was cold.

Kong Xiyan felt a surge of irritation. "Why didn't you say you were cold?"

Scolded, Chi Wanzhao lowered her head in silence. It wasn't that she hadn't said anything; she simply hadn't even realized she was cold. The further they walked, the more a fire burned inside her heart.

How could she feel cold?

But the body told the truth.

Kong Xiyan let out a sigh and turned to Chen Junshan. "Brother Shan, give us a moment."

Standing in place, Chen Junshan watched Kong Xiyan walk over to one of the suitcases and open it, pulling out a short down jacket. She then trotted back to Chi Wanzhao and said, "Put this on."

Chi Wanzhao was roughly the same size as her, so it should fit.

Chen Junshan walked over, scratching his head. "I didn't notice Xiao Wan was wearing so little either. Are you cold? If that jacket isn't warm enough, I can take off my coat and give it to you."

On his body, he wore a heavy military coat—thick and warm. Seeing that he really was about to take it off, Chi Wanzhao hastily accepted the down jacket from Kong Xiyan's hands. "No need. This one is fine."

Chen Junshan turned his back. "Alright."

While Chi Wanzhao changed, Kong Xiyan opened the bag and looked at Yanyan. She was curled into a fluffy white ball. Hearing the zipper, she raised her head, and when she saw it was Kong Xiyan, she meowed obediently, "Meow..."

Completely unlike the hostile stare she'd given moments ago.

Kong Xiyan stroked the soft fur on top of her head and whispered, "Yanyan, we'll be there soon."

Yanyan: "Meow..."

With his back to them, Chen Junshan asked with a laugh, "Teacher Kong, is this your cat?"

Kong Xiyan smiled lightly. "Why do you ask?"

Chen Junshan said jovially, "Because you call her Yanyan—your name in there is Xiyan, so it's obvious she's your cat."

Chi Wanzhao paused briefly at the words as she finished changing into the down jacket, glanced at Chen Junshan, then looked away.

Kong Xiyan hadn't thought of that connection. Although her name was Xiyan, few people actually called her Yanyan.

That's why she'd never made the link.

Now that he mentioned it, there was indeed a similarity.

She tapped Yanyan's forehead with her finger and said with a grin, "What a coincidence."

Chi Wanzhao tucked her trench coat into the suitcase, lifted her luggage, walked over to Kong Xiyan, and took over the bag on her back, saying casually, "Let's go."

Kong Xiyan touched her hand. "Still cold?"

Chi Wanzhao's eyes softened. "No longer cold."

Chen Junshan pointed ahead. "Almost there. Just another hour or so. If you two are tired, why don't we rest for a bit?"

Kong Xiyan shook her head. "I'd rather rest when we arrive."

Here, the wind was biting, and tree shadows swayed on all sides. The mountains could hold hidden dangers, so it was safer to wait until they reached the village to rest.

Chi Wanzhao agreed with Kong Xiyan's thinking. Carrying her suitcase and the bag, she said to Chen Junshan, "Let's go."

Chen Junshan acknowledged with a nod and strode ahead.

It was exactly eight o'clock when they arrived in Changning Village. A relaxed expression broke through Chen Junshan's ever-smiling face as he turned to Kong Xiyan. "Teacher Kong, I'll take you straight to Teacher Wang's place."

Chi Wanzhao frowned subtly.

As she was about to speak, she heard someone call out warmly, "Xiyan."

Kong Xiyan looked up, a smile spreading across her face. "Haining, what are you doing here?"

"I was worried, so I came to check. I didn't expect to run into you—"

Her voice trailed off as her gaze landed on Chi Wanzhao. After a pause, she added, "and your friend."