Chapter 50: Ingratiation

Lin Xiaoning did not answer, or perhaps she simply did not know how to answer.

She straightened her clothes and walked unconcernedly down toward the end of the street, keeping her head lowered.

"A major event, an important person..."

Even though Lin Xiaoning had long since vanished from sight, Qiu Yiyao still stood there rigidly, staring ahead at the empty space, muttering to herself.

If everything Lin Xiaoning said was true, then the only reason this group of survivors had come here was because of that one special person.

And once the grand task she spoke of was completed, all the survivors would be quietly put to death.

At this thought, Qiu Yiyao drew in a sharp breath. Time was running out for her.

Yet she did not possess a single useful clue; how was she supposed to find that important person?

"What are you thinking about?"

A weight settled on Qiu Yiyao's shoulder, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a handsome, well-shaped hand resting there.

She turned her head to see Bai Peiyu looking down at her expressionlessly.

Qiu Yiyao was momentarily stunned. Was this a hint from the heavens?

...

All afternoon, Qiu Yiyao sat by the window. She neither ate nor drank, maintaining the exact same posture of deep thought.

Lin Xiaoning's face flashed before her eyes countless times—that originally proud and pretty face had turned hideous and terrifying.

And then there were Old Yu's two children—such cute, sensible kids, who had died such tragic deaths.

If she didn't stop this now, others would soon die as well.

She had to do something to prevent more people from being harmed.

With that resolute thought, Qiu Yiyao stood up and walked out the door.

The living room was empty, save for Qiu Shengming, who was busy in the kitchen.

Ever since they had arrived here, the kitchen seemed to be the place he spent most of his time.

Qiu Yiyao looked at his back with complicated feelings.

Sensing the gaze behind him, Qiu Shengming turned his head. "Yiyao must be hungry, right? Dinner will be ready soon."

"Not hungry," Qiu Yiyao shook her head. "By the way, where did the guy surnamed Bai go? How come I don't see him?"

"Yiyao, don't keep calling him 'the guy surnamed Bai'. Even if you aren't going to call him Big Brother Xiao Bai, at least use a more polite form of address."

Qiu Yiyao was slightly speechless, not expecting them to be so particular about such things. "Fine, I get it."

Half an hour later, dinner was served precisely on time.

At the doorway, Bai Peiyu also appeared on schedule.

Qiu Yiyao eagerly scooped a bowl of rice for him. "Come and eat."

Seeing him sit down in silence, she even picked up a piece of chicken and placed it in his bowl. "Are you tired? Have some chicken to build up your strength, Big Brother Xiao Bai."

As soon as the words left her mouth, a cough rang out, and Bai Peiyu nearly choked.

"What's wrong? You're a grown man, how can you choke on your food?"

Qiu Yiyao hurriedly pulled out a tissue and stepped forward to wipe his mouth.

Bai Peiyu raised a hand defensively to block her. "No need. Qiu Yiyao, if you need something from me next time, just spit it out. You don't need to put on this hypocritical act to get close to me."

Looking slightly aggrieved, Qiu Yiyao said, "Dad told me I should be more polite. If you don't like it, I can change it. Brother Yu..."

"Stop!"

Bai Peiyu quickly stood up and covered her mouth. "Don't force yourself. Just do whatever feels natural."

Qiu Yiyao glanced at Qiu Shengming, who was sitting nearby. Originally, he had been watching the show with a smile at the corner of his mouth, but seeing Qiu Yiyao look over and fearing the fire might spread to him, he hurriedly lowered his head and shoveled rice into his mouth with all his might.

The three of them, each harboring their own thoughts, finished their meal in silence.

Bai Peiyu put down his bowl and prepared to go out again. Qiu Yiyao dashed into her room to change into comfortable clothes and sneakers, and while Qiu Shengming was busy washing the dishes, she stealthily followed him out, only to lose him after turning just a single corner.

"I should have changed my clothes beforehand."

Qiu Yiyao slapped her head in frustration. Seeing that it was still early, she walked toward the riverbank, pondering what to do next as she walked.

Just as she turned a crossroads, a motorcycle suddenly came speeding toward her. By the time Qiu Yiyao reacted, the vehicle was already merely a few meters away.

Qiu Yiyao silently cursed her bad luck.

Suddenly, a large hand grabbed her arm and yanked her hard, and the motorcycle roared past right beside her.

"Walking without looking where you're going—is that what your teachers taught you when you were a kid?"

Bai Peiyu's stern voice rang out beside her ear.

Qiu Yiyao put on a wronged expression. "I was just trying to find you! Who knew you walked so fast and vanished into thin air?"

Bai Peiyu's expression softened slightly. "You want something from me again? Who are you looking for this time?"

"Nobody else."

Qiu Yiyao shook her head hurriedly, her eyes rolling around mischievously. "Let's go visit Lixuan, shall we?"

Bai Peiyu looked intently into her eyes, seemingly trying to determine whether her words were true or false.

A few seconds later, he looked past her toward the distance. "Aren't you afraid Xiao Hei will bite you?"

"With you around, it wouldn't dare bite me." Qiu Yiyao affectionately hooked her arm through Bai Peiyu's. "Let's go, and we can buy some nice treats for Lixuan along the way."

Since she wanted to win him over, she had to start by pleasing the person he cared about most.

Besides, she rarely saw Bai Peiyu eating snacks, so he probably wouldn't think to buy any for Bai Lixuan.

Spotting a pastry shop across the street, Qiu Yiyao formed a plan in her mind.

"Wait for me here."

She quickly trotted into the shop and emerged a moment later, smiling as she dangled a paper bag.

"Look, I bought some peach crisps and two boxes of mung bean cakes. Lixuan is definitely going to love them."

As she spoke, she pulled a piece of peach crisp from the bag and pushed it right up to Bai Peiyu's lips. "It's delicious. Come on, open up."

Bai Peiyu frowned, trying to push her hand away.

Yet Qiu Yiyao stubbornly refused to pull her hand back. "Be a good boy and listen to me. Just have one bite."

Bai Peiyu disliked Qiu Yiyao's tone, which sounded as though she were coaxing a child. Noticing a few passersby watching them with curious expressions, he had no choice but to open his mouth.

"That's a good boy."

Qiu Yiyao felt a wave of secret delight. Did this mean he was beginning to accept her flattery?

The small bungalow where Bai Lixuan lived was a bit far from the town. The two walked on foot, and by the time they neared the place, the sky had turned pitch black.

Looking at the dark path ahead, Bai Peiyu glanced at Qiu Yiyao. "Do you want to turn back? There are no streetlights further up."

Qiu Yiyao shook her head. "We've already come this far, I'm not turning back. Otherwise, this walk would have been for nothing."

She turned on her phone's flashlight and stepped forward into the darkness.

Before they had walked much further, however, the sound of a dog barking echoed through the air.

Qiu Yiyao's heart tightened. Was that Xiao Hei? But Bai Lixuan's dwelling was still some distance away; how could it be here?

She turned to look at Bai Peiyu, whose expression had darkened. "Go back and wait under the streetlights. I'll go check it out."

His reaction confirmed Qiu Yiyao's guess—it really was Xiao Hei.

She nodded. "Go ahead, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

Without another word, Bai Peiyu sprinted in the direction of the barking.

Qiu Yiyao turned off her phone's flashlight, shrouding herself in the darkness.

Instead of turning back, she quietly followed after him.