Chapter 76: Don’t Drive Me Away Anymore

Feng Miwan knew she was asking about the pursuit by the bandits.

“There was a bit at the time, but I was too busy running. Later… after seeing that you were fine and everyone was okay, I wasn’t scared anymore.”

Xiong Yibai responded with a hum.

“Mm.”

“In the future… I’ll be more careful.”

The words came out of nowhere, but Feng Miwan understood.

She meant that in the future, she would pay more attention to safety and wouldn’t let her fall into that kind of danger again.

Something in her heart felt like it had been gently bumped, sour and soft.

Finally, Xiong Yibai said, “Go to sleep.”

“Good night, Yibai.”

“Good night.”

After the words fell, Feng Miwan truly relaxed. Once relaxed, the first thing she noticed was the fragrance.

The bed was filled with a wonderful scent, just like the one on Yibai’s body.

It smelled so good~

Oh no… I’m probably going to pass out from the aroma…

She drifted off to sleep enveloped in the fragrance.

On the other side, Zhao Shutong returned home, locked the doors and windows, and checked every room before finally relaxing.

She took a hot shower and changed into a nightgown. She was just about to turn off the light and get into bed when—

Ding dong—

The doorbell rang suddenly.

Zhao Shutong jumped in fright. Having just been surrounded by knife-wielding bandits that afternoon, she was extremely sensitive to any sudden noises now.

She tiptoed into the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, gripped it tightly, then crept to the door and looked at the monitor screen.

The screen showed the person outside—it was Ren Queyue!

She was even dragging a suitcase and standing there.

Zhao Shutong’s heart, which had leaped to her throat, settled back down, replaced by a surge of inexplicable anger.

She yanked the door open.

“Ren Queyue?! What are you doing showing up at my place in the middle of the night like some surprise attack? You scared me to death, you know!”

Ren Queyue looked at her startled and furious expression.

“What? Got a little lover hiding at home? Can’t I come over?”

“Hide your ass!”

Zhao Shutong stepped aside and pointed at the empty entryway.

“See for yourself! Where’s anyone?!”

Ren Queyue didn’t respond. Instead, she took advantage of the opening while Zhao Shutong was turned sideways, dragged her suitcase past her, and squeezed inside.

“Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?!”

By the time Zhao Shutong reacted, it was too late to stop her. She could only yell after her.

Ren Queyue set the suitcase down in the living room, turned around, and crossed her arms.

“I’m staying at your place. I’ll be your free bodyguard, providing close protection. You live alone, and after what happened today, aren’t you scared?”

Zhao Shutong stubbornly replied, “Scared of what? Those guys this afternoon weren’t even after me.”

Ren Queyue’s gaze drifted behind her and she lifted her chin. “You sure you’re not scared?”

Zhao Shutong followed her gaze to the cleaver in her hand. Her face heated up. She quickly strode into the kitchen, tossed the cleaver back onto the rack, and walked back out, pretending to be calm.

“I… I was just being prepared! Even if… even if I’m a little scared, I’ll hire two professional bodyguards tomorrow. I don’t need you!”

Ren Queyue raised an eyebrow.

“Hire bodyguards? You sure the ones you hire are completely safe and reliable? That you’ve checked their backgrounds? That you won’t be letting wolves into the house?”

Zhao Shutong paused, feeling like she’d heard that logic very recently.

Ren Queyue chuckled inwardly: Xiong Yibai was a genius for coming up with that excuse. I’ll just borrow it directly.

Zhao Shutong stuck out her neck. “Even so… I don’t need you! I can handle it myself!”

Ren Queyue stopped arguing. “Then don’t worry about it. I’m already in anyway. Don’t even think about kicking me out.”

With that, she grabbed her suitcase and headed straight for the second bedroom like she owned the place.

Zhao Shutong stomped her foot in frustration. “Ren Queyue! I never realized you were so shameless before!”

Ren Queyue stopped at the door to the second bedroom.

Her back was to Zhao Shutong as she lowered her head and stayed silent for a few seconds.

When she spoke again, her voice was serious.

“This afternoon… when I was about to collapse and saw that knife coming at me, the first thing I thought was… if I went down, you’d be in real danger all alone.”

She paused.

“So, don’t drive me away anymore.”

Without waiting for Zhao Shutong’s response or turning back, she opened the door to the second bedroom, went in, and gently closed the door behind her.

Zhao Shutong stood there, staring at the closed door. All the words she’d prepared to chase her out were stuck in her throat; she couldn’t say a single one.

Somewhat irritably, she walked to the sofa and sat down. She picked up her phone and scrolled aimlessly.

She opened the chat with someone saved as “Xiao Han/189 Model.”

The last few messages were the breakup texts she’d sent from the hospital that afternoon, followed by his string of pleas:

“Why?”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“Tongtong, give me one more chance.”

Zhao Shutong looked at the messages expressionlessly. She directly transferred him a sizable sum of money, then blocked and deleted his contact.

After that, she tossed the phone aside, leaned back into the sofa, looked up at the ceiling, and let out a long sigh.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the alarm Xiong Yibai had set went off.

She woke instantly and swiftly silenced it, afraid of disturbing the person beside her.

She turned her head to look at Feng Miwan on her side.

Sure enough, the alarm had disturbed her a bit. She frowned slightly, rolled over, but showed no signs of waking.

Seeing this, Xiong Yibai stayed perfectly still in her position, quietly watching Feng Miwan’s sleeping face.

Only after confirming that her brows had relaxed again and she had fallen back into deep sleep did Xiong Yibai lift the covers and get out of bed.

After washing up and changing into loungewear, she went to the counter to prepare breakfast.

Just as she cracked an egg into the frying pan, she saw Feng Miwan rubbing her eyes and walking out.

Xiong Yibai asked, “How come you’re up? Did I wake you?”

Feng Miwan shook her head and yawned.

“No… I had fallen back asleep, but my subconscious told me I couldn’t let you go to work alone. I had to get up and see you off… so I forced myself awake.”

Xiong Yibai’s heart warmed at that. “No need to see me off. Go back to sleep.”

“That won’t do.”

Feng Miwan yawned again.

“I’ll see you off.”

Seeing how her eyes were barely open from exhaustion yet she was still insisting on seeing her off, Xiong Yibai smiled.

“Alright then. Go wash up quick. I put a towel and new toothbrush on the bathroom counter for you.”

“Mm.” Feng Miwan nodded and headed to the bathroom.

Soon after, she came out, went to the counter, rolled up her sleeves.

“Let me help. What needs doing?”

Xiong Yibai didn’t even turn her head. “No need here. Go feed the little cat and teach it how to use the litter box while you’re at it.”

Feng Miwan nodded and turned toward the cat’s bed.

“Wait.” Xiong Yibai called her back.

Feng Miwan turned. “Hm?”

Xiong Yibai set down the spatula, reached out, pulled her close, and lowered her head to plant a kiss on her lips.

“!!!”

Feng Miwan’s eyes flew wide open. The last remnants of her sleepiness were blown away by that kiss!