Chapter 52: Scheming Simp

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Scheming Simp

"You rascal, looking like death warmed over and you still haven’t forgotten to eat," the AI customer service chimed in her mind.

Before the policewoman could ask Deng Yuyuan what she wanted to eat, Zhang Ci Hao ran over, panting. He carried a food container holding a bowl of porridge, soy milk, meat buns, and a boxed meal of minced pork and eggplant that he had bought from outside, letting Deng Yuyuan choose.

Deng Yuyuan took a large meat bun and nibbled on it, holding it with both hands. Her pale face was whiter than the dough, and the large bun covered more than half of her visage.

Zhang Ci Hao picked up the soy milk and brought it to her lips, letting her take a sip to warm her stomach first.

"Are you her boyfriend?" the policewoman stepped forward warmly. Having a partner by her side might make Deng Yuyuan feel more secure.

Zhang Ci Hao stiffened, his long eyelashes concealing the bitterness in his eyes. He smiled brightly. "No, I just heard she was in an accident and worried she wouldn’t be able to eat, so I came to check on her."

The policewoman understood. So, he was a suitor.

It was no surprise that such a beautiful single mother was in high demand. Her delicate, pitiable aura made one simply want to smooth away the sorrow between her brows.

After eating, Deng Yuyuan’s emotions gradually calmed down. Meanwhile, the police officers who had been on the mountain hurried back to the hospital to exchange information.

Because of the traces of human activity, the cave was easily found. During a blanket search of the cave, they discovered seasonings, confirming it was the same cave Deng Yuyuan had visited before.

One kidnapper was already dead; the cause of death was a knife wound to the neck. The cut wasn’t deep, but it had happened to sever his carotid artery, making it impossible to save him in such a short window of time.

As for the other kidnapper, tracking his footprints only led them to a herd of wild boars and shredded clothes. It was highly likely he had already met a grizzly end.

The police had come this time to ask for details about the struggle.

The policewoman spoke up. "I’ve already asked her, and I’ve transcribed the basic details onto paper. However... the victim doesn’t know she killed someone, and her current mental state isn’t very stable."

At this moment, the Meng Family arrived as well. They headed straight for their youngest grandson’s ward, passing by the police on the way. After exchanging polite greetings and learning of the situation, Old Sir Meng said, "Since the matter has been investigated thoroughly, the case can be closed. We can’t break a brave citizen’s heart for the sake of two criminals.

"Let’s go see Xiao Hua first. Later, we’ll bring Xiao Hua along to visit his savior." Old Sir Meng’s words finalized the decision.

The old gentleman’s attitude was the Meng Family’s attitude. The police officers beamed with joy. They didn’t want to chill Deng Yuyuan’s heart either, feeling both admiration and sympathy for her. Killing two kidnappers in self-defense was a heroic feat, but the higher-ups would inevitably find the deaths of two people a bit suspicious. They wouldn’t punish her, but it would have been difficult to give her a reward that matched her merit.

With the Meng Family stepping in, Deng Yuyuan would naturally gain both fame and fortune. The bounty for the two kidnappers, the reward for saving a life, and the commendation for her heroic act—these were enough for this educated youth to return to her hometown in glory, perhaps even earning a ticket to Beijing.

At this moment, Deng Yuyuan was still pretending to be traumatized, but in reality, her mind was wandering elsewhere.

"AI Customer Service, tell me, does this count as me stealing the female lead’s opportunity?" This was the 108th time Deng Yuyuan had harassed the AI.

"It counts as you harassing an innocent electronic butterfly," the AI replied. "Just wait and see if the heavens strike you with lightning. The sky is perfectly fine, which means God isn’t angry."

Deng Yuyuan wondered, "Is it really this human-like?"

"The most important rule for the Heavenly Dao is complete impartiality," the AI continued. "As long as you didn’t do it on purpose, it can’t target you.

"CLICK CLACK. Sis, stop thinking about the rescue. Snap out of it! Whose arms are you lying in right now?"

Deng Yuyuan was entirely bewildered.

Caught off guard, Deng Yuyuan lifted her buried head from between her knees. Zhang Ci Hao was looking down at her, his eyes a mixture of adoration, heartache, and desire, which finally turned into deep astonishment.

Only then did she realize that the cozy warmth wasn’t from a draped coat, but from Zhang Ci Hao hugging her.

She thought, "Taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability—is this right?"

Even though Deng Yuyuan had noticed, Zhang Ci Hao pursed his lips and still didn’t release his embrace, nor did he speak, intending to play dumb.

The arms tightening around her radiated a scorching heat, much like their owner’s raw, uncontainable feelings. He resembled a restless volcano on the verge of erupting.

Deng Yuyuan found herself in a dilemma. If she stopped him, she feared he might lose control of his emotions and act recklessly; if she didn’t stop him, she feared he would push his luck.

"Let go, there are other people here." As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had made a mistake.

"Sis, CLICK CLACK, there really is no one else here," the AI noted.

She wondered, "Wait, when did the room get cleared?"

Zhang Ci Hao’s eyes lit up, his gaze burning. "So I can hug you when there’s no one else around?" He swallowed hard, unable to suppress his long-coveted urges any longer. The grip of his arms subconsciously tightened as he fumbled to find Deng Yuyuan’s hand, wanting to interlock his fingers with hers.

As his long, curled fingers glided over her arm, Deng Yuyuan turned her head away, avoiding his sincere yet obsessive gaze. Resisting her instinct to push him away—which would expose her true strength—she said coldly, "No. You know I’m a married woman..."

"I don’t care. I really don’t care! I like you so much, Sister Yu Yuan. I’m begging you, please don’t say no," Zhang Ci Hao confessed to her almost pleadingly. He knew that since Deng Yuyuan had discovered his feelings today, it was do or die.

"What I mean is, having been married, I am naturally sensitive to other people’s intentions. And the fact that I’m divorced but still don’t want you means I have absolutely no feelings for you. It simply means I completely, utterly look down on you as a husband." Deng Yuyuan’s lips parted, and hurtful words spilled out effortlessly.

Zhang Ci Hao’s breath hitched sharply. A humiliating, tearful whimper escaped his throat, but out of sheer desperation, he refused to let go. The young man’s fierce pride warred with a lustful desire that almost made him want to kneel and beg. In all his life, he had never been demeaned so ruthlessly.

It took him a long time to unpurse his lips. His expression twisted in agony as he squeezed out a spiteful retort through gritted teeth, "Do you think I really care that much about you?! Without you, I’ll naturally find a better partner! Even if you confessed to me right now, I would never, ever, ever accept you!"

Although he was the one actually being rejected, Zhang Ci Hao’s heart was completely shattered. He spoke without thinking, only wanting to use the most vicious and cruel words to attack Deng Yuyuan.

Sobbing internally, he felt like a wounded alpha wolf, solitarily licking his wounds in his heart.

Deng Yuyuan observed his puffed-up cheeks, reddened eyes, and his agonizingly twisted expression that had completely lost all composure. Combined with his obvious face-saving words that clearly showed his defenses were shattered, a wicked impulse surged within her. Unable to resist the urge to tease him, she said, "Is that so? I actually just changed my mind a bit and wanted to give us a try, but since you..."

"Okay!" Zhang Ci Hao instantly agreed.

"Get lost, you scheming simp!" the AI cursed.