Chapter Five: The Mysterious Crystal Has Disappeared!

After a series of twists and turns, Blue Sky finally got to eat a hot meal. Faced with the delicious dishes before him, he wolfed them down hungrily, causing Wang Ling to frown.

“Slow down, no one’s fighting you for the food!” Wang Ling also picked up a piece of vegetable and chewed elegantly. “Be careful these days. That guy just now is the son of Ning City’s richest man—his reputation isn’t great. He might try to get back at you.”

“Tch, what’s there to be afraid of? I’ve got nothing to lose. Worst comes to worst, I’ll just stop hanging around Ning City.” Blue Sky’s tone was nonchalant, though there was a hint of weakness in his words.

“Haha, you might as well admit you’re scared. Stubborn to the end, aren’t you?” Wang Ling laughed, hitting the sore spot without mercy.

“…What can I do? I have no power, no status, and no money. How could I possibly go head-to-head with the son of a tycoon? I’m not stupid.” Blue Sky paused his eating, shaking his head.

In truth, he was quite frustrated. It wasn’t that he was cowardly, but he simply had no backing. If he had some capital to rely on, he wouldn’t be afraid—let things come to a head if they must! But as things stood, he had nothing. Charging mindlessly into a fight was not courage, but courting death.

“To be so righteous even when giving in—you’re really something. What’s that old saying? ‘A wise man adapts to circumstances.’” Wang Ling smiled. She’d already learned a bit about his situation in the car; if he really chose to lash out blindly, that would make him a fool.

“And that’s how you talk to your rescuer? This isn’t giving in, it’s called a strategic retreat. Just wait till the day I make it big—I’ll show him then!” Blue Sky said, indignant.

“Oh, I’ll believe it when I see it. By then, the flowers might have withered already.” For some reason, Wang Ling took great delight in seeing him flustered and poked at his sore spot again.

But seeing Blue Sky’s expression darken, she restrained herself and said seriously, “Since you saved me last night, let me handle this matter.”

“You?” Blue Sky was momentarily stunned, sizing her up skeptically.

“Hey! Where are you looking?!” At first, Wang Ling hadn’t noticed anything amiss, expecting a look of admiration, but when she saw where his gaze lingered, her face turned crimson. She quickly crossed her arms over her chest and spat, “You little pervert! I’m starting to doubt you were really my rescuer last night—you’re far too cheeky!”

“Ahem, uh, just a normal reaction… nothing more…” Caught in the act, Blue Sky forced a laugh and hurried to change the subject. “You said you’d help me—how exactly?”

“Hmph! Your big sister has her own ways!” Though her cheeks were still flushed, Wang Ling shot him a fierce glare. “Just go about your life as usual. Trust me, he won’t bother you over what happened tonight.”

“Well, that’s a relief. Seems our illustrious Lawyer Wang is quite well-connected.” Blue Sky joked, but then sobered. “Just don’t overextend yourself for me. That guy isn’t a good person, and I noticed the way he looked at you wasn’t right.”

“Well, what do you expect? With a face like mine, how many normal men look at me the right way? I’m used to it.” Instead of being concerned, Wang Ling wore a look of pride, leaving Blue Sky momentarily speechless.

Her narcissism knew no bounds.

They dropped the subject, and Blue Sky resumed his ravenous eating.

“All right, that’s enough. Let’s get going. I’ll hit the restroom first.” Wang Ling tidied her bag and headed for the bathroom.

“You’re not planning to duck out and leave me with the bill, are you? I don’t have much cash on me,” Blue Sky joked. Having grown familiar with Wang Ling, the pain of his recent breakup was quickly fading.

“Ugh! You really are a little scoundrel!” Wang Ling ground her teeth, stomped over, and kicked him hard in the calf, then strutted off to the restroom, leaving Blue Sky grimacing in pain.

Inside, Wang Ling hesitated for a moment before pulling out her phone, scrolling to a certain number, and dialing.

“Dad, someone bullied me,” she said.

“No, it’s nothing serious. It’s just that our city’s richest man is getting too cocky. His son bullied your daughter—I want to teach him a lesson.” The concern on the other end was obvious, and Wang Ling hurried to explain.

“What? How could you! I said no and I mean it—it’s a matter of principle!” Wang Ling fumed at her father’s sly tone; she had only wanted him to teach that tycoon a lesson, but now he was using it to bargain with her. This displeased Miss Wang greatly.

She’d known her father would bring up that matter again—just the night before, they’d fallen out over it. Now, less than a day later, she was asking for his help, and that just irked her even more.

“So, will you help or not? Let me remind you, that tycoon’s son called your daughter some nasty names in public. You decide!” Without waiting for a reply, Wang Ling hung up, huffing.

She knew she’d achieved her goal. With her father’s love for her, whether she agreed to his conditions or not, he’d definitely take care of this for her.

“Still eating? Are you a pig? How many days have you gone without food?” Wang Ling emerged from the restroom to find Blue Sky still feasting. She was both frustrated and exasperated—she’d just argued with her father for his sake, while he was oblivious, just focused on eating.

“Heh, can’t let good food go to waste. Come on, I’ll walk you home.” Blue Sky wiped his mouth and grinned sheepishly.

“I’m pretty sure I’m the one walking you home!” Wang Ling laughed, scolding him with a glance. This guy was getting bolder by the day.

After settling the bill, Wang Ling drove the thoroughly satisfied Blue Sky home.

When he got out of the car and waved goodbye, about to pull out his keys, Wang Ling rolled down her window with a stern look. “Hey! You seem to have forgotten something!”

“Huh? What is it?” Blue Sky looked puzzled.

“Aren’t you going to give your WeChat to your big sister?” Wang Ling growled.

“Oh, right! I almost forgot. Next time, remind me sooner if you want to add me.” Blue Sky quickly took out his phone, and they exchanged contact info.

Wang Ling, immune by now to his shamelessness, rolled her eyes yet again, pinched his cheek hard, and then sped off, leaving him rubbing his face, smiling wryly.

Twenty-six years old and still acting like a kid—no wonder he couldn’t resist teasing her.

Once inside his rented apartment, the first thing Blue Sky did was take a hot shower. After installing the security door, laying the floorboards, and getting into a fight that evening, he felt sore all over.

But halfway through, he suddenly froze. It felt like he’d forgotten something important…

Where was that strange crystal?!

He remembered leaving it on the nightstand before going to bed, but just now, when he went to get fresh clothes…

He hadn’t seen it at all!