VFGRC Chapter 87

Over the next three days, the culinary summit proceeded as usual.

What surprised Yu Bai was that Xing Xing had actually managed to make a small splash at the culinary summit with the adorable dumplings they had encountered on the first day, crafted by the bun stall master. On the second and third days, the bustling breakfast street was filled with people holding cute dumplings in their hands.

Some internet influencers and celebrities posted photos of these soft and adorable dumplings online, sparking discussions among netizens.

The bun stall master’s craftsmanship was exceptional. Not only did he make delicious dumplings, but he also captured Xing Xing’s charm quite accurately.

The bun stall master’s business flourished, and he was so delighted that he began sending dumplings to Xing Xing every day.

Xing Xing, holding those lovely dumplings, became another focal point of the culinary summit.

If it weren’t for Yu Bai considering Xing Xing’s young age, he might have allowed Xing Xing to participate in press interviews. As it stood, Xing Xing was only permitted to take photos with others. Otherwise, with the strong coverage from the media, Xing Xing could have easily become a rising child star, destined for the top of trending lists.

Xing Xing understood that many uncles, aunties, older brothers, and older sisters liked taking pictures with him, but he wasn’t proud at all.

People wanted to take pictures with him because he was handsome and cute!

But his handsomeness and cuteness ultimately came from his dad’s excellent genes, so he had no reason to be proud!

With the popularity of the adorable dumplings, the third day of the culinary summit’s competition came to an end. The bun stall master unsurprisingly outshone his numerous competitors and secured first place in the morning category.

His delicious and charming dumplings also attracted the attention of many overseas chefs participating in the culinary summit.

Those international participants were amazed by the bun stall master’s superb culinary skills.

Upon their return home, they imitated the dumplings made by the bun stall master and shared their creations on platforms like YouTube, sparking a trend of making Huaxia-style dumplings. This trend then extended to a broader craze for Huaxia-style pastries.

This phenomenon once again stirred up significant interest in Huaxia’s culture overseas. Countless foreign netizens marveled at the millennia-old, exquisite culinary artistry passed down by the Huaxia pastry master.

Of course, all of this was a story for later.

The closing ceremony of the culinary summit was as uninteresting as the opening ceremony.

Yu Bai booked his ticket to return to City J next week, so he planned to spend these days exploring the capital city with Xing Xing.

The Capital City was vast; having been the capital of multiple dynasties, its historical significance was undoubtedly deeper than that of City H.

Wanting to thoroughly explore the Capital City in just a few days was certainly a challenge.

“Well… How about I be your tour guide?” Hearing Yu Bai’s dilemma, Ji Rongyu suggested, “I grew up in the Capital City, so I’m familiar with the city. I know which alleyways have the best street food, which Peking duck restaurants serve the most fragrant and succulent ducks…”

At the mention of “food,” Xing Xing’s little ears involuntarily perked up.

Yu Bai: “Your company’s matters…”

“Rest assured.” Ji Rongyu smiled, “I can take a few days off.”

After all, what could be more important for his company than accompanying Yu Bai?

Ji Rongyu hadn’t expected that he would follow the example of historical “emperors,” skipping “court” for the sake of his “beloved.”

During the days of the culinary summit, Ji Rongyu faithfully waited by Yu Bai’s suite door every morning.

He tasted every delicious dish presented at the summit alongside Yu Bai, albeit sometimes inadvertently stepping on a few landmines.

However, whenever he thought that he and Yu Bai were savoring the same dish, whether it was good or bad didn’t matter at that moment.

Ji Rongyu thoroughly enjoyed every day spent with Yu Bai—as if each day was an extension of their previously intimate life.

Ji Rongyu didn’t expect his few words to mend the fractured emotions between him and Yu Bai.

Still, he hoped that in the future, he would remain one of the important people who could accompany Yu Bai.

After enduring days when he couldn’t see Yu Bai, encountering him again filled Ji Rongyu’s heart with boundless happiness every day.

For Ji Rongyu, simply having one-sided affection for Yu Bai was enough.

However, beautiful times are always fleeting.

Ji Rongyu took Yu Bai on a sightseeing tour of the Capital City, visiting many of the city’s delectable eateries.

There were still many dining places that Ji Rongyu hadn’t taken Yu Bai to, but the day of Yu Bai’s departure for City J had arrived.

At the thought of the word “farewell,” Ji Rongyu felt an indescribable reluctance deep within his heart.

He wished he could immediately book a flight to City J for tomorrow and go back with Yu Bai!

But…

Ji Rongyu and Yu Bai had their dinner at a noodle shop in one of the city’s alleyways.

“I’m returning to City J tomorrow, and there’s a pile of things waiting for me to do,” Yu Bai said, his gaze lowered as he stirred the noodles in his bowl, “G Group’s headquarters are in the Capital City, right? You haven’t been back to the company for a few days either. There must be a lot of things for you to take care of too. Work hard. I have several chain stores waiting for you to continue with the investment disbursements! When you have time… we’ll meet again.”

No matter how much Ji Rongyu wanted to follow Yu Bai to City J, for now, he had to put his wishes on hold.

After all, Yu Bai asked him to stay at the company, so that’s where he would be.

After helping Xing Xing mix his noodles, Yu Bai had barely taken a few bites from his own bowl when his phone rang again.

Ji Rongyu’s expression showed a hint of displeasure. “Is it that kid Yun He calling again?”

These days, while he and Yu Bai were having fun in the Capital City, there was someone even more annoying than Xing Xing who occasionally called to “disturb” Yu Bai.

That’s right, it’s Yun He!

During the time of the culinary summit, Ji Rongyu noticed that Yun He would call Yu Bai punctually every day.

And after the culinary summit ended, Yun He escalated things further, calling Yu Bai twice a day!

Ji Rongyu had no idea what urgent matters Yun He had over there that he kept calling Yu Bai incessantly, bothering him.

Was it that Yun He had some urgent matters to discuss, or did this kid really like Yu Bai and couldn’t resist seeking attention from Yu Bai when he saw them together?

But Yu Bai had clearly told him that Yun He was just an ordinary superior-subordinate relationship…

At the thought of the name “Yun He,” Ji Rongyu couldn’t help feeling jealous again.

He looked at Yu Bai as he hung up the phone, his tone slightly sour, “Is he rushing you to go back?”

“Don’t jump to conclusions.” Yu Bai said, “He’s just worried about me… Eat your noodles.”

During the time of the culinary summit, Yun He would report about the situation of various snack shops to Yu Bai every day.

Soon after the culinary summit ended, apart from reporting about the snack shops, Yun He would also make an additional call to ask about Yu Bai’s situation in the Capital City and when he would be back.

During those days, Yu Bai was often outside, so it was a bit inconvenient to answer the calls.

It wasn’t until yesterday that Yu Bai had the opportunity to ask Yun He carefully during his break.

Under Yu Bai’s questioning, Yun He finally revealed the reason for his concern.

A few days ago, Yun He had encountered an acquaintance in the shop—it was none other than Qiao Kang, the son of Qiao Chao, the former boss of “Qiao Group”.

The shop had closed at the time, and Qiao Kang had stopped Yun He at the store’s entrance.

He gave Yun He a packet of powdered medicine and instructed him to put it in the “Galaxy Snack Shop.” He promised Yun He a hundred thousand if he could do it.

In Qiao Kang’s eyes, Yu Bai’s “Galaxy Snack Shop” had only opened as a result of stepping on their “Qiaozi Snack Store”.

Currently, Qiao Chao was about to face years of imprisonment due to issues with “Qiao Group” and “Qiaozi Snack Store”, and their family assets were going to be seized.

With no money left, how could Qiao Kang, who usually squandered and lived extravagantly, endure this!

As the son of the unscrupulous businessman Qiao Chao, Qiao Kang had learned all his father’s treacherous ways to a tee.

He urgently wanted to get back at Yu Bai.

If it weren’t for Yu Bai, his father wouldn’t have been arrested, their family wouldn’t have gone bankrupt, and he wouldn’t be without money to spend!

After being rejected by Yun He, Qiao Kang left with a bitter remark, “If you’re not willing, fine, just wait and see.”

With so many people around in the shop, Qiao Kang didn’t seem like someone who would easily give up.

Worried that Qiao Kang might take action in the shop, Yun He wanted Yu Bai to return to J City earlier.

With more people present, Qiao Kang’s chances of tampering with things in the shop would be greatly reduced.

After several days passed without Qiao Kang appearing, the shop remained safe and sound.

With only one day left before his return to J City, Yu Bai decided not to change his flight ticket as it would be inconvenient. Besides, he had already planned the itinerary for the last day with Ji Rongyu. Therefore, he decided to stick to the original plan and return to J City early the next morning.

With the shop employees keeping a watchful eye, Yu Bai believed that Qiao Kang wouldn’t be able to cause any major trouble in just one day’s time.

Unfortunately, luck was not on their side.

Just as Yu Bai and the others finished their noodles and were walking through the alley, the sky gradually began to drizzle.

“Weren’t they forecasting rain for tomorrow? Why is it suddenly raining tonight?” Ji Rongyu frowned and took off his coat, handing it to Yu Bai.

“You…” Ji Rongyu glanced at the little kid next to Yu Bai, “Use it to shield from the rain. It wouldn’t be good if he catch a cold.”

Yu Bai asked, “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”

“I have a warm body. I just had some soup noodles, so I’m still sweating,” Ji Rongyu said, “Being drizzled by a little rain is quite comfortable.”

No sooner had he spoken than the rain started pouring heavily.

Misting rain turned into pouring rain.

Helplessly, Yu Bai said, “Enough, let’s not talk about it. There’s a convenience store ahead in the alley. Let’s hurry over and buy an umbrella.”

It was night, and the sky was already dark.

Yu Bai bent down and lifted up Xing Xing, while Ji Rongyu held up his coat to shield Yu Bai’s head.

Ji Rongyu was about to run with Yu Bai when he suddenly paused.

Yu Bai asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ji Rongyu replied, “Nothing, let’s hurry to the convenience store.”

In these past few days, he had been waiting by Yu Bai’s suite entrance even before dawn, just to have three meals a day with Yu Bai on time. After Ji Rongyu returned to the hotel at night, he still had to work overtime and handle company matters. As a result, he was somewhat exhausted.

These days, he always felt like someone was following him and Yu Bai.

But every time Ji Rongyu turned around, there was no one behind him.

It must be that he hadn’t rested enough and his mind was playing tricks on him.

Ji Rongyu propped up his coat and followed behind Yu Bai.

The rain mixed with thunder sounded particularly noisy, and the sound of footsteps was masked by the thunderous rain.

Just as Ji Rongyu was about to reach the entrance of the alley, Yu Bai, who was holding Xing Xing, suddenly stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.

“Yu Bai!”

Ji Rongyu immediately turned back, intending to run to Yu Bai’s side and help him up. However, he saw that at some point, a stranger had appeared by Yu Bai’s side.

Qiao Kang had been practically shadowing Yu Bai and Ji Rongyu for the past few days, observing their every move.

After days of careful consideration and guidance from someone knowledgeable, Qiao Kang had made a decision.

The reason he wanted to get back at Yu Bai was because his company had gone bankrupt, and he had no money to spend.

Given how much Yu Bai cared about his son, all he needed to do was seize the opportunity, kidnap the kid, demand a ransom from Yu Bai, make a big profit, and then disappear. Wasn’t this more exciting than simply seeking revenge against Yu Bai?

Unfortunately, Xing Xing was anything but an ordinary kid, as Qiao Kang had assumed.

Xing Xing was exceptionally well-behaved and obedient, always staying by Yu Bai’s side, leaving no room for anyone to exploit.

Qiao Kang watched anxiously as he realized that if he didn’t act soon, Yu Bai would be leaving the Capital City as planned, taking the booked flight.

Feeling a sense of urgency, the day before Yu Bai’s departure, a timely rain poured down from the sky. The heavy rain masked his footsteps, and Qiao Kang successfully bumped into Yu Bai. He intended to grab Xing Xing, who was in Yu Bai’s arms, all in one motion.

Using his own body as a cushion, Yu Bai fell heavily onto the muddy ground soaked with rainwater.

Even as Qiao Kang managed to knock Yu Bai down, Yu Bai’s hands tightly clung to Xing Xing.

“Let go or not!” Qiao Kang pulled out the knife he had prepared in his pocket and threatened, “Give him to me quickly!”

Qiao Kang tugged at Xing Xing’s arm forcefully, not caring if he was causing Xing Xing pain.

How could a three-year-old like Xing Xing remain calm in such a sudden and chaotic situation?

Seeing the glint of the blade under the moonlight, Xing Xing burst into tears with a loud cry.

“Bad person! You’re not allowed to hurt Daddy! Bad person! Don’t grab me!”

“I’m the bad person? Your dad is the bad person! If it weren’t for him, my dad wouldn’t have been caught! Our family wouldn’t have gone bankrupt… Aah!”

As Xing Xing cried, tears and snot streamed down his face. While still crying, he opened his mouth and fiercely bit down on Qiao Kang’s arm that was holding him.

Xing Xing’s bite was exceptionally strong, like an angry wolf cub. Despite Qiao Kang’s pain and his attempts to shake his arm vigorously, Xing Xing refused to let go.

Xing Xing’s action successfully infuriated Qiao Kang.

“You little brat! Don’t blame me for being impolite!”

Enraged, Qiao Kang swung the knife in his hand and thrust it toward Xing Xing’s back.

“Xing Xing!”

“Watch out!”

In the blink of an eye, without the chance to grab Qiao Kang’s arm, Yu Bai could only tightly embrace Xing Xing. Bending his body, he shielded Xing Xing with his own body.

It was a parent’s instinct.

Yu Bai would rather let the sharp dagger pierce his own heart than let even the slightest harm come to Xing Xing.

The sound of the blade cutting flesh echoed, but the expected pain didn’t surface for Yu Bai.

“Drip, drip.”

Drops of fresh blood mixed with the pouring rain, staining Yu Bai’s white shirt red.

Yu Bai raised his head.

In the instant the dagger was about to strike, someone stood in front of him.

As if he didn’t feel pain, Ji Rongyu allowed the dagger to pierce through his left palm. His right hand tightly grasped the other end of the dagger.

Rainwater soaked Ji Rongyu from head to toe, and his wet hair hung down over his forehead, making him look rather disheveled.

Hoarse-voiced, Ji Rongyu said, “Let go.”

His narrow phoenix eyes were even brighter than the moon hanging in the sky, exuding a commanding aura.

With a single look from Ji Rongyu, Qiao Kang’s hand trembled.

Ji Rongyu forcefully pulled out the dagger that had pierced his left hand.

The beating of the rain brought Qiao Kang back to his senses.

The situation was dire. He was no match for both Yu Bai and Ji Rongyu, so he had no choice but to…

Staring at the dagger between his hands, a ferocious expression appeared on Qiao Kang’s face.

“Ji Rongyu!”

While Ji Rongyu endured intense pain and withdrew his left hand from the dagger, Qiao Kang seized the opportunity to stab Ji Rongyu.

Qiao Kang understood the principle of capturing the leader first. Ji Rongyu was physically imposing, and Qiao Kang was certain he couldn’t win in a direct fight. So, he took the opportunity to stab Ji Rongyu multiple times.

Qiao Kang exerted exceptional force, and he viciously stabbed Ji Rongyu’s abdomen. Ji Rongyu clutched his stomach, letting out a stifled groan.

Qiao Kang quickly pulled the knife back after his first strike.

Just as Yu Bai stood up, Qiao Kang moved swiftly and stabbed Ji Rongyu a third time.

Before Qiao Kang’s fourth strike could land, Ji Rongyu, enduring excruciating pain, grabbed hold of Qiao Kang’s wrist.

“Yu Bai, go to the convenience store ahead and call for help!” Ji Rongyu shouted.

Ji Rongyu, who had been stabbed three times, was covered in blood. He was struggling to support his own body.

While Ji Rongyu certainly needed assistance, at this moment, Yu Bai was still holding Xing Xing in his arms.

If Yu Bai put down Xing Xing to help Ji Rongyu, Qiao Kang might seize the opportunity to grab or harm Xing Xing, which would outweigh any benefits.

The best course of action was for Yu Bai to follow Ji Rongyu’s instructions, carrying Xing Xing to the nearby convenience store at the mouth of the alley and calling for help.

“Boom, boom,” the sound of thunder and lightning echoed with a deafening roar.

Seeing Ji Rongyu’s clothes drenched in blood, standing like a solid and towering mountain, shielding himself and Xing Xing, Yu Bai’s eyes welled up with tears.

He knew that Ji Rongyu loved him.

But he didn’t know that Ji Rongyu’s love for him extended to the point of being willing to give his life.

Yu Bai couldn’t distinguish whether the wetness on his face was rain or tears.

“I’m going now! Ji Rongyu, wait for me!”

Holding Xing Xing, Yu Bai ran towards the convenience store at the alley mouth at the fastest speed he had ever mustered.

“Your help is gone, you’ve been stabbed three times by me, and you still want to fight me? Ha.”

Qiao Kang sneered, forcefully wrenching the dagger from Ji Rongyu’s grasp.

Ji Rongyu said, “Three stabs are more than enough for dealing with you.”

“You’re just full of empty boasts!” Qiao Kang retorted, “With the dagger in my hand, I can make a few more holes in you, just a few holes!”

Qiao Kang reached out and pressed hard on the spots where he had stabbed Ji Rongyu.

Ji Rongyu let out a muffled groan.

Then, Qiao Kang swung the dagger at Ji Rongyu with a single hand.

This time, his blade was aimed at Ji Rongyu’s neck.

A victorious and sinister smile appeared on Qiao Kang’s face.

In a moment, everything would come to an end.

Just one more strike!

As Qiao Kang’s blade descended, Ji Rongyu’s hand swiftly and resolutely seized Qiao Kang’s wrist.

Qiao Kang’s expression hadn’t even changed when Ji Rongyu forcefully twisted Qiao Kang’s wrist, pushing him down onto the ground. The silver blade pointed straight at Qiao Kang’s nose.

Qiao Kang immediately yelled in fear, “Take it away! Take it away!”

The blade came closer to Qiao Kang once again.

Qiao Kang shouted loudly, “Help! Help!”

A sharp sound of the blade slicing through flesh resounded.

An unbearable sensation of pain spread through Qiao Kang’s palm along with the rain.

Ji Rongyu swung the sharp dagger, pinning Qiao Kang’s palm to the muddy ground beneath him.

Qiao Kang couldn’t bear the excruciating pain of the blade piercing his hand and pulled it out from his palm.

Having done all this, Ji Rongyu’s last ounce of strength faded away.

He lay flat on the dirty ground covered in mud and raindrops falling from the sky, gazing at the bright moonlight and the screams of Qiao Kang by his side, yet his heart was filled with unprecedented calmness.

Ji Rongyu wondered. Had Yu Bai already reached that convenience store? With the heavy rain today, he didn’t know if Yu Bai had gotten soaked and if he might fall ill.

A couple of days ago, when Yu Bai was napping, he secretly held him.

Yu Bai was still as slender as ever. Ji Rongyu’s fingers lightly pinched, feeling the bones beneath Yu Bai’s skin.

During the two months he and Yu Bai had been apart, Chen Jing had told him that Yu Bai had been so busy with the snack shop that he hadn’t been eating on time.

“Really, why doesn’t he take better care of himself?”

Ji Rongyu murmured.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded.

“Ji Rongyu, I’ve called an ambulance, it’s on its way!”

Yu Bai’s voice had always been gentle, but this was the first time Ji Rongyu had heard Yu Bai’s voice mixed with fear and urgent sharpness.

“Lower your voice, I can hear you,” Ji Rongyu whispered softly, “It’s a bit noisy.”

Ji Rongyu’s upper body was completely stained with blood. The wound inflicted by the blade looked particularly terrifying.

“It’s already this late! You’re complaining about me being noisy…” Yu Bai choked up, “The ambulance will be here soon, very soon.”

“I know.”

“Ji Rongyu, I warn you. You’re not allowed, not allowed… Otherwise, I’ll hate you! I won’t like you either!”

“Is it that serious?”

With excessive blood loss, Ji Rongyu’s lips turned pale. His last bit of willpower allowed him to stay conscious.

Ji Rongyu said, “Yu Bai, lower your head, let me tell you something.”

As soon as Yu Bai lowered his head, the soft sensation of Ji Rongyu’s lips brushed against his own, and then separated.

“Yu Bai, I love you.”

After saying this, Ji Rongyu closed his eyes and fell into a prolonged darkness.

 

Author’s Note:

Ji Rongyu: Gotta give a kiss before I go~ (* ￣3)(ε￣ *)