Chapter 851: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (23)

Yu Bao'er: "..."

Dad: Oh Sweetie, you're still so young! Let me tell you, you should just eat and play to your heart's content. Why are you searching for this thing called a boyfriend? That will only drag you down.

Mom: The fellow upstairs is probably afraid that the cabbage he painstakingly grew would be eaten by a pig.

Yu Bao'er: Dad, don't worry, even if so, it will be a good-looking pig!

Dad: Even then, it will still be a pig.

Yu Bao'er: ...

Yu Kairan: You guys are disparaging your future son-in-law like this. In the future, when Bao'er finds a boyfriend, I must show him this message and ask him to run away while he still can.

Yu Bao'er: Trash, get lost!

Yu Kairan: [If you can't take it lying down, come and hit me.jpg]

Yu Bao'er didn't wish to continue squabbling with her older brother. She had yet to finish packing her stuff.

After she finished packing up, a servant came to notify her that food was ready.

Honestly speaking, meal times were quite suppressing, for Yu Bao'er to be eating at the same table with a bunch of royals under the identity of Gu Qingjiu's bestie.

These big bosses were all impressive characters in the business or political world.

Yu Bao'er felt that she had used up all the luck accumulated in her previous life to exchange for such an honor.

She had taken a few photos with them, though had yet to send it to her group chat. She was planning on showing off after she got back!

She couldn't wait!

But it was rather quiet during the meal. Other than Hilda and the rest who would occasionally speak a sentence or two, people like Yu Bao'er didn't dare to utter a single word.

Today, Huo Yingcheng was eating there as well, which was quite rare. And it so happened that he was sitting right opposite Yu Bao'er.

Perhaps because he still bore hatred over what had happened yesterday, when he saw Yu Bao'er at the table, he let out a sneer.

Yu Bao'er returned a sneer at him and thought to herself: Trash!

Seeing Yu Bao'er do this, anger rose within Huo Yingcheng. He had helped this woman and even took her around for good food and fun, yet in the end, she was showing him this kind of attitude?

After the meal, everyone gradually left the table.

There were two days to go before Yu Bao'er was to leave Penalan, and she wasn't planning to go anywhere. She simply stayed in her room and arranged the things she bought in Penalan, as well as the photos she had taken.

After she was done, she ended up with two items of luggage despite coming there with only one.

When she left, it was by a private plane.

Before getting off the plane, after some consideration, Yu Bao'er asked for Huo Yingcheng's phone number.

Although, he was wary. "Why are you asking me for my number?"

"Since you took me around to have fun for a few days, to express my gratitude, if you come to the capital in the future, I'll treat you to a meal.

Huo Yingcheng: "..."

It wasn't easy for him to hear this woman say something so touching like offer to give him a treat.

Hence, Huo Yingcheng obliged.

Yu Bao'er didn't live in the capital, and now that she had graduated she was going to return to Dayi City.

After returning to the capital, Yu Bao'er got onto a plane with her luggage.

Since she had been away from China for some time, especially her hometown, Yu Bao'er found it quite novel.

Even the air carried a sense of familiarity.

Though Penalan was a good place, home was still the best!

After returning to Dayi City, Yu Bao'er got her older brother to come over to pick her up.

Having waited in the airport for a while, Yu Bao'er saw her brother Yu Kairan.

She hadn't seen him for some time. Why did she feel like her older brother was getting more and more tanned...

Chapter 852: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (24)

"Brother!"

Yu Bao'er greeted when she saw Yu Kairan. She pushed her luggage over. "Quick, help me with my luggage. It's super heavy! It's filled with presents for you guys."

Yu Bao'er's older brother Yu Kairan was 24 this year, two years older than Yu Bao'er.

Back then, after Yu Kairan was born, the Yu couple decided they wanted a girl, and it so happened that their second child was a daughter. They named her Yu Bao'er.

One could just imagine how much she was doted upon at home.

Yu Kairan was quite good-looking, but his handsomeness differed from others. He had a fierce face, with sharp, cold, and tough facial features.

At present, he was even a mixed martial arts instructor.

He had well-developed muscles all over his body.

He was wearing a long-sleeved top which hid a large black dragon tattoo on his arm.

During summer, everyone thought that Yu Bao'er's older brother was from the triads...

Yu Bao'er knew that her older brother was clueless, but doted on her. Although his appearance was a tad fierce, it had an imposing effect.

When she was a kid, whenever someone dared to bully Bao'er, Yu Kairan only had to stand in front of her, and the other party would wimp out instantly.

Yu Kairan took Yu Bao'er's luggage from her and even let out a snort. "Are you sure these are presents for us and not something you randomly bought on the way?"

Yu Bao'er scoffed. "Brother, your words are too hurtful. Even if they were bought on the way, they're still presents! At the very least, they are items from Penalan. No one in our family has been to Penalan, has there?"

"Look at you. How happy you look going there on the invitation of your bestie."

Yu Bao'er didn't dare to tell them that Gu Qingjiu was getting married to royalty in Penalan, only that she was attending a wealthy person's wedding in Penalan. Her family would surely be startled otherwise.

She was counting on showing off to her family using this!

"Of course."

Yu Bao'er was quite gleeful. She scoffed at Yu Kairan, before pushing at her luggage and leaving with him.

When she got back home, her parents were already waiting.

Her father's name was Yu Chengzhuang, and her mother's name was Miao Jiahe.

The two of them were from the farming generation, which wasn't too particular about names. Also, at home, her father would often call Miao Jiahe by her pet name, Miao Erhua. Her father also got a nickname, Yu Dazhuang.

Thankfully her mother didn't directly call him Yu Ergou['Gou' means dog in Chinese].

If not, it would be tedious at home.

"Aiyoh, Sweetie, you're back!"

Yu Chengzhuang was in his forties, nearing 50. As a middle-aged man, he had a plump figure and bulging stomach.

He was chubby and often wore a smile, looking quite amiable. Most importantly, he truly doted on his daughter.

Miao Jiahe was an ordinary housewife, but she knew how to doll herself up. Since she managed to give birth to a pretty daughter, her looks weren't too bad in her younger days either. Even now that she had aged, she still had suitors. Once, a suitor even came to their house to confess to Miao Jiahe, much to Yu Chengzhuang's fury.

"Aye, Dad, I'm back. Have you missed me!"

Yu Bao'er pounced over to give her old man a fervent hug. Her dad looked at her happily, but that expression was followed by a worried one, the same old expression was seen on his face every time she returned from a trip. He said the same old line, "You've grown thinner!"

Yu Bao'er: "..."

Oh please. She had been stuffing herself with food in the palace every day. How could her father say that she had gotten thinner without feeling sheepish?

"Thinner? Look, even her waist has become thicker. Must be because of all that good food she's eaten during this period!"

Chapter 853: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (25)

Miao Jiahe, with her sharp eyes, saw the most direct change in her daughter the instant she walked out.

"Whose waist had gotten thicker? Whose?"

Girls most disliked hearing others say she had gotten fatter, especially when it came from family.

Yu Chengzhuang also shielded Yu Bao'er. "Exactly. How is she fatter? My daughter is forever slim."

Miao Jiahe gazed at the father-and-daughter duo with a sympathetic gaze, then went forward and stared at Yu Bao'er's luggage. "Daughter, what good stuff have you brought back for Mom?"

"You remember I'm your daughter now, huh." Yu Bao'er kept her luggage aside and said gleefully to Miao Jiahe, "Come again, did I grow fat or not? If you say I haven't, I'll tell you what I have bought you!"

Miao Jiahe's brows creased. "Hur, you're getting bold now huh, lass. How dare you threaten your mother? Do you believe I'll spank your butt today?"

Yu Bao'er: "..."

F*ck!

Was this the privilege of adults?

To be threatening kids with violence at a whim?

Yu Chengzhuang, who had wanted to defend Yu Bao'er, instantly shut up at the fierce glare from his wife.

Yu Bao'er scoffed, then opened her luggage and took out their presents.

She simply bought stuff based on their aesthetics and didn't pay attention to whether they were functional or not. As there weren't many presents, it took no time before the few of them finished splitting up the presents.

Miao Jiahe expressed her opinion. "Terrific. You went overseas and all you bought were these useless souvenirs!"

"At least I bought something!"

Yu Bao'er was indignant and she reached out to snatch the presents. "Give it back if you don't want it."

Miao Jiahe blocked using her hands. "Now that it's in my hands, it's mine. Don't even think about it!"

She then started walking back to her bedroom with the present.

Yu Bao'er smiled. Yu Chengzhuang's eyes suddenly lit up as he retrieved something from Yu Bao'er's luggage. His countenance changed drastically. "You're good, huh, Yu Bao'er. To think you learned to smoke!"

It was rare for him to speak so sternly to Yu Bao'er. Miao Jiahe, who had just returned to her room, came out instantly. "What's going on?"

Yu Bao'er focused her gaze, and the color of blood drained from her face. "Aiyah, how did his lighter land in my suitcase?"

The lighter in her luggage was Huo Yingcheng's!

A few days prior, Yu Bao'er had seen Huo Yingcheng using it. It was a flamboyant red lighter, and she heard that it was rather expensive. Yu Bao'er had seen him using it a few times so how could she not have a deep impression of it?

She stood up helplessly. "That's not right. How could his lighter possibly be here? It shouldn't be!"

She had never touched this lighter!

"Wah, from the sounds of it, this isn't yours, but someone else's? Is it that guy in the photo you sent us? His lighter even appeared in your luggage. Yet you still dare say there's nothing between the two of you?!"

The eager-to-stir-up-trouble Yu Kairan nabbed this chance and started teasing Yu Bao'er.

Yu Chengzhuang wore a solemn expression. When Miao Jiahe walked over, she took the lighter from him. "Eh, this just looks like an ordinary lighter."

Yu Kairan took it from her and looked at it. "Damn, how is this ordinary? It's a Tepoga 2017 limited edition model. Tepoga is the world's largest manufacturer of lighters. Such a limited edition lighter costs at least several hundred thousand!"

Amid Yu Bao'er's startled and pale expression, Yu Kairan added, "US dollars!"

Miao Jiahe: "This guy sure has money to burn!"

Chapter 854: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (26)

"What, what, what? Isn't this just a lousy lighter? Why is it so expensive?"

Yu Chengzhuang was stupefied.

He had originally wanted to educate Yu Bao'er, but everyone's attention was instantly shifted to the price of the lighter.

"What do you mean by lousy lighter? Dad, you don't understand. This lighter's value as a collector's item far exceeds its utility value. Even Tepoga's 2020 lighter is already unavailable. The more dated it is, the more expensive it is. It would be considered cheap to get a lighter of this brand for hundreds of thousands of dollars. I saw someone reveal this online before. Rich people have weird hobbies, like collecting such stuff. Nothing is surprising about it. Some people even particularly like to collect those old cars, stamps, and things like that. Things that were sold for tens of dollars in the past, might fetch up to ten million. Dad, a poor man like you won't understand!"

Yu Chengzhuang: "..."

To think his son was talking back at his old man like this.

Miao Jiahe rolled her eyes at Yu Kairan. "Geez, how can you speak of your father like that? He's just ignorant. But how can you talk to him like that?"

Yu Chengzhuang: "..."

Tears nearly slipped down his face. Wife, can you not talk about me like that?

Miao Jiahe, however, looked towards the baffled-looking Yu Bao'er. "How did such an expensive lighter end up in your hands? Shouldn't you quickly return it?"

Miao Jiahe's voice grew stern due to the nature of the item.

Yu Bao'er was startled.

It was one thing to witness what she had witnessed in the palace these few days, but it was quite another to have an item worth hundreds of thousand dollars suddenly appear in her luggage. Moreover, it was someone else's belongings. She must feel flustered. Also, Huo Yingcheng hadn't realized that his lighter was missing?

That can't be right!

When exactly did this lighter land in her luggage?

Yu Bao'er felt scared. "I have no idea. I don't know how this lighter appeared in my luggage. I'll call him now and ask him. And also return it to him."

Miao Jiahe knew that her daughter wouldn't do something unsavory; she was well aware of her daughter's character.

She nodded. "You go call him and find out what happened. Then return the item to him."

At this moment, Yu Chengzhuang was sizing up that lighter again. He let out a 'tsk.' "To think such an ugly thing costs hundreds of thousand dollars..."

Yu Kairan added, "It'd be a few million if you convert it to yuan..."

Yu Chengzhuang's heart trembled.

Meanwhile, Yu Bao'er had gone to one side to call Huo Yingcheng.

Yu Kairan sneakily followed over to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Thankfully she had the foresight to ask for Huo Yingcheng's number. If not she would have to ask Qingjiu for it now. It would be awkward if Qingjiu started asking questions!

When she called, surprisingly shortly after, someone picked up the call.

Yu Bao'er merely asked for Huo Yingcheng's number, but she had never called him before. So Huo Yingcheng didn't know who she was. He responded doubtfully. "Hello, you are?"

Yu Bao'er was perturbed. "Err, I am Yu Bao'er... Commander Huo, I'm just calling to ask you, did you lose a lighter..."

"I was wondering why my lighter went missing. So it was you who took it!"

Seems like Huo Yingcheng was a bit anxious about this item too, for he sounded quite furious when he picked up the phone.

His tone was a tad harsh, making Yu Bao'er anxious.

Chapter 855: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (27)

"I didn't take it!"

But after all, as Yu Bao'er was in the wrong, she couldn't answer him fiercely despite her aggrievedness. "I only saw it when I opened my luggage just now. I don't know how your lighter ended up in my luggage. I don't know!"

"That's strange. Are you saying someone else put it in your luggage? Don't tell me my lighter ran into your luggage by itself..."

Yu Bao'er truly felt aggrieved.

Because she didn't know how things got this way.

But there was nothing she could say to defend herself, so she could only swallow down her aggrievedness and say, "Then where are you now? I'll return your lighter to you."

"I'm in the capital. I remember you just got back home? Surely you're not going to take a plane back here again?"

Yu Bao'er thought about it. She had wanted to ask if she could send it by courier. "I heard from my brother that it's very expensive. I fear the courier would lose it. Why don't you wait for me? I'll see if there's a flight later. I'll fly back and return it to you. If not, can you wait until tomorrow?"

"Forget it, you wait for me in Dayi City. I'll go over and take it myself."

Huo Yingcheng was confused as well.

That lighter of his was a rather important belonging to him. He wasn't so obtuse as to be nonchalant about losing an item that cost a few hundred thousand dollars.

After all, it had a special meaning to him.

Most importantly, he thought that he had lost it in Penalan. But it never occurred to him that it would be with Yu Bao'er.

Yu Bao'er's phone call indeed caught him off guard.

Since he was in a bad mood due to losing a precious item, add to the fact that it absurdly ended up with Yu Bao'er, Huo Yingcheng's first reaction was a certain thought. As such, his tone wasn't that good. It was after hanging up the call did he realize that the person on the other end of the line sounded especially aggrieved? Hesitation set in.

Was his tone too harsh earlier?

Most importantly, it was spooky how the lighter ran to Yu Bao'er's luggage on its own.

It had been a day since he realized it was lost, but he didn't show his anxiousness in front of other people. He hadn't expected to hear from her about this.

After ending the call, Yu Bao'er's eyes turned red instantly, unable to hold herself back anymore. "I had no idea how that lighter ended up with me. I don't know either!"

She felt especially aggrieved, feeling like tears were going to slip down her cheeks any moment.

Yu Kairan, who thought that this matter would be peacefully resolved, knew that Yu Bao'er had suffered a grievance during the phone call judging from her looks. But he could also understand the other party. Anyone would have the same suspicions if they lost something worth a few hundred thousand dollars, and a person suddenly called to say the item was with her.

But he also knew that his younger sister was not such a person. When the lighter was taken out at first, she was also confused.

He walked over and patted Yu Bao'er on her shoulder. "Don't worry, it's alright. Just return it to him. We all believe in you."

Seeing that her daughter was aggrieved to the point of tears, she raised a brow. "Why? Did the young lad speak harshly to you?"

Based on what Yu Bao'er said earlier, the owner of the lighter was that guy who accompanied her around Penalan these few days.

But this matter indeed wasn't easy to explain. Though they believed in their daughter, others might not necessarily believe.

Of course, it also depended on what that young lad said ultimately. If it was overboard, she, as her mother, wouldn't sit by and do nothing.

Yu Bao'er wiped the corner of her eye and shook her head. "I'm fine, he said he'll come over and take it back tomorrow."

"Then ok, just return it to him. You did nothing bad, so you don't have to worry."

Chapter 856: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (28)

She came home in high spirits and hadn't expected such an accident to happen.

The mere thought of it made Yu Bao'er's heart feel stuffed up.

She sent Huo Yingcheng several text messages to explain things, but he didn't reply to her.

Yu Bao'er hid her head under her blanket, feeling especially vexed.

Now that she had calmed down, she could understand why Huo Yingcheng was angry at the time. But understanding didn't mean that she could tolerate suffering this grievance.

She carefully recalled when she was packing her luggage, she was the only one packing.

Usually, no one would enter her room. Surely someone didn't secretly place that lighter into her luggage?

That can't be right. She didn't offend anyone...

Even if she had her suspicions, she didn't have any suspect in mind. It gave her anxiety.

It was impossible for a servant in the palace to do something like this, for there was no enmity between them. Moreover, it was stealing Huo Yingcheng's lighter.

But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't fathom who would do such a thing.

Because she had no idea how she would face tomorrow, Yu Bao'er tossed and turned, and only fell asleep in the later part of the night.

Early the next morning, Yu Bao'er's father woke her up and told her that breakfast was ready. He also asked her if Huo Yingcheng, who was coming to collect the lighter from her, was here yet or not.

Yu Bao'er still didn't know. She had just finished eating when she received Huo Yingcheng's call.

His tone sounded much better than yesterday. He only coldly said this, "I'm outside your residential area. Just bring my lighter down to me."

Startled, Yu Bao'er immediately set down her chopsticks and went back to her room to change her clothes, and then down with the lighter.

When she got downstairs, Yu Bao'er indeed saw a tall and well-built figure outside her residential area.

Huo Yingcheng was too tall, and where she lived, such tall and muscular men were rarely seen. Wearing a long trench coat and smoking a cigarette while he stood there, he looked...

A bit like a bad guy.

Many passers-by cautiously sized him up.

Until he saw Yu Bao'er.

He extinguished his cigarette and tossed it into the trash can. Yu Bao'er jogged towards him and handed the lighter over to him. "Here, take it. Your lighter."

Huo Yingcheng looked at Yu Bao'er with a somewhat grumpy look.

She was wearing a white knit shirt. As it was October, the weather had started to become chilly; her hair was draped over her shoulders, giving off the youthful vibe of a young lady. Underneath, she wore black leggings and slippers.

Perhaps in her hurry, one could see her panting rapidly.

Huo Yingcheng took the lighter from her, and after one glance, ascertained that it was his missing lighter.

Yu Bao'er gave the lighter back to him, and her face fell. She then turned around to prepare to leave.

"Hold it there."

Huo Yingcheng suddenly called out to her, startling Yu Bao'er. She thought that he was going to seek trouble with her, so she flusteredly let out a low growl, "What? I've already returned it to you. I've said it many times that I wasn't the one who took your lighter. What more do you want?"

Unexpectedly, Huo Yingcheng said something surprising. "I know you're not the one who took it."

After clarifying the matter yesterday, Huo Yingcheng nearly had an urge to beat someone up.

But he couldn't tell Yu Bao'er yet.

Yu Bao'er widened her eyes. "Who was it? Hurry up and tell me. I'm going to beat 'him' to death! How can he make me suffer such a wrongful accusation!"

Huo Yingcheng: "..."

How could he tell her?

Chapter 857: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (29)

It was quite nonsensical actually.

Last night, Huo Yingcheng sensed that something wasn't right. At the time, Helian Niancheng was next to him. Seeing Huo Yingcheng puffed up with anger, he asked him what was going on.

Huo Yingcheng recounted what had happened to him, after which Helian Niancheng said meaningfully to him, "Why don't you ask your mom what's going on?"

Huo Yingcheng instantly got it.

He had always kept his lighter with him, and it suddenly disappeared yesterday.

During these two days, Yu Bao'er wasn't in contact with him, so how could she possibly take his lighter?

But it would be different if it was someone close to him.

Especially someone close to him who had a motive.

His mother!

He called his mother right away to ask her what was going on.

His mother stutteringly confessed that she was the one who took his lighter, and she had even placed it in Yu Bao'er's luggage.

Huo Yingcheng was so furious that he nearly scolded her. But how could he, when that was his mother? He asked her why, but she refused to say it. Upon hearing Huo Yingcheng's harsh tone, she even angrily hung upon him.

She was simply of another level.

Huo Yingcheng couldn't afford to trifle with her. It then occurred to him that he had maligned Yu Bao'er and that she must be feeling terrible about it.

Add to the fact that his mother was the culprit behind all this, it made Huo Yingcheng feel bad towards her.

Now, seeing Yu Bao'er, there was a complex feeling in his heart and also guilt.

Upon hearing Yu Bao'er say that she wanted to bash up the other party, Huo Yingcheng could only awkwardly cover his mouth and let out a cough. "I know you're not the one who did it. But I'm still investigating who the culprit is. I'll let you know after I find out. To express your apology, why don't you treat me to a meal? I can't travel so far for nothing, right?"

"Wah, how shameless of you? Since you're the one who came over, shouldn't you be treating me?"

Yu Bao'er stomped her feet angrily. She wasn't a true goon. She asked, "You don't know who did it?"

"My investigations have yet to turn up any results. The reason I'm letting you treat me to a meal is that when you left yesterday, didn't you say that since I accompanied you around, you're going to treat me to a meal? Your opportunity is here now since I'm here. Surely you're not going to let me leave just like that?"

Yu Bao'er sized up Huo Yingcheng. His expression seemed extremely serious.

Unable to detect anything amiss, Yu Bao'er lowered her head and thought about it, then kicked at the floor with her slipper, before replying with a pout, "Alright then, I'll treat you to lunch at noon."

She turned around and prepared to go upstairs. She then turned her head back and glanced at Huo Yingcheng. "Let's eat at noon. It's still morning. Where will you be waiting for me? Why don't you wait at my home?"

The moment these words came out of her mouth, Yu Bao'er regretted saying it.

Why would she invite him to her place when he was unrelated to her?

Huo Yingcheng froze for a moment, surprised. But following that, he nodded. "Okay."

Yu Bao'er: "..."

Since she said it, she had to keep her word. Yu Bao'er could only motion for Huo Yingcheng to follow her. "Then come with me."

Afterward, she turned around, wondering how she was going to face those three at home when she went upstairs with this person.

Knowing their nosy natures, she was certain that she couldn't escape interrogation. Amongst them, there was one who could fabricate rumors, one with hawk-like eyes, and one who maintained alertness towards all the males she brought back. How fascinating it was going to be?

Yu Bao'er held a hand to her forehead. Oh, what had she done to deserve this!

Chapter 858: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (30)

As expected, the moment Yu Bao'er reached home...

She had just opened the door, when she heard her father's amiable voice, "How did it go? Did that rascal say anything after you returned his lighter?"

He had just finished speaking when he saw the tall and well-built man behind Yu Bao'er.

Their gazes met and everyone's smiles froze on their faces.

Immediately, Yu Chengzhuang dazedly pointed a finger at Huo Yingcheng and asked, "Who is this?"

Yu Bao'er reminded him in a small voice, "Dad, this is the rascal you were referring to..."

At this time, Huo Yingcheng could still maintain a presentable smile. He greeted Yu Chengzhuang with a smile, "Uncle, how do you do?"

Yu Chengzhuang: "..."

Who's your uncle? Shameless!

Perhaps every father would have a special intuition towards the pig who was looking to eat the white cabbage he painstakingly grew. Yu Chengzhuang's first impression of this Huo Yingcheng was that he was an eyesore.

Yu Chengzhuang was also aware that his daughter had had boyfriends before, but she never brought one home before!

Now she brought this home. What did that imply?

Spit!

He couldn't bring himself to think about this scary truth.

In the living room, Miao Jiahe and Yu Kairan were both staring at Huo Yingcheng in shock.

Yu Kairan's eyes suddenly lit up, and he briskly jogged over. "Hey Brother, first time meeting you. Please give me your guidance. I'm Yu Bao'er's older brother, Yu Kairan."

Yu Bao'er couldn't bear to look straight at Yu Kairan, who was behaving like a lackey.

Was there something wrong with this person?

Huo Yingcheng looked towards Yu Kairan in surprise and let out an awkward chuckle, before extending a hand to him.

Miao Jiahe got to her feet, and Huo Yingcheng seemed to sense that. "Hello, Auntie."

"Hello, hello."

Miao Jiahe didn't stare fiercely and coldly at Huo Yingcheng like how Yu Chengzhuang did. Huo Yingcheng felt awkward by her stare.

Yu Bao'er had already given up.

A few steps into the house, Yu Chengzhuang pulled her aside.

"Aiyah, Dad?"

On the other hand, Miao Jiahe went up to size up Huo Yingcheng. "You're the owner of that lighter my daughter accidentally took, aren't you? Did she explain things clearly to you? Young fellow, if you don't believe her, we can all explain to you. Our daughter is not the sort of person to take other people's things at whim..."

"Um, she's already explained it to me. It's just a misunderstanding."

This was Huo Yingcheng's first time being surrounded and attacked like this. He helplessly answered her question.

"Good that it's all cleared up. We were angry out of worry for this lass."

There was a dagger hidden in Miao Jiahe's smile. Yu Kairan raised a brow beside, thinking to himself that his mother sure had good techniques when it came to talking.

She was implying to Huo Yingcheng that it was him who misunderstood and that her daughter was aggrieved because of that.

Huo Yingcheng merely gave her a faint smile and said nothing.

Miao Jiahe creased her brows. What was the meaning of this? Was he truly unrelated to her daughter?

Meanwhile, with Miao Jiahe intercepting Huo Yingcheng, Yu Chengzhuang pulled his daughter into the room to interrogate her.

After closing the door, he pointed outside and started asking in a grave tone, "Bao'er, tell Daddy. What's the relationship between you and that fierce man out there?"

Yu Bao'er said innocently, "Nothing. He just came to retrieve his stuff! I said I'll treat him to lunch at noon, but I didn't know where to make him wait, so I asked him to come to our house."

Chapter 859: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (31)

"He can leave after getting back his stuff. Why are you treating him to a meal?"

Yu Chengzhuang was extremely displeased.

Yu Bao'er shrugged. "I was the one who said I'd treat him to a meal. Now, I'm only fulfilling my promise. Dad, don't let your thoughts run wild. It's impossible between him and me. He's not my type. Moreover, he's nearly thirty."

"Nearly thirty?"

The color of blood drained from Yu Chengzhuang's face. "So old. This won't do!"

He waved a hand. "I'll never agree to it."

Yu Bao'er softly scoffed. "Dad, don't spout nonsense. He and I aren't dating."

With that, she left the room.

In the living room, Miao Jiahe was speaking with Huo Yingcheng. When Yu Bao'er came out, everyone's gazes turned towards her.

Yu Bao'er felt weird...

Especially the way her older brother Yu Kairan was looking at her. There was just one word to describe it: Sneaky!

Feeling embarrassed, she lowered her head and quietly returned to her seat.

"Huo Yingcheng, right? Here, have a seat."

Miao Jiahe tended to Huo Yingcheng on behalf of Yu Bao'er, then cast a meaningful look at Yu Bao'er.

The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.

At least, that was Yu Bao'er's perception.

Miao Jiahe started chatting with Huo Yingcheng.

Yu Bao'er didn't know what she could chat with Huo Yingcheng with. She started to regret her rash actions.

She could have asked Huo Yingcheng to head to a hotel by himself, then meet him up for lunch at noon, after which he could leave. That would be a much better arrangement.

She wanted to kick herself by asking him to come to their home.

Thankfully, Miao Jiahe knew what not to ask, and only asked about his situation as an elder.

Huo Yingcheng was also regretting accepting the invitation so readily. He shouldn't have come up with Yu Bao'er.

He was too rash then.

Why did he come up with her?

Though there was indeed nothing between him and Yu Bao'er and chatting with her family, saying it was awkward would be an understatement.

Thankfully, Yu Bao'er's brother Yu Kairan was someone who knew how to ease the atmosphere. He very quickly changed the topic to something that aroused Huo Yingcheng's interest more.

The two of them started talking enthusiastically about the lighter's origins and manufacturer.

In the end, even Miao Jiahe gave up.

And simply allowed the two to chat.

After eating, Yu Bao'er helped to clear the utensils and went to the kitchen to wash the plates.

She would usually do these things that she could manage when at home.

Huo Yingcheng stared at her in slight astonishment. He had thought that she was the sort of girl who didn't help out with anything at home.

He didn't expect to see her take the initiative to help wash the bowls.

Yu Kairan noticed where Huo Yingcheng was looking, so he went to her and said with a chuckle, "Brother, my younger sister is virtuous isn't she... Aiyah!"

Before he finished his sentence, Yu Chengzhuang had already smacked him on his head. "What business is it of yours whether my daughter is virtuous or not?"

Though he looked like he was saying it to Yu Kairan, it was obvious who he was targeting his words at.

Yu Kairan held a hand to his head, feeling innocent.

Miao Jiahe, too, glared at him. Serves him right for shooting his mouth off.

Huo Yingcheng looked at Yu Kairan. Somehow, he recalled his mother who smacked him for no good reason back at home, and all of a sudden, felt pity for him as a fellow sufferer...

Yu Bao'er came out after washing the bowls, then wiped her hands and raised her chin at Huo Yingcheng. "Let's go, Commander Huo."

Chapter 860: Huo Yingcheng, Yu Bao'er (32)

"Where to?"

As the father, Yu Chengzhuang's reaction was the strongest.

Yu Bao'er had already given up by now. "Nothing, just going downstairs."

It beats letting Huo Yingcheng stay here.

Huo Yingcheng, too, understood her intention. He got up immediately. "Uncle Auntie, I'll get going first."

Yu Chengzhuang glanced at him with an unfriendly countenance. Miao Jiahe also stood up and nodded. "Then you two can go down first. You're welcome to visit again."

Yu Chengzhuang: "..."

Again???

Yu Bao'er quickly left the house with Huo Yingcheng.

When they reached downstairs, the originally calm Yu Bao'er started going berserk. "Aaaaahhhhhh! I shouldn't have brought you to my place."

"You're hilarious. It was you who asked me to go up."

Huo Yingcheng sneered behind her, then retrieved a cigarette to smoke out of habit.

He was heavily addicted to cigarettes and was used to constantly smoking.

"I was just..."

Being polite.

But Yu Bao'er couldn't say that out loud, for she felt a tad awkward.

The duo simply walked in silence.

Yu Bao'er was walking in front, while Huo Yingcheng followed behind while smoking a cigarette.

With the smoke swirling around him, and one walking in front and the other following behind, looking at Huo Yingcheng, someone who didn't know better might think that Huo Yingcheng was stalking Yu Bao'er.

With no particular destination in mind, Yu Bao'er just walked aimlessly along the path. After a while, Yu Bao'er couldn't hold herself back anymore. "Why are you now so certain that I'm not the one who took your lighter? You sounded furious over the phone yesterday."

He was surprised she still minded this.

Huo Yingcheng felt a headache when he thought of his mother. Hearing Yu Bao'ers tone, he said after some pondering, "So you're angry?"

"You bet!" Yu Bao'er admitted to it readily. "How could I not be? You would be too if you were maligned like me. Of course, I'm not saying you're the one who maligned me. All I mean is that it's too sudden for that lighter to absurdly appear in my luggage out of nowhere."

As she spoke, she turned around to face Huo Yingcheng.

With the cigarette between his jaws, Huo Yingcheng looked at Yu Bao'er with a dark and gloomy gaze.

The youthful vibe of the young lady before him was as though they were a century apart.

One look and people could tell he was an older man, unlike Yu Bao'er who still retained her wonderful youth.

"We saw someone enter your room through the CCTV, but we have not found out the identity of the person."

Huo Yingcheng cooked up an excuse.

Yu Bao'er stopped abruptly. Huo Yingcheng thought that she was going to flare up, but she merely stood there and stared at him with a frown. "Can you stop smoking?"

"How does my smoking bother you..."

Huo Yingcheng grumbled. Nonetheless, he put out his cigarette and tossed it in the trash can.

"I've never seen you smoke back in the troops."

"Duh. What kind of a place in the army? Would one be allowed to smoke?"

Huo Yingcheng then stuck both hands into his pockets and walked towards her. "Come, aren't you a local in Dayi City? This is even Qingjiu's hometown. I've never taken a proper tour of this place back then. How about you take me around?"

With that, he walked forward by himself.

Yu Bao'er pouted upon hearing this. She stared at his back view for a while, and could only follow him.

Today's weather was rather pleasant, with sunshine that was warm and comfortable, but not scorching.