Zhao Yan held the potato Xiong Gang had given him, peeling it carefully. Xiong Gang had dug the potatoes out from the neglected patch in the backyard. He planned to make Le Huan mashed potatoes over noodles—a meal both tasty and easy to digest.
From a distance, Wang Ni watched Zhao Yan quietly working, a sigh escaping his lips. At the gas station earlier, he had talked with the Team Leader. Though Miss Yu had extraordinary beauty, her illness was unlikely to be cured. The Team Leader was loyal and devoted, and Wang Ni didn’t want Zhao Yan to spend the rest of his life in loneliness and longing. But Zhao Yan had insisted that he didn’t have those feelings for Yu Lehuan, so Wang Ni had kept his thoughts to himself.
Yet, watching Zhao Yan care for Le Huan like she was a child, Wang Ni realized Zhao Yan might have been fooling himself all along.
Inside the house, Wu You and Xiong Gang chatted with Le Huan. Wu You picked out amusing little stories to tell her, and though Le Huan hadn’t yet laughed, 66 was laughing so hard he was gasping for air.
Hearing the cheerful chatter from the main room, Zhao Yan carried the freshly cooked noodles over and interrupted, “Yu Lehuan, time to eat.”
After saying that, he turned to Wu You and the others. “Pack up your things. We’ll head to the next location soon.”
Wu You and the others acknowledged him and went to gather their gear. Zhao Yan then looked at Le Huan, setting the bowl on the table. “Eat it yourself.”
Le Huan hadn’t expected him to feed her, but his words still made her frown in puzzlement. Zhao Yan’s expression was dark, his brown eyes sharp and fixed on her.
“Don’t eat it yourself—you feed me.”
“I’ll call Wu You or Xiong Gang to feed you—they’re the ones you like more anyway,” Zhao Yan said without thinking.
Le Huan immediately understood, a teasing smile curling on her lips.
Zhao Yan realized his words had unintentionally revealed his feelings. The tips of his ears flushed crimson beneath his hair, and annoyed, he turned and left.
1066 watched the scene unfold in his mind, mouth wide open as if it could fit a whole egg. 【Is he embarrassed?】
Le Huan ignored him and lowered her head to eat.
Zhao Yan squatted on the stone step at the gate, the warmth on his face lingering. He regretted speaking the words that had nearly confessed his heart.
Yes, he liked Yu Lehuan. But he could also see that Le Huan was carefree—she could laugh, continue eating, and act as if nothing had happened. Such an infuriating creature—being treated like a servant and still stirring his heart.
Chen Youyu noticed the Team Leader lost in thought. These past few days, he had been distracted more often than in the entire previous year. Chen Youyu felt it necessary to check on the Team Leader’s mental state.
“Team Leader, what’s wrong?”
Zhao Yan snapped out of it, not wanting to share his feelings with his team. “Nothing.”
…Which clearly meant there was something.
“Is it because of Miss Yu? You can tell me. I’ve been in a relationship once, at least.”
It could only be about Miss Yu—the Team Leader’s feelings were obvious to everyone. Chen Youyu felt it necessary to offer guidance. After all, he carried responsibility: the only one in the team who had dated before, even if it ended.
Seeing the Team Leader remain silent, Chen Youyu cleared his throat and spoke again. “If you want to know whether someone likes you, don’t just look at what they say—look at what they do. Girls are always verbally stubborn but soft at heart.”
The Team Leader’s aura darkened further. Le Huan’s words were sweet, but she was lazy, doing nothing—especially not helping him.
Seeing the Team Leader look even more dejected, Chen Youyu fell silent, realizing he might have said the wrong thing.
Xiong Gang, hearing the conversation, joined in. “Team Leader, I think Miss Yu likes you.”
His words struck Zhao Yan like a thunderbolt. He looked up sharply at Xiong Gang. Chen Youyu subtly gestured for Xiong Gang to continue.
Xiong Gang smiled. “At lunch, when you weren’t back yet, Miss Yu couldn’t stop thinking about you. She didn’t eat and just stared at the door, waiting for you.”
Chen Youyu twitched his mouth—this kid was something else.
Seeing Zhao Yan’s expression lighten, Xiong Gang continued, “I think liking someone means wanting to be with them all the time. Look at Miss Yu—she clings to you. Whenever something happens, she doesn’t come to us, only to you.”
Chen Youyu had nothing to add and silently gave Xiong Gang a thumbs-up.
Zhao Yan pondered carefully. Le Huan only acted spoiled toward him, only wanted him to feed her, only wanted to sleep in his arms… Could it be that she liked him, even just a little?
He looked up at the sky. Clouds blocked the sun. The remaining food and water in the cars wouldn’t last long—they had to return to the base before supplies ran out.
With Xiong Gang and Chen Youyu gone, Zhao Yan stood and walked inside, seeing Le Huan lying on the rattan chair.
“You just finished eating. Don’t lie down—it’s bad for your health. Walk around a bit.” Zhao Yan had never seen someone so lazy. Either sitting or lying down, never upright.
He didn’t mention the earlier little incident, and Le Huan didn’t care.
She stood up. “I like this chair. Can I take it with me?”
Her words were soft and full of ‘please’ and ‘okay’—hard to refuse—but if someone did, she would definitely throw a tantrum.
But the chair wasn’t foldable, and the car didn’t have enough space.
Le Huan realized she couldn’t bring it, frowning, refusing to say another word.
“You can’t take it. I’ll make one for you later,” Zhao Yan said. He didn’t want to see her unhappy. It wouldn’t be as exquisite, but it would be comfortable enough to lie on.
Le Huan’s face lit up immediately, her glassy eyes curving into a delighted smile at him. “Zhao Yan, you’re amazing! It’s wonderful to have you around!”
A faint smile appeared in Zhao Yan’s eyes as well. She reminded him of a small, innocent animal, her emotions completely unhidden.
Happy, Le Huan willingly followed him as he walked around the yard, while also checking on Wu You and the others as they inspected the vehicles for damage.
“Team Leader, everything’s ready. We can go.”
“Let’s go.”
Two cars left the small village one after the other. Le Huan sat in the back seat by the door, opening the window to look at the scenery. In the distance, mountains stacked layer upon layer, the leaves starting to yellow with autumn. She rested her face against the window, feeling the wind on her skin.
Zhao Yan closed the window. “You’ll catch a cold if you sit in the wind.”
Le Huan grew sleepy as soon as the car moved. She rested her head on Zhao Yan’s shoulder, using him as support, and quickly fell asleep.
Zhao Yan’s shoulder stiffened, remaining still. Le Huan never avoided leaning on him. He turned his head, watching her. Her slightly parted lips drew soft breaths, the scent from her body drifting to him. Zhao Yan lowered his face to her hair, captivated by the gentle fragrance. Though a little uneasy, he felt a ripple of emotion stir within him.