“That’s true.”
Lu Jin turned his head to look at Jiang Chen, who was already stunned.
He smiled, raising his blood-stained hand to slowly caress Jiang Chen’s cheek. “Jiang Chen, I avenged you. Are you happy?”
“I… I…”
The man’s eyes curved gently, his smile soft, but his slender, blood-drenched hand still dripped with crimson droplets.
To Jiang Chen, this scene felt nothing short of horrifying and eerie.
“It seems my little Chenchen is truly frightened.”
Lu Jin casually wiped the blood from his hand on his pant leg. Then, crouching down, he scooped the girl up into his arms.
“I’ll take you home.”
Leaning against Lu Jin’s broad chest and listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, Jiang Chen gradually calmed down.
“We’re home.”
After what felt like an eternity, Jiang Chen was gently roused from her drowsiness.
She had actually fallen asleep in Lu Jin’s arms.
“I’m sorry, I… I actually…” she mumbled awkwardly, shifting slightly toward the corner.
Lu Jin shrugged, a playful smile on his face.
“Always happy to serve you, miss.”
Suddenly remembering something, Jiang Chen hurriedly got out of the car and almost ran back home.
“Aunt Zhao, Aunt Zhao…”
“Miss, you’re back!”
Aunt Zhao had been resting inside when she heard Jiang Chen’s voice. Limping, she made her way out.
“Aunt Zhao!”
Seeing Aunt Zhao in such a state, Jiang Chen’s eyes instantly welled up with tears.
“Aunt Zhao, what… what happened to you? It’s all my fault, it’s because of me!” She threw her arms around Aunt Zhao, crying so hard that tears and snot streamed down her face.
“Oh dear, it’s nothing, miss. Don’t cry. I just twisted my ankle a bit, nothing serious.” Aunt Zhao fumbled to wipe Jiang Chen’s tears. “Miss, are you alright? Did those bastards hurt you?”
Pfft.
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but laugh at Aunt Zhao’s “crude” description. “I’m fine. Mr. Lu arrived in time to save me and dealt with those scoundrels.”
“That’s wonderful!” Aunt Zhao said, gently patting Jiang Chen’s cheek with an apologetic expression. “But there’s something… I still need to apologize to you.”
“What is it?” Jiang Chen asked curiously.
“The hotpot… I haven’t prepared it yet,” Aunt Zhao said with a serious face.
Pfft.
Jiang Chen burst into laughter again at Aunt Zhao’s earnest expression.
“It’s alright. We can have hotpot another time…”
“I’ll prepare it.”
“Sir?”
“You?” Both women turned to look at the man behind them.
Lu Jin had changed out of his blood-stained clothes, freshened up, and now stood in the kitchen wearing a white shirt.
Stir-frying the base, prepping the ingredients, mixing the sauces…
His sleeves were rolled up, revealing the smooth lines of his muscles. As he focused on chopping vegetables, his expression was intense, and when he occasionally looked up, his profile appeared cool and detached. It had to be admitted—he truly possessed an exceptionally handsome face.
Jiang Chen found herself staring, lost in thought.
“What are you daydreaming about?” A large hand gently tapped her forehead. Looking up, she met his bright, star-like eyes. “Go change your clothes and wash your hands. Dinner’s ready.”
His voice was natural and gentle, like that of a polite, considerate, and caring husband.
Jiang Chen was startled by her own thought.
Husband?!
This was all an illusion.
He was bloodthirsty, insane, unpredictable—an absolute madman!
“So lavish!”
Jiang Chen’s eyes widened as she looked at the table full of delicious dishes. She sniffed the air. “Is this a seafood broth?”
Lu Jin neither confirmed nor denied it.
He pushed the dipping sauce bowl toward Jiang Chen, then swished a slice of fatty beef in the pot and placed it in the girl’s bowl.
“Try it.”
Jiang Chen picked up the meat slice and put it in her mouth.
“It’s delicious!!”
The girl’s eyes instantly lit up.
“Aunt Zhao, come join us and eat too.” Jiang Chen waved to Aunt Zhao.
Aunt Zhao shook her head so hard it looked like a rattle drum. “No, no, it’s not proper for a servant to sit at the table while the master eats.”
“It’s fine. Join us today.”
Lu Jin spoke up.
“This is the best seafood hotpot base I’ve ever had.” Jiang Chen praised repeatedly while eating. “I can’t believe you know how to make hotpot—it’s amazing!”
“Yes, yes, I’ve been by the master’s side for so many years, and I never knew you had such great culinary skills.” Aunt Zhao chimed in.
The man picked up a cooked fish ball and placed it in Jiang Chen’s dish.
“When I was studying abroad, I missed Chinese food, so I tried cooking for myself. Over the years, I accumulated a bit of experience.”
“Delicious!” Jiang Chen paused, suddenly remembering something. “Aunt Zhao, is there any chili sauce left?”
“Yes, I’ll get it for you right away.”
Jiang Chen scooped a heaping spoonful of chili sauce into her dipping bowl.
“Is this tasty?” Lu Jin frowned slightly.
“Yes! It’s spicy and savory—perfect with rice, really delicious.”
Jiang Chen ‘helpfully’ added a spoonful to Lu Jin’s bowl. “Try it, the flavor is truly wonderful.”
“Never mind, Master, you…” Aunt Zhao interjected.
Lu Jin hesitated for a moment, then picked up a piece of bamboo shoot, dipped it lightly in the chili sauce, and slowly brought it to his mouth under Jiang Chen’s expectant gaze.
“How is it?”
“Hmm, the taste isn’t too…” Before the word ‘bad’ could leave his lips, the man’s fair skin instantly flushed bright red. “Cough, cough, cough…!!”
Jiang Chen was startled.
“Master, water!”
Aunt Zhao quickly handed him a glass of ice water.
After drinking three or four glasses in a row, the redness on Lu Jin’s face not only didn’t fade but spread down to his neck.
Jiang Chen had never seen the man like this before. “Lu Jin, are you okay?”
“The master can’t handle spicy food.”
Aunt Zhao explained softly.
Only then did Jiang Chen realize she had caused a major mishap. She panicked.
“I’m sorry, I… I didn’t know you couldn’t eat spicy food.”
Lu Jin coughed for a long while before gradually calming down.
“It’s fine.”
He raised his large hand and gently patted the girl’s head, as if soothing a restless pet.
He lowered his gaze to look at Jiang Chen, his deep pupils reflecting a gentle light. “Since it’s something you like, I want to try it all.”
Boom.
Jiang Chen trembled in surprise, her ears instantly turning red.
Her heart pounded like a drum.
Faced with the man’s intense gaze, she felt flustered, lost, and even unsure how to respond.