Chen Jin Zhao grabbed the other person's neck, lifting them off the ground, their legs flailing wildly in the air.
Their life was in his hands.
However—
When Chen Jin Zhao got a clear look at the person's face, he was stunned.
The person in his grasp was none other than Tao Qi Yue.
Tao Qi Yue's face was flushed red from lack of air, almost turning purple. Seeing this, Chen Jin Zhao immediately let go, allowing Tao Qi Yue to catch her breath.
"How could it be you?" Chen Jin Zhao asked, confused.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Tao Qi Yue coughed several times before recovering. Chen Jin Zhao thoughtfully poured her a glass of water and handed it over, patting her back. "Sorry, I didn't expect it to be you, so I was a bit heavy-handed."
"I'm fine, just a little sore," Tao Qi Yue said weakly.
"Come inside first. I didn't know it was you initially, but you'd better explain why you suddenly showed up in Fengtian." Chen Jin Zhao suspected Tao Qi Yue had come to Fengtian specifically for him, and he wouldn't be at ease without knowing the reason.
Tao Qi Yue sat on the sofa, enduring Chen Jin Zhao's scrutiny.
Meeting Chen Jin Zhao's questioning gaze, Tao Qi Yue felt a lot of pressure. She could only say weakly, "I really didn't come to Fengtian with you. I'm here to investigate a few murder cases. Don't worry, during my investigation in Fengtian, I won't disturb you unnecessarily. If there's anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
She wouldn't tell Chen Jin Zhao that Yu Meng Zhi had actually asked her to come to Fengtian and look after him.
As for how to look after him, Yu Meng Zhi hadn't specified, leaving it entirely up to Tao Qi Yue to figure out.
Chen Jin Zhao didn't press further. What good would it do even if he got the answer? He could only force a smile and say, "Why do I feel like you're the one who needs help?"
Tao Qi Yue stuck out her tongue, afraid Chen Jin Zhao would send her back to Jiang Nan. She added, "In any case, I won't cause you any trouble. Please don't send me away."
"You do your thing, I'll do mine. I won't send you away. By the way, where are you staying?" Chen Jin Zhao asked.
"In the room next to yours," Tao Qi Yue replied.
Chen Jin Zhao: "..."
All he could think of was a saying: Sima Zhao's intentions are obvious to everyone.
Tao Qi Yue chuckled awkwardly. "It's just convenient for looking out for each other. Please don't overthink it. I've already informed you, and I'm going back to rest."
Chen Jin Zhao grunted. "Alright, it's getting late. You should go rest."
"I was just about to rest too."
The main reason was that Chen Jin Zhao had only half-finished his bath and was only wrapped in a towel, making it inconvenient to have a late-night conversation with Tao Qi Yue in this state.
Tao Qi Yue responded with an "Oh," and after bidding farewell to Chen Jin Zhao, she got up to leave.
Chen Jin Zhao watched her enter her room. Just as she was about to close the door, he suddenly said, "Wait a moment."
Tao Qi Yue froze, looking at Chen Jin Zhao with suspicion.
She wondered if something was about to happen.
Seeing Tao Qi Yue lost in her thoughts, Chen Jin Zhao said irritably, "I'm sure I've already been targeted since coming to Fengtian. I've felt quite a few eyes on me along the way. If you're seen with me so often, you might get targeted too."
"For safety's sake, why don't you sleep in my room, and I'll sleep on the sofa?"
Danger often strikes at night.
Furthermore, with the Divine Kingdom organization's unpredictable methods, Tao Qi Yue would have no chance of escape if she encountered them.
Tao Qi Yue's eyes lit up. "You, is that really okay?"
Chen Jin Zhao replied, "I didn't expect you to agree so readily. Move your things over first, then inform the front desk and cancel your room."
"Okay!"
Tao Qi Yue agreed readily, without a second's hesitation.
Chen Jin Zhao pressed his forehead.
While Tao Qi Yue was downstairs registering, Chen Jin Zhao returned to his room and called Yu Meng Zhi. When the call connected, Yu Meng Zhi asked in a languid tone, "Calling me this late at night, are you missing me?"
"Of course," Chen Jin Zhao replied with a silly chuckle.
Yu Meng Zhi also covered her mouth and laughed. "Stop being silly. You wouldn't be calling me this late just because you miss me, there must be another reason."
Chen Jin Zhao nodded. "As expected, nothing can be hidden from you."
"What is it?" Yu Meng Zhi asked with a smile.
Chen Jin Zhao stammered, finding it difficult to speak.
Even if he had no romantic intentions towards Tao Qi Yue, the thought of a man and a woman sharing a room would inevitably lead to misunderstandings and gossip, potentially making Yu Meng Zhi jealous.
"I..."
Yu Meng Zhi giggled. "Are you trying to tell me you're going to share a room with Qi Yue?"
Chen Jin Zhao subconsciously retorted, "How did you know?"
"She already told me. And don't misunderstand her; I asked her to go to Fengtian to look after you. Since you always interact with other women, it's better to have Qi Yue looking after you. That way, I can be at ease." Yu Meng Zhi's words made Chen Jin Zhao suddenly realize the situation and say speechlessly, "I was wondering why she suddenly showed up in Fengtian. So you were the one who asked her to come."
"But aren't you afraid that I might..."
Chen Jin Zhao said jokingly.
Yu Meng Zhi replied calmly, "There's nothing to worry about. I trust that everything you do is well-considered. If you really end up with Qi Yue, you'll have to take responsibility for her."
Chen Jin Zhao found Yu Meng Zhi a little inexplicable and teased, "If I really get involved with her, I'm afraid you'll end up crying."
"I won't!" Yu Meng Zhi snorted.
Before Chen Jin Zhao could say anything, she immediately changed the subject. "I might be staying in the capital until Chinese New Year. These days, I've been meeting and getting to know all sorts of people here. Will you be coming to the capital then?"
"Of course," Chen Jin Zhao affirmed.
He added, "I've already made up my mind. I'll propose to the Li family on the second day of the Lunar New Year. You'll need to inform your maternal grandfather in advance, otherwise, I might be rejected."
Yu Meng Zhi's smile grew even brighter.
"Okay."
"I'll be waiting for you."
"It's getting late, you should get some rest."
They bid each other goodnight and hung up the phone.
Chen Jin Zhao turned around and found Tao Qi Yue sitting in the living room for quite some time. He coughed lightly and walked over to the sofa to sit down.
"You came just because she told you to? Don't you have any of your own ideas?" Chen Jin Zhao asked.
Tao Qi Yue shook her head. "I feel good when I'm by your side. At least I don't feel so lonely."
Chen Jin Zhao was taken aback.
It was only then that he remembered Tao Qi Yue was the only surviving member of her family. With Chinese New Year only a month away, she was still alone and desolate, which was indeed quite pathetic. Thinking of this, Chen Jin Zhao's heart softened.
"From now on, if she tells you to do something, don't just blindly obey. You have an independent personality and should know what you should and shouldn't do," Chen Jin Zhao said with a much gentler tone. Tao Qi Yue's nose twitched with emotion. Nowadays, only Chen Jin Zhao cared about her.
Once she was away from Chen Jin Zhao, she would fall into boundless confusion. Only by his side could her lonely heart feel less anxious.
It was like the ancient poet Su Shi's famous verse:
"One may ask if Lingnan is unpleasant, and reply: This place where my heart finds peace is my home."