Chapter Thirty-One: Exotic Allure

“Uncle Liao, don’t I need to wear a blindfold?”
Just before the car started, Ye Yan looked at Liao Zhong with a hint of confusion.
All the previous times he’d gone to the stronghold, he had to wear a blindfold before getting in the car, then transfer to a helicopter, and finally be escorted to the fortress.
But today, Liao Zhong didn’t ask him to put on a blindfold, which left Ye Yan puzzled.
“No need, we’re not heading to the stronghold today.”
Liao Zhong replied with a cheerful smile, “Since Duo’er became a temp worker, she no longer needs to live in the stronghold all the time. She can stay outside now.”
“But she still has to live somewhere remote, away from people, wear a locator, and report in weekly…”
“Because she often runs missions all over the Southern Frontier, I bought her a decent house in every place she frequents.”
Liao Zhong rambled on, explaining Chen Duo’s situation to Ye Yan, whom he trusted not to harm her.
Despite his fierce appearance, Liao Zhong was meticulous, or he wouldn’t have attained the position of regional director.
That role wasn’t just handed out to any Tom, Dick, or Harry.
“That’s good,” Ye Yan nodded, relaxing his brows.
It seemed being a temp wasn’t quite as bad as he’d imagined.
He’d only heard of temp workers, never seen one in person.
All his impressions stemmed from faded memories, mainly of Xiao Zizai.
So in his mind, temp workers were bloody executioners, full of strange quirks.
He didn’t want Chen Duo, a girl as pure as blank paper, to become one of those killers.
That’s why Ye Yan reacted the way he did upon hearing she’d become a temp.
“Alright, sit tight. Duo’er’s place is a bit far from here. If we leave now, we should arrive before lunch.”
“Duo’er went out on a mission last night. I didn’t tell her you were coming, so she’s probably still sleeping at home.”
Whenever Liao Zhong talked about Chen Duo, he couldn’t stop, sounding every bit the doting father who thought his daughter perfect—a sentiment that made Ye Yan reflect.
Ye Yan smiled, listening quietly, never interrupting, occasionally turning to gaze out the window at the hurried passersby.
His thoughts weighed heavy.
…
The drive took less than an hour.
Initially, Ye Yan and Liao Zhong chatted now and then, but after Liao Zhong took a phone call, the atmosphere grew tense.
On the road, Liao Zhong floored the gas, pushing the speed to one-eighty, cutting the trip that should have taken ninety minutes down to just one hour.

The jeep pulled up in front of a solitary villa on the outskirts. No house number, no street signs, just a wheat field behind and emptiness all around, not a soul to be seen, only this house.
Once the vehicle stopped, Liao Zhong made no move to get out. He pointed to the villa ahead and said,
“Go on, Duo’er lives inside. I’ve got something urgent to deal with, so I won’t go in with you.”
“Alright.”
Ye Yan had already noticed Liao Zhong’s tension in the car, so he wasn’t surprised by this.
After all, as a regional director, being busy was normal. Just having him personally come to pick Ye Yan up was already unexpected.
Ye Yan wasn’t one to overstep.
“Ah!”
Liao Zhong shook his head, “You rarely come to the Southern Frontier. I wanted to take you for some local specialties and maybe a foot massage, let you experience the exotic culture. Looks like that’ll have to wait.”
Ye Yan: “…”
That really was unfortunate.
He was quite interested in Southern Frontier culture.
Old Liao was a rough-and-ready sort; his words rarely spared anyone’s feelings, which counted as polite for him.
Despite his upright appearance, he was also a bit of a rascal, always ready with a joke or a dirty story.
But that was hardly surprising, given he was Xu Si’s friend.
Birds of a feather; if he wasn’t capable, he wouldn’t be in Xu Si’s circle.
“Go see Duo’er then.”
Liao Zhong waved him off, “If you’re not in a hurry to leave, I’ll show you around in a few days.”
“That’s very kind of you, Uncle Liao.”
“No need for thanks.”
…
After a few more words, Liao Zhong drove off, leaving only the fading glow of his tail lights.
Once he’d gone, Ye Yan took a deep breath, walked up to the villa, and pressed the doorbell gently.
At that moment,
Ye Yan’s feelings were complicated.
Though they often chatted online, in reality, he hadn’t seen Chen Duo for years. Now, suddenly, they were about to meet face to face—it was a bit awkward.
He wondered if the girl had grown taller.
Last time he saw her, she was a withdrawn, unsmiling waif… The thought brightened Ye Yan’s mood, making him feel anticipation.

The doorbell rang twice.
Then the door opened.
It was Chen Duo who answered.
As the door swung open, Ye Yan caught fleeting emotions flickering in her eyes, and the words burst out,
“Teacher… why are you here?”
Her voice was still cold and emotionless, but if one listened closely, there was a subtle undertone of feeling.
Ye Yan looked at her.
Clear, verdant eyes, messy, unbrushed hair falling to her shoulders, a pale green custom undershirt, and on top, a one-piece Psyduck pajamas.
Her sleepy eyes were unexpectedly adorable.
She seemed slimmer than before, and a little taller than when they last met.
Her features hadn’t changed much,
But her complexion and expression seemed more cheerful than before.
“What’s wrong? I may no longer be your teacher, but can’t I come see you?”
Ye Yan teased with a smile.
“A teacher is always a teacher to me. I just didn’t expect you to come so suddenly.”
Chen Duo’s voice quickly returned to its usual dead calm.
Ye Yan reached out to ruffle her messy black hair. “So, won’t you invite me in? Let me see your new home?”
“Teacher, please come in.”
Chen Duo hurriedly stepped aside, leaving a clear path for Ye Yan to enter.
He didn’t stand on ceremony, walking in as she followed quietly behind, saying nothing.
“Not bad.”
Ye Yan walked around, checking out the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and balcony, giving a fair assessment.
The house was new, with all the amenities and a fridge stocked with fresh vegetables and fruit.
Clearly, Old Liao had been thorough, taking good care of her, just as he’d said.
Aside from that, Ye Yan spotted various small trinkets on the sofa, most striking of all a pink, bow-tied, nearly human-sized plush bear.
That was the birthday gift he’d given Chen Duo years ago—he hadn’t expected her to still keep it.