Zhaocai had a clear goal: Ning Yitao's embrace. Duan Qinghuai naturally noticed this too.
He couldn't let Zhaocai hug Ning Yitao.
Zhaocai had lived for so long. One shouldn't be deceived by his current childlike appearance. In terms of age, he was a fully - fledged adult male.
Duan Qinghuai frowned as he watched Zhaocai dashing towards them. With a thought, he took a slight step to the side with his long legs and blocked in front of Ning Yitao.
Facing Zhaocai, his face might as well have had the words “Don't hug Ning Yitao” written on it.
Zhaocai, who couldn't brake in time, widened his eyes and ran straight into Duan Qinghuai's legs.
Zhaocai, who was knocked to the ground, covered his face and thought resentfully, “Why are his legs so hard? Woohoo, it hurts so much.”
Duan Qinghuai let out a soft exclamation. Pretending he'd just noticed Zhaocai, he quickly helped Zhaocai up and patted the non - existent dust off his body, saying, “Sorry, Zhaocai. I didn't notice you coming just now.”
Duan Qinghuai's tall figure blocked everything that had just happened from view.
He had completed the whole set of actions seamlessly. Ning Yitao only knew that Zhaocai had bumped into Duan Qinghuai. Only Zhaocai knew the flaw.
But Zhaocai wouldn't show it. He was too proud.
If Ning Yitao found out, she would surely laugh at him for getting hurt by an ordinary person.
Zhaocai endured it, and naturally, Ning Yitao had no idea what had just happened between the two of them.
This little episode was thus passed over.
Ning Yitao squatted down to be at eye - level with Zhaocai and asked, “There's so much spiritual energy in the house, yet you came back early. This isn't like you. Come on, what's up?”
Teased by Ning Yitao, Zhaocai felt embarrassed. He thought it was a bit shameful that he always turned to Ning Yitao whenever there was a problem, just like a child looking for their parents.
Although he wasn't incapable of solving problems, Zhaocai couldn't tell what was in that darkness or if there were any dangers.
Zhaocai had a self - criticism session in his mind and then thought it through. After all, Yitao was his “parent”. The contract couldn't be signed for nothing.
He completely forgot that his duty was to train himself and protect Ning Yitao.
Ning Yitao watched as his eyes rolled around. She knew he must be up to something. Then she saw Zhaocai shyly say, “Yitao, it's so dark ahead. I'm scared.”
Watching him struggle for so long only to say this, Ning Yitao was momentarily speechless. Well, she had to spoil her own spiritual pet. She casually joked and teased him, asking, “You're one of the top ten fierce beasts. Scared of the dark? Do you want Duan Qinghuai to carry you? What do you think?”
To Ning Yitao's surprise, in her shocked gaze, Zhaocai actually nodded.
So, inexplicably, the three of them became a group where Duan Qinghuai carried Zhaocai towards the room.
Duan Qinghuai had a black - lined face, Zhaocai was beaming, and Ning Yitao was completely confused, wondering how they'd ended up in this formation.
Zhaocai was very satisfied with his “new ride”. After all, in a group of three, walking in the middle was surely the safest.
The group maintained this strange formation, each lost in their own thoughts as they walked forward in silence.
Just as they stepped onto the corridor, Duan Qinghuai felt Zhaocai's body in his arms stiffen slightly.
Duan Qinghuai wondered curiously, “Is he really scared of the dark?”
Unconsciously, Duan Qinghuai held Zhaocai tighter in his arms, as if this could give him a sense of security.
This action also surprised Zhaocai, but he had to admit that it did ease his tension.
Zhaocai was still a bit miffed about the time he'd been knocked down,
but since Duan Qinghuai had shown goodwill towards him, he might as well magnanimously forgive him.
Zhaocai thought for a while and then awkwardly wrapped his arms around Duan Qinghuai's neck. He whispered in his ear, “Hey, I forgive you, but don't knock me down again. I won't forgive you next time.”
Hearing the childish words in his ear, Duan Qinghuai couldn't help but smile. He'd thought Zhaocai would be his future rival, but now it seemed he was just an immature child.
Duan Qinghuai didn't say a word. He soothingly reached up and patted Zhaocai's back, just like soothing a baby.
Zhaocai was like a ruffled cat that had been stroked. Now he obediently buried his head in Duan Qinghuai's neck and said nothing.
Ning Yitao didn't notice what was going on between them. Her attention was drawn to the famous paintings on the wall.
Ning Yitao traced the outline of the portrait in the painting through the glass.
She couldn't help but ask Duan Qinghuai, “Did your company buy these paintings uniformly?”
When she turned around, she was startled by the current posture of Duan Qinghuai and Zhaocai. She wondered suspiciously, “When did they become so close?”
Duan Qinghuai replied to Ning Yitao, “These paintings weren't bought uniformly. My elder brother found them during his travels.”
Ning Yitao was intrigued by his words. After a moment of thought, she raised an eyebrow and praised, “Your elder brother has good taste. These paintings are hard to find. Some even have more spiritual energy than this house, and they're well - preserved. This one in my hand...”
Ning Yitao stopped mid - sentence. Looking at the landscape painting in front of her with admiration,
the painting showed a vast expanse of land with flat fields.
At the end of the wilderness stood green mountains. A meandering stream flowed gently through the fields, like a green jade belt winding around the villages and farmhouses.
The sky was as blue as if washed, and white clouds drifted leisurely. The heavy cloud shadows were vertically reflected in the water, forming a strange and symmetrical picture that seemed like a dream.
A gentle breeze blew, causing ripples to spread across the mirror - like water surface.
Trees and lush grass grew around the water's edge. Unknown wildflowers dotted the area, blooming in clusters in a riot of colors, shining like countless stars. The fragrance of the flowers filled the air and was refreshing.
Duan Qinghuai, following Ning Yitao's gaze, stood there stunned, as if his soul had been taken away.
Zhaocai noticed that Duan Qinghuai suddenly stopped moving. He turned around curiously and also saw the painting behind them.
Zhaocai's eyes turned sharp after seeing the painting.
He shook Duan Qinghuai, but Duan Qinghuai didn't respond.
Zhaocai wanted to get to the ground and struggled to break free from Duan Qinghuai's embrace, but it was no use. Duan Qinghuai's arms held him tightly.
Zhaocai anxiously called out to Ning Yitao, “Yitao, come and help me. I can't get out. Wake Duan Qinghuai up quickly.”
But Ning Yitao ignored him. Zhaocai turned around irritably and found that Ning Yitao was just as motionless and stupid as Duan Qinghuai.
Zhaocai shouted Ning Yitao's name louder and louder.