Cold Food

He closed his eyes just as he closed the binders. Opening them once more, he leaned back watching her write. He still found it hard to believe that she was the same person they had been working with for almost 2 years.

Working with these cases was the same as dancing within the flames of death.

To think that she was still young... smart and... beautiful too.

And that killing intent... interesting.

If one was to work with them, they should definitely have the means to protect themselves at all times. Her enemies are not only their enemies. They can also be at odds with her... Ultimately resulting to death.

Minzhe glanced at the time. 8:53 pm. She stopped writing then, capping the pen and keeping it in the binder's compartment before closing it.

She took a deep breath and then looked at him. "Done."

She pushed the remaining binder towards him before pulling the cold food towards her. However, before she can touch it, Minzhe pulled it towards him.

Eyeing the stolen food, Li Yao frowned and she looked at him. Minzhe could not help but smile at her adorable expression.

"It's cold." He said.

Li Yao's frown deepened, she was almost pouting. "I'm hungry." She confessed honestly.

Indeed, she was very hungry. The last time she ate was when she was still in school. Since the files were urgent, she needed to finish them... Ultimately ignoring one of her favourite things to do...

Even if the food is cold, it was still food! Just how many children out there were in famished?

Minzhe chuckled. "Come with me." He said as he stood up with both the binders and cold food on each hand.

"I don't need to come with you. You already have the binders. Give me back my food." She said in frustration as she looked up.

The corner of Minzhe's lips twitched. "You can't eat this food anymore. I will treat you instead. Follow me." Without waiting for her response, he started walking away.

Li Yao furrowed her brows upon hearing his words. She took a deep breath once more. Still frowning, she stood up and quickly followed the man.

Deep inside though... hot and delicious food!

After a short while, Minzhe was still not hearing any sounds of footsteps behind him nor was he feeling any presence. He quickly turned around. If needed, he will drag this girl with him.

Before he can step forward, something bumped into him. His eyes widened as he looked down. He quickly wrapped his arms around her waist to avoid her fall, pulling her closer to him.

Li Yao winced in pain as she quickly backed away from him, rubbing her nose. Sensing warm under it, she quickly took out the hanky from her pocket, wiping the blood.

Even though it was dark, her actions were caught by his keen eyes and sharp smell. Furrowing his brows, he grabbed her wrist dragging her with him after placing the food atop the binders on the other.

When they reached downstairs, they headed to Aunt Mian. Aunt Mian had been waiting for them so they can close the library. When she saw the two figures approaching her, one small and one big, she felt relieved. However, when she got a clearer view and saw her, worry dawned on her.

"Y... Yaoyao, nosebleed again?" She cried out as she approached her. Worries written all over her face.

When Minzhe heard her, his gaze focused on the hanky. He knew it was nosebleed and he thought the bump was the cause of it... but 'again'?

Aunt Mian took out the hanky from her. Seeing the blood, she went pale and weak on her knees. "H... Hospital.. Let's go now!" She said in trembling voice, crumpling the hanky in her hand.

Li Yao patted her shoulder. "Aunt Mian, I am okay. I bumped to this man because it was dark resulting to this." She explained with a straight face.

"A... Are you sure? I still think you should go to the hospital, Yaoyao..." She tried persuading.

Li Yao shook her head. "I'm totally okay now. Besides, there is a doctor in the school so I can have them check me up."

She then looked at Minzhe. "I will change clothes first." She then grabbed her bag from the counter and walked towards the restroom.

When she was no longer in sight, Minzhe looked at the middle aged lady. "When did she have her first nosebleed?" He directly asked.

Aunt Mian glanced at the man before going back to her station. "Last Friday. When she returned the binders to me, that's when I noticed her nose bleeding."

"Does her parents know this?" Minzhe questioned.

"She said her parents are prolly already dead..." Her eyes reddened thinking of what she had been going through. "...she's an orphan..."

"What's her full name?" He further probed.

"Li Yao. I do not know any Li Family here in SH city so I think she came from another city. I think she is getting more stressed with her studies and her work here. She is already in her third year so she needs to focus on her studies but then again, she needs to earn money for her college tuition." Aunt Mian sighed.

"Whenever I gave her money, she refused them everytime. Sometimes, I just don't know what to do with this child..."

Just as she did not respect her privacy after telling Minzhe about her, she saw Li Yao walking towards them, pursing her lips.

Minzhe turned around. Loose black shirt, blue jeans, white sneakers. When she stopped in front of them, her hair in a messy bun highlighted the facial features on her small face, accentuating her long neck too.

Minzhe glanced up and down at her and a slight frown cannot help but form on his thin lips.

Thin arms, thin waist, thin wrist... Thin... Too thin!

"Aunt Mian, let's go now." Li Yao said smilingly.

Aunt Mian smiled helplessly. She grabbed her bag and car keys, nodding at her.

Aunt Mian and Li Yao walked side by side while Minzhe was behind following what looked like a Mother and child. Before reaching the door, Li Yao took out her black cap, putting it on at once. "Aunt Miao, you go first. I'll see you next Friday."

Aunt Mian held her hand, tapping them softly. "Yaoyao, let me know if you need anything, okay?"

"Hm." She nodded before waving her hand at her.

When she was nowhere in sight, she turned to look at him. Given the height differences, she was looking up while he was looking down staring at each other eyes... reflecting each other...

"Let's go." He then said, breaking away from the eye contact, walking towards his car. Pulling down her cap, she followed behind like an obedient student in front of her teacher.

Reaching the car, he opened the backseat door and let her get in before closing it gently. He walked to the other side, knocking the shotgun window which the driver rolled down. Minzhe placed the binders and food on the seat before opening the backseat door and getting in.

"Jade Restaurant." He instructed the driver, who in turn, started the engine and began to drive. He then got his phone and made a phone call telling the same.

He looked at Li Yao who had removed her cap already, staring outside the window leaning back lazily. He changed into a comfortable position as he continued staring at her.

If anyone from his colleagues saw him like this, they would be shocked. If the driver can still act like this despite his Master's sudden action, he would surely be worshipped by them!

After 20 minutes of driving, they arrived at the restaurant. He got out of the car, opening the door for Li Yao who had already put her cap on. The driver then handed the binders to him.

They entered the restaurant and the Manager led them to a private room. As they sat down, Minzhe handed a menu to her. "Just order what you want."

Li Yao stared at him for a minute before looking down the menu. She told him a dish before putting the menu aside.

"Only one?" Minzhe furrowed his brows as Li Yao nodded in response.

"Do you have allergies?" Li Yao shook her head.

After another run through the menu, Minzhe called for the waiter and ordered 4 four dishes. He then poured a glass of water for her. "Drink first."

Li Yao propped her chin up with a hand, an elbow on the armrest as she turned her head to watch the skyscrapers showing through the floor to ceiling window.

Minzhe leaned back on the chair staring at the girl in front of him, a hand on the armrest, his fingers strumming on it.

For some reason, he cannot help but think this girl will disappear...

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