After The Honest Person Was Discovered For Simultaneously Pursuing Three People - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Stunning Everyone

After finishing his tutoring session, Tao Ning went home, ate lunch, fed the chickens and ducks, and then went to deliver food to Zhao Jingqun and Tao Yuan. Messages were still coming in continuously on his phone.

Finished with tutoring?

Good boy, the food is in the pot. Eat slowly and remember to drink lots of water. When you feed the chickens, stay away from the coop. Be a good boy.

Don’t take off your long pants after eating. There are a lot of mosquitoes here. Send me a text message when you get to the foot of the mountain.

Send me your location again.

Tao Ning did everything the man told him to do and sent him his location before he left.

On the way to deliver the food, the system chatted with him intermittently.

Simpleton, when are you planning to carry out our final mission? You only have about a month left before you go to the city. You have to hurry. Looking at Zhao Jingqun, the longer you wait, the less likely you’ll be able to get away from him…

Tao Ning lowered his eyes, hiding the thoughts within them. He gave a soft “mm.”

The system asked: Do you like him?

Upon hearing this question, Tao Ning was stunned. He unconsciously placed his hand on his chest and felt his heart beating at a steady pace. Other than that, he felt nothing.

Why… was that?

What did it feel like to like someone?

The system seemed to have known his feelings all along and calmly comforted him: It’s okay if you don’t like him. Just move on to the next one.

Tao Ning put his confusion aside. When he was about to reach the foot of the mountain, he suddenly felt two sticky, cold gazes from behind him, like the greedy eyes of a rat in a sewer. It made him feel uncomfortable all over. Although he had a very low perception of emotions, he was relatively sensitive to these malicious gazes.

He turned his head and saw two men with hunched backs. Tao Ning knew both of them.

One was Zhang Mazi, who had almost bullied him before. His face was still bruised and purple. It seemed that the injuries from that day had not yet healed. The other was Wang Long, a social delinquent who had dropped out of school and had tried to force Tao Ning to be his “friend,” getting angry when he failed.

When the young man looked at them, they looked at each other and saw surprise and a greedy desire in each other’s eyes. What kind of luck did they have today? They actually ran into Tao Ning!

Zhang Mazi’s eyes held hatred and greed. “What good luck…”

But neither of them dared to act rashly. One was almost disabled by the man’s beating and had been in the hospital for dozens of days, not yet fully recovered. The other had been threatened with a kitchen knife by Tao Yuan. So they just watched Tao Ning from a distance and didn’t approach him.

But Tao Ning standing there was enough of a temptation for them. The young man was different from usual today. He wasn’t wearing his usual shorts that went to his knees, but long sleeves and pants. The clothes were made of a good, comfortable material.

It was as if the young man was already taken, and the person was extremely jealous, choosing clothes for him every day that were completely covered, not showing a single inch of his tender skin.

But that person seemed to have overlooked something. In some people’s eyes, even with Tao Ning completely covered and wearing his country-style black-rimmed glasses, he still had a unique charm.

It was nothing but the young man’s stunning beauty. They would never forget such a breathtaking face, even if they had only seen it once.

Wang Long used to especially look down on those so-called good students who only knew how to study, especially someone like Tao Ning, whose family was notoriously poor. His clothes and style were so old-fashioned, his arms and legs were skinny, and he was always in his seat with his head down, writing something. Yet all the teachers liked him.

Wang Long was both disgusted and jealous, so he often put bugs and dead mice in Tao Ning’s seat. But he didn’t expect this country bumpkin to be fearless and just use a stick to pick them up and throw them away.

Later, Wang Long came up with a more vicious plan. He decided to trick Tao Ning into the bathroom, block him, and take off his clothes to see if he was really a man. This was because the country bumpkin’s occasional unguarded expression would leave him in a daze for a while.

His skin was so fair it was dazzling, and his lips were so red. Could he be a girl pretending to be a boy?

That country bumpkin Tao Ning was too easy to trick. Wang Long had someone make up a lie, and he was able to lure him into the bathroom. That day, Tao Ning was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. When he saw the malicious Wang Long in the bathroom, he turned and left.

Wang Long immediately grabbed his arm, his eyes squinted into a line as he smiled. “Don’t go, good student. Why are you so scared of me? I asked you to come here today to be your friend.”

Tao Ning turned his head, his face, with the black-rimmed glasses, was expressionless. He directly refused: “I don’t want to be your friend.”

Wang Long’s anger flared up instantly. This poor, country boy, he was offering to be his friend. This was a blessing he had earned over eight lifetimes, and he dared to refuse?

Wang Long immediately pulled Tao Ning over and tried to grab his hair. They struggled.

Clatter.

The young man’s glasses fell off, and his long, melancholy bangs scattered from the struggle, revealing his beautiful, delicate features and a pair of eyes as beautiful as a tranquil lake.

Tao Ning glared at him furiously, and his usually soft voice carried a hint of suppressed anger. “I said I don’t want to be your friend…”

However, Wang Long didn’t hear what Tao Ning said at all. He was staring, dumbfounded, at his beautiful, doll-like face.

This, this was the country bumpkin? Why didn’t anyone tell him he looked like this? No wonder he always had that weird feeling that Tao Ning was very attractive.

Wang Long was about to grab him and say a few more words, but the young man had already picked up his glasses and left.

From that day on, Tao Ning was constantly harassed by this classmate named Wang Long. Even a person with a very low perception of emotions like him could feel Wang Long’s fanaticism toward him.

Tao Ning couldn’t understand why. Was this how you made friends? It wasn’t until that day on the way home that Wang Long blocked him, the madness in his eyes making him feel uneasy. His eyes were bloodshot as he said to him, “Ning Ning, I love you, I love you, be with me…”

Before he could finish, a loud curse came from behind him: “You stinky idiot, how dare you mess with my brother? I’ll freaking kill you!”

Tao Yuan rushed out, her hair disheveled and a meat cleaver in her hand. Her face was ferocious, and the cleaver still had some un-dried blood on it, making her look particularly eerie on the dark mountain road.

Wang Long was scared out of his wits. He had heard stories about this woman. In her youth, she was the most famous female hooligan and “big sister” in the mountains, who had trashed KTVs and bars and almost went to jail. Later, she married and had a child, which made her a lot more restrained, but she was still extremely protective.

He was afraid that Tao Yuan would really kill him with the knife, so he ran away in a panic. Wang Long was later expelled from school. He hadn’t seen Tao Ning in a long time, and he never expected to run into him now. What else could this be but a god-given chance?

Wang Long’s dark face squeezed out a flattering smile. Just as he was about to go up and talk to Tao Ning, two cold voices came from behind him—

“You little brat, it’s you again?”

“Do you want to die?”

Wang Long and Zhang Mazi both shivered. They looked over and saw Zhao Jingqun and Tao Yuan standing on either side of the young man, both with gloomy faces, looking at them.

Zhao Jingqun was even more direct. He put an arm around Tao Ning’s shoulder and expressionlessly spat out one word: “Scram.”

When Zhang Mazi saw him, he remembered the pain of being almost beaten to a pulp in the woods. His heart was trembling, and he said weakly, “Just you wait…” Then he and Wang Long ran away as fast as they could.

As soon as they were gone, Zhao Jingqun quickly turned the person in his arms to face him, looking him up and down. Only after he was sure that Tao Ning was not injured did he breathe a sigh of relief.

But after that, the man’s face remained very ugly. Even Tao Ning, who was not good at reading others’ expressions, noticed it, because Zhao Jingqun’s face was indeed a little scary.

Tao Ning handed them the food. While Tao Yuan was eating, he went over to Zhao Jingqun and asked him softly, “What’s wrong?”

Zhao Jingqun stared at him intently. “Next time you see these people, call me immediately.”

“Mm…”

He had only recently gotten a phone and wasn’t used to using it. Besides replying to “Hubby’s” messages, he never used it for anything else, living like a machine whose only purpose was to do homework.

Tao Ning patted the mud and dust that had gotten on his pants from working. But the man grabbed his hand. He heard Zhao Jingqun say with displeasure, “Don’t pat it. It’s dirty.”

“It’s not dirty.”

“…It’s dirty.”

“It’s not dirty.”

Tao Yuan, who was eating, couldn’t take it anymore. She glared at the two of them. “What’s dirty? Are you two elementary school students? Little Meng is more sensible than you two. Ning Ning, hurry up. Go home and feed the pigs. And little Meng will be getting out of school soon. Don’t forget to pick him up, or you’ll lose your only nephew.”

Tao Ning showed a slight smile and nodded. Tao Yuan put down her lunchbox, clapped her hands, and went up the mountain first.

He went to clean up the dishes and was hugged from behind by the man around his waist. The man’s head rested on his shoulder, and his voice was filled with a mix of pleading and seduction. “My little dumbo, can you smile more when you go back tonight? I want to see you.”

“…Mm.”

Suddenly, he was kissed unexpectedly on his cheek. Tao Ning looked over and saw the man with fiery red hair under the scorching sun, smiling and waving to him. He pointed to his pocket, opened his mouth without making a sound, and walked away.

Tao Ning lowered his head in confusion and found a pink rose in his pocket. It was a common wild flower on the mountain, blooming beautifully.

He was stunned for a moment, and an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

Suddenly, a mechanical voice sounded in his mind: Ding dong! Congratulations to the host. The capture progress has reached 30%. Triggering the third mission of the single-line capture of Zhao Jingqun—

In that fleeting time, parting always comes quietly. Please have Zhao Jingqun say the words ‘I love you’ within twenty days and then bid him a proper farewell!

Tao Ning was stunned. He blurted out, “I refuse.”

The system asked with a chuckle: Simpleton, have you really fallen for him?

Tao Ning was silent. He held the thermos and walked for a long time along the way home. The phone in his pocket kept buzzing with messages and phone calls. He held the rose, which had its thorns removed, in his other hand.

When he reached his front door, Tao Ning looked down at the slightly wilted rose in his hand, and his eyes suddenly showed an unprecedented confusion.

He said, “I don’t know.”

Host, you still have twenty days. Please try your best!

The sound of melon seeds cracking in his mind stopped. The system said: Simpleton, don’t you want a healthy body?

Tao Ning put the rose in his pocket. “I do, but I feel… this is not right.”

The system said with certainty: What you feel for him is not true love; it’s gratitude. And simpleton, haven’t you noticed? Zhao Jingqun is controlling your life. If this continues, you will only be able to live under his protection and lose yourself.

In the end, he will take away everything you want to do. This kind of person is the most terrifying. Besides, this is just a mission. What you feel for him is not love. Trust me.

Tao Ning didn’t say anything and then heard the system say seriously: This is the experience I gained from reading so much forced gay literature. You better believe me!

Tao Ning: “…”

He put the rose in a plastic bottle with water, washed the dishes, and went to pick up little Meng from school.

When he came back with little Meng, he saw Zhao Jingqun squatting at the door with a dogtail grass in his mouth. When he saw him, his face was extremely gloomy, as if a storm was brewing.

But seeing little Meng next to him, Zhao Jingqun restrained himself. It wasn’t until Tao Ning had taken a bath.

Zhao Jingqun finished drying his hair, then held him and put him on the bed. He opened his phone, which was filled with unread messages, and asked with displeasure, “I sent you so many messages. Why didn’t you reply to any of them? Do you know how worried I was?”

No wonder he came back early. But this time, Tao Ning didn’t obediently admit his mistake. He lowered his head and didn’t say anything.

Zhao Jingqun held back. After all, he knew his treasure was a silent one. If even one of his ten sentences was something this little treasure was interested in, he would be grateful.

He kissed Tao Ning’s lips. “You promised to smile for me, didn’t you? Smile for me.”

Tao Ning looked up and gave a faint smile. Zhao Jingqun was instantly captivated. He kissed him passionately, using all his strength to deepen the kiss, which was filled with anxiety and restlessness, like a wolf rejected by its mate.

After a long time, Zhao Jingqun reluctantly ended the kiss. He looked at Tao Ning, who was breathing in small gasps.

“…He Yan and the others want to take you to a meal in town tomorrow. Do you want to go?”

Tao Ning nodded.

Zhao Jingqun frowned, then released it. He didn’t know which of his nerves the young man’s actions had triggered, and his face turned ugly again. “Then if they want to take you home, would you go too?”

Tao Ning looked up, his beautiful eyes a little confused. “No.”

Zhao Jingqun’s face softened. He asked with a pretense of calmness, “Then if I want to take you home, would you go?”

As expected, the young man fell silent. Zhao Jingqun’s anger flared up. He leaned in and bit his fair, skinny collarbone, gently grinding his teeth.

“Simpleton…”

That night, Tao Ning was kissed to tears. His eyes were swollen when he went to town the next day.

There wasn’t much work at home that day, so Tao Yuan let them go. Secretary Liu was also there. He secretly pulled Tao Yuan aside and put a red envelope in her pocket, saying, “Ning Ning, you take this. The money for being a guide has been issued. I’m sorry about what happened last time, and I added a little more for you. Don’t be a stranger, and it’s best if you talk to your sister about it. She’s been mentioning it a lot lately…”

Tao Ning nodded and accepted it. He then heard Secretary Liu scratching his head in confusion, “The weather is quite cold today…”

He turned his head and saw Zhao Jingqun staring at them menacingly. Tao Ning suddenly understood what was going on in the man’s mind. He slowly walked over, and as expected, the man’s face instantly brightened.

When the group arrived at the most expensive restaurant in town, He Niannian started to complain again, but this time, her voice wasn’t as loud. “What a dump. Why are the waiters so old and ugly…”

So everyone ate without much appetite, except for Tao Ning and Zhao Jingqun. This was because one person just ate with his head down, while the other’s hands didn’t stop—peeling shrimp, crabs, and other seafood or shelled items for Tao Ning.

There was a separate bowl in front of Tao Ning for his food, and it was already full.

He Niannian’s expression was strange. She leaned over and whispered to Zhao Jingsui, “Your brother suddenly became so weird.”

Zhao Jingsui looked up at Zhao Jingqun, who was constantly taking care of the young man, and didn’t say anything. He put a piece of food on He Niannian’s bowl with his chopsticks. “It seems so… But wasn’t the purpose of you treating us to this meal today to apologize to Tao Ning?”

He Niannian pouted. “I did not.”

The meal went on and on. He Niannian coughed a few times and looked at Tao Ning. “That, that you, Tao Ning, I’m going home tonight. I see you haven’t seen much of the world…”

Someone pulled on the corner of her shirt. He Niannian’s face fell, and she said awkwardly, “Thank you for saving me that day. I’m treating you to a meal, but this doesn’t mean I admit that you’re better than me. I’m telling you, I just didn’t do well that day, which is why I couldn’t solve the problem…”

Tao Ning didn’t quite understand what she was trying to say, but he understood that she was here to apologize. Just as he was about to nod, Zhao Jingqun spoke. He raised an eyebrow and said, “If you really want to apologize, stop with the nonsense and give him something tangible.”

He Niannian was angry but didn’t dare to say anything. She huffed, “Then what do you mean by tangible?”

Zhao Jingqun answered indifferently, “Give him money.”

Secretary Liu listened with his mouth wide open. The hard-earned money they got from the top was only three or four thousand, and this person just asked for twenty thousand! He truly was a rich person from the city.

Tao Ning was also stunned. He tugged at the man’s pants leg under the table, but the man grabbed his hand. His rough thumb rubbed his slender wrist, as if to soothe him.

He Niannian glared at him but didn’t say anything else. “Twenty thousand it is, hmph!” She pulled a card out of her wallet and threw it over. “There’s exactly thirty thousand in here. Take it. We’re even!”

After saying this, she went back to being the proud young lady she was, continuing to whisper to Zhao Jingsui. When the banquet was about to end, she walked awkwardly over to Tao Ning, her eyes shifting uncomfortably. “Hey, you, can you take a picture with me? Let me show you what a camera is.”

Zhao Jingsui smiled next to her. “She means she’s a little sad to see you go.”

“Hey! Jingsui! Don’t talk nonsense!”

Tao Ning hadn’t said anything yet, but Zhao Jingqun frowned and refused, “No.”

He Niannian was instantly furious and roared, “Who are you to make decisions for him? Don’t think you’re so great just because your family has some power and money…”

Tao Ning curved his eyes and said softly, “I’ll take a picture with you.”

This time, it was Zhao Jingqun who had a sour look on his face. He Niannian, who had been full of anger, smiled upon hearing the young man’s words. She immediately went over and linked arms with Tao Ning, pulling him to the side.

Zhao Jingqun’s face was even darker, as if his wife had run off with someone else. But he took a deep breath and didn’t stop them.

He knew that the young man was in a good mood and also knew that his own “sickness” was acting up again.

Zhao Jingsui took everything in, thoughtfully looking back and forth between Zhao Jingqun and Tao Ning.

On the other side, He Yan raised his camera and took a picture of Tao Ning and He Niannian. He Niannian excitedly ran to the camera to see the picture and saw Tao Ning standing next to her, looking uncomfortable all over. With the black-rimmed glasses on his face, it felt like something was being hidden.

He Niannian was unhappy again. “I’m just taking a picture with you. I won’t eat you. Why are you so nervous? And that ugly pair of glasses on your face, why didn’t you take them off?”

“If you can’t speak properly, then shut up.” Zhao Jingqun’s face turned cold.

Just as the atmosphere was about to become tense again, the young man took off his glasses, revealing a pair of clear and beautiful eyes like amber. His plump, rosy lips were pursed. “I’m sorry. Let’s take another one.”

However, after he said that, there was no response for a long time. The entire place was silent for a long while. Looks of astonishment and shock came from all directions, gathering on the bewildered Tao Ning.

Only Secretary Liu remained calm, as if this was nothing new. He was nonchalantly slurping on snails. And Zhao Jingqun’s face was as black as the bottom of a wok.

In the end, He Yan cursed, thinking wildly about where this divine being had come from. He was too good-looking!

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