Chapter 290: Bringing You Back
He had arranged to meet Su Tao at noon, right at lunchtime.
For this occasion, he had even made a reservation at West Tulania Garden Restaurant, the most famous restaurant in Xindu.
In the desolate post-apocalyptic world, even seeing a patch of greenery was rare. It was said that stepping into West Tulania felt like entering a sea of flowers, brimming with the breath of nature. Many elites and aristocrats from various places had come here because of its reputation.
Lei Xing thought that since today was a special day, he had to choose the best place.
No, he needed to take another nap and adjust his state before the meeting.
The sound of Chu Yue banging on the door was loud. Huo She immediately threw on a vest and rushed out. Seeing that it was Chu Yue, he stomped his foot and said:
“Miss, stop knocking! Captain Lei has something important today! Let him rest properly! If you ruin it, it’s on you!”
Chu Yue tilted her chin and asked, “What could he possibly be busy with? Didn’t he just finish escorting Minister Hugh from Long Capital?”
Out of brotherly loyalty, Huo She pulled her away and forced a smile.
“He’s busy, okay? Miss, do you have nothing to do today? Want me to take you shopping? If you don’t like me, I can bring Jia Nian along?”
Jia Nian was the youngest member of Leopard Path and the most delicate-looking boy. However, his supernatural abilities were top-tier within the team.
Back when Chu Yue was causing them trouble, she had taken a liking to Jia Nian and even tried to recruit him.
Huo She felt that, for the sake of his boss’s lifelong happiness, he had already resorted to selling out his own brothers. His boss had better succeed.
But Chu Yue had long set her heart on Lei Xing. What did Jia Nian have to do with anything? She pushed Huo She away.
“What is he so busy with that he has to hide it from me? And why are you all covering for him?”
The other doors in the room swung open, and the brothers of Leopard Path rushed out in a flurry.
In the end, Chu Yue was sent away with their noisy chatter.
By the time she snapped out of it and went back to look for Lei Xing, the room was already empty!
*
Su Tao arrived at the meeting place ten minutes early. She glanced at Shi Zijin, hesitating before saying:
“I think I should go up alone.”
There were some things she couldn’t say in front of Shi Zijin. She wanted to be decisive today. If things remained ambiguous, it wouldn’t be good for either her or Lei Xing.
Shi Zijin had no intention of going up anyway. He nodded warmly as always. “Go ahead, I’ll wait for you.”
Su Tao couldn’t see any unusual emotions on his face.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you worried?”
Seeing that she finally couldn’t hold back, Shi Zijin smiled, his eyes narrowing.
“Worried about what? That you’ll be taken away?”
Su Tao said, “Maybe. Lei Xing is a great guy—strong, good-looking. When you insisted on leaving back then, you even told me to consider him. But now you’re acting like you’ve already won.”
Shi Zijin didn’t want to admit that her words made him a little nervous. Seeing her serious expression, the smile on his lips slowly faded.
“I’ll bring you back.”
“What makes you think that if you take me, I’ll go with you?”
The fearless Major Shi lowered his armor in front of her, softening his voice, revealing his truest feelings.
“Tao, I’m serious. If you won’t come with me, then I’ll chase you down—until you let me take you away.”
Su Tao’s heart trembled, but she instinctively shook her head.
“You’re lying. When danger comes, you’ll still abandon me. Let alone chase me to the ends of the earth.”
Last time, he had resolutely said, “Military orders cannot be disobeyed.” That had left a deep scar in Su Tao’s heart.
She admired heroes. She appreciated his strength and sense of duty. But as a partner, she feared she would never have a peaceful day, always living in fear.
She was truly terrified that if she allowed herself to love him, one day he would sacrifice himself again for duty and responsibility.
And if that really happened—
Who could she blame?
Could she resent him for wanting to protect his country? Or blame the innocent people he gave his life for?
Shi Zijin’s heart sank into an abyss. He wanted to explain, but all he could say was:
“It won’t happen again.”
With Su Tao’s protection, Dongyang was now much safer. In the future, he might not need to take on high-risk missions anymore.
Besides, he had acquired an “undying body.” Death, for him, was just a long slumber.
Su Tao pursed her lips. “I’m going up. If you get bored, you can walk around.”
She turned and left.
The waitress at West Tulania was dressed in an elegant floral dress, guiding her to the private dining room with a sweet voice.
Su Tao regretted bringing up that topic.
But she just couldn’t hold it in.
Ever since Shi Zijin returned, he had been unusually attentive, as if he had become a different person. She wasn’t oblivious—she could sense the change.
She was both hopeful and uneasy.
The waitress pushed open the private dining room door. “Miss, please. The gentleman has just arrived as well.”
Just arrived? Then why hadn’t she seen him downstairs?
Inside the private room, there was only a two-person dining table. The table was filled with fresh green vegetables, exquisite desserts, and elaborate dishes Su Tao had never seen before.
The room wasn’t lit because the entire wall was a floor-to-ceiling glass window, offering a perfect view of West Tulania’s carefully cultivated garden. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the flowers and greenery, casting a warm glow inside—not too bright, not too dim, but just right.
Unbeknownst to her, Lei Xing had reserved this spot two months in advance. It was the highest and most expensive private room in West Tulania.
But at this moment, Lei Xing looked at his meticulously prepared setup with only a bitter sense of irony.
He had overheard everything between Su Tao and Shi Zijin downstairs.
He thought he was on the same playing field as Shi Zijin.
But just now, Su Tao’s words made it clear—she had already placed Shi Zijin in her heart.
If she didn’t care about him, why would she be so afraid of him sacrificing himself? Why would she include him in her future plans?
He was unwilling to accept this.
He had spent more time with Su Tao than Shi Zijin had. He had been by her side through countless dangers, solving her problems, helping her.
And what had Shi Zijin given her?
Nothing but fear and anxiety!
Su Tao sensed something was wrong. She hesitated to pull out the chair and sit down. “You—”
Lei Xing suddenly looked up, his expression tense, lips pressed into a thin line. He took a beautifully wrapped gift box from the cabinet and handed it to her.
“This is for you. You’ll definitely like it.”
A delicate bow was tied on top, with a small budding rose attached. The box had a simple heart pattern on it.
No “ordinary friend” would wrap a gift like this.
Su Tao didn’t take it. She shook her head. “Lei, big brother Lei, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to accept this gift.”
Her words were clear enough.
The fragile hope in Lei Xing’s heart was crushed instantly.
Under the table, his hand clenched into a fist. His golden, soft hair suddenly bristled, revealing a pair of animal-like ears, twitching involuntarily.
