Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 383: Chasing a stocky short man
Uncle Jie looked away not sure how to feel about this. He couldn’t fathom why Qie Xieling was interested in him. He didn’t believe in love at first sight so it had to be that Qie Xieling was only infatuated by him and it would only fade over time. Well, that’s what he at least told himself but he had no idea how deep Qie Xieling’s feelings for him were.
Qie Xieling watched him hesitate and found it a little funny. What did he think? That it was poisoned? The skewers were still piping hot, yet the tender chicken pieces glistened tantalizingly in the light.
Uncle Jie’s mouth watered involuntarily, his suppressed hunger overpowering his animosity towards street food. He decided to take a bite of the skewer his excuse being that he wanted to prevent himself from saying what he really wanted to say. He forgot even how much he hated eating stall food, especially from places like Rion.
He raised the skewer to his lips, the aroma intensifying as it approached his senses. As he took his first bite, he expected the worst—overly salty or possibly undercooked meat. But the moment the savoury, juicy flavour exploded in his mouth, his eyes widened in surprise.
The chicken was cooked to perfection, seasoned with a delicate blend of spices that complemented each other flawlessly. It melted on his tongue, each bite more succulent than the last. He devoured the entire skewer within seconds, barely registering his own actions. The taste was simply too divine to resist.
Finishing the last bite, Uncle Jie glanced up at Qie Xieling, his face still maintaining a stern expression despite his internal astonishment. Qie Xieling had bought him something within his preference.
He couldn’t help but wonder if Qie Xieling brought it thinking he was Luo Muchen or because he was the old man.
Qie Xieling’s smirk lingered on his face, as he said, "You like it?.. I bought it because the captain likes it."
Uncle Jie, "..."
Well, that answered his question. "How do you know the captain likes this?" he asked and Qie Xieling chuckled softly. Just when he was about to answer, Lee Ya put a crepe in his mouth and Qie Xieling was taken a back.
"The fuck," he said and Lee Ya said,
"I heard you like sweet things." This undoubtedly messed with the sweet atmosphere lingering in the air.
Qie Xieling didn’t like Lee Ya but he had to admit that the crepe tasted so good. "How is it?" she asked excitedly while hooking Qie Xieling’s arm.
Qie Xieling was about to respond when Uncle Jie said, "Target spotted. Stay focused."
Qie Xieling saw a short stocky individual walking down the busy streets with their face concealed underneath a hood. They entered Club 6 and after ten minutes, the target hurriedly emerged from Club 6 before taking off running.
Uncle Jie’s voice cut through the silence, "Qie Xieling, take care of Lee Ya," he said. Qie Xieling would never let Uncle Jie run around alone especially when he owed him his life.
He turned to Lee Ya and said, "You go to the spacecraft. We’ll handle things here... I won’t let an old man deal with this alone," before he jumped off the building.
They swiftly sprinted after the fleeing target, leaving Lee Ya behind, her frustration evident as she stomped her feet.
She watched him disappear into the night with anger churning inside her. Despite her annoyance, she knew she couldn’t miss the opportunity to be with Qie Xieling. She steeled herself and followed their trail.
Jie weaved through the chaotic streets of Rion, his eyes locked on the elusive figure of the short man. Behind him, Qie Xieling struggled to keep up, panting heavily. He couldn’t help but admire Uncle Jie. His agility and stamina seemed to defy his age, allowing him to maintain a steady distance between them.
The short man overturned the stalls sending fruits and vegetables cascading onto the ground blocking their path. The bustling crowd scattered in a frenzy, their startled faces blurring together as Jie and the short man navigated through the maze of bodies.
Jie’s determination fueled his pursuit, his focus unwavering despite the chaos around him. He knew that getting this idiot would move him closer to his goal and finally end his entanglement with Qie Xieling.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a shriek echoed through the air as Qie Xieling collided with a slimy, tentacled alien jelly. The creature’s gelatinous form enveloped him, leaving him covered in a sticky residue resembling slug slime. Jie looked back and gritted his teeth. He couldn’t understand why Qie Xieling was here when he especially told him to take care of Lee Ya.
Qie Xieling fought to free himself from the creature’s grasp. Luo Muchen hesitated for a split second before deciding to press on, hoping Qie Xieling would find a way to catch up later. He couldn’t afford to lose sight of the short man.
This dwarf was really something else. It led them to Rion’s sewer system. They raced through the city’s labyrinthine sewer pipes, the stench of decay and filth assaulting Jie’s senses. He wanted to throw up but he was also determined to get his hands on that dwarf.
The dimly lit tunnels echoed with their hurried footsteps, the sound bouncing off the damp walls. He bridged the gap between him and his target.
The dwarf climbed the stairs and blew open a manhole cover. He climbed out emerging in front of a grand estate. Jie followed after him and his eyes widened as he noticed the familiar estate. This vile being had led him to Valria’s estate. She stood tall exuding power and danger.
Jie climbed out of the manhole while the dwarf broke down in fake tears begging the woman to protect him. "Lord Supreme. Please help me. They lured me to make weapons for them but they are with the Blood Hound."
Valria who already knew that they were on his territory chuckled softly. She took a step forward towards the old man but before she could reach him Qie Xieling climbed out of the manhole seeming exhausted.
