After comforting his daughter for a while, Tang Buyi handed Tang Guo over to Shen Mo Nong and walked toward Ye Qiu, who was being questioned by the police. Since this involved Tang Buyi's beloved daughter, the police chief, Guo Zhengyang, was personally overseeing the interrogation, hoping to find crucial clues to solve the case quickly.
"Chief Guo, thank you and your officers for your hard work. Tonight's late-night snack is on me," Tang Buyi greeted Guo Zhengyang with a smile. As a businessman, he knew how to interact with officials.
"Tang, you are too kind. It's our responsibility to ensure your daughter's safety. Rest assured, we will solve this case swiftly and provide your daughter with justice," Guo Zhengyang responded politely, not daring to show any airs in front of Tang Buyi.
Tang Buyi nodded and looked at Ye Qiu. "Is the statement finished, Chief Guo?"
Chief Guo was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't taken Ye Qiu seriously. During the questioning, Ye Qiu claimed to be Tang Guo's bodyguard, which they were planning to verify with the Tang family. But hearing Tang Buyi address him as "little friend" surprised him. There were probably very few people in Beijing whom Tang Buyi would refer to as friends.
"Ah, yes, the statement is done. Ye was very cooperative," Guo Zhengyang said, trying to shift his focus from Ye Qiu's cheap attire.
"Good. We will be leaving now. Chief Guo, if you need anything or require our cooperation, please feel free to ask. I'll leave the rest to you," Tang Buyi said, shaking Guo Zhengyang's hand.
"Of course, of course," Guo Zhengyang replied, watching them leave with respect.
"Ye Qiu, I can't thank you enough. My daughter means the world to me. If anything happened to her, I wouldn't know what to do. You saved her tonight, and I'm truly grateful," Tang Buyi said warmly, putting his arm around Ye Qiu's shoulders as they walked back to Tang Guo.
"Guo Guo, come over and thank Ye Qiu," Tang Buyi said to his daughter with a smile.
"Daddy, I was just about to tell you. I want a different bodyguard. I absolutely don't want this one—you don't know how annoying he was," Tang Guo protested. She wanted to mention that Ye Qiu had taken her first kiss, but she realized it was actually her who initiated it. Plus, she didn't want Shen Mo Nong and Lin Bao'er to laugh at her.
"Don't be rude. Have I not taught you better? When someone helps you, you should thank them. Come here," Tang Buyi said sternly. Despite being his beloved daughter, he upheld principles.
"Fine, he saved me, and I thank him. But I still want a different bodyguard," Tang Guo insisted, unable to imagine spending her days with such a man.
"No. That's non-negotiable. Do you think getting someone like Ye Qiu is easy? This kidnapping is just like the last one. The police haven't found anything yet, and I'm still investigating. Until we find the culprit, you will stay under Ye Qiu's protection," Tang Buyi said firmly.
Turning to Ye Qiu with an apologetic smile, he added, "Ye Qiu, please don't mind her. Guo Guo was spoiled by me and has a bit of a temper. I hope you can be patient with her. Until this matter is resolved, her safety is in your hands."
"No problem. I won't take her behavior personally," Ye Qiu said with a smile.
"You—" Tang Guo felt like she was about to explode. How could he say he wouldn't take her behavior personally? Did he think she was unreasonable?
"Daddy, please, just find someone else—anyone else—"
"Enough. I have things to do and need to leave. Shen Mo Nong, take care of them," Tang Buyi said, quickly leaving to avoid further argument about changing bodyguards.
"Oh, and Ye Qiu, the butler gave you a card. Use it to get whatever you need."
"Thank you," Ye Qiu replied, nodding. The butler had indeed given him a black bag containing information about the ladies, probably to help him get acquainted and provide better protection. However, he hadn't mentioned the card.
This couldn't be blamed on the butler. Anyone who had been kicked in the groin would forget a few things.
Shen Mo Nong sighed as she watched Tang Buyi leave. She was left to deal with this pair of troublemakers.
She patted Tang Guo's shoulder and said, "Let's go home. Are you hungry? Want to get something to eat first?"
"I'm not hungry. I'm too angry to eat," Tang Guo said, jumping into her red Ferrari and driving off, ignoring the police still investigating.
"Let's go. You're still in my car," Shen Mo Nong said to Ye Qiu, feeling like his personal chauffeur.
When Shen Mo Nong and Ye Qiu returned to their villa, Tang Guo's red Ferrari was already parked outside. Shen Mo Nong smiled, relieved that Tang Guo hadn't run off again.
Inside the house, Tang Guo was engrossed in playing a game on Lin Bao'er's laptop, a popular game called WoW, where her character, a female rogue named "Sexy Bikini," was fiercely fighting. Her small hands flew over the keyboard as if she were in a real battle.
Lin Bao'er lay on the sofa, clutching her stomach. Seeing Shen Mo Nong enter, she said, "Sister Mo Nong, I'm starving—"
"I'm hungry too," Ye Qiu said from the doorway. He had arrived in Beijing at noon and had been brought straight to the villa by the old man, who hadn't even offered him lunch.
You could have just given me a bowl of beef noodles, and I wouldn't have kicked you there.
Serves him right.
Ye Qiu hadn't eaten all day. Just as he was about to ask for food, he heard the big-breasted loli say she was hungry and joined in.
Lin Bao'er blinked and said with a playful smile, "Suddenly, I'm not hungry anymore." She knew that Shen Mo Nong would be reluctant to cook for a stranger.
"But I'm still hungry," Ye Qiu insisted.
"The kitchen is over there. If you're hungry, cook something yourself," Shen Mo Nong said, pointing to the kitchen.
"Thanks," Ye Qiu replied cheerfully, heading to the kitchen.
Once Ye Qiu was in the kitchen, Lin Bao'er clutched her stomach and said, "Sister Mo Nong, I'm actually still hungry."
"Bear with it," Shen Mo Nong said, picking up a magazine.
"Mmm, it smells so good," Lin Bao'er suddenly jumped up from the sofa, her cute little nose twitching.
"Yeah, what is that? Could the beast have cooked something that smells this good? I thought he couldn't even light the stove," Tang Guo said, also drawn by the aroma.
"Seems like it," Shen Mo Nong said, swallowing her saliva.
Ye Qiu emerged from the kitchen, wearing an apron and smiling. "I made some porridge. Would you like to join me?"
"I'm not eating anything that beast made," Tang Guo said, wrinkling her nose. "Don't dirty our kitchen."
"I'm not hungry," Lin Bao'er said firmly.
"No, thank you," Shen Mo Nong said with her usual calm demeanor.
Ye Qiu didn't say anything more. He brought out a large pot of porridge and placed it on the dining table, then headed outside.
"Where's he going?" Lin Bao'er asked, seeing Ye Qiu leave after setting the table.
"Bathroom," Shen Mo Nong replied, noting the direction he was heading. Unable to find the villa's restroom, he was using the one outside.
Lin Bao'er's eyes sparkled mischievously. "I'm curious why his porridge smells so good. I'll try it—" She jumped up and ran to the dining table.
"Traitor," Tang Guo glared at Lin Bao'er.
"Wow, this is delicious! Celery and pork porridge. This guy really knows how to enjoy himself," Lin Bao'er's excited voice echoed from the dining room.
Tang Guo swallowed her saliva, glancing outside before jumping down from her high chair. "I'll try it too."
"Guo Guo—" Shen Mo Nong called.
"Yes?" Tang Guo turned back.
"Since we went to find you, we haven't eaten anything—" Shen Mo Nong said elegantly.
"If you want to eat, come on," Tang Guo said impatiently. "Let's finish all the beast's food, so he has nothing left."
"Good idea."
Ye Qiu had only gone outside to relieve himself. When he returned, the three women were happily enjoying the porridge.