Cooking Gourmet Meals in the Apocalypse

Chapter 120: Chapter 117: She Doesn’t Care About a Worse Reputation

The mechanical mice that fell were intent on devouring both Chen Xing and Song Yiguo.

Song Yiguo was startled and took a few steps back.

Chen Xing kicked one away.

The most frustrating part was that she had no idea what they were made of; they were seemingly indestructible.

Even when their outer casings were mangled, they remained aggressive.

In a fit of anger, Chen Xing decisively stomped down hard with her foot.

The mechanical mouse that had just been scurrying about was instantly crushed flat. With a high-pitched electronic SQUEAL, it went dead.

Seeing that they could be crushed underfoot, Song Yiguo copied Chen Xing and started stomping as well.

’Damn the person who set these things up... They attack me on sight?’

’If I’d known I would be attacked too, I never would have let Chen Xing jump down.’

Just as the two of them were stomping on the mechanical mice, a security camera feed froze on them.

Of course, Chen Xing, preoccupied with the mechanical mice, didn’t notice.

Before long, Vice General Du arrived on the scene with a team of specialists.

Once the robotic mice were brought under control, the short and stout Du Fuchu wiped the sweat from his brow under a scorching glare and said, ”Young Master Song, my sincerest apologies. There was an issue with the robotic mice’s data!” ’Someone must have configured it incorrectly,’ he thought.

Song Yiguo was speechless. ’These fucking things nearly killed me!’

’But... the fact that they can be crushed underfoot is a bug. They definitely need an upgrade.’

His face was dark as he stared menacingly at the chubby technician. ”Fix this, and fix it thoroughly. If this ever happens again, you can pack your bags and get out of the Capital City.”

Du Fuchu wiped away his sweat, so terrified he nearly dropped to his knees.

Chen Xing, however, didn’t believe it was a mistake. ’The robotic mice were clearly sabotaged.’

’She didn’t believe these technicians would make a mistake that caused the mice to attack Song Yiguo.’

’Thinking about it now, it’s as if I was deliberately lured here.’

’That person predicted my exact escape route!’

The thought was deeply unsettling.

’I was run ragged by this person, and I haven’t even caught a glimpse of them.’

She kept her thoughts to herself. In any case, this was her own problem to solve.

After Du Fuchu left, leaving just Vice General Du with them in a place with no surveillance cameras, Song Yiguo’s expression turned cold. ”Find out who was pulling the strings.”

He didn’t believe it was a data error, either.

Anything that threatens the safety zone must be thoroughly investigated.

Chen Xing realized then that Song Yiguo had feigned ignorance to avoid tipping off the culprits.

Vice General Du immediately left to carry out his orders.

Chen Xing said nothing more.

’Since Song Yiguo is on the case,’ she thought, ’he should be able to dig up some leads.’

It was getting late. After parting ways with Song Yiguo, Chen Xing headed for Cao Guangrong’s home.

The mission had been relatively simple. The cold shoulders and harsh words she’d received were all bearable, and she’d simply ignored them.

As she was leaving the banquet hall, the death glare from Situ Yuanyuan had been quite something.

’As long as I’m in the Capital City, I have to be on my guard. Who knows when someone might try to stab me in the back?’

The residential area for the Four Great Families was separate from the common residential area within the safety zone.

The Duole Safety Zone was divided into two sections upon entry.

The side where Song Yiguo lived had top-tier defense and security systems. The other side was relatively more relaxed, but still incredibly secure compared to the outside world.

Chen Xing had just come from the high-security section and was crossing the main lobby when she saw Yan Junxi.

Yan Junxi was wearing a hat, a mask, and glasses. Without a close look, it was almost impossible to tell who he was.

If it weren’t for the almost palpable aura of jealousy emanating from him, Chen Xing would have had trouble recognizing him too.

’Looks like he’s here for me.’

Chen Xing walked over but didn’t speak first.

She didn’t have to be a genius to guess why Yan Junxi was here.

’He must have heard what happened at the banquet and gotten worried.’

She didn’t quite understand why Yan Junxi was so insecure about his relationship with Song Yiguo.

That man would do anything for Yan Junxi.

Chen Xing looked up at Yan Junxi, whose eyes were the only part of his face she could see.

Yan Junxi glanced around, decided there were too many people, and grabbed Chen Xing, pulling her toward the common residential area.

They passed through a corridor and entered a room.

A few people were chatting in the living room inside. They were all stunned to see Yan Junxi come back with a woman.

His aunt ran to the door to check if they’d been followed. ”Junxi, what on earth are you doing? Why did you come here?” She recognized Chen Xing as the one who had met them at the subway station.

”I need to talk to her. Auntie, can I borrow your room?” Without waiting for an answer, Yan Junxi pulled Chen Xing inside.

After they were inside, Yan Junxi took off his hat, glasses, and mask, revealing a foxy, bewitching face. The jealousy in his eyes hadn’t diminished in the slightest. ”You went to see Song Yiguo’s parents?”

Chen Xing nodded.

’A moment of silence for Song Yiguo,’ Chen Xing thought.

’This guy is such a jealous wreck. His fits are probably never going to end.’

”And he publicly announced that you two are a couple?” Yan Junxi’s voice grew shrill, tinged with the sound of a sob.

He made no attempt to hide the jealousy in his eyes.

’The woman in front of me is just too exceptional, both in her abilities and her looks.’

’Look at her now. Even in those casual clothes, the light makeup she’s wearing is more than enough to turn heads.’

Chen Xing had no idea what scenarios the guy was inventing in his head. ”Song Yiguo asked me to help him deal with the Situ Yuanyuan problem...” She briefly explained how she had pretended to be Song Yiguo’s girlfriend in exchange for a motorhome.

She thought her explanation would calm him down, but the jealousy in his eyes didn’t lessen one bit. ”So... now everyone in the Capital City thinks you’re Song Yiguo’s girlfriend?” ’And what about me? The lover who loves him enough to die for him, yet I can’t even show my face?’

”He’s just trying to protect you from getting hurt!” Even Chen Xing, who hated meddling in other people’s affairs, couldn’t stop herself from defending Song Yiguo.

If Yan Junxi had shown up today, there would have been no room for reconciliation between Song Yiguo and his father. In a fit of rage, General Song might have even forced him into an engagement with Situ Yuanyuan.

What kind of position would that put Yan Junxi in?

How could Song Yiguo bear to watch Yan Junxi be ridiculed?

He would rather take the blame himself than let Yan Junxi suffer in the slightest.

’Even someone like me, who’s completely indifferent to romance, can see Song Yiguo’s intentions. How can Yan Junxi be so blind?’

”I know!” Yan Junxi admitted, but he was still fuming. ”I don’t want Song Yiguo to be vilified either!”

’My heart aches for Song Yiguo too, you know?’

’Song Yiguo is willing to be scorned just to protect me from being hurt.’

’In the future, when my relationship with Song Yiguo comes to light, everyone will accuse him of toying with Chen Xing’s feelings and then abandoning her. That will break my heart too.’

”If you know that, then what the hell are you so angry about!” Chen Xing had had enough of Yan Junxi. ”Just relax. When the time comes, I’ll just say I’m the one who dumped Song Yiguo, okay?”

’What’s the big deal?’

’I don’t mind having my name dragged through the mud a little more.’

”Why are you helping Song Yiguo so much?” The jealousy instantly flared up again.

Chen Xing wanted to smash her fist into his head.

’For Song Yiguo’s sake... I’ll endure it.’

”I told you, it’s for the motorhome!”

Yan Junxi obviously didn’t believe her.

Like a deflated balloon, he flopped down onto the bed and covered his eyes. After a long moment, he spoke slowly, his voice filled with sorrow. ”Song Yiguo... he had a girlfriend before he met me.”

Chen Xing was speechless.

’What is that supposed to mean?’

When Chen Xing didn’t respond, Yan Junxi continued, ”He confessed to me that before we met, he always thought he liked women. He said he didn’t realize his own orientation until he met me.”

’Now that was unexpected.’

’She had assumed his orientation was something he’d always been sure of.’

”With you around, I’m always worried... worried that Song Yiguo might start having the thoughts of a ’normal’ man again. I can’t help but be suspicious, after all, you’re so exceptional and beautiful!” After speaking, Yan Junxi finally raised his head to look at Chen Xing.