Chapter Eighty-Four: Sinister Intentions!

Lin Xiaolei and the others lingered in the restaurant for nearly an hour before finally leaving, and naturally, Wang Zheng and Bai Bing did not stay much longer either.

From what Wang Zheng had overheard, Liu Jin had planned to invite Lin Xiaolei to karaoke after dinner, but she had politely declined, citing family matters. Seeing Lin Xiaolei’s flushed cheeks in the distance, Wang Zheng guessed she had had some wine during the meal.

He wondered if the words he’d once spoken to her had made any impact—reminding her that a woman should never get drunk outside if she has no one trustworthy by her side, and that she must go home at once if she starts to feel dizzy.

Wang Zheng laughed at himself, finding his own thoughts absurd. Lin Xiaolei was now even suspicious of him—how could she possibly recall those words? He was being sentimental for nothing.

Lin Xiaolei refused Liu Jin’s offer to drive her home and took a taxi instead. Wang Zheng, who had already been waiting in a cab, only let the driver follow her once he was certain neither Liu Jin nor Huang Wei was tailing her. Not until Lin Xiaolei was safely inside her home did Wang Zheng finally relax and head back himself.

“Are you sure you’re not just worrying for nothing?” Bai Bing, who had been silent as they walked under the streetlights of the Huamei Residential Complex, finally spoke up, questioning Wang Zheng. She could not understand his reasoning, but she was clearly displeased with his insistence on escorting Lin Xiaolei home.

“Worrying for nothing? How so?” Wang Zheng replied, plucking an unknown wildflower from a flowerbed and bringing it to his nose. It smelled wonderful.

“Didn’t you say you’d be just a bystander when it came to Lin Xiaolei?” Bai Bing stopped and stared at him, her tone sharp. “Yet everything you’ve done since leaving the restaurant was for Lin Xiaolei’s safety. Are you going to deny it?”

“Following her counts as looking out for her safety? Please.” Wang Zheng laughed loudly, then shrugged it off. “I just wanted to see where she lives. You’re the one reading too much into it, Miss Detective.”

“Oh, really? You know perfectly well what your real intentions are!” Bai Bing retorted coldly. Clearly, Wang Zheng’s answer was not what she wanted. She strode past Wang Zheng and into the apartment building, her anger uncertain—was it at his actions or at his refusal to be honest with her?

Wang Zheng couldn’t fathom what he had done to offend Bai Bing this time. For a moment, he saw again in her the proud, unapproachable woman from the organization’s headquarters. What had gotten into her? He’d agreed to buy her a car—why was she now giving him the cold shoulder?

“Show you a little kindness and you act all smug. Smile at you and you take it as a license to be insufferable. Who are you scowling at? Take a mile when given an inch—pah!” Wang Zheng muttered as he stepped out of his room, suddenly awakened by an unfamiliar fragrance that filled the apartment. He hurried to the dining room to find the table heaped with breakfast dishes—eight side dishes alone, three times the usual. From the clatter in the kitchen, it was clear breakfast was not yet complete.

What day was it? Was it someone’s birthday?

Just then, Su Xue and Chu Jun shuffled out of their rooms, still in pajamas and half-awake. When they saw the lavish spread, they too were baffled. Su Xue, who had always refused to eat Bai Bing’s cooking, regarded the table with suspicion, as if Bai Bing had prepared it to provoke her. Her eyes went round as night pearls, glinting with indignation.

Wang Zheng, puzzled, walked into the kitchen. Bai Bing was in high spirits, smiling as she hummed a tune, looking for all the world like a newlywed, her face glowing with inexplicable joy.

“Is it your birthday today?” Wang Zheng asked, and Su Xue and Chu Jun perked up to listen.

“Why, you’re all up!” Bai Bing’s smile grew even brighter. “My birthday was long ago!”

“Then why is breakfast so lavish today? And why are you in such a good mood?” Wang Zheng was confused, but after pondering a moment, his face lit with mock realization. “Oh, I get it. You must be celebrating the early arrival of menopause, aren’t you?”

“I’m not telling you. All you need to know is that today is a wonderful day!” Bai Bing was nearly radiant, her whole face beaming, every inch of her skin suffused with happiness. She donned oven mitts, took some homemade pastries from the oven, and came out with a tray, calling out enthusiastically, “Come and eat, everyone! These are my special strawberry egg tarts—my secret recipe. Once you try them, you’ll never forget!”

What? Even her secret pastries? That made everyone wonder what Bai Bing was really up to.

Wang Zheng’s eyes fell on the pastries—golden-brown egg tarts topped with ruby-red strawberries, each fruit carefully placed so the tart looked like a red heart set in golden custard. At Bai Bing’s urging, Wang Zheng picked one up; it was still hot from the oven. He took a careful bite—the crust was crisp, the custard silky soft and fragrant, and the strawberry added a burst of fresh flavor.

Wonderful—absolutely wonderful!

Wang Zheng had traveled far and wide, eaten many egg tarts, but none could compare to Bai Bing’s strawberry creations.

Seeing Wang Zheng eat without ill effect, Chu Jun also took a tentative bite and was instantly enchanted by the exquisite taste. The tart was so hot it nearly burned her tongue, leaving her speechless—or perhaps she simply couldn’t speak because her mouth was full. All she could do was nod repeatedly at Su Xue.

How did she know I love egg tarts? Su Xue wondered.

Su Xue eyed Chu Jun suspiciously. She had never seen anything tempt Chu Jun out of her ladylike restraint. She picked up a tart, examined it, then took a cautious bite.

Ah, this flavor… It was simply sublime, beyond words. Su Xue’s eyes shimmered like a mountain spring.

“Come on, Bai Bing, stop keeping us in suspense. What’s so special about today?” Wang Zheng sat down, looking at Bai Bing as he popped another tart in his mouth. Before these irresistible egg tarts, Su Xue abandoned all restraint and began wolfing them down.

“Heh, guess!” Bai Bing replied, delighted to see everyone enjoying her food—her hard work had not been in vain.

“Guess? I can’t. Give me a hint?”

“Fine. It has something to do with you!” Bai Bing said, looking at Wang Zheng.

“Me?” Wang Zheng pointed to himself in bewilderment. He’d always held the attitude toward Bai Bing of: your pain is my delight. Now, hearing that something making her so happy was related to him, how could he not be surprised? He racked his brain—he couldn’t recall doing anything recently that should make Bai Bing this pleased. Especially since they had parted on bad terms the night before—how had everything changed overnight?

“The car! You’re not going to tell me you’ve forgotten, are you?” Su Xue exclaimed, finally revealing the real reason for Bai Bing’s joy and her secret pastries. The generous breakfast and special treats were, in large part, a bribe.

“The car? What car?” Su Xue asked in confusion. “Are you buying a car?”

“Last night, Wang Zheng decided to buy a car, so we wouldn’t have to suffer under the blazing sun in summer or the biting wind in winter,” Bai Bing explained, glossing over her own role in the decision—she certainly wasn’t about to admit it was her demand. She shoved an egg tart into Wang Zheng’s mouth to keep him from speaking, then added, “I’ve already decided—since work is quiet these days, there’s no time like the present. Today is perfect, don’t you think, Wang Zheng?”

“You’re buying a car, brother?” Su Xue asked Wang Zheng.

He swallowed the tart and nodded. “Yes, though I haven’t settled on a date. Isn’t today a bit rushed?”

“Not at all! The sooner you buy it, the sooner you enjoy it. And next time you want to tail someone, you won’t have to take a taxi. Am I right?”

“Well, maybe. But I haven’t really made up my mind. Why don’t you buy a bicycle for now and let me think it over?”

“No need! I’ve memorized the locations of every dealership in Jinghua City, so you just have to come with me today!”

“Hold it, both of you!” Su Xue interrupted, thoroughly confused. “Brother, is it you who’s buying the car or are you buying it for Bai Bing? The more I listen, the less sense it makes!”

Damn, little sister, I’m just as confused as you are.