Chapter 408: Journey to Chongqing

Lin Ke Xin, who had just picked up a piece of beef ready to eat, trembled at these words.

Seeing Chen Yongren forcing a smile, she instantly realized he was playing her again.

"Chen Yongren, are you still a kid? Pulling this trick again?" Lin Ke Xin's brows furrowed.

"But you still fell for it." Chen Yongren added: "Hurry up and eat, don't waste food—eat as much as you can."

After a pause, Chen Yongren said again: "Our nerves can't stay taut forever, or we'll surely run into trouble."

"I…" Lin Ke Xin didn't want to argue with Chen Yongren, so she ate silently.

Having eaten and drunk her fill, Lin Ke Xin returned to the bed to rest.

Having feigned death to escape, she couldn't just go out; after eating, she could only lie on the bed to pass the time.

Time quickly slipped into evening.

Seeing Chen Yongren tidying up the leftover dishes from lunch, preparing to go out, Lin Ke Xin couldn't help but ask: "What are you up to?"

"Can't you just do good deeds out there? Stay home and wait for me, don't run around." Chen Yongren, too lazy to explain further, headed out directly.

He'd eat the fresh stuff himself; these leftovers mustn't be wasted.

Outside there were two little pets; they couldn't stay hungry, so it was perfect to let them finish the leftover rice.

After stepping outside, Chen Yongren quickly changed his appearance and clothes, then headed toward Fujiwara Rina's room.

As he was about to reach the safe house, Chen Yongren saw someone on the street shouting at a fleeing figure.

"You damn thief, stealing from me again—don't let me catch you, or I'll break your legs!"

Chen Yongren hadn't paid it any mind at first, but upon looking at that person he was somewhat startled.

Holy shit.

Damn, it's an acquaintance.

Chen Yongren never expected to see Mitsuko snatching food to eat on the main street.

That speed is pretty fast.

Chen Yongren followed the figure into an alley.

At that moment, the figure was crouched in the corner, desperately stuffing steamed buns into his mouth.

Mitsuko no longer had her former beauty; her hair was disheveled and she was filthy all over.

Tsk.

Looks like this little vixen has had a rough couple of days.

As Mitsuko was gnawing on a steamed bun, she suddenly felt her head sink and collapsed to the ground.

Chen Yongren immediately changed his appearance; rather than argue on the street, he simply brought her back to the safe house.

Since Fujiwara Rina was worried about Mitsuko vying for favor,

he might as well bring this girl back, give Fujiwara Rina a big surprise, see who performs better, and then reward the one who does.

In ancient times, Yan Ying offered a plan: two peaches to kill three warriors.

Now Chen Yongren takes on three with a single staff……

Let them tear each other apart.

Looking at the filthy Mitsuko, Chen Yongren felt a bit of disdain; after thinking, he took a blanket from the storeroom and loosely wrapped her in it.

Arriving at the safe house door, after restoring his own face, Chen Yongren knocked and said softly: "It's me, open up."

"Coming." An excited voice came from inside.

The door opened.

"Yongren-kun, you've finally come." Fujiwara Yuko exclaimed excitedly.

"Huh…" Seeing what Chen Yongren was holding in his arms, she also found it strange: "What are you holding?"

"Something good…" Chen Yongren gave a mysterious smile: "No, this isn't a thing…"

"Ah… you'll see for yourselves."

Chen Yongren slipped inside, laid Mitsuko on the bed, and opened the blanket.

"Aunt Mitsuko!" Fujiwara Yuko cried out.

"Mitsuko?" Fujiwara Rina instinctively covered her mouth, staring at Chen Yongren in disbelief.

How did he run into Mitsuko?

"This… Yongren-kun, did you find Aunt Mitsuko?" Fujiwara Yuko asked in surprise.

"Yes, Yongren-kun." Fujiwara Rina followed up.

His face was calm, but his inner self was far from at peace.

"Oh no, it really is—whatever you worry about comes to pass."

"How could Mitsuko be saved by Yongren-kun?"

"Her luck is really good…"

……

Through Fujiwara Rina's inner voice, Chen Yongren could sense her worry.

Worrying was appropriate.

"I picked her up on the road; I'm also surprised—I don't know how she ended up like this." Chen Yongren feigned helplessness.

"Mitsuko is really lucky to have met you." Fujiwara Rina said delightedly: "After we lost touch with her, we thought she'd be captured."

You're probably hoping she gets caught, Chen Yongren thought to himself.

The Mitsuko on the bed woke up dazed, opened her eyes to see herself lying there, first frightened, thinking she'd been caught stealing.

She hurriedly curled up into the corner of the bed.

The expression on her face suddenly turned surprised.

Chen Yongren, Fujiwara Rina, Fujiwara Yuko!

"It's you guys, how could it be you!" Mitsuko was very surprised, looking at Chen Yongren: "Yongren-kun, you're not..."

"Let's not talk about him first, how did you end up like this?" Fujiwara Rina asked concernedly, then looked at Yuko: "Yuko, quickly prepare a clean towel, then go boil some hot water."

Fujiwara Yuko hurriedly responded and went down to prepare.

Mitsuko sobbed as she recounted her ordeal.

It turned out that after Mitsuko and Fujiwara Rina got separated, they hid here and there, trying to find her.

Mitsuko had no money for food, and didn't dare speak Japanese, fearing discovery by ill-intentioned people, so she could only think of ways to steal something to eat…

"Yongren-kun, being able to see you again is really great." Mitsuko felt extremely wronged.

Chen Yongren smiled and said: "Don't worry, with me around from now on, I'll protect you all. Let's eat first."

"Yuko, come quickly, heat up the food."

Although it was all leftover rice from noon, the three women didn't know, only thinking that Chen Yongren had managed to buy it.

After heating it up.

The three women still ate with relish, but because there was an extra Mitsuko, the evening meal fell short, and nobody ate their fill.

Of course.

Even if it were just two people, they wouldn't be full; otherwise how could one show Chen Yongren's hardship?

After they finished eating, Chen Yongren then said: "Mitsuko, you'll have to make do for tonight; tomorrow I'll prepare extra changes of clothes for you all."

The three women, each harboring their own thoughts, nodded in unison and reluctantly bade farewell to Chen Yongren.

Over the next few days, under Chen Yongren's manipulation, they grew increasingly reliant on him.

In such times, risking life to bring food and clothing, where else could one find such a good man?

One must find an opportunity to properly repay Chen Yongren.

The day to leave Yu City arrived quickly.

Chen Yongren and Lin Ke Xin also did not reveal their true identities.

After handing over all affairs in Songhu, Chen Yongren then took Lin Ke Xin and embarked on the journey to Yu City.

As for those three Japanese women?

With the Anywhere Door in hand, returning to Songhu is just a matter of a second.

Of course.

It definitely won't be a direct route; after transferring a few stops along the way, they finally arrived at Yu City.

The steamship gradually arrived at the port of Yu City.

Breathing the air of Yu City, Chen Yongren felt a myriad of emotions.

Damn it.

Songhu had been holding up for so long; finally able to take a break.

I just don't know what rewards await ahead.

It surely can't be a military rank promotion…

"Madam, let's go, the boat has docked." Chen Yongren smiled at Lin Ke Xin beside him.

To conceal their identities, the two also pretended to be a married couple.

Lin Ke Xin gave Chen Yongren a sideways glance, yet still linked her arm with his.

The two walked out of the harbor and discovered an old acquaintance standing outside.

Shen Mingchen.