Mutated Tao

Chapter 707: Qing Wanglai

Finally, someone who wasn’t mentally ill would join them. Li Huowang was eager to meet a normal person who could help him learn more about the people targeting him.

However, Qing Wanglai was a graduate student and Li Huowang was strictly prohibited from approaching schools due to his ankle monitor. He had to delegate the task to Yang Na, who would go with Chen Hongyu and Qian Fu.

Li Huowang did consider Yang Na’s safety, but he wasn’t too worried since it was broad daylight with many people around, and the destination was a well-known university.

Huowang, I’m on the subway. Have you had dinner? ₍ᐢ.ˬ.⑅ᐢ₎

It’s so crowded during the evening rush. Thankfully, Madam Chen is strong. (⑉･̆-･̆⑉)

ჴ˘ര‸രჴ Why don’t you reply to my messages? This bad habit of yours needs to change. How can I know what you’re thinking if you don't say anything?

Li Huowang felt nervous when he saw Yang Na send over another text. He quickly typed back. Nana! They’re here! They’re watching me again!

After sending the message, he anxiously peered out the window and spotted several shadowy figures under the trees at dusk.

Although he could not see them clearly, Li Huowang felt confident they were looking in his direction.

Impossible! Madam Qi is off work at this time. I’ve been behaving well lately, so the Neighborhood Office isn’t monitoring me closely.

What should we do? Should we call the police?

It’s fine. They seem to be hesitant now. Besides, I’m not a pushover! Li Huowang opened a drawer and revealed a gleaming knife.

In fact, Li Huowang found the appearance of these people somewhat reassuring. It meant Yang Na and the others were temporarily safe.

“Huowang, come out for dinner!”

“Coming!” LI Huowang drew the starry curtains and blocked the view from outside, making him feel more at ease.

Meals had always been just him and his mother. His father was a taxi driver, and the evening rush was the most lucrative time for him.

Today's meal featured braised chicken with mushrooms, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and stir-fried snail meat with leeks, accompanied by seaweed and shrimp soup. The aroma alone was mouth-watering.

Sun Xiaoqin was a good cook, but Li Huowang wasn’t enjoying it much. He kept checking his phone and glancing toward the balcony.

“Son, where’s Nana?” Sun Xiaoqin noticed someone was missing.

“She... she had something come up,” Li Huowang made up an excuse.

Sun Xiaoqin struggled to understand young people’s matters, so she only offered her perspective. “Son, you need to be responsible to Nana. I’m not rushing you, but good girls like her are hard to find nowadays.”

“Take Brother Li next door, for example. His son Li Changnan, who you used to play with, went on a blind date with a girl born in 1993. I’ve met her, and she’s not as good as Nana. Do you know how much they spent on the betrothal gifts alone?”

Li Huowang would usually respond to such remarks. However, he received a video call, then quickly shoveled the remaining food into his mouth and rushed to his room. “Mom, I have something to do. We’ll talk later.”

Back in his room, Li Huowang took a deep breath, composed himself, and tapped the green button. Yang Na’s face appeared on the screen. “Huowang! Look, we’ve arrived!”

The screen shifted to show the main road of the university. As it was evening, it was bustling with people.

Li Huowang brought his phone closer to the screen and said softly, “Qian Fu, find that person.”

“We’re already here now. What’s the hurry?” Qian Fu’s voice sounded as the screen began to shake. They were on the move.

With the changing sounds in the video, Li Huowang knew they had entered a building, got into an elevator, and were going to ask someone for directions.

When the screen steadied, they were in a lively cafeteria. A thin man with rectangular rimless glasses appeared before Li Huowang.

He seemed to be in his twenties, with short hair and an open-collared white shirt.

He was eating quietly, contrasting with others who were chatting or on their phones. He seemed very quiet and ate unhurriedly from his bowl using chopsticks.

If Li Huowang guessed correctly, this was Qing Wanglai.

“Wow, Huowang! Look, he’s so handsome!” Yang Na exclaimed.

Li Huowang frowned, and his impression of Qing Wanglai instantly dropped.

At that moment, Qing Wanglai looked their way, put down his bowl, stood up, and walked towards them. “Long time no see. How have you been?”

“Little Qing! I got locked up again. I tried to send you a message for help, but I couldn’t get through! You wouldn’t believe how they tortured me there!” Qian Fu started to complain, leaving no room for Chen Hongyu to speak.

“Shut up!” Chen Hongyu snapped and covered Qian Fu’s mouth. She directly addressed Qing Wanglai, “Give me your meal card. I’m hungry!”

Qing Wanglai curiously glanced at Yang Na before handing over a meal card from his left pocket with two fingers. “Our cafeteria’s spicy frog pot and sweet and sour pork are quite good. You should try them.”

Chen Hongyu soon returned with two large trays of food, and the four of them sat down together.

Both Chen Hongyu and Qian Fu were clearly more focused on eating than talking, devouring their meals with gusto.

When Li Huowang saw that they were not talking, he said, “Hello, Qing Wanglai. Let me introduce myself. I’m Li Huowang.”

Qing Wanglai put down his bowl, took Yang Na’s phone, and scrutinized Li Huowang through the screen.

His reaction puzzled Li Huowang, so he introduced himself again.

Qing Wanglai replied, “There’s no need to repeat yourself. I know you’re Li Huowang. Have you eaten?”