Chapter 723
Chapter 723
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 723
>Chapter Title: Release
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Chapter 723: Release
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> A drop of yellowish-brown sauce slowly slid down along the plump textures of the chicken leg, dripping onto the heaping white rice.
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> But Qian Fu had no time to care about that right now. He grabbed one with each hand and bit into the braised chicken legs. With a forceful tug, the delicious texture hit the tip of his tongue, filling his mouth with meaty fragrance and leaving a look of utter satisfaction on his face.
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> Even so, he still wasn’t content. As he chewed what was in his mouth, his eyes stayed glued to the plate, afraid that Chen Hongyu beside him would snatch them away.
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> Li Huowang sat across from them, watching their eating manners with a speechless expression. He was starting to regret inviting them to his home.
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> “Come on, come on, eat more. There’s plenty more.” Sun Xiaoqin came out of the kitchen with a cheerful smile, holding a plate of chicken legs. She had just permed her hair into curls again.
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> “Mom, no more. There’s already enough.”
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> Sun Xiaoqin didn’t say anything. Instead, Yang Na reached over from under the table and pinched Li Huowang hard.
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> “What’d you pinch me for?” When Li Huowang turned to look, he saw Yang Na staring at him with a hint of displeasure in her eyes.
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> “Burp~~~” Qian Fu’s long, drawn-out belch interrupted their gaze.
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> “You’re already burping from being full. Don’t force it. Money aside, don’t ruin your stomach.”
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> Qian Fu grabbed two chicken legs from the plate and stuck them into the rice. He glared at Li Huowang with both eyes.
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> “What do you know? This is a hunger burp!” With that, he picked up his chopsticks and started shoveling rice into his mouth with gusto.
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> Chen Hongyu wasn’t about to be outdone. She picked up a braised chicken leg, sucked on it hard a few times, and when she pulled it out, it was nothing but a clean chicken bone.
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> Compared to the disgusting pus-filled boils from before, Li Huowang thought this trick of hers was more like a superpower.
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> At that moment, Sun Xiaoqin had sidled up to Li Huowang’s ear somehow. “How can you talk like that to the kids? They’re guests here, and they came to help you. Besides, those frozen chicken legs at the supermarket are dirt cheap—a whole bag for next to nothing, cheaper than some veggies.”
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> Li Huowang sighed and said no more. He just sat there watching the two of them devour their food.
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> “You’re not eating any?”
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> “No thanks. I’m full just from watching.”
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> After three full plates, Li Huowang watched with his own eyes as their bellies swelled up. Turns out those cartoons from childhood were real after all.
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> Once lunch was over, the two lay back on their stools, rubbing their stomachs and breathing contentedly.
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> Li Huowang glanced toward the kitchen and leaned forward, asking in a low, surprised voice, “Have you two not eaten at all lately? Why are you starving like this?”
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> “Last night’s meal doesn’t hold you over till today. We eat every day. You’re hilarious.” Just as Qian Fu said this, someone knocked on the door.
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> “Coming.” Yang Na, in her slippers, went clip-clopping over. “Qingwang Lai? Come on in. Oh, and who are those two behind you?”
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> As Li Huowang turned to look, he saw Qingwang Lai in his white top and blue bottoms walking in with two others.
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> The two didn’t say a word to Li Huowang. They simply lifted one of his feet and removed the device from his ankle.
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> After they left, Li Huowang looked toward Qingwang Lai. “That’s...”
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> “The street office surveillance is gone. Though they’ll still do periodic check-ins. And you can’t leave the province or the city.”
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> “You’re free to move around now, but they left one on you. Best to avoid crowded places if you can—don’t want to rile up their nerves.”
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> Li Huowang’s face was full of surprise. He rushed to the window and peered outside. Sure enough, he saw Aunt Qi pointing toward his place with some others before they turned and left the complex.
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> “They’re really gone? How’d you pull that off?” Li Huowang spun around, staring at Qingwang Lai in astonishment.
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> He hadn’t known the guy long, but compared to those other two lunatics, he was way more reliable.
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> “Simple. I got you a lawyer to look into it. Turns out this kind of surveillance and house arrest was already infringing on your personal freedom.”
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> “Since you passed the doctor’s checks, by standard procedure, you should’ve been free last month. But you know how it is—higher-ups say one, lower levels do ten to avoid trouble and shift blame. Then I pulled a few strings.”
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> “I see. Got it.”
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> Qingwang Lai shook his head with a smile. “Heh, I think you still don’t quite get it.”
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> Hearing that, Li Huowang furrowed his brow. Why was this guy talking in such a cryptic way?
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> “Anyway, thanks for the help. Now that I’m free, let’s head out and find somewhere to talk properly.” Li Huowang started heading impatiently for the door.
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> “Don’t rush it. Running around right after the restrictions are lifted will raise suspicions.” Qingwang Lai blocked Li Huowang.
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> Seeing Sun Xiaoqin set a plate of post-meal fruit on the table, Qingwang Lai patted Li Huowang on the shoulder. “Nine o’clock tonight, I’ll pick you up. I’ve found a safe spot—and you can meet some new friends too.”
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> “New friends?” At those words, a spark of curiosity rose in Li Huowang’s heart. Were there allies besides them?
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> With that said, Qingwang Lai didn’t linger. He left Li Huowang’s home, taking Qian Fu and Chen Hongyu—who had stuffed fruit into their pockets—with him.
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> “Son, you... you’re really okay now? You can go out?” Sun Xiaoqin seemed even happier about the news than Li Huowang.
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> “Yeah.” Li Huowang nodded, his mind racing with what to do next.
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> “Then rest up at home. I’m off to buy some veggies. I’ll call your dad and tell him no night shift today. We’ll celebrate as a family!”
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> Once Sun Xiaoqin left, only Yang Na and Li Huowang remained in the house.
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> “Huowang, do you really think what Qingwang Lai said is true? I still don’t trust what he’s saying.”
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> “I don’t trust him either, but if I want to shake these people off, I have to rely on them. They’re watching me closer than ever now.” Li Huowang turned to look at the buildings outside.
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> “They’re out there right now?” Yang Na hurried to the window, pulled the curtains closed, and peeked through a gap. “Where? Where are they?”
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> “They’re not in the complex. They’re watching me from afar with binoculars!” Li Huowang stared intently at the high-rises in the distant neighborhoods.
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> “Are they?” Yang Na glanced at the distance, then studied Li Huowang’s face. “You can really feel it?”
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> “Yeah, it’s a very distinct feeling. Of course I can! The hostility in their gazes is getting stronger!”
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> “I figure it won’t be long before they make a move on me. I need to strike first.”
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> Time passed bit by bit until evening arrived. Though dinner was lavish to celebrate Li Huowang’s newfound freedom, he had little appetite. His mind was wholly occupied with Qingwang Lai’s “new friends”—who they might be and how he’d join them against the enemy.
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> Before he knew it, night had fallen. Li Huowang said goodbye to Sun Xiaoqin and prepared to leave with Yang Na.
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> His mother didn’t ask questions, and his father even slipped some money into his hand. Li Huowang figured they’d misunderstood.
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> The first time Li Huowang stepped out of the complex without surveillance, a white four-seater sports car pulled up in front of him.
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> “Get in.” Qingwang Lai said, one hand on the steering wheel.
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>(End of Chapter)