"Boss, you should go back to sleep. I won't come in. I'll protect you from outside," Ning Beichen said to Liu Yilin.
"Then... then you be careful," Liu Yilin said, her voice full of worry.
"I know, boss," Ning Beichen replied casually.
"Ning Beichen, I'd rather lose the mine than let anything happen to you. You be serious," Liu Yilin said in a very earnest tone. The events that had transpired not long ago were still vivid in her mind, and she worried Ning Beichen might become another victim. If she had known it was this chaotic here, she would rather not have come, not wanting Ning Beichen to risk himself for her.
"Don't worry, boss, don't you know my abilities?" Ning Beichen's heart warmed at Liu Yilin's concern. He also seriously promised her that he would be careful. Even so, Liu Yilin went into the tent with lingering worry. She didn't want to be inconsiderate at this moment and distract Ning Beichen.
After Liu Yilin entered the tent, Ning Beichen began to patrol the campsite, his eyes and ears alert for any sign of enemies. However, based on Ning Beichen's experience, scattered remnants usually wouldn't dare to cause trouble again. And indeed, as he had predicted, the campsite remained safe until dawn, with no further enemy attacks.
The bodyguard Ning Beichen had rescued the previous night, after lying in bed for a night, was able to speak the next day, much to the surprise of his companions. A man who was certain to die had been saved by Ning Beichen in just a few minutes. What else could this be but miraculous skill? They had originally protected Ning Beichen only because Nicholas had ordered it, not out of genuine respect for him. But now, after Ning Beichen had saved their comrade, a clear change was evident: their gaze towards Ning Beichen and Liu Yilin was filled with reverence. As for why they also respected Liu Yilin, it was because they believed she was Ning Beichen's woman and thus deserved their respect.
"Mr. Ning, Miss Liu," the bodyguards greeted them respectfully when they saw Ning Beichen and Liu Yilin. Ning Beichen was unfazed, as this was something he encountered often. It was, however, a novel experience for Liu Yilin, making her feel quite peculiar.
After the group packed up their belongings and had a simple meal and drink, they continued their journey to their destination. The distance was not short, and everyone hoped to reach their destination before nightfall, as no one wished for a repeat of the previous night's events. The road ahead, however, became increasingly rough and muddy, and the convoy's progress slowed dramatically. The vehicles also got stuck several times. Nevertheless, by evening, they finally arrived at a town, which was the last one before their destination. Beyond this town lay Laojin, where Ning Beichen needed to go.
"Mr. Ning, Miss Liu, it's getting late, and there's still a muddy, rutted road ahead. We'll spend the night in this small town. If all goes smoothly, we'll reach our destination tomorrow morning," the bodyguard in charge of their safety informed them, seeking their agreement.
"Alright, let's rest here tonight. The brothers are tired," Ning Beichen agreed, seeing no need for them to travel through the night. In any case, the matter of the mine was significant and wouldn't be resolved immediately upon their arrival at Laojin. Liu Yilin, who deferred to Ning Beichen, had no objections.
However, the bodyguards only booked one room for them, which left Ning Beichen and Liu Yilin looking at each other. "Boss, shall I book another room?" Ning Beichen asked her.
"Never mind, let it be. With you here, I'll sleep more soundly. But tonight, you sleep on the sofa, and I'll take the bed. No funny business, understand?" Liu Yilin said, somewhat impulsively. Ning Beichen nodded. Although he found Liu Yilin's behavior a bit strange, he didn't object, thinking perhaps the previous night's events had frightened her, making her reluctant to sleep alone.
"Don't worry, boss. We've been under the same roof for so long, don't you trust me? I promise I won't touch you," Ning Beichen declared with righteous indignation. He had his professional ethics and would never do anything to betray their trust.
"I'm going to take a shower first. You're not allowed to peek," Liu Yilin didn't believe his words. The memory of that night at the bar when he was drunk, where he showed no professionalism at all, made her blush.
The sound of running water filled the air, while Ning Beichen moved to the window to observe. Although they had bodyguards, Ning Beichen never entrusted his and Liu Yilin's safety solely to them. He had hired them primarily as a deterrent, but that didn't mean there weren't still malicious individuals who might target them. For the moment, things seemed secure, but Ning Beichen still placed a few small devices by the window for early warning, and others by the door.
When he finished, he saw Liu Yilin emerge from the bathroom, wrapped in a white towel, revealing her long legs, her hair still wet. Upon seeing Ning Beichen, she gasped, suddenly remembering she wasn't alone in the room. "You... you turn around quickly," Liu Yilin said, her face flushing with embarrassment as she saw Ning Beichen staring blankly at her.
Ning Beichen snapped back to reality and turned around reluctantly, his heart beating a little too fast. "Damn, how can this ice queen have such a good figure?" Even with his back turned, Ning Beichen's mind was filled with Liu Yilin's image, especially her killer legs, which made him feel parched.
"Okay... okay, you can turn back now," Liu Yilin quickly put on her clothes and said to Ning Beichen, her face flushed. She couldn't blame Ning Beichen; she had come out without being fully dressed. Could she blame Ning Beichen for looking? It was her own fault. Ning Beichen turned back and, wisely, didn't apologize, pretending as if nothing had happened, and certainly not bringing up the past, which would be a foolish attempt to hide something that wasn't even there. To avoid further awkwardness, Ning Beichen quickly found an excuse and went to take his shower.
However, after Ning Beichen went in, Liu Yilin suddenly realized her personal undergarments were still in the bathroom, which made her face turn as red as a monkey's bottom.