The Dragon King's Son-in-law
Just for a second

Staring at him, Hao Ren thought, "Didn't you just ignore me a moment ago?"

But he is not a vengeful man. He turned around and took his key card. "Come on."

Zhao Yanzi was secretly relieved that she really thought Hao Ren would reject her. As a stranger in a strange place, he hated eating alone. If his parents were there or his stomach was not loudly voicing his dissatisfaction, he would not come asking Hao Ren shamelessly.

Her pomp had been considerably weakened as she recalled how she had purposely ignored Hao Ren just a moment ago and now had to beg him to eat outside with her.

The two walked out of the hotel and looked for small restaurants. It's now past nine o'clock and close to ten in the evening. Most of the restaurants are closed. Not knowing where to look, they searched aimlessly in an area close to the hotel. The fact that they could not find a restaurant that was open made them even hungrier.

Afraid that he might get lost, Zhao Yanzi remained near Hao Ren. Walking on a somewhat secluded path, Hao Ren finally found a small restaurant in front of them that was still operating.

They rushed inside the restaurant and were about to order two meals when they realized there was a group of strong and muscular men there. Some of them were bald-headed, others were not wearing clothes, and all of them were cursing and trying to drink as much as they could.

Zhao Yanzi was terrified and wanted to drag Hao Ren out of the restaurant. Hao Ren, on the other hand, gently held her hand and comforted, "It's okay."

Hao Ren was extremely hungry and no longer had any more energy to search for another restaurant. In addition, it is almost impossible to find other restaurants that are still open at this hour.

He led Zhao Yanzi to a corner and sat there. Then he said to the owner who came to greet them, "Please two bowls of rice - one with pork slices and garlic sauce and another with pork stir-fry and green chili."

He ordered for Zhao Yanzi without asking her first. If at different times, he would have "taken care of her" out of disrespect. But now, he was restlessly paying attention to the "dangerous men' around them and was too busy refuting Hao Ren.

"Where there are people, there are drunkards. I'll knock you down in three drinks, or I'll knock you down in five.." The other guys at the table were drinking and singing while playing their drinking games. As the atmosphere became more excited, their voices grew louder.

Zhao Yanzi thought for a while and decided to move from his seat opposite Hao Ren to the seat next to him.

His worried look and panic reminded Hao Ren of the surprised little bird. He laughed and stretched out his hand.

Zhao Yanzi was confused. A moment later, Zhao Yanzi realized Hao Ren was asking him to hold his hand.

"Damn it!" Zhao Yanzi grumbled softly. "I'm not afraid" he thought.

Before long, a steaming hot rice bowl is served. Randomly Zhao Yanzi chose one and ate it.

So did Hao Ren. He raised another bowl of rice and began to devour it vigorously.

Their actions are so in unison that it is possible for others they look like a perfect match.

After eating, the two felt their stomachs had been filled with warmth. Since Zhao Yanzi refused to stay in the restaurant any longer, he asked Hao Ren to pay his note and get out immediately.

The city at the foot of this mountain is unusually quiet. At night, distant mountains can be seen to cast a continuous and endless shadow.

The moon shone softly on the two, emitting two shadows on the smooth paved road; one high and the other short.

Observing their shadow coming into contact with one another in front of him Zhao Yanzi suddenly realized he was standing too close to Hao Ren and immediately moved away.

Shuu, shu….Out of nowhere, a stray cat appeared and made Zhao Yanzi jump and again move closer to Hao Ren.

Staring at him, Hao Ren once again placed his hand in front of Zhao Yanzi.

Zhao Yanzi looked at him and stopped for a few seconds. "Just for a while" he said.

After he finished, he placed his hand into Hao Ren's palm.

Suddenly, he no longer felt anxious and agitated. Instead he felt calm. Moreover, any changes around them no longer caused fear within him.

Hao Ren said nothing. In silence he focused his attention on bringing Zhao Yanzi back to the hotel through the road they had been on.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, they arrived at the parking lot in front of the hotel, and their view instantly became bright.

Hao Ren released Zhao Yanzi's hand. Zhao Yanzi turned around and looked at Hao Ren as if he was ready to spit out the most rude words. But he decided to swallow it.

His face turned bright red as he somehow found himself useless and incompetent. Suddenly, he entered the hotel looking angry. Hao Ren had no idea what was going on in Zhao Yanzi's head. All he knew was that Zhao Yanzi was not the gentle and friendly type.

Following him, Hao Ren walked into the hotel and returned to his room. To his surprise he found Zhao Guang had not returned yet.

"Older Zhao Yanzi must have met his friend and lost track of time" he thought.

He lay on the bed and opened Zhao Yanzi's pink backpack. He took out a camera and found they had only taken one photo with it all day. The only photo was a photo of Zhao Yanzi sitting on the steps and angrily looking up and cheeks puffing up.

"She's not really that annoying.." Hao Ren shook his head and laughed as he put down the camera.

After finishing the hot bath, he realized Zhao Guang had returned.

Zhao Guang briefly inquired about their day on the mountain, and Hao Ren briefly responded to his question. Without asking any further Zhao Guang nodded, received his answer and went to take a bath in the bathroom.

Feeling nervous and awkward, Hao Ren got into bed. He guessed that inside the room opposite them, Zhao Hongyu must have asked Zhao Yanzi about their day.

It was a stressful and scary day. However, he managed to bring Zhao Yanzi down without anyone getting hurt. It was not an easy task to take care of the little girl.

After working hard all day, Hao Ren immediately fell asleep even before Zhao Guang came out of the bathroom.

When he woke up the next day, Hao Ren found Zhao Guang sitting on the sofa watching TV.

"Are you exhausted yesterday?" Zhao Guang asked as she saw Hao Ren had woken up.

"Slightly," Hao Ren replied.

"We'll be eating at a Farmer Host near here any minute. After that we will go home," Zhao Guang told him.

"OK." Hao Ren nodded his head. He thought for a moment and said again, "Thank you so much for your hospitality these days."

"Okay, go freshen up." Zhao Guang walked to the window and opened the curtain.

It was a windy and foggy day. The faint mountain scenery looked incredible. A gentle breeze blew through the window and began to spread in the room. Now it's even colder than they faced yesterday, but refreshing and evocative.

Hao Ren put on his shirt and went to the bathroom to refresh himself.When he was ready, he followed Zhao Guang out and they knocked on the door opposite their room.

As the door opened Zhao Hongyu appeared and Zhao Yanzi followed closely behind her mother.

Zhao Yanzi wore a milky t-shirt with beautiful purple legging; it was a beautiful and classic combination, the tight legging perfectly reinforced the elegant curves and slender legs. Hao Ren could not bear to keep glancing at him.

On the other hand, Zhao Hongyu wore a flowering dress in the Bohemian style. Abstract patterns of excessive flowers, work very well with loose and fluttering styles, increasingly making them look casual and stunning at the same time.

Both mother and son were wearing straw hats. The wide-brimmed coffee straw hat perfectly matched the dark and light patches on Zhao Hongyu's dress further emphasised her elegance. The difference the straw hat looked a bit out of line with Zhao Yanzi's overall outfit. Even so, the fact that its unconventional brings a pleasant taste to the bleak weather outside.

"Let's go." Zhao Hongyu gently held onto Zhao Yanzi's hand as she handed her key card to Zhao Guang.

Zhao Guang led Hao Ren and the four of them walked towards the reception of the hotel guests along the red-carpeted hall.

Walking through the winding corridor of the hotel, Hao Ren saw GreenStone Mountain. Watered by spatter and fog, the mountain looks like an impressionist landscape painting.

For a moment, Hao Ren really felt like he was part of that family.