Chapter 4: The Feeling of Falling for Someone
No goodbyes. No greetings. No small talk. Gan Qi didn't even know Lu Qingxiang's name. But compared to Xue's overly eager hospitality, his cold indifference somehow made her feel safe. So safe that the moment her head hit the sofa cushion, she fell into a deep sleep.
She didn't know how long she slept. Two days of travel and fear had exhausted her. She even dreamt of Lu Qingxiang—he was gentle, his voice soft and full of affection. It felt surreal.
When she woke up, the midday sun was already shining through the window. A blurry figure was moving about in the kitchen, and the room was filled with the aroma of food. Her stomach grumbled in response.
Everything felt so warm and peaceful that Gan Qi thought she was still dreaming. But when the figure turned around and said coldly, "Sleeping so soundly in a stranger's house—don't you think that's a bit reckless?"
The voice snapped her straight back to reality.
Embarrassed, she lowered her head. Lu Qingxiang brought out a few dishes and sat down to eat. He asked if she wanted to eat. If so, she should serve herself. Gan Qi quietly helped herself to a small bowl of rice and sat across from him.
The dishes were simple: shredded pork in garlic sauce, stir-fried vegetables, and beef stew with potatoes. Nothing fancy, but the colors were vibrant and the aroma mouthwatering. She took a bite—and tears instantly welled up. She buried her head lower, almost into the bowl. It was so delicious… and it tasted like home.
She had left behind a home without warmth, hoping to find one of her own. And now, a man, a woman, a meal, a small apartment—it was exactly what she had imagined a home could be. She cried because she knew this still wasn't her home.
Lu Qingxiang noticed but said nothing. He just kept eating.
Later, using his formidable hacking skills, Lu Qingxiang dug into Xue's background. He discovered that Xue had been trafficking young girls from the countryside, especially virgins, to rich clients. The luxury suite Gan Qi had stayed in was actually a honey trap used to "keep" girls.
The man who had introduced himself as Boss Deng had originally founded a recruitment agency for rural workers with no education or support. Being blind himself, he had wanted to help others.
Xue had worked for him for years and eventually gained his trust. Then he stole the company seal and began using Deng's name to lure unsuspecting girls, threatening Deng into silence with forged documents.
It was a disgusting setup.
Lu Qingxiang knew walking away wasn't an option anymore.
He turned to Gan Qi and tested her: "So? Maybe I rescued the wrong person. You could've lived a pretty good life with Xue—fancy food, luxurious beds, no more barefoot sprints or couch crashes. Should I just do one last good deed and send you back? Tell them I got drunk and mistook you for my ex."
Gan Qi didn't respond. But in her heart, she thought, If only you really did see me as your girlfriend...
Just then, loud pounding came from the front door. Lu Qingxiang's eyes darkened. Xue had found them.
He dragged out a half-finished robot from the bedroom, quickly programmed it with a female voice and a few basic phrases, and linked it to the door lock. Grabbing Gan Qi's hand, he led her out the window and down from the second floor.
Still in her pajamas, Gan Qi ran beside him, breath ragged, slippers flopping. One finally flew off mid-sprint. She went back to grab it, clutching her side as she panted.
Lu Qingxiang stopped, walked back, and said through gritted teeth, "Ever since I met you, it's been nonstop chaos. I'll ask you one more time—do you want to go back?"
Gan Qi suddenly burst into laughter. She laughed harder and harder, doubled over and clutching her stomach. Lu Qingxiang froze, worried she'd snapped.
Just as he considered leaving her there, she wiped her tears and asked between gasps, "What did you program that robot to say?"
Back at the apartment, Xue and three goons were banging on the door, which wouldn't budge. They heard strange crackling sounds—like someone mumbling to themselves.
"Lu!" Xue roared. "Don't think hiding behind the door will stop us!"
Then came a sultry woman's voice: "Boss, not today… I'm not in the mood…"
Xue froze. The thugs exchanged puzzled looks. "Who the hell are you?"
"Ugh, you're so mean! After what you did to me last night, now you don't even recognize me?"
The voice was so syrupy and seductive it sent chills down their spines.
Enraged, Xue demanded the door be opened. Silence.
Then all four of them slammed into the door together.
There was a loud crash—and all four men collapsed onto the floor, buried under a busted door and a pile of shattered robot parts.
Gan Qi still couldn't stop laughing. Lu Qingxiang finally chuckled too, imagining the dumbfounded look on Xue's face.
But when he laughed, Gan Qi suddenly stopped. She had never seen such a beautiful smile—his frown melted away, long lashes casting soft shadows over his eyes. His nose was straight, his teeth dazzling against his tanned skin. His face looked… warm.
Gan Qi stared. This was the first time she had been alone with a man. She knew he was almost twelve years older than her. But still… this must be what falling for someone feels like.
Later, they rushed to the nearest police station and filed a report. With Deng's help and Lu Qingxiang's hacked evidence, they identified several other victims and busted the entire trafficking ring behind Xue.
Their story made the news. Deng's status as a blind advocate won public sympathy, and in gratitude for clearing his name, he donated all the funds raised for him to Lu Qingxiang, to develop the first prototype of a guiding robot for the visually impaired.
Lu Qingxiang's invention stunned the media. For the first time in three years of struggle, he was finally on the front page—securing his first big paycheck and a wave of new orders.