C22 To Collect Debts!

"Come on, get in the car with me, I'll give you a ride," Yu Haoran offered, swiftly picking up Tuantuan and heading back without waiting for Xu Rui to respond. By now, Ning Yulu should have dinner ready for Tuantuan, who was probably eager to get home and eat. Yu Haoran was somewhat uneasy about the idea of eating out.

Xu Rui hesitated briefly, then with a determined stride, she caught up to Yu Haoran. Tuantuan, of course, insisted on sitting in the front seat next to Yu Haoran.

Seeing this unassuming man behind the wheel of such an expensive car, Xu Rui's opinion of him soared. She was aware of Tuantuan's background from school, knowing the little girl had been without her parents from a young age, apparently due to some tragic events. Having experienced her own parents' divorce as a child, Xu Rui could empathize with the discomfort of such a life and found herself wanting to offer extra care and support to the endearing young girl.

"Could it be that all the rumors are false?" Xu Rui pondered, trying to catch another glimpse of Yu Haoran, but her view was obstructed by the car seat. She glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Yu Haoran focused on driving, occasionally turning his head to share a smile or a joke with Tuantuan.

"What kind of man is he, really?" Xu Rui mused, her curiosity about Yu Haoran wrapped in a new layer of mystery. He was not only wealthy and unpretentious but also skilled and charismatic...

"Dad, why don't you take Xu Rui out for dinner? She always brings delicious treats for Tuantuan," suggested Tuantuan.

With a wry smile, Yu Haoran agreed and left Tuantuan in the care of Lee Rong. "Don't worry. If someone is good to Tuantuan, I'll be good to them. Take care now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Daddy."

Encouraged by Tuantuan, Yu Haoran descended the stairs and got into the car. They chose a respectable-looking Chinese restaurant. As for Western cuisine, despite its elegance, Yu Haoran had a deep-rooted preference for his own culture, being a man of East Asian descent with black hair. His years spent in the Divine World had only deepened his appreciation for his heritage.

Casually passing the menu to Xu Rui, Yu Haoran said, "Xu Rui, please allow me to cover the meal as a token of my gratitude for all the kindness you've shown Tuantuan."

Xu Rui offered a smile before casually selecting a few items from the menu.

Yu Haoran glanced over the choices.

"That's not enough food," he remarked.

With a puzzled look, the waiter double-checked that they were indeed a party of two before respectfully taking the menu and departing.

"Seriously, what's with the show-off act? Can two people even finish all that?" the waiter muttered under his breath, his disdain for such wasteful behavior clear, though he wouldn't dare voice it openly. Inwardly, he scorned Yu Haoran a hundred times.

"Mr. Yu, you really don't need to go to such lengths. It seems we've ordered quite a lot," Xu Rui said, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

"Not at all. I'm not even sure this will be enough. We can always order more," Yu Haoran replied nonchalantly. To him, it was nothing out of the ordinary. With his constitution, he could consume the entire restaurant's offerings and still be ready for more.

After all, he could digest the energy of the entire Earth's food supply, for he was the God-King.

Xu Rui said nothing further, simply sipping her juice with pursed lips.

"Mr. Yu, could we perhaps talk a bit? Oh, I mean about Tuantuan's home life. After all, a child's family is their best school," she ventured.

As she posed her question, she caught the depth in Yu Haoran's gaze, which sent a ripple of panic through her, as if her thoughts were transparent. She quickly covered with a smile.

Yu Haoran pondered briefly before giving a slight nod.

"Three years ago, I faced an unexpected event and only recently returned home. Tuantuan's mother disappeared two years ago due to certain issues," he explained with a calm demeanor.

That's it?

Is that all there is?

Xu Rui listened with bated breath, but the conversation seemed to have come to an abrupt halt, leaving her feeling as if he was almost teasing her.

"Perhaps I should fill you in on Tuantuan's time at kindergarten..." Yu Haoran concluded, signaling the end of the discussion about his personal affairs. Xu Rui inwardly sighed, her curiosity about this enigmatic man left unsatisfied.

Regaining her focus, she promptly shifted the conversation back to Tuantuan...

Indeed, children who grow up without their parents nearby tend to mature early, often displaying a level of emotional development beyond that of their peers.

Tuantuan has always been very understanding, even from a young age. She wouldn't ask questions that the adults chose not to address, instead silently praying for her parents to return soon.

Despite anticipating the outcome of Xu Rui's introduction, Yu Haoran couldn't help but feel a sharp pang in his heart, a complex look crossing his face.

This was the daughter of the God-King!

He couldn't believe she had been mistreated and had endured it for so long.

But soon, a sense of relief washed over Yu Haoran's face, and a small smile crept up.

His expression grew more resolute.

Yes!

He was determined to take good care of Tuantuan!

...

Dinner finally concluded after more than a dozen dishes were laid out on the table.

In truth, it was mostly Yu Haoran's meal. Xu Rui, despite eating freely, was a woman and only had so much appetite.

Yet, even without the exquisite tastes and benefits of the Divine World's cuisine, Yu Haoran was content.

He nodded in satisfaction.

Seeing Xu Rui full and the conversation winding down, he decided to head home early to put Tuantuan to bed.

"Xu Rui, let me drive you home. It's getting dark," Yu Haoran said, rising to his feet.

It wasn't so much a discussion as it was a polite notice.

"Typical male chauvinism," Xu Rui thought with a touch of irritation, "but he's different from other men. There's not a hint of lust in his eyes."

Her slight annoyance aside, her curiosity about Yu Haoran only intensified.

They drove past rows of old houses until Xu Rui's home came into view, a bit out of the way, in an old building complex.

"Thank you, Mr. Yu. This is my stop. Would you like to come up for a drink?" Xu Rui offered, pausing before opening the car door and looking back at Yu Haoran.

"No, thank you. I need to get back," he replied.

But before he could continue.

"Everybody out of the car!"

"Paying debts is a matter of principle!"

"Driving such an expensive car, you must be kept by someone! Haha."

However, no sooner had Yu Haoran finished speaking than the two of them were assaulted by a barrage of foul language.

Xu Rui's face turned pale upon hearing the voice.

A gang of ruffians, dressed like thugs, materialized around the Lexus, encircling the vehicle.

They continued to size up Yu Haoran in the driver's seat with challenging stares.

"What's happening?"

Yu Haoran asked in a hushed tone, without even turning his head.

"My father took out a loan from a loan shark. Since he's passed away, these people have come to harass me. They want me to... to... Today is the deadline. I never thought they would actually show up."