Taboo Mage - Chapter 84 - Two Dads

When Jue Chi returned with Mr. Cao, I was happily eavesdropping on the family’s conversation, my arms crossed. Jue Chi sat down next to me, glanced at me, and said, “Are you thinking about getting married?”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

I retracted my gaze and picked up my chopsticks to start eating. We had waited so long for them that the food was nearly cold. Mr. Cao was drinking beer while telling us about the matters at the police station.

I was curious about how he handled the Liu Hong case. Initially, Mr. Cao kept his lips sealed and didn’t answer, but after downing three beers, he leaned in close to me and whispered, “The usual story. The report just says he had a car accident and fell off a cliff.”

“Weren’t your superiors suspicious of it being murder?” I grabbed a handful of peanuts and asked.

Mr. Cao shook his head, smiling, “These days, everyone dreads calling it murder. It’s hard to explain for us and also hard for the bosses to handle. Besides, with Liu Hong’s case, I couldn’t say it was murder and just pin it on someone randomly. Since nothing works, it’s easier to say he committed suicide. Saves everyone trouble.”

I shook my head with a smile and didn’t say more.

Suddenly, there was a strange commotion at the family’s table behind us. I turned to see a delicate little girl demanding cola. Her mother wouldn’t buy it for her, so she started crying.

Mr. Cao had initially been observing the table with wide eyes but, understanding the situation from their conversation, he continued squinting and sharing amusing stories with us.

As we nearly finished eating, I suddenly remembered we hadn’t found a ride to Shenyang yet. I casually mentioned it, not expecting much. Unexpectedly, Mr. Cao slapped the table, stood up, and, holding his beer bottle, shouted, “Hey, anyone heading to Shenyang, raise your hand! Give my two brothers a ride!”

The entire fast food restaurant turned their attention towards us, and feeling embarrassed, I kicked Mr. Cao under the table. He lost his balance and fell right onto the floor, his comical antics prompting laughter from everyone around.

After seeing Mr. Cao off, I negotiated with the fast food restaurant’s boss for two tables. With nowhere to sleep tonight, Jue Chi and I decided to make do on the tables for the night.

Just as we were settling down in the corner, a refined man with glasses approached us and asked with a smile, “I heard you guys are heading to Shenyang, is that right?”

“Yes. Why, are you going too?”

I sat up suddenly, looking at him with hope, and even Jue Chi gave him a glance.

He reached up to adjust his glasses on his nose and said, “Yes, my family of three is heading to Shenyang, but…”

“But what?”

“Though we can give you a ride, there’s the matter of the travel cost…” he said, hands in front of him, fingers fidgeting nervously.

I immediately understood what he meant. “Three hundred per person, is that okay?”

Earlier at the fast food restaurant, I’d checked the map on my phone. From this service area to Shenyang, it wouldn’t take more than two days. Though I hadn’t traveled far before, I knew that three hundred per person wasn’t a cheap rate.

Sure enough, upon hearing my offer, the man immediately agreed, “Deal! Deal! Honestly, with you guys stuck at the service area, we could help out without discussing money, but…”

“No worries, we all understand each other. Even if you didn’t bring up money, I wouldn’t agree either. If you took us for free, I’d be worried you might sell us off.” I said with a laugh, patting the man’s shoulder.

Relieved, he finalized our plan for the next day and then turned to leave.

“So, haven’t I spared you from hardships on the road?” I raised an eyebrow at Jue Chi after the man left and took three hundred from my wallet to keep on me, planning to give him half the amount as soon as we got in the car tomorrow.

Jue Chi nodded and, without another word, lay back down to sleep.

The next morning, the glasses-wearing man woke us up. Jue Chi and I packed our things. When we got to the car, we found his wife and daughter sitting in the middle seats, and Jue Chi and I naturally took the back.

It was a family car, with two rows of seats behind the driver and passenger seats, accommodating up to eight people. Including their family of three and the two of us, the space inside felt quite spacious.

I had to admit, this private car was much more comfortable than a large truck. After getting in and handing the money to the glasses-wearing man’s wife, I leaned back against the seat and, before I knew it, had fallen asleep with the gentle rocking of the ride.

When I opened my eyes, it was already mid-morning. Aside from the glasses-wearing man driving, his wife and daughter were chatting and laughing, creating a heartwarming scene.

After waking up, I first turned to look at Jue Chi. He had his eyes barely closed as if asleep, but given how long we’d been sharing a bed during the journey, I knew he was just pretending because he didn’t feel like talking.

“Mr. Gu, you’re awake? Would you like something to eat?” the wife asked with a smile, peering back at me through the rearview mirror.

I waved her off, “No, thanks. You all go ahead.”

Without pressing further, she turned back to her daughter. Feeling a bit bored, I nudged Jue Chi to chat, “Hey, wake up and talk to me for a bit.”

Jue Chi opened his eyes slightly and gave me a silent look.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Um…” I was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of what topic to bring up.

As I pondered, the little girl in the front suddenly turned around and extended her hand to me, offering a small piece of potato chip in her palm.

“Uncle, have some.”

“Sweetie, What’s your name?” I took the chip and asked with a smile.

The girl blinked her big eyes, “My name is Bai Wei, but my mom and dad call me Weiwei.”

“Weiwei, you’re so adorable. What’s your dad’s name?” I asked, still looking to amuse myself.

“Which dad are you talking about?” she asked innocently, her eyes wide with confusion.

I was taken aback for a moment. Wait… does she have two dads?

The woman quickly pulled Bai Wei to her side and laughed, “Kids just say the darndest things, don’t take it seriously.”