Chapter 17: Thieves in the Night (2)

While Lin Xin advised him to be cautious, Zhao Qiang’s mind had already wandered to that that tempting pot of rice . He opened the lid only to find a few leftovers . Zhao Qiang reached in and grabbed a handful of rice which he proceeded to knead into a ball . He then took another scoop and kneaded it into another rice ball .

After preparing two servings, Zhao Qiang prepared to leave . But when he remembered Lin Xin who stood beside him, the boy opened the lid once again to prepare another ball of rice .

At this time, one of his brothers who kept guard by the door anxiously shouted, “Zhao Qiang, the Dean is heading this way, I’ll be leaving first . ”

Zhao Qiang stood stunned at the sudden news, and suddenly lost the courage to quickly lock up the

door .  What should I do? What should I do? Meanwhile, the boy who swore loyalty to him fled at the critical moment .

“Quick, let’s hide!” Lin Xin snapped him out of his stupor as she whispered to him urgently . The girl looked around for shelter before finding a cabinet just opposite from the stove . It was the only place to hide although it was right across the entrance .

Lin Xin pulled Zhao Qiang into the back of the cabinet with her . In order to fit into this tight s.p.a.ce, the boy bowed down low while Lin Xin squatted underneath his half bowed, sweaty body . The cabinet’s size wasn’t wide enough to safely hide two people .

But since this was their only option, Lin Xin could only silently pray in her heart . . the Dean can’t see it, the Dean can’t see it,

it, he definitely won’t see it .

A questioning voice rang through the door, saying, “Hey, how could Aunt Zhang forget to lock the door? Xinyu, wait right here . There should be some food left in the pot . I’ll go get it for you . ”

After hearing the Dean’s voice, Lin Xin inwardly screamed in panic . If he comes into the kitchen, they were sure to be exposed . Rather than being caught by him, she might as well jump out and turn herself in . Right when she was about to come out of her hiding place, a younger voice sounded through the door .

“Dean, I’ll do it myself . ” There was a rush of footsteps entering the kitchen . When Lin Xinyu arrived, he glanced at the spot where Lin Xin and Zhao Qiang hid, just two meters away from him .

. A slight astonishment flashed through his eyes .

He hurriedly grabbed a handful of rice from the pot and quickly kneaded it into a ball . At this time, the Dean entered the kitchen while Lin Xin and Zhao Qiang held their breaths, not daring to make a sound .

“Oh, there’s only this much for tonight’s meal?” the Dean sighed . “Let me see if there are any other leftovers . ” When he was about to turn towards the cabinet behind him to check for any remaining food, Lin Xin immediately hugged his waist .

The frail boy wasn’t very tall; he was only up to the Dean’s chest . A pair of small arms tightly hugged the Dean . The hastily made riceb.a.l.l.s in the boy’s hands squeezed through his fingers, and a few grains of rice fell on the ground to waste .

“Oh, what’s the matter

what’s the matter with you today?” The Dean’s soft, deep voice seemed to stab through Lin Xin’s throat like a knife . She covered her mouth, not daring to breathe .

The Dean stroked Lin Xinyu’s back as if he were touching his lover . Lin Xinyu carefully peaked from the side and looked at Lin Xin with a pair of bright and clear eyes . His eyes curved upwards like half-crescents as he smiled sadly at Lin Xin . Then he said to the Dean, “It’s so dark here, I’m afraid . ”

“Alright, let’s go . ”

The man put his hand intimately on Lin Xinyu’s shoulder and looked back slightly before closing the door securely .

“Dean, let’s go,” Lin Xinyu urgently pled .

“Don’t be anxious, I need to lock the gate . If Ms . Zhang gets careless again, I’ll make sure to deduct her wages . ”