C15 If You Don't Want to be a Cook's Killer You Can't be a Good Housekeeper

The next day dawned with the sun casting its warm glow across the land, breathing life into the city. Upon waking, Ruan Ruan noticed Dan Hengmo's absence. Stepping out of her room, she found Ruan Xizhi enjoying breakfast.

"Where's Dan Hengmo?" she inquired.

"He had some business to attend to," replied Ruan Xizhi between bites of the breakfast prepared by Hengmo.

Ruan Ruan joined him at the table, her mind racing with thoughts of what 'business' could possibly mean. Could he have gone off to kill someone? The uncertainty of how long Hengmo would remain in her home weighed on her. He was like a live bomb, ready to explode and potentially harm her and her family at any moment.

"Sis, how did you meet your brother-in-law? He may have a brooding presence, but he seems to take such good care of you. He cooks breakfast, does the laundry, and even keeps the house clean. If he weren't your boyfriend, I'd almost mistake him for a housekeeper you brought home," Ruan Xizhi commented.

Ruan Ruan delivered a swift smack to the top of Ruan Xizhi's head, admonishing, "Don't call him brother-in-law, and don't come around here unless it's necessary." She couldn't believe how easily her brother had been charmed by Dan Hengmo.

Ruan Xizhi was oblivious to the danger that Hengmo posed. The man was a mercurial enigma; one moment he might be your closest ally, and the next, he could turn on you with brutal ferocity.

"But he told me to call him that," Ruan Xizhi protested, rubbing his head where her hand had struck. Ruan Ruan's blows felt as if they were meant for an enemy, leaving him worried he might develop a lump.

Ruan Ruan raised her hand again, warning, "Are you going to keep calling him that? Whose word will you heed, mine or his? And remember, if you see him again, don't let on that you know him."

"Sister, you don't like him, do you?" Ruan Xizhi ventured.

"We're nothing more than strangers who happen to share the same living space," Ruan Ruan declared.

Ruan Xizhi opened his mouth to respond but was silenced by another slap from Ruan Ruan. He had never been so informal with Yuh Jinnian as he was with Hengmo.

For reasons he couldn't quite explain, Ruan Xizhi found Dan Hengmo more trustworthy than Yuh Jinnian. Despite Jinnian's outward appearance of gentle grace, he always seemed to exude an air of insincerity.

Dan Hengmo had a somewhat sinister appearance, yet there was something about him that inspired a sense of security.

"Head back to school once you're done eating," Ruan Ruan instructed.

"Okay," Ruan Xizhi agreed with a nod. He hadn't asked for permission before skipping class yesterday. Now in his sophomore year, he knew he couldn't afford to simply play around at university like some of his peers. He was determined to study hard and become a pillar of support for his sister and mother in the future, rather than continuing to depend on his sister.

"Remember what I've told you, Dan Hengmo is very dangerous," Ruan Ruan reiterated her warning with concern.

Ruan Xizhi couldn't understand why his sister harbored such a strong bias against Dan Hengmo. He prided himself on being a good judge of character, just as he had been with Yuh Jinnian, whom he disliked and deemed untrustworthy. And now, it seemed his judgment was being validated.

After finishing his meal, Ruan Xizhi was promptly sent on his way by Ruan Ruan, who hoped that once Dan Hengmo left, he wouldn't return.

Once the dishes were washed, the house was indeed as spotless as Ruan Xizhi had claimed, even cleaner than when she had done the cleaning herself.

The tallest building in City A was the headquarters of AR Group. In a meteoric rise over the past few years, AR had become the leading enterprise in the city within just five years, with ventures in technology, information, transportation, entertainment, and several other sectors.

AR had subsidiaries both domestically and internationally, yet the identity of AR's president remained shrouded in mystery. No one knew what he looked like or who he really was.

The company's operations were managed by the vice president, Shen Tingyao.

AR stood for Authoritarian Ruler, suggesting a dictatorial leadership style. The audacity of AR's leader was undeniable.

Initially, the media ridiculed AR, using terms like 'dictator' and 'ruler'—words they claimed only the ignorant would utter. But within a mere five years, those same media outlets had to eat their words.

AR had now become a mythic entity in the world of commerce.

"I've heard you're planning to take on the Haoshi Group," Shen Tingyao remarked, turning his gaze to Dan Hengmo, who was admiring the view from the window.

From the top floor of AR's headquarters, one could behold the sprawling expanse of the entire city.

Dan Hengmo remained silent. To him, dealing with Haoshi Group wasn't a matter of confrontation; it was outright annihilation.

"Has Shi Zheng offended you?" Shen Tingyao inquired.

Dan Hengmo turned to face him. Shen Tingyao wasn't usually one to talk much. His chattiness today surely stemmed from something Qin Yu had said.

"Do you take Qin Yu's words seriously?" Dan Hengmo's voice was icy.

Shen Tingyao chuckled. Qin Yu had spun a tale about Dan Hengmo finding a woman and using her to steal his money, even resorting to violence when not repaid. Knowing Qin Yu's penchant for exaggeration, his story held little credibility.

"You can't fully believe him, but you can't completely dismiss him either," Shen Tingyao added after a pause. "The name Ruan Ruan is quite nice."

Dan Hengmo's gaze darkened. Only he was allowed to call her Ruan Ruan. It seemed he had forgotten that was her surname.

"She's quite attractive, too. I wonder if your brother might..." Shen Tingyao's smile was laden with implication.

Dan Hengmo's eyes grew even darker. If Dan Hengyao dared to utter a single word to his woman, he'd ensure his life became unbearable.

Meanwhile, Dan Hengyao sneezed while walking down an alley. Was someone thinking about him? Perhaps he'd been seeing too many women lately.

Ruan Xizhi was on a phone call, pacing down the same alley where Ruan Ruan had discovered a body. It was a narrow space.

Spotting Ruan Xizhi, Dan Hengyao approached with a mischievous grin. Ruan Xizhi had a refined beauty; his features weren't delicate, but they were certainly charming.

As Ruan Xizhi noticed someone approaching, he instinctively moved to the left, and Dan Hengyao mirrored his movement. When Ruan Xizhi shifted to the right, Dan Hengyao followed suit. Without overthinking, Ruan Xizhi flashed a smile at Dan Hengyao. "Please, go ahead."

Their courteous dance could have lasted indefinitely.

"No need, you go first," Dan Hengyao replied with a polite smile. Ruan Xizhi's smile was warm and comforting, reminiscent of the sweetness and softness of cotton candy.

Ruan Xizhi didn't decline the offer and walked away after chatting with his girlfriend. Dan Hengyao watched him until he vanished into the alley, then finally averted his gaze.

"Ruan Ruan." Dan Hengyao gazed at the photo on his phone, recognizing the woman who shared a significant bond with Dan Hengmo.

At home, Ruan Ruan intended to wash some clothes she had changed out of a few days prior. As she passed the balcony, she noticed an array of garments hanging there, including both hers and Dan Hengmo's. To her surprise, even her underwear had been laundered.

Was Dan Hengmo truly here to play the role of a nanny? Washing clothes was one thing, but her underwear too? Ruan Ruan's cheeks burned with embarrassment.

With nothing else to do, Ruan Ruan powered up her computer, ready to start a new chapter, but inspiration eluded her. Recent events had cluttered her mind, making it difficult to unwind.

Perhaps a walk might spark some creativity. Before, when inspiration was lacking, she could occupy herself with house cleaning or laundry. Now, Dan Hengmo had taken over all those tasks.

She might not be able to cook or clean, but that didn't mean she couldn't be an assassin.

After all, there's a saying: a killer who doesn't aspire to be a cook is no good as a nanny.