CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR (34) The Attacker

"Haha, I'm an adult."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, yes."

"Who are you talking to?"

Su Yuanqi heard his mother's inquisitive voice in the background.

"I'm talking to my brother... mom did you get it?"

"Unh. I got only three, though."

"It's fine. Thank you."

Su Yuanqi listened to them as they discussed and it made him happier. His happiness was short lived when he sneezed into the phone. His eyes widened, Su Ranqi would never hold her mouth especially to things you didn't want her to say. He knew what to expect.

"Big brother, are you sick?"

"No... absolutely no. I..." Yuanqi stuttered.

"Is Ah'Qi sick?" He heard his mother's worried voice.

"Yes." Su Yuanqi was speechless when he heard Ran'er's reply. He hasn't even confirmed her question and she was already telling on him.

"No... I'm not..."

"Give me the phone."

"Explain to mommy why you're sick," Ranqi whispered into the phone.

"Ah'Qi... how can you afford to be sick? Hmm? Have you been staying out in the cold? Why? Do you want to worry me to death? The festive season is fast approaching, why would you chose such a bad time to get sick? What do you want your customers to think? Hmm? You should dress warmly from now on. If not I'd come over and beat you up..."

Su Yuanqi shut his eyes as he listened to his mother's scolding.

"Have you taken medication, yet? What did you eat? Don't eat cold foods and wear warm clothes. Also wear gloves and only take them off when cooking, alright?"

"Yes, ma'am." He has been lectured enough and it will see him through till he grows toothless. "Yes, ma'am. I'll do as you say. Please head home now,"

"We will after you we are done talking to you."

"Goodbye then..."

"Mommy, hold on I have to say something to him." He heard Ranqi say to their mother.

"Alright,"

"Big brother, my school will be closing next weekend, will you please come pick me up? I want to eat at the restaurant and I also promised to treat my teacher."

Treat her teacher... At the restaurant...

Now, everything was going to be a mess. He didn't want to inform them as they will get the wrong idea especially his mother who might end up suffering a heart attack with the slightest mistake. And now, Ranqi wanted him to pick her up from school then head over at the restaurant.

He had to come up with a plan.

"Big brother please say yes... please. I know that you're busy but please..."

"I will come for sure. No need to beg me. Am I not your slave?"

"Hahaha." Her chuckle made his nose and eyes turn red. "Yes, you are."

"Your wish is my command, your highness."

"Haha, bye. Take care, take your medication or I will come over with the police to arrest you."

"Yes, your royal highness."

The call ended and he no longer had the appetite to continue eating.

How could he? He watched his plates then moved to his room with his laptop, he searched through the current news and found something that made his jaw drop.

Miss Chen sudden attack.

Miss Chen attacked by an unknown man.

Miss Chen attacked yet again by an unknown enemy, how safe is she?

Miss Chen sudden attack from an unknown man might be linked to her new court case.

Nation's first wife was attacked today in her office.

Su Yuanqi read through the headlines and his breath labored. He clicked on the one that said attacked yet again. And asked how safe she was.

As he read through the news, he was able to decipher that everything was based on speculations. There was no official statement from the Chen Empire nor Rose herself.

At the last line, he was also able to discover the attacker had been arrested and nothing more.

He scrolled into the comments, maybe he'd find more answers but the first comment made his heart skip a bit.

"I believe Yuanqi the Chef sent his people to attack Rosie... if anything happens to her, I'd find him myself and sacrifice him to my late grandmother." How was this any of his fault? Su Yuanqi touched his forehead nervously. Why would they think of him as the enemy? He could never hurt a woman. Never. He checked the reply under the first comment and sighed.

"Commenter above, you're not absolutely wrong. He should be blamed if anything happens to her." Really? He hasn't even done anything.

"I sincerely hope my Rosie is okay." Yuanqi continued to go through the comments with hope of finding some tangible information.

"Rosie please be strong. The people love you. I love you more though."

"My Rosie was attacked? I can't believe it! How dare he?"

"I might be a woman but I sure envy this young lady, every young man out there is worried about her and so I am."

"Commenter above, she needs to release a statement or press conference assuring us that she's safe."

"She really needs to, I always enjoy watching her."

"Who dared to attack her anyway? Doesn't he know that his life could never remain the same?"

"Commenter above, you're right. He should have just sort it out with her, she's stubborn but a good girl."

"Oi oi... our Rosie is just perfect with so many men jealous of her. You can imagine a young lady, ruling an empire."

"Royal Rose, please let me serve you. I'm willing to lay down my life anytime any day."

Su Yuanqi exited the news, switched off his laptop and slapped it close. He sat there thinking for a while. What should he do? Should he call her? No it is late. Was she okay? Or was she hospitalized?

He held his phone in his hand as his head went through so many thoughts. His thumb type on his screen until it settled on that number.

He stared down at the screen until the light dimmed. Why was he worried though? She had attacked him that day so maybe she was able to save herself... maybe.

Su Yuanqi hissed as all his thoughts circulated around her. He wanted to think about something else but just couldn't.

He went to bed with her in his mind