DROP ON PACE

"TAKE A BREATH AND FIND PEACE," FROM ME. TO YOU.

"Finally," Cheung Qi exhaled a sigh of relief. He then turned to face Hei Bao, who was carrying his shoes behind him.

Hei Bao still looked like a model despite the fact that he had just walked through the mud. His appearance is a shambles, with his loose tie around his neck, blank face, some strands of his hair falling on his eyes, some standing, shoes on his left hand, and folded pants. It's perfect.

Hei Bao appeared on his side in less than a minute, his feet dirty but still cool. They are now standing at a large wooden gate, and they can clearly see a large sign above that says the village's name, Green Forest Village.

Hei Bao shifts his gaze to Cheung Qi. It was supposed to be a blank expression, but Hei Bao couldn't help but smirk. Hei Bao, then look up and down at Cheung Qi. Cheung Qi, it turns out, slipped twice while walking along the muddy path earlier. He fell flat on his ass the first time he took off his shoes. Cheung Qi was so excited when they finally arrived at the end the second time that he slipped and fell flat.

"Do you realize you're dolled up like a beggar right now?" Hei Bao.

"Please just shut up; I'm not sure I can face them right now," Cheung Qi.

"What's to be afraid of? If she likes you—-" Hei Bao began to speak, but was interrupted when the phone in his pocket began to tinge.

He took his phone from his pocket with an empty and clean hand. He turned it on and looked at the notification before putting it back in his pocket once he had a firm grip on it. Cheung Qi, who was staring at him, became perplexed.

"Is it Secretary Wen? It's 12:58. It's still early. Is it to remind you about the meeting?" Cheung Qi inquired, looking at his watch.

"It's not him. It's a notification from today's weather," Hei Bao stated emphatically.

"Oh? "What exactly does it say? " inquired Cheung Qi.

"It says it's going to rain heavily this afternoon," Hei Bao responded.

They soon began walking around the village. They made their way into the children who were playing rock, paper, scissors because they didn't know where Hao Mingyu's house was.

The children were taken aback by the sad approach of the unknown people. Cheung Qi softly smiled at them and knelt in front of the child closest to him, just as the children were about to flee.

"Hey kiddo, do you know Hao Mingyu?" Cheung Qu inquired softly.

The little girl nodded, her bangs swaying as she did so. Despite her fear, she stood there bravely. Her puffed cheeks and brown eyes gave her a cute and adorable appearance.

"I'm his friend, and he asked me to visit him today. Ahm... can you tell me where his house is?" Cheung Qi asked again, his face gentle and sweet.

The girl looks up at Hei Bao, who is standing on Cheung Qi's back. Because Hei Bao was staring at her intently, the little girl became terrified.

She took two steps back, which drew a puzzled look from Cheung Qi. Since Cheung Qi knelt in front of her, the other kids had long since left. Cheung Qi turned around to see Hei Bao staring at the little kid.

Cheung Qi then returned his gaze to the little girl and attempted to touch her hand. But the girl wouldn't let him, so all he could do was sigh. He smiled reassuringly and took a step closer to the child.

"Don't worry, even though we appear to be bad guys, we are actually good guys; if someone bullies you, just tell me, and I'll be the one to confront them," Cheung Qi boasted, flexing his clothed muscles. The little girl's eyes brightened briefly, but Hei Bao and Cheung Qi couldn't help but notice.

"Can Uncle give me a candy?" Cheung Qi was surprised when the little girl asked in a cute voice, not because she was cute and small, but because she was only asking for a piece of candy.

"Just candy? You don't want anything else?" asked Cheung Qi, the little girl nodded.

Cheung Qi offered, "Then I'll get you some candy."

"But first, tell me the location of your uncle Mingyu's house."

Cheung Qi's heart skipped a beat when the girl smiled at him. She then pointed with her little finger, and Cheung Qi followed her lead. Cheung Qi noticed a house made of white-painted oak wood with an upstairs terrace. Cheung Qi then turns back to face the child.

"Thank you, ahm... what's your name, little girl?" Cheung Qi inquired.

"My name is Shan, and what is your uncle's name?" Shan replied, returning the question to Cheung Qi.

"This uncle's name is Cheung Qi, but you can call me Uncle Qi if you want," Cheung Qi said. The young lady then nodded her head.

A-Shan looked at Hei Bao, then back at Cheung Qi. She acted as if she was afraid to even look at him.

"The uncle behind me, is called uncle Bao," Cheung Qi explained.

Once more, the girl nodded. Cheung Qi stood up and told her to wait a moment before leaving. As a result, she was left alone with Hei Bao. She was too afraid to speak, so she just stood there.

Cheung Qi reappeared a moment later, carrying a plastic bag. He knelt in front of A-Shan and handed her a plastic bag full of packed candies, as the village had been completed with only the hospital remaining to be built. Her face lights up, as do her eyes, with a wide smile on her cute face, and she looks up at Cheung Qi.

"Is this for me?" A-Shan inquired.

"Of course, it's my thank you present, and you can have it all," Cheung Qi replied. He then realized why they were here and looked at his watch: 1:05 p.m.

"A-Shan, uncle, must depart; remember to brush your teeth after eating sweets, okay?" Cheung Qi advised.

The young lady nodded her head. Cheung Qi smiled and gently patted her on the head. He then stood up and told A-Shan to return home because it was already cloudy outside.

"Let's go; I'll be late for my meeting," Hei Bao said as he walked past Cheung Qi.

"Wait a minute, I don't think I can face her in this state," Cheung Qi worriedly said. Hei Bao came to a halt and stared at him blankly before turning around and walking again. Cheung Qi's wailing was completely ignored.

"What the hell should I do? Mingyu and Chu Yan will obviously make fun of me. Urgh!" grumbled Cheung Qi. He then ran over to Hei Bao's side and walked alongside him.

"Why weren't you talking earlier? You almost let the kid run, you scared her," Cheung Qi questioned. He had noticed earlier how Hei Bao was deafeningly quiet and just stared at A-Shan.

"Nothing, I just felt like I'd seen her face before, but I can't remember when or where," replied Hei Bao.

The rain began to fall heavily as they approached the front door of Hao Mingyu's house. Fortunately, the front door has a small roof above it, so the person standing beneath it will not get wet. Cheung Qi stood at the front door, while Hei Bao stood silently behind him. Cheung Qi shook his fist and pounded on the wooden door. After a brief moment, the door opens to reveal Hao Mingyu, who is dressed in a white top with random drawings and blue shorts. His casual attire made him appear younger and more attractive.

"Oh Jesus! Come in! Please come in! You'll get soaked in rain!" screamed Hao Mingyu when he saw Cheung Qi and Hei Bao's condition.

"But, our fee--" Cheung Qi expressed concern, but Hao Mingyu cut him off.

"It's okay! It's okay! Just come in!" Hao Mingyu said, concerned.

They entered Hao Mingyu's house, Hei Bao silently following them from behind. Cheung Qi and Hei Bao felt a warm temperature surround them inside the house after Hao Mingyu closed the door.

Cheung Qi then remembered the earlier call. They were on their way to the restroom to clean their feet. Their shoes had been left on the shoe rack next to the door.

"We have three bathrooms here," Hao Mingyu said as they approached the bathroom door, "but this is the only bathroom downstairs for guests."

"How about Chu Yan?" Cheung Qi asked directly, his gaze fixed on Hao Mingyu.

"She was in the kitchen," Hao Mingyu replied,

"and her feet are injured from walking barefoot earlier."

"What?!?" Cheung Qi exclaimed in surprise, startling Hao Mingyu and Hei Bao.

To be continued.