Foolish Prey

Chapter 100 Foolish Prey (Day 3 of 10,000 words)

I've finally finished writing 10,000 words a day! I'll finish the rest tomorrow; I'm really burning the midnight oil. I'll correct any typos later.

What is that? — It smells so good!

Xueyun sniffed, and a rich aroma wafted over, making her feel a little hungry for a moment.

This morning, in order to make it to the cultural exhibition, she spent a lot of time doing her makeup and choosing clothes. She didn't have time to eat breakfast.

Even though you're going alone, you don't really need to dress up so deliberately.

But what if—

What if we run into Jeong Do-hoon?

Xuechong had only walked a few steps toward the food court when she noticed a girl seemingly taking pictures of her with her phone.

Has she been recognized? Ke Xueyun is already wearing a mask and even a pair of round-framed glasses as a disguise.

Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Xueyun comforted herself with this thought, lifted her skirt and hurried towards the food court, wanting to eat something quickly so that she would be more easily recognized when there were more people.

But—what should we eat?

This is a problem that has troubled people since ancient times.

The food at the most crowded stalls is likely to be delicious, but you'll have to wait in a long line.

While there's no need to queue at less crowded stalls, what if you end up with a bad experience?

While hesitating, Xueyun noticed the girl who had taken her picture earlier; several dishes of food were already laid out on her table.

She had already put down her phone and was enjoying her meal.

Seafood rice, chocolate churros, juice —

"By the way, is paella a Spanish dish?" Xueyun scratched her chin and unconsciously took a few steps toward her, perhaps she could learn something from what that girl was eating.

"Excuse me, is this... good?"

A clear, melodious female voice rang out. Ya Xian glanced up slightly in response, then lowered her head again.

The person she was talking to was the young lady who was very passionate about art.

"Oh, this? Chocolate fritters, they're really delicious. I asked my oppa to buy a second one," Zheng Yaxian mumbled, still holding the dessert in her hand.

Xueyun looked at the girl who was so busy eating that she didn't even have time to look at her, and she made a decision.

Try this chocolate fritter!

However, Xueyun felt that one serving was enough to fill her up. This girl wearing a Manchester City jersey had a truly impressive appetite.

Xueyun walked in the direction she pointed and happened to stand behind another man wearing a Manchester City jersey.

The two were dressed very similarly; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were wearing matching outfits.

Are they lovers, or siblings?

Xuechong scratched her chin, deciding not to delve into it. She simply raised her phone and took several photos of the dessert stall, then selected one to send to Zheng Daoxun.

The man in front of him had his phone vibrate, so he looked down at his message.

[Xueyun: I just heard a girl say that the chocolate fried dough sticks at this dessert stall are delicious. I've never tried them before, and I'd like to. Secretary Daoxun, have you ever tried them?]

Jung Do-hoon looked at most of his back in the photo and slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

I never expected to actually run into him halfway there.

He wanted to see when Xueyun would recognize him.

I've never tried it before, and I'm very curious about what it tastes like.

[Xueyun: Then I'll try it for you! I'll tell you if it's good.]

Okay, if it's delicious, would you treat me to it?

Beneath the mask, Xueyun lightly bit her lip.

Why has Jung Do-hoon's chatting style suddenly become so unconventional?

However, this is a very good omen!

At least now she can send a fluent and immediate message to Zheng Daoxun.

Moreover, the content of the chats is much more relaxed and everyday than before.

[Xueyun: Of course! But it's too hot outside right now, and I'm afraid it might break on the way if I bring it to Secretary Daoxun. It would be great if you were here too.]

I'm right in front of you.

Zheng Daoxun suppressed a laugh; he found it incredibly amusing to tease this dazed girl.

So he deliberately cleared his throat and made a sound, hoping to attract Xueyun's attention, but the girl continued to send him messages at lightning speed without even looking up.

[Xueyun: Secretary Daoxun, do you know any recommended restaurants in Spain? I'll take pictures of all the food stalls around here and show them to you.]

Xueyun's voice came from behind: "Scribe Daoxun, that's Spanish paella over there, and that's ham over there—"

Zheng Daoxun took a deep breath. Even for a diplomat who was used to big occasions, it would be difficult to hold back a smile at this moment.

Xueyun sent the video over.

The circle on the screen spun twice, and the video she had taken finally loaded.

Xueyun spun around in one spot, taking pictures of all the surrounding stalls.

Jung Do-hoon's back appeared twice in her shot, and when she pointed at the stall's sign, her fingertip almost poked Jung Do-hoon.

If she doesn't discover Zheng Daoxun soon, he'll give himself away first.

Jung Do-hoon took another deep breath and typed in the chat box:

Speaking of which, what kind of dessert do you like?

hmm~

Well!

Xueyun needs to think about this carefully.

Would he make a special effort to remember his own preferences?

[Xueyun: I like the flavors of vanilla and almond, but I like most desserts. If I had to pick one that I particularly love, it would be these two.]

Zheng Daoxun looked up and saw that it was his turn to order.

Xueyun, this is your last chance. If you really can't find out—

Then I'm going to make a good laugh at you.

"Give me two chocolate fritters, a caramel pudding with a vanilla custard base, and a serving of almond paste." Jung Do-hoon suppressed a laugh and even deliberately spoke louder.

Why does that voice sound so familiar?

Xuechong glanced up at the man's back, shook her head. He was dressed too young, and besides, Zheng Daoxun didn't seem like he was coming to the cultural exhibition in person.

[Xueyun: What a coincidence! The guy who just stood in front of me in line had the same taste as me.]

That really is a miracle.

Jung Do-hoon paid, took the dessert, turned around, and handed the caramel pudding to Seol-yoon: "Would you like some caramel pudding? I accidentally bought an extra one."

"Uh, no thanks, thank you."

Xueyun instinctively refused, but then she realized what was happening. She looked up and froze in place.

This is Zheng Daoxun, isn't it?

They looked almost identical, but their styles were completely different from the diplomats Xueyun remembered, who always wore white shirts and suit pants.

The man in front of me looked to be about twenty-five years old, full of energy, and handsome.

It's not that I don't remember Jung Do-hoon as handsome, it's just that his attire was too formal.

If I had to use an analogy, it would be like the difference between K-pop and opera.

"Are you sure you don't want it?" Zheng Daoxun raised his hand.

When Xueyun took the pudding, her fingers touched the cold glass, but her fingertips were burning hot.

She lowered her head, staring at the caramelized crust on the pudding, not daring to look him in the eye.

"Secretary Do-hoon, so you've been watching me send you messages, why are you like this—" Her voice trailed off, until the last few words were almost inaudible.

What Yukimitsu wanted to say was: How could you be so mean?

"It wasn't exactly looking, was it?" Jung Do-hoon chuckled. "I thought you were pretending not to notice, but it turns out you really didn't recognize me."

If she had recognized him, she wouldn't have been so quick and generous in sending him messages.

Xueyun stood there holding the pudding, looking like a little hedgehog whose quills had been suddenly exposed, its belly showing. It was so anxious that it tried to roll over and hide, but it just lay on the ground spinning around, unable to move.

And Jeong Do-hoon was the old fox who overturned the hedgehog.

He was dressed completely differently today: a Manchester City jersey, a baseball cap, and casual pants, looking like the kind of senior student who's popular with girls in a university club.

Xueyun stared at the sentence "That really is a miracle" on the screen, her ears turning red all the way down to her neck.

She could almost picture Jung Do-hoon forcing a smile as he mischievously sent her a message.

She was like a fawn that had strayed into a hunter's range, completely oblivious to the impending doom, happily running around in the jungle, unaware that the cunning hunter had already set a trap and had his gun pointed at her.

Letting her run wild is just teasing the prey.

"Fried dough sticks, chocolate, and almond paste—these are for you." Jung Do-hoon handed the bag to Seol-yoon. "Try them."

Xueyun took it and looked at Zheng Daoxun, who was walking towards the other side: "Then, clerk, where are you going now—"

This innocent and naive little deer, seeing the hunter walk away, actually wanted to follow him.

Xueyun lifted the hem of her off-white dress and followed him involuntarily, like a kite being tethered to a string.

"Of course we should go back to find Ya-Hsien—did you see her when you came here?" Zheng Dao-Xun pointed to the girl who was also wearing a Manchester City jersey, who was engrossed in eating and had no idea what was going on.

"Ah? I see it—" Xueyun paused in her steps.

She wasn't ready to formally meet Ya-Hsien yet.

This statement is also inaccurate.

Xueyun really couldn't imagine what she could talk about if she sat at the same table with Zheng Daoxun and his sister.

Uh! I can't really explain it, but I guess I'm just shy.

Xueyun's voice was barely audible: "I want to see other exhibitions—"

"Alright, enjoy it at your leisure."

"What about those photos I posted—"

"Keep filming, just treat me like a cloud drive," Jung Do-hoon said with a smile.

Do I treat you like a cloud drive? Then can I use you as a notepad, memo pad, or diary? Secretary Do-hoon.

Xue Yun sighed softly.

She felt that her performance just now could easily be included in the list of the dumbest moments of the year, but at the same time, she couldn't help but think that he was wearing a Manchester City jersey today and didn't look like a diplomat, but more like an older brother who was a few years older than her.

However, he is only 25 years old, which is quite young.

So it was just that I made an empirical error.

If Seol-yoon had known Jung Do-hoon a little more, she wouldn't have made such an embarrassing mistake.

However, on the other hand, such an embarrassing situation doesn't seem to be very offensive.

It's even a little exhilarating.

When Zheng Daoxun returned to the table with the second serving of chocolate fried dough sticks, Ya Xian had already finished most of her seafood rice.

She glanced at him, poking at the last mussel on her plate with her fork: "Why did it take you so long to buy dessert? I thought you'd been kidnapped."

"There are too many people in line." Jung Do-hoon placed the pudding in front of her. "That's about enough. You've already exceeded your sugar intake for today."

"Okay, okay."

Ya Xian puffed out her cheeks slightly, scooped up a spoonful of pudding and put it in her mouth. After chewing a couple of times, she mumbled, "I think I just saw you talking to a girl in a long dress."

"Yeah. It's a girl I know from work. She happened to be at the exhibition too, so I said hello."

Zheng Daoxun searched the table: "Zheng Yaxian, where's my seafood rice?"

"What do you mean, your share? I thought you bought it for me." Ya Xian blinked.

Zheng Daoxun grunted and didn't continue.

Zheng Yaxian finished the last bite of pudding, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and said casually, "Then why didn't she come and sit with us?"

"She wants to see other exhibitions."

"I see." Ya Xian crumpled the tissue into a ball and placed it on the empty plate without saying anything more.

As Zheng Daoxun pushed her toward the flamenco cultural area, she leaned back in her wheelchair, her gaze drifting aimlessly across the crowd.

For a fleeting moment, she seemed to see a beige figure flash by at the entrance to the Picasso exhibition area, but it was quickly swallowed up by the newly surging crowd.

At 2 PM, Zheng Daoxun pushed Ya Xian, who had already yawned several times, towards the parking lot. He paused at the exit and glanced down at his phone.

It was a message from Xueyun, a photo—

The caramel pudding is finished. There's no caption, just a Shiba Inu making a peace sign emoji.