Si Ning's fingers paused. Unwilling to let things end like this, he took out the key to his room and handed it to Jiang Qing.
"You can go back first. Wait for me."
He did not mind the curious looks from the others in the slightest.
Jiang Qing found his persistence amusing, but did not refuse. He indulged him, taking the key and leaving first.
Si Ning and his teammates headed to the airport again. Lu Yao came along, having several assistants pack the enormous bird eggs hidden in the grass into crates.
They also captured dozens of mutated birds.
Because of what had happened last time, Fang Ci and the others who knew what Si Ning had done still harbored resentment and did not join them in clearing the area.
Lou Yu could not bear to see how dejected he looked. Coming closer, Lou Yu patted his shoulder.
"You have to give them time to cool off. When the investigators came a few days ago, not one of them reported you."
"Some things will gradually fade with time."
Si Ning nodded, his eyes stinging, then asked:
"Did Doctor Lu teach you that?"
Lou Yu smiled kindly. "What do you think?!"
Si Ning sniffled, then said something that practically begged for a beating. "Doesn't sound like something you'd come up with."
"You little shit!"
Lou Yu curled a finger and knocked him hard on the head.
"If you ever do something that stupid again, your daddy here will be the first to shoot you!"
"I won't." Si Ning lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong.
"Ah, enough. It's over now."
Lou Yu draped an arm around him and led him outside. Meeting Lu Yao's gaze, which had been fixed on Lou Yu for who knew how