Seeing the staff member from the Abnormal Events Bureau firmly reject her request, Yan Qi wasn’t the least bit surprised—she had already expected this outcome.
“Oh well, since you won’t tell me,” she thought to herself, “I’ll just turn into an electronic songstress later and look it up myself in the Bureau’s database.”
Putting on an act, she said to the woman, “Alright, since you’re not willing to tell me, I’ll stop asking.”
Relieved that Yan Qi seemed to have truly given up on inquiring about the Flame Demon Cult, the staff member let out a subtle sigh and reached out to pat Yan Qi’s head gently.
“Now that’s a good kid,” she said with a smile.
Ignoring the gesture, Yan Qi allowed her head to be patted and continued eating her boxed meal while waiting for her parents to arrive.
About ten minutes later, Yan Zhenyi and Li Caifeng, finally free after giving their statements, appeared in the reception room.
“Mom, Dad, you’re finally back! How did it go? Did you run into any trouble while giving your statements?” Yan Qi hopped off her chair, ran over to them, and looked up with concern.
“Don’t worry, Xiao Qi,” her mother reassured her. “Everything went smoothly.”
“Really? You’re not lying to me, are you?”
“How could we lie to our own daughter? Right, dear?”
“Absolutely, we would never lie to you.”
“Can we go home now?” Yan Qi asked, unsure if they were free to leave.
Before her parents could answer, Bai Yuling, who had followed them into the room, responded for them.
“Yes, your parents have finished giving their statements. You’re all free to go now.”
“That’s great! Thank you, Auntie Bai!” Yan Qi said, visibly relieved.
Bai Yuling waved her hand dismissively. “There’s no need to thank me, Xiao Qi. In fact, I should apologize. If I hadn’t invited your family to dinner at Tianxing Restaurant, you wouldn’t have been put in danger by those cultists today.”
“Yuling, don’t say that,” Yan Zhenyi chimed in. “How could you have known we’d be attacked by cultists tonight?”
“Yeah, Xiao Bai, you shouldn’t blame yourself like this,” Li Caifung added.
Although she appreciated their kindness, Bai Yuling shook her head. “Thank you both, but I know exactly what responsibility I bear in this incident.”
As Yan Zhenyi and Li Caifeng struggled to find the right words, Yan Qi spoke up first.
“Since you feel you’ve made a mistake, Auntie Bai, how do you plan to make up for it?”
Her question left Bai Yuling and Yan Qi’s parents momentarily stunned.
After a brief pause, Bai Yuling replied, “To be honest, I’m not sure how to make up for it. Do you have any suggestions, Xiao Qi?”
Without hesitation, Yan Qi offered her idea: “Since you can’t think of a way, how about cooking a big, delicious meal for our family yourself?”
Bai Yuling’s face fell slightly. “That might be a bit… challenging for me.”
Confused, Yan Qi blinked and asked, “Why would that be challenging, Auntie Bai?”
“Because your Auntie Bai doesn’t know how to cook,” Li Caifeng whispered, leaning down to Yan Qi’s ear.
Realizing her mistake, Yan Qi quickly said, “Oh, so you can’t cook! No wonder you looked so troubled. Forget I ever suggested it.”
“Oh, you silly child,” Li Caifeng said anxiously. “You can’t just point out someone’s weaknesses like that in front of others!”
Hearing Yan Qi openly mention her inability to cook—a sore subject for her—Bai Yuling’s expression turned stern.
“Hey now, who says I can’t cook?” she retorted. “Once things with the Flame Demon Cult settle down, I’ll find time to cook a lavish meal for you and your parents. Then you’ll see whether I can cook or not!”
At the mention of Bai Yuling cooking for them, Yan Zhenyi and Li Caifeng paled slightly, well aware of her lack of culinary skills.
Seeing Bai Yuling’s sharp expression, Yan Qi regretted her thoughtless words and wished she could take them back. Knowing that wouldn’t help, she took a deep breath to calm herself and forced a gentle smile.
“Auntie Bai, I was just talking nonsense earlier. You really don’t have to go through the trouble of cooking for us.”