As evening approached, I called Zhu Da on my way home, only for him to invite me over to Cai Bao'er’s place for dinner. I hadn’t seen Cai Jingjing in a while, and it seemed like a good opportunity to tell her I was heading to the African rainforest to search for the Blood Flower that could cure her illness.

Zhu Da drove over to pick me up. "Commander Zhao, you really need to buy yourself a car; it’s inconvenient for getting around."

I shook my head. "I’m still studying, why buy a car now? We’ll talk later. By the way, do you have time in a couple of days? I need you and Tiger to accompany me to Africa."

Zhu Da slammed on the brakes in shock. "What? To Africa? What are you doing going to such a hot place? To sunbathe? You should be heading to Hawaii for a vacation right now."

I explained, "I’m going with Hua Qingqing. There’s a joint scientific expedition team from the US, Japan, and Great Dragon Country going for research, and we will be accompanying her for protection."

Zhu Da chuckled slyly. "Your real purpose definitely isn't scientific research. What is it really?"

I recounted the details about the Blood Flower to Mi Da, and Zhu Da’s jaw dropped in astonishment. "There’s such a miraculous flower? Then we absolutely have to go! What if those devils from the US and Japan get there first? Then only people from their countries will be saved, and we’ll just be left looking on miserably."

"Exactly, that’s what I thought too. Furthermore, this flower is the only hope for Cai Jingjing’s condition. We must do our utmost, or we’ll be letting 'Cai Baozi' down."

Zhu Da roared loudly, "Don't worry, Commander Zhao. You handle Hua Qingqing's safety, and Tiger and I will risk our lives to snatch that Blood Flower from those devils. I guarantee we won't disgrace you!"

Upstairs, Cai Bao'er opened the door for us. Upon entering, we saw Cai Jingjing sitting sullenly on the living room sofa, looking very displeased. She glanced up when she heard the door but then immediately lowered her head and remained silent.

Zhu Da and I had both brought gifts when we arrived and quickly presented them to placate Cai Jingjing, but she didn't even lift her head. "Brother-in-law, Big Sister is angry, she doesn't want to play anything."

Zhu Da glared at Cai Bao'er. "What’s going on? Cai Baozi, you didn't bully your sister, did you?"

Cai Bao'er sighed. "She’s my ancestor; I wouldn't dare bully her. I don't know who’s been teaching her lately, but she insists on playing hide-and-seek with me. If no one plays with her, she sulks, and since Mom is out with Dad on a business trip these past two days, I’ve been thoroughly driven mad by her."

Zhu Da announced, "Cai Baozi, I have great news for you. We’re going to Africa the day after tomorrow to find a miraculous Blood Flower that can cure your sister. Just wait for our triumphant return."

Cai Bao'er looked up eagerly. "Really! That’s wonderful, I’m coming too!"

Zhu Da refused. "No way, do you think this is a vacation? The Sahara Desert—if you wander in there, how will you find your way? With your build, you’ll shrink the moment the sun hits you! You should stay home."

It was my fault for not explaining things clearly to Zhu Da earlier. I quickly interjected to both of them, "Wrong, wrong! Who said the Sahara Desert? We’re going to the rainforest, the Congo River basin. Don't just think of the Sahara whenever you hear Africa."

Zhu Da blinked in realization. "Oh, right. Not a single feather grows in the desert; how could a flower grow there? I forgot."

Cai Bao'er looked at me. "Commander Zhao, whether it’s the Sahara or the Congo, I absolutely have to go. My body has been modified too; I’m only stronger than Zhu Da, not weaker. I promise I won't be a burden when the time comes. Besides, this matter concerns my sister’s future happiness; I won't be able to rest easy if I don't go."

Those US and Japanese teams have over a dozen people each, and even if we include Qiu Sihai, we won’t exceed ten people. Cai Bao'er’s body has also undergone B-substance modification, so self-preservation shouldn't be an issue. Letting her come along for the experience might be good; moreover, one more person means one more helper when we have to fight those bastards for the goods.

"Fine, but you have to get past your father first. If anything happens, I won't know how to explain it to him."

Cai Bao'er replied confidently, "As long as it’s for my sister, my dad definitely won't stop me. He’s coming back tomorrow noon, and I’ll talk to him then."

Cai Jingjing suddenly burst into tears and stood up. "You're all ignoring me! None of you are good people!"

I quickly handed her a toy. "Jingjing, Brother Zhao Qian will play with you. Come on, let's play with the toys."

Cai Jingjing slapped the toy away. "This is for little kids; I won't play with it. I want you to play hide-and-seek with me."

Cai Bao'er made a face of misery. "See? Here we go again. If I hide too well, she can't find me and cries. If I don't hide well enough and she finds me immediately, she cries that it's not fun."

I said to Cai Jingjing, "Then Jingjing, you go hide, and Brother will find you."

Cai Jingjing’s tears vanished instantly, replaced by a smile. "Okay! Brother-in-law, you hide with me, and let the two big brothers find us."

I made a pained expression. "Brother-in-law is grown up now and can't play hide-and-seek. Jingjing, you go hide by yourself, and let the two big brothers look for you."

"Waaah!" Cai Jingjing started crying again. "Brother-in-law won't play with his wife; what's the fun if I play alone?"

Zhu Da couldn't help but feel protective. After all, this was a stunningly beautiful young woman, as lovely as a candle flame. Though her tone was childish, she clearly wasn't a little girl, and her crying suddenly stirred a desire in him to shield her.

"Commander Zhao, this is your fault. She’s your wife; if you won't play with her, who will? Don't take this as just my brotherly criticism, but have a little tenderness toward a beauty, alright?"

It was still quite early before dinner, so I took Cai Jingjing’s hand. "Come on, Brother-in-law will play with you. Let’s find a place so perfectly hidden that those two big guys can’t find us."

Cai Jingjing grabbed my hand and ran off. "Wife-Sister has a great spot, the big brothers definitely won't find us there."

Alas, I thought I knew what kind of "great spot" Cai Jingjing meant, but it turned out to be the wardrobe in her room! And it wasn't even a large one; the space inside was cramped. Cai Jingjing squeezed in, then backed out.

"Brother-in-law, you go in first, and then hold Wife-Sister, and we’ll hide here together."

I tried to reason with Cai Jingjing. "How about we hide under the bed? This space is too small. What if we suffocate?"

Cai Jingjing disagreed. "I’ve hidden here before, and I didn't suffocate. Hiding under the bed is Brother’s trick; I won't play that! Hurry up and get in, Brother-in-law, or I’ll cry."

I ducked inside. If Cai Jingjing started crying, Zhu Da would scold me again. Forget it; today, I would relive a moment of childhood innocence.

However, this wardrobe was truly too small. I was curled up inside with only a little space left in front of me. When Cai Jingjing leaned down, she sat directly in my lap, then reached out and pulled the cabinet door shut, plunging us into immediate darkness.

Cai Jingjing suddenly reached out, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Brother-in-law, where are you?"