Chapter 28: Nanjing

They were ready to set off early in the morning. With six people, they took two cars. Mo Fan was going along as well. This journey was for the pharmacy business—they were headed to Nanjing to purchase supplies. Their previous supplier had abruptly ended their partnership and even paid the breach-of-contract fee to the person in charge.

It was precisely because of this unusual turn of events that the Mo family patriarch had called it dangerous. Until their departure, both the old man and Mo Fan wore grim expressions. Seeing their faces, the other four finally realized how serious the matter was.

The cars headed steadily toward the outskirts, with Mo Fan and his grandfather sharing one vehicle. The other four rode together: An Feng drove, Leng Xue sat in the passenger seat, while Qian Yin and Mo Lan sat in the back, eyes wide as they stared at each other.

“This is actually our first trip together, isn’t it? Though things seem tense, I’m honestly quite excited,” Qian Yin said, her face aglow with enthusiasm. Despite knowing each other for years, the two had never even gone on a small outing together.

Mo Lan thought about it and realized it was indeed a rare opportunity. She smiled, closed her eyes, and decided to make the most of this trip.

Qian Yin also prepared to rest her eyes—after all, once they reached Nanjing, she might have to carry out her assignment.

The two men in front listened to the women’s innocent chatter, both unable to suppress a twitch of their lips. Men never truly understood the simple joys of women’s feelings. It was as if men were pigs and women were books—one should never expect a pig to understand a book, nor a man to understand a woman.

They drove all day, stopping for meals, taking in the scenery, and resting now and then. The journey went remarkably smoothly—no traffic jams, no enemies. If not for the grim expressions of the Mo family patriarch and Mo Fan, it would have felt like just a road trip.

At last, they arrived in Nanjing. They drove straight into the city, heading for the Mo family’s local branch. Mo Fan’s driving skills were remarkable, and his sense for choosing locations was equally impressive.

He drove tirelessly, while An Feng switched places with Leng Xue when he became fatigued.

Qian Yin and Mo Lan, meanwhile, enjoyed themselves freely, laughing all the way. Perhaps the relaxation of recent times had softened them, or perhaps they had simply forgotten their original cold-hearted natures. Once, they had been ruthless, but now they laughed like children.

Leng Xue found Qian Yin’s cheerful attitude, perhaps because of affection, not at all annoying. In fact, he was quietly drawn to her smile—a smile with stars in her eyes, pure and clear.

After half an hour, they finally reached the branch. The Mo family’s branch in Nanjing was massive, no wonder so many resented them—the Mo family had truly penetrated deep into other territories.

Upon entering, the patriarch and Mo Fan headed to the accounting office to check the books. They told the others, “You four should rest. Tomorrow, we’ll seek out sellers for medicinal ingredients. We have some matters to deal with now. Lan, if you wish, you can stay.”

Mo Lan shook her head. She had no intention of taking over the family business—that was all for Mo Fan. She would marry someday, or even if she didn’t, she wouldn’t stay and live off the family.

Led by a servant, the four each received a room—clean, tidy, and homey. They were exhausted, so after freshening up, they lay on their beds to rest.

But Qian Yin, unexpectedly learning her target was at a nearby restaurant, decided to head out. Rest wasn’t what she needed. Not wanting to reveal her identity to the Mo family yet, she planned to change clothes in a public restroom.

She packed a tight-fitting outfit and her mask into a little-used bag. She walked out the door with confidence—Leng Xue noticed her immediately and decided to follow discreetly, curious to see how the top-ranked assassin would claim her prey.

“Miss, where are you headed?” the servant at the door dutifully asked.

“It’s my first time in Nanjing. I just want to take a walk,” Qian Yin replied kindly—after all, the servant was just being polite.

“Should I have someone accompany you, Miss? Nanjing is large, and I’m afraid you might get lost,” the servant said anxiously, nearly rushing inside to fetch help.

“No need, I’ll just wander nearby. I have GPS on my phone, anyway,” Qian Yin said, waving him off before making a hasty escape.

Sometimes, excessive kindness can be a burden to others.

Leng Xue laughed behind her, signaling the servant to keep quiet. The servant nodded and stood silently, realizing he had been too eager—he only wanted to make a good impression on the master.

Qian Yin then decided not to change clothes after all, opting instead for heavy makeup. In this era, makeup could transform a woman’s appearance as drastically as plastic surgery.

Though it was night and dark clothing would make things easier, this was Nanjing—a city she’d never visited. She didn’t know where all the cameras were.

She arrived at the restaurant, which featured private rooms. Pretending to look for someone, she slipped into a private room, only to find six or seven people inside.

They were clearly surprised by her sudden arrival, and assumed she was a hostess called in for drinks.

“Director Liu, did you invite this hostess? It’s just a meal, no need for company,” a greasy, round-faced man rose, making as if to pull Qian Yin over.

Men like him, whose words said no but whose actions were eager, were truly revolting—particularly when they were so ugly yet so self-assured. Qian Yin nearly gagged.

“Sorry, wrong room. I’m looking for a friend,” she said. Director Liu was in fact her target, and this mission was a robbery—to steal the ring from his finger.

She turned to leave, but the greasy man blocked her path.

“Don’t go! You’re here, so you’re a friend—come join us for a meal,” he insisted.

“Yes, come sit with us.”

“Fate brings people together from a thousand miles apart; without fate, you could sit face-to-face and not know each other.”

The others chimed in, and so Qian Yin sat down.

She surveyed the group and noticed a man with a particularly strong presence, dressed all in black and wearing sunglasses. He kept watching her, so she quickly lowered her head and feigned fear.

“Boss, don’t scare her,” Director Liu finally spoke, pulling Qian Yin to his side. Indeed, even with heavy makeup, Qian Yin stood out among the women.