Chapter Thirty: An Feng and Mo Lan Stroll Leisurely

Mo Lan still wanted to go out for a walk alone. So she thought of asking An Feng to join her. She hesitated for a long time in front of An Feng’s door before finally knocking.

An Feng opened the door immediately upon hearing the sound. Seeing Mo Lan, he asked with a puzzled look, “Is something wrong?”

“Come shopping with me! Qian Yin got drunk, so…” Mo Lan’s cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke. After all, this was the first time she had ever invited a man to go shopping with her.

“Let’s go,” An Feng replied, his tone cool and indifferent.

Thus, the two of them walked out, one after the other, arriving in the bustling city center.

People flowed around them, young men and women everywhere, couples hand in hand. Though Mo Lan and An Feng were undeniably attractive, the sight of couples walking closely together made their own one-behind-the-other stroll feel awkward.

Yet both seemed perfectly natural, as if nothing was amiss.

Mo Lan was captivated by the trinkets on the street stalls—small accessories, not expensive, but since she rarely came to Nanjing, she wanted to buy some keepsakes to take home.

An Feng let her wander and browse, always following behind, his eyes observing her. So she had this playful side, he mused.

“Do you think this looks nice?” Mo Lan picked up a pair of four-leaf clover necklaces. She habitually looked up at An Feng, only then noticing he’d been watching her all along.

“If you like it, buy it. It’s not expensive,” An Feng remarked after a glance. These seemed meant for couples—one larger, one smaller, both exquisitely crafted, though the four-leaf clovers were likely just made from ordinary stones.

Mo Lan felt a little embarrassed by his answer, but didn’t dwell on it. He was always aloof, and they hadn’t known each other long enough for intimacy.

“Then I’ll give it to you.” Mo Lan handed the larger one to An Feng, then turned to ask the stall owner, “How much?”

“Two hundred yuan,” replied the vendor, a kindly older woman.

Without hesitation, Mo Lan took out the money, handed it over, and continued walking.

An Feng stared at the necklace in his hand, a little dazed, but didn’t throw it away, gripping it tightly. It was his first time accepting a gift from a woman; usually he refused.

This woman was rather intriguing, thought An Feng, a faint smile appearing on his lips as he followed closely behind.

They wandered around for another while, but nothing else caught their interest. Mo Lan would have preferred to come with Qian Yin. Tomorrow’s business would be exhausting; she’d likely have no chance to stroll here again.

Finding a clean little stall, they sat to have a late-night snack. The area was lively, crowded with couples, groups of friends, people drinking and chatting, full of noise.

“Boss, two portions of barbecue, two bowls of soup noodles, and two cans of beer,” Mo Lan ordered. She rarely ate out, but seeing others call out so freely, she decided to try it herself—just to relax.

“You seem to be in a good mood,” An Feng observed, glancing around with a slight frown. This place didn’t suit him; the crowd was mixed, all types, a breeding ground for trouble.

Mo Lan only smiled, saying nothing. Being able to travel was a chance to unwind; her past had been too tense, her mind prone to wandering.

The stall owner served their food quickly. Everything looked clean enough, so they ate quietly and elegantly.

Just then, a loud voice from nearby caught Mo Lan’s attention, delivering important news.

“I don’t know what the boss is thinking! Falling out with the Mo family—how does that help us? The Mo family’s coming tomorrow to renegotiate. We’re sure to get the short end of the stick,” a young man slurred drunkenly, chugging his beer.

“Keep your voice down! That’s the boss’s private business. If you say it so loudly, you’ll be in trouble tomorrow,” a middle-aged man hastily pulled him back. He was sober and cautious, glancing around to check if anyone had overheard before relaxing.

Mo Lan listened intently, hoping for more information, but the two seemed to have been warned off and wouldn’t say another word. She pursed her lips and continued eating noodles and barbecue.

An Feng, understanding Mo Lan’s thoughts, opened a beer and clinked his can against hers. Mo Lan caught on, hurriedly opening hers, and they drank deeply together.

They ate a little, their stomachs filled with beer, but Mo Lan didn’t get drunk.

“I saw the boss buy viper powder today. Apparently, it’s going to be mixed into the batch of medicine for the Mo family tomorrow.”

“Be quiet!” The middle-aged man, realizing he’d let slip such crucial information, quickly covered the younger man’s mouth, dragged him to the boss, paid the bill, and left in haste.

Mo Lan’s face turned cold; she was fully alert now. So they were bringing them over to inspect the medicine, only to ship it back poisoned, with casualties blamed entirely on the Mo family. Who could be so ruthless?

Seeing Mo Lan’s dark expression, An Feng reached out to touch her hair—a gesture that surprised even himself.

Mo Lan pushed his hand away, then walked over to settle the bill.

“I’ll pay, how much?” An Feng hurried forward, taking out his wallet. Going out with a woman, he couldn’t let her pay for everything.

“One hundred twenty yuan,” the vendor replied with a smile. She was a shrewd businesswoman, always cheerful and eloquent.

An Feng handed over two hundred yuan. “Keep the change,” he said, then turned and headed back the way they came.

Mo Lan found it odd, but followed him. The news she’d overheard tonight needed to be reported to her grandfather, or at least dealt with tomorrow, and perhaps the authorities alerted to catch the culprits.

Her plan was precise; she’d eaten and drunk her fill, and now it was time to go home and sleep.

The two walked as before, one ahead, one behind, paying no attention to others around them.

Several couples secretly envied their looks, even gossiping. Seeing them walk like siblings, they assumed they were brother and sister.