Chapter 144 Fellow Travelers

"Fishing?" Xiao Songyan frowned. "No. What do you mean? Speak plainly."

He was a wealthy young master from the capital. He spent his time reading and practicing calligraphy, and in his spare time he would go out and play. He also had to secretly seek out women. How could he have time to do such boring things?

Furthermore, what does fishing have to do with what's happening right now?

Guan Yi'an took the dagger from Xiao Songyan's hand with his other hand and played with it in his palm.

"I've fished before. The most important thing about fishing is the bait. As long as you use the right bait, even a novice can catch big fish. Of course, the bait not only has to be suitable, but it also has to be intact. If the bait has already been bitten by other fish and is damaged, those clever big fish will not take the bait."

"You've already ruined the bait—the maid—before you even have Meng Lingge. Won't that scare away the mermaid we're trying to catch? Brother Xiao, please be patient a little longer. Once we have the big fish, you can do whatever you want with both the fish and the bait. What do you say, Brother Xiao?"

His smile was gentle and refined, but the chill in his peach blossom eyes sent shivers down one's spine.

Xiao Songyan slowly sat back down, a sinister smile on his face.

"Hahaha... Brother Zheng must be a fishing expert with rich experience. I admire him."

He was smiling on the outside, but he was still unhappy and resentful inside.

He hasn't even gotten Meng Lingge yet, and he won't even let Guan Yi'an touch this little girl he's caught. He's using bait to fish, he's got too many problems. If it weren't for the fact that he still needs this kid to capture Meng Lingge, he would have shut Guan Yi'an up long ago.

The carriage slowed down, and Guan Yi'an removed all of Dong Qing's headdress and jewelry, leaving one piece at each intersection.

On the way from the capital to Jiangnan, for safety reasons, Dongqing and Qiulan did not wear any jewelry. After arriving at the Du residence, Meng Lingge followed local customs and dressed up as beautifully as her cousins ​​every day. The two maids were also covered in jewels. So, even after the carriage turned several corners, the jewelry was still not all lost.

Fortunately, this is why Dongqing was able to keep her clothes neat. Previously, Xiao Songyan and Guan Yi'an had agreed that if Dongqing had too few jewelry and headdresses, they would throw away Dongqing's clothes after that.

The maids' accessories were mostly worthless ceramic beads and bronze ware, and Guan Yi'an had deliberately left them in a corner, so they wouldn't be picked up by anyone for a while. But Meng Lingge, who was always cautious and eager to find someone, would definitely notice them.

The carriage eventually stopped at a dilapidated inn, which was Xiao Songyan's most recent place to stay.

Because the price was so low, the inn offered virtually no security. Only an old man sat in front of the counter, dozing off. When he saw the guards carrying a girl upstairs, he didn't stop them, seemingly too lazy to get involved.

Guan Yi'an walked beside Xiao Songyan with his hands behind his back, clasped together, and head down. From the shopkeeper's perspective, it looked as if he was being led forward by Xiao Songyan.

Xiao Yi'an didn't need to use the excuse he had prepared beforehand, and the group went up to the room on the fourth floor together.

He thought to himself that even a dilapidated place has its advantages. Firstly, no one would bother with his business here, and secondly, there were broken windows and doors everywhere. If there was any danger that he couldn't handle, it would be easier to escape than in other places.

Little did he know that from the moment he began his collaboration with Guan Yi'an, he would never be able to leave this place alive.

"Brother Xiao and I can stay here. These two brothers can wait downstairs. When Meng Lingge arrives, tell her that she is only allowed to come up alone, otherwise she will have to collect the body of her maid."

"Why do they all have to go down? One person can stay down there and the other person has to protect me."

Xiao Songyan still has a sense of safety. He can't use one hand now and has to rely on his subordinates to protect him.

Guan Yi'an patted his shoulder, leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Brother Xiao, do you not believe me? Although I am not very talented, dealing with two weak women is still a piece of cake. Meng Lingge won't be able to arrive for a while, and since we're just killing time anyway, I brought some fine wine. Let's have a couple of drinks and discuss the techniques of cooking fish over high heat."

He spoke the phrase "cooking fish over a big fire" with particular intonation, and given that he had previously compared Meng Lingge to a mermaid, how could Xiao Songyan not understand?

Xiao Songyan's eyes lit up instantly.

Unexpectedly, this Brother Zheng is also a kindred spirit, and his interest in and contemplation of beautiful women is no less than his.

He had been penniless these days and hadn't touched wine or women for over a month. Now, the fine wine alone was enough to delight him, and he also had like-minded brothers to discuss erotic matters with.

That's wonderful!

only……

He looked at his left hand, still a little uneasy. What if this brother had bad intentions towards him after he succeeded and wanted to take Meng Lingge for himself?

Guan Yi'an seemed to see through his thoughts, raised his eyebrows and smiled, "This house isn't very soundproof. If you're worried, just shout a couple of times, and your guards will hear you and come right up."

After saying that, Guan Yi'an reached into his robe and took out two small wine jugs, and even pulled out a roast chicken.

The aroma of roast chicken and the mellow fragrance of the wine made Xiao Songyan, who hadn't eaten well for several days, very hungry. Without hesitation, he waved for the two guards to leave.

Xiao Songyan sat down at the simple table with Guan Yi'an, took the small bottle of wine Guan Yi'an handed him, and took a big gulp.

"Good wine! Brother Zheng, you are truly a man of honor. When you arrive in the capital, I will certainly treat you well. We will go to the best restaurant in the capital, Nanyanguan, drink the most expensive Nanlingchun wine, and arrange for the hottest woman for you."

Upon hearing the names of the Southern Opium Den and Nanling Chun, Guan Yi'an's eyebrows twitched slightly.

He lost all face last time he drank Nanlingchun at the Nanyanguan.

That guy is really something else; you can step on his landmines with just a casual remark.

Guan Yi'an remained expressionless as he cut the roast chicken in front of him in two, one large and one small.

He placed the large piece in front of Xiao Songyan and picked up the small one himself.

"If that day ever comes, I will certainly come to the capital to trouble Brother Xiao."

Xiao Songyan took a bite of a chicken leg and said boldly, "How could there not be? After we deal with that little bitch, you can come back with me. I may not have any other skills, but I can definitely provide you with food, drink, and entertainment."

Guan Yi'an sneered inwardly.

He will definitely return to the capital, but Xiao Songyan will not have that opportunity.

"Alright! Then I'll have to rely on Brother Xiao."

Xiao Songyan's eyebrows danced with excitement. "There's no need for formalities between brothers. What Brother Zheng just mentioned about cooking fish over a high flame—how exactly is that done?"

He was eager to discuss these techniques with Guan Yi'an.

Guan Yi'an knew what Xiao Songyan wanted to hear, but he didn't want to say it right now.

He wanted to win Meng Lingge's heart and eventually marry her; in his heart, he already considered this woman his.

He no longer wanted other men to covet or fantasize about his woman.

He had only said that to get Xiao Songyan to send the two guards away. Now that the situation was under his control, he was naturally unwilling to humble himself and talk to this fool about how to deal with his woman.