Chapter 93 Too Ashamed to Face Anyone, He Shoots Himself Down with a Rock...
Zhilan, Yelan, and Qian Qingling snapped back to reality in an instant, it was unclear whether they were annoyed that they had been daydreaming while they were talking about serious matters, or if they had other considerations.
Zhilan was the first to respond: "Since we already suspect that someone is following us, we can't just sit here and wait to die. We don't need to wait until tomorrow morning to set off. We should leave at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) and catch them off guard."
Fu Yun gave a thumbs up: "That's right. Around 2 a.m. is when everyone is most sleepy. As long as we put on our night clothes, split into four teams, and leave quietly, we can do it without anyone noticing."
Zhilan gave Fu Jun a deep look, her eyes filled with appreciation: "This plan is brilliant. There are no more than two spies following us. Even if they discover us and follow one of our teams, it doesn't matter. The team they've targeted will abandon this trip. They can simply take their spies for a stroll in the nearby towns and then return here to wait. We'll hand them over to you when we return, and then use the same method to confuse their judgment."
Fu Yun once again admired Zhi Lan's wisdom: "You're right. Anyway, they don't know how far we're going or what our purpose is. If we're looking for some treasure, then searching back and forth in the nearby towns is a valid reason."
Zhilan nodded, glanced at Qian Qingling, and instructed, "You will make the arrangements later. We will be divided into four teams, with five stonemasons assigned to each team."
Qian Qingling quickly replied, "Yes!"
After a moment's thought, Zhilan added, "Have Liulan check with the manager to see who else checked in after we did, so we can accurately identify the spy who was following us and monitor her every move."
Qian Qingling: "Yes!"
Zhilan paused for a moment, picked up the tea that Fu Jun had poured earlier, and took a small sip.
Ye Lan frowned, seemingly lost in thought. She looked out the window at the streets gradually being enveloped by night: "These scoundrels are becoming increasingly reckless, daring to spy on the court's secrets time and time again. If I catch them, I will make sure they have nowhere to turn for help and never return."
At this point, a hint of malice crept into her voice: "Don't they like being rats in the gutter? Then let them be rats to their heart's content."
Zhilan said casually, "There's no need to get angry. The more panicked they become, the more it proves that our previous investigation was on the right track. As your investigation deepens, they will only become more and more fearful and will naturally want to know our movements."
"Oh, and one more thing." Before Ye Lan could respond, Zhi Lan added, "They might not stay at the inn just to be on the safe side. Later, have Deputy General Xing search the surrounding area to see if there are any suspicious people secretly staying near the inn."
Qian Qingling replied firmly, "Understood, I will make the arrangements immediately."
After saying that, she stood up, clearly intending to leave.
Ye Lan asked in confusion, "Aren't we going to have dinner?"
Qian Qingling's gaze lingered on Fu Yun for a moment before shifting away, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes: "No need, I'll just go back to my room for dinner after I've finished arranging things."
Fu Yun didn't notice Qian Qingling's gaze, but was thinking about going down to talk to the waiter.
Upon hearing this, Ye Lan quickly stood up as well: "Then I will also go down first. You and Young Master Su should rest well after you finish your meal."
Zhilan waved her hand, indicating that they could make their own arrangements.
Fu Yun said, "Then I'll go downstairs and talk to the waiter! So he won't bring too much food."
Zhilan waved her hand: "No need, the two of them will take care of it."
Fu Jun was relieved: "Okay then."
Shortly after Ye Lan and Qian Qingling left, the waiter brought in the food.
Just as Zhilan had said, they didn't send too much; they only prepared enough for about two people.
The two had eaten together at least five times, and the initial awkwardness had long since disappeared. They were quite relaxed when eating together, chatting casually.
When they had almost finished eating, Zhilan put down her chopsticks, poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, and casually asked, "I've noticed you've been either injured or busy with the shop lately. Is your body able to handle it?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Yun put down her chopsticks and explained earnestly, "I'm really fine. Don't think of me as too fragile. If I were to fight, I'm not much weaker than you."
"Oh? Is that so?" Zhilan was amused by Fu Yun's words and asked with a smile, "So you mean you can go into battle and fight alongside me?"
"Of course," Fu Yun said firmly, "As long as I can go to the battlefield, I will never be a deserter. I will take down as many as I can."
"Your courage is commendable." Zhilan clapped her hands, looked Fu Yun up and down, and said frankly, "But with your small frame, you'd probably only be sent to your death on the battlefield."
Fu Yun: "..." This is too much of a blow.
No, he has to prove himself somehow.
"How about this, let's arm wrestle, and you can feel how strong I am?"
Zhilan was slightly taken aback at first, but after understanding what Fu Jun meant, she smiled happily, her eyes revealing a hint of doting affection, like teasing a cat: "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure and certain." Fu Yun said without waiting for Zhi Lan's response. He moved all the plates to one side of the table, wiped the other side of the table clean with a handkerchief, and then stretched out his right arm, elbow on the table, raising his right forearm, fingers slightly bent, palm open, as if waiting to shake hands.
He raised his chin, gesturing for Zhilan to reach out her hand.
Zhilan stared at Fu Yun's palm for a moment, then finally reached out and grasped it.
The moment their palms met, both of them involuntarily trembled. As the soft warmth of their palms spread, an indescribable thrill surged through their hearts.
The two exchanged a glance, then quickly moved away, feigning composure.
"Cough~ cough~" Fu Yun cleared his throat, suppressing the indescribable feelings he had just been having: "After I count to three, we will each start to exert our strength."
Zhilan nodded, indicating that she understood.
"one"
"two"
"three"
As soon as Fu Yun finished speaking, he immediately began to exert force to the left, but he soon clearly felt a strong resistance.
He couldn't help but secretly increase the force, and his expression became more serious.
On the other hand, Zhilan remained completely unfazed, as if she hadn't exerted any effort at all.
Fu Jun had a bad feeling: "Could it be that it can't even be shaken?"
As he continued to increase the force, he secretly glanced at Zhilan and saw that she was calm and composed, looking at him with a gentle smile in her eyes.
Fu Yun: "..." Why is a woman so strong?
He knew that the women in this country practiced martial arts year-round, so their physique and strength must be quite good, and he never thought he could defeat them in a short time.
In the current situation, he is definitely not enough to be considered a threat by Zhilan.
But it shouldn't be this exaggerated, right? Even if he showed a little more effort, he could feel a little comforted and wouldn't feel like a good-for-nothing.
"Are you ready?" Zhilan suddenly asked.
Fu Jun paused for a moment, then replied with a burst of energy, "Ready."
"Then I'll get started."
As soon as Zhilan finished speaking, Fu Yun felt a strong palm strike. Before he could push it away, Zhilan's palm slammed heavily onto the table with a thud.
Fu Yun's mind went blank: "..." Who am I? Where am I? What happened?
Zhilan reminded her with a half-smile, "You lost."
Fu Yun's cheeks and ears suddenly flushed, and she lowered her head in embarrassment, avoiding meeting Zhi Lan's amused gaze.
He was so ashamed that he wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground to escape this humiliating moment.
[Hahahaha, Mr. Fu, aren't you just humiliating yourself? You're so funny!]
Fu Yun was so angry she gritted her teeth: "Get lost! Stop gloating here."
Some people are just stubborn, unable to see the truth, and insist that reality teach them the cruel truth.
Fu Yun's head was buzzing: "Shut up and get out of here."
Seeing Fu Yun with his head down and not saying a word, Zhi Lan was both amused and exasperated: "You don't need to feel embarrassed. As a weak man who is frail and weak, it's already quite impressive that you have the courage to take on this challenge."
Fu Yun covered her face with her palms and said in a muffled voice, "You don't need to comfort me, I know I'm embarrassing."
Seeing that Fu Yun looked clearly hurt, Zhi Lan felt a pang of pity. She stood up and gently patted the back of his head, saying, "Alright, don't be sad. I won't tease you next time."
Feeling the warmth from the back of his head, Fu Yun froze, completely stunned.
No, he couldn't be mistaken, could he? Is Zhilan trying to comfort him?
Good heavens, he's going crazy.
He's a tough, upright man! How could you treat him like you would a girl?
Before Fu Yun could react, Zhi Lan spoke again: "You should rest early. I'll come find you again before we leave."
Before Fu Yun could say a word, Zhi Lan left on her own.
[President Fu, calm down, calm down. This is a matriarchal world where women are strong and men are weak, not the modern business world where you dominate.]
Fu Jun slumped down and said, "Stop talking, I want to be alone."
[President Fu, a real man must be able to withstand setbacks and weather storms—you said it yourself. Keep going! Rise up! Rise up! Rise up again!]
Fu Yun walked to the bed with a look of utter despair, lifted the blanket and buried her head under it, covering herself completely: "I'm useless now. Speak if you have something to say, or shut up if you don't."
[Hahahaha, Mr. Fu, you've really shot yourself in the foot today!]
Fu Yun: "..."
Okay, okay, I'm not teasing you anymore. Right now, the most important thing for you is to get some rest and conserve your energy for tonight's outing.
Fu Jun ignored Xiao Ba and lay on the bed questioning his existence for a long time. He didn't even know when he finally fell asleep.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
A slow, orderly knocking sounded, waking Fu Jun from her sleep.
Fu Yun shook her still somewhat dazed head: "Is it time?"
"Okay, pack your things and get ready to leave."
Zhilan's response was relatively soft, but Fu Jun still heard it clearly.
Fu Jun replied softly, "Okay, I'll get up right away, please wait a moment."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com