Muchuan and Xiang Wan

“… Teacher Xiang?”

Xiang Wan did not know who said that.

At the hotpot restaurant, since she was the only one eating in the main hall, she was sure that it was directed at her.

Xiang Wan looked up. With the steam from the hotpot before her, she saw a group of people looking at her from the stairs.

There were a lot of people.

Both familiar ones and unfamiliar ones. They were all there.

Bai Muchuan was right in front of the group with one of his hands inside a pocket, looking as casual as always. He did not need to pretend to be dashing. Every angle, every pose of him, seemed to have been designed in a natural way that was just right for him to exude an aura of superiority.

Yet, from the way he gazed at Xiang Wan, it was full of concern.

Xiang Wan was certain that he was looking at her.

She was positive, unmistaken, and absolutely sure about it.

The concern in his eyes did not seem fake.

Heck! She really hated this gaze of his, as it would easily make her misunderstand, disconcerted, and lose her basic judgment.

Devil! Trouble!

Are you trying to mislead me again?

Begone! Begone! I didn’t see him!

Xiang Wan chanted some mantra to “dispel demons” inside her head. Next, she lowered her head and ate a piece of freshly boiled beef omasum from the hotpot, chewing on it slowly to enjoy its flavor, as if she did not see anyone.

The charming starlight within Bai Muchuan’s dark, deep-set eyes faded away.

Cheng Zheng, on the other hand, revealed a faint, complex smile.

Xiang Wan had an animated expression.

From being initially dazed to getting embarrassed, and lastly, to being completely nonchalant, it did not take more than five seconds.

Xiang Wan’s behavior was actually adorable.

Her cheeks, the area around her eyes, nose, and ears were all red. She looked as if she had cried earlier. Her fair porcelain-like skin had a layer of an intoxicating hue of red, which looked very attractive. Although she knew that everyone was looking at her strangely as if she was a monster, she was only embarrassed for a moment. In no time, she was back to enjoying her food without a care.

“You’re eating alone?”

Xiang Wan did not expect Bai Muchuan to come over.

Neither did she expect that he would leave the beautiful woman beside him and walk over to her to show his concern.

Xiang Wan’s heart jumped. She took a quick glance at him then looked at the boiling spicy hotpot. She blew her nose using a piece of tissue and gave a chuckle.

“Yeah! Thanks to you.”

“…” Bai Muchuan pursed his lips tightly, seemingly unable to understand.

Xiang Wan raised her eyebrows, “Twenty thousand yuan!”

Bai Muchuan: “…”

He was standing opposite Xiang Wan with the hotpot in between them.

Although the hot vapor from the hotpot was not too thick, Xiang Wan could not see the man before her clearly.

Why hasn’t he left? thought Xiang Wan.

Did he really like to see me in such a state, so as to mock me?

She chuckled in a rather unfriendly way then went back to being unconcerned.

“Detective Bai’s still hungry? You want to sit down and eat with me? My treat!”

Although Bai Muchuan did not make any eye contact with her, he could sense her rejection. He slightly furrowed his eyebrows. “You shouldn’t eat spicy stuff when your hand’s hurt.”

Eh?

Xiang Wan took a glance at her hand that was neatly bandaged by Cheng Zheng, which looked bloated like a bun. “Detective Bai is really a good public servant,” she smiled slowly, “you’re so conscientious, responsible, and concerned about the life of the citizens in your district. However, thank you for your concern, eating hotpot happens to be my best cure!”

“Muchuan—”

The beauty at the entrance of the main hall called him again.

Xiang Wan could not see her face clearly as she was standing rather far away.

Nevertheless, Xiang Wan could see that the beautiful woman dressed fashionably and had an extraordinary disposition. She could be considered a good match for Detective Bai!

Xiang Wan took a tissue to wipe her mouth which was red from the spiciness and motioned with her eyes. “Detective Bai, someone is calling you!”

Bai Muchuan did not respond to the beautiful woman.

He did not turn around or respond with any other action.

He just stood there while looking at Xiang Wan who was enjoying her hotpot feast. He stared at her as tears formed in her eyes and air blew from her nose due to the spiciness. “I thought you’re a self-disciplined person.”

Not waiting for Xiang Wan to react, he continued, “Let’s go, I’ll send you back first!”

“…”

What did he mean?

Xiang Wan really did not understand.

She kept silent for two seconds before she coughed and gulped some water to ease the burning feeling in her throat. Then, she raised her head to look at the man who was still standing and looking at her. “Detective Bai, are we familiar with each other?”

“…”

“We’re not familiar and you’re trying to poke your nose in my affairs? Crazy!” snapped Xiang Wan who suddenly had a feeling of great satisfaction. “If you don’t want to eat,” she knocked her chopsticks against the hotpot, “would you mind going away and not affect my mood? Thank you!”

Bai Muchuan suddenly stretched out his fingers and waved it in front of her.

“How many fingers do you see?”

Xiang Wan was confused for a few seconds.

Did he think that she had been drinking?

And had thought that her cheeks were red because of alcohol?

Pffft! She laughed, “Do I look like someone who is drowning her sorrows by drinking? No, I should say, do I look like someone who has a lot of troubles? Detective Bai, thank you very much for your concern. Your friend’s calling for you, better hurry over! Goodbye.”

Bai Muchuan looked at her coldly for an instant.

Suddenly, the corners of his lips turned upward, but it was unsure if that was a disdainful sneer or mockery. “Fine, it’s your own body. I shouldn’t have bothered to be nice and remind you about it.”

He’s at it again, always saying he’s the good guy , Xiang Wan retorted in her head.

If you don’t want to get close to me, please don’t be concerned about me!

Xiang Wan could read a lot of emotions inside his unrestrained, flighty gaze… Her brain felt slightly flustered.

Thus, she stood up suddenly.

“What do you mean?” She squinted her eyes and looked at him angrily, “You want to pay for me? Alright! I’ll give you a chance.”

She waved to the waitress in the distance.

“Bill please!”

Cheng Zheng went over to her before the waitress did.

It was as if he came over to help them get out of the predicament by giving a pat on Bai Muchuan’s shoulder. “Go back for a rest, Captain Bai,” he urged, “tomorrow’s a long day for you, leave this to me.”

Bai Muchuan stood there coldly.

When Xiang Wan’s heart was beating wildly, she heard that Bai Muchuan had agreed to Cheng Zheng’s suggestion.

Afterward, he left with the group of people.

…

The main hall became quiet again.

Xiang Wan sat down weakly, burped, and rubbed her forehead. By now, she sobered a lot.

“I’ve lost my appetite.”

She took her bag and nodded at Cheng Zheng as she prepared to foot her bill.

However, Cheng Zheng held her wrist lightly. “Do sit here and wait, I’ll help you! Your hand’s hurt, so it’s better not to exert it.”

His tone was very gentle. Just like how a doctor treated their patient.

Xiang Wan looked toward him and actually listened to him due to his reassuring gaze.

…

Xiang Wan did not know how she got out of Ocean Sky Hotpot. It was as if she had lost a piece of memory.

Her brain was replaying the nonsensical scene that happened between Bai Muchuan and herself earlier.

From the moment he appeared at the stairways and stood before her till the moment he turned to leave… she could clearly feel that there was concern within his every gaze and every word.

Why?

So close at times yet so far away as well.

Was she really being overly sensitive emotionally?

Don’t think anymore! Xiang Wan scratched her head and looked toward Cheng Zheng who had driven his car over. She did not want to repeat the same mistake again. She wanted to keep a distance from those who treat her nicely.

“Captain Cheng, thank you. It’s not too far from my place here. I’ll just walk back myself!”

Although she could see Cheng Zheng’s face clearly, she could not tell his emotions.

“I’ll bring you to apply some medicine and look at the wound.”

Xiang Wan furrowed her brows. “There’s no need…”

“Get on the car!”

“But…”

“I’m not Bai Muchuan.” Cheng Zheng suddenly turned around, his sharp gaze almost similar to Bai Muchuan in that instant. “I’m not a neurotic like him, and I’m not the type to be nice to others without reason.”

“…”

He could see that too?

Neurotic! This criticism fits Bai Muchuan perfectly!

Xiang Wan felt that with this sentence alone, she and Cheng Zheng could be friends.

However, he just said he would not be nice to others without reason…

“What’s your reason?”

“Get in first.”

…

Many a time, Cheng Zheng was not as domineering as Bai Muchuan.

This time, his voice was deep and clear. Even though it was a commanding sentence, he had said it in a tactful way as if he was discussing with her. That made Xiang Wan very comfortable, and she found it hard to reject his offer.

However, if she really wanted to decipher any feelings from his words and tone…

There was none.

There really was none.

His indifference was in his bones, without a trace.

Xiang Wan hesitated for a while before opening the car door.

At this hour, the roads to Jin City were congested.

Xiang Wan used the corners of her eyes to size up Cheng Zheng.

He did not say a word. Both of his hands were on the steering wheel, and his eyes were on the road as if he did not have any urge to communicate with her…

Both Bai Muchuan and Cheng Zheng were weird.

Xiang Wan did not want to draw conclusions recklessly with regards to what the two men were thinking due to her unpleasant experiences with Bai Muchuan.

She was waiting for him to tell her the “reason”. She stroked her injured hand gently and turned her head as her gaze was attracted by the crowd along the streets.

Suddenly, she heard Cheng Zheng’s voice.

“Let’s adhere to what both our families want!”

“?” Xiang Wan could not understand—she immediately turned to look at him.

Cheng Zheng did not look at her; his eyes were still on the road. “I mean, I’m willing to choose you as my girlfriend.”

Erm…

Xiang Wan felt that she must have come in contact with the spirits to have such an extraordinary day.

Furthermore, by using words like “willing” and “choose”—wasn’t it too formal?

“Why? I mean… Captain Cheng, why are you willing to choose me?”

She emphasized the words “willing to choose” in a slightly self-mocking tone.

Cheng Zheng understood what she meant and took a glance at her slowly.

“It’s because you do not like me.”

…