Chapter Sixty: Teasing An Feng and Coldblood

The matter was settled pleasantly, and the teaware on the table needed to be cleaned. Mo Lan and Qian Yin washed them carefully for the two men and placed them before them, appearing remarkably obedient.

To outsiders, they truly looked like two enviable couples—at least, that’s how the staff saw it. The four waitresses, all young girls, each harbored admiration for the two men; after all, their temperament and looks were both captivating.

As they served dishes to other customers, the girls would occasionally glance over, as if afraid to miss a glimpse. When the kitchen finished preparing the food, all four hurried to bring the plates to their table. Fortunately, there were enough dishes to go around; otherwise, the girls might have competed fiercely for the privilege.

The two men frowned. With their sensitivity, they had already noticed the four girls stealing glances at them—hearts full of admiration. But neither liked it; in fact, they found it rather distasteful. Anyone with eyes could see they were a couple, and knowing they had girlfriends, it was inappropriate for others to express such affection.

Qian Yin and Mo Lan, meanwhile, were wholly absorbed in the feast before them, oblivious to the fact that their men were being watched.

Each delicacy, they would carefully pick up with their chopsticks, place in their bowls, take a meticulous bite, and savor the flavor. The food at this establishment was indeed quite good; fried dishes with crisp exteriors that burst with flavor inside.

At first, the girls dared not be so overt. But seeing these so-called girlfriends focused solely on the food and ignoring the handsome men, they grew bolder.

They brought over four bottles of beer, opened two, and two of the girls stood very close beside the men, bending to pour the drinks and then, with feigned ceremony, offered them to the men.

“Get away!” Leng Xue and An Feng said in unison—one voice full of authority, the other cold.

Their voices were loud enough that several tables turned to look. Only then did Mo Lan and Qian Yin slowly put down their chopsticks, each taking a bottle of beer from the girls’ hands, pouring themselves a glass, and paying no attention to the men’s affairs.

“I…” The two girls seemed inexperienced, unable to handle such awkwardness, and stood helplessly to the side.

The proprietress happened to bring out a dish, saw the scene and the angry men, and immediately understood. She forced a smile and said, “Sorry, they’re just serving guests—they’re new and don’t know the ropes.”

“It’s fine. But please don’t come so close. We’re very averse to women,” An Feng replied coldly, showing no particular fondness for the proprietress.

Mo Lan and Qian Yin took a sip of beer, discovering it was not as bitter as expected; a glass wouldn’t make them drunk.

Leng Xue was no longer concerned with the girls, his eyes fixed intently on Qian Yin. From this moment, he determined to keep track of how many drinks would make her tipsy. He could not let her drink recklessly again; if she got drunk and wandered into someone else’s home, they might not return her.

The proprietress, embarrassed, said, “Yes, yes.” She set down her dish and hurriedly dragged the girls away—how mortifying.

The other diners didn’t gossip openly, but in any crowd, there are always some looking to stir trouble.

For example, the burly men in black at a nearby table—clearly not the sort of people one would trust. Yet they fancied themselves righteous, as though ridding the world of evil.

“Madam, two bottles of beer!” one of the men called loudly, his gaze unfriendly toward the four girls.

“Alright!” The proprietress, busy as she was, didn’t notice their demeanor and instructed the girls, “You two, fetch two bottles of beer for that table.”

The two girls who had just poured drinks complied, still smiling, and after opening the bottles, the men said, “You poured drinks for them; can’t you pour for us, too?”

“This…” The girls hesitated. Pouring drinks for An Feng and Leng Xue had been voluntary, not part of their service. Besides, these men seemed unsavory; they didn’t like dealing with such people.

“What’s the matter? Do you think they can pay for your service, but I can’t?” One man rose angrily, slapping the table and raising his voice so everyone could hear.

An Feng and Leng Xue never glanced their way, sitting with utter indifference, sipping beer and nibbling pastries.

Qian Yin and Mo Lan were less aloof. They raised their heads, brows deeply furrowed, displeased. These men were so chauvinistic—did they not regard women as people at all?

Did they still think it was the old days, with men superior and women subordinate?

“I…” The girls were at a loss, standing frozen and afraid to move.

“What do you mean, ‘I’? Hurry up and pour us drinks. If you won’t, have the proprietress do it herself!” The men seemed determined to create a scene, their voices growing louder, showing no fear of management.

The other two girls quickly retreated to the kitchen and brought out the proprietress. She entered, smiled, and personally poured the drinks for the men, then bowed deeply and said, “I apologize. All my staff are students and inexperienced; please don’t be angry. The drinks for your table are on the house. I hope you enjoy your meal.”

Seeing the matter handled, Mo Lan and Qian Yin kept their heads down, continuing to eat and ignoring the commotion.

“Fine. For the proprietress’s sake, I won’t make a fuss,” the man who hadn’t spoken before stood up, declaring magnanimously.

“Thank you, gentlemen, for not holding grudges.” The proprietress kept smiling, then shot the girls a stern look: “Go on, get back.”

The girls, aggrieved to the point of tears, hurried inside with their heads lowered.

The surrounding diners didn’t dare comment, but many eyes lingered on the group of men. The matter passed, and calm gradually returned.

An Feng wondered if it was time to explain why they had chosen that profession—why they walked a path different from Mo Lan’s.

“Shouldn’t you tell me what’s going on? If you think this place isn’t suitable for a conversation, we can go elsewhere. If you haven’t finished eating, just pack it up and take it with you,” An Feng said, not even glancing at the table loaded with food, speaking as though it were only natural.

Qian Yin shot him a cold glare, said nothing, and continued eating, clearly annoyed by his interrogative tone.