Chapter 118: Extra: About the Side Couple 2

Chapter 118: Additional Story: About the Secondary CP 2

Perhaps it was the sheer danger of that scene or the deliciousness of that meal—though Xu Mo could no longer recall a coherent sequence of events, a few fragments remained vivid in his mind.

Shaking off his memories, Xu Mo shrugged nonchalantly and said calmly, "Later, I met my master, and I never went hungry again. As for that rabbit lantern, I can't remember the last time I saw it."

Luo Yan listened quietly as Xu Mo finished speaking. After a beat, he grabbed Xu Mo's wrist and strode forward: "Come on, let's win that rabbit lantern."

Xu Mo was nearly pulled off balance by Luo Yan. He quickly steadied himself, tugged at Luo Yan's hand, then pulled his arm free, and said, "No need."

"What do you mean, 'no need'? That thing means something to you. Life's neither too short nor too long—how many meaningful things does a person have in a lifetime? How could you just throw it away!"

Xu Mo was taken aback by Luo Yan's words, then let himself be dragged to the front of the platform.

The platform was already crowded with people, bustling with activity. Luo Yan pulled Xu Mo along, using some clever maneuvers to squeeze to the front just as the sound of a gong rang out from the stage: "Congratulations to this young lady for winning the lotus lantern! Next round participant, please come on up."

Luo Yan asked about the rules, paid the fee, and stepped up onto the stage.

Full of confidence, Luo Yan soon found himself scratching his head in frustration, muttering, "What is this? What's going on? If only the master were here, he'd nail it in one go!"

Watching Luo Yan's agitated expression, Xu Mo couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile. Realizing he was smiling, he felt a little awkward and lowered his head, pressing a finger to his lips and clearing his throat lightly.

The first round ended—Luo Yan failed.

Just as Xu Mo thought Luo Yan would give up on the lantern and leave, Luo Yan fixed his eyes on the person who had won the most bets. Only after confirming that person hadn't chosen the rabbit lantern did he breathe a sigh of relief. Then, without even leaving the stage, he paid to participate in the next round.

Xu Mo was taken aback. It seemed Luo Yan had never considered giving up.

The shopkeeper and others who noticed were also surprised, since most participants weren't after the lanterns at all—they were there to win fame for their skills. Naturally, they wouldn't join a second time.

Luo Yan muttered, "Rabbit, just you wait!"

The second round ended in the same way—Luo Yan scratching his head in frustration, failing.

The third round, the same.

The fourth round—even the person in charge felt awkward taking the money again.

Luo Yan realized this wasn't working. He thought for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands and yelled, "How about I give you all a performance of animal impressions? If you think it's fun, give me plenty of tokens. There's a lantern here that's very important to me—I have to get it!"

With that, Luo Yan adjusted his voice and began imitating the calls of various animals, accompanied by exaggerated body movements. The audience on stage and below were entertained, laughing so hard they couldn't stand straight.

Only Xu Mo pressed his lips together, staring at Luo Yan. There wasn't a trace of a smile on his face—instead, an unexplained fury seemed to rise and burn in his chest.

Just as Xu Mo felt the flames inside him about to explode, he instinctively dashed onto the stage, grabbed Luo Yan, and started pulling him down.

Luo Yan quickly held on: "Hey hey, mute boy, what are you doing?"

Xu Mo didn't answer, still trying to drag him off the stage. Luo Yan refused to go. Xu Mo turned back, stared at him with a blank expression, and said coldly, "Let's go."

Luo Yan wouldn't give in. Sensing that Xu Mo seemed angry—though he didn't know why—he instinctively softened his tone and soothed, "Don't be mad. I'll get that rabbit lantern soon. Just wait a little longer, just a little, okay?"

Xu Mo stared at Luo Yan, feeling the fire in his chest burn even hotter.

Without replying, Xu Mo abruptly turned to the person in charge and said, "How many tokens do you have? I'll buy them all and give them all to him."

The look this guy gave was ice-cold. The person in charge shivered and instinctively replied, "This… this is against the rules…"

Luo Yan's eyes lit up. Why hadn't he thought of that great idea!

He immediately urged, "Rules are set, but people are flexible—be smart! Besides, all I'm after is one lantern…"

The person in charge seemed unable to decide on his own and looked around.

A middle-aged man who appeared to be the shopkeeper stepped forward with a smile: "Buying up tokens like that really breaks the rules."

Luo Yan was about to speak when the shopkeeper continued, "However, this young man's persistence for a single lantern is truly rare. How could we not help make that wish come true? How about this: we'll cancel your tokens, and I'll give you this lantern as a gift. What do you think?"

Luo Yan quickly nodded in agreement.

The shopkeeper had someone take down the rabbit lantern and hand it to Luo Yan.

Luo Yan took it cheerfully, then pulled the silent Xu Mo off the stage and over to a quieter spot.

Luo Yan handed the lantern to Xu Mo, a little smug: "See, mute boy? Told you I'd win it back for you! Keep it safe—don't lose it again."

Xu Mo looked at the lantern in his hands. The rabbit's two big eyes were wide open, round, cute, and goofy.

He gently patted the top of the rabbit's head, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips as he muttered under his breath, "Silly."

Luo Yan didn't catch it and leaned in closer, asking, "What?"

Xu Mo glanced at him, not planning to repeat himself.

Luo Yan waited for Xu Mo to answer. Afraid of missing it again, he deliberately stayed quiet, even barely breathing.

In the sudden silence, faint rustling sounds became clear, reaching both their ears.

They exchanged a glance and, without a word, looked toward the same direction. Moving without a sound, they headed that way.

In the dim alley, there really was a sneaky figure, with something slung over his shoulder. He looked around, then dashed off in one direction.

Luo Yan and Xu Mo followed covertly.

Xu Mo glanced at the rabbit lantern in his hand, thought for a moment, then grabbed Luo Yan and said in a low voice, "Leave a signal mark. I'll be right behind you."

Luo Yan nodded. Xu Mo vanished in a flash.

When Xu Mo returned, he had a gray cloth bundle tied to his back.

Seeing it, Luo Yan understood and grinned at Xu Mo without a sound.

Xu Mo felt inexplicably embarrassed. He awkwardly tugged at the strap that was digging into his chest and looked around, signaling they should get back to business.

The two followed the figure to a small courtyard. The courtyard wasn't in a particularly remote area—neighbors were nearby, and the yard smelled of medicinal herbs, as if some herbs were stored there. It looked like a regular street vendor's home.

What was unusual was that after the figure knocked and the door was opened, instead of heading toward the main house, the one who answered closed the door and then walked toward the back courtyard.

The two figures came to an unremarkable well. First, they tied what they were carrying to a rope and lowered it down, then one after the other, they climbed into the well.

Luo Yan and Xu Mo exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing: beneath that well was either a tunnel or an underground chamber.