Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 104

Realizing that his brother was actually a girl wasn’t terrifying, and neither was falling in love with her. The terrifying part was not being able to confess his love.

He feared that if he confessed, he wouldn’t even be able to stay friends, losing any chance to be close to her.

He cautiously tested the waters and carefully expressed his feelings. He was afraid of being too vague but also worried about coming on too strong. Despite his carefulness, he still felt anxious.

Ugh.

It was so painful.

Liang Cheng’s pain was unknown to anyone. Meanwhile, the other four members of the Five Young Master of Qinshui leisurely arrived at West Lake.

“Damn! Why are there so many people here!” Zhou Shu’s eyes widened. “I specifically asked the innkeeper, and he said it would be fine to come after dusk.”

The scene before them was a sea of people, busier than the bustling streets during the day.

It wasn’t just men; there were women, children running around, and people of all ages and genders. The lakeside was lined with tables and chairs as far as the eye could see, and every table was full.

Xu Shen shook his head and clicked his tongue. “This is crazy. We might not even find a table.”

Guo Dawei looked confident. “Don’t worry, look at this place. It operates like a teahouse. If you’re willing to spend money, there are definitely private rooms available. Let’s walk further.”

Before Guo Dawei finished speaking, a woman’s voice came from the side.

“You young men are here for the first time, aren’t you?”

They turned to see a woman in her thirties or forties holding a child, smiling at them. “Today is Yuhang’s annual Flower Boat Festival. The private rooms you’re talking about are those boats.”

The woman pointed towards the lake, and they saw several luxurious boats anchored there, bustling with people. But they looked much more upscale than the lakeside area.

The woman continued to smile, “Those need to be booked half a month in advance. Even the tables here were booked three days ago.”

Guo Dawei let out a loud wail and draped himself over Xu Shen’s shoulder, “So, we can only stand and watch?”

The woman laughed, “This is just the entry period. Soon, they’ll clear the area. Those without reserved tables will be asked to leave.”

Guo Dawei could only hear the schadenfreude in her words.

He cried even louder.

Going back now would make Liang Cheng laugh at them.

The four of them looked on enviously as others enjoyed themselves when suddenly, a hand tapped Lu Tang on the shoulder.

“Excuse me, are you Young Master Lu?”

Lu Tang was startled and let out a small scream.

Xu Shen instinctively pulled Lu Tang behind him, warily eyeing the person. “Who are you?”

Zhou Shu, with sharp eyes, recognized the man as someone from Boss Dou’s group who had tried to beat them up the day before. He immediately said, “Are you one of Boss Dou’s men? Let me tell you, Young Master Qin is with us, so don’t cause trouble!”

Guo Dawei stopped crying and pretended to look around, “Hey, where is Young Master Qin? He was just here.”

The man who tapped Lu Tang tried not to show too much expression and respectfully said, “Young Master Qin has booked a boat and sent me to bring you over.”

Guo Dawei’s tongue slipped, and he felt embarrassed.

Zhou Shu was suspicious, “Why should we trust you?”

The man looked at Lu Tang and said, “Young Master Qin mentioned that the chief has a bad temper. If you’re late, he won’t let you on the boat.”

Zhou Shu scratched his head, “Chief? Are we dealing with a mountain bandit?”

Lu Tang: …

She couldn’t exactly say that Qin Mo was the chief, so she acted out a sudden realization, slapping her forehead. “Oh, I forgot! Young Master Qin did mention this yesterday.”

But she slapped herself right on the wound, making her almost jump in pain.

The wound was near her hairline and not easily noticeable, but her slap made it sting sharply.

With Lu Tang’s reminder, everyone lowered their guard and followed the man towards the boats.

The four of them continued following the man towards the luxurious boats. Zhou Shu and Guo Dawei kept teasing Lu Tang about forgetting such an important detail, but their excitement grew as they approached the boat.

The large boat was docked at the shore, and Qin Mo stood waiting. Seeing them approach, he felt relieved. He had been worried they might not come.

“Thank you, Young Master Qin,” they said, clasping their hands in a gesture of respect.

Qin Mo smiled casually, his gaze resting on Lu Tang. “Let’s get on the boat. The Flower Boat Festival is about to begin.”

The double-decked boat looked luxurious and sophisticated. As they boarded, they realized the boat was reserved entirely for them. The deck was set with tables and chairs, laden with fruits, snacks, and an assortment of drinks.

“Wow!”

“Amazing!”

“An entire boat!”

Zhou Shu and Guo Dawei excitedly ran around the boat, exploring every corner.

Xu Shen turned to Qin Mo, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. He wondered about Qin Mo’s true identity. A mere tenant wouldn’t have such connections or the wealth to reserve a boat. Despite being wealthy young men themselves, this level of extravagance was beyond them.

Qin Mo noticed Xu Shen’s inquisitive look but maintained his polite smile. “This boat belongs to a friend of mine. I borrowed it for us to enjoy. Feel free to relax and have fun.”

Xu Shen hesitated, “And what about the chief?”

Qin Mo glanced at Lu Tang and chuckled. “The chief is below, steering the boat. It’s just a nickname.”

Xu Shen seemed ready to ask more questions, but Lu Tang intervened, “Why are you asking so many questions? If you don’t want to be on the boat, you can leave.”

Xu Shen sighed and gave Lu Tang a playful nudge. “Alright, alright. I’ll stop.”

As the boat slowly moved through the water, the lake was filled with many other pleasure boats. These boats were buzzing with excitement, their passengers enjoying the festival’s activities. The distant shore was a blaze of lights and sounds, adding to the festive atmosphere.

“It’s starting! It’s starting!”

In the midst of the commotion, someone with a sharp voice called out.

A small boat adorned with red and green decorations approached from a distance. At the bow stood a girl holding a flute. Her melodious playing gradually quieted the noisy crowd.

Behind her, another small boat followed, carrying a girl dressed in flowing silk, playing a zither. The music from both boats harmonized beautifully.

Dozens of small boats followed behind. Some had beautiful girls playing various instruments, while others had graceful dancers performing.

Lu Tang leaned against the railing, mesmerized by the spectacle.

Qin Mo, holding a silver wine flask, leaned casually against the railing, his long legs crossed. He looked at Lu Tang and, noticing something out of the corner of his eye, suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him.

Lu Tang was startled, “Ah! What are you doing?”

Qin Mo whispered, “Careful, you were about to fall.”

Lu Tang blushed, realizing how close she was to him. She tried to pull away, but Qin Mo held on gently, making sure she was steady.

The festive boats continued to pass by, each one adding to the lively and colorful scene on the lake. The music, the lights, and the laughter from the boats and the shore created an enchanting atmosphere, one that would be remembered by all who witnessed it.