Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 80

Zhou Shu and the others had initially wanted to accompany Lu Tang because they were worried that he might feel bad about the whole situation.

However, seeing that Lu Tang seemed unaffected, they decided not to insist.

After all, they had been away from home for several days.

Only Liang Cheng looked at Lu Tang with a pout, “I was sent home with a bowl of knockout medicine and stayed there for two days. Can’t I come over for some hotpot?”

Lu Tang laughed, “Sorry, but no.”

Liang Cheng widened his eyes, “Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to interrupt your sleep with Zhou Shu.”

Lu Tang said this and immediately ran off.

Liang Cheng: “What?”

Zhou Shu: “Huh?”

At the same time, Guo Dawei and Xu Shen were stunned.

Crap! Run!

Unlike Lu Tang, they weren’t so lucky and were caught by Liang Cheng and Zhou Shu before they could escape.

“What sleep?”

“Who’s sleeping?”

Behind them, chaos ensued as they bickered.

Lu Tang quickly ran towards the nearby sedan chair, dove inside, and laughed while sticking his head out the window to call to the driver, “Quick, don’t let that fool Liang Cheng catch up.”

He patted the side of the carriage while urging the driver.

Inside the sedan, Qin Mo watched the little fool with a bewildered expression, suddenly feeling irritated.

Sunlight filtered gently through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Lu Tang’s lively face. Qin Mo lightly pinched his fingers, then, for some reason, leaned forward and grabbed the back of Lu Tang’s neck with two fingers, like catching a rabbit.

Qin Mo’s fingers were hot, and Lu Tang jumped in surprise, turning to look at Qin Mo, “What’s wrong?”

Qin Mo, with a stern face, said, “Do you want people to see me in your carriage?”

Lu Tang: “Uh…”

“Is there a problem with that?”

Qin Mo glared at Lu Tang, “Use your brain! You already suspect I’m someone important, right?”

Lu Tang: “Um?”

“If I’m hiding my identity, there’s a reason for it. If you keep the curtain open, someone might recognize me and spoil everything!”

As he spoke, Qin Mo tightened his grip on Lu Tang’s neck. Lu Tang immediately shrank back, “But you can’t just hold me like this all the way.”

Qin Mo’s hand stiffened. He glared at Lu Tang again before letting go.

Lu Tang immediately stretched her neck and reached out to feel Qin Mo’s forehead, “Are you running a fever? Your fingers are so hot.”

She leaned in close, her breath almost touching Qin Mo’s face, making him feel a strange tingle down his spine.

This sensation was entirely new to him.

Before he could react, he pushed Lu Tang’s face away with his hand.

“Stop touching me!”

Lu Tang rolled her eyes internally, thinking that her kindness was wasted.

She then noticed that Song Qingzhan wasn’t in the carriage, “Where’s Brother Zhan?”

Qin Mo, still annoyed by the unfamiliar feeling from earlier, felt even more irritated hearing Lu Tang ask about Song Qingzhan. “Why are you so concerned about him?”

Lu Tang: “Huh?”

Is he…jealous?

Tsk tsk!

Do you think everyone is like you guys, into men?

I’m straight as an arrow!

I have no interest in your Song Qingzhan!

Rolling her eyes again internally, Lu Tang decided to avoid unnecessary jealousy. She explained, “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to reveal your identities? I’m worried Brother Zhan might get recognized and spoil everything since the case isn’t solved yet. Who knows what Gu Yunhe is up to now.”

Qin Mo crossed his arms and looked at her coldly, “None of your business!”

Lu Tang: “…”

This case involves my family!

She opened her mouth to retort but decided against arguing with someone of Qin Mo’s high rank. She finally gave up.

The atmosphere in the carriage was awkwardly silent. They remained quiet until they reached the Qiao residence. Not wanting anyone to know about Qin Mo’s presence, Lu Tang ordered the carriage to be taken directly to her courtyard.

Only Yuan Bao stayed to serve them; she dismissed everyone else.

Qin Mo, stepping down like a lord, looked around Lu Tang’s courtyard, “Where will I stay?”

Lu Tang twitched, “You’re staying here tonight?”

Qin Mo looked down at her, “Where else would I stay? If someone comes to assassinate you at night, isn’t it my duty as an imperial official to protect you? After all, you did call me your dad.”

Lu Tang: “Assassinate me?”

Song Qingzhan entered just in time to hear Qin Mo’s words.

Landing steadily, Song Qingzhan gave Qin Mo a disdainful look, then smiled at Lu Tang, “Sorry to intrude, Young Master Lu. We’ll stay at an inn.”

Lu Tang quickly waved her hands, “That’s not what I meant. I just…wasn’t expecting it. You’re already here, you should stay. It will also be convenient to discuss the case.”

She scratched the back of her head apologetically at Song Qingzhan.

Qin Mo coldly remarked, “Focusing on the case, right?”

Lu Tang: “What else?”

To look at your sour face?

The kitchen had prepared hotpot. Following Lu Tang’s instructions, Yuan Bao set up a table in the courtyard and then went to stand guard at the entrance.

Lu Tang invited Qin Mo and Song Qingzhan to sit. Knowing she couldn’t offend Qin Mo, she respectfully poured wine and raised her cup.

“I didn’t know your identities before and may have offended you. I hope you can forgive me. Also, thank you for helping with our case.”

Song Qingzhan politely responded, “Young Master Lu, you’re too kind. Actually, we’ve known your mother for a long time.”

Lu Tang was stunned.

“You know my mother?”

Song Qingzhan smiled, “To be precise, we knew your grandfather. We were quite close.”

Lu Tang looked from Song Qingzhan to Qin Mo.

You guys are only five or six years older than me.

You knew my grandfather?

Isn’t this age gap too big for a friendship?

Seeing Lu Tang’s confused look, Qin Mo guessed what she was thinking and rubbed her head, “What are you thinking? It’s our fathers who were close to your grandfather.”

Lu Tang looked at Qin Mo in surprise.

“Your fathers knew my grandfather?”

Song Qingzhan smiled, “You can ask your mother about the details, Young Master Lu.”

As he spoke, he picked a piece of tripe from the hotpot and put it in Lu Tang’s bowl, changing the topic, “The prison is all set. If someone tries to silence the witnesses tonight, we should catch them.”

Just then, Yuan Bao’s voice came from outside.

“Young Master, Gu Songming is here to see you.”

Lu Tang didn’t want any involvement with the Gu family, not even Gu Songming. Without hesitation, she said, “Tell him I’m asleep.”

Moments later, Yuan Bao returned, this time entering Lu Tang’s courtyard with a frightened look on his face.