126: Chapter 126 Meeting, An Unexpected Encounter (4k)

Inside the Zuixian Restaurant, the sounds of string and wind instruments echoed continuously.

Chen Ran followed the restaurant attendant, stepping onto thick, soft Western Region carpets as they headed upstairs.

The surrounding environment was the height of luxury.

Night-luminescent pearls the size of fists were embedded in the walls on both sides, illuminating the entire corridor as bright as day.

The air was filled with a faint scent of ambergris, mixed with the mellow aroma of top-grade fine wine; a single breath made one feel as if they were drifting among the immortals.

Chen Ran's gaze calmly swept across his surroundings.

It was completely different from the darkness of the Heavenly Jail, which constantly reeked of blood, rot, and mildew.

This was a den of pleasure where the capital's nobility squandered their fortunes—a world at the opposite extreme.

"Guest, we have arrived at Heaven Room Three."

The waiter stopped before a carved wooden door and bowed respectfully.

Chen Ran nodded and casually tossed a piece of broken silver.

The waiter caught it steadily, the smile on his face growing even more radiant as he tactfully withdrew.

Chen Ran stood outside the door, in no hurry to push it open.

He adjusted the hem of his robe, recalling Warden Wen Ruoxu's request.

Crude, rude, and lecherous.

This requirement wasn't difficult.

As long as he acted like a nouveau riche who had never seen the world or a lustful glutton, that Young Miss inside would surely storm off immediately.

Chen Ran cleared his throat, preparing to push the door.

...

Separated by a single door.

Inside Heaven Room Three.

The room was spacious and bright, decorated elegantly without losing its sense of nobility.

The red sandalwood round table was covered with exquisite pastries and tea, while a Boshan censer in the corner emitted curls of blue smoke.

Lin Wan sat by the table, resting her chin on one hand as she looked at the night view outside the window, her expression somewhat impatient.

Today, she had changed out of her martial attire and wore a pale green long dress.

Her long hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin, making her look less fierce and a bit more gentle.

However, her beautiful eyes betrayed an unconcealed irritation.

Beside her stood a young girl dressed in green.

The girl's name was Xiao Qian, Lin Wan's personal maid.

"Young Miss, please stop looking so cold," Xiao Qian whispered while pouring tea.

"The Master gave a strict order this time, saying the other party is a direct descendant of the Wen Family, one of the four great families. He has a noble status, so you must have a proper meeting."

Lin Wan gave a cold snort.

"A Young Master of the Wen Family? Which of those noble sons in the capital isn't a dandy who spends his time gambling and frequenting the flower streets?"

"I'd rather go back to the Six Doors and kill a few more cultists than marry someone like that."

Xiao Qian covered her mouth and giggled.

"Young Miss, you shouldn't say that. What if this Young Master Wen is an exception?"

"I heard this Young Master of the Wen Family rarely makes public appearances. Perhaps he's a hidden talent."

Lin Wan picked up her teacup and took a sip.

"A hidden talent? If he really had ability, would he need his Family to arrange a blind date?"

She set down the teacup and stood up.

"Fine, I'm not in the mood to waste time here. When he arrives, I'll just find some excuse to send him away."

Seeing this, Xiao Qian quickly grabbed Lin Wan's sleeve.

"Young Miss, please don't be impulsive. The Master said that if this blind date fails, he will put you under house arrest."

"Even if you don't think of yourself, you have to think about your future days at the Six Doors.

You are currently investigating the Black Crow Cult case. If you're locked at home, all the clues will be cut off."

Lin Wan paused.

House arrest.

That was indeed a problem.

She had worked hard to gain a foothold in the Six Doors and could not let her Family hold her back at this critical juncture.

"Then what do you suggest?" Lin Wan frowned.

Xiao Qian's eyes darted around as she came up with an idea.

"How about this: when he comes, I'll open the door first."

"I'll size him up for you. If he's ugly or behaves frivolously, I'll say you're feeling unwell and send him away directly."

"If he looks decent, then you can reluctantly meet him to satisfy the Master."

Lin Wan thought about it and felt the idea was reasonable.

"Fine, we'll do as you say."

Just as she finished speaking.

A knock came from the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound was neither hurried nor slow.

Xiao Qian's eyes lit up, and she lowered her voice: "He's here!"

She smoothed her skirt, walked quickly to the door, and gently pulled it open.

A young man stood outside.

He wore plain green clothes and had a tall, straight posture.

His face was handsome and his temperament was gentle.

He lacked the overbearing arrogance of a noble son and the frivolity of a dandy.

Instead, he exuded an indescribable steadiness.

Xiao Qian was momentarily stunned.

This person looked... quite pleasing to the eye.

Chen Ran looked at the green-clad girl peeking out and slightly raised an eyebrow.

"Excuse me, is this Heaven Room Three?"

His voice was warm, neither humble nor arrogant.

Xiao Qian snapped out of it and nodded quickly.

"Yes, yes it is. Are you Young Master Wen?"

Chen Ran nodded without changing his expression.

"I am."

Xiao Qian sized Chen Ran up and down, nodding inwardly.

He was good-looking and spoke politely.

It seemed the rumors were unreliable; this Young Master Wen was no dandy.

"Young Master Wen, please wait a moment. My Young Miss is currently changing inside. I will go and inform her."

Xiao Qian bowed and turned to close the door.

Chen Ran stood outside the door and rubbed his chin.

Changing clothes?

A blind date with an intermission?

He wasn't in a hurry either. He crossed his arms and leaned against a pillar in the corridor, boredly watching the singing and dancing below.

Inside the room.

Xiao Qian trotted back to Lin Wan and whispered mysteriously.

"Young Miss, he's here!"

Lin Wan sat back down at the table, lacking interest.

"Well? Is he a fat-headed dandy?"

Xiao Qian shook her head repeatedly.

"No, no! This Young Master Wen is very handsome, and he speaks so elegantly, without any arrogance at all."

"To me, he looks like a scholar."

Lin Wan was somewhat surprised.

"A scholar?"

Although the Wen Family had produced a few civil officials, they were a Family of generals at heart.

How could they raise a scholar?

"Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"

"I definitely didn't see wrong!" Xiao Qian promised, patting her chest.

"Young Miss, just meet him once. Even if it doesn't work out, it's good to make a friend."

Lin Wan's curiosity was piqued by her words.

"Fine, let him in."

Xiao Qian happily ran to open the door.

"Young Master Wen, sorry for the wait. Please come in."

Chen Ran nodded and stepped into the room.

Incense was burning in the room, and the scent was somewhat familiar.

He walked around the screen to the tea table in the outer room.

"Young Master Wen, please have a seat. My Young Miss will be out shortly." Xiao Qian invited Chen Ran to sit and turned to the inner room to fetch Lin Wan.

Chen Ran sat by the table and poured himself a cup of tea.

He turned to look out the window.

From here, he could overlook most of the capital's night view; the lights of ten thousand homes and the city's prosperity were all within sight.

That kid Warden Wen Ruoxu really knew how to pick a place.

A faint sound of footsteps came from the inner room.

Chen Ran picked up his teacup and turned his head.

He was ready to begin his "crude" performance.

Their gazes met.

Chen Ran's movements froze.

The teacup stopped in mid-air, the tea inside rippling slightly.

The woman walking out from the inner room wore a pale green dress with her long hair pinned up.

That face was all too familiar to him.

Lin Wan.

A famous constable of the Six Doors and his direct superior.

Lin Wan also froze in place.

She looked at the young man sitting at the table holding a teacup.

Plain green clothes, handsome face.

Wasn't this her subordinate, the vice-captain Chen Ran?!

The air in the room fell into a dead silence.

Xiao Qian stood to the side, looking at Chen Ran and then at her Young Miss.

She keenly sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

"Young Miss... what's wrong?" Xiao Qian asked cautiously.

Lin Wan ignored Xiao Qian.

She stared intently at Chen Ran as countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

Young Master of the Wen Family?

A blind date?

Chen Ran?!

What on earth was going on?

She, a dignified famous constable of the Six Doors, was forced by her Family to go on a blind date, only for the date to be her own subordinate?

If word of this got out, where would Lin Wan hide her face!

Shame, anger, and absurdity.

All sorts of emotions flooded her heart.

Lin Wan gave a cold laugh.

She took long strides, walked slowly to the table, and sat down opposite Chen Ran.

Her gaze was like a knife, staring fixedly at Chen Ran, before she sent a secret transmission:

"Chen Ran."

Her tone was eerie, carrying a hint of gritted teeth.

"Are you here... for a blind date?"

Chen Ran swallowed hard.

He set down his teacup, his mind racing.

That bastard Warden Wen Ruoxu really screwed me over.

Why didn't he say the blind date was Lin Wan!

"Chief Lin, if I said I walked into the wrong room, would you believe me?" Chen Ran gave a dry laugh.

Lin Wan looked at him coldly.

"Do I look like a fool to you?"

Chen Ran sighed.

"Fine, the truth is I was commissioned by someone to just come and meet."

"I really didn't know it was you."

He stood up and cupped his hands.

"Since it's a misunderstanding, I won't disturb your evening, Chief Lin. Farewell."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

He couldn't stay here.

If he stayed any longer, Lin Wan would surely draw her sword and hack him down.

"Stop."

Lin Wan's cold voice sounded from behind him.

Chen Ran's steps paused.

He turned around and looked at Lin Wan helplessly.

"Chief Lin, is there something else?"

Lin Wan sat in her chair, her fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.

She looked at Chen Ran, her eyes flickering.

After that initial moment of shame and anger, she had calmed down.

Her Family was pushing hard; if this blind date failed, there would surely be a next time, and a time after that.

It would be never-ending.

She needed a shield.

A shield that could shut her Family up without interfering with her life.

A Young Master of the Wen Family wouldn't do, and those other noble sons were even worse.

But Chen Ran...

Lin Wan sized Chen Ran up and down.

Though this kid usually looked lazy, he was steady in his work and had good talent.

Most importantly, he was her subordinate and easy to manage.

Moreover, he had just said he was commissioned by someone.

In other words, he was also a fake.

Since everyone was here just to go through the motions, then why not...

The corners of Lin Wan's mouth curled up slightly.

She picked up her teacup and took a sip.

"Chen Ran, what do you think of me?"

Chen Ran was stunned.

The tone of the conversation had shifted a bit too fast.

"Chief Lin is naturally excellent—outstanding appearance, prominent Family background, high martial arts, and a divine investigator. Everyone in the Six Doors admires you," Chen Ran answered cautiously.

Lin Wan gave a soft laugh.

"Cut the flattery."

She set down her teacup and looked directly into Chen Ran's eyes.

"Since you think I'm not bad, then I agree to this marriage."

"Pfft—"

The mouthful of tea Chen Ran had just taken was sprayed right out.

He stared at Lin Wan with wide eyes.

"Chief Lin, you're not joking, are you?"

Although Xiao Qian to the side couldn't hear their conversation clearly, she heard that last sentence.

Xiao Qian's mouth hung open in shock.

What happened to the Young Miss?

She just said she'd find an excuse to send him away, so how did she agree as soon as they met?

Could it be... love at first sight?!

The way Xiao Qian looked at Chen Ran suddenly changed.

This "Young Master Wen" must be incredibly charming!

Lin Wan stood up and walked to Chen Ran.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

She patted Chen Ran's shoulder, her tone meaningful.

"Just tell him that the Eldest Miss of the Lin Family has taken a liking to him."

"Tell him to prepare the betrothal gifts and choose a day to come and propose."

With that, Lin Wan turned and walked out.

When she reached the door, she paused and looked back at Chen Ran.

Her gaze held a hint of warning and playfulness.

"See you tomorrow."

The door closed.

Chen Ran was the only one left in the room.

He stood there, staring at the closed door, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

What kind of mess was this?

He came to stand in for someone's blind date, and ended up getting himself involved?

What was going on in that woman Lin Wan's head?

Chen Ran sat back in the chair, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it in one gulp.

He gave a forced smile.

Lin Wan had clearly seen through his identity and was deliberately using him as a shield.

That woman certainly knew how to calculate.

However...

Chen Ran set down the teacup.

Warden Wen Ruoxu.

You kid dared to pit me.

Chen Ran stood up, adjusted his clothes, and strode out of the room.

He decided that in a few days, he would give Warden Wen Ruoxu a surprise.

"I hope your Realm isn't just for show, otherwise..."

...

Outside the building, at the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Warden Wen Ruoxu sat in a private room where dancing girls performed amidst songs and music.

In front of Warden Wen Ruoxu was an exquisite fruit platter containing new types of fruits and vegetables transported from the Western Regions.

This fruit platter alone cost dozens of taels of silver here.

"Young Master Wen."

A slender maid beside him handed over a crystal-clear grape.

Warden Wen Ruoxu opened his mouth slightly and took the grape.

The fruit burst with an extreme sweetness, but Warden Wen Ruoxu was distracted.

Warden Wen Ruoxu's right eyelid was twitching wildly, and the sweetness in his mouth turned bitter.

"Why do I feel so uneasy? Is it just my imagination?"

He had a faint bad feeling but didn't know where this sixth sense was coming from.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

He saw the young man walking out of the pavilion dozens of yards away.

"Whoa, he messed it up that quickly? Brother Chen really has some skills."

Warden Wen Ruoxu felt a stir in his heart.

From the time Chen Ran went in to when he came out, it had only been the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

To mess up the blind date so quickly, he must have acted incredibly crude and been rejected immediately.

Warden Wen Ruoxu's figure flashed, and amidst the cries of the dancing girls, he disappeared from the room.

...

On the long street, Warden Wen Ruoxu emerged from a street corner.

He very familiarly draped an arm around Chen Ran's neck and said enthusiastically:

"Brother Chen, how did it go? Did the blind date reject you quickly?"

Chen Ran didn't respond but asked instead: "Did you know that the person coming today was Lin Wan?"

"Uh," Warden Wen Ruoxu scratched his head and said awkwardly, "My Family was pushing too hard. Since you two know each other, she probably wouldn't kill you."

"But what if she agreed?"

Warden Wen Ruoxu didn't hear clearly and continued first:

"If she didn't agree, then it's settled. In a few days, I'll definitely compensate you well."

It wasn't until the atmosphere had been quiet for a moment that he belatedly cried out in shock:

"What did you say? She agreed to you!?"