CHAPTER 367: CHAPTER 321

Lan Tian walked towards Hua Kongque and Zhang Shenjingbing, intent on asking about Ji Feng’s arrival and Mo Junhua’s whereabouts. Scanning the area, she still couldn’t spot Mo Junhua, who logically should have returned before her.

As Lan Tian approached, Hua Kongque and Zhang Shenjingbing were taken aback by her sudden appearance. Where had she popped up from? They were standing in a spot that allowed them to see the entire venue, yet they hadn’t noticed Lan Tian’s return. The two exchanged glances, suppressing the shock in their eyes.

"Brother Hua, Mr. Zhang, has Ji Feng arrived?" Lan Tian stood against the light, her face hidden in the shadows, concealing the worry in her eyes.

"He did, but couldn’t find you. He should be back at Hua Hall by now," Hua Kongque looked at Lan Tian, as if he had more to ask. He glanced at Lan Tian in the shadows and eventually pursed his lips without saying a word.

"Little Lan, where have you been? We’ve been searching everywhere for you?" Zhang Shenjingbing was unreservedly curious, desperate to know where Lan Tian had been, since even they, several grown men, couldn’t find her.

"I went to the restroom. Why, do you need to go?" Lan Tian shot him an annoyed glance.

Zhang Shenjingbing: "..."

Hua Kongque: "..."

Both men looked at Lan Tian with meaningful eyes. Something was off with her response. They might not have been to the women’s restroom, but not even when a woman’s monthly visitor arrives does it take hours, and they, being men, were not ignorant of women matters. Trying to bluff them like this just wasn’t right.

However, seeing that Lan Tian didn’t want to talk, the two decided not to press further.

Lan Tian looked in the direction of Hua Hall through a maze of figures and shrubs, then turned back and said solemnly to the two, "Brother Hua, Mr. Zhang, I need to ask a favor of you both. Could you please go to Hua Hall and call Ji Feng out for me? I have something very important to discuss with him."

Hua Kongque and Zhang Shenjingbing saw how serious Lan Tian was, exchanged a glance, and straightened their expressions, prepared to listen earnestly, just to learn she was asking them for help to call out the Crown Prince.

The corners of their mouths twitched non-stop. It was just a date, she made it sound so grave, as if there was some shady business waiting for her, only to get them falsely excited.

"Okay, we’ll go," Hua Kongque readily agreed.

"Hua Kongque, you go," Zhang Shenjingbing obviously didn’t really want to participate, knowing that Hua Kongque alone was enough to call out the Crown Prince. He looped his arm around Lan Tian’s shoulder temptingly and said, "Little Lan, are you really not hiding anything from us? If you’re in any trouble, just tell your teacher, I will definitely stand by your side. You must trust me. For a young girl like you, why brood so much? Don’t keep everything to yourself, it can cause problems in the long run. Don’t worry, with your teacher here, I won’t let anything happen to you."

Lan Tian chuckled... Such soulful chicken soup for the soul; if she really were a teenage girl, she might actually believe him.

She didn’t even know Zhang Shenjingbing could speak with such depth. In her limited memory from her three years of high school, she only remembered Zhang Shenjingbing being relentless and tirelessly prying into her transferring classes.

Seeing that Shen Jingbing couldn’t extract any information either, Hua Kongque turned to leave for Hua Hall.

"Mr. Zhang, you’re overthinking it," Lan Tian gave him a sidelong glance and headed towards Hua Hall. After a few steps, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Zhang Shenjingbing, his scalp tingling under her gaze.

"What?" he inquired.

"Mr. Zhang, I actually do have something to trouble you with," Lan Tian said earnestly.

"What’s going on?" Zhang Shenjing, seeing Lan Tian’s expression, immediately had a bad feeling.

"Have you seen Mo Junhua? I haven’t seen him since we split up. Can you help me look around and find him? Tell him to come to me as soon as possible; I have something important to discuss with him. Mr. Zhang, I’m counting on you for this," Lan Tian earnestly requested.

Zhang Shenjing: "..." Alright, this is the first time Little Lan has ever asked him... to find a man for her?! Why does that sound so odd?

Zhang Shenjing shook his head, "Which direction did Mo Junhua go?"

"Over there," Lan Tian pointed to the other side of the garden, "Whether you find him or not, come back as soon as possible. If you notice anything unusual, come back and tell me. And take this with you."

Lan Tian took out a peach chain and handed it to Zhang Shenjing, who examined it and asked, "What’s this for? Why are you giving me this? You haven’t fallen for me, have you? Let me tell you, you’re not my type, and besides, a relationship between a teacher and student is taboo, it never ends well."

Lan Tian really wanted to smack him. Zhang Shenjing was so indiscreet with his words, saying whatever came to mind. Luckily, there weren’t many people around to overhear.

"What are you thinking? This is a peach wood bracelet. Out of respect for you being a teacher, I’m kindly giving it to you as a keepsake. Besides, peach wood wards off evil. Quit the chatter and just put it on. If you don’t want it, give it back to me; I’ll give it to Brother Hua instead." Giving out an amulet was such a hassle; if it weren’t because Zhang Shenjing used to be her teacher, Lan Tian couldn’t care less if he lived or died.

Mo Junhua was also wearing a peach wood bracelet. Why couldn’t she sense his presence? It was as though someone was deliberately interfering, preventing her from knowing his whereabouts. She had a looming sense that the more time passed, the worse it would be for Mo Junhua.

Why was she feeling this way? Lan Tian shook her head.

Zhang Shenjing didn’t want it at first, but upon hearing her say that, he immediately took it back and put the bracelet on his wrist, even showing it off in front of Lan Tian, "You can’t take back something once it’s given, Little Lan. You’re being a bit too stingy. Fine, for the sake of your bracelet, I’ll go look for him."

"Wait, I have another question for you." Lan Tian called out just as Zhang Shenjing was about to leave.

"What is it?" Zhang Shenjing turned back to Lan Tian. "What else haven’t you clarified? Tell me."

"It’s no big deal, just wondering if the host of the house has come out since I left?"

Zhang Shenjing, "..." Has he gotten too old? Why can’t he keep up with her pace?

"No, why do you ask?" Zhang Shenjing looked at Lan Tian with caution.

"It’s just that it’s getting late. All the invited guests are almost here, but the host has yet to preside over the banquet. Haven’t you seen anyone yet? Don’t you find that strange?"

"It is a bit strange," Zhang Shenjing stroked his chin and pondered, coming to this conclusion, "Who cares whether there’s a host or not, when the time comes you’ll naturally find out. We’re just here to enjoy the feast. Hey, which way did Mo Junhua go?"

"That way." Lan Tian pointed in the direction Mo Junhua had left, to the other side of the garden.

"Got it, I’m on it. Await my good news." He blew Lan Tian a kiss and took off. It wasn’t until she could no longer see his figure that Lan Tian headed toward Hua Hall.

Mr. Mo was still jesting with other elders; he didn’t notice Lan Tian approaching. It wasn’t until someone sat next to him that he turned around and saw Lan Tian.