Free Web NovelChapter 216: Chapter 216: A Mouse Sees a Cat, What Are You Afraid Of?
"Manager Mi and the staff have gone to the warehouse outside the city to pick up goods, so I stayed behind to look after the shop."
"The clinic is mostly set up now. We were just waiting for you to inspect it and see if you wanted any changes."
But when Mo Lingling saw the man following behind Ji Qingwu, her cheerful smile froze on her face.
She stammered, "Miss... Miss Ji, the new medicinal herbs haven’t been sorted yet. I... I’ll go sort them now."
Ji Qingwu watched Mo Lingling flee like a mouse that had seen a cat, then turned to find Duan Mingfeng’s expression growing even more grim.
She concluded matter-of-factly, "Miss Mo is terrified of Mr. Duan."
Duan Mingfeng grunted in a low voice.
Mo Lingling had been afraid of him since childhood, to the point where it now seemed second nature.
Ji Qingwu said gently, "You should ask Miss Mo why she’s so afraid of you. The two of you could clear the air."
Duan Mingfeng crossed his arms and said dismissively, "Many people in this world are afraid of me. I can’t be expected to ask every single one of them why."
Ji Qingwu nodded. "That’s true."
Duan Mingfeng’s methods were ruthless, and he had become a figure in Lin’an that struck terror into the hearts of countless people.
However, they were from the same hometown and were bound to meet again. But she had said all she could.
The clinic’s decor was already starting to look quite impressive.
Ji Qingwu led Duan Mingfeng to an inner room on the first floor. This was the dedicated consultation room for the physician.
She gestured with her hand. "Mr. Duan, please have a seat."
Sitting across from Ji Qingwu, Duan Mingfeng suddenly felt as if he were ill.
Specifically, with infertility.
The reason was simple. The murals in the room depicted not Shennong, nor medicinal herbs, but one chubby, adorable baby after another.
Ji Qingwu saw him staring at the paintings on the wall.
Her eyes curved into a smile as she explained, "Do you like these paintings, Mr. Duan? Miss Mo found all of them."
Duan Mingfeng averted his gaze and said with a straight face, "I do not. Miss Ji, you summoned me. Is there something you need?"
Ji Qingwu did have official business with him. She began, "Mr. Duan, I wanted to ask if you’ve noticed anything strange recently."
Duan Mingfeng answered without hesitation, "Why do you ask? Nothing particularly unusual has happened in Lin’an City."
Ji Qingwu continued, "Mr. Duan, have you seen any unusual people?"
A peculiar glint flashed in Duan Mingfeng’s eyes. "Miss Ji, have you encountered someone? Did something happen?"
Ji Qingwu smiled. "Don’t be alarmed, Mr. Duan. I’ve run into someone twice. Judging by his appearance, he isn’t from our Beili. He seems to have come from the west."
Because of her experience fleeing from the Northern Border to Nanchu, Ji Qingwu was extra wary of people who suddenly appeared from foreign lands.
Besides, with the tense conflict between Xijin and Beili on the border, she couldn’t help but be more cautious.
Duan Mingfeng said, "You’re very observant, Miss Ji. I have already secretly investigated these people. They are Imperial Merchants from Xijin, here in Beili specifically to experience the local culture and purchase some goods to take back."
’Coming all this way just to make purchases?’ Ji Qingwu’s eyes filled with doubt.
"But just in case, I’ve already had my men keep an eye on them." Duan Mingfeng also felt the reason was flimsy.
He continued, "It’s just that for the past few days, according to reports from my informants, they’ve only been wandering the streets, eating their way through all of Lin’an’s famous food stalls and shops. They haven’t done anything out of the ordinary."
The last time Ji Qingwu had met that man with the gray-blue eyes, it had been in a restaurant.
’I hope I’m just overthinking things...’
Ji Qingwu said, still uneasy, "Before they leave Lin’an, please assign more men to watch them, Mr. Duan."
Duan Mingfeng said, "The Imperial City Department will handle security. You needn’t worry, Miss Ji."
Just then, Ji Qingwu, who was sitting facing the doorway, saw a figure moving by the door curtain.
Her clear voice rang out, "Come in."
The door curtain was pushed aside by a slender hand, and Mo Lingling walked in carrying tea and snacks. She placed all the cups and saucers from the wenge wood tray in her hands in front of Ji Qingwu.
"Miss Ji, it’s been dry lately. You should drink more water to soothe your throat."
Ji Qingwu noticed the tea’s unusual color, sniffed it lightly, and asked, "Is there monk fruit and mint in this?"
Mo Lingling replied, "That’s right. You have such a sharp nose, Miss Ji. I also added dandelion. It’s a secret recipe that one of the older girls who used to sing at the pavilion told me. It’s the best for protecting your voice."
Ji Qingwu nodded. "It’s very good. You’re very thoughtful, Miss Mo."
This was her clinic, and Duan Mingfeng was a guest, so Ji Qingwu pushed the cup of tea in front of her toward him first.
"Mr. Duan, please."
Mo Lingling’s eyes were fixed on the cup. She said quickly, "Duan Envoy doesn’t speak much usually, so he doesn’t strain his voice. He doesn’t need to drink this."
Duan Mingfeng hadn’t intended to drink it, but upon hearing her words, a chill entered his eyes. He took the white porcelain cup and drained it in one gulp.
Ji Qingwu didn’t even have time to warn him that it was hot.
But Duan Mingfeng’s expression remained unchanged. He didn’t even flinch. Only, his other hand, hidden beneath the table, was clenched into a tight fist.
Mo Lingling’s eyes widened. "I remember Duan Envoy hates anything with mint."
He had despised mint since he was a small child. She, on the other hand, had always loved it.
Duan Mingfeng gave her a look, his jaw tight, then averted his gaze.
Mo Lingling had also brought out quite a few snacks, filling the table in front of Ji Qingwu.
"Miss Ji, I made all of these myself. I even added some medicinal herbs that are nourishing and good for the complexion. Please try them and tell me what you think."
The snacks looked appetizing and smelled fragrant. Ji Qingwu took a small bite and was pleasantly surprised. ’I never expected Mo Lingling to have such a talent. I really hired the right person.’
After a few words of praise, Ji Qingwu said, "Put some in front of Mr. Duan as well."
The smile on Mo Lingling’s face stiffened again. She replied, "I remember Mr. Duan doesn’t care for these kinds of snacks either."
Before she could finish her sentence, Duan Mingfeng reached out, took the nearest turnip cake, and put it in his mouth.
A look of confusion appeared in Mo Lingling’s eyes. This was completely different from the person she remembered.
Duan Mingfeng was eating the turnip cake, but the way he chewed made it look as though he wanted to grind up the person in front of him and swallow them whole.
The atmosphere was both bizarre and, for Ji Qingwu, somewhat familiar.
Ji Qingwu cleared her throat and stood up. "It’s still early, but I should be heading home to sleep."
The statement was completely out of the blue. Mo Lingling asked, puzzled, "Miss Ji, you’re going to sleep this early?"
Ji Qingwu said, "What I mean is, I’m going home to take a nap. You and Mr. Duan can have the tea and snacks."
"Miss Ji, don’t—"
Mo Lingling looked like she was about to cry, desperate to leave with Ji Qingwu.
Duan Mingfeng slammed the small plate in his hand onto the table. The porcelain dish instantly shattered into powder.
"What are you afraid of?"
