Chapter 14: Nobles are never good people
"Han Xue, out of all the ideas you've given me, this is by far the worst." Lan Wei exclaimed as the pair strolled down the street.
Han Xue smiled.
"And yet you're still here with me."
"Well, my grandmother always said-" Han Xue started, a smirk dancing across his attractive features.
"If you can't make money, steal it from the rich."
Lan Wei sighed. It seems like his entire family was similar to Han Xue. Must be hereditary. Han Xue would be the type of person to stab you over stolen food whilst trying to seduce you at the same time.
"I hope you're not backing off now, big boy~"
With that said, Han Xue stuck out his tongue at Lan Wei and ran off.
"Stealing riches, doesn't that go against your morality?" Lan Wei called out after him. He ignored the glances people gave him and ran after Han Xue.
"What morality? They'll earn it back by stealing from the poor." Han Xue suddenly stopped and spat out, his good mood turned into dust.
Lan Wei hadn't realised something was wrong with Han Xue.
"What if they're good nobles?" He pressed on.
Han Xue's face turned completely dark. His previous jovial tone turned sullen as he said-
"Have you met a single noble who's good?"
Lan Wei was taken aback. What did Han Xue mean? He matched his pace with Han Xue's, and the two of them continued walking down the street.
"My parents?" Lan Wei questioned, a thread of nervousness in his voice.
Han Xue looked at him in confusion, before sadness spread throughout his eyes.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I forgot-" Han Xue took a deep breath, before continuing.
"I forgot you're a noble too."
Lan Wei regretted bringing up his parents. Han Xue must have some sort of grudge against nobles, and his heart hurt from the memories he must've brought up for Han Xue. Having your buried memories pop right back up was never a pleasant experience.
Not before long, Han Xue went straight back into his jovial mood as he exclaimed, "Anyways, don't you worry my love, I did my research."
Lan Wei glanced at him, eyebrow raised. What research could he have done in the past 20 minutes? Han Xue never left his sight.
"I swear these are all bad nobles who steal from the poor!" Han Xue said.
Lan Wei stared at Han Xue with a deadpan expression. Nevermind, there was no point in arguing with a person like Han Xue.
But Lan Wei's heart felt uncomfortable.
"Promise me one thing." He said to Han Xue.
Han Xue smirked as he replied,"What one thing? To stay with you forever? How romantic, Lan Wei. Didn't know you had it in your bones."
His arms found their way around Lan Wei's neck, who shifted them off in annoyance. There was only so much flirting he could stand. This guy really took everything he said to the extremes! If Lan Wei was a girl, he would've long have slapped Han Xue.
"No. To give some of the money to the poor." Lan Wei said. His voice got quieter at the end, almost as if he was reliving a memory himself.
Han Xue sighed.
"How chivalrous of you. Too bad your kind of person gets eaten up very quickly."
He patted Lan Wei on the back and said-
"Good people are non-existent in this world. I suggest you don't hold your parents in such esteem."
Lan Wei nodded slightly, but still held doubts in his heart. Han Xue was wrong. Lan Wei's parents were still good people. On the other hand, for a moment, it seemed like Han Xue was suddenly like an old sage who had seen too much of the world.
It was an odd contrast with his normally flirtatious behavior.
Soon, the pair arrived at their destination- a large restaurant. Mahogany wood and gold leaf decorations weaved their way around the restaurant, as people streamed in and out of the open doors.
Lan Wei could already hear the low murmuring along with a ethereal tune. He peeked inside and saw a string instrument being played by a little lady on the stage.
"Anyways, we've arrived. It's now or never." Han Xue looked at Lan Wei with a raised eyebrow.
Lan Wei nodded. He still had to do this, one way or another.
As they entered the restaurant, they were greeted by a waiter.
"Greetings, gentlemen. How many people?" The waiter asked.
"A friend of ours has already booked a private room upstairs. Family name Qiao." Han Xue said.
The waiter's eyes lit up as he exclaimed,
"Oh yes! I will bring both of you upstairs right now. Follow me."
He brought the pair up the winding staircase and through a maze of hallways. Everywhere they went, it was lit with a warm glow. The whole place screamed 'expensive'. The waiter soon stopped in front of a room with a label, 'Room 27'.
He knocked gently on the door and called out, "Young Master Qiao, your guests have arrived."
Han Xue opened the door and motioned for the waiter to leave.
"Qiao He! Long time no see!" Han Xue exclaimed happily.
Qiao He sat by a window seat. He was a rather strong looking youth, and dressed lavishly for his age. His eyes still glittered with the naivety of youth.
"Han Xue! That is the name you're going by nowadays, isn't it?" He asked Han Xue, who glared at him.
Lan Wei looked quizzically at Han Xue.
"It's not much of a big deal, I just travel a lot. With my charm, I'd have to hide my identity every now and then so I can avoid all the proposals." Han Xue explained.
He flicked his hair back and gloated at Qiao He, who groaned at his friend's shamelessness.
"Of course, I would certainly tell you my real name if you were the one proposing." Han Xue grinned and winked flirtily at Lan Wei.
Lan Wei rolled his eyes and let out another deep sigh. Qiao He wasn't even fazed at Han Xue's openness, and he motioned for Lan Wei to come sit in front.
Lan Wei looked out the window, into the busy streets of Wuhan.
The view was like a dream; something straight out of an Eastern film he had watched in his previous life.
Even the restaurant they were in was beautiful. Colourful paintings decorated the warm hallways and rooms, each brushstroke filled with precision and tranquility. Lan Wei had heard of this restaurant before- it was one of the most lavish and expensive places in the capital.
"Lan Wei~ What do you want to eat?" Han Xue asked Lan Wei, dragging his voice on Lan Wei's name.
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