Chapter 172: 172: You’re Spoiling Me (Additional updates for Xin Lan-)

Translator: 549690339

When they returned to the hotel, it was rather late. Tan Xiao and Chang Weicai were sitting by the fire, chatting. Bowls and chopsticks that hadn’t been tidied up were set aside; they had obviously already eaten.

Bai Youwei was nowhere in sight.

“Brother MO, here’s your portion.” Tan Xiao handed him a bowl.

Shen MO didn’t take it, saying, “I’ll go up and call her.”

“I took a bowl up to her earlier, but she didn’t eat. It’s hot out, so she probably isn’t hungry.” Mr. Chang chimed in, “When we have a chance, we can pickle some sour beans and cucumbers ourselves. They’re good for stimulating the appetite.”

Tan Xiao was surprised, “Mr. Chang, you know how to pickle cucumbers?”

“Yeah.” Mr. Chang nodded, seriously explaining, “It’s not difficult as long as you have cucumbers, chilli, salt, vinegar, and garlic …”

“Aren’t you a teacher? You’re not a cook by any chance, are you?”

“Well… when you live by yourself, you inevitably pick up some cooking skills …”

“So, can you pickle radishes? I especially like those!”

“First thing first, we need to have radishes…”

As the two rambled on, Shen MO bypassed them and went directly to the second floor of the hotel.

There was no power, and the corridor was pitch black.

Arriving on the second floor, the hallway was equally dark, having no windows. Only a faint light emanated from Bai Youwei’s room.

Shen MO found himself instinctively slowing his pace.

Advancing in the darkness and silence gave him an uncomfortable sensation, a faint sense of guilt stirring at the bottom of his heart. Despite having been away only for a short while, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he shouldn’t have…

Shouldn’t have left her alone in the darkness.

Shen MO reached the room. Bai Youwei was sitting with her back towards him in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. The moonlight outside spilled in, gilding the room with a silvery glow, and casting an indistinct halo around her silhouette.

The candlelight inside seemed small and dim against the moonlight.

It wasn’t very dark.

This realization made him feel slightly relieved.

He walked into the room and put down his bag.

Bai Youwei turned to glance at him when she heard him enter, then turned back dismissively.

Shen MO silently chuckled to himself and asked her, “Mr. Chang said you didn’t have an appetite. Are you going to eat dinner?” Gazing out the window, Bai Youwei replied, “I do have an appetite.”

Shen MO asked, “Then why didn’t you eat?”

Bai Youwei said, “I’m not in the mood.”

Shen Mo: ‘

He remained silent for a while, then followed her gaze out of the window. He saw the varying heights of the buildings, the overlapping shadows, and the thick, dark night sky.

“What are you looking at?” Shen MO asked.

With a sarcastic tone, Bai Youwei replied, “Seeing what charms the world outside has, that it could lure you away for such a long time.”

In the face of her periodic digs, Shen MO used to get a bit upset, but he had become almost immune to them now.

He gave a resigned laugh and said, “Well, I did come back in the end, didn’t it show that the charm here is greater than that of the outside?”

He rarely made such jokes, which caused Bai Youwei to stare at him in surprise for a full two seconds, before quizzically asking, “You’re in such a good mood; did you have some kind of romantic encounter outside?”

Shen MO didn’t answer, but instead took out some cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and loquats from his bag. Bai Youwei immediately reached out, “I want to eat!” “I thought you weren’t in the mood?”

“Well, you’ve cheered me up, so I’m in the mood now.”

Shen MO laughed, “When did I cheer you up?”

Bai Youwei pointed to the pile of fruit and vegetables in his hand, “Isn’t this from picking for me?”

Shen MO teased her, “Who says it couldn’t be for Tan Xiao and Mr. Chang?”

Bai Youwei confidently replied, “If it was for them, why would you bring it up here? You could have given it to them downstairs just now.”

Hmm, she had a point.

Shen MO turned to leave.

Bai Youwei grew anxious and mumbled, “You’re really taking it downstairs?” “I’m going to wash them..” Shen MO moved to the bathroom, his voice laced with a hint of laughter, “We can’t eat them without washing, can we?”