“Looking for cubs?” Wang Tianhai repeated, asking weakly. “Do you already have a family? I remember you saying you were going to take care of your sick mother.”
“Yes, yes, I do.” Lu Mingming coughed lightly, deliberately pitching her voice slightly higher to avoid being recognized by acquaintances from either side. “I got married a long time ago, and now I’m divorced with a child. My child went missing a few days ago, and I’m searching all over Sin City for them.” Lu Mingming added with a dry laugh, elaborating.
“Oh, really?” Lu Yan asked back inexplicably. He remembered someone leaving with a cub. Had Lu Mingming lost contact with the cub during the process? Lu Yan’s eyes darkened as he suddenly noticed Orlanar on the opposite side also staring at Lu Mingming’s dark face, where no facial features were discernible. Come to think of it, when the dwarf boss mentioned Orlanar was an official, the little black girl hadn’t shown any surprise. Lu Yan spotted the peculiar detail, a faint smile gracing his lips, his eyes revealing a hint of amusement for the first time. He didn’t waste a moment, observing Lu Mingming’s expression, trying to find even the slightest flaw. He thought, Orlanar, being naturally suspicious, wouldn’t believe it easily. Since you haven’t recognized me, don’t blame me for secretly abducting you. Lu Yan made up his mind and began to plot his plan.
“Let me escort you back home to take care of your sick mother. It seems quite urgent, and I hope I can help.” Wang Tianhai offered a foolish smile. His kindness and good intentions deeply touched Lu Mingming, and she sighed, thinking it was truly the worst timing.
“Alright,” Lu Mingming said, unable to refuse him directly. “Just drop me off at the doorstep. The virus my mother carries is quite strong, so it’s not suitable for too many people to gather.”
“Don’t worry, if it’s too serious, I have some medicine for treatment.” Wang Tianhai didn’t notice anything amiss.
“Haha, really? That’s wonderful.” Lu Mingming feigned surprise, but inside, she was on the verge of tears. She stepped back after agreeing, continuing to be an inconspicuous background figure. Even without direct eye contact, she could still feel a scorching gaze on her, frantically searching for familiar traces from before. Lu Mingming’s heart began to race, as if she would be so nervous she couldn’t speak the next moment. She prayed that these people would stop looking at her.
“There’s nothing else to say, let’s go now,” Lu Yan said, seeming quite pleased, and stood up to walk outside first. Orlanar finally withdrew his gaze from Lu Mingming, his exquisitely handsome face stern, creating an invisible barrier that deterred 99% of those who might approach him. Lu Mingming deliberately took a step back to clear a path for Orlanar, but her wrist was suddenly grasped tightly. The grip, as if trying to crush her wrist, was mixed with a trace of caution, so gentle yet preventing Lu Mingming from breaking free. A rush of heat quickly flooded her cheeks.
“Why are you running? I’m not going to eat you,” Orlanar said seriously.
This sudden turn of events made Lu Yan’s face darken, while the bald man let out a disdainful laugh: “Talking about liking streamer Mingming, yet you’re making a move on a little black girl. Love is truly a cheap thing for our great Prince Orlanar.”
Hearing her name, Lu Mingming felt a subtle sense of foreboding. She exerted a little strength to pull free and followed up on the bald man’s words, “What are you doing?”
“I think you’re quite pleasing to the eye, and I want to visit your mother with Wang Tianhai to help you out. That would be good.”
“Haha.” This time, Lu Mingming genuinely let out an awkward laugh. “…My home is humble and poor, so it is my honor to welcome you.”
“Let’s go quickly!” Orlanar released Lu Mingming’s hand. Gaining a sliver of respite, Lu Mingming set off with Wang Tianhai’s smile.
Lu Yan, who had been silent, slammed the table and stood up, saying, “I’d like to follow and take a look. I’ve never experienced what a slum looks like.” It was a rather baseless reason, yet he couldn't find anything wrong with it. Lu Mingming felt like crying, sensing she was dangerously close to being exposed.
“Are you a tagalong? Do you have to follow everywhere?” Orlanar said irritably. The last time he felt this annoyed was when he encountered Yi Fu, that little green tea. Lu Yan smiled slightly, remaining silent. Orlanar’s attack landed like a blow on soft cotton, causing no pain or itch. He immediately turned away with a cold face.
The two parties, who had seemed on the verge of drawing swords or firing guns, created a false impression of reconciliation and left the corridor one by one. The maids and attendants serving them recognized Lu Yan and bowed, not daring to look further. After they had walked away, two or three of them gathered and whispered amongst themselves.
“Oh my god, who is that little darkie walking between them? Why is she treated so well?”
“Look at her clothes, they’re clearly for commoners. Could it be that the two big shots like black people?”
“Perhaps. Their taste is truly strange. Do you think I should get a tan?”
…
“Take my spaceship, my private spaceship is the fastest,” Orlanar seized the opportunity to invite. Lu Yan chuckled and interrupted, “Is that so? Do you know that the fastest spaceship was bought by ‘Starry Brocade’?”
Lu Mingming couldn’t stand the atmosphere that was about to escalate again. She made a large X with her hands crossed in front of her chest, earning stares from both men. She spoke with a sigh, “There’s no need to trouble you both. I think the distance is so short that walking back would be just fine.”
“Exactly! Why insist on using a flying vehicle? Such a waste of energy! This little black girl is sensible.” The bald man, for the first time, failed to read the room, his mouth moving faster than his brain, earning a deep look from Lu Yan. The bald man didn’t know where he had offended his boss but skillfully zipped his lips shut and stopped talking.
Since Lu Yan had appeared at the auction, he was still too conspicuous. Ultimately, Wang Tianhai decided to use a slightly more convenient automatic shuttle to save the effort of walking and to avoid being noticed by passersby. The only drawback was that everyone was squeezed into a small, not-so-large compartment, where they could see people they disliked. The air felt suffocating. During this time, no one spoke, and Lu Mingming let out a relieved sigh, feeling as if the world had finally quieted down. She leaned against the window and saw the people who had just attended the auction dispersing. She immediately thought of the speck of dust she had sent out.
Lu Mingming pretended to be spaced out, her spiritual sea automatically connecting to that wisp of spiritual energy outside. Clear conversations entered her ears.
“Are you sure that thing is Ghost Ginseng?”
“I’m sure, I saw it with my own eyes.”
Lu Mingming heard the attendant’s voice, and the other party was a stranger whose voice she had never heard before.
“Go and get a few people ready. Little Black Girl is protected by members of ‘Deer Hunter.’ Their boss surely won’t choose to confront Sin City. I’ll report this matter to the City Lord. If you don’t hear back from me, go and handle it. Don’t worry, you’ll definitely be awarded the first prize.”
“Yes. I’ll go track that little black girl immediately!” The attendant left excitedly. All conversation ended there.
A faint purple glint flashed in Lu Mingming’s eyes. The other party might have changed clothes, as she heard no further movement. So, they were after the Ghost Ginseng. Lu Mingming mused. It must have been the unique fragrance when she opened the packaging that attracted the attendant’s attention. They thought she was a lowly citizen, easily killed, and resorted to such insidious tactics. Unfortunately, their plan seemed to be failing.
Lu Mingming glanced subtly at the two men sitting on either side. To her surprise, no matter whom she looked at, their eyes met hers directly. Are these two crazy? Lu Mingming offered a fake smile, lowered her head, focused on her own business, and mentally chanted a prayer for herself.
The bald man suddenly leaned into Lu Yan’s ear and whispered something. Although there was no need to speak so quietly, everyone possessed strong spiritual power and could easily hear what was being said.
“Someone is following us. There should be at least three people, each with a strength of B-class.”
“Interesting. I wonder whose enemy it is.” Wang Tianhai pointed at Lu Yan with almost palpable hostility. Amidst the verbal sparring, Lu Mingming sighed with pity. Oh dear, why are some people rushing to their deaths so quickly?