Chapter 115: A Small Favor

After dinner, no one was in a hurry to leave the restaurant. The reason was that Dong Xin, Gu Mengyan, and Fan Yirou had actually started chatting. Initially, Fan Yirou was as guarded toward Dong Xin as she was toward Chen Hao, but within a few words, the three girls instantly bonded and became very close.

Gu Mengyan, of course, was naturally carefree and trusting, always quick to treat others like close sisters after just a few exchanges.

Just like with Fan Yirou back then—when no one in their class wanted to befriend her, only Gu Mengyan reached out, initiating conversations and even treating her as a guest of honor at her birthday party. From there, the two developed into inseparable close friends.

However, based on Chen Hao’s understanding of Fan Yirou, she was not someone to trust others lightly. Judging by how she looked now, it didn’t seem like she was pretending to be close to Dong Xin; it appeared genuine. What kind of charm did Dong Xin possess that made even two people who had lived with him for over a decade so enamored?

Could this tomboy have slipped some kind of love potion into the food? Chen Hao thought maliciously.

But perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing. Although Gu Mengyan and Fan Yirou had grown close to Dong Xin and might extract information about Chen Hao, Chen Hao was also giving Fan Yirou a chance to understand her better.

Moreover, the three girls were just discussing going shopping at the local Crystal market later that afternoon. This gave Chen Hao a perfect excuse to handle his own affairs.

One thing Chen Hao appreciated about Gu Mengyan and Fan Yirou was that if they went shopping, they wouldn’t forcibly drag him along. If he didn’t want to go, they wouldn’t pressure him.

Anyone who’s accompanied girlfriends, wives, or mothers on shopping trips knows how daunting it can be—not in a negative sense, but admiring the boundless energy women display while shopping. Women seem to have inexhaustible stamina, able to shop all afternoon without tiring, only to be overwhelmed by fatigue and guilt afterward.

So, Chen Hao always kept his distance from shopping trips with Gu Mengyan or Fan Yirou.

If these three women were going to the Crystal market after dinner, that would free him up. If time allowed, he might even explore the nearby forest and gather some intelligence.

There was no rush to visit his father or check out that strange building today. From the tone of his father’s last phone call, he was undoubtedly swamped with work and wouldn’t have time to chat.

Besides, the forest was likely under lockdown now. Even if Chen Hao wanted to inspect it, it would be impossible. He’d have to wait until things settled down.

With these thoughts, Chen Hao cleared his throat and asked, “Ahem! Are you all planning to go shopping this afternoon?”

“For what?” Gu Mengyan gave him a disdainful look. “Eavesdropping on us three sisters, huh?”

“Hey! Now you’re calling yourselves three sisters? Silly girl. I’m not eavesdropping. You’re talking so loudly I can hear you clearly from several tables away. Why would I need to eavesdrop?” Chen Hao said, half annoyed, half amused.

Gu Mengyan’s openness was baffling. Though not related by blood, they had lived under the same roof for over a decade, yet she was nothing like him. Look at him—young, wealthy (though his wealth came from family), handsome (thanks to good genes from his parents), and hardworking enough to keep time from leaving its mark on his face.

His education was nothing special—a modest second-tier university—nothing to brag about. Gu Mengyan attended a third-tier school, so he had that slight edge. Their jobs were about equal. As for love lives… well, they all needed to work on that.

After all this reflection, Chen Hao realized he wasn’t much better than Gu Mengyan.

Still, at least he wouldn’t trust a stranger so easily and call her sister. But luckily, with Fan Yirou around, Gu Mengyan would have someone to keep her grounded and prevent her from being taken advantage of. That gave Chen Hao peace of mind to attend to his own matters.

“So, Chen Hao, you’re not planning to join us shopping this afternoon?” Fan Yirou teased, pinching his cheek playfully.

Chen Hao shrugged with a carefree expression. “Of course not. Shopping with you girls is a pleasure for you, but for me, a big guy, it’s torture. I just don’t understand why you girls like shopping so much. Is it really that captivating?”

Dong Xin laughed and shot back, “It’s the same as us girls not understanding why you boys love playing video games so much!”

“You’re good!” Chen Hao admitted helplessly. “Three mouths to argue with, I can’t win. Just have fun, but be careful—don’t cause any trouble. We’re in unfamiliar territory here; the strong don’t always dominate the locals!”

“Stinky Chen Hao! Do we look like troublemakers?” Gu Mengyan pouted, hands on hips.

“You’re the one to talk!” Chen Hao retorted. “Remember the last trip when you caused such a scene? Snatching cotton candy from a kid’s hand! Aren’t you ashamed?”

Gu Mengyan blushed and stammered, clearly guilty. “I-I wasn’t snatching! I was first in line, and there was only one cotton candy left. Why should I give it up? If the kid were cute, maybe, but that brat kept rubbing his butt against me in line—such a little rascal. Why should I give in to him?

“And seeing his dad eye me like that made me furious. And you—you didn’t help me; you stopped me. Whose side are you on?”

This incident happened during a previous trip the two took with their company colleagues, arranged by the Illusion Company.

They visited a Southeast Asian country known for its tough local customs. Due to past conflicts years ago, the locals were not very friendly toward their countrymen. Chen Hao found it ironic—despite the aid their country had extended to this small nation, the locals remained ungrateful.

Though Chen Hao was angry, he understood the importance of avoiding conflicts while traveling. So, following the principle of “less trouble is better,” he restrained Gu Mengyan from arguing.

Initially, the locals didn’t intend to let them off easily, but the commotion attracted attention from their colleagues and tourists from other countries. Seeing they were outnumbered, the locals muttered curses in their language and left.

Chen Hao was sure that if it had been just him and Gu Mengyan, the locals wouldn’t have let them go so easily. They might have even followed them to their hotel and thrown glass bottles at night—a story Chen Hao’s university friend had personally experienced.

So Chen Hao remained very cautious. His reminder to the three girls today was for this reason. Although Crystal was part of their country, it was a border city adjoining foreign lands, frequented by foreign merchants and a mix of characters, some potentially dangerous.

Since he had things to do this afternoon and no one to accompany them, he couldn’t ensure their safety. If an accident happened, it would be problematic. Hence, his previous warnings.

Just as Chen Hao was about to lecture Gu Mengyan, Dong Xin interjected to smooth things over. “Alright, Chen Hao, you don’t need to worry. I’ve been to Crystal many times and know the place well.

“The people here aren’t like those troublesome foreigners. They are kind and friendly. What you described won’t happen here. And even if there’s trouble, I can handle it, so you don’t need to worry!”

Though Chen Hao doubted where Dong Xin’s confidence came from, since she said so, and he didn’t want to dampen the mood, he nodded.

“Alright then! Dong Xin, I’ll leave Gu Mengyan and Fan Yirou in your care.”

“No need to be so formal, Chen Hao. It’s my pleasure. Oh, and I have a small favor to ask!” Dong Xin smiled.

Chen Hao was surprised. “What favor?”

“Hehe, just a little thing,” Dong Xin explained. “Since driving to the market might be inconvenient, could you please drive my car back to the hotel parking lot? Of course, if you need the car, feel free to use it—just remember to fill up the gas afterward.”