Shen Qinglan had only taken a few steps when she immediately noticed that someone was following her.
The corner of her lips curled slightly as she complained coldly to herself.
So much for Bai Manor!
Her father was always praising how peaceful the lands under the Bai family’s care were, saying that the people lived well and hardly anyone dared to cause trouble.
And now?
She had barely walked a few steps before someone set their sights on her.
The alley turned out to be a dead end.
Shen Qinglan stopped and was just considering how to turn back when the fat and thin figures behind her began closing in.
This time, they no longer bothered to hide their intentions.
Both wore smiles they clearly thought looked charming, standing there with an air of false respectability as though they were truly well-mannered gentlemen.
“Little miss, did you take the wrong turn?
How about these big brothers show you the way out?” Their voices were deliberately gentle, but the slyness and frivolity in their expressions were impossible to hide.
No matter how she looked at them, their faces were simply begging to be punched.
Shen Qinglan stared at them warily without saying a word, though her mind was already working quickly, calculating how best to deal with them.
Their clothes might have been neat, but their faces were greasy, and the sour smell of sweat mixed with a stale stench clung to their bodies.
It was nauseating.
Seeing that she remained silent, the two exchanged a glance and moved a few steps closer.
“What’s wrong, little miss?
Why aren’t you saying anything?
If you don’t speak, how are your big brothers supposed to take you out of here?” The closer they came, the stronger the stench became.
Shen Qinglan felt as though she was about to throw up last night’s dinner.
Suppressing her nausea, she quietly slipped her left hand into her shoulder bag and felt for a concealed weapon.
“I appreciate your kindness, but I can simply go back the way I came.
There’s no need to trouble you.” Her voice was clear and crisp, like jade striking jade, yet threaded with a faint chill.
But the two refused to give up.
Instead, they softened their voices even more, and the thin man continued putting on an act.
“Oh, wouldn’t it be easier if we showed you the way?
Don’t be scared.” “Exactly!
Anyone can tell you’re not from around here.
Wouldn’t it be more convenient with your big brothers around?” the fat man chimed in.
Shen Qinglan raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with disdain.
The next moment, the obedient young lady disappeared.
A roguish smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
With a lift of her hand, a feather-shaped folding fan had somehow appeared between her fingers.
Shen Qinglan flicked the fan open and raised it to partially cover her face.
Her cool gaze swept over the two men from above its edge as she spoke in a lazy, roguish tone.
“They say a person’s face reflects their heart, and the kind of people you two are is written all over your faces…
Tsk, tsk, tsk!
Messy hair, filthy faces, shifty eyes, noses as big as garlic, and that sour stink all over you—you’re worse than a pigsty.
And you still have the nerve to call yourselves charming and handsome?
Heh…
Did you dig that confidence out of a bucket of pig fat?” Halfway through, Shen Qinglan lifted her chin slightly, looking lazy and arrogant, like some lofty master gazing down upon mere ants.
The ribs of her fan lightly pointed toward the two men as her entire manner suddenly changed.
Her words carried the shameless swagger of a street rogue, yet somehow, she still retained an effortless, otherworldly air, like an immortal casually mocking someone after a few cups of wine.
Shen Qinglan suddenly snapped the folding fan shut.
Smack!
The crisp sound rang out like a sharp warning to the two men.
She narrowed her eyes and gave them a roguish sneer.
“And one more thing—stop calling yourselves my big brothers.
Looking as greasy as you do, you’re uncles at best…
the kind who just finished selling chives at the morning market.
The smelly kind.” Then her tone changed.
Shen Qinglan suddenly raised her hand and slammed the fan against the bricks beside her with a loud bang.
Dust and bits of lime trickled down the wall, making both men shudder at the same time.
“You want money?
Sorry, but I couldn’t even be bothered to bring a single copper coin today.
“You want me instead?
Sure…” Her lips curled into a smile.
Her clear voice suddenly dropped, turning as cold as a blade.
“I guarantee you’ll be going straight to heaven tonight—lying perfectly horizontal.” “If you don’t believe me, I can give you a free trial package right now.” With that, she lightly waved her folding fan and covered half her face, leaving only a pair of bright, clear eyes visible, her expression icy.
The two men exchanged a glance.
Truthfully, they were already beginning to feel uneasy.
The sharp crack of her fan striking the wall had made their hearts jump, and their legs had nearly gone weak.