Love in the Fast Lane - Chapter 72 - Visit from the In-Laws

For several days in a row, the three of them left home together every time. Qi Xiaomeng returned to her place and changed her door lock. She even tried some tricks she had learned from TV shows to prevent strangers from entering, like sprinkling some dust at the entrance and placing a hair between the inner door. Her valuable items, just a few pieces of clothing and a laptop, were moved to Tang Ning and Mo Zihan’s place. Since there were two bedrooms there, it was convenient for the current situation where they had to live together for mutual support, and none of them was the type to fuss over small details.

Perhaps because their vigilance had increased, the sense of being followed that they had noticed on the first day gradually faded, but still lingered. Even the security guard downstairs mentioned that few strangers had been around lately, and those who previously liked to stroll here for no reason seemed to have disappeared.

This was not a good sign. If those people were indeed associated with Li Ke, such unusual behavior could only mean one thing-they were about to take action.

This day marked the day when Tang Ning and Mo Zihan would return home. Just after 5 a.m., they and the early-rising Qi Xiaomeng sneaked out of the residential community, disappearing quickly into the shadows where the dim streetlights couldn’t reach. Near dawn, they escorted Qi Xiaomeng to the airport. Shortly after eight, the plane carrying Qi Xiaomeng roared away from the city.

Afterwards, Tang Ning and Mo Zihan took a taxi back to the residential community. Hopefully, any surveillance would only focus on cars leaving, not those entering.

Back upstairs, as they had an afternoon train to catch, both felt a bit worn out and took a nap. They only got up in the afternoon. After tidying up the apartment, Mo Zihan asked Tang Ning, “How about the company’s paperwork? Is it all sorted out?”

Tang Ning replied, “Everything’s hidden. Unless someone overturns the entire building, there’s no way they’ll find it.”

He was quite adept at hiding things. If he claimed that no one could find them, then indeed, no one would. While these actions might seem laughable, neither dared to be careless. They cautiously triple-checked the apartment before securing the doors and heading downstairs with their luggage.

There were a few taxis waiting in the residential community, and someone promptly opened a car door when they saw the two with their large bags.

Mo Zihan whispered, “Let’s take the bus instead. It might be a bit crowded, but it’s safer.”

Tang Ning certainly wouldn’t tease Mo Zihan for being cautious; in fact, he agreed wholeheartedly, nodding. “Exactly, the more critical the moment, the more careful we need to be. Also, we should keep an eye on the people around us on the bus. Only when we get home can we really relax.”

Declining the taxi, they took advantage of the crowd to leave, walking to a nearby bus stop. After a short wait, a bus heading to the train station slowly pulled up in front of them.

Surprisingly, the bus was not crowded, and they managed to get the last two seats at the back.

After more than an hour and a half on the road, the bus stopped in the open lot outside the train station. Mo Zihan sat by the window, watching as people slowly retrieved their luggage. When she glanced outside, she frowned and whispered, “Li Ke is out there.”

How did he know they were leaving today? Even though they had anticipated Li Ke might find out their departure date, actually seeing him there was unsettling.

It was like knowing you’d encounter a giant snake in the rainforest, but being startled when you actually did.

“What do we do now?” Mo Zihan’s voice trembled slightly. If she still thought Li Ke had some unspoken reason for his actions, she’d be underestimating her own intelligence.

Tang Ning gently patted her hand to comfort her. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this. However you usually act around Li Ke, just keep it the same today. Don’t let him sense that we’re defensive; pushing him into a corner could make him dangerous.”

Mo Zihan took a deep breath, calmed her nerves, and nodded lightly.

Just as Mo Zihan was about to get off the bus, her phone rang. It was Qi Xiaomeng calling.

Noticing that most people had already disembarked, Mo Zihan answered the call and chatted briefly. After hanging up, she turned to Tang Ning and said, “Xiaomeng just got home. Her family wasn’t expecting her back, so they were quite surprised. They’re already planning to take her on an arranged date today, haha.”

Though she tried to laugh and appear at ease, the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her nervousness. Mo Zihan’s skin tightened with a clear sense of tension, and the fine hairs on her cheeks stood on end.

Tang Ning reassured her, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t worry, I’m right here with you.”

After a while, when everyone ahead had cleared out, Mo Zihan regained her composure. She smiled softly at Tang Ning and said, “Alright, with you by my side, I’m not afraid of anything.”

The two got off the bus hand in hand. Li Ke, who was waiting nearby, gazed intently from behind the railing. His eyes first landed on Tang Ning, devoid of any emotional nuance. He appeared calm, surprisingly so, as if he had everything under control and was merely there to observe, like someone admiring the scenery.

It was a look that Tang Ning found quite unpleasant, and Mo Zihan shared his sentiment.

No one enjoys being perceived as prey, even if the hunter isn’t particularly skilled.

Right now, even if Li Ke’s amusement seemed clownish to others, his presumptuous confidence was somewhat off-putting.

From across the barrier, Tang Ning looked back at Li Ke. Li Ke’s gaze seemed unfocused, scanning the area briefly before he stepped forward.

“Let’s go, the train’s leaving soon,” Mo Zihan said, her lips curling slightly. Suddenly, she realized there was no need to confront Li Ke, regardless of his intentions.

With her arm linked through Tang Ning’s, they merged into the crowd flowing towards the train station, feeling his gaze on their backs.

He might be mocking them, but what did that matter? Their lives were theirs to shape at their own pace. Did someone else’s attitude really matter? If they only allowed others’ successes to define their lives, how could there be any color beyond the stark red of life’s struggles?

Although Mo Zihan always considered herself a grassroots girl, she’d never experienced being packed on a train before. This time, it was an eye-opener for her.

Even last year, when they took the train, they had sleeper compartment tickets. This year, they couldn’t get sleepers, so they had to settle for hard seats.

As soon as they boarded the train, Mo Zihan felt a bit dizzy, surrounded by a sea of heads in the cramped space.

After finally squeezing into their seats, the train had already left the station.

After a long period of dozing off in her chair, Mo Zihan suddenly felt more space around her. She opened her bleary eyes to see that a small station had just passed, and a large group of people, standing or lying in the aisle, had gotten off, reducing the crowd in their carriage significantly.

“Thank goodness, I can finally breathe,” Mo Zihan said with relief, clapping her hands softly.

Tang Ning smirked, “You think that was crowded? You haven’t seen this train at its peak yet. Just wait another three or four hours, and there won’t even be room to stand.”

Mo Zihan was incredulous, “No way! We barely made it through earlier. If more people come on, the carriage will burst at the seams! Even if more people board, some passengers should get off, right?”

Tang Ning didn’t argue; instead, he scanned both ends of the carriage, seemingly looking for something.

“What are you looking for?” Mo Zihan asked, puzzled, as she pulled a water bottle from her bag.

Tang Ning grinned, “Waiting for the ticket inspector to come around.”

Mo Zihan was confused. What did they need the ticket inspector for?

With no experience taking the train, she didn’t understand.

Tang Ning didn’t explain much but hinted mysteriously that if they were lucky, the next twenty-plus hours might be more comfortable. Mo Zihan, in a bit of a huff, decided not to ask further and snuggled into her coat to nap.

If she couldn’t figure out what Tang Ning was up to, she could at least decide what she’d do. Sleeping was something she could do anytime, anywhere. It was better to rest up to prepare for seeing him all tired out later!

In a dreamy state, Tang Ning woke Mo Zihan, proudly waving two sleeper tickets in his hand. “Following me, think I’d let you suffer? Come on, let’s head to the sleeper compartment.”

Mo Zihan was astonished, “Hey, where did you get the sleeper tickets?”

Taking advantage of a moment when the aisle was clear, they quickly grabbed their luggage and hurried to the sleeper compartment. Once settled, Tang Ning explained, “It was simple. After the ticket inspector comes through, there’s always someone with them to sell additional tickets. That person has extra tickets. Plus, the train’s been going for a few hours, and not all the ones who disembarked early would have hard seats; some had sleepers. I asked and, sure enough, got two tickets. Watch, more people will get sleeper tickets this way; it’s just our little trick.”

Mo Zihan rewarded him generously-by smothering Tang Ning’s face with kisses. Then, she sprawled out on the upper bunk, contentedly saying, “It’s so much nicer lying down. I’m going to take a nap now. You go chat with someone.”

In truth, as they got closer to Tang Ning’s hometown, Mo Zihan’s heart was racing faster.

Even though she’d met Tang Ning’s parents before, it was on her own turf. Now heading into their territory, how could she not feel a bit anxious?