The Shop Assistant and the Great Deviless - Chapter 5

Fu Yunmo remembered clearly now. In the original novel, it was Nan Kunlun who, after meeting Mo Lixi, had pointed out the flaws in the accusations against the Cangyun Sect. That conversation was what eventually exposed the Yueluo Manor’s hypocrisy and made them a laughingstock.

Am I… really going to hijack the male lead’s first step in wooing the heroine? she wondered. Ah, whatever. They’re the fated protagonists; they’ll end up together regardless.

“I apologize for turning you into my emotional outlet,” Mo Lixi said with a soft laugh. She didn’t mind chatting with this waiter. There was something about the girl—her clear, penetrating eyes seemed to see through everything.

“Not at all, Sect Leader Mo. Please, continue!” Fu Yunmo was happy to provide a few hints; it wasn’t like she had anything better to do.

“My disciples were drugged with a colorless, odorless substance,” Mo Lixi said, her brow furrowing. “To my knowledge, while the Cangyun Sect stayed at the same inn, they are not known for using poisons or medicines.”

“Why does Sect Leader Mo assume the culprit must be someone staying at the inn?” Fu Yunmo countered. “This town is a crossroads. Your disciples don’t spend all day in their rooms. The moment they step onto the street, they are targets for anyone with ill intent—especially… the very person who stepped forward to ‘witness’ the crime.”

Mo Lixi’s eyes widened. She remembered that it was the Yueluo Manor that had “caught” the Cangyun disciples in the Tianyuan girls’ rooms.

“Yueluo Manor…” Mo Lixi murmured. “But they are renowned for their gentlemanly honor. How could they…?”

“The Cangyun Sect was the only group sharing the inn with you,” Fu Yunmo said, her eyes glinting with a bit of wine-induced mischief. “So how was it that the Yueluo Manor—who were not staying here—just happened to stumble upon the ‘crime’ at the exact right moment?”

Mo Lixi looked up. Fu Yunmo’s face, flushed with a slight intoxication, possessed a lazy, effortless beauty that even her coarse linen clothes couldn’t hide.

“Whether someone ‘caught’ a crime or ‘staged’ a discovery is something for you to consider, Sect Leader. You might also look into the origin of that specific drug. How would an honest group like Cangyun even get their hands on it?”

Seeing that “Little Manager Li” hadn’t arrived for his shift yet, Fu Yunmo quickly scooped a few more ladles of wine into her bamboo flask. Perfect. Now I can sleep.

“Your words have cleared the fog in my mind,” Mo Lixi said, standing up. While Fu Yunmo was busy with her wine, Mo Lixi had moved closer. As Fu Yunmo turned around, she nearly bumped into the Sect Leader.

Wow… she smells amazing… Fu Yunmo thought. Better than the wine.

“Sometimes a gentleman isn’t a gentleman, and a villain isn’t a villain,” Fu Yunmo remarked. “It all comes down to acting. If honest people don’t have someone to watch their backs, they get bullied.”

“You speak with great sense. Thank you.”

Fu Yunmo took a long swig from her flask. The dizziness was setting in. She looked at Mo Lixi with an appreciative gaze, making the Sect Leader feel uncharacteristically bashful.

“You… smell so good… hehe…” Fu Yunmo giggled. I’m drunk, so it’s fine, right? Drunk people are always forgiven.

Without another word, Fu Yunmo stumbled back toward the rear courtyard. Mo Lixi watched her retreating figure, a strange, unfamiliar feeling brewing in her heart.

“What a rogue,” Mo Lixi whispered. Yet, a smile she didn’t even notice played on her lips. Then she paused—calling a woman a “rogue” felt technically incorrect, but the sentiment fit. This waiter was far more than she appeared. Beneath that humble service was a wisdom that only came out when no one else was watching.

The Big Eater

The next morning, the staff courtyard was as chaotic as ever. Chef Chen (Brother Stone) was notorious for his long sessions in the latrine. Fu Yunmo, holding her nose and rolling her eyes at the lack of modern plumbing, waited her turn.

“Brother Stone, is that kid who fainted yesterday awake?”

“Awoke ages ago! He ran to the kitchen first thing looking for food. I made him a bowl of noodles,” Chef Chen shouted from inside.

Fu Yunmo hurried to the kitchen once she was ready. She wanted to get on the good side of the male protagonist. If she could latch onto his “protagonist halo,” her life might get easier.

Inside, she saw him. He was exactly as the novel described: wheat-colored skin, sharp brows, and bright eyes. He wasn’t a “pretty boy,” but he had a rugged, masculine charm and a winning smile.

“My benefactor!” the boy cried out. He slurped the last of his noodles and immediately dropped to his knees before Fu Yunmo.

“Get up! I’m not dead yet!” she cried, pulling him up. “I just helped the Manager carry you in. No need for the drama.”

“I’m older than you, so you have to call me ‘Sister’,” Fu Yunmo stated firmly.

“You don’t even know how old I am!” the boy protested. “How do you know I’m younger?”

“I’m twenty-three,” she said flatly.

In the modern world, twenty-three was young. In this world, she was practically an old maid. The sound of Chef Chen dropping his spatula echoed through the kitchen. Everyone stared at her.

“What are you looking at? Never seen a twenty-three-year-old before?” she barked, causing them to scurry back to work.

“My name is Nan Kunlun,” the boy said, thumping his chest. He stood a full head taller than Fu Yunmo’s 1.7 meters. “Since you saved my life, I’ll call you Sister Mo.”

The Watchful Eye

The day was a blur of work as more martial artists flooded into Tianji City. Nan Kunlun proved to be a quick learner and a hard worker, much to Manager Li’s delight. Fu Yunmo was so busy she didn’t even notice Mo Lixi passing by her, though the Sect Leader had paused to watch her with a soft sigh.

At the end of the shift, the hall was dim. Manager Li had retired to the back, leaving only a single candle burning.

“Sister Mo, I need to tell you something,” Nan Kunlun whispered, waving her over.

Fu Yunmo wanted to scream. Can’t I just eat and bathe first? “What is it? Make it quick.”

“Do you know the Nan family of Yizhou?”

Of course I do; I’ve read your backstory, she thought. “I know of them.”

“I am actually a member of the Nan family…” He looked at her, surprised that she didn’t seem shocked. “Do you know how I escaped the massacre?”

Upstairs, Mo Lixi cracked her door open just a sliver. She watched the two of them whispering in the shadows, standing very close to one another.

Mo Lixi’s brow furrowed. I didn’t see that man yesterday… Are they… that close?