Chapter 23 Three Candied Hawthorns

Afterwards, Mu An discovered on his [Enemy Detection Radar] that there were many more 'official personnel' with Ranks at the scene.

Their Ranks were not high, generally below level 5, so he estimated they were responsible for cleanup operations.

Everyone on the overturned Dragon boat had also been rescued in time.

It seemed that only those two foreign aids with black and white skin had sustained relatively serious injuries and were taken away directly by an ambulance.

"As expected... this world is far less simple than it appears!"

"And what kind of role does Bai Ningyu play in all of this?"

Clutching the handkerchief Bai Ningyu had left in his hand before she departed, Mu An was deep in thought.

"Boss, I think I just sensed some strange aura, the kind of aura that bad guys have..."

"But I don't know why they suddenly disappeared, as if they were instantly wiped out by someone!"

Nina tugged on Mu An's sleeve and whispered.

Mu An understood immediately.

The 'bad guy' aura here clearly referred to those magical creatures from the labyrinth.

However, Mu An could not easily explain the incident that had just occurred, which resembled a 'black and white time stop', so he could only remain silent for the time being.

On the way back, the three of them passed by a stall selling candied hawthorns.

Children have always had little resistance to sweets.

Just then, a little girl in front of the stall was holding her mother's hand and acting spoiled, begging to buy candied hawthorns.

"Mommy, I want to eat candied hawthorns!"

"Please! I promise I'll only eat one! I'll study hard when I get back!"

Nina looked at the two hands, one big and one small, held together, her beautiful eyes filled with envy, and she could not help but be reminded of her own situation.

If her mother were still here, how she would love to bring her to see this peaceful world where one could eat their fill every day, without discrimination or danger!

"What are you thinking about?"

Mu An did not hesitate this time; he placed his large hand on the girl's head and stroked it gently, then called out to the vendor.

"Boss, three candied hawthorns, please!"

He paused, then smiled at Bai Ningfu beside him.

"I'll pay this time!"

Bai Ningfu rolled her eyes and said nothing.

Until Mu An handed one of the candied hawthorns to her.

Bai Ningfu was stunned for a moment, looking slightly puzzled.

"For me?"

"Yes."

"I don't eat sugar; it makes me gain weight easily."

"One must not refuse a gift from an elder."

Bai Ningfu: ?

"Just kidding. Thank you, President Bai, for accompanying us all day today, and for spending so much on Nina. But I'm just a pauper right now and can't afford any expensive gifts, so this is just a small token of appreciation. I hope you don't mind, President Bai."

Mu An shrugged.

He really did want to thank Bai Ningfu for buying a pile of clothes for this girl, Nina.

To a certain extent, it also helped him 'save money'.

Staring at this man for a while, Bai Ningfu finally took the candied hawthorn, her pretty Face expressionless.

"Money is a small matter; just don't bully little Nina in the future."

"I wouldn't be bullied by Boss; Boss is a super good person! Now I can eat my fill every day, and at night I can sleep by Boss's bedside. It's super comforting!"

Nina quickly jumped out to prove Mu An's innocence.

However, after hearing these words, Bai Ningfu almost snapped the bamboo skewer of the candied hawthorn she was holding, and she glared fiercely at Mu An.

It was as if she were saying: "This girl is working hard for you, and all you give her is room and board? You even make her sleep by your bedside at night without letting her on the bed? What kind of super invincible, black-hearted boss are you!"

Mu An was very helpless.

He understood that Nina had no 'malicious' intent; she had just 'done a bad thing with good intentions'.

"Little Nina, do you want to come with Sister Bai? I can pay you a lot of salary every month. Not only will you be able to eat your fill, but you can also have your own room, and you'll never have to squeeze into a broken, small, and dirty rental apartment with some stinky man again."

Bai Ningfu tempted Nina patiently.

Unfortunately, she underestimated the girl's 'loyalty'.

Nina shook her head decisively, without even hesitating for a second.

To her, Mu An was more than just a boss; he was her savior, and even the person she liked.

She couldn't leave Mu An, no matter who it was.

Even if she were kicked out, Nina had made up her mind to shamelessly stick by his side.

She was going to follow him for the rest of her life!

"Thank you for your kindness, Sister Bai, but I still want to stay with Boss. I am already very satisfied with my current life."

Seeing that the girl's mind was made up and no amount of persuasion would work,

Bai Ningfu felt a bit helpless.

She couldn't figure out what was so good about this stinky man, Mu An, that would make Nina so devoted to him.

However, as a strong woman who became a CEO at a young age, Bai Ningfu had plenty of ways to deal with this.

She chose a compromise.

"How about I provide you with a new apartment? As for that broken rental of yours, don't live there anymore."

"Don't worry too much about the money; since it's my private property, the rent won't be too high."

"You can move in first, and pay me back slowly when you have money in the future."

Bai Ningfu didn't know why she was going to such lengths.

Perhaps she wanted to make up for her previous 'offense' against Nina!

Of course, it might also be sympathy at work.

"How could I be so embarrassed? However, since it is President Bai's kind intention, I won't refuse."

Mu An smiled and rubbed his large hands.

He had originally been wondering where to find a new apartment that was cheap and spacious.

Now it was great; since Bai Ningfu had taken the initiative to propose it, Mu An could just go with the flow and agree.

"Don't overthink it; this apartment is given for Nina's Face, you're just an extra."

Bai Ningfu rolled her eyes at the man.

Mu An smiled and said nothing.

In just a few words, the matter was settled.

"Boss, this candied hawthorn is sweet and sour, so delicious!"

"Mm, if you like it, eat more."

Although he had bought three candied hawthorns, Mu An did not eat any.

He gave one to Bai Ningfu, and the remaining two to Nina.

The girl held one candied hawthorn in her left hand, and another... candied hawthorn in her right hand.

After tasting that sweet and sour flavor, her beautiful eyes instantly lit up, and she immediately shared it with Mu An.

"Boss, you eat too!"

"I don't like eating sweets."

Mu An smiled.

On the side, Bai Ningfu was a bit speechless; he had just taken her excuse and used it himself.

However... she took a light bite of the candied hawthorn. The sweetness of the sugar coating and the sourness of the hawthorn intertwined on the tip of her tongue, and her mood inexplicably improved quite a bit.

[Perhaps this man is not as bad as she imagined.]

Under Nina's repeated coaxing, Mu An could not withstand the 'pressure' and took a light bite of a hawthorn from the candied skewer the girl held out.

And this scene was caught by Bai Ningfu.

It immediately made her Face darken.

Because that candied hawthorn was the very one Nina had already eaten!

This... this... didn't that mean an indirect kiss?!

For a moment, Bai Ningfu felt it was unfair to her 'little sister' and couldn't help but snort coldly.

"Scumbag!"

Mu An: ?