When Lin Fan pushed open the door to the tea house, Zhu Zhixuan was already waiting there with Da Xiaoshuang and Tang Xiaoshuang.
Zhu Zhixuan, dressed in a black long dress, immediately strode over.
"Is everything ready?"
Pulling Zhu Zhixuan’s hand, Lin Fan looked at Tang Dashuang and Tang Xiaoshuang behind her.
Today, they were wearing black T-shirts, black sweatpants, and black sneakers, with their dark hair tied in ponytails, looking clean and neat at first glance.
"Boss, we’re ready, and we can head out at any moment."
The two sisters looked at Lin Fan, their faces filled with excitement.
"Today might devolve into a fight, are you two up for it?"
Lin Fan scrutinized their slender figures, finding it hard to imagine that such model-like physiques could possess such strong combat capabilities, had he not seen them in action himself.
"Of course, it’s no problem; we don’t take those jerks seriously."
Tang Dashuang, clenching her fists, spoke with pride, and the usually reticent Tang Xiaoshuang also puffed out her chest.
"Still, it’s better to be cautious. Who knows what dirty tricks the other side might pull, so it’s best to have some tools for self-defense. After all, if there’s a real fight later, you two probably won’t have any backup."
Lin Fan eyed the two women with concern. Hearing his words, they immediately pulled knuckledusters out of their pockets and slipped them on their hands: "Boss, we’ve been ready for a while. With these things, even helmets won’t stop us."
"Mhm, not bad. We can head out after a bit more waiting."
Lin Fan was pleased with their preparedness; with these tools, even knives from the other side shouldn’t be a big issue.
"What are we waiting for?"
Zhu Zhixuan looked at Lin Fan curiously, and just then, the door to the shop was pushed open. Bai Xue, wearing a black long dress, shyly walked in, a sight that made Zhu Zhixuan pause for a moment: "Teacher Bai... what are you... oh..."
Seeing Bai Xue’s blushing cheeks, Zhu Zhixuan instantly got it. This guy had managed to hire Lianhua’s Double Beauties all at once.
"Hello Boss Zhu, I’m no longer a teacher. I’m dancing with the County Arts Troupe."
Bai Xue had always known about Lin Fan’s relationship with Zhu Zhixuan, and today’s abrupt visit made her a bit embarrassed.
"Dancing, that’s pretty good. I’ve only seen you dance at the annual party before. If I get a chance, I’ll definitely come watch your rehearsals, and if you’re free, you can teach us too."
Zhu Zhixuan walked up and warmly took Bai Xue’s hand.
Despite both being known as ’Lianhua’s Double Beauties,’ their relationship wasn’t close—they were merely acquaintances who nodded in passing. But now, having Lin Fan as a man in common, they had to get familiar whether they liked it or not.
"Sure, Teacher Zhu is so beautiful; if you danced, it would definitely be lovely."
Bai Xue’s anxiety eased considerably, and seeing Zhu Zhixuan’s flushed face, she couldn’t help but remark that Lin Fan, despite being a philanderer, had consistently impeccable taste.
"Alright, let’s drop the formalities, we can chat more later."
Lin Fan stepped forward, interrupting the two women: "Yesterday, after Huo Ben left our shop, he made another round to the County Cultural Troupe. It’s clearly a warning for me. Since that’s the case, let’s not sneak around. Let’s go over openly and see what kind of scheme he’s planning."
"Won’t it affect your image if you bring us along? After all..."
Bai Xue looked at Lin Fan with concern.
"Yeah... since he’s targeting you that much, our situation... won’t it embarrass you?"
Bai Xue’s words also reminded Zhu Zhixuan; neither of them was legally divorced yet, so they were technically someone else’s wives. Lin Fan parading around with other men’s wives might invite idle gossip.
"Have you heard the phrase ’birds of a feather flock together’?"
Lin Fan laughed and hugged the two women: "In a god-forsaken place like Red Flag County, good people don’t last long, only the bad ones can stand firm. One of you is the wife of a subordinate whom I’ve sent to a remote village to get you, and the other’s husband I’ve put in jail. Just hearing this, doesn’t it sound evil?"
"But the situation isn’t like that!"
Bai Xue quickly lifted her shy head; their complicated relationship couldn’t be summed up in a single sentence.
"People always want sensational stories, not the truth. The weirder, the more they believe I’m a villain stealing wives, and right now I need that persona more than ever. No one fears a good person throughout history; they only fear bad ones. It’s like getting a tattoo to showcase one’s toughness. So bringing you two along makes me a fearsome villain, which will actually make me safer."
Lin Fan looked at Zhu Zhixuan’s blushing face, contemplating that tonight he might finally get to share a bed with her after making their relationship clear. However, he first had to make a trip to the funeral home.
"Fine, I might not understand why you’re playing the bad guy, but as long as you think it’s okay, I’m willing to do anything."
Bai Xue rested her head on Lin Fan’s shoulder. She might not have the foresight for grand plans, but she had complete faith in anything Lin Fan said.
"Okay, then let’s get moving. I’m curious to see what Huo Ben has prepared to throw at me today!"
Lin Fan took the hands of the two women and stepped towards the shop door. Whether he could establish a foothold in Red Flag County would be decided today.