Chapter 129 Willing to Take the Bait

Li Xi and Feng Monian went for a morning run by the nearby lake early in the morning. The fresh air and morning light by the lake made them feel refreshed.

"Xiaoxi, slow down, or that person won't be able to keep up," Feng Monian said softly, slowing his pace.

Li Xi pretended to stretch and stopped, doing a series of warm-up exercises. Her gaze swept over the trees in the distance, confirming that the white figure had followed her.

"Brother Feng, you have to admit, this guy's stalking skills are terrible. Luckily, he ran into us." She's the kind of person who has ulterior motives.

The air by the lake is fresh and the sunlight is gentle in the morning.

The morning dew had not yet completely evaporated; glistening dewdrops still clung to the flowers and grasses by the lake, shimmering with a faint light. A gentle breeze caressed the lake's surface, bringing a touch of coolness and the refreshing scent of the water.

On the lakeside path, only Li Xi and Feng Monian were jogging, and the two seemed to be getting along better and better.

The two of them ran around and stopped frequently throughout the morning, eventually arriving at the morning market for breakfast.

"Brother Feng, you've done your act, let's go back. We've been by the lake for so long and he hasn't come over to talk to us."

Li Xi patted her hands and feet to prevent muscle soreness.

Feng Monian also clapped his hands and feet in the same way as her, "This person is cautious in his actions, so he probably hasn't found a suitable opportunity yet."

They were in no hurry, strolling around before leisurely returning to Tingfeng Courtyard.

Less than an hour later, the two went out again, strolling leisurely towards the Spicy Hot Pot restaurant.

Li Xi sat down at the table by the window and opened the window so that people outside could see what the people inside were doing.

"Xiao Xi, you've chosen a wonderful spot." Feng Monian glanced at a corner outside.

"It's my treat today, order whatever you like." Li Xi handed him the menu.

She painstakingly drew this menu, and each dish is so lifelike that you can almost smell the aroma of the food through the picture.

"Then I won't be polite." Feng Monian took the menu she handed him and began to look at it carefully.

Li Xi pretended to look out the window, appearing utterly bored. She glanced at the man casually and saw him also sitting at a nearby food stall, wolfing down his food.

"I'll give you a big one," Li Xi said with a smirk, her mind racing with calculations.

She took out the money she had won last night, scattered it on the table, counted it, and then put it away. It was quite a lot, almost three thousand taels.

That's impressive enough, isn't it? The dazzling display of silver made onlookers' eyes dazzled, but they could only look on.

The man watched as Li Xi counted money, his heart itching with longing, like he was being scratched by a cat; he could only watch helplessly.

The red and white broth boiled, and thin slices of meat were placed into the scalding soup, instantly changing color. The aroma of meat filled the air, making one's mouth water.

"Brother Feng, do I look like this hot pot is delicious because I'm eating it?" Li Xi's movements from dipping the meat in the hot pot to putting it in her mouth were extremely exaggerated, as if she was afraid the other person wouldn't see it.

Feng Monian smiled slightly and nodded, "Indeed, judging from the way you eat, others would surely be drawn to you as well."

Li Xi couldn't help but feel a little smug; the mukbang videos she watched in her previous life weren't for nothing. Even if she didn't learn 100% of what those streamers did, learning 60-70% was enough to whet people's appetites.

That person knew that a popular hot pot restaurant in Kyoto had opened here. In the past, he would have bought whatever he wanted and eaten whatever he wanted without batting an eye.

Now he was destitute, and his former relatives and friends had all abandoned him. He couldn't even find a few coins in his pocket and was heavily in debt. Thinking of this, he had already made up his mind.

After a satisfying meal, Li Xi was filled with all sorts of random ideas, so she said to Feng Monian:

"Brother Feng, I have some ideas about the branch in Mucheng. Let's go to the third floor to discuss it."

Feng Monian glanced out the window and saw the man looking towards them with longing eyes; he understood immediately.

“The time has come,” he whispered. “It’s time to close the net.”

The two chatted on the third floor for an hour or so before going out to "catch fish".

Feng Monian and Li Xi led the man through a series of turns until they reached a secluded alley.

"Brother Li, you really had a very fruitful night!" Feng Monian's voice was loud, and he even used 20% of his internal energy.

Li Xi was quite pleased. "It's alright, only thirty to fifty thousand, which is considered low."

"I didn't expect Brother Li to be such a master. What's your secret to winning every single game?" Feng Monian pressed, his voice sounding eager to know.

"Oh, what's so mysterious about that? I have a unique gambling skill that never fails." Li Xi smiled and took out some silver from his pocket, gently placing it in Feng Monian's hand. "This is a reward for you. Follow me, and you'll never suffer any losses."

"Oh? I wonder if Brother Li would be willing to impart some skills? As you know, my family has fallen on hard times, and my relatives and friends have become estranged. Alas." Feng Monian sighed, his expression forlorn.

Li Xi looked slightly embarrassed. "This isn't really appropriate. This is my livelihood. Or do you have anything you can trade with me?"

Feng Monian hesitated for a moment, "I do have some, but I'm afraid I don't know if you'd be interested in them."

"Oh? Go ahead and tell me." She looked on with great interest.

"I know the art of disguise, it's a family tradition, but it's almost lost by my time," he said, somewhat embarrassed.

Li Xi's eyes lit up. "If you know this, then it'll be much easier to talk to you. Sigh, you saw it too. Last night, that dealer looked at me like he wanted to eat me alive. Today, he's probably looking for me everywhere. If I were someone else, then they wouldn't be able to find me."

"Alright, let's go, I'll show you." Feng Monian pulled Li Xi along quickly.

The man panicked when he saw this. If he taught him, wouldn't he lose his advantage?

"Please wait, gentlemen." The man appeared in front of them from around the corner.

"Who are you?" Li Xi looked the person up and down.

The man bowed respectfully, "My name is Du Yifei. I am truly sorry, but I witnessed your prowess at the gambling den last night and couldn't resist following you to get to know you. I just heard that you wish to disguise yourself. I am one of the best in this field. I can transform you into anyone."

"Are you serious?" Li Xi looked at him intently.

Du Yifei hurriedly said, "Young master, I'm telling the truth. Don't believe me? I'll show you."

When Feng Monian heard someone trying to take it from him, he angrily said, "What's wrong with you? It's one thing to eavesdrop on our conversation, but now you want to steal my life?" He then tried to step forward and beat him up.

Du Yifei stared at the tall, masked man before him, his eyes sharp. But he was determined to learn the art of gambling.

“Young master, I am quite famous in the martial arts world. I used to be…” He paused for a moment, “and was very well-known among others.”

"Yes, you're all right. How about this, you have a competition, and I'll work with whoever makes the most realistic one." Li Xi pretended to have a headache.