Mo Ran and Wanning sit side by side at a table.

They sit relaxed even as all eyes are on them. But they stay calm. Waiting for their dinner. People begin to whisper, no doubt about them. Mo Ran, a tall and handsome wealthy looking young man. Then there's Chu Wanning, a beautiful and small young looking woman. Both look naïve and gullible. Whispering with each other.

Wanning takes a quick peek to everyone around the room. Most trying to be discreet with their staring. They seem to have the attention of everyone but is there a way for them to get more attention? Is there such a thing as too much attention?

Wanning turns to Mo Ran to talk about it, ask if they should do something, but pauses when he finds the other man frowning, eyes dark. The man not appreciating people staring at his girlfriend. At the moment his wife. He looks down when he feels a tug on his sleeve. He looks down at his wife to see Wanning looking at him. Eyes curious but also confused and worried.

"Is something wrong?" Wanning asks.

Mo Ran smiles, heart full of love, happy that Wanning is voicing his concerns. Wanning has certainly been better at that. "I'm fine." he takes Wanning hand, pulling it to his lips placing a kiss on his knuckles. Wanning blushes, looking away bashfully. Not use to so much PDA in public. So use to having to hide their relationship. "I have you." Mo Ran grins. Wanning knows the younger man is teasing him but it still feels good to be able to do this. Though it's still embarrassing to do this in public.

"Mmm." Wanning nods sheepishly.

"How long have you too been married?" A random man asks sitting at the table next to theirs. They turn their heads to look at the man.

"Two weeks." Mo Ran answers, they were told to say that by uncle and aunt.

"They really are newly weds!" A man shouts from somewhere else.

"You can tell from the honeymoon air they have." someone says.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Traveling before we settle down back at home." another excuse they were told to use.

"Good idea." Someone pipes up from somewhere in the crowd.

Then a man with a cup of alcohol steps up. He stares at the two a minute then sits down. Joining the couple ininvited. "How far have you two traveled?" the man asks just in time for the waitress to hand them their food. Wanning stare, thinking about their mission. Trying to solve the mysteries by what he's observed. He looks at Mo Ran who takes a quick look at him then back to their unwanted guest. He doesn't seem to have caught on.

If there's been woman going missing why are the workers here woman too? Are they not in danger. Surely they would have quit thinking the job is too dangerous. The waitress looks fine. She doesn't look scared or desperate.

"We've traveled to many places now." Mo Ran smiles.

"You should be careful. These roads are dangerous. Ghosts, demons, monsters, and bandits." the man warns them.

"Hey! Leave those two alone. Don't disturb their honeymoon." A man comes up and tries to pull the man sitting across the couple out of his seat. Wanning starts eating, watching the interaction.

"I'm just trying to be nice and warn them. There's been some missing people. More so than usual." he says pushing the other off him. The other man stares unbelieving at the one sitting.

"Do you have guards?" Another asks.

"No but I'm confident in my strength." Mo Ran smiles showing his arms. Then he pulls Wanning close to him. "Right boabei?" Mo Ran grins mysteriously.

"Mm." Wanning nods blushing as he looks away. How sly of Mo Ran. "My husband is very strong." Wanning adds. They get a couple 'oh' from the crowd. Mo Ran grins wider, preening at the compliment. Loving this moment.

"Look at the young fella showing off to his wife." A man says as the couple eat their food.

"Who doesn't?"

"I think we all have."

"I know I did."

"Why'd you stop?"

"He got cocky and a cat scratched him real bad. His wife had to jump in." A man adds. Everyone erupts into laughter.

"Hey, it's a right of passage! Now I know my wife loves me no matter what."

"Right until someone like the young master comes in to swoop her away from your stupid ass."

"I'd fight him off!"

"Who wouldn't fight for their wife?"

"I don't have one."

The crowd talk to one another. Yelling loudly to each other. Wanning watch silently. Enthralled by the happy mood, the excitement.

"Sorry about the rowdiness, it must be loud for you two." The man sitting across from them says, looking apologetic.

Wanning shakes his head. "It's fine. I like it." Wanning gives a soft smile. Eyes on him.

"We are actually use to the loudness." Mo Ran jumps in, smiling.

"Really?"

"Yes." Mo Ran answers but doesn't elaborate.

"Hey do you want to show off to your wife?" A guy wonders leaning on the shoulder of the man sitting across from them.

"Always?" Mo Ran ponders.

"They are having a drinking contest, want to join?" the man wonders motioning to the place where long tables are forming. Mo Ran and Wanning take a look.

"Can anyone join?" Wanning wonders. The two look at him in shock.

"I guess there's no rule against it."

"Wanning?" Mo Ran asks looking unsure at Wanning. The older leans in to whisper into his ear.

"To get more attention." Wanning sits back to get a look at Mo Ran expression. Mo Ran nods, understanding what's going on.

"I guess we'll both join." Mo Ran smiles.

"What will your sweet wife do if you're both drunk?" The man wonders looking at Wanning skeptically.

Mo Ran laughs, both collecting their things to join the group. "Sorry guys but my wife will out drink all of us. It's one of the many things I love about her." Mo Ran grins. Looking to find Wanning blushing.

They find a seat together, finishing their meal as the waitress and waiter set up. Wanning getting looks. Their table getting crowded by curious onlookers. Mo Ran sits smug next to his wife.

The contest starts just as they finish their meal. A waitress comes to collect the empty dishes as another hands them their first round cup.

"Drink!" A man, who they assume is in charge of the contest shouts. In unison everyone drinks their first drink. After the first round two people get knocked out. The crowd laughs, including Mo Ran. Then he turns to his wife.

"It's strong." Wanning says, a pleasant smirk on his beautiful face. He's enjoying the drink. Mo Ran smiles, turning his head down to look at his empty cup. His smile smoothing out, he won't be able to drink much.

"Drink two!" The man announces. Everyone holds their cup out to get their drink poured. Once everyone drink is poured the man shouts, "drink!" once again. Everyone drinks.

Again.

And again.

And again. Round after round. Drink after drink. Mo Ran jumps out around drink fifteen. Feeling a good buzz. An empty jar sitting next to him. To show his progress. Instead he turns his attention to his wife who now sat with three jars and without so much as a blush on his cheeks. Looking functional. On the other hand many of the men at the table are not okay. Some sat wobbly, others look ready to pass out, then there's the few who look a bit green in the face.

"Shizun?"

"Drink!" The man shouts drawing attention away from the duo who just walked in. Mo Ran hears it so he turns his head. His eyes connect with his cousin. He takes a quick look at Shi Mei who stands next to his cousin then turns away. Not wanting their identities to be revealed. Right now they are normal wife and husband.

Mo Ran continues to ignore the two as they stand in place, stunned into silence with mouths agape as they watch their teacher participate in a drinking contest. Wanning earning his sixth jar. From the corner of his eye Mo Ran sees Shi Mei pulling his cousin away. The man must have realized what's going on first. Though Mo Ran is curious to the duo's mission. That will have to wait as they are on their own mission at the moment.