Everything I bought on online shopping platforms was genuine.

Chapter 171 It's easier to steal you away

It was impossible to stop him at the door. Although he was a college student with a clear-eyed yet naive look, he still had some manners.

"The house is quite clean. Has Ruyan been here today?"

In the living room, Zhao Yun placed the things on the dining table, looked around, and asked.

It has to be said that the scene was somewhat different from what she had imagined. She did not expect that a boy's residence could be so tidy. She thought it would be messy. After all, in the past, when she went out to handle cases, the places where many men lived were not clean enough to describe.

The reason she asked him if Liu Ruyan had come over today was because when she entered the house, she saw more than one pair of slippers on the shoe rack by the door, which meant that at least someone usually came over.

If you live alone for a long time and no one visits, it's impossible to have so many slippers on the shoe rack at the same time.

"It's alright, she didn't come today. My roommates came over to visit. They helped me move. By the way, please make yourself at home," Lin Mo said, and then quickly went to the kitchen to pour water.

Zhao Yun looked around and continued, "So that's how it is. I thought you two were already living together."

She then realized that Lin Mo was still a college student who hadn't graduated yet, and that people who came to his place could be not only his girlfriends but also his classmates.

"No, no, not that fast. We only recently started dating," Lin Mo replied as he came out carrying water. He sounded a little shy, as if he was embarrassed about the topic, but little did people know that he was just a little awkward in front of the person in front of him.

Despite his doubts about the other person's sexual orientation, he was still a little uncomfortable being alone with a man and a woman in a room, and it was getting dark outside.

Most importantly, the person in front of her was not an average-looking woman. Although she wasn't a stunning beauty like Liu Ruyan, she was still quite pretty.

Moreover, Ms. Zhao changed her clothes after going upstairs. She changed her original loose T-shirt into a tight-fitting sports vest, and her lower body was still loose sports pants. Her already somewhat unfair figure was now even more visually striking, and he couldn't even distract himself.

Since the other person was talking to him, he couldn't just ignore them the whole time; that would be disrespectful and make him seem guilty.

"I see. But since you've moved out, it seems you've made plans to live together. I must say, your environment is quite nice, and the place is quite large. It certainly doesn't look like you live alone," Zhao Yun probed.

Lin Mo's house is a large four-bedroom apartment, even bigger than Chuan Mei's. He only tidied up two of the bedrooms.

One room is his master bedroom, and the other is where his computer is located. The other two rooms are empty, and it does feel quite spacious for one person to live in.

Lin Mo was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this. He had simply wanted to find a private space to protect his secrets from being exposed, but Zhao Yun had unexpectedly turned it into preparation for him to move in with Liu Ruyan.

But since that's what she said, and considering his own status, he nodded in agreement: "I do have that plan, but whether it works out or not depends on her. Besides, since we're dating, it's a bit inconvenient to stay in the dorm, so I moved out."

While Lin Mo was speaking, Zhao Yun was also wandering around the living room, casually glancing at the facilities, and immediately noticed the bicycle placed in the living room.

Unlike Chuanmei and others who were unfamiliar with such things, she, as a criminal police officer, had come into contact with such items and immediately recognized the value of the bicycle.

In response, she couldn't help but mentally label Lin Mo as coming from a well-off family. This was quite reasonable, considering she knew Liu Ruyan's background. Most men, let alone pursuing her, would feel immense pressure just standing in front of her, and those with average means would feel even more inferior.

Regardless of gender, if someone is too outstanding, it will put pressure on others, which is normal. Having enough money is the most effective and direct way to solve feelings of inferiority.

Just then, she suddenly noticed the banners and certificates of bravery displayed in the transparent showcase in the living room.

"You were awarded the title of 'Advanced Individual in Righteous and Courageous Acts' in our city? When did that happen?" Zhao Yun asked in surprise.

She had met many wealthy people, but she knew very few who could obtain this certificate.

"Just a few days ago, there was a fire in a residential area. I rescued a mother and daughter with my excavator, and the school commended me for it," Lin Mo said with a smile.

Although this thing can't be eaten or drunk, it still looks quite impressive in the living room. Hearing this, Zhao Yun's resolve wavered. She realized she had actually gone too far by having such dark thoughts!

"Um, let's have a couple of drinks together, as a way of celebrating your housewarming," Zhao Yun quickly changed the subject, a rare hint of embarrassment on her face.

Seeing that the person had brought food and drinks to his door, Lin Mo had no choice but to nod and agree.

Even though he had already eaten dinner, he couldn't very well refuse someone's kind offer; that would be too awkward.

The two then sat down at the table. Zhao Yun brought four dishes: stir-fried beef, braised prawns, cola chicken wings, and a cold dish of smashed cucumber.

"Um... I can't hold my liquor. Two bottles at most. I'll definitely throw up if I drink any more," Lin Mo said with a smile, holding up the bottle in his hand.

His alcohol tolerance is indeed average. He drank too much last time he was drinking with his cousin, so his alcohol tolerance is naturally not very good.

"It's alright, do as you please," Zhao Yun said, seemingly unconcerned, or perhaps she was lost in thought, as she continued drinking one cup after another.

During this time, she would occasionally ask him about Liu Ruyan, and Lin Mo would answer her questions one by one.

"Oh, I really envy you couples who are in love freely, able to openly display your feelings to everyone," Zhao Yun said suddenly, holding a wine bottle and looking at him.

Lin Mo paused upon hearing this, then laughed and said, "I'm not stealing or robbing, what's there to be afraid of in a relationship? Once you're in one, you'll show it off just as openly."

"Hehe~ If only that were the case. I'm just afraid that sometimes, people's preferences are not accepted by the world, and that would be painful," Zhao Yun murmured, her gaze towards him dreamy, as if she were a little tipsy, with even a blush on her face.

Lin Mo knew a little about the inside story, so he naturally understood what she meant, but he couldn't respond to her words.

"When it comes to relationships, the most important thing is that both parties are in love. What do you think?" Lin Mo asked.

Hearing this, Zhao Yun glanced at him, and after a long while, she smiled again and said, "Let me ask you a question. Which is more important, liking someone or being compatible?"

"Compatibility may be more important, but I don't think there are two people in this world who are perfectly compatible. Any compatibility is the result of hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of adjustments. The foundation that allows two people to go through all kinds of adjustments is actually liking each other." Lin Mo thought for a moment and gave an answer that he thought was right.

He knew what the other person meant, but he couldn't offer any advice. Although he had never experienced the feeling of liking someone who didn't like him back, it probably wasn't a good experience.

"You see things clearly, but I really envy you for finding such a beautiful girlfriend. If I were a man, I would have made my move long ago, and you might not have had a chance. Come on, let's have a drink!" Zhao Yun raised her glass and laughed.

Lin Mo touched her hand, smiled without saying a word. Some things are better left unsaid; saying them out loud would only make things awkward for everyone.

Liu Ruyan chose this method precisely because she considered this point, in order to subtly convey her thoughts to Zhao Yun. Otherwise, given Empress Ruyan's skill in rejecting people, there would be no need for such trouble; just look at Yuan Hua next door.

Just then, Ms. Zhao Yun, who had just finished her drink, suddenly spoke up:

"You've struck gold, kid. You've got such a great girlfriend. You'd better cherish her, or someone else will steal her away and you'll regret it."

Lin Mo:
Aside from you, it seems like no one else needs to be as overwhelmed as Emperor Ruyan, okay? How dare you say that?

“What belongs to me can’t be taken away, and what is taken away is not mine. Besides, I have a lot of confidence in her. She’s not the kind of person who can be taken away,” Lin Mo said with a smile, patching up their relationship and showing his trust in his partner as a boyfriend.

He thought his explanation was foolproof, but Zhao Yun suddenly retorted:
"That's true. Ruyan isn't that kind of person. It would be easier for her to steal you away. What do you think, should I give it a try?"

Lin Mo: ? ? ?
Seeing his shocked expression, Zhao Yun quickly followed up with:
Just kidding!

Lin Mo:
(End of this chapter)