In those days of Plants vs. Zombies

Chapter 646 The Taste of Candied Hawthorn

The two got up from the table, went to the railing of the observation deck, and looked into the distance.

A cool night breeze ruffled the hair on Ulanlinqin's forehead. She gazed at the dazzling lights below the observation deck, her eyes reflecting the starlight as if it filled the entire sky.

"Master Mochen, did you know that the nights aren't this bright in Harmony Town?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Chen blinked and asked curiously, "Isn't there an electric light?"

"Hehe, we're using street lamp flowers. The street lamp flower plant spirits in the town will walk onto the streets before night falls and place street lamp flowers on both sides of the streets. They will disappear until the night is over and the sun rises."

Ulanlinqin turned around, put her hands behind her back, and looked up slightly at Mo Chen beside her: "The streetlights are very beautiful. Although the light is not as bright as electric lights, the light they emit is very gentle and feels warm on the body."

As Wulanlinqin described the night view of the town, Mo Chen couldn't help but picture the scene in his mind.

As dusk falls, the Flower Spirit, carrying a lantern, wanders through the streets and alleys of the harmonious town, lighting up warm lamps to guide the townspeople on their way home.

"That sounds more interesting than the streetlights in courtyard number 5905."

He raised his hand and pointed to the various neon signs in the commercial district: "Look there, they're all electric lights. They're bright, but they lack a human touch."

"I don't think so, Master Mo Chen. The lights in your War Courtyard are so bright, is it because everyone is still busy with life?"

Following the direction Mo Chen pointed, Wulan Linqin shook her head, her eyes full of tenderness and understanding: "Just like the streetlights in the town are lit for the townspeople, the lights here are also lit for the residents who live here."

Mo Chen was taken aback, then chuckled. He had thought the girl would say that the bustling courtyard of No. 5905 was not as pure as the town of Harmony, but he did not expect that she could see the warmth of "home" behind the noise.

One of the original intentions of managing and developing the courtyard was to provide a place where people could turn on the lights and wait for them to go home.

"Master Mochen, if there's a chance in the future, I'll take you to visit Harmony Town."

Ulanlinqin tiptoed, her fingertips lightly touching the cool railing, her voice carrying a barely perceptible longing: "When the time comes, I'll take you to see those streetlights and let you feel their warmth too."

"If I have the opportunity, I will go."

Mo Chen nodded slightly, his gaze shifting from the distant commercial district back to Ulanlinqin's face beside him.

He thought for a moment, then took out the candied hawthorn he had just bought from the secret realm and handed it to Ulanlinqin: "Want to try some?"

The small, delicate red berries are coated in glistening icing, reflecting an alluring luster under the moonlight.

Several plump fruits huddled together, like a string of miniature red lanterns, exuding a sweet fragrance.

Ulanlinqin's eyes lit up instantly. She excitedly took the candied hawthorn from Mo Chen's hand and let out a satisfied exclamation: "Wow! It's a candied hawthorn!"

Sugar is a scarce and essential resource in the town of Harmony. The sweetness that the townspeople encounter most often comes from fruits, vegetables, and honey.

Sugary breads, pastries, and cakes are delicacies that can only be seen on the table during festivals.

Ulanlinqin carefully stuck out her little clove-like tongue and gently licked the very top one.

The sweet and crunchy frosting and the sweet and sour taste of the fruit exploded on her tongue, making her squint her eyes and her round cheeks puff up.

"Mmm...sweet! Sour! Crunchy! Delicious!"

Ulanlinqin mumbled, a satisfied smile spreading across her face, "It tastes even better than candied apples..."

Mo Chen's smile deepened, and his tone became even gentler: "If you like to eat it, you can buy more. Don't worry, the courtyard will reimburse you."

"Um... thank you, Master Mo Chen!"

This adorable little apple has a face full of happiness, making you want to reach out and pinch her cheeks.

"Planning to stay in the courtyard for a few more days?"

"Three...no, five days!"

Upon hearing Mo Chen's question, Wulanlinqin thought for a moment and changed the original plan of three days to five days.

She swallowed the candied hawthorn in her mouth, her eyes sparkling with anticipation: "If possible, can I come here often?"

"Of course, Miss Ulan, courtyard number 5905 welcomes your visit. If any other Harmony Travelers need to stay here for rest or resupply, please bring them along. Food and lodging are all included."

Hearing Mo Chen make such a generous promise, Wulanlinqin's smile grew even brighter.

She took another bite of the candied hawthorn in her hand, her eyes crinkling with joy, and said sincerely, "That's wonderful! Master Mo Chen, I will definitely tell the other Harmony Walkers about your kindness."

"By the way, there's something I'd like to ask about."

Mo Chen suddenly remembered something, and his expression became serious.

"Please speak."

Wulanlinqin stopped tasting the candied hawthorn and waited for Mo Chen's question.

"Is there a child named Isabella in the town of Harmony?"

Mo Chen's gaze was searching, and his tone revealed a hint of concern that was not easily detected.

Isabella...

Ulanlinqin frowned slightly, trying hard to recall relevant fragments of memory.

She unconsciously stroked the bamboo skewer in her hand until a petite figure with white hair and golden eyes emerged from the depths of her mind.

"It seems... no, it should be a long time ago, there was indeed a little girl named Isabella in the town of Harmony."

After a moment, Ulanlinqin gave her answer: "But I wasn't very old at the time, so my memory might be a little hazy. I'm sorry, Master Mochen."

Mo Chen waved his hand, signaling Wulan Linqin to continue recalling: "It's alright, Miss Wulan, can you remember anything else?"

"She seems to be the child of a couple in the town; all three of them are Marigold plant spirits."

Ulanlinqin tilted her head, her voice lowering slightly: "But twelve years ago, in that riot caused by outsiders, that couple died a violent death, and Isabella disappeared as well."

"Twelve years ago..."

It matches, the age matches.

Both her physical characteristics and the time of her disappearance perfectly match Isabella of the Mo Chen family.

His lovely yet pitiful girl actually came from a peaceful town.

Mo Chen's pupils contracted slightly, but he remained calm and said, "A disturbance caused by outsiders?"

"Yes, that's right. They are human traffickers from a criminal group known to the outside world as 'Redemption Road'."

Ulanlinqin nodded, her expression darkening. "Many of the Harmony Walkers died in that riot, and many townspeople went missing as a result..."

She didn't continue speaking, and Mo Chen also fell silent.

"The Road to Redemption..."

After a long while, Mo Chen finally spoke, chewing on those four words in a low voice, each syllable seeming to be wrapped in ice shards, squeezed out from between his teeth.

He was no stranger to this name; the current turmoil in Zone 59 was caused by a branch of Redemption Road.

But Mo Chen never expected that it was this evil venomous snake that would destroy Isabella's originally peaceful and happy world.