144: Chapter 144 is unusual.

Shi Xiaoya reached out and swatted away the flying tea mug, then turned back to look at Han Jingyang.

Han Jingyang shook his head and slowly retreated, exiting the courtyard directly amidst the curses from Wang Jinliang's wife.

The gate slammed shut with a loud bang.

The cursing, however, continued to ring in their ears.

Zhou Jianjun felt a bit awkward. "Master Han, this whole situation... you see, I should have told you. That old woman, I don't know what kind of madness has possessed her..."

Han Jingyang waved his hand. "It might be a misunderstanding. We'll talk later."

After saying that, he left directly, ignoring Zhou Jianjun's attempts to make him stay.

At the farmhouse inn.

After a quick wash, Han Jingyang returned to his room first.

A few minutes later, Shi Xiaoya pushed the door open and entered. "Lei Ge, don't open the windows tonight; there are a lot of mosquitoes in the village."

"There are mosquito coils."

"They don't do much. Oh, there's a mosquito net here. Boss, I'll set it up for you."

Shi Xiaoya acted immediately, setting up the mosquito net in no time.

After setting it up, she carefully tucked in the corners before whispering, "Boss, the reaction of that old couple wasn't right."

"What wasn't right about it?"

"Everything about it was wrong. I suspect they know something, otherwise their reaction wouldn't have been so intense."

"I suspect so too, but it's useless. We can't exactly kidnap them and extract a confession through torture, can we?"

"It's not impossible. Just a little scare and they'd spill everything."

"Are you a bandit?"

"Hehe, don't be angry, Boss, I was just saying," Shi Xiaoya said as she lay down next to Han Jingyang. "Boss, I also suspect Zhou Jianjun knows something."

"How so?"

"Zhou Jianjun's reaction was also off. He's been too enthusiastic and too sensitive regarding Wang Wei's matter."

"Do you have proof?"

"No, it's all speculation."

"Then there's no need for wild guesses. In the end, facts speak louder than words. Instead of guessing, it's better to find a way to make them tell the truth."

"Unless we use some 'methods', it won't be that simple."

"It doesn't matter," Han Jingyang smiled. "Our goal from beginning to end has been that Small Bronze Tripod. What happened to Wang Wei's parents has nothing to do with us, and Wang Wei herself matters even less—she's been dead for years."

Shi Xiaoya sighed. "True, it's just that I feel a bit sorry for that woman. She had such good conditions, her figure and looks were impeccable, and she had a gentle personality. She should have had a great future, but unfortunately, she fell into He Dingkun's trap and lost her life for nothing."

"It is indeed a pity, but there's nothing that can be done. That's fate."

"That's why I feel so lucky. If I hadn't met a good boss like you, my end probably wouldn't have been much better than Wang Wei's. I'd likely have gone down with He Dingkun's family."

Han Jingyang coughed.

It's one thing to talk, but what's with the wandering hands?

Are you testing me?

What boss could withstand this kind of test?

Ridiculous.

This woman is indeed bold.

And she's good at taking the initiative.

Feeling the heat radiating from Shi Xiaoya's body beside him, Han Jingyang's breathing became a bit ragged.

When Shi Xiaoya hooked her arm through his, his body instantly tensed up.

Although he had an ex-girlfriend, his experience in matters between men and women was still not very rich, and his mindset was a bit inhibited.

His heart was racing.

But his body didn't dare to move.

He was a coward.

He had too many concerns.

He was exactly what people meant when they said someone 'has the heart of a thief but not the guts'.

Should he just go for it?

The bold feast while the timid starve.

Worst case scenario, he'd get slapped.

The absolute worst consequence would just be Shi Xiaoya leaving him.

Damn it.

Why refuse meat that's been served right to his mouth?

Han Jingyang controlled his breathing and naturally draped his arm over Shi Xiaoya's shoulder, patting it twice. "Heaven helps those who help themselves. Everything you have now is something you fought for yourself; there's no need to specifically thank me."

"In most cases, individual strength cannot overcome fate, just like Wang Wei."

"Destiny is a funny thing..."

Just then, Liu Jing pushed the door open and entered. Seeing the two of them inside the mosquito net, she gave a muffled huff. "Boss, I'll take the first watch of the night."

Han Jingyang hurriedly let go and said with forced composure, "There's no need for a night watch."

Liu Jing said stiffly, "No, this village is eerie everywhere. Especially that old couple; they're very abnormal. There might be danger."

"Can you be more specific?"

"I can't say for sure, I just feel very uncomfortable."

"Even so, there's no need for a watch. Even if that old couple are bad people, how much trouble can they cause? They get out of breath just walking a few steps; what could they possibly do to hurt me?"

"No, we absolutely cannot be careless. This isn't home."

Shi Xiaoya giggled, completely ignoring Liu Jing's murderous gaze. She continued to hold Han Jingyang's arm but said, "My sister has a point. In a place like this, we can't be too careful. Caution is necessary. My sister will watch the first half of the night, and I'll watch the second half. Boss, you sleep peacefully. Anyway, with Lord Guan guarding you, even if there's danger, you have the power to protect yourself, right?"

That made sense too.

Han Jingyang nodded, but in his heart, he noted what Liu Jing had just said.

While Liu Jing might lose her composure when facing Shi Xiaoya, she definitely didn't talk nonsense.

If Liu Jing said Wang Wei's parents were abnormal, she must have perceived something.

Liu Jing's skills were unusual, the result of being possessed by Lord Guan time and again. It wasn't just her physical fitness and combat experience that improved, but also her soul or her six senses.

If she said there was a problem, it had to be taken seriously.

However, Han Jingyang didn't say it out loud. He nodded, acquiescing to the 'sisters'' opinion.

Fine, a night watch then.

Safety first.

Besides, both of them had excellent physical fitness and plenty of energy; missing three or four hours of sleep wouldn't hurt.

Then, Han Jingyang developed insomnia.

With Shi Xiaoya lying beside him.

And Liu Jing sitting at the foot of the bed.

Who could sleep?

Are you kidding me?

Not only could he not sleep, he was becoming more and more awake.

This was tough.

He couldn't even pretend to be asleep.

Damn it!

I'm not sleeping.

Han Jingyang sat straight up. "I can't sleep, I just can't."

Shi Xiaoya burst out laughing. "Boss, not used to this kind of treatment?"

Liu Jing snorted. "It's all your fault."

Shi Xiaoya shot back, "How is it my fault?"

"You know exactly why."

"Oh, I see. My dear sister is jealous. Seeing me so close to the Boss makes you uncomfortable, doesn't it?"

"Shi Xiaoya, you—"

"Heehee, I know you're anxious, but don't be. I don't mind if you cuddle with the Boss to sleep too. The Boss's bed is huge anyway; it can fit a few more beauties without a problem."

"Vixen."

"Thank you for the compliment, dear sister. That's the highest level of praise for a woman."

"Hmph—"

Liu Jing, usually so talkative, lost all combat power against Shi Xiaoya.

Whenever Shi Xiaoya was present, she would turn into a wooden statue, keeping a cold face and not speaking, a sharp contrast to when Shi Xiaoya wasn't around.

Helpless, Han Jingyang could only lie back down and try to force himself into a state of sleep.

I'm still a normal person; I can't pull an all-nighter.

If I stay up now, I'll definitely be drained tomorrow.

Liu Jing remained silent.

Shi Xiaoya stopped her antics too.

The room became quiet.

Han Jingyang actually managed to summon a trace of sleepiness and soon fell asleep.

But just as he had drifted into a hazy slumber, he saw a woman's hideous face lunging straight at him.