349: Chapter 349 Seeking refuge

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow. "Seeking refuge with me?"

Shi Xiaoya nodded repeatedly. "Think about it from her perspective. If I were her and faced with this situation, I would also choose to seek refuge with you for protection, rather than continuing to cheer for Boss Zhang from the sidelines."

"That's just your way of thinking."

"No, most women would think and act this way because following you is much safer."

Han Jingyang smiled. "Am I that easy to talk to?"

Shi Xiaoya nodded again. "Exactly. You're much safer than someone like Boss Zhang. As long as one doesn't cross your red lines or act double-faced, they'll be safe. Boss Zhang is different; he's clearly an ambitious, ruthless figure who will use any means to achieve his goals. You never know when you might be sacrificed. Comparing the two, it's naturally safer to follow you."

Han Jingyang shook his head. "Yang Jinyuan is different. I killed her master and her junior brother, and I almost killed her too."

"So what? When a woman gets selfish, she can let go of the hatred for her father or brother, let alone just a master and a junior brother," Shi Xiaoya said as she leaned against Han Jingyang's chest, her voice soft. "A woman's way of thinking is very different from a man's. Sometimes they are stubborn, but other times they are extremely flexible. As long as she can convince herself, she can accept even the most outrageous things. Besides, you didn't do anything wrong in this matter, Hubby; you're on the side of justice. Isn't it perfectly reasonable for an evil temptress to seek refuge with a righteous big shot for self-preservation?"

Eh?

That makes sense too?

No, this is all Shi Xiaoya's speculation. Perhaps she really is just here to fulfill Boss Zhang's request to ask for Wu Zhiyang's relics.

Whatever, no point overthinking it.

Get up, wash up, and I'll just ask her directly later.

If she's asking for the dharma instruments left behind by Wu Zhiyang, then there's nothing to discuss.

If she really is seeking refuge...

Should I accept her?

Ten-thirty.

Han Jingyang emerged from the inner room in his pajamas. He looked Yang Jinyuan up and down as she hurriedly stood up. Only when Yang Jinyuan lowered her head awkwardly did he say casually, "State your purpose."

Without hesitation, Yang Jinyuan said, "Mr. Han, please save me."

"Oh? Save you?" Han Jingyang said, glancing back at Shi Xiaoya, who had followed him out. That little vixen had actually guessed correctly. As expected, only a woman understands a woman best; she had actually predicted this.

This woman certainly had some nerve, actually daring to defy Boss Zhang's orders.

Han Jingyang's gaze swept over the pile of boxes, a cold sneer in his heart.

That man named Zhang had miscalculated yet again.

Not only was it a miscalculation, but it was also a massive loss.

This pile of antiques was worth at least tens of millions.

Whoever loses out will feel the pain, and whoever feels the pain knows it best in their heart.

Thinking this, he said to Yang Jinyuan, "Tell me Boss Zhang's objective."

Yang Jinyuan replied without hesitation, "Boss Zhang told me to play the victim and show weakness. He wanted me to use these antiques plus a hundred million in cash to exchange for my master's dharma instruments."

"Play the victim?"

"Yes. He said someone like you is susceptible to soft tactics rather than hard ones, that you won't strike a smiling face, that you value your reputation, and that you like women. He said you have some inexplicable protective streak for women, and that the reason you didn't kill me before was that you took a liking to me..."

"Heh," Han Jingyang laughed.

A protective streak?

That woman named A Qi last night was also a delicate beauty and an expert to boot. What happened to her?

Yang Jinyuan continued, "Boss Zhang wanted me to emphasize the value of these gifts."

As she spoke, she pulled out a bank card and a gift list, bowed, and presented them to Han Jingyang with both hands.

Zou Rushuang stepped forward to take the list and the bank card, checked them over, and then handed them to Han Jingyang.

Han Jingyang glanced at them.

The password was written on the bank card.

The gift list had a long, dense string of names for various antiques. Just by the names, he could tell they were all high-quality items.

He really spent a fortune.

Appealing to emotion and enticing with profit.

The method wasn't sophisticated, but it was certainly precise. Most people would definitely be tempted upon seeing this list and the bank card.

Once tempted, it would be impossible to remain firm in the face of Yang Jinyuan's display of weakness.

It's the old saying: 'One's mouth is soft when eating others' food, and one's hands are short when taking others' gifts.'

To put it bluntly, this was a psychological tactic, using lavish gifts to pry open the target's mental defenses and then using human nature to manipulate them. If done right, it's always successful.

Unfortunately, he ran into Han Jingyang.

Although Han Jingyang was a common man and hadn't been in the scene for long—making him the type most easily manipulated—he had a cheat. While Boss Zhang's gifts were generous, they weren't enough to truly move him.

Besides, Yang Jinyuan had inexplicably defected and laid everything out for him the moment they met.

Under these circumstances, there was no way he would fall for the trap.

Gifts?

Cash?

Of course they were his now.

He would accept the lavish gifts without hesitation.

But he absolutely wouldn't do the job.

This was the price for trying to scheme against Han Jingyang.

Thinking this, he pointed to the sofa and said to Yang Jinyuan, "Sit down. I'll take care of your matter."

Hearing this, Yang Jinyuan was overjoyed and fell to her knees with a thud. "Thank you, Mr. Han!"

Han Jingyang raised his hand.

Zou Rushuang bent down to help Yang Jinyuan up.

Han Jingyang continued, "Tell me about your situation and your thoughts."

Yang Jinyuan said without thinking, "I want to stay by your side, Mr. Han. I'm only safe with you. Otherwise, even if I flee to the ends of the earth, I won't escape death. Although Boss Zhang's sphere of influence is limited to Quancheng, he has money and people; he's fully capable of hunting someone down across regions."

After speaking, she looked at Han Jingyang cautiously, waiting for his response with trepidation.

Han Jingyang first nodded, then frowned.

Boss Zhang indeed had the ability to hunt down an enemy in any corner of the world, either by sending his own people or hiring someone. Killing a single Yang Jinyuan really wouldn't be difficult.

But, keeping this woman by his side?

It was a bit of a hassle.

He already had so many women around him. If he added a leggy girl from Taiwan, what would that look like?

Building a female army?

Eh?

It's not out of the question.

If nothing else, at least they're easy on the eyes.

It doesn't matter if their combat power is weak; he could arm them with props. When the time comes, if everyone has several dharma instruments, they could steamroll over anything wherever they go.

The key point was loyalty.

Was this Yang Jinyuan truly single-minded?

Han Jingyang scrutinized the awkward and anxious Yang Jinyuan. After a moment, he nodded. "Then stay."

Yang Jinyuan was instantly ecstatic. "Thank you, Mr. Han! Thank you—"

Han Jingyang interrupted her words of gratitude. "Do things need to be arranged in Taiwan? Your family or the like?"

"I'm an orphan. I have no family."

"Oh?"

"I grew up in a welfare home."

"Then just stay. I'll find time to help you get a Resident ID Card."

"Thank you, Mr. Han."

Han Jingyang waved his hand nonchalantly. "Call Boss Zhang first."

"Ah?"

"Call Boss Zhang and tell him the mission failed."

"This..."

"Call him."

"Yes," Yang Jinyuan took out her phone and dialed the contact number Boss Zhang had left. "Boss Zhang, the mission failed."

"Failed?"

"Yes."

"What about the money and the antiques?"

Han Jingyang reached out and took the phone, chuckling. "Boss Zhang, you have a short memory. I told you not to provoke me, but you just won't listen. I'm warning you one more time: don't provoke me. The consequences are very serious. This time, for the sake of your generous gifts, I won't hold it against you. If there's a next time, it won't be this simple."

Boss Zhang was silent for a long time. "Han Jingyang, let's talk and settle this once and for all."