68: Chapter 68 Getting something for nothing

Upon hearing Han Jingyang's question, Shi Xiaoya remained silent for a few seconds before replying, "I don't know where that thing is right now."

Then she quickly added, "But there are only a few possible locations. After I've had my revenge, I can easily find it."

Han Jingyang smiled. "Getting something for nothing. Impressive, Shi Xiaoya. But what if you can't find it?"

"I'll spend my whole life making it up to you."

Before Han Jingyang could speak, Liu Jing, standing to the side, fiercely rapped the hilt of her war blade and snapped, "A toad lusting after a swan's flesh! How dare you have designs on my boss?"

Shi Xiaoya was taken aback for a moment, then revealed a radiant smile, looking Liu Jing up and down. "Whether or not I have designs on your boss is one thing, but you seem to be guarding him quite closely, don't you? Fortunately, he's just your boss. If he were your man, wouldn't you lock him up at home and not let him see anyone?"

Liu Jing's face instantly flushed crimson with a mix of embarrassment and anger. She pointed at Shi Xiaoya, stammering, "You... you..."

Han Jingyang rubbed the space between his eyebrows and patted Liu Jing's arm. "Don't argue with her. Let's see what else she has to say. Your boss isn't that easy to fool."

Only then did Liu Jing let out a cold snort, take a step back, and look down her nose at Shi Xiaoya with a contemptuous sidelong glance.

Shi Xiaoya, however, seized the chance to shift away from the previous topic. She chuckled lightly, "Mr. Han, this employee of yours has feelings for you. Surely you've realized that? Actually, it's not bad. She's tall with long legs, a pretty face, and impressive martial skills. Taking her as a little lover would be quite nice. It's just that her temper isn't great—a fiery mare, not easy to tame."

Han Jingyang tapped the table. "Get to the point."

Shi Xiaoya coughed and sat up straight. "Mr. Han, I've laid out everything I can possibly offer before you. Take whatever catches your eye. My demand is simple: eradicate the He family."

"Then there's nothing to discuss."

"Mr. Han, I actually understand your mindset. You think once He Dingkun is dead, everything will be fine. But have you considered this: a dog can't change its habit of eating filth. Even if He Dingkun dies, the Dingshen Group still exists. They're used to making easy money. Why would they suddenly start earning an honest living just because He Dingkun is gone? No. To maintain their status and interests, they'll only become more frantic and unscrupulous.

Let me put it this way: with He Dingkun around, the Dingshen Group is still under control, unlikely to spiral out of control. Because He Dingkun knows what can and cannot be done, and understands the limits.

But He Zhifei and He Zhiqiang, those two fools, are a different story. The Dingshen Group, this beast that grew up feasting on human flesh, will run amok under their leadership.

When that time comes, someone with your unique talents, Mr. Han, will certainly not escape their covetous gaze.

You, with your vast abilities, probably fear nothing. But what about your family and friends?

Mr. Han, surely you don't want your loved ones threatened day in and day out by those scum?"

Han Jingyang stared at Shi Xiaoya for over ten seconds.

Only when Shi Xiaoya couldn't bear his gaze and lowered her head did he smile slightly. "Alright, let's set this matter aside for now. After all, He Dingkun isn't dead yet, and He Zhifei hasn't been released. We can discuss this again once everything comes to light, okay?"

Having said that, he stood up and left.

Shi Xiaoya opened her mouth but couldn't utter a word, her eyes showing a hint of dejection.

Liu Jing, however, cast a triumphant glance at Shi Xiaoya, like a veteran general returning victorious, and swaggered out of the bar behind Han Jingyang, her war blade slung over her back.

Out the door and into the car.

Only then did Liu Jing ask, "Boss, are we really not cooperating with her?"

"Insufficient sincerity."

"So... we're staying out of it?"

"Even if I were to get involved, it wouldn't necessarily require cooperating with her. Wiping out the He family or dealing with He Zhifei and He Zhiqiang isn't difficult for me. Having her or not makes little difference. But for her, it's a different story."

Liu Jing suddenly understood. "I see. You don't want to be used as her weapon, boss. I knew that woman was no good."

Han Jingyang nodded. "Good that you understand. Let's go home."

"Home or back to the shop?"

"Home."

"No need to watch the shop? There are so many treasures there..."

"No need. Those dharma instruments are only dharma instruments in my hands. Besides, the current Dingshen Group has its hands full dealing with its own problems; they have no time for me."

He dropped Liu Jing off at her home.

Han Jingyang also returned home to rest, inevitably receiving another round of nagging from his parents.

The next day, he patiently helped his mother with cleaning, watering the plants, tending the vegetable garden, and cleaning out the chicken coop.

At four in the afternoon, he went to the school to pick up his sister for the holiday.

On the way, he bought a large bouquet of roses.

Walking across campus holding the roses, the number of heads he turned was off the charts.

When he entered the girls' dormitory, shrieks erupted all around.

His sister came running toward him from afar: "Brother, throw those away—"

"I bought them especially for you."

"It's so embarrassing—"

"Is it?"

"How am I supposed to keep my reputation at school? If word gets out, people will think I'm dating early!"

Han Jingyang smiled and casually handed the flowers to his sister's roommate. "Here, little sister, they're for you."

The delicate-looking girl accepted the roses quite openly, sniffed them, and smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Brother Jingyang."

Seeing this, Han Jingxin flailed her arms, pummeling Han Jingyang. "Brother, I'm telling Mom you're hitting on my roommate at school!"

"Am I?"

"With witnesses and evidence right here, still trying to deny it?"

"Your big brother just wanted to wish her a perfect holiday."

"Well, I want one too."

"You just refused it..."

"Hmph, I don't care. You figure it out..."

The brother and sister bickered and joked as they packed the luggage, loaded the car, and headed home.

In the car, Han Jingxin suddenly said, "Brother, guess how I did on my exams this time?"

"Don't I know your usual performance? Same as always, right?"

"I'm being serious."

"So am I. That middling, 30th to 40th place level. What? Did you perform exceptionally well?"

"Hmph, this time I'm definitely breaking into the top twenty."

"Really? Did you take some miracle pill?"

"Your little sister finally had an epiphany. My study efficiency this past week has been extremely high. When reviewing, it's like I had divine help. Problems I could never figure out before, I understand instantly now. I can follow everything the teacher says. Even the teacher praised me."

"Congratulations."

Han Jingyang wasn't the least bit surprised. Wasn't tinkering with those two artifacts precisely for this day?

Besides, his sister wasn't truly stupid, nor was she a bad kid who didn't study at all; she just lacked focus.

Thus, with the Blessing of the "Reviewing the Old to Know the New" and "Diligent and Eager to Learn" skills, achieving a qualitative leap was only natural.

However, fearing his sister might become arrogant, he didn't play along with her little boast.

But his sister wasn't a naive fool either.

After boasting for a while, she suddenly lowered her voice and asked, "Brother, where did you get that Wenchang Pagoda from?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I suspect that Wenchang Pagoda has a spiritual nature."

"What kind of spiritual nature?"

"Hard to describe. I didn't pay much attention at home, but these past few days, the more I think about it, the stranger it seems. Ever since you brought that Wenchang Pagoda home, my study efficiency has improved a lot. And every time I think about it, I get this indescribable, wonderful feeling. Brother, is it some kind of magical treasure?"