20: Brother, please don't go down the path of crime.

Pan Han sat in the passenger seat, his mind completely preoccupied with something other than Yan Xiaoli. He periodically checked the rearview mirror. The van seemed to have a lot of tracking experience; if you didn't look closely, you really wouldn't notice it.

However, what puzzled Pan Han the most was how this beat-up van managed to keep up with an M5?

Were the people not good people, and the car also that overbearing?

Yan Xiaoli and the farm stay owner were old acquaintances; she had even filmed a scene at this very place before. On the way, the two went over the details of their dinner, and Xiaoli instructed the owner to make sure to get a freshly caught reservoir fish.

After about 45 minutes of driving, they gradually entered the winding mountain road. Xiaoli's driving became more aggressive, cornering, braking, accelerating, and the car's speed increased. The setting sun illuminated the evening glow, making Xiaoli appear exceptionally beautiful.

They say a man is especially handsome when he is focused on something, and the same goes for a woman, even when she is driving.

Pan Han shifted his gaze from the rearview mirror to the beauty in front of him and suddenly felt a stir in his heart.

He found that there was nothing pretentious about this woman; she wasn't dramatic at all, exuding a certain coolness. At the very least, when she received a gift, she knew to say thank you and thought about reciprocating. This alone already surpassed many women.

…

“Brother Cheng, they’ve entered the mountains, and we’re still following,” Fatty Tiger said, sitting in the passenger seat, reporting to Wang Cheng over the phone.

“Perfect, find a deserted place to make a move,” Wang Cheng instructed simply.

“Alright. So, the fee is still the old rule?” Fatty Tiger asked.

“Don’t worry, it’s fifty-fifty, you won’t be shortchanged a single cent,” Wang Cheng said.

“Got it, just wait for my news.”

…

Finally, at the last moment before the sun set, Pan Han and Yan Xiaoli arrived at the farm stay.

The farm stay owner had already reserved a private room for them. The room wasn't large, with a big pot in the middle, a chimney nearby, and seats wrapped in bright red and green fabric, giving it a very rustic feel.

“Oh, Yan, big star, it’s truly been a long time! What made you think of patronizing my business today?!” The farm stay owner was a stout, pot-bellied uncle with some graying hair, currently calculating accounts in the lobby.

“Uncle Li, long time no see, you’re still so fat!” Xiaoli called the owner “Uncle,” indicating a close relationship.

“Haha, you girl. And this handsome man is?” the owner asked.

“This is my roommate, President Pan,” Xiaoli introduced.

“Hello, Boss Li,” Pan Han extended his hand to shake his.

“Oh, President Pan is truly a distinguished talent, you can tell at a glance he’s a perfect match for our Xiaoli,” the owner said.

“Uncle Li, don’t joke, we’re just roommates.”

“Hahaha, you girl, you’re not young anymore, why aren’t you hurrying to find a boyfriend?” The owner held Pan Han’s hand and wouldn't let go.

“Boss Li, you’re joking, Xiaoli and I are truly friends. Not that kind of relationship,” Pan Han said, a bit shyly.

“Alright, alright, you young people handle your own affairs! I’ll take you to the private room,” Boss Li said.

In the private room, it was already steaming hot. Boss Li had timed the fish and corn pancakes perfectly for them, so they could basically start eating as soon as they entered.

“President Pan, have a seat. Tonight, I’ll let you taste our reservoir fish; I guarantee you’ll be satisfied. Let Xiaoli pay, though,” Boss Li said.

“Alright, I haven’t had fish in a long time either,” Pan Han said.

“President Pan, what kind of alcohol do you like to drink?” Boss Li asked.

“Drink? We drove here; if we drink, we won’t be able to go back,” Pan Han said.

“Why go back? I’ll light up the heated brick bed in the guesthouse later; you can just stay here after eating.”

“Uh…”

“Oh, Uncle Li, why don’t you go serve some cold dishes first?” Xiaoli couldn't stand it anymore and quickly shooed Boss Li out.

Boss Li walked away, chuckling.

The room became a bit awkward.

“How are you so familiar with Boss Li?” Pan Han broke the silence.

“I filmed here for half a month before, that’s when we got to know each other,” Xiaoli said.

“Hmm, this place is indeed nice, we can come again if there’s a chance,” Pan Han said.

Just then, Boss Li returned, carrying four small dishes for drinking and a large wine pot.

“President Pan, this is our homemade wine. How about you two try this tonight?” Boss Li asked with a smile.

Unable to refuse the hospitality, Pan Han accepted.

“Can you drink?” Pan Han asked.

“Isn’t that obvious? In our circle, how can you get by without drinking?” Xiaoli said.

“Alright, I haven’t drunk in a long time. Chen Yun doesn’t like drinking, so tonight, let’s drink freely,” Pan Han said.

The two sat down, neither being polite, and rolled up their sleeves to start eating.

The aroma of fish filled the air, and the wine flowed with genuine emotion.

Outside, the bright moon began to rise; inside, laughter and joy filled the room.

After three cups of wine, the atmosphere became lively. They talked about their pasts and their visions for the future.

About half an hour later, both were slightly tipsy.

Xiaoli lit a cigarette and offered one to Pan Han. As Pan Han took the cigarette, he seized the opportunity to brush against Xiaoli’s hand.

So smooth!

“Oh? Daring to take advantage of your older sister! You little rascal, are you getting bold?” Xiaoli said.

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare,” Pan Han quickly stood up and said, hurriedly, taking the chance to make an excuse and run out.

He walked outside the restaurant, took a deep breath, and composed himself. He spotted the small woods behind the building and walked towards them.

Earlier, in the lobby, he had deliberately asked the owner loudly where the restroom was, and Boss Li had pointed to the back of the building.

The three burly men eating in the lobby pricked up their ears and heard everything clearly. They then exchanged glances, preparing to act.

Pan Han deliberately walked deeper into the woods; he had already heard someone following him.

Only when he was far from the restaurant did Pan Han stop, pretending to relieve himself.

Fatty Tiger’s eyes gleamed fiercely, and he quickly stepped forward, with his two subordinates also closing in.

“Are you done peeing?” Fatty Tiger asked.

“What’s wrong? Almost!” Pan Han replied without turning his head.

“When you’re done peeing, let’s talk.”

At this moment, Pan Han turned around and looked at the three men, including Fatty Tiger.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Nothing much, brothers here are a bit tight on cash recently. We want to borrow some from you,” Fatty Tiger said.

“Alright, how much do you want to borrow?” Pan Han asked.

“How much do you have?” one of the subordinates asked.

“I’ll give you 100,000,” Pan Han thought, giving them one last chance; if they took the money and left, it could be as if nothing happened.

“Haha, you’re treating us like beggars,” Fatty Tiger said with a laugh, pulling out his knife.

“Then name your price,” Pan Han said.

“10 million,” Fatty Tiger said.

“What if I don’t give it?”

“Then we’ll tie you up first, then dismember you and sell your parts. But don’t worry, before you die, we’ll let you see your own kidney,” Fatty Tiger said.

“Good sirs, I’ll give it, here’s my bank card.” Pan Han pretended to take out his wallet from his pocket, but secretly took out a gun from his spatial storage, having already attached a silencer.

The three men instantly froze when they saw a gun suddenly appear in Pan Han’s hand.

The most they did was some extortion, saying harsh words to scare people. They had never seen a scene like this.

“Brother, you’re still young, don’t ever go down the path of crime,” Fatty Tiger, who had been in the underworld for years, finally got to use this line.

Pan Han didn’t waste words; he fired two shots, blowing the heads off the two subordinates.

Blood splattered all over Fatty Tiger. He immediately knelt down.

“Speak, who sent you?” Pan Han asked.

“If I tell you, can I get a life?” Fatty Tiger asked, trembling.

Pan Han didn’t waste words; he fired four more shots at the nearby corpses.

“Wang Cheng, it’s Manager Wang Cheng from the pawn shop,” Fatty Tiger, terrified, quickly confessed.

“It really is him. That little bastard,” Pan Han said.

“Big brother, big brother, spare my life. This was all Wang Cheng’s plan; he told us to keep an eye on you, tie you up, and then force you to reveal the whereabouts of the treasure,” Fatty Tiger said.

“Alright, I know, you can go now.” Pan Han finished listening, then raised his hand and fired a shot.

Fatty Tiger fell to the ground, his brains splattering.

Pan Han didn’t waste words; he used his consciousness to throw all three bodies into his spatial storage, simultaneously collecting all the bloodstains into the space as well.

He opened his phone and looked around; not a single trace was visible.

Three more scourges were gone from this world, considered a service to the people, Pan Han thought.

With everything cleaned up, he headed straight for the private room.