Back in her room, Wen Wan immediately locked the door and placed the envelope under the lamp for careful inspection.
The envelope looked ordinary enough. There was no name on it. The seal was closed with wax bearing the Xu family crest.
She gently squeezed it.
Inside seemed to be several sheets of paper and a small hard object that felt like a key.
Should she open it?
Wen Wan hesitated for a while before deciding against it. The risk was too great. Emptying out the Xu family’s assets was the priority right now.
After leaving her room, Wen Wan joined Old Chen in searching the Xu residence.
They searched every nook and cranny without missing a single spot. Whenever Wen Wan spotted anything valuable, she quietly slipped it into her spatial storage whenever Old Chen wasn’t looking.
“Old Chen, check behind those books,” Wen Wan said, pointing at a row of ancient volumes against the wall. “I’ll examine the desk.”
The moment Old Chen turned his back, Wen Wan swiftly stored a gold-plated pen stand and a Duan inkstone from the desk.
They looked ordinary, but both were valuable antiques from the late Qing Dynasty.
“Young Madam, nothing here either,” Old Chen sighed as he turned around.
Pretending to think, Wen Wan asked, “Have we searched the basement?”
There was still a month before Xu Mingzhe’s planned escape, but she knew preparations would likely begin within days. She needed to move quickly.
“The basement?” Old Chen hesitated. “Only the Master has the key.”
As the Xu family’s steward, Wen Wan didn’t believe he knew nothing. There was no point wasting words.
She casually removed a fine jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to him.
“I heard your daughter is getting married. Let this be part of her dowry.”
Old Chen did not refuse. He accepted it, thanked her, and went off to find Xu Zhiguo.
Less than ten minutes later, he returned and unlocked the basement door.
“The Master said you can search inside, but only for half an hour.”
Half an hour?
That was more than enough.
The key turned in the lock, and Old Chen pushed open the heavy oak door. A mixture of wine and mildew drifted out.
Wen Wan followed him down the stone staircase, her heartbeat quickening slightly.
The sight before her took her breath away.
Rows of mahogany shelves lined the walls, filled with expensive liquor—Moutai, Wuliangye, and countless imported spirits.
On the opposite side sat several large wooden crates. Through the gaps she could glimpse porcelain, jade carvings, and other treasures.
In one corner stood a small safe.
“So many valuable things,” Wen Wan murmured.
Old Chen stroked his beard proudly.
“The Master has been collecting them for years. Every item is a treasure.”
He walked toward the wine racks.
“The young master occasionally comes down here for wine. Young Madam, you check those crates. I’ll inspect behind the shelves.”
That was exactly what Wen Wan had been waiting for.
She hurried to the crates, pretending to search for the ledger while rapidly transferring their contents into her spatial storage.
Blue-and-white porcelain vases.
White jade Guanyin statues.
Ivory carvings.
Every piece was worth a fortune.
“Old Chen,” she asked casually, “what’s inside that safe?”
Without turning around, he replied, “The Master’s personal belongings. Only he has the key.”
Wen Wan narrowed her eyes.
The more mysterious it was, the more valuable it likely was.
Fine.
Into storage it would go as well.
“Young Madam, nothing over here,” Old Chen called out. “How about your side?”
Wen Wan shook her head regretfully.
“Nothing. Maybe I guessed wrong.”
She glanced around the room.
“Since we’re already here, why not bring up a bottle of wine? It might help calm Father’s nerves when he gets back.”
Old Chen considered it.
“That’s not a bad idea. Which bottle would you like?”
“I don’t know much about wine,” Wen Wan said with a shy smile. “Why don’t you choose one for me?”
While Old Chen focused on selecting a bottle, Wen Wan quickly swept the remaining antiques into her storage.
She even took the mahogany wine racks.
After all, the Xu family would have no need for them much longer.
“This bottle of Moutai is excellent,” Old Chen said, removing one from the shelf. “The Master has aged it for twenty years.”
As he turned around, he frowned.
“Young Madam, doesn’t the basement seem a little emptier?”
Wen Wan’s heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained calm.
“Does it? Maybe it’s the lighting.”
She headed toward the stairs.
“Let’s go back up. It feels stuffy down here.”
Old Chen looked around suspiciously before finally following her.
After locking the basement again, Wen Wan claimed she had a headache and returned to her room.
The moment the door closed behind her, she burst out laughing.
Every treasure from the Xu family’s basement was now inside her storage space.
Including Xu Zhiguo’s prized collection of Ming Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain.
She could practically imagine the expression on his face when he discovered it.
Early the next morning, Wen Wan got up before dawn and carefully prepared herself.
She wore a simple pale-blue qipao, pearl earrings, and arranged her hair into a dignified bun.
Today she would personally deliver the mysterious letter to “Commander Li.”
At the same time, she intended to find out exactly what sort of powerful figure stood behind the Xu family.
Driving a black sedan, she slowly left the Xu estate.
Inside her handbag were the sealed envelope and a special pass.
Just as she turned out of the alley, she slammed on the brakes.
She had nearly hit someone.
Looking up, she saw a tall man standing directly in front of the car, one hand resting on the hood.
He appeared to be around thirty years old.
Though dressed like an ordinary factory worker, he radiated an unmistakable aura of danger and authority.
Sharp brows.
Bright eyes.
A straight nose.
A jawline carved like stone.
At that moment, he narrowed his eyes and looked into the car.
Wen Wan’s heart skipped a beat.
The man was strikingly handsome.
But his gaze was dangerous—like a leopard poised to strike.
He strode to the driver’s side window and tapped on the glass.
After a brief hesitation, Wen Wan rolled the window down.
“Comrade, I didn’t hit you, did I?”
Instead of answering, the man suddenly opened the car door and grabbed her wrist.
“Forgive me.”
Wen Wan was startled and furious. She was about to resist when he pushed her back into the seat and leaned over her.
“What are you doing?”
Her protest was cut short.
His lips pressed against hers.
The kiss was sudden, forceful, and burning hot.
Wen Wan’s eyes widened.
She struggled fiercely, but his grip on her wrists was unyielding.
The kiss came with overwhelming intensity.
She caught faint traces of tobacco and mint on his breath.
She tried to drive him away with her knee, but he anticipated the move and pinned her leg effortlessly.
Just as she was beginning to run out of breath, he finally released her.
The man quickly glanced outside the car windows before sitting upright and adjusting his clothes.
“Sorry. It was necessary for the mission.”
His voice had returned to complete calm, as if the passionate kiss had never happened.
Wen Wan immediately raised her hand and slapped him.
Smack!
A bright red handprint appeared on his face.
“Pervert!”
She trembled with anger.
The man touched his cheek.
To her surprise, he smiled.
He pulled out an identification card.
“Hello, Comrade. I’m from the Special Operations Division of the Southeast Military Region. I’m currently carrying out a mission. Thank you for your assistance just now.”
He paused.
“One more thing. You’re being followed. Be careful.”
Special Operations Division?
As if she was supposed to believe that.
“You—how dare you!”
She was still furious over the unexpected kiss, her voice shaking.
The man’s expression turned serious.
“I apologize for my inappropriate behavior. But this concerns national security, and I had no choice. I can’t reveal my identity right now. If fate allows, I’ll take responsibility.”
With that, he opened the door and left.
Wen Wan was so angry she nearly exploded.
What a complete lunatic!