When Wen Wan returned to her room, she immediately locked the door and carefully examined the envelope under the lamp.
The envelope looked ordinary—no name, no address. The seal was closed with wax bearing the Xu family crest.
She gently squeezed it. There seemed to be several sheets of paper inside, along with a small hard object that felt like a key.
Should she open it?
After a moment of hesitation, Wen Wan decided against it. Opening it now was too risky. Her top priority was emptying out the Xu family’s assets.
After leaving her room, Wen Wan joined Old Chen in searching the Xu residence.
They searched every corner, leaving no place unchecked. Whenever she spotted anything valuable, she secretly slipped it into her storage space whenever Old Chen wasn’t looking.
“Old Chen, check behind those books,” Wen Wan said, pointing to a row of antique volumes along the wall. “I’ll look through the desk.”
The moment Old Chen turned his back, she swiftly stored away the gold-plated pen holder and the inkstone on the desk. Though they appeared ordinary, both were valuable antiques from the late Qing Dynasty.
“Nothing here either, Young Madam,” Old Chen sighed as he turned around.
Pretending to think, Wen Wan asked, “Have you searched the basement?”
Xu Mingzhe still had about a month before fleeing, but he would likely start preparing soon. She needed to move faster.
“The basement?” Old Chen hesitated. “Only 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 and handed it to him.
“I heard your daughter is getting married. Consider this a wedding gift.”
Old Chen didn’t refuse. After thanking her, he went to find Xu Zhiguo.
Less than ten minutes later, he returned and unlocked the basement door.
“Master said you can search inside for only 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 dampness drifted out.
Following him down the stone staircase, Wen Wan felt her heartbeat quicken.
The sight before her nearly took her breath away.
Rows of rosewood shelves lined the walls, filled with expensive liquor—Moutai, Wuliangye, and countless imported spirits.
Large wooden crates sat nearby, revealing glimpses of porcelain, jade artifacts, and antiques.
In one corner stood a small safe.
“So many treasures,” Wen Wan murmured.
Old Chen stroked his beard proudly.
“Master has collected them for years. Every piece is valuable.”
He walked toward the wine shelves.
“You check those crates, Young Madam. I’ll inspect behind the shelves.”
That was exactly what she had been waiting for.
Quickly moving to the wooden chests, Wen Wan pretended to search for the missing ledger while secretly transferring everything into her space.
Blue-and-white porcelain vases.
White jade Guanyin statues.
Ivory carvings.
Each item was worth a fortune.
“Old Chen,” she asked casually, “what’s inside the safe?”
Without turning around, he replied, “Master’s personal belongings. Only he has the key.”
Wen Wan narrowed her eyes.
The more mysterious it was, the more worth taking.
Without hesitation, she stored the entire safe in her space.
“Nothing here, Young Madam,” Old Chen said after finishing his search.
“Me neither,” Wen Wan replied regretfully. “Perhaps I guessed wrong.”
She looked around.
“Since we’re here, why don’t we bring up a bottle of wine? Father might need a drink after today’s scare.”
Old Chen nodded.
“Good idea. Which one would you like?”
“I don’t know much about wine,” Wen Wan said shyly. “Why don’t you choose?”
As Old Chen concentrated on selecting a bottle, Wen Wan swiftly emptied the remaining crates and even stored the rosewood wine racks themselves.
After all, the Xu family wouldn’t be needing them much longer.
“This bottle of Moutai is excellent,” Old Chen said as he removed one from the shelf. “Master has aged it for twenty years.”
Then he frowned.
“Young Madam… doesn’t the basement seem emptier than before?”
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. It’s stuffy down here.”
Though suspicious, Old Chen eventually followed her upstairs.
After locking the basement, Wen Wan returned to her room, claiming she had a headache.
The moment the door closed behind her, she couldn’t help laughing.
Every treasure from the Xu family’s basement was now safely inside her storage space—including Xu Zhiguo’s prized Ming Dynasty porcelain collection.
She could already imagine the expression on his face when he discovered the truth.
The next morning, Wen Wan rose early and dressed carefully.
A light-blue qipao.
Pearl earrings.
Her hair elegantly pinned into a neat bun.
Today she would personally deliver the mysterious letter to Commander Li and finally see what kind of powerful figure stood behind the Xu family.
Driving a black sedan out of the compound, she carried the letter and special pass inside her handbag.
The moment she turned out of the alley, she slammed on the brakes.
Someone had stepped directly in front of her car.
Looking up, she saw a tall man with one hand resting on the hood.
He appeared to be around thirty years old.
Though dressed like an ordinary laborer, his commanding presence was impossible to hide.
Sharp brows.
Bright eyes.
A strong nose.
A jawline carved like stone.
He narrowed his eyes as he looked into the vehicle.
Wen Wan’s heart skipped.
The man was exceptionally handsome.
But there was something dangerous about him—a predator waiting to strike.
He strode to the driver’s window and knocked.
After hesitating, Wen Wan lowered the glass.
“Comrade, I didn’t hit you, did I?”
Instead of answering, he opened the car door and grabbed her wrist.
“Forgive me.”
Startled and furious, she tried to resist.
But the man suddenly pressed her against the seat and leaned over her.
“What are you doing?!”
Her protest was swallowed as his lips crashed onto hers.
The kiss was forceful and scorching.
Wen Wan’s eyes widened.
She struggled desperately, but he held her wrists firmly.
She could taste faint tobacco and mint on his breath.
When she tried to knee him away, he anticipated the move and pinned her legs.
Only when she was nearly breathless did he finally release her.
Glancing outside the window, he sat upright and adjusted his clothes.
“Sorry. Operational necessity.”
His voice was calm and composed, as though the passionate kiss had never happened.
Wen Wan raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Smack!
A red handprint instantly appeared.
“Pervert!”
The man touched his cheek.
To her surprise, he smiled.
Then he pulled out identification papers.
“Hello, comrade. I’m from the Southeast Military Region’s Special Operations Department. I’m currently on assignment.”
“Thank you for your assistance just now.”
“Also, you’re being followed. Be careful.”
Special Operations Department?
As if she’d believe that so easily.
“You—how dare you!”
She was still trembling with anger.
The man became serious.
“I apologize for offending you. But matters of national security leave me no choice.”
“At the moment I can’t reveal my identity.”
“If fate allows, I’ll take responsibility.”
With that, he opened the door and walked away.
Wen Wan was furious.
What a complete lunatic.