The small tavern doesn’t get many customers during the daytime—just a few laid-back folks sitting around, sipping drinks and chatting idly. Most of them are the type with nothing much to do, just whiling away time and enjoying life.
So Qiuqiu and the others aren’t too busy either. She followed Shen Nan outside and immediately spotted the two people not far away. Sensing trouble, she hurriedly called out: “Sis!”
Zhou Zuizui let out an “ah,” looked up toward them, and just happened to lock eyes with Shen Nan. She paused for a second, but there wasn’t a trace of guilt or nervousness in her gaze.
She glanced at the man standing a short distance away—his expression cool and sharp, posture tall and straight, watching them leisurely. Even in that relaxed stance, he carried himself differently from others. That was probably the vibe of a soldier.
She didn’t say anything. Instead, Ai Zeyang slowly walked closer, looked at Shen Nan, and asked with some surprise: “Who might this be?”
Zhou Zuizui smiled, not hiding a thing as she introduced him to Ai Zeyang: “My husband, Shen Nan.”
Hearing that, Shen Nan’s face froze for a split second. He’d thought she wouldn’t introduce him at all—or at most, just say his name.
As for Ai Zeyang, he was completely stunned, frozen in place.
He looked at the man in front of him, who had such a strong presence, then at Zhou Zuizui’s expression, and blurted out while pointing at them: “This is that cheap husband of yours?”
Shen Nan: “…”
Zhou Zuizui curved her lips in a smile, raised an eyebrow a bit proudly: “Yeah. How’s he look?”
Ai Zeyang rubbed his chin, sizing him up from head to toe before raising an eyebrow and throwing Zhou Zuizui a flirty wink: “Not as handsome as me. You’re kinda losing out here.”
“For sure.” Zhou Zuizui played along: “You’re the most handsome in the world, hands down.”
The two of them bantered back and forth like that. To any outsider watching, it really felt like they were the actual couple.
Shen Nan narrowed his eyes slightly, let out a scoff, and looked at Zhou Zuizui with a cool, indifferent expression: “Everything okay?”
“Mm.” Zhou Zuizui knew what he was really asking about.
She was fine, actually. After they dragged her off and asked a few simple questions, they let her go. Even though those guys looked fierce and intimidating, they probably figured Shen Nan’s cover was holding up well and didn’t want to make an enemy, so they released her without much hassle.
Right after she got out, Ai Zeyang showed up.
She hadn’t even had a chance to catch her breath before he pulled her out for a walk and to grab some food.
Shen Nan nodded, his eyes dark and deep as he glanced at the small gap between the two—their arms were almost touching. He tugged at the corner of his lip, looked down, and reminded her: “Try not to go out these next few days.”
“Got it.”
Zhou Zuizui thought for a second, then introduced them: “This is my friend, Ai Zeyang.”
Shen Nan’s expression stayed neutral, no emotion showing as he gave a soft hum: “Got stuff to do. Heading out first.”
The two: “…”
Watching Shen Nan turn and walk away without any hesitation, Zhou Zuizui rubbed her chin, nudged Ai Zeyang’s arm with hers, and drew out her words as she asked: “Is my husband jealous?”
Her voice wasn’t too loud or too soft—just enough for Shen Nan, who hadn’t gone far yet, to hear clearly. But his steps didn’t pause at all; he just vanished from their sight like that.
Ai Zeyang looked down, hiding the thoughts in his eyes, and let out a mocking scoff at Zhou Zuizui: “Jealous of what? You think you’re with me or something? You must still be half-asleep.”
Zhou Zuizui: “…”
She stared at Shen Nan’s retreating back for a few seconds, her eyes lighting up as an idea hit her. She curved her lips into a smile, suddenly in a great mood.
Over the next two days, Shen Nan didn’t show up at Zhou Zuizui’s place at all.
For a guy who comes and goes like a ghost, Zhou Zuizui was totally used to it. Besides, they didn’t really have any deep feelings or relationship anyway—he can come or not, whatever.
Ai Zeyang, on the other hand, stuck around the whole time. He said he was on a week’s vacation and dragged Zhou Zuizui out every day to wander around randomly, like he’d never been to this town before. But Zhou Zuizui was bored on her own anyway, so she just went along with it. Life felt pretty free and easy.
While she was living carefree over there, things on Shen Nan’s side were the complete opposite.
They were urgently planning this mission, aiming to take down the whole group in one go—not letting a single smuggler or lawbreaker slip away.
The police had caught plenty before, but the real boss behind it all—the Boss Zhen that Shen Nan had met—always managed to escape every time. That’s why this time, the police reached out to Shen Nan’s team for backup and cooperation.
After everything for the deal day was arranged perfectly, Shen Nan leaned to the side with his eyes narrowed, resting. Gao Zhuo—Shen Nan’s deputy captain—pulled Xiao Tong aside quietly to gossip.
“Xiao Tong, have you noticed your captain’s mood has been off these past couple days?”
Xiao Tong’s eyes went wide as he nodded: “Yeah!”
Sure, their captain’s emotions could be unpredictable, but usually he was easy to talk to. He might be tough, but he was always good to them. These last two days, though, anyone could tell he was super irritable.
Gao Zhuo rubbed his chin, looking at the man not far away—legs spread casually as he sat resting in the chair—and pondered before asking: “Could it be that your captain got played by some woman?”
“No way!” Xiao Tong shot back right away: “Our captain doesn’t even have a woman!”
Their captain lived like a monk every day—where would a woman come from? Xiao Tong would know. He’d been sticking close to the captain these past few days… Wait, except for that woman the other day. The source of this chapter is novelping(.)com.
Xiao Tong’s eyes lit up as he looked at Gao Zhuo.
Gao Zhuo raised an eyebrow: “Spill it. What’s the situation?”
Xiao Tong scratched his head, not sure how to explain.
“Gao Zhuo.” A steady male voice came from inside the room. That call carried a clear warning for Gao Zhuo.
Gao Zhuo choked a bit, then walked in openly and sat down right next to Shen Nan: “Worried?”
“What do you think.”
Gao Zhuo: “…”
Wasn’t I the one asking you? Why are you turning it back on me!
He thought for a moment, then looked at Shen Nan: “Where’ve you been staying these past few days? Is something going on?”
Hearing that, Shen Nan snapped his eyes open and stared at him. Those pitch-black eyes just quietly fixed on Gao Zhuo.
Gao Zhuo got chills from the stare and quickly said: “I’m off to get busy! Captain Shen, get some good rest. See you tomorrow night!”
Shen Nan watched Gao Zhuo’s retreating back and let out a cold scoff.
He paused for a second, pulled out his phone from his pocket, glanced at it, and sent a message: At the tavern?
AAA: No, out with a friend.
Shen Nan narrowed his eyes, scoffing: Try not to go out these next couple days.
AAA: You gonna control me?
Shen Nan: Zhou Zuizui.
AAA: oK, I won’t go out.
Over here, Zhou Zuizui looked at the messages on her phone. She could pretty much picture the expression on Shen Nan’s face when he typed her name. She knew which things were more important, so after being cheeky for a bit, she didn’t plan to push it further. As for the rest, she’d settle the score with him later.
Anyway, the bill was noted down—no rush.
The next evening, a bright full moon hung in the sky.
Beyond the old town was a big stretch of woods. People came here to wander during the day, but at night—to avoid wild animals—regular folks wouldn’t dare come near.
Shen Nan had headed out in the afternoon, bringing Xiao Tong along. Gao Zhuo and the others had started from different spots and were already lying in wait here early.
Tonight was the day for the deal: cash in one hand, goods in the other.
The forest at night was super quiet, with just the occasional animal cries echoing through, enough to make anyone shiver in fear. This spot was a long, long way from the old town—probably a two-hour drive.
Shen Nan had been “invited” into the car, riding over with Brother Bao’s guys. They even blindfolded him the whole way.
He tugged at the corner of his lip, sitting in the car listening to the sounds outside the window. His ears twitched, picking up every little noise out there crystal clear.
Only when the car stopped, and the crunch of tires over branches and leaves faded away, did the guy up front turn back to them and say softly: “Brother Shen, we’re here.”
Shen Nan reached up, pulled off the black cloth over his eyes, and scoffed: “This is how you do business?”
Brother Bao popped up from the side, looking at Shen Nan: “Sorry, Brother Shen. In times like these, better to be careful.”
They’d been chased by the cops one too many times.
Shen Nan shot Brother Bao a warning glare, pretending to be pissed: “No next time!”
Brother Bao flashed a flattering smile, nodding quickly: “Of course, of course. Brother Shen, this way please.”
But once Shen Nan followed him to the spot and saw the truck under the moonlight, he narrowed his eyes slightly: “All the goods in here?”
“Yes.” Brother Bao said.
Shen Nan nodded, signaling to Xiao Tong on the side: “Where’s your Boss Zhen?”
Brother Bao’s eyes darted quick, super sharp as he replied: “Boss Zhen had something tonight. He left the handover to us.”
Shen Nan paused, looking down at his feet, letting out a cold hum inside: That old fox.
Even if Brother Bao said he wasn’t here, Shen Nan was dead sure the old fox was lurking nearby. A deal this big—he wouldn’t miss it. That greedy bastard treated money like his life; no way he’d trust just Brother Bao with something this important. Get faster updates on g.com.
“Check it.” He motioned for Xiao Tong to open the truck.
Xiao Tong got it and went to open the cargo door. The second it swung open… right there in front of them were the things they wanted: ivory, antelope horns, and other rare stuff. Shen Nan stared at the items, some still stained with blood, his eyes darkening. Rare animals were already on the brink of extinction, but there were always these heartless bastards who, for huge piles of cash, slaughtered protected species, skinned them, gutted them, and smuggled the parts to sell.
His face turned ice-cold, a different kind of aura rolling off him.
Xiao Tong hadn’t even finished checking everything when gunshots suddenly rang out through the forest, along with panicked shouts.
Someone came rushing over: “Brother Bao! They’re undercover!”
Shen Nan let out a cold laugh. The moment that guy got the first word out, Shen Nan moved—snatching the gun from Brother Bao’s waist holster. Before anyone could react, he had the barrel pressed right against Brother Bao’s temple.
He shoved Brother Bao toward Xiao Tong, glancing at the people coming from the other side: “I’m going after Boss Zhen.”
…
Total chaos!
That night in the forest was anything but quiet—pure mayhem.
Boss Zhen really was watching from not too far away. The second he sensed something wrong, he started running for it, with a helicopter on standby the whole time.
Shen Nan watched the guy desperately climbing up the rope ladder, grabbed his own gun from Gao Zhuo, dropped to one knee on the ground, and under the moonlight, narrowed his eyes, lining up the shot on his target.
With a loud “bang,” Gao Zhuo whistled: “Captain Shen is badass.”
By dawn, every single one of the smugglers had been caught.
Two days later, Zhou Zuizui hadn’t been sleeping well at all these past few nights. She didn’t know why—just this weird, unexplained unease.
She sat in the main hall, staring at her completely silent phone, feeling restless.
Ai Zeyang was leaving that afternoon. Seeing her like this, he held back for a bit but still asked: “Are you worried about something?”
Zhou Zuizui didn’t say anything.
Just then, the TV hanging in the hall was playing the news. Zhou Zuizui had only been glancing at it casually, but when familiar words popped up, she couldn’t help but focus seriously.
Even the customers sitting in the hall started whispering about it.
“Did you guys hear? Just two days ago, in the forest not far from here, they caught a bunch of smuggling criminals. Supposedly tons of ivory and other rare animal parts—deal worth over a hundred million.”
“More than that!”
“How come I stayed here two days and didn’t hear a thing that night?”
“Too far away, man. That whole area’s been sealed off—no one’s allowed in or out for a while.”
…
Zhou Zuizui stared fixedly at the reporter’s broadcast. When it mentioned police personnel getting injured, her heart skipped a beat, and her face turned even paler.
Ai Zeyang watched along with her, noticing her expression. He paused before asking: “Your husband was part of it?”
Zhou Zuizui hummed in response, grabbing her phone from the side: “I’m gonna make a call.”
Not having feelings was one thing, but she definitely didn’t want her husband to die young. She wasn’t about to become a young widow.
She lowered her head, walked out to the courtyard, and dialed the number.
Pretty soon, the other side picked up.
“Hello.”
Shen Nan’s deep voice came through: “What’s up?”
“Just saw the news. You… you’re not hurt, right?”
Shen Nan raised an eyebrow, paused, and asked: “What, worried about me?”
Zhou Zuizui let out a cold laugh, lowering her voice: “I just don’t want to end up a widow. If something happens to you, I’d have to go back into that cage again.”
Shen Nan knew exactly what “cage” she meant.
He chuckled softly. Fresh off finishing the mission, he was in a good mood. Glancing at the person not far away who was sitting sideways to him, shaking their leg nervously, he asked: “Is that so? Then why are your legs shaking?”
Zhou Zuizui: “…”
She froze, twisted her head in shock toward the man leaning against the little gate, and blurted out: “How did you get here?”
Shen Nan walked right up to her, hung up the phone, and said in a neutral tone: “To take you home.”