After Liu Ji’an finished packing his bundle, he noticed Shen Qingge standing perfectly still, seemingly staring at something.
“What’s wrong?” Liu Ji’an asked.
Shen Qingge shook her head. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt as if someone were watching her. She looked carefully but couldn’t see anyone hiding.
Just then, she seemed to discover something and let out a light laugh. “It seems someone can’t wait to make their move.”
Liu Ji’an followed her gaze with confusion and indeed saw a sneaky figure. He immediately understood her meaning. “They’re going to act. We shouldn’t stay too far apart over the next few days.”
Shen Qingge glanced at him and said bluntly, “You’re the one who should hear that. You haven’t fully recovered yet. Even if we’re close, how exactly can you help me?”
Feeling slighted, Liu Ji’an immediately puffed out his chest and said, “I can block a knife for you!”
Shen Qingge pulled out her handgun and gave it a little shake. “Do you think I need that?”
“…”
This… it seemed he really wasn’t needed.
On the other side, the person who had been sneakily watching Shen Qingge was indeed Liu Jian, the grandson of Old Lady Wang. He didn’t realize he had been exposed and went to find Ying Huan after leaving.
Ying Huan asked, “How are things on their side? Did they notice anything unusual?”
Jian said very confidently, “Don’t worry. I’ve said it before—there’s nothing to fear from that Shen Qingge. When all is said and done, she’s just a woman.”
“If you ask me, we don’t need to go through the trouble of watching her. We should just kidnap her directly.”
“Once her life is in our hands, I don’t believe she’ll dare to be disobedient.”
Fool.
Ying Huan rolled her eyes and cursed him in her mind. She detested men who looked down on women. If she weren’t short on people, she would have finished him off right then. Suppressing her anger, she patiently reminded him, “Do not underestimate her. She is not ordinary woman.”
“I don’t see anything extraordinary about her,” Jian replied, not caring about Ying Huan’s words. He felt she was making a mountain out of a molehill.
However, thinking carefully about Shen Qingge’s appearance, she was indeed different from the coarse women in the village. After all, she was a pampered young lady raised in a wealthy family. Her waist, her skin, her temperament—truly, no one could compare.
Perhaps her body would be even smoother to the touch than Ying Huan’s. At the thought of this, Jian couldn’t help but swallow his saliva. It was such a waste that such a high-quality prize had gone to that sickly Liu Ji’an. Once he kidnapped her, he could enjoy himself properly. At that time, Liu Ji’an’s expression would surely be magnificent.
Seeing his disgusting, lust-filled expression, Ying Huan knew exactly what he was thinking. “If anyone notices this, we are all finished. Remember, you must have my orders at all times; you are absolutely not allowed to act on your own.”
“I know,” Jian said impatiently. He felt very disgruntled about being ordered around by a woman. Once he got his hands on Shen Qingge, Ying Huan would be useless to him.
Liu Jian turned and left to continue watching Shen Qingge. Once he was gone, the other eight women walked in from behind; they had heard the entire conversation.
“Leader, Jian is too reckless and hard to control. Why not let someone else replace him?”
Ying Huan’s lips curled into a sneer. “Do you think Shen Qingge is that easy to deal with? If she were, how could she have destroyed over a year of our hard work by herself?”
“Shen Qingge is ruthless. Once Jian is discovered, he is as good as dead. Letting a man like him be the scapegoat is a favor to him.”
Ying Huan had already made up her mind; even if Jian didn’t die at Shen Qingge’s hands, she would never let him live.
“Is the person sent to scout the terrain back yet?”
“He’s back. He has picked out a suitable hiding place right on the path Liu Village must pass tomorrow.”
“Very good.”
“Leader, what should we do now?”
“Go tell the others to get ready. We’ll strike tomorrow night. Let Jian kidnap Shen Qingge while the others steal back the supplies. As long as we succeed this time, we can definitely start over.”
“What about Ji’an? Are we just letting him go? If it weren’t for him, so many of our brothers wouldn’t have been imprisoned by the authorities.”
Ying Huan said, “Don’t worry. As long as Shen Qingge is in our hands, he won’t be able to escape either.”
Liu Ji’an would not leave Shen Qingge behind to flee alone; Ying Huan was certain of this. Although they had only been married a short time, Liu Ji’an was a devoted sort who had even rejected her seduction for Shen Qingge’s sake. She would let them be a pair of “mandarin ducks” sharing the same fate, continuing their love in the halls of the King of Hell.
The next day, the people of Liu Village arrived at the location just as Ying Huan had expected. To ensure the plan went smoothly, Ying Huan personally checked the hiding spot—a cellar halfway up the mountain. It was very hidden and met her requirements.
At nightfall, Ying Huan handed the knockout incense to Jian. “Once they fall asleep, light this. Within fifteen minutes, they will be in a deep slumber.”
“Once you’ve kidnapped Shen Qingge, run up the mountain. We will meet you at the foot of the hill.”
Liu Jian wasn’t stupid; he knew she was sending him to the front lines. If something went wrong, he’d be the one caught. He refused immediately: “No, you must act with me. If something unexpected happens, how can I deal with it alone?”
Ying Huan said, “If there are too many of us, it’s easy to be exposed. You’ll have better luck alone. Besides, we still need to steal the grain.”
“If you’re unwilling, I can give this task to someone else. But then the credit won’t be yours, and as for Shen Qingge… someone else will have to go first.”
Now Jian began to hesitate. Old Lady Wang was on bad terms with Mother Liu, and he naturally disliked the Liu brothers. Especially Liu Ji’an; being of similar age, they were often compared by others, and it was always Liu Ji’an who was praised while he was belittled.
Jian had long been resentful. Now that there was finally a chance to get revenge on Liu Ji’an, he didn’t want to miss it. Sleeping with Liu Ji’an’s woman—just thinking about it made him feel triumphant.
Jian gritted his teeth. “It’s a deal. I must be the first one to have Liu Ji’an’s woman.” He snatched the incense from Ying Huan’s hand.