Outside, someone hesitated at the door.
Shen Qingran closed her mouth and nose lightly. Although it was dark, the moonlight allowed her to see clearly.
The person outside seemed to be pacing in place.
Then, they seemed to descend the stairs, and there was no further sound.
After more than ten minutes, everything fell silent.
Shen Qingran lowered her guard slightly, peering through the peephole.
Outside, no one was there.
Something wasn’t right.
Shen Qingran thought to herself: There had definitely been someone out there just now!
But who could it have been—Shen Yulian or Zheng Xiuyu?
After all, when she returned, only these two had seen her carrying the box.
If it was Zheng Xiuyu, Shen Qingran had to remain alert. With that thought, she retrieved a vial of medicine from her space.
Zheng Xiuyu had escaped the military intelligence and didn’t seem old—she must be quite skilled.
If it was Shen Yulian… well…
Seeing that nothing moved outside, Shen Qingran didn’t relax.
She placed a dagger and the vial under her pillow.
The moonlight outside spilled across the floor.
In her previous life, she had admired such moonlight while being locked in a cowshed as punishment for disobedience.
She still remembered the cruel face of the village chief’s son under that moonlight.
Back then, she had been helpless, praying to heaven for rescue.
But refusing to yield had led to her tragic death.
This life was different.
Thinking of her mother, tears welled in Shen Qingran’s eyes.
Time passed, though she didn’t notice, and she felt drowsy.
In her dream, her mother smiled, coaxing her to sleep while calling her childhood nickname.
Creak!
Shen Qingran awoke instantly and checked the wall clock: 2 a.m.
These people sure picked the right time—when one is deepest in sleep.
It seemed the intruder intended to act once she was asleep.
Feigning sleep, Shen Qingran lay half-reclined, ready to defend herself.
Click! The door opened.
She tightened her grip on the dagger and vial.
“Oh, cousin, let’s just look for the item first!”
“Don’t worry, if we find it, the item is mine, the person is yours!”
“Trust me, I, Shen Yulian, always keep my word!”
Under the moonlight, two figures tiptoed in.
Shen Qingran squinted: one tall, one short.
No doubt, the tall one was her foolish cousin, Zheng Lin.
The other was her mischievous cousin, Shen Yulian.
They were really scheming!
Shen Yulian tiptoed around searching for the box, while Zheng Lin went straight to the bed. Seeing Shen Qingran pretending to sleep, he swallowed nervously.
“So beautiful!”
“If I could marry a wife like this in my life, it wouldn’t have been in vain!”
Zheng Lin was tall but clumsy and chubby, with crooked triangular eyes like Shen Yulian’s.
Shen Qingran felt disgusted but knew she couldn’t act yet—she had to wait.
Zheng Lin reluctantly left her side to help Shen Yulian search for the so-called box.
Inside, the room had just a wardrobe, a dressing table, and a few corner cabinets—everything was in plain sight.
Everything was exposed in plain view.
Half an hour later, the two were exhausted, slumped on the floor.
“Hey, cousin, where’s this box? Are you tricking me?” Zheng Lin complained, wiping sweat.
Shen Yulian pinched her nose at his smell.
“It must be in this room, don’t worry—we’ll find it!”
Zheng Lin glared at his cousin. Her appearance was no match for Shen Qingran.
He became more frustrated—Shen Qingran had said that if the item was found, she could be at his disposal!
Now they were just wasting time.
What if she woke up and screamed? What would they do then?
Zheng Lin slowly stood: “How about this? I’ll handle things first, then help you search. Don’t worry, it won’t get away!”
Shen Yulian was disgusted by his eagerness.
Still, as long as Shen Qingran suffered, she didn’t care!
Humph!
And this disgusting man dared touch Shen Qingran.
I want to see how she cries and begs for help later!
Wan family! Wan Ning! You wanted your little wife, wanted an engagement—let’s see your reaction when she’s humiliated!
Shen Yulian was thrilled. Shen Qingran’s lofty expression when she returned with the expensive-looking box had been infuriating.
Zheng Lin, given permission, was about to unfasten his pants.
But as he looked up, a figure with flowing hair in a white gown appeared before him.
“Ah!”
“Ghost!”
“You… are you human or ghost?”
Zheng Lin stumbled back, half-undressed, terrified.
Shen Yulian turned—just as she did, a cloud of powder hit them.
Both felt dizzy.
“Ghost!”
“Ghost!”
They were instantly disoriented.
Shen Qingran pulled her hair back, revealing her delicate face.
They hadn’t noticed her—she had gone into her space and changed clothes.
Seeing them on the ground, she kicked Shen Yulian’s face viciously.
That face was disgusting!
And the repulsive, shivering fat man too!
Shen Qingran plotted carefully.
She opened the door slightly, checking for any reaction outside.
No one was there.
The whole building seemed asleep.
Their earlier screams were quiet enough not to attract attention.
Shen Qingran closed the door, casting a sly smile at the fat man.
In her previous life, it had been such a night—only now, the people had changed!
The heavens had turned the wheel of fate.
She felt she was doing a good deed.
Yes, a very good deed.
Opportunities like this were rare—especially when handed to her on a silver platter!
She slapped both of them lightly to confirm they were unconscious.
Pfft!