The men behind the village chief raised a messy assortment of makeshift weapons.
In contrast, He Yining’s side was armed with uniform American-made submachine guns.
This particular gun was known as a human reaper.
It had strong penetration, long range, and high accuracy.
It could withstand various harsh environments.
The village chief recognized the quality. The moment she saw their weapons, her expression drastically changed.
“Everyone, don’t act rashly!” the village chief immediately said. “Let’s talk this out!”
He Yining kept his smile fixed on the village chief.
“Put away your weapons,” the village chief ordered her men.
Only then did they slowly lower their arms.
He Yining raised a hand, and his men uniformly withdrew their weapons.
“Who exactly is Mr. He?” the village chief asked, her face very grim. “Being able to carry so many weapons out of the house—no branch member of the He family has that privilege.”
“Who I am isn’t important. What matters is that I want to do business with you,” He Yining replied lightly, his tall figure standing in the misty rain, hazy and breathtakingly beautiful.
“I wonder what kind of business Mr. He wants to discuss with me?” The village chief’s expression eased slightly. As long as he was willing to talk, things could be settled.
“I heard you have something good here.” A mischievous smile curled at the corner of He Yining’s mouth. “I’m willing to pay a high price for it. Money isn’t an issue. Just name your price, as long as you can deliver.”
“What do you want?” The village chief seemed to guess something, and her face turned ugly again.
If what he wanted was that...
What should she do?
He Yining’s words sent the village chief’s heart plummeting straight to the bottom.
“I want the relationship chart in your hands.” He Yining said with a grin. “Name your price.”
Just as she feared!
The village chief’s face grew even more sour. “No! That thing can’t be shared with outsiders.”
“Is that so?” He Yining lowered his gaze to his slender fingers and casually dropped two words: “Make a move.”
The moment the second word left his lips, someone appeared beside the village chief like a ghost, a flash of a dagger gliding smoothly.
The village chief felt a burst of blood spray across her face.
She didn’t need to turn around to know that he had taken out someone next to her!
This man was ruthless!
“You wouldn’t dare call the police, would you, village chief? Do you think your men are a match for mine?” He Yining spread his hands lightly. “I have nothing to fear.”
The village chief felt her legs trembling.
“Ah, it just occurred to me—I think I still have a few vehicle-mounted missiles in my car...” He Yining said, as if casually.
“Deal!” the village chief suddenly shouted. “I want you to release the hostage!”
“Pleasure doing business.” He Yining raised a finger, and someone immediately brought down the unconscious Pang Pang from the car.
Looking at Pang Pang, the village chief felt a mix of frustration and disappointment.
All because of her, they had to lose something so important.
If Pang Pang couldn’t be harmed, she wished she could just let her die here!
Forget it. A copied copy of the intel would still work.
This man was truly not to be trifled with!
The way he had just moved was far too professional!
Only someone who had undergone years of brutal training could have such a precise technique.
Fast, accurate, ruthless.
The village chief gave an order, and someone quickly ran back.
In just ten minutes, that person returned with a USB drive and handed it to the village chief.
The village chief tossed the USB drive to He Yining. “This is what you want.”
He Yining passed it to Xiao Chun.
Xiao Chun immediately plugged it into a laptop, confirmed the information was correct, and nodded at He Yining.
“Release the hostage.” He Yining said with a smile. “Oh, right, Miss Village Chief, I have one more small request.”
“What?” The village chief looked at him warily. “What else do you want?”
“I heard this mountain produces a type of mushroom with an incredibly delicious flavor. My wife really likes the mushrooms from here. Could you sell us a little?” He Yining smiled amiably. “No problem, name your price. I can afford it.”
The village chief and her men’s faces turned green.
He Yining raised his hand again.
Someone directly brought over a case, and He Yining tossed it over. “One hundred thousand RMB. Is that enough?”
The village chief’s face was practically purple with rage.
Her fingers gripping the case turned white.
“Enough! If Mr. He says it’s enough, then it’s enough!” the village chief gritted out. “Tomorrow at six in the morning, I’ll have someone deliver it on time! Also, the road will be repaired by ten tomorrow morning. Mr. He, safe travels!”
He Yining replied cheerfully, “Thank you, thank you! Miss Village Chief, take care!”
The village chief glared at He Yining through clenched teeth, then ordered her men, “Take the hostage and let’s go!”
Someone went over to carry Pang Pang, and the group quickly left in a flurry.
He Yining stretched his body, satisfied. “Finally, I can go back and sleep with Xiao Qi!”
In the car behind him, Shen Wu leaned against the door with his arms crossed, drawling, “You really know how to do business. Getting such an important piece of information for nothing. With this in your hands, this place is as good as yours.”
He Yining grinned. “No one ever complains about having too much territory!”
He got into the car and patted Shen Wu on the shoulder. “Work hard, finish your mission quickly. Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll come take over.”
With that, He Yining turned and left.
Shen Wu watched his retreating back and shook his head in exasperation.
For someone to be this cunning and ruthless, his little sister Xiao Qi didn’t stand a chance in a battle of wits!
Shen Qi woke up feeling refreshed.
The moment she opened her eyes, she saw He Yining’s sleeping face. She couldn’t help reaching out to pinch his nose.
He was just too good-looking.
Every detail was so perfect.
“Xiao Qi, go outside and see—there’s a surprise,” He Yining said, greedily inhaling the scent of her hair.
His Xiao Qi smelled wonderful.
Filled with curiosity, Shen Qi immediately got up, dressed, and ran outside.
As luck would have it.
The person the village chief had sent was just arriving with the mushrooms.
Shen Qi found it amazing. She hadn’t even gone to pick them in the mountains yet, and here they were being delivered.
He Yining came up from behind and wrapped his arms around her. “The villagers are selling us mushrooms! I already paid last night!”
Shen Qi still thought it was strange and turned to ask the villager, “Is that true?”
The other party nodded, his face grim.
Shen Qi sighed. “So there are still good people out there.”
Her words made the man’s face darken completely.
Good person? He was being forced into it!
He Yining laughed heartily, had someone store the mushrooms, and pulled Shen Qi along. “Come on, let’s make breakfast! After we eat, we’ll get ready to leave!”
Shen Qi happily went to the kitchen and clattered around making breakfast.
The whole family ate comfortably.
By then, the sun had risen, and the day was bright and clear.
Soon, someone came to report that the road ahead was clear and they could set off.
Hearing that the road was open, He Yining led the convoy out of the village in grand style and onto the main road.
Pang Pang, who had barely been rescued, looked listless. “Village Chief, are we just letting them go like this?”
“What else can we do? Can any of us outrun a vehicle-mounted missile?” The village chief scolded Pang Pang with frustration. “When are you going to kick that lecherous habit? Do you have any idea what a huge mess you’ve caused? To get you back, I almost... forget it, I won’t say more. Someone, go notify the other villages—let their cars pass without obstruction. No stopping them!”
Pang Pang was displeased. “What did I do? That man really was good-looking!”
The village chief shook her head helplessly. “If you want to die, go ahead on your own. Don’t drag us into it!”
The RV cruised along the highway, smooth sailing all the way.
He Yining was in an excellent mood.
Who would have thought that accompanying his wife to sweep the graves would yield such a windfall?
He’d have to spend more time with Xiao Qi—maybe he’d stumble onto other big opportunities.
This mountain road was especially long.
They traveled for a full day and a half before finally getting out.
The moment they left the mountainous area, Shen Qi’s mood was like this: The sky over the liberated zone is a clear, bright sky!
Although the mountain scenery was beautiful, watching it nonstop could really make you sick!
Once out of the mountains, He Yining and Shen Wu both breathed a sigh of relief.
Good thing that group hadn’t chased after them.
Otherwise, it would have been hard to say who would win.
In truth, He Yining’s claim about having vehicle-mounted missiles was a bluff.
He wasn’t an arms dealer—why would he bring something like that on a grave-sweeping trip?
But under those circumstances, he had to put on a show to scare them off.
Luckily, they were fooled and didn’t pursue.
Otherwise, it would have been a real fight!
The first city they entered after leaving the mountains was a fourth-tier one.
It was only a tenth the size of H City.
Still, it was decently developed, with everything you’d need.
He Yining gave everyone a day off to rest properly.
Shen Qi felt like her whole body was stiff and decided to go out for a stroll and some shopping.
He Yining wanted to go with her, but before he could leave, Xiao Chun called him away.
There was an urgent company matter requiring his input, so he had to stay and handle business first.
So Shen Qi’s shopping companion became Shen Wu.
Shen Wu was thrilled. Finally, it was his turn to be by Xiao Qi’s side!
He grabbed Xiao Qi and, under He Yining’s resentful gaze, happily headed out.
“Xiao Qi, want some ice cream?” Shen Wu spotted an ice cream shop in the distance and, with the attitude of someone who didn’t know how else to spoil his sister and so bought her everything, said, “Little girls all love ice cream! Wait for me—I’ll get you one.”
Before Shen Qi could respond, Shen Wu had already dashed off like a whirlwind.
Shen Qi shook her head helplessly, turned, and found a seat to rest.
“Sorry, this seat is taken.” A girl suddenly stood beside Shen Qi, her tone unfriendly.
Shen Qi immediately stood up and moved to another table.
Before she could sit down, the girl came over again. “Sorry, this seat is taken too.”
Shen Qi gave a resigned smile and headed to another table nearby. But before she could sit, the girl blocked her again. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
Shen Qi nodded. “Yes...”
“From the countryside, right?” The girl’s words grew sharper and more cutting.