Shan Xiaoya stared at the bracelet on her wrist for a long time, unable to figure it out. With that thought, Shan Xiaoya walked out of the tavern. Just as she stepped out the door, she came face to face with Huo Yan Nan.
Chapter 047
Hu Yannan heard that the bodyguards had lost track of Dan Xiaoya and dispatched all family members who had seen Dan Xiaoya to search for her. He personally led the bodyguards to search house by house.
After searching for a long time, they still couldn’t find her. Hu Yannan felt helpless, not knowing how to deal with Dan Xiaoya, who had moved his heart. Previously, he was cold and cruel to her because she was Man Hanting’s sister, but now? Her aloofness and stubbornness had become his attachment; her strength and resilience had become his weakness; her agility and alertness had become his turbulence. Once he knew she wasn’t the sister of an enemy, his inner fortress was conquered. His heart, frozen for five years, had been stolen, and he was determined not to let the thief escape… He would keep her by his side at any cost.
Hu Yannan arrived at the entrance of Yuelai Inn, about to enter, when he almost collided with a woman rushing out. He quickly stepped back. The woman was visibly stunned, quickly lowering her head and covering her forehead, repeatedly apologizing. “Sorry, sorry.” She kept backing away…
Hu Yannan only caught a glimpse of her covering her forehead, anxious to go inside and find Dan Xiaoya. Without giving it much thought, he walked into the inn…
Zhao Yeqing sat by the window, leisurely drinking wine, his gaze unconsciously drifting outside…
Zhao Yeqing curiously looked twice. Despite just a casual glance, with his internal martial arts skills, he could clearly see the item on the person’s wrist from a distance, even discerning the size of the red gemstone…
Zhao Yeqing couldn’t help but feel suspicious. How could it look so similar to the bracelet from his family? Could it be fake? Possibly, but the imitation was remarkably accurate. Her attire suggested it couldn’t be genuine. Besides, the real one was in his possession. His hand unconsciously reached for the table…
Zhao Yeqing reached out but didn’t find it; he reached again and touched his sword. Startled, he turned his head – the box for the bracelet was gone. Looking down, the person with the bracelet had already disappeared…
Dan Xiaoya walked behind Zhao Yeqing, almost running, but the distance between them grew wider and wider. The rugged mountain path was difficult to traverse, yet he seemed to walk even more effortlessly than on flat ground.
Zhao Yeqing wanted to find that thieving woman but couldn’t figure out how. Hearing the inexplicable words from behind, he felt an impulse to meddle. He stopped, turned around, and saw Dan Xiaoya from a distance. His heart inexplicably began to beat, filled with excitement and agitation, his entire face revealing an invincible smile.
Zhao Yeqing stood there in a great mood, waiting for Dan Xiaoya to walk over. Dan Xiaoya walked forward with some dissatisfaction. When she looked up at Zhao Yeqing ahead, she was surprised to discover he was actually right in front of her. Dan Xiaoya’s brain was stunned for a minute. Was this a mistake? Did heaven really hear her threat? Dan Xiaoya stopped, shocked, staring blankly at him who was examining her.
Zhao Yeqing had never seen a woman with such an infatuated expression.
Though he knew he was popular with women, no woman had ever dared to stare at him so boldly and unabashedly, as if seeing through him… Dan Xiaoya saw his mischievous look and realized her own impropriety. Her surprise turned to disgust, and she disdainfully curled her mouth. She took a step back, increasing the distance between them…
Zhao Yeqing was surprised to find a hint of disdain in her smile. Disbelieving, he blinked, but her beautiful smile remained, the disdain at the corner of her mouth even more obvious. How dare she? What right did this little thief have to be arrogant in front of him?
Zhao Yeqing beckoned to Shan Xiaoya, making a gesture for her to come over. Shan Xiaoya smiled and pointed at herself, then at Zhao Yeqing, shaking her head and waving her hand. Zhao Yeqing’s face darkened. “Didn’t you see me calling you over?”
Shan Xiaoya’s smile disappeared, and she put her hands on her hips. “What right do you have to order me around? I’m not your servant girl. I won’t go!”
“I’ll say this one last time, come here.”
“I’ll tell you one last time. I. Will. Not. Go!”
“You…”
“I, how about me? I am who I am. Move aside, a good dog doesn’t block the way.
“She gestured with her head for Zhao Yeqing to move.
Zhao Yeqing had never seen such an audacious thief. The way she carried herself was as if she hadn’t done anything wrong. She extended her hand. “Hand it over!”
Shan Xiaoya was startled. Did he know she had stolen something from him? If he knew, he would have caught her at the inn. What was he asking for? Was he trying to rob her?
She looked Zhao Yeqing up and down and nodded. This deserted place was perfect for robbery. So that’s how it was…
Shan Xiaoya tightened her bag and looked at Zhao Yeqing warily. She was usually the one stealing from others. That was unthinkable. She cautiously took two steps back.
“What are you doing? Let me tell you, even though I’m a woman, I’m not easy to mess with. I advise you, walk too many night roads and you’ll eventually meet a ghost. Robbery isn’t an easy path.”
Zhao Yeqing was surprised by her feigned ignorance. She had clearly stolen his belongings but was now accusing him of robbery. She took a step forward. “Enough talk. Will you hand it over or not?”
Shan Xiaoya knew she was no match for him and the gap in their abilities was vast. But giving up her money so easily was unbearable.”
She gripped her bag and took a challenging step forward. “No! I’d rather die than hand it over!”
Zhao Yeqing was surprised by the small person’s fearless spirit. He raised an eyebrow with interest. “Oh? You’d rather die?”
Shan Xiaoya nodded without hesitation, speaking with determination: “Yes! I’d rather die. A cornered dog will jump over a wall, let alone a human. You’d better think carefully before making a move.” Her black and white eyes stared fearlessly at Zhao Yeqing.
Blood drained from Dan Xiaoya’s face. For the first time, being pointed at with a sword felt terrible, especially when she hadn’t lived enough. That cold sensation seemed like it could take her life at any moment… Dan Xiaoya swallowed with difficulty. Fine, she would be wronged this time. What use was money? If she couldn’t spend it, it would be wasted. Let him take it. Why risk her life for a few coins? Thinking this, she quickly untied the bag from her back and threw it on the ground. “Take it, this is all I have.”
Zhao Yeqing looked suspiciously at the bag on the ground. Suddenly curious about its contents, he gestured for Dan Xiaoya to open it.
Dan Xiaoya offered a pleasing smile, gently pushing aside the sword pointed at her.
Zhao Yeqing understood and put away his sword. Dan Xiaoya stepped back, taking a deep breath. Escaping from death’s door felt good! Though she was unwilling, she was outmatched. She gave Zhao Yeqing another ingratiating smile and slowly picked up the bag, spreading its contents on the ground to reveal several hundred taels of silver. Standing up, she pointed at the silver: “This is all my worldly possessions. Now they belong to you.”
Zhao Yeqing frowned and shook his head. Dan Xiaoya, seeing his dissatisfaction, looked down at her clothes and casually pointed at herself. “Do you want this too?”
Zhao Yeqing looked at the bracelet on her right wrist and nodded. He had spent so much effort for his family heirloom. Those few hundred taels meant nothing to him. He stood to the side, waiting for her to return the bracelet.
