La ciudad solitaria cerró

Capítulo 42

"Go and call Ah Jun here!" Lei Shuangxue said to Cui'er beside her. She wanted to talk to him. This matter could not be delayed any longer. Every day it was delayed would be an additional obstacle to their sword-seizing operation.

"Yes." Cui'er immediately went out to call for help.

Soon after, Lei Jun, dressed as a servant, entered. Lei Shuangxue immediately recounted the entire story that Shen Jie had told her. After listening, Lei Jun thought for a moment and said to Shen Jie, "You must find a way tonight to prevent Ouyang Tianyu from leaving the room, understand?" He was going to check there tonight and would make a decision upon his return.

"Yes! This servant understands!" Shen Jie replied respectfully, her head bowed. She knew why he was doing this. She could tell that they were getting impatient and would definitely make a move in the next few days. She could also take this opportunity to discuss with Tian Yu what to do next.

"Alright, you can go back now. Be careful tonight, don't let Ouyang Tianyu see through your disguise." Lei Jun waved his hand, letting Shen Jie go back first, and gave her some instructions for the evening.

"Yes." Shen Jie bowed and left the room.

Qi Ruiyang emerged from Ouyang Tianyun's study, his mind replaying his friend's words... Could Li Lian'er's crush be him? He should be happy, so why did he feel no joy at all? Had his love for her changed? Did he no longer love her, or had he never loved her at all?

Unbeknownst to him, a strange attraction drew him to Lanxuan. Was it because of her? He was confused... Suddenly, a petite figure ran towards Lanxuan and bumped into Ouyang Tianyu, who was coming out of it.

"Brother Yu—" Ju'er threw herself into Ouyang Tianyu's arms. She couldn't even see her beloved Brother Ruiyang?

"Ju'er, you're being naughty again." Ouyang Tianyu glanced at Qi Ruiyang provocatively, then smiled and hugged the girl in his arms tighter, wanting to see his reaction.

Sure enough... Qi Ruiyang, who was not far away, had already changed his expression. He wished he could rush forward, separate the two who were embracing, and punch Ouyang Tianyu a few times...

"Brother Yu..." What's wrong? Ju'er sensed her senior brother's unusual behavior and cried out, "Don't hug me so tightly!"

Ouyang Tianyu rested his head on Ju'er's shoulder and whispered in her ear in a seemingly intimate manner, "Your brother Ruiyang is right behind you. Do you want to know if he likes you or not?"

He was quite pleased to see that the man behind Ju'er was already furious; if Taiguo had a knife, it would probably already be in his chest.

"How is it?" Ju'er opened her eyes wide and looked at her senior brother curiously. She really wanted to turn around and look.

“Let’s talk outside.” Ouyang Tianyu put his arm around her shoulder, deliberately blocking their view with his body, and led her towards the gate. If he didn’t teach this kid a lesson, he wouldn’t be Ouyang.

^

Chapter Thirty-One

"How about it?"

As soon as the two "embracing" were out of Qi Ruiyang's sight, Ju'er couldn't wait to ask, she had really wanted to turn around and look back. Although Brother Ruiyang always ignored her when he saw her, she really liked him.

"So eager to know? Do you wish you could marry him right now?" Ouyang Tianyu chuckled and ruffled her hair, teasing her.

"No way!" Ju'er blushed slightly as her thoughts were guessed, avoiding his gaze and tugging at his sleeve, urging, "Oh, tell me already!"

Ouyang Tianyu whispered a few words in her ear, and Ju'er's eyes lit up immediately. Was it true? Did Brother Ruiyang like her? "Senior brother wouldn't just say that to make me happy, would he?" In less than ten seconds, she immediately dismissed the idea. How could that be? How could Brother Ruiyang like her?

"Ju'er, we've been fellow disciples for so many years, don't you know me? You should know I wouldn't lie about something like this just to make you happy. If I didn't see that he really likes you, I wouldn't have said that." He really didn't know if this little girl didn't believe in her own charm or in his words. "You..."

Ouyang Tianyu paused halfway through his speech, fixing his gaze on a point in the distance. He raised the corners of his mouth, watching the approaching figure, a gentle smile appearing on his handsome face.

"Brother Yu, what are you looking at?" Ju'er was a little confused. Why did he stop halfway through his sentence? Following her senior brother's gaze, she saw Sister Shen! No wonder he was grinning like an idiot. Sigh! Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman! "Sister Lian'er..." she waved happily in that direction.

Shen Jie walked up to them and respectfully bowed to Ouyang Tianyu and Ju'er. Ever since Ouyang Tianyun and the others overheard her and Ju'er talking that day, she dared not say anything in the manor that would expose her identity. She was just a maid at the moment, so it was better to follow the rules, especially in such a critical period, and not to cause any more trouble.

“We’re going out. You serve us from the side.” Ouyang Tianyu winked at Shen Jie and deliberately spoke loudly. How could he not understand her meaning? Their communication never required words; a gesture or a glance was enough for them to understand each other.

"Yes," Shen Jie replied softly, and followed them out of Green Jade Manor.

After leaving the manor, they arrived at a gambling den. After Ouyang Tianyu presented the token, they were led to a room in the backyard of the gambling den. A tall, thin man in his forties came out and waved away the servant who brought them in, inviting Ouyang Tianyu and his party into the room.

"Master Yu!" The man who had been inside the room greeted him with a bow. Ouyang Tianyu was the real boss behind the gambling den, while he was merely a figurehead.

"We have something important to discuss. You go outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone approach this house," Ouyang Tianyu ordered in a deep voice. This was no joke; the slightest mistake would ruin everything. "Understood?"

"Yes." The man respectfully withdrew and closed the door behind him.

"What brings you out today?" Shen Jie asked casually with a smile. Shouldn't Ju'er be staying at the manor at this time? Why is she here?

“Brother Leng is there now!” Ju’er said cheerfully. She had stolen half a day of free time from her busy schedule. Besides, Brother Leng was much more skilled at that kind of thing than she was, so she was just “making use of what she had.”

"Alright, let's get down to business," Ouyang Tianyu reminded them. They weren't brought out for a chat today.

Upon hearing this, Shen Jie and Ju'er immediately focused their attention on the important matter. Shen Jie recounted to them the entire incident that had just occurred in Lei Shuangxue's room...

"...Judging from their eagerness, I think they will act within three days. However, before that, Lei Jun will probably see me again to make final preparations for their operation." Shen Jie analyzed after explaining the situation. She understood that even if Lei Jun knew where the Ouyang family hid the sword, he would still have her accompany him and use her as a shield if necessary. Therefore, she was certain that he would come to find her again.

“So we need to be careful these next few days and try not to discuss serious matters at home, lest we give ourselves away.” Ouyang Tianyu’s usual jovial demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious expression. This was no time for jokes, or all their efforts over the past few days would be in vain. He turned to Shen Jie, “If Lei Jun comes to you again, whatever he asks you to do, agree to it first. Also, try to delay their actions so we have more time to prepare.”

"How long do you need?" Shen Jie asked. They were in a hurry and couldn't wait any longer.

"On the night of the full moon three days from now, because I need the moonlight's help." Actually, he had already planned it all out; he just needed the right time, and three days later…

Next, they discussed the specific action plan for three days later, and didn't go home until dark.

Just as Shen Jie had expected, Lei Jun came to find her early the next morning and handed her a small bottle.

"What is this?" Shen Jie asked, feigning ignorance as she looked at the small porcelain bottle in her hand. In fact, she knew what was inside even without him saying it.

“It’s a ‘sedative drug’.” Lei Jun’s eyes flashed, and he said, “We’re moving tomorrow night, so you need to make sure everyone takes it before then, so we won’t have any worries.” At that time, the entire Green Jade Manor will be theirs.

A sleeping potion? Come on, just by looking at his face you can tell this isn't a sleeping potion at all. This is probably something that will make someone never wake up after taking it, right? Shen Jie thought to herself, this man is treating her like an idiot, he's the one being played, okay?

Seeing Shen Jie remain silent, Lei Jun assumed she was unwilling to do it and wanted to use Xiao Min to threaten her. However, Shen Jie spoke first, saying, "I think it's inappropriate to take action tomorrow night."

"What do you mean?" Lei Jun seemed a little impatient. They had waited long enough; if they waited any longer, the sword would fly away.