Chapter 30: The Brass Chest

I must admit, I lack the ability to change my expression as quickly as she does within a matter of minutes.

With Principal Huang as my backing, getting leave was effortless. The counselor even asked if a week would be enough, suggesting I could take a few more days if needed. A week should suffice; if not, I’ll just handle the formalities when I return. After giving the old man, Zhang Yuxuan, a few instructions, I headed back to the dormitory for a good night’s rest.

...

The next day, around 7:30 in the morning, the old man arrived at the school gate, where we met up.

"Young Master Jiang, dressed so warmly, are we heading into the mountains?" Zhang Yuxuan asked.

"That possibility hasn't been ruled out, though I’m not entirely sure of the specifics myself," I replied.

"Young Master Jiang, look at me—I’ve got old bones and brittle joints. If we really head into the mountains, won't I fall apart? How about you bump my share up by twenty percent? Let’s just make it a fifty-fifty split," the old man said, looking at me with a fawning grin.

Fifty-fifty? He’s always thinking about splitting things down the middle. He should just change his name from Zhang "Add-Money" to Zhang "Fifty-Fifty."

"Not a chance. I’m the one who took this job; you should be grateful I’m even bringing you along!" I rejected him flatly.

Don’t let his fifty or sixty years of age fool you—when it comes to running, he’s not a bit slower than a man in his prime! If he keeps pestering me with talk of his old bones and wanting more money, he can just stay behind. I’ll earn the fee all by myself!

"Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right!" the old man quickly agreed.

It’s a hundred thousand; even with thirty percent, he’s still walking away with thirty thousand. What does he have to be dissatisfied about?

*Vroom...*

The sound of an engine roared as a black Bentley pulled up in front of us.

"Get in!"

The window rolled down, and Li Yifeng poked her head out. "My sister sent me to pick you up."

Hearing this, the old man and I hurriedly opened the doors and hopped into the back seat. Glancing at the rearview mirror, however, I noticed Li Yifeng didn’t look very happy.

"Treating me like a chauffeur, are we?" Li Yifeng muttered. "Jiang Chen, you sit in the front. I have a few things to discuss with you."

Fine, fine! I didn't expect this girl to be so petty. But for the sake of the hundred thousand, I’ll swallow my pride. I climbed out of the back and took the passenger seat. Li Yifeng slammed her foot on the gas, and the car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

"My sister asked you to go, but what exactly are you going to do?" Li Yifeng asked.

"My dear young lady, you’re asking the wrong person. How would I know? You should be asking your sister," I replied, finding her question bizarre.

"If I could ask her, would I be asking you? And don’t call me 'young lady.' My sister is the young lady; you can just call me 'Second Young Lady,'" she retorted.

Give her an inch, and she takes a mile. I called her "young lady" out of politeness, and now she wants to be addressed as "Second Young Lady."

"Go guess for yourself. If you’re so capable, don’t ask me either," I said, annoyed.

"You..." Li Yifeng was so frustrated she couldn't speak.

"Forget the 'you's.' Just focus on driving!" I snapped back.

She kept a sour face the entire journey until she pulled up to a place that looked like a base. It was extremely spacious, with several large warehouses in the distance, yet there wasn't a single sign on the perimeter.

After getting out of the car, the old man and I were directed into an SUV. There was another person inside—a man in his thirties sitting in the passenger seat. The driver was a strapping man with a rigid posture, likely a retired soldier.

"Reporting to the Young Lady, everyone has arrived," the retired soldier said into his walkie-talkie.

A moment later, Li Yiran’s voice crackled through the device: "Proceed!"

The SUV started up and headed out of the base. As for the Second Young Lady, Li Yifeng, she stood on the open ground, watching us drive away.

*Ding-dong!*

My phone chimed. It was a WeChat friend request from "Li Yifeng." I hadn’t added her before; she must have gotten my number from her sister. I clicked accept.

Almost immediately, a message popped up: [Tell me what exactly Li Yiran asked you to do when you get back.]

[No time!] I replied.

Li Yiran is paying me for this. You didn't give me a cent, so why do you act like I’m your servant? She’s truly spoiled!

[You...]

I imagine Li Yifeng was speechless on the other end, not knowing how to respond. I grew amused and taunted her: [Are you running out of words? That’s the only thing you ever say.]

[I can pay you. Is ten thousand enough?]

[That’s no problem. How about you add another five thousand, and I’ll bring a camcorder to film everything we do and the route we take?] I joked.

*Ding-dong!*

A transfer notification flashed on my phone: 15,000 yuan.

Holy crap! She’s that generous? Sending fifteen thousand just like that?

[Second Young Lady, I was just joking. Don't take it seriously!] I quickly typed back.

Where am I supposed to find a camcorder now? The car is already on the road, heading out of the Ancient Capital. The base was already remote enough; once we get further out, it’ll be even more desolate.

[I don't care. If you don't bring back that video, just wait and see how I deal with you.] As expected, she was as overbearing as ever.

Ugh! I shouldn't have opened my big mouth!

Well, there’s a solution for every problem. I’ll just take it one step at a time. I’ll keep the 15,000 for now, and if I can’t film it, I’ll just refund her the five thousand later.

"Mr. Jiang, it’s best if you don’t play on your phone. The Young Lady is worried about leaks. Even though she didn't confiscate your phone, please be self-aware," the driver in the front warned.

"No problem, putting it away now."

I didn't have time to bicker with Li Yifeng, so I tucked my phone into my pocket. By now, we had left the Ancient Capital and were on the highway. The road was smooth, but once we exited and switched to the county roads, the path became winding. Looking at the route, it seemed somewhat familiar.

"Young Master Jiang, isn't this the road to Miaodi Village?" the old man suddenly blurted out.

"What are you talking about?" I gave him a glare. Does he think he’s the only one who knows anything? Do I not know this is the road to Miaodi Village? The problem is, I still don't know what Li Yiran is planning!

"You two know about Miaodi Village?" The man in his thirties in the front seat turned around to chat. "That’s right. Our destination for this trip—or at least the first stop—is indeed Miaodi Village."

Miaodi Village? Why go there? Could it be because of that ancient tomb? That, I could understand, since the bronze box had been unearthed from a tomb in Miaodi Village.

"I just checked the navigation on Gaode Maps, and it showed this road leads to Miaodi Village," I said, spinning a lie to cover my earlier slip-up.