It took a while before the door was pulled open. The one who opened it was Song Shiniang.

“What do you want?” Song Shiniang glared viciously at Feng Jiu’er.

Out of a woman’s intuition, Feng Jiu’er sensed that Song Shiniang had once been one of Mao Linye’s pursuers as well. Song Shiniang had always been cold toward her, but because of Mao Linye, she hadn’t dared to make a move against her.

“I’m here to see the boss, none of your business!” Feng Jiu’er shot Song Shiniang a sideways glance, shoved past her, and walked inside.

Song Shiniang was stunned by Feng Jiu’er’s rudeness — she hadn’t expected that this timid little girl would dare speak to her like that.

Feng Jiu’er didn’t hold back either. She knew that Mao Linye, sitting inside, could hear every word she’d just thrown at Song Shiniang.

Mao Linye, who had been resting with his eyes closed and fingers pressed to his brow, slowly opened his eyes when he heard Feng Jiu’er’s words.

Song Shiniang took several deep breaths and turned around, about to complain — only to see the corner of Mao Linye’s mouth curl up slightly. Having followed him for so long, she knew that expression meant he was pleased.

This shameless girl was disrespectful to her, and yet the boss still doted on her?

“Boss.” Feng Jiu’er poured a cup of tea for Mao Linye and offered it to him with both hands. “Would you like some tea?”

Mao Linye nodded and took the cup.

Feng Jiu’er watched him until he’d finished drinking, then spoke.

“Boss, my eldest brother and second brother were captured by your men. The soldiers said my brothers barged in on their own.”

“I think they were just worried about me, and that’s why they were so reckless.”

“Boss, could you speak to the soldiers and have them release my brothers?”

Mao Linye suddenly reached out and took hold of Feng Jiu’er’s small hand.

Feng Jiu’er stared at her captured hand, stunned for a moment.

“Xiaoxiao.” Mao Linye pulled her toward his chest.

Feng Jiu’er shifted her weight at an angle, letting her waist rest against the armrest of the wooden chair, avoiding contact with him.

“Boss.” She turned to look at him. “Is something the matter?”

“Do you want to come with me?” Mao Linye stroked her small face.

Feng Jiu’er blinked and said, “Am I not already your person? If you’re leaving, I can’t very well stay behind.”

“You’re not!” Mao Linye stared at her face, unable to bear taking his hands off it. His long fingers slid down her cheek and came to rest on her neck.

“No!” Feng Jiu’er abruptly grabbed his hand and stood up straight. She pulled back a distance from him before letting go of his large palm.

“Boss, Xiaoxiao is still young. This isn’t allowed.” She shook her head, speaking with an aggrieved pout.

Mao Linye’s lips curved slightly as he leaned back against the chair.

“So — you’re not mine. You haven’t even signed the contract of servitude. Now that I’m in decline and you want to leave, now’s the time to go while you still can.”

Feng Jiu’er didn’t refuse right away. She lowered her head, seeming to hesitate over something.

With disaster looming, if I refuse outright, it will only raise suspicion. I have no choice but to play along a little longer before giving a reasonable answer.

“Are you scared?” Song Shiniang walked over.

“You’re not worthy of standing beside the boss at all! Do you know that? All these years, I’ve been the only woman who has stayed by his side.”

Song Shiniang was arrogant, but she was also stating the truth, and she had reason to be arrogant about it.

“I’m not scared!” Feng Jiu’er clenched her small fists and raised her eyes to meet Song Shiniang’s gaze.

“Boss.” She turned back to face Mao Linye. “I’ll go with you!”

“Good.” Mao Linye nodded, satisfied. “You can come with me, but there will need to be a small sacrifice.”

Feng Jiu’er had known it — this old fox wouldn’t easily trust anyone.

“Boss, tell me.” She took a deep breath. “If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it without hesitation.”

“I don’t need you to do anything.” Mao Linye once more scooped up her small hand.

Feng Jiu’er looked at him, her moon-shaped brows furrowing slightly.

“You don’t need me to do anything?”

Does that mean he intends to move against Qiao Mu and Xinyue?

Mao Linye answered quickly, confirming her suspicion.

“I only need your two elder brothers to help with something.”

“What is it?” Feng Jiu’er’s face instantly went pale.

She loved her two brothers dearly, and Mao Linye knew this — there was no need for Feng Jiu’er to hide it.

Mao Linye’s thumb rubbed gently across the back of her hand, his tone somewhat gentle.

“It’s a simple matter, but a dangerous one. I wonder if your two brothers would be willing.”

Feng Jiu’er stared into those wicked eyes, wishing she could gouge them out of their owner’s face.

“No!” She yanked her hand from Mao Linye’s palm and kept backing away.

“You can’t — I don’t want my brothers to die. They really do care about me, I don’t want them to die.”

“That’s no longer up to you.” Song Shiniang suddenly stepped forward. A cloth had somehow appeared in her hand.

Before Feng Jiu’er could flee, Song Shiniang clapped the cloth over her mouth. She struggled a few times, her eyes rolled back, and she fell unconscious.

Song Shiniang knew Mao Linye’s feelings for this girl were different, so she hadn’t done anything excessive to her.

“Boss.” She held the unconscious Feng Jiu’er, who was thinner and smaller than herself, and looked toward Mao Linye.

“Then it’s settled.” Mao Linye waved a hand. “Have them stay behind to plant the explosives!”

Song Shiniang nodded and carried the unconscious Feng Jiu’er away.

Feng Jiu’er was taken into a room, and once she no longer sensed anyone nearby, she “woke up.”

The room was dark, with no windows — only a faint light filtering in from above. Once night fully fell, even that light would disappear.

Feng Jiu’er walked over and stood behind the door. She pressed her ear against it, narrowing her eyes slightly, listening to what was happening outside.

After about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, Feng Jiu’er tore the heavy stone door open with her bare hands and slipped out.

The corridor was pitch black. Feng Jiu’er moved lightly in one direction — she hadn’t actually lost consciousness earlier and knew this was the way Song Shiniang had brought her from.

Gradually, she noticed light appearing ahead. On the candlelit passage leading outside, she sensed someone approaching. She leapt lightly, pressing her body flat against the ceiling of the corridor.

Two armed soldiers passed beneath her before she dropped back down and continued forward.

Soon, she found the room where Mao Linye was, and once again leapt up to press herself against the ceiling above.

“Boss, those two brothers have agreed.” Song Shiniang’s voice came from within.

“Mm. Leave as planned,” Mao Linye said.

Feng Jiu’er grew anxious — with things having come to this point, the two of them were still making small talk. The formula, and the remaining hidden drugs — where exactly are they hidden? Hurry up and say it!

“Boss, are we really leaving directly?” Song Shiniang asked.

“Mm.” Mao Linye replied. “Once it’s safe, we’ll go back for the drugs.”

“I’m worried they’ll find them,” Song Shiniang sighed.

“That masked man is clearly no simple person. With medicine this valuable, he certainly won’t let it slip by.”