Translation checker: Rin
Editor: a.s.
After stealing the snake-shaped ring, Li Yan didn’t immediately leave the neighborhood, but stayed there for two weeks to observe the subsequent situation. This was one of Li Yan’s habits—if conditions permitted, he always examined his actions to see if there was any suspicious evidence left behind.
Strangely, it seemed the other party hadn’t reported the theft to the police, as if Li Yan had never been there and the pair of rings had never existed.
When Li Yan handed over the rings to Uncle Jiang from the Jiang family, the sturdy man over 6 feet tall expressed his gratitude by kneeling down. Li Yan quickly helped him up. There were some curious things that he couldn’t help but want to ask.
“The person who had these rings seems to be a scholar. He was researching them. He probably doesn’t want to keep it for himself.” Li Yan took a sip of tea. “I saw in his notes that your family’s rings date back to the Warring States period. Your family’s history is quite… extensive, isn’t it?”
Uncle Jiang smiled proudly. “In fact, the history passed down in our family is even more ancient than this pair of rings. However, because it’s so ancient, many people in the family don’t believe it, and I can’t be too sure myself.”
Li Yan rolled his eyes. What he said was clearly an attempt to keep their family’s history a secret.
“But personally, I still believe it.” Uncle Jiang looked at the rings in his hand with a gentle smile, but then his eyes gradually turned from serene to sorrowful. “Before my father passed away, he repeatedly urged me to find these rings. If he could have held on for another year, he’d have seen them… but in the end, he found no peace until his last breath…”
“At least it has returned to its rightful owner. Grandpa Jiang can rest in peace now.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Fcmif Aljcu geyyfv tlr rilutais kjafgs cbrf. “Tfr, lcvffv, atjcxr ab sbeg ojwlis… ageis…”
“Well, you don’t have to be too polite.” Li Yan smiled and patted the man’s arm, thinking, when is the bill going to be settled?
“Efujgvlcu atf gfkjgv…”
“Tbeg ojwlis tjr j tlrabgs klat ws ugjcvojatfg, jcv sbe’gf ws fivfg. P kbeivc’a vjgf ab jrx obg jcsatlcu. Vlcmf sbe’v lclaljiis ibbxfv obg ws ugjcvojatfg, la’r yfaafg ab rfaaif la klat tlw.”
“We did agree on it before. Since this matter has been handled so well, our family will surely express our gratitude.”
Hearing this, Li Yan felt a warmth in his heart. This family was quite thoughtful.
After seeing off Uncle Jiang, Li Yan drank another pot of tea at the teahouse. Just as he was about to leave, he received a call from Huang Yuliang, who happened to be nearby, and they agreed to meet at the same place.
Twenty minutes later, Huang Yuliang, in a sophisticated coat, walked into the teahouse with a model-like, charming posture, emitting a distinct masculine charm. Li Yan couldn’t help but cover his eyes. He couldn’t get along with such people. Being a Swallow, he always needed to hide in the crowd and couldn’t be found. But being with someone so conspicuous made it impossible to achieve that.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“It’s alright, I wasn’t waiting long.
Huang Yuliang took out his phone, checked his schedule, and said, “Do you have time the day after tomorrow? Come with me on a trip out of town.”
Li Yan’s eyes lit up. “Is it…”
“Yes.”
Li Yan was genuinely surprised at Huang Yuliang’s speed. He hadn’t found out anything yet, but Huang Yuliang already had a lead.
“So soon…” Li Yan was at a loss for words. “What… What do I need to give you for this?”
“Hmm? Are you in a hurry to settle things?”
“No, it’s just that I’m uncertain.”
Huang Yuliang thought for a moment before saying, “If you only want to know who this person is, the price is that you need to let me investigate your father’s whereabouts.”
At first glance, it seemed like a great offer, but Li Yan wasn’t naive. This was equivalent to renewing the contract. No one knew what value Li Yan’s father’s whereabouts had for Huang Yuliang. Li Yan pondered for a moment and decided to beat around the bush. “But even if I don’t allow you to investigate, I wouldn’t know if you did anyways, would I?”
“But if I investigate with your permission, I can benefit from it,” Huang Yuliang said frankly, leaving Li Yan somewhat speechless.
“What if I want to know more about this person?”
“That’s what I just mentioned. Come with me the day after tomorrow to find this person.” Huang Yuliang paused. “You cover the accommodation and travel expenses.”
Li Yan felt that talking to this person was particularly tiring. “What kind of reward do I need to pay you?”
“You cover the accommodation and travel expenses.”
Li Yan was utterly baffled. “Why do I feel like you’re the one troubled, while I’m the one benefiting?”
“No, you won’t.” Huang Yuliang said with a sincere smile, “After meeting this person, you’ll ask me to investigate more things, and I’ll benefit even more.”
Li Yan suddenly found it interesting. “How are you so sure?”
“Because your father’s last item is very complicated.”
“What is it?!”
Huang Yuliang smiled faintly without saying a word.
“I understand.” Li Yan nodded in resignation. “I’m free the day after tomorrow. I’ll go with you.”
Huang Yuliang nodded in satisfaction, stood, and picked up his coat. “See you then.”
Thanks for the chapter!