Chapter 37: New Guests in Swallow Garden (Part II)

Yan Garden is the residence of the main branch of the Yan family, and Yan Ruobing’s villa is located within it.

Yan Ning, in the other vehicle, was the first to step out, dutifully opening the door for Yan Ruobing. Simultaneously, the main gates opened, and several subordinates stood in neat rows to welcome them. This was the standard protocol whenever a member of the main family returned.

The eldest young lady stepped out, removed the white handkerchief from her hand, and tossed it carelessly into the car. Wen Fengxian followed closely behind her like a shadow.

"Eldest Young Lady, I observed the entire journey carefully from Fengmen Island to here. I found no traces or movements of that wretched scoundrel," she reported in a low voice. "Perhaps this boy really holds no value to that man."

Throughout the trip, she had been vigilant, watching to see if the villain who had intruded upon the young lady’s bathroom had followed Shuisheng, but she had discovered nothing.

"Fengxian, don't you understand yet? That guy is provoking me," Yan Ruobing said, grinding her teeth. The lecherous face seemed to hover before her eyes, as did the humiliating image of her red bra fluttering against the boy's face. Even recalling these scenes made her teeth ache with rage. "Besides, he was injured by Uncle You... how could he possibly let this go?"

"Understood, Eldest Young Lady. We will keep this boy under strict surveillance from now on. If that scoundrel appears, I will never let him escape again! Once we catch him, I will make him wish he were dead," Wen Fengxian added indignantly. The fact that someone could commit such acts right under her nose was a failure on her part as a personal bodyguard. She had been negligent that day; she had stepped away to use the restroom just as the young lady went to bathe, missing the chance to capture him. To a bodyguard, this was an immense humiliation that could only be washed away with brutal force.

"Also, Eldest Young Lady, where should we settle this boy?" she asked.

"Yan Ning," the young lady called out.

Yan Ning hurried forward, bowing to receive his orders.

"House him in Courtyard No. 3. Find him a room, install surveillance around it, and assign capable men to watch him 24 hours a day," Yan Ruobing directed. "He is free to move about, and in fact, you should encourage him to go out more. The more he moves, the more likely he is to lure that guy over. However, there must be people following him, communication must be kept open, and any situation must be reported immediately."

"Yes, Eldest Young Lady," Yan Ning acknowledged.

As Yan Ruobing walked toward the entrance of Yan Garden, she stopped, thought for a moment, and said without looking back, "Also, discard this car. Have the manufacturer customize a new one of the same model and have it delivered. I do not like the scent of irrelevant people lingering in my vehicle."

Shuisheng, sitting inside the car, heard this clearly. His face burned with embarrassment. The arrogance of the Yan family’s eldest daughter was such that she would discard a luxury RV worth millions simply because it had carried a village boy and his books.

The figures of the eldest young lady and Wen Fengxian disappeared behind the vermillion gates of the Yan Garden, their footsteps fading along the inner path until the gates closed. Yan Ning watched them enter until the gates were shut, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow.

He took out his walkie-talkie. "The first team stays, and the trucks with the books stay as well. Everyone else, go back and rest." He then boarded the RV and told the new female driver, "Yingzi, take us to Courtyard No. 3."

The RV and the trucks carrying the books started up again. Inside the RV, Yan Ning sat opposite Shuisheng, observing the boy carefully. Shuisheng was checking his phone. No matter how he operated the old-fashioned button phone, it remained unresponsive. He had assumed it was due to the lack of electronic or electromagnetic signals in the otherworld, but now that he was back in Fuling City, it was the same. He realized it was likely damaged by the extreme cold from the Frost Prison Eagle and the Frost Warden.

*I have to buy another new phone,* he thought gloomily. The previous one had fallen into the sea, and this one had been destroyed by the bitter cold. Both losses were linked to the Yan family. *It seems the gifts from your old master aren't free after all,* the boy grumbled to himself.

"Shuisheng, thanks to you, this is the first time in all these years I’ve stepped into the eldest young lady's private vehicle. Since she doesn't want it anymore, I suppose I can sit here now," Yan Ning said.

"Oh," Shuisheng didn't know how to respond.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Yan Ning, Executive Deputy Captain of the Third Guard Team of Yan Garden," Yan Ning said.

"Captain Yan, I remember you," Shuisheng replied.

Yan Ning pulled a business card from his clothes and tossed it onto the table in front of Shuisheng. "This is my card. It has my contact number and address."

Shuisheng took it. Last time, when he hadn't taken the card, Yan Ning had been severely beaten by the villagers of Wang'ao. This time, he felt he owed it to him to accept it.

"You heard the eldest young lady's instructions just now. We will place you in Courtyard No. 3 of Yan Garden. It’s a residential area for the guards' families. We will set up cameras around you, and our men will monitor you 24 hours a day. However, you are free to move around and go anywhere you like. You understand this, right?" Yan Ning asked.

"I understand," Shuisheng nodded. The Yan family had already made this clear: they were bringing him here specifically to lure Mei Yulang out.

"That Mei Yulang is truly not a good person. Luring him out and capturing him is a service to the public. Do you understand?" Yan Ning said, attempting to persuade him.

Shuisheng nodded. "I know."

"Smart," Yan Ning said, satisfied. "I like people who are clever and cooperative." He pointed toward the city outside. "Look at this city. Isn't it a thousand times better than that little broken fishing village you lived in? Isn't it? Do you still feel like we're kidnapping you now?"

That was hard to say, Shuisheng thought to himself. He lifted his head, silently revealing the red swelling on his neck—a souvenir from Wen Fengxian’s kick. Then, he turned slightly and lifted his shirt to show a purple bruise—a gift from Yan Ruobing when she was in a berserk state.

Yan Ning was speechless.

"You rescued that guy and lived with him, so it’s only natural you were mistaken for an accomplice," he said, looking slightly embarrassed. "However, it is precisely because of this that the Yan family is offering you compensation, and you have the opportunity to come to Fuling City to live."

Less than ten minutes later, they arrived at Courtyard No. 3. It was a gated community with both high-rise buildings and detached houses. Yan Ning directed the convoy into the complex, finally stopping in front of a small building in the far northeast corner. It was a two-story, peaked-roof house, slightly dated but with a pleasant layout. A sign by the entrance was marked with the number 19.

Yan Ning got out and ordered everyone to move the books inside.

"You're lucky, kid," Yan Ning said. "Small buildings like this are usually reserved for captains, team leaders, and other senior officers. Because of your special circumstances—it's not suitable for you to live in the high-rises with so many others—we've made an exception for you to have a house to yourself. You know, in Fuling City, where land is worth its weight in gold, a villa-style house like this is worth at least eight million, and it’s priceless—you couldn't buy one even if you wanted to!"

"Oh, I see. Then thank you for your care, Captain Yan," Shuisheng said. Regardless of the situation, his impression of Yan Ning wasn't bad. He was handsome, polite, and most importantly, he hadn't hit him.