Shen Jianxi didn't rush to answer him. She first silently tested the pendant. When Jiunian didn't react, she knew the thing had failed again, as expected.
As the saying goes, a wise person knows when to adapt. Between two evils, choose the lesser. She immediately put on a bright smile, "What you said! What date is the wedding? How much is the betrothal gift?"
Qin Lang was silent. Although her agreement was within his expectations, her quick acceptance caught him off guard.
The wedding between the two was held very quickly. During this time, Xia Er was kept confined. Every day, Shen Jianxi could only see him once, watch him eat, and then leave.
Qin Lang remained very calm about his wife visiting another man every day, and Xia Er's existence was well concealed by him.
Only after the wedding was over did Qin Lang have him released.
Upon seeing the daylight again, Xia Er's first instinct was to rush up and tear at Qin Lang. Fortunately, Shen Jianxi appeared in time to stop him.
"Calm down, calm down," she said, looking around. Although only the three of them were present, one never knew how many people were hidden away. "Come with me."
After some thought, Shen Jianxi felt she should have a good talk with Xia Er. She stepped forward, grabbed his wrist, and led him away from the scene.
Qin Lang remained silent throughout. Only after the two had disappeared into the darkness did he make a gesture, and a dark figure followed.
Xia Er, who had been walking obediently, suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?"
"Someone's there." He stared intently at one spot, making Si Hao in the shadows shiver.
At the same time, Si Hao was very curious. His aura was well hidden, so how did this man, who seemed to possess no martial arts, discover him?
Shen Jianxi glanced quickly in the direction Xia Er was pointing and then said indifferently, "It's not important. You don't need to be so nervous."
It was easy to guess that Qin Lang would send someone. It was nothing surprising.
They arrived at a secluded house. Si Hao chose a tree nearby and squatted on it.
Along the way, Si Hao tested Xia Er several times and finally despaired, realizing that no matter where he hid, this man would discover him immediately.
In the end, Si Hao gave up and brazenly followed the two, either behind them or beside them.
After standing still, Shen Jianxi spoke, "Stay by my side for now. I'll find an opportunity to send you back."
Upon hearing this, Xia Er pouted and was about to retort, "I don't..."
"It's decided," she said, raising her hand to interrupt him. "If you're not willing, I'll send you back right now."
"...Fine." Meeting her warning gaze, Xia Er reluctantly agreed.
...
After that day, they lived in Qin Lang's manor. Under his strong insistence, Shen Jianxi had to share a room with him.
Xia Er was unhappy about this, but under Shen Jianxi's threat, he didn't dare to act rashly. He could only glare fiercely at Qin Lang with his eyes whenever he saw him.
Qin Lang's蛊虫 (gu worms) acted up three times. She had been worried about how to get past it, but after discovering that the pendant could make people fall unconscious, she was relieved about the treatment.
However, Qin Lang was unaware of this. His gaze towards her grew increasingly gentle. Although he still often kept a stern face, he now granted her every request.
Though their days were noisy, they were surprisingly filled with warmth.
But this period of peace was soon shattered.
Qin Lang had made countless enemies. The surviving enemies formed an alliance, and finding themselves unable to do anything to Qin Lang, they took a desperate risk and kidnapped Shen Jianxi.
When she was woken by the whistling wind, she was completely bewildered.
She cautiously peeked at the bottomless abyss below and curled her toes, feeling like crying without tears.
Who had she offended? She was kidnapped just for being a mascot?!
Her kidnappers knew Shen Jianxi was awake, but not a single one of them paid her any attention. A few heads were gathered together, discussing tactics.
Shen Jianxi swayed, and finding that no one cared about her, she swayed again, strangely finding amusement in this situation.
Soon, Xia Er and Qin Lang arrived at the cliff.
The leader, a man in a black robe, stood beside Shen Jianxi. He held a knife to the rope binding her and threatened, "Qin Lang! You dog thief!"
"Pfft!" A stifled laugh came from above. The man in the black robe glared up, then continued to Qin Lang, "Your wife is in our hands now. You have two choices: one, you voluntarily jump off the cliff; two, your wife falls off the cliff."
"Qin Lang, what is your choice?"
The words sounded a bit familiar. Shen Jianxi couldn't help but look at Qin Lang, her eyes meeting his dark ones, and she knew he remembered too.
Qin Lang took a deep breath and was about to speak when Xia Er beside him couldn't help but exclaim, "Let her go, and I'll help you push this dog thief Qin Lang off the cliff together."
Shen Jianxi nodded frantically, trying to convey her agreement to everyone on the cliff.
Unfortunately, no one cared about her thoughts. The kidnappers didn't even look at her, only Qin Lang gave her a sinister glance.
"Qin Lang! We don't have much patience. You'd better choose quickly! However... they say General Qin dotes on his wife. Surely General Qin is not a cowardly scoundrel!"
The wind on the cliff was strong, causing Shen Jianxi to swing back and forth in the air. The rope was so tight it hurt her entire arm. She no longer had the leisure to watch the show and yelled, "Give me a quick end, whether it's death or not! Do you know how cold it is up here?"
As her words fell, all eyes turned to Qin Lang, awaiting his answer. Only Shen Jianxi knew the final outcome.
She thought it was hilarious. If Qin Lang chose her, she'd livestream herself doing a headstand wash!
Under everyone's gaze, Qin Lang's thin lips parted, "I choose—"
"Her!"
As soon as he said this, the wind on the cliff stopped, and the person stopped swinging. The knife in the kidnapper's hand trembled, and even Xia Er's baring-teeth threatening expression froze on his face.
Only one thought remained in everyone's mind—
Damn it! Why isn't this kid following the script!