Stealing the Pen: Kirin's Primordial Lotus

Cheng Ye was indeed highly skilled, and it didn't take long for him to successfully lead everyone to a sheltered hillside. The two guards who accompanied Steward Xu moved swiftly and nimbly, and in the blink of an eye, they had set up the tents needed by everyone steadily.

After Cheng Ye finished setting up his and Cheng Jia's two-person tent, he immediately lit a roaring campfire in the center of the campsite and carefully selected several thick logs to add as fuel. Yang Ming sat quietly beside Cheng Ye at this time.

"What should we plan for next?" Yang Ming broke the silence first.

"For now, let's maintain the status quo and wait and see! From today's observations, these people seem to be just a group of ordinary researchers leading interns to investigate wildlife. However, the actual situation will probably only be revealed in the next few days."

As Cheng Ye gently stirred the branches in the fire with an iron rod, he glanced casually at the simple food cooking in the pot, then said to Yang Ming, "Go over there later and find out how the night watch duties are assigned."

Upon receiving the instruction, Yang Ming readily nodded in response, indicating that he understood. He then slowly stood up, brushing off the dust clinging to his backside, and strode straight toward the tent where Steward Xu and the others were located.

As Yang Mingchao approached, the two guards on duty immediately became alert and shouted, "Guide Yang, do you have something important to discuss with Mr. Xu and the others?"

Inside the tent, Steward Xu, Wu Xie, and Fatty Wang were sitting together, quietly discussing the strange sights and anomalies they had witnessed that day, when suddenly a shout came from the guards outside the tent. Hearing this, all three tensed up, simultaneously falling silent and becoming alert.

Butler Xu gave a signal to Wu Xie beside him, who nodded in understanding, then stood up and walked nimbly and lightly toward the tent entrance.

The moment he reached out and lifted the tent flap, his previously tense face instantly became kind and approachable, but at the same time, a hint of undisguised doubt was revealed—standing before him was a burly and robust man, none other than Yang Ming, the guide for this expedition.

With a smile, Wu Xie asked, "Guide Yang, it's so late and you're still up? Is there something important you've forgotten?" His tone was relaxed and natural, as if he wasn't surprised at all by Yang Ming's late-night visit.

Upon hearing Yang Ming's words, Wu Xie was jolted awake, as if a lightning bolt had struck his mind, and he instantly understood.

He couldn't help but slap his forehead, revealing a hint of regret and self-reproach. "Oh dear! What a terrible day! So much happened today that I completely forgot about something so important!"

Wu Xie hurriedly reached out and tightly grasped Yang Ming's hand, shaking it a few times with some emotion to express his gratitude to Yang Ming.

"Thanks to your timely reminder, Guide Yang, and the help of our learned Mr. Cheng, otherwise we might have met with disaster tonight!"

Seeing this, Yang Ming quickly put on a humble expression, gently shook his head and said, "Not at all, it's nothing! After all, you have always devoted yourself to protecting the country's wild animals, and it's inevitable that you would sometimes be negligent."

At this moment, Wu Xie felt as if he had been wandering for a long time and had finally returned to a warm home. He looked at Yang Ming with joy and gratitude and said, "Guide Yang, it is really rare for you to be so understanding of the difficulties we researchers face!" Then, Wu Xie changed the subject and continued with a troubled expression, "However, as you know, people like us who are buried in research all day long are basically powerless. Asking us to take charge of tasks like night patrols and guard duties is harder than climbing to heaven!"

Wu Xie tentatively offered his suggestion, "How about this: Mr. Cheng and one of our guards will keep watch for the first half of the night, and you and another guard will keep watch for the second half. Does this arrangement sound good?"

Yang Ming looked somewhat reluctant, but after hearing what Wu Xie said next, he left with a smile on his face, promising that he would definitely persuade Cheng Ye.

"Guide Yang, don't worry, we won't shortchange you on your due payment. As for these extra expenses, we can subsidize them for you privately." Wu Xie had naturally noticed Yang Ming's unpleasant expression and immediately offered his suggestion.

Yang Ming's greedy appearance was not only seen and remembered by Wu Xie, but also by Steward Xu and Fatty Wang, who had been staying in the tent. They could see it clearly through Wu Xie's special device. Even Cheng Ye, who was not far away, had some subtle expressions on his face clearly seen by Steward Xu and Fatty Wang.

"Mr. Wu, what are you saying? Ensuring your safety is my duty." Yang Ming patted his chest and assured Wu Xie, "Please rest assured about this matter. I guarantee that Cheng Ye will behave himself."

Yang Ming returned to Cheng Ye's side and looked at the woman beside him who remained motionless, only moving when Cheng Ye made a move or spoke to her.

Although Yang Ming didn't understand why Cheng Ye wanted to bring this woman who looked half-dead, as long as Cheng Ye could make money for him, he would pretend not to see it even if Cheng Ye was making porn with a dead woman in front of him.

"Cheng Ye, they mentioned the night watch. They want you and one of their bodyguards to keep watch for the first half of the night, and then I'll take over with another bodyguard for the second half." Yang Ming made a five-pointed star with his hand.

“They do look like wealthy people. The three of them are dressed quite well, at least much richer than the people you brought before.” Cheng Ye poked at the fire in front of him, while his other hand hit Cheng Jia’s leg beside him.

Cheng Ye glanced at the bodyguards patrolling nearby. "But these bodyguards are a problem. Judging from their walking posture and some of their habitual movements, they are probably retired soldiers. They won't be easy to deal with."

Yang Ming then patted his chest and said, "You can rest assured and leave these people to me. I guarantee they won't even know how they died."

"Be quick, don't arouse suspicion like last time." Cheng Ye seemed to have anticipated Yang Ming's next move, or perhaps he wasn't really crazy from the beginning, but was using this disguise to disguise himself.