Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector
Chapter 25 - 23: The Three Days Are Up, a Guest Arrives

Chapter 25: Chapter 23: The Three Days Are Up, a Guest Arrives

The three-day deadline arrived in the blink of an eye.

Before the gates of Duke An’s Mansion, a guard was posted every three steps and a sentry every five. The estate itself was ablaze with light—torches had been wedged even into the gaps between the roof tiles. From a distance, it resembled a giant torch.

On the surface, the city’s powerful elite remained calm, but in secret, they had all sent men to monitor the situation closely.

In addition, countless arrogant Martial World Travelers and opportunists were eagerly rubbing their hands together, viewing this as the perfect stage to make a name for themselves. They dreamed of personally capturing the Flying Thief who had the whole Capital City in an uproar.

Meanwhile, the common folk in the city presented another scene. The people didn’t dare to discuss it openly, but the hope and nervousness in their eyes could not be hidden. Countless people silently prayed, hoping that this Hero who robbed the rich to help the poor would escape unscathed.

Yet Li Chunfeng, the young master of Duke An’s Mansion and the man at the very center of this swirling vortex of tension, remained largely unaffected.

At this moment, he was still living his carefree life of debauchery.

Although he couldn’t go out, the beautiful concubines kept in the mansion were enough for him to spend every night in revelry.

It was just that he had long since grown tired of these women.

Lately, whenever he closed his eyes, the image of that simple, elegant, and beautiful figure would involuntarily appear in his mind.

Cheng Zhiwei.

That girl, serene and wise like an orchid in a secluded valley, made him salivate with an unbearable, itching desire.

If it were any other woman, he would have long since just taken her by force.

But as luck would have it, this particular girl’s grandfather was Cheng Ming, a highly respected Old Chief Constable from the Six Gates. Since the security of Duke An’s Mansion currently depended on the grandfather and granddaughter, he could only forcefully suppress his urges.

At this thought, Li Chunfeng irritably pushed away the beauty in his arms and walked to the window, utterly bored.

Just then, Li Chunfeng saw Cheng Ming and Cheng Zhiwei, the grandfather and granddaughter, patrolling the courtyard in the distance.

They were checking every corner, ensuring no blind spots or vulnerabilities were left.

And the courtyard he was in was of the utmost importance.

When his gaze landed on the figure he’d been yearning for, Li Chunfeng’s breathing instantly grew heavy. His eyes were filled with unconcealed greed, as if his stare could materialize and strip away Cheng Zhiwei’s clothes layer by layer.

Being incredibly perceptive, Cheng Zhiwei sensed Li Chunfeng’s gaze almost immediately. Her lovely brows furrowed slightly, and she immediately quickened her pace, hastily finishing her inspection before leaving.

Watching Cheng Zhiwei’s back as she practically fled, Li Chunfeng let out a sinister chuckle from behind the window, making a vow to himself.

’Once this business with Stepping Moon is over, I’ll find a way to get that little wench into my bed. We’ll see how aloof she acts then!’

But he didn’t know that because of Cheng Zhiwei’s hasty departure, a few corners in the courtyard went uninspected, leaving behind a subtle but potentially fatal flaw.

Meanwhile, in an extremely hidden courtyard in the Capital City, Chen Ye was busy.

He had rented this courtyard a few days ago using another fake identity. It served as a safe house where he stored everything related to his identity as Stepping Moon.

He carefully packed up the things he had made and would need tonight. After confirming that everything was in order, he changed into a common set of short clothes and prepared to return to the large courtyard compound.

As he passed a street corner, a local thug who usually lorded over the area and bullied street vendors was standing with his hands on his hips, cursing loudly.

Chen Ye brushed past him without breaking his stride. His fingers, however, fluttered like a butterfly flitting through flowers, brushing lightly against the man.

The thug was completely oblivious, still trying to show off his might, unaware that his bulging Money Bag had already changed owners.

This was the daily routine for them, the Fujia’Er.

As soon as he stepped into the large courtyard compound, Chen Ye sensed that the atmosphere was a little unusual.

Fang Tao and his sect brothers, who were usually busy with their own tasks, were all gathered in the courtyard. The moment they saw him return, they all started winking and nudging each other, their expressions teasing.

Fang Tao strode forward, slapped Chen Ye on the shoulder, and lowered his voice, grinning slyly. "Not bad, kid! Keeping it quiet, huh? A young lady came looking for you!"

’A girl? What girl?’

A flash of confusion crossed Chen Ye’s mind.

"Stop playing dumb!" Fang Tao chuckled. "That Little Lingdang who helped you out at the Art Discussion Conference, remember her? The young lady came to find you. She’s waiting in your room right now."

Stunned by his words, Chen Ye quickly walked to the front of his own dilapidated room and pushed the door open.

Sure enough, Little Lingdang—Wu Xiaorui—was sitting on a chair, her chin cupped in her hands. Her bright eyes were fixed on the doorway with a smile, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

"Uh... why are you here?"

Chen Ye was genuinely surprised.

’He couldn’t figure out how this girl had found her way here.’

Wu Xiaorui, however, acted perfectly poised. She stood up from the chair, clasped her hands behind her back, and smiled. "What? Am I not welcome?"

"That’s not it. I’m just a little surprised, that’s all."

After his initial surprise, Chen Ye quickly calmed down.

’In his past life, he had been in a few relationships, after all. Although they all fizzled out, they’d at least given him some experience. He wasn’t so hopeless that he would be at a complete loss when facing a girl.’

In truth, Wu Xiaorui was also feeling a little shy.

’She didn’t know what had gotten into her today, either. Some strange impulse had made her run over here and ask for this Chen Ye in front of so many people.’

’The worst part was how infuriating this guy was. She had clearly told him her real name that day, but he had never come to look for her.’

Of course, Chen Ye didn’t know what Wu Xiaorui was thinking. Even if he had, he wouldn’t have paid it any mind.

’He didn’t have the mental energy to think about such things right now. But since she was already here, he couldn’t just push her out. Besides, she really had helped him at the Art Discussion Conference.’

"Have you eaten?"

"Are you asking about yesterday or today?" Wu Xiaorui said with a grin.

"Today, of course."

"Then no, I haven’t."

"I haven’t eaten either, coincidentally. Let’s go, my treat."

"Okay!" Wu Xiaorui nodded immediately, her smile blooming like a flower.

Chen Ye walked out the door and said a word to Fang Tao.

Fang Tao readily agreed, of course. He even sneakily pulled out a handful of copper coins from his robes and shoved them into Chen Ye’s hand. "Take it! Don’t be cheap when you’re taking a girl out!"

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Chen Ye accepted the coins. Then, under the teasing and suggestive gazes of his Fujia’Er brothers, he led Wu Xiaorui out of the large courtyard compound.

Once they were out of the courtyard gate and away from everyone’s prying eyes, a blush couldn’t help but creep onto Wu Xiaorui’s fair, almost translucent face.

"Are all of you Fujia’Er this... naughty?"

"Naughty?" Chen Ye was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head.

"That’s them. I’m a perfectly respectable young man!"

Wu Xiaorui spat playfully. "Pfft, as if. Who’d believe that?"

Having said that, she was the first to burst out giggling.

Chen Ye just smiled without explaining and then asked, "What do you want to eat?"

"Let’s go to Big Wine Vats. It’s rare for us at the Colorful Character Sect to get a day off, so I’d like to have a couple of drinks."