Unraveling Threads

Meanwhile, Chen Wei leaned against the stone railing of his courtyard, his gaze set on the horizon. Xiaolong was quiet at this hour, save for the occasional bark of a dog or the rustling of leaves. But beneath that calm, an unease lingered.

Last night's incident had been deliberate. Someone had been watching.

Footsteps approached. Chen Wei didn't turn—he recognized Yu Jian's gait, measured and unhurried.

"You called me early," Yu Jian said, stepping beside him, hands shoved into his jacket pockets. "Guess you didn't sleep well either."

Chen Wei exhaled. "I want to know who was in that sedan and who was standing in that alley. I have a feeling they're connected."

Yu Jian nodded, his expression turning serious. "I thought about that too. The car didn't follow us all the way in, which means they didn't want to be seen near the village. They were either watching from a distance or they already have someone here."

Chen Wei's jaw tightened. "That's what bothers me." He turned slightly, meeting Yu Jian's gaze. "I walked away from everything before, but maybe the past isn't done with me."

Yu Jian studied him for a moment before nodding. "I'll start asking around. Quietly. There aren't many strangers passing through this village without someone noticing. If they're still lurking, we'll find them."

Chen Wei appreciated that about Yu Jian—he didn't waste words on empty reassurances. Instead, he focused on action.

"Good," Chen Wei said. "And keep an eye on Li Mei, too."

Yu Jian's brow lifted slightly. "You think she's in danger?"

Chen Wei hesitated, then shook his head. "Not yet. But I don't like that someone was watching us. It felt… intentional."

Yu Jian's jaw tensed. "I'll watch her back."

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of unspoken possibilities settling between them. Then, Yu Jian exhaled, shifting the mood. "You know, for someone who likes to keep things simple, you have a habit of attracting trouble."

Chen Wei let out a quiet chuckle, though his eyes remained cold. "Seems like trouble finds me, not the other way around."

...

Later the midday sun had risen high by the time Chen Wei heard the sharp knock at his door. He had been expecting someone, but when he opened it, he found Ning Li standing there, dressed in a crisp beige suit, her usual air of calm professionalism wrapped around her like armor.

"Hope I'm not interrupting," she said smoothly.

Chen Wei stepped aside. "You wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."

She walked in with quiet confidence, her gaze sweeping the room before settling on him. "You're right about that."

He gestured toward the wooden table in the center of the room. "Tea?"

Ning Li waved a dismissive hand. "No need. I won't take much of your time." She placed a folder on the table, tapping its surface lightly. "This is about the project's next phase. There are a few details we need to go over, specifically regarding land acquisition. There's been some resistance."

Chen Wei's expression didn't change. "Resistance from whom?"

"Some local landowners. And possibly," she glanced at him, "someone stirring trouble behind the scenes."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "You think it's connected to last night?"

Yu Jian gave a small shrug. "I don't believe in coincidences, and neither do you. I looked into the ownership records before coming here. A few properties in key areas have suddenly changed hands. Quietly. Someone's moving pieces around."

Chen Wei picked up the folder, flipping through the pages. His fingers paused over a name, familiar yet unexpected.

His stomach tightened.

Ning Li watched him carefully. "You recognize it, don't you?"

Chen Wei closed the folder, exhaling slowly. "I do."

And suddenly, last night's events didn't seem random at all.

They were a message.

And he needed to figure out who was sending it.