Shen Nan watched Gao Zhuo’s retreating figure and sneered.

He paused, took out his phone from his pocket, and sent a message: At the tavern?

AAA: Not here. Out with friends.

Shen Nan narrowed his eyes and replied: Try not to go out these days.

AAA: Why do you care?

Shen Nan: Zhou Zuizui.

AAA: OK, I won’t go out.

Zhou Zuizui, upon reading the message, could almost picture Shen Nan’s expression when he called her name. She understood the gravity of the situation and decided not to continue teasing. She’d deal with him later. After all, the account was not urgent.

The next evening, with the full moon overhead.

After leaving the ancient town, there was a large forest. While it was visited by people during the day, no one dared to come at night due to the risk of wild animals.

Shen Nan had arrived in the afternoon, accompanied by Tong. Gao Zhuo and the others had also arrived from other locations, setting up an early ambush.

Today was the day for the transaction—money for goods.

The forest was exceptionally quiet at night, with only occasional animal calls that made people shiver. The distance from the ancient town was quite long, about a two-hour drive.

Shen Nan was escorted into a car and brought along with Leopard Brother’s men, even with his eyes blindfolded.

He smirked, sitting in the car listening to the sounds outside, his ears attuned to every noise.

When the car stopped, and the sound of the wheels rolling over branches disappeared, the person in front turned to them and said softly, “Mr. Shen, we’ve arrived.”

Shen Nan removed the blindfold and sneered, “Is this how you do business?”

Leopard Brother appeared and looked at Shen Nan, “Sorry, Mr. Shen. In these times, it’s best to be cautious.”

They were indeed wary due to being pursued by the police.

Shen Nan gave Leopard Brother a warning look, feigning anger, “No second chances!”

Leopard Brother gave a sycophantic smile, “Of course, Mr. Shen. Please follow me.”

When Shen Nan arrived at the place Leopard Brother had taken him to, he looked at the vehicle by moonlight, narrowing his eyes, “Is all the goods here?”

“Yes,” Leopard Brother confirmed.

Shen Nan nodded and signaled to Tong, “Where’s Mr. Zhen?”

Leopard Brother’s eyes darted around as he cleverly replied, “Mr. Zhen is busy tonight. The delivery is handled by us.”

Shen Nan paused, looked down, and coldly snorted inwardly: This old fox.

Even though Leopard Brother claimed Mr. Zhen wasn’t here, Shen Nan was sure that the old fox was nearby. Such a big deal, he wouldn’t miss it. This old fox valued money above all, and he wouldn’t trust such an important deal to Leopard Brother alone.

“Let’s take a look.” He signaled Tong to open the cargo area.

Tong opened the cargo doors, revealing the items they wanted—ivory, antelope horns, and other rare goods. Shen Nan’s eyes darkened as he saw the items, some still stained with blood. Rare animals were already on the verge of extinction, but some people, crazed for high profits, killed and skinned these protected species for smuggling.

His expression was grim, exuding a different aura.

Before Tong could finish inspecting, gunshots and chaotic noises erupted in the forest.

Someone shouted, “Leopard Brother! They’re undercover agents!”

Shen Nan sneered. Before the person could finish speaking, he swiftly grabbed Leopard Brother’s gun from his waist and pressed it against Leopard Brother’s temple before anyone could react.

He tossed Leopard Brother to Tong and said to the others, “I’ll go after Mr. Zhen.”

……

A chaotic battle ensued!

The forest was bustling with activity that night.

Mr. Zhen was indeed monitoring from nearby and began fleeing as soon as he realized something was wrong, with a helicopter on standby.

Shen Nan watched a man desperately climbing the rope, retrieved his gun from Gao Zhuo, crouched on the ground, and took aim in the moonlight.

With a ‘bang,’ Gao Zhuo whistled, “Captain Shen is impressive.”

By dawn, all the smugglers had been captured.

Two days later, Zhou Zuizui had been feeling uneasy and restless, not knowing why, just a vague sense of apprehension.

She sat in the lobby, staring at her still phone, feeling anxious.

Ai Zeyang was leaving in the afternoon. Seeing her state, he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you worried about something?”

Zhou Zuizui didn’t respond.

The TV in the lobby was broadcasting news, and Zhou Zuizui, initially watching casually, became attentive upon seeing familiar keywords.

Even the guests in the lobby were murmuring.

“Did you know, just two days ago, a batch of smugglers was caught in the nearby forest? It’s said that they were trafficking tons of ivory and other rare species, with the transaction worth over a hundred million.”

“Really?”

“I didn’t hear anything at night when I was here.”

“It’s too far. They’ve sealed off the area, no entry or exit allowed for the time being.”

……

Zhou Zuizui watched the news report closely. When it mentioned that some police officers were injured, her heart sank, and her face grew even darker.

Ai Zeyang watched her expression and asked, “Is your husband involved?”

Zhou Zuizui nodded and picked up her phone. “I’ll make a call.”

No matter the lack of feelings, she didn’t want her husband to meet an untimely death; she didn’t want to be a widow.

She stepped outside and dialed the number.

After a short while, the call was answered.

“Hello.”

Shen Nan’s deep voice came through, “What’s up?”

“I just saw the news. Are you… hurt?”

Shen Nan raised an eyebrow and paused, “What, worried about me?”

Zhou Zuizui sneered and lowered her voice, “I don’t want to be a widow. If anything happens to you, I’ll end up in that prison.”

Shen Nan knew exactly what she meant by prison.

He chuckled softly, feeling good after completing the mission. Looking at her, who was sitting by the small door, her legs trembling, he asked, “Oh? Then why are your legs shaking?”

Zhou Zuizui: “……”

She was stunned, turning to look at the man leaning by the small door, and blurted out, “What are you doing here?”

Shen Nan walked up to her, ended the call, and said in a neutral tone, “I’m here to take you home.”

____________