CHAPTER 514: CHAPTER 514: NIGHT VISIT TO THE YUAN FAMILY

The car stopped some distance from the Yuan family’s residence. By the time the two arrived in the Yuan family’s neighborhood, most households had already turned off their lights.

The Yuan family’s courtyard now housed numerous families. Some residents worked evening shifts, others night shifts, so the main gate was merely closed, not bolted.

It opened easily with a gentle push.

After slipping in quietly, they found many makeshift structures erected within the courtyard. A circuit of the front courtyard revealed at least five families residing there, evidenced by the small, individually constructed kitchens.

The second courtyard was much the same: only pathways remained. Residents had utilized every spare inch of space. Since everyone was doing it, no one voiced any complaints.

Upon reaching the third courtyard, they located the room her master had mentioned and found it occupied as well.

Having come this far, they naturally intended to look inside so they could report back to her master.

Yunyi signaled Huo Jingrui, then produced the sleep-inducing incense she’d made in her leisure. Lighting a small piece, she poked a hole in the paper covering a corner of the window with her finger and tossed the incense inside.

Fifteen minutes later, Huo Jingrui used the dagger Yunyi had retrieved from her space to disengage the inner door bolt. He gently pushed the door open, letting the air inside circulate for a moment before signaling Yunyi to enter.

Huo Jingrui deliberately stepped aside to keep watch.

Even before entering, Yunyi had already scanned the room’s interior with her spiritual power.

Once inside, she went straight to the spot her master had indicated. An old-fashioned cabinet stood there. She first moved it into her space, then, after triple-checking that the area showed no signs of disturbance, she returned the cabinet to its original position.

Having seen it for herself, she felt reassured; at least she could now give her master a proper account.

Her master had mentioned that if it was convenient, she should retrieve some items from within. Yunyi understood his meaning perfectly. However, it wasn’t as if she couldn’t support him and his grandson, so she naturally wouldn’t touch her master’s belongings. Furthermore, with people living in the room, she couldn’t risk recklessly opening the secret chamber.

Knowing the secret chamber hadn’t been discovered, she exited the room.

Huo Jingrui fiddled with the door for a good while before turning and gesturing to her. "Let’s go."

After leaving the Yuan family’s property, Yunyi muttered softly, "They’ve ruined the courtyard to this extent... When Master returns to the Capital, I’m afraid he won’t be able to move in for some time."

Huo Jingrui replied, "Don’t worry. My mom has a place nearby. We’ll just have the master and his grandson stay there when the time comes."

Yunyi turned to Jingrui. "Those are minor issues. The real headache will be if the tenants in the courtyard drag their feet about moving out. That would be truly infuriating."

Huo Jingrui reached out and ruffled Yunyi’s hair. "What’s such a big deal about that? Don’t worry, I’ll have someone come over beforehand to handle it."

Yunyi sat up straighter. This was precisely the assurance she had been waiting for.

Seeing her reaction, Huo Jingrui understood perfectly, but he was more than happy to indulge her.

The car was parked at the mouth of the alley. After getting out, he walked her to her front gate and planted a firm kiss on her forehead. "I’ll come pick you up tomorrow afternoon."

Yunyi nodded. "Okay."

Then, she gently pushed him away. "I’m going in. Drive carefully on your way back."

Huo Jingrui grumbled good-naturedly, "You heartless little thing, kicking me out after you’ve used me."

Yunyi stepped forward and gave Huo Jingrui a quick kiss on the cheek. "Your reward for tonight."

Stepping back, she took a light leap onto the top of the wall. "Go on back. See you tomorrow."

With that, she disappeared over the wall.

Huo Jingrui listened until he heard her go inside, then touched the cheek she had kissed before finally turning to leave.

All the way back, he mused that he would find someone first thing tomorrow morning to arrange for the Yuan grandfather and grandson’s early return to the Capital. That way, Yi’er could also come to the county to be with him sooner.