Chapter 149: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

“97, 98, 99, 100!”

Inside the room, Sun Mang swung the wooden sword in his hands with great force, his body drenched in sweat.

He had barely stepped out of his room for the past three days, earnestly practicing the tasks Su Yan had assigned him.

Every day, he practiced 1,000 slashes and 500 sit-ups, and in the morning, he had to run five kilometers around the city.

If it were ordinary training, he would have been able to complete it perfectly, but now he was carrying sandbags weighing dozens of catties, to the point where he felt like he was on the verge of collapse from exhaustion these past few days.

Yet, even so, he hadn't uttered a single word about wanting to give up; he had persevered through it all.

After finishing the final set of slashing movements, he collapsed directly onto the floor, lacking even the strength to move a finger.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

A series of knocks sounded outside.

It wasn't on his door, but on the door of the adjacent room belonging to Su Yan.

He immediately struggled to his feet and stumbled toward the door.

“Miss Su, it’s Ma Chulong.”

The moment Ma Chulong's voice rang out from the hallway, Sun Mang felt as if he had been injected with adrenaline; even his walking became much smoother.

“Brother Ma, why are you again... Mr. Yuan, you've come as well!”

He had intended to greet Ma Chulong with a playful grin, but upon seeing the imposing presence of Yuan Jing, all his casualness was replaced by a serious demeanor.

Before Yuan Jing or Ma Chulong could speak, Su Yan's door opened.

Sun Mang limped over. “Su Yan, Mr. Yuan is here.”

“Come in.” Su Yan proactively opened the door, her calm demeanor making it seem as though she had known they were coming all along.

“My accommodations are crude; I won't trouble the two of you with tea.”

“Don't be polite. Mr. Yuan and I came here today specifically to invite Miss Su to return. I presume Miss Su is already aware of the events that have occurred at the Yuan residence these past few days? Currently, it is only myself, my younger sister, and Taoist Cao, and the three of us truly find ourselves lacking the strength to handle it.” Ma Chulong skipped all pleasantries and went straight to the point.

After speaking, he actually felt a hint of nervousness.

He was afraid she would refuse just like last time, or perhaps she was waiting for Mr. Yuan to visit personally to make some special demands.

Standing to the side, Sun Mang curled his lip, rarely expressing his dissatisfaction in front of someone like Yuan Jing.

“I went over there the day Wang Hui had his accident, but I was blocked at the door by Mr. Yuan's people; they wouldn't even let me through the main gate.”

It wasn't that he hadn't encountered people looking down on him before, but he simply couldn't tolerate it this time. Because he represented Su Yan, looking down on him was equivalent to looking down on her.

To avoid affecting Su Yan's mood, he hadn't dared to say anything when he returned that day, keeping it hidden until now.

From the moment he entered, Yuan Jing had been observing Su Yan, only withdrawing his gaze after hearing Sun Mang's words.

“The household situation has been chaotic these past few days, and the subordinates were likely worried about trouble breaking out. However, it was also due to my poor management of the staff. Little brother, please do not hold it against them.”

Hearing him say this, Sun Mang's anger dissipated by more than half.

Moreover, he wasn't a fool; he understood that the reason Su Yan had stayed here all this time was that she was waiting for them to come personally.

“Miss Su, I, Yuan, was negligent before. If Miss Su has any requirements, please feel free to propose them.” Since Yuan Jing had decided to visit in person, he had already prepared himself mentally.

Su Yan finally spoke: “Mr. Yuan is a smart man, so I presume you understand that the reason I stayed here was for the matters regarding your esteemed residence. I can go back with you, but there is one condition: can Mr. Yuan truly do as I say?”

“I will do my best.” Yuan Jing was not one to make empty promises, especially since he did not yet know what exactly she wanted him to do.

“Fine, let's go.” Su Yan actually stood up immediately.

This brisk response left the three men with expressions of astonishment.

Yuan Jing thought she would take the opportunity to make an exorbitant demand.

Ma Chulong thought she would at least put on some airs, and that it might even require "three visits to the thatched cottage" to convince her.

As for Sun Mang, he hadn't prepared at all; he had been staying here for three or four days, and he should have at least packed his things.

“Alright, the carriage is waiting outside.” Yuan Jing was the first to snap out of it, and he began to look at Su Yan with newfound respect.

Ten minutes later.

Su Yan and Sun Mang were already seated in the front hall of the Yuan residence.

In addition to Yuan Jing and the Ma siblings, Cao Meng had also arrived.

Seeing that Su Yan had actually returned, Cao Meng was incredibly surprised.

However, a moment later, his expression turned somewhat sour.

Su Yan had clearly left on the first day, yet now she had been invited back; this was a blatant hint that their abilities were insufficient.

“Miss Su, the situation these past few days has been just like this. I wonder if you have any way to drag that thing out?”

Yuan Jing's question caused all eyes to fall upon Su Yan, even Sun Mang's.

In truth, his heart was quite uneasy.

After all, this time was different from the previous ones; he hadn't seen any filthy things at the Yuan residence at all, and the Ma siblings and this Taoist Cao were all quite capable. If they couldn't find where that thing was hiding, did Su Yan really have a good way?

“I do.”

As Su Yan's voice fell, the atmosphere in the entire hall instantly grew tense.

“What way?” This time, it was Cao Meng who spoke up first.

He truly did not believe Su Yan could be more capable than him.

Su Yan continued unhurriedly, “Have Mr. Yuan get married immediately.”

Cao Meng:...

Yuan Jing:...

The Ma siblings:...

Sun Mang:...

Did they hear her correctly?

She said... get married?

“Miss Su, are you joking?” Yuan Jing's voice was somber.

Su Yan said, “If you want to lure the snake out of its hole, this is the best method. Mr. Yuan, do not forget how your three wives died.”

Yuan Jing's breath hitched, and his eyes shifted incessantly.

It was indeed so.

“That thing must be exceptionally interested in Mr. Yuan's wives. As for the deaths of Wang Hui and Li Zhou, it was likely because it sensed some sort of threat. Therefore, the fastest way is for Mr. Yuan to marry. That way, we can find the truth on the wedding night.” Su Yan explained very seriously.

Whether it was Ma Chulong or Cao Meng, both were stunned by Su Yan's audacious idea.

“But Mr. Yuan has only recently lost his wives. Even if he were to go on a blind date immediately, it couldn't happen that quickly, could it?” Ma Chulan suddenly interjected.

If they truly had to wait for Yuan Jing to marry, it would likely take at least a month or so.

Su Yan looked in her direction and smiled slightly. “There is no need for a real marriage. Just find a girl and hold a simple ceremony with Mr. Yuan.”

After all, asking Yuan Jing to truly settle on a lifelong partner in such a short time would likely be asking too much.

“You mean a fake marriage to lure that thing out?” Ma Chulong's eyes lit up; this was indeed a good idea.

Su Yan nodded. “Correct.”

Sun Mang suddenly blurted out, “But for such a dangerous matter, even if it's a fake marriage, what kind of girl would be willing to do it?”

(End of Chapter)