SES Chapter 152 Part 2

Had she stumbled onto some terrible secret?

Her nerves spiked as she stammered, “You… you’re Cao Tundun?”

That voice—Cao Yanhua suddenly remembered who she was.

Her expression was nervous and uncertain—not like someone conspiring with Qingshan. Hope flickered in him. He nodded frantically.

Cao Jinhua’s heart pounded. “Why… why did Qingshan tie you up?”

Cao Yanhua jerked his head toward the gag, pleading. After hesitating, she reached out with shaking hands and pulled it out.

He gasped for air. “Jinhua, forget our past grudges—this is life or death! You have to untie me first!”

She said nothing. Technically, Cao Yanhua had been away from home for years—who knew what kind of trouble he’d gotten into? As for Qingshan, she’d seen him a few times recently; he seemed steady and decent. If she had to choose, she’d trust Qingshan more.

Still, tying someone up like this seemed… too much.

She hesitated. Every minute lost was another minute of danger. Sweat rolled down Cao Yanhua’s forehead.

He forced his voice to be gentle. “Jinhua, you have to believe me. If I’m lying, may I get hit by a car the moment I step out of here! We grew up together—you know me! I’m telling you, Qingshan’s not right in the head anymore—”

Thud!

Cao Jinhua’s eyes rolled back, and she collapsed.

Cao Yanhua’s heart sank. Great. Not only was he still trapped—he’d just gotten someone else knocked out.

Then his eyes went wide.

Behind her stood Yan Hongsha, holding a rolling pin, grinning smugly.

“Cao Chubby,” she said cheerfully, “you poor thing—bet you’re thrilled to see me, huh?”

Cao Yanhua opened his mouth—and actually started crying.

Hongsha rolled her eyes. Seriously? You didn’t cry when you were buried under dirt for weeks, but now you’re bawling?

She knew they didn’t have much time. Kneeling, she quickly worked to untie him, all the while glancing around alertly. “I found Wan-san—dug him out myself. He’s outside the village now. Haven’t found Mudai or Luo Ren yet—any news?”

Cao Yanhua nodded, then shook his head.

Hongsha scowled. “Which is it?!”

He managed a choked reply. “Last I saw, they were in the cave… they both fell into a trap. That pit—it’s deep. Maybe…”

His voice broke. Hongsha paused for a beat, then clenched her jaw and pulled the last rope free.

“Dead or not, we’ll see. When I found Wan-san, he was half-dead too—and now he’s fine.”

Cao Yanhua kicked off the ropes and glanced uneasily at the unconscious Cao Jinhua. “What about her?”

Hongsha frowned. “I’m thinking.”

When she’d arrived, she’d heard Jinhua about to untie him. She didn’t have time to figure out the context—just knocked her out on instinct.

Just like when she’d tested Ya Feng earlier, running on pure adrenaline and not much thought. But afterward… she realized the problem.

If they left Jinhua here, she’d wake up eventually. When Qingshan came by, he’d find out someone else had come and rescued Cao Yanhua.

And since Hongsha had already acted suspiciously around Ya Feng, if she didn’t give her a plausible scapegoat, Ya Feng might start suspecting her.

Wan-san had warned her: “Hongsha, you’re our ace. Don’t expose yourself unless there’s absolutely no other choice.”

Hongsha later rejoined the banquet as if nothing had happened. She pressed a napkin over her small wound, then wrapped a plastic bag around it to keep any blood scent from spreading. Once she was sure it was hidden, she calmly picked up her chopsticks and resumed eating.

The newlyweds approached with the bridesmaids and groomsmen in tow. Aunt Seven led the way, looking annoyed as she glanced around. “Where’s Jinhua? Jinhua!”

Not seeing her, she didn’t want to keep the guests waiting, so she quickly began introducing the couple to everyone at the table. When she got to Hongsha, she said, “This is Jinhua’s coworker—she came this morning to drop off some documents. We made her stay for the wedding.”

Qingshan nodded politely, but Ya Feng’s gaze lingered, scanning Hongsha up and down several times.

Hongsha’s heart raced, but she kept her face bright and friendly. Just as she raised her glass to toast them—

Boom!

A loud crash sounded from the other side of the canopy. The stacked tables and chairs collapsed in a heap. Qingshan’s face changed instantly; he shoved past the crowd and ran.

Everyone gasped. Aunt Seven’s heart clenched—what an ill omen, like a bad sign for the couple’s marriage—but she hurried to get others to help.

A while later, Qingshan returned, looking grim, and pulled Ya Feng aside.

Hongsha subtly dragged her chair closer—inch by inch.

She overheard Ya Feng’s low, furious voice: “I told you something was off! So it was him! You brought him here and didn’t tell me?”

Relief washed through Hongsha. The meal was nearly over anyway. She calmly gathered her things, slung her briefcase over her shoulder, and told Aunt Seven, “Can’t find Jenny—work’s calling me back. I have to go.”

The banquet wasn’t finished, and no one was free to escort her. Aunt Seven said a few polite words and stuffed her bag full of food—red-dyed eggs, wedding candies, and pastries printed with mandarin ducks.

Hongsha didn’t refuse. Refusing might’ve drawn attention. She accepted everything boldly, even walking right up to Qingshan and Ya Feng to bid farewell. “Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness—and many children!”

They forced smiles, both looking tense and distracted.

Head held high, Hongsha walked leisurely through the village. Once she neared the entrance, she broke into a sprint.

Behind a boulder, Cao Yanhua popped up and waved. “Hongsha! Over here!”

“Did you find my bag?” she asked.

“Got it—it was under a rock, a bit wet though.”

Cao Jinhua lay slumped nearby, still unconscious. Cao Yanhua grumbled, “Carrying her all the way here nearly killed me.”

Hongsha kicked off her heels, swapped into her own shoes, and stripped off her blazer. She stuffed all her discarded clothes and the briefcase under the rock, covering it with dirt.

“How far to the cave?” she asked.

“Halfway up the mountain,” he said, pointing.

Hongsha looked up toward it. Remembering how deep that pit was, her mind flashed with a dozen terrible possibilities.

She shook her head hard, forcing the thoughts away. “Then let’s go.”