Courtyard House: Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) Traded for an Aircraft Carrier, the Whole Count

The second floor, Lou Xiao'e's boudoir.

A faint jasmine scent filled the air, the fragrance Lou Xiao'e often used in her face powder. The room was exquisitely and warmly furnished, with pink curtains, a Western-style dressing table, and a soft bed covered with a thick down comforter, exuding a unique and luxurious feel in Beijing.

But at this moment, this warmth was replaced by a sense of panic and oppression.

Lou Xiao'e sat on the edge of the bed, an open jewelry box beside her. She heard footsteps coming from the stairs, steady and powerful, each step feeling like it was pounding on her heart.

The door was pushed open.

Jiang Chen's tall figure appeared at the doorway, the corridor behind him pitch black, as if he were a king emerging from the darkness.

Lou's mother didn't follow, and Lou Bancheng tactfully stayed downstairs to keep watch. At this moment, only the two of them were in this private boudoir.

Lou Xiao'e subconsciously stood up, gripping the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands, looking at the man with a complicated expression.

Just half an hour ago, he was a "robber" who broke into her home; just now, he was a "living god" who performed miracles; and now, he is the master who controls the fate of her entire family.

Under the multiple shocks of a stormy night, family turmoil, and a powerful man, Lou Xiao'e's originally innocent and fragile heart is experiencing unprecedented turmoil.

"Mr. Jiang..."

She called out timidly, her voice barely audible.

Jiang Chen didn't speak, but stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping over the exquisite furnishings before finally settling on Lou Xiao'e's tear-streaked face.

It must be said that although Lou Xiao'e is not the kind of stunning beauty that catches the eye at first glance, her refined and elegant demeanor, as well as her pitiful and helpless appearance at this moment, can easily arouse a man's protective instincts—or rather, possessiveness.

"All packed up?" Jiang Chen walked up to her, his tone gentler than in the basement, but still carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Lou Xiao'e bit her lip, and suddenly, as if she had made up her mind, she picked up the heavy jewelry box with both hands and handed it to Jiang Chen.

"These... are my dowry."

She dared not look Jiang Chen in the eye, lowering her head to reveal a section of her fair and delicate neck. "There's a jade bracelet, and a pearl necklace left by my grandmother... I'll give them all to you. Please... please, you must save my parents."

This is a complete surrender of trust, and also a near-sacrificial submission.

On this desperate rainy night, she entrusted all her reliance, including her dignity, to this man.

Jiang Chen looked at the jewelry box handed to him, but did not immediately reach out to take it. He was silent for two seconds, then suddenly reached out, but not to take the box, but gently grasped Lou Xiao'e's hand that was holding the box.

Lou Xiao'e trembled all over, as if she had been electrocuted, but she did not flinch.

Jiang Chen's palms were large, dry, and warm, with rough calluses—marks left from years of handling guns. This powerful touch sent a burning sensation through Lou Xiao'e's previously icy fingers.

"Keep it."

Jiang Chen's voice rang out above her head, carrying a hint of unexpected gentleness, "Those things in the basement are enough to buy the lives of your Lou family. Keep these personal items for yourself; you'll need something to hold onto when you get to Hong Kong."

After saying that, he closed the jewelry box without further ado, and then with a thought, he put the box, along with the other valuable ornaments and clothes in the room, into the system space.

"I'll keep your things for you for now, and I'll return them to you when we get there."

Lou Xiao'e looked up abruptly, staring at Jiang Chen in surprise. On this night of forceful taking, this man had actually refused her dowry? This unexpected "principle" warmed her heart.

"Thank...thank you." Her eyes welled up with tears again.

"Don't thank me yet."

Jiang Chen flipped his hand over, and a black cylinder appeared out of thin air in his palm.

The device looked like a flashlight, but it had two sharp metal contacts at the front and several complicated buttons on the handle. Jiang Chen had just spent 50 transaction points to redeem it from the "Self-Defense Supplies" section of the system shop—a miniature high-voltage stun gun, disguised version.

"Take it."

Jiang Chen grabbed Lou Xiao'e's right hand and shoved the cold "flashlight" into her hand.

"This is..." Lou Xiao'e stared blankly at the object in her hand.

"This is for your safety."

Jiang Chen took a step forward, instantly closing the distance between them until Lou Xiao'e could smell the faint scent of tobacco and the dampness of the rain on him. This strong masculine aura made her legs feel weak.

Jiang Chen held her hand, his thumb pressing on the hidden switch, and whispered, "Look, this switch, push it forward for lighting, push it back... and it becomes a weapon."

"Sizzle!"

A blue arc of electricity exploded at the front end, producing a chilling bang.

Lou Xiao'e screamed in fright and instinctively tried to throw it away, but Jiang Chen's large hand held it tightly.

"Don't be afraid."

Jiang Chen's voice rang in her ear, deep and powerful, like a hypnotic whisper, "That beast Xu Damao, since he dared to sell you out, he'll definitely resort to force tomorrow. If he dares to lay a finger on you, stick this in his body, hold down the switch and don't let go."

"This thing won't kill you with an electric shock, but it can paralyze you instantly and cause you to lose control of your bladder and bowels."

When Jiang Chen spoke of "urinary and fecal incontinence," there was a hint of cruel mockery in his tone.

Lou Xiao'e held the still-warm weapon, feeling the power emanating from Jiang Chen's hand. At that moment, her fear of Xu Damao miraculously dissipated considerably.

Instead, there is a sense of confidence stemming from having a powerful backer.

"I...I dare." Lou Xiao'e took a deep breath, her eyes gradually becoming firm.

"very good."

Jiang Chen released her hand and gently tidied the messy strands of hair around her ear. His fingertips brushed against her cheek, causing a slight tremor.

This ambiguous atmosphere fermented in the room, like fine wine.

"Remember what I said." Jiang Chen stared into her eyes and instructed her, word by word, "Argue with Xu Damao as usual tomorrow. Make it convincing, make him think you've reached a dead end. I'll come to pick you up the night after tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Lou Xiao'e nodded obediently, at this moment she was like a tamed kitten.

Go to bed early.

Jiang Chen didn't linger any longer, turning and striding out of the room. He knew very well that he couldn't push a woman like Lou Xiao'e too far. Tonight's shock, protection, and the gift of the gun were enough to plant an indelible seed in her heart.

As the door closed, the footsteps faded into the distance.

Lou Xiao'e felt completely exhausted and collapsed onto the bed. She tightly gripped the black "flashlight," the talisman Jiang Chen had left her.

The rain was still falling outside the window, but she no longer felt cold.

She turned to look at the dark night outside the window, in the direction of Xu Damao's house.

"Xu Damao..."

Lou Xiao'e muttered to herself, a hint of hatred and pleasure she had never felt before flashing in her eyes, "You're finished."