Song Ting'an never expected Xue Qiang to be so adept at creating trouble for herself.
They came here to lay low and rest quietly for a while, but she insisted on investigating new news leads!
"Xue Qiang, be careful, don't get too close. We sneaked in here without permission to film and gather material," Song Ting'an warned.
"Ugh, why are you talking so much nonsense! If you don't want to do it, you can go back. I'm not forcing you to follow me!" Xue Qiang said impatiently.
Song Ting'an smiled wryly, looking at Xue Qiang with tolerant eyes, as if he were indulging a naive little sister.
Xue Qiang was even more annoyed. This bastard! He was clearly very interested in this matter himself, repeatedly trying to get her to observe that group of people and subtly encouraging her to take photos secretly. But after she voiced her idea, he pretended to be reluctant and tried to stop her. Damn it, wasn't he just afraid that if they got caught, he would have an excuse to shift all the blame onto her?
"I've already tried to persuade her, but she's determined to do what she wants. There's nothing I can do but cooperate and act along with her." -- That's probably what Song Ting'an was thinking.
Xue Qiang wasn't afraid of trouble, but she really hated Song Ting'an, this man who didn't actually contribute anything but kept riding on her coattails.
Song Ting'an's colleagues all thought he was a tireless sycophant who did everything he could for Xue Qiang, but they didn't notice how much credit he took from Song Ting'an. They even thought that it was with Song Ting'an 'Xue Qiang help that Xue Qiang was able to successfully report several big news stories!
This is absurd.
Does Song Ting'an think that helping her carry her luggage, pouring her hot water, and checking in on WeChat morning and evening count as "giving back"?
Throughout the journey, Xue Qiang basically gave Song Ting'an a cold shoulder. It wouldn't have been like this before, but a female colleague had secretly told her that Song Ting'an had been subtly implying to others that he had given his credit to Xue Qiang, but Xue Qiang still didn't pay much attention to him.
Hehe~, Xue Qiang finally understood why she had a bad reputation at work. It turned out that Song Ting'an was behind it all! He led everyone to isolate her so that he could be the only one to offer her comfort. He not only stood on the moral high ground but also created a persona of a devoted lover, while all the bad reputation fell on Xue Qiang!
As Song Ting'an pursued her, Xue Qiang gradually acquired negative labels such as "green tea," "improper," "affected," and "eager for quick success."
What's even more terrifying is that Song Ting'an not only deceived others, but also deceived himself, genuinely believing that he had invested a great deal of sunk costs in Xue Qiang. His self-righteous spirit was so disgusting that it made Xue Qiang want to vomit!
Xue Qiang knows she has many minor flaws in her personality, but could God please not send a man like Song Ting'an to torment her!
Fortunately, she was knowledgeable and determined, and no matter how others evaluated her, she would not be Song Ting'an.
The two men lay in ambush in the bushes, their eyes scanning the excavation site in the distance.
On the surface, it was just a desolate wasteland crisscrossed with ravines. Nearby, there was a shed where Professor Zhang's archaeological team was gathered, discussing something.
Song Ting'an and Xue Qiang learned from a waiter at Yizhuang that the archaeological team had recently been conducting research in the surrounding area. They had originally planned to leave, but then inexplicably extended their stay.
The two men felt that there might be a major discovery here!
"Who are you two? What are you doing here sneaking around like this?" A shout came from behind them, startling them so much they almost jumped up from the spot.
Xiao Li gave the two men a serious look. He had noticed people loitering nearby before, and judging from their attire, they were probably not local villagers, as locals wouldn't approach an ancient tomb casually.
If they weren't villagers, then who were they? Were they tourists?
"This is an archaeological area. You are not allowed to approach without permission. Please leave if you have nothing to do."
"Hello." Song Ting'an quickly took out his press pass and handed it to Xiao Li.
"We are journalists. We heard that archaeological work is being carried out here, so we would like to know a little about the situation."
Xiao Li examined the documents carefully; there seemed to be no problem. However, he still frowned and said in a low voice, "According to regulations, reporters are not allowed to conduct interviews, and archaeological team staff are not permitted to disclose any information without authorization."
"Really? May I ask who your team leader is? Which dynasty is the archaeological site from?" Xue Qiang seized the opportunity to ask. Xiao Li, however, completely ignored her. He felt that these two people were of dubious origin, their press passes might not be genuine, and besides, he didn't have a very good impression of reporters.
"Sorry, no comment." Xiao Li stared at the two with the eyes of someone looking at thieves. "The archaeological site needs protection; non-professionals are prohibited from entering. If anything happens, we will hold them accountable."
Sensing the unfriendly tone in Xiao Li's words, Song Ting'an quickly stopped Xue Qiang's impassioned speech and explained with a smile, "We understand. Actually, my colleague and I just happened to be doing interviews at a nearby tourist attraction. We heard there was an archaeological team here, so we came to take a look."
After saying that, Song Ting'an grabbed Xue Qiang and turned to leave.
Xiao Li watched them until their figures completely disappeared before returning to the archaeological site.
However, Xiao Li was unaware that while he was watching others, someone else was watching him.
In a nearby tree more than ten meters tall, a pair of eyes were hidden in the canopy. A gentle breeze rustled through the yellowing green leaves.
A minor problem has arisen in Linjiang City.
Hu Jiu received a call from Qian Ying's number, but it was immediately transferred to someone else after being answered.
The other party was extremely arrogant, unilaterally declaring that the ownership and land use rights of the Haunted House had been requisitioned, and demanding that Hu Jiu fully cooperate with the people he sent to conduct a comprehensive investigation and testing of the Haunted House.
"My name is Hou Qingxu. Remember this name. Do things for me, and you'll get your share of the rewards."
Hearing this, Hu Jiu smiled and replied gently, "Okay."
"You're smart to know what's good for you." Hou Qingxu hung up the phone arrogantly.
Hu Jiu looked at his phone, his eyes flashing, a cold smile on his face.
He hasn't harmed anyone in a long time.
He had managed this experimental field in Linjiang City very peacefully and quietly, yet someone dared to extend their claws over there?
We must do evil and stir up trouble to calm the surging true energy in his Ren and Du Meridians!
After some thought, he decided on a strategy and asked Xiao Mei a little about who Hou Qingxu really was.
"The eldest son of the Hou Family?"
Hu Jiu recalled his past life and had never heard of this name before, so it seemed he wasn't a big shot. However, he did have some impression of the Hou Family, a family that was wiped out...
"Since you're so eager to die, then I'll be kind enough to send you on your way."
Hu Jiu simply disguised himself by drawing a door on the wall that pointed towards the Capital.