Being Watched

A daily income exceeding ten thousand—by any measure, that was a solid high income.

The surge in income had allowed Han Yang to save up more than three hundred thousand in just one month.

He could finally repay Shen the Butcher's twenty thousand without any pressure.

That morning, Han Yang woke from sleep, took off the Brainwave Control Device, paused his game power-leveling orders, strapped on a dagger, and headed out.

There were not many people on the streets in the early morning. Other than those who had to get up early for work, there was no one else around, making the place seem somewhat desolate. Perhaps this neighborhood—and even this city—was only quiet during the hours before dawn and in the early morning.

After looking to either side from his doorway, Han Yang noticed some bloodstains in the corner of a wall more than twenty meters to his left, stains he had never seen before. He had no idea what had happened there. There was also a fresh mark on the wall to his right, one that looked like it had been made by a blade.

After withdrawing his gaze and confirming that the area was safe for now, Han Yang headed straight for Aunt Wang's food stall.

"Aunt Wang! A large bowl of beef noodles, two extra eggs, and an extra serving of meat!"

The moment she saw Han Yang, Aunt Wang's face blossomed into a smile. "Xiaoyang, you're here! Sit down, it'll be ready soon!"

Before long, the large bowl of noodles was brought over. Aunt Wang asked, "Xiaoyang, what do you do at home? I never see you come out."

Han Yang casually replied, "I do some stuff online. Just making enough to get by."

He knew very well that if he stayed shut up at home all day and never went out, even if it did not attract the attention of anyone with ulterior motives, his neighbors would still notice. But as long as he gave them a casual answer, they would not look too deeply into it.

These days, it was already good enough to live one's own life well, to have food to eat and clothes to wear. Who had that much time and energy to meddle in other people's affairs?

Aunt Wang said enviously, "Young people really are quick-witted. Someone like your Aunt Wang can only get up early and work late to earn hard money. I work myself to death all day and still can't make two hundred a day. And I have a whole family to feed, plus Xiaolu's schooling to pay for."

At the mention of Xiaolu, Aunt Wang's face was full of smiles. Han Yang smiled as well. "Once Xiaolu graduates from college and finds a good job in the city, Aunt Wang, you'll be able to enjoy life."

Inside the food stall, Uncle Wang—usually quiet and reserved, knowing only how to work honestly—could not help but smile too, his dark, thin face lighting up.

Wang Lu, who was studying at Dajiang University, was the hope of Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang's family.

As he wolfed down his noodles, a sour, rancid smell suddenly drifted over from beside him. Han Yang looked up and saw a weathered middle-aged man approaching with a suitcase in hand.

The man's clothes were old, filthy, and worn-out, but it was clear that he was still trying his best to maintain his appearance. He was also doing his best to keep his back straight.

"Boss, a... a small bowl of plain noodles."

After glancing at the meat and eggs in Han Yang's large bowl, the middle-aged man could not help swallowing.

"Coming up. Have a seat first, it'll be ready soon."

Aunt Wang greeted him with the same warmth. The man said again, somewhat humbly, "Boss, could you give me an extra bowl of... noodle soup? Just the noodle soup is fine."

"Sure. It'll be right over."

Before long, the small bowl of plain noodles arrived, along with a large bowl of noodle soup. With his sharp eyes, Han Yang noticed what seemed to be a few drops of oil floating on top of the soup, while the noodles in the small bowl seemed more plentiful than usual.

Aunt Wang is just too kindhearted.

Han Yang sighed inwardly.

The middle-aged man ate his noodles carefully, taking small bite after small bite as if savoring some exquisite delicacy.

For some reason—perhaps because he had been eating too well lately—Han Yang did not have much appetite. He could not finish the last bit of his large bowl, leaving nearly half of it behind. After paying, he saw that Shen the Butcher's place nearby had opened as well, so he headed over.

When he happened to look back, he saw that the middle-aged man had somehow come over to the table where Han Yang had been sitting. By the time the man left, the remaining half-bowl of noodles had been cleaned out.

Han Yang sighed again.

"You're here?"

Seeing Han Yang approach, Shen the Butcher casually greeted him, though his hands never stopped moving as he prepared that day's pork.

"Yeah. I've got some money now, so I'm paying you back."

Shen the Butcher paused. "I'm not in a hurry for it."

"It's fine. I have money now."

Han Yang took out his phone and directly transferred the twenty thousand to him. Then he added, "Cut me two jin of pork. And give me thirty yuan worth of braised meat too. I'll come back for it later."

Just as he was about to leave, Shen the Butcher spoke in a low voice. "Someone's watching you."

Han Yang froze, his heart sinking as he turned around.

"Recently, there's been a guy hanging around near your place. An unfamiliar face. I don't know him."

To avoid attracting trouble, Han Yang had installed his surveillance cameras in highly concealed locations, which meant their coverage was limited. They could basically only monitor the small courtyard and his doorway, so he had not seen anyone lingering around his home.

It seemed that... his unusual behavior during this period had still drawn the attention of someone with ulterior motives.

"Thanks. I'll handle it."

Shen the Butcher was slightly surprised. He had originally thought Han Yang would ask him for help. Then it would have been only natural to make a request and have him join the Blue Army.

After a moment of silence, Shen the Butcher said, "Be careful."

Han Yang nodded and turned to leave.

Han Yang knew full well that Shen the Butcher was part of the Blue Army. In this day and age, the authorities had officially labeled the Blue Army a downright evil organization. As for whoever was watching him, at most they were just some gangsters.

An evil organization against a street gang—there was no need to think about it. The former held an overwhelming advantage. They were not even on the same level. Given his relationship with Shen the Butcher, Shen the Butcher would definitely help if he asked.

But Han Yang did not want to get too deeply involved with the Blue Army behind Shen the Butcher just yet. The timing was not right, and it could easily create hidden dangers. He could solve this little bit of trouble himself.

After leaving Shen the Butcher's butcher shop, Han Yang went to a nearby supermarket and made a round of purchases.

Rice, flour, cooking oil, bread, instant noodles, fruit, vegetables—he bought a huge pile of things. At the checkout, he spent more than two hundred yuan in one go, drawing envious looks from the people around him.

In a slum like the Vegetable Market District, it was rare to see someone who could spend more than two hundred yuan at once. Most people bought food only for the day. Only after receiving their wages yesterday would they have money to buy something to eat today.

After returning home and putting away the ingredients he had bought, Han Yang began thinking while operating twelve computers and continuing his work.

At this stage, the funds in his hands were still not sufficient, not enough to launch the next step of his plan. That meant he would have to remain in this small courtyard in the Vegetable Market District for a while longer.

Which also meant that he had to resolve this trouble now. Otherwise, even if his secret was not exposed, harassment and extortion by a gang would make it impossible for his plan to continue.

After thinking for a long time, Han Yang opened the shopping site again and spent more than eighty thousand yuan on a slightly larger quadcopter drone. He also ordered custom steel pipes, buckles, and various robot parts.

Gritting his teeth, he also bought the upgraded Brainwave Control Device that he had been eyeing for a long time.