The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 597: Sombodies Watching Us!

Chapter 597: Sombodies Watching Us!

Xu Feng wanted to start testing as soon as possible. If Xu Hu Zhe managed to get everything, they could begin experimenting today.

Both Xu Zeng and Xu Feng wanted to go out and explore Yilin town. Both brothers had different motives for their desire to explore—one was a shopaholic, and the other wanted to spend time with his "mate"—same difference, right?

Unfortunately for them, the silver hair was too inconspicuous in Yilin Town.

With Xu Hu Zhe gone, Xu Zeng finally pulled off his mask, rolling his shoulders as if relieved to be rid of it. It was like he only wore it to match a certain scaled friend, not entirely because he didn’t want to be looked at...

The store had been closed early—what was supposed to be a lunch break had become an early closure for the day. A small sign had been placed at the entrance, letting customers know when they returned after the usual lunch period had passed.

With the shop empty, the quiet felt... calming, the space was still as beautiful and peaceful.

Even with the beauty surrounding him, Xu Feng took the time to go over the ledgers.

Xu Zeng sat beside him at first, the two of them parsing through the numbers together, Xu Feng interpreting the figures while Xu Zeng cross-checked them against records from previous days.

Not that he didn’t trust Liu or Min.

He just needed to see the numbers for himself.

Their earnings were steady. Profitable, even. If one didn’t account for the price of the store and the renovations, they were earning an average of 80 taels of silver, not counting the first three days of business, which averaged 200 taels of silver. They were doing well, especially for a business that had only opened recently.

It was an income that would have left the Xu Feng from a year ago feeling safe and secure in his ability to provide for his people and maintain their home.

The rhythm of the work seemed familiar, comfortable. The brothers worked together easily, like it was second nature. But once the ledgers were put away, Xu Zeng drifted.

At first, he lingered in the main shop, pacing idly. Then, he moved toward the windows, standing still for long stretches as if lost in thought.

Then, he went upstairs.

Xu Feng heard his footsteps as he ascended. Then descended. Then, he ascended again.

His behavior wasn’t strange, necessarily.

But after the third time?

Xu Feng arched a brow. "Are you lost?"

Xu Zeng didn’t answer immediately. Instead, as he stepped down from the staircase again, he hesitated. And then, in an even, quiet voice, he said:

"A woman is watching us."

Xu Feng stilled, perking his ears as if he could hear the woman watching them...

Something about the way his brother said it—not alarmed, not tense, but aware—made his pulse slow and his senses sharpen. He set aside his teacup full of meh tea down, expression unreadable.

"Where?"

"Across the street," Xu Zeng replied. "She’s been there for a while. At first, I thought she was just curious, but..." He glanced toward the window again. "She’s watching this shop."

Xu Feng’s fingers curled slightly.

Who was she? And what did she want?

Xu Feng didn’t react immediately this time. Instead, he reached for his teacup, fingers curling around the smooth ceramic as he tilted it slightly. The tea was still warm, but he barely registered the heat against his palm. His focus had already shifted.

Without lifting his head, he adjusted his posture, angling his body just enough to keep the window within his periphery. From this position, he could observe the outside world without looking like he was observing it.

The woman wasn’t standing still. That would have been too obvious. Instead, she moved in careful, calculated patterns, pausing at various stalls and storefronts along the street.

At first glance, she looked like any other passerby. A curious shopper, maybe. Someone admiring the rich silks displayed in the neighboring store or debating the freshness of the snacks at the food stall just a few steps away.

But it was the rhythm that gave her away.

Stop. Look. Pretend to browse.

Stop. Look. Shift slightly. Pretend to browse again.

The mica windows weren’t like modern glass. They allowed light in but didn’t offer a perfectly clear view. From the outside, it would be difficult to see precise details inside the store unless someone was actively pressed against the pane.

When he first arrived in Dongzhou, he hadn’t even known mica was a possibility. It could have been useful for his greenhouse, but now that glass was available, it was his preferred choice for his personal greenhouse. The updated greenhouse would only be seen by his people, tucked away in Blooming Courtyard.

From the inside the store however—especially with the right angle—it was possible to catch glimpses of the street without being too obvious.

And she was lingering with purpose. Always within view of the Silver Scale.

Maybe she was just interested in the mica. It was rare, after all, and few shops used it as boldly as they had.

Maybe.

If she had been watching casually, he might have dismissed her. If she had been waiting for the shop to reopen, that would have made sense. But the store was closed. Their hours had been consistent in the last few days. No one was expected to return at this time.

And yet—she remained.

The woman thought she was being subtle.

She wasn’t.

Maybe she was curious. But curiosity didn’t come with this level of persistence.

Xu Feng’s gaze shifted to his brother.

They weren’t just two men sitting in a closed shop enjoying their afternoon. They were two paranoid survivors—one who had spent months in the apocalypse and another who had survived weeks of it but had always been naturally cautious.

And they had children to worry about.

Xu Feng exhaled slowly. If he had been alone, he might have dismissed the woman’s behavior. But with Xu Zeng as his partner in paranoia?

No.

Nothing was impossible.

The spy situation was still fresh, and the Xuan family had been all up in their business lately. Today, they had walked openly through Yilin Town. No disguises, no efforts to hide.

And not just him.

His brother.

Another silver-haired figure, one taller, sharper, undeniably male. Xu Feng’s red mole had been on full display, making it clear who he was, but his brother...

His brother had been deliberately placed in the public eye.

Any rumors of his own death couldn’t stand after today. Whatever whispers lingered about his children—that was beyond his control for now—but he refused to let his kids suffer for his choices.

No matter what this woman’s reasons were, her presence was suspicious.

Xu Feng tapped his fingers against the table. "You still see her?"

Xu Zeng didn’t even glance at him. "Mmhmm."

Silence.

Then, after a moment of silent agreement, Xu Zeng stood.

He was the first to leave.

The plan was simple. He slipped through the door first, leaving it cracked open just enough for Xu Feng to remain in view of the window—his back turned, looking preoccupied.

Bait.

And it seemed to work.

The woman hesitated, then stepped closer.

Still, she didn’t enter. Instead, she lingered just outside, her body angled slightly as if trying to see what Xu Feng was doing through the crack in the door.

Xu Feng smothered a sigh. ’How long do I have to pretend to be busy?’

He wasn’t actually doing anything useful. He could only fiddle with the ledgers and adjust jars so many times before his patience cracked. Couldn’t she just take the bait and enter the store?

Except—

Xu Zeng cracked first.

There was no warning.

No sound, no shift in the air.

Just a sudden presence.

And then—

The woman disappeared behind a tall figure with silver hair.

One moment, she had been watching the shop. The next, she was gone, her muffled shriek swallowed by a firm hand clamping over her mouth.

Xu Zeng strolled into the shop as if he wasn’t dragging a full-grown woman into the building against her will.

She flailed.

She kicked, her arms jerking as she struggled.

It didn’t matter.

Xu Zeng’s frame completely overshadowed her, his grip unshaken.

Xu Feng locked the door behind them without hesitation.

There wasn’t a single thought of what have we done or should we be doing this?

He had already accepted it.

There was kindness in him, but there was also another part—a quiet, calculating side that could rationalize things like this easily. He had practice with both Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang. Xu Zeng’s actions weren’t enough to phase him when the children were somewhat involved.

If she wasn’t guilty, she’d prove it soon enough.

And if she was?

Well.

That was a problem for later.

Xu Zeng, completely unbothered, walked her toward the back room, his grip still firm over her mouth.

The moment they were out of sight from the window, he finally spoke.

Low, quiet, and unyielding.

"If you wake the children," he murmured, "I will throttle you like a chicken."

The woman froze.

Xu Feng watched as a cold sweat broke out across her forehead.

Her entire body went rigid, her struggling ceasing immediately.

Xu Zeng gave it another second before slowly removing his hand.

And despite her terror, despite the way she trembled like a leaf caught in the wind—

She didn’t make a sound.

Xu Feng stepped into the room, his expression unreadable.

He didn’t flinch at the threat. Didn’t even blink at his brother’s words. His gaze was focused entirely on the woman, his mind already working.

"Alright then," he said smoothly, his tone calm but firm.

"Let’s talk."