"Xia Shang, why are you covering my eyes? I can't see anything!" Er Ya protested.
"There's nothing worth seeing," Xia Shang replied, not letting go.
Seeing that Xia Shang and Er Ya were focused on each other, the assassin's eyes lit up. With a raise of his blade, he thrust towards the side of Xia Shang's neck, aiming to sever his carotid artery and end him with a single blow.
With a loud "crack," the assassin shattered the mirror in front of him.
The sound startled Xia Shang and Er Ya. The assassin also seemed stunned, having not realized his target was a mirror.
"You scared me to death!" Er Ya pushed Xia Shang's hands away and protested, "What are you doing!"
Hearing the sound of breaking glass and Er Ya's voice, Xia Qing Tian and Gu Yao Yang's expressions changed. They quickly hurried over, calling out, "Er Ya!"
Upon hearing Xia Qing Tian's voice, the assassin turned and saw her and Gu Yao Yang rushing towards him.
Having confirmed his target, the assassin knew the commotion he had caused was significant and time was limited. He immediately exerted all his strength and charged towards Xia Qing Tian.
This time, he was determined to strike decisively.
With another "crack," the assassin collided with a mirror. He fell backward, his face deeply cut and bleeding, and lost consciousness on the spot.
With two mirrors shattered, Xia Qing Tian and Er Ya could see each other. Seeing this, Er Ya was about to rush towards Xia Qing Tian.
"Er Ya, don't move!" Xia Qing Tian quickly stopped her. "Stay where you are and wait for us to come to you!"
Er Ya and Xia Shang then nodded and watched as Xia Qing Tian and Gu Yao Yang approached them.
"This place isn't fun at all. I want to go back," Er Ya expressed her desire to leave, pouting her lips indignantly. "This rundown place is charging 2000 per person for tickets? It's outrageous!"
"Alright, then let's go back," Xia Qing Tian said, feeling a sense of relief, though she didn't know where the assassin had come from.
If this hadn't been a mirror maze, and the assassin hadn't gotten lost in it, they would have been in danger today!
After the four of them exited the mirror maze, Gu Yao Yang notified the staff that someone inside had bumped into a mirror and fainted.
He trusted that Gou Wen would not tolerate assassins freely entering her territory.
Leaving this matter to Gou Wen to handle was the best course of action.
In reality, Gou Wen Shen Yao did think that way, but since the assassin's target was Xia Qing Tian, she could still turn a blind eye to a certain extent.
Therefore, when Uncle Yu Er requested she allow the assassin entry into Gou Wen Feng Yue Lou, she imposed a time limit and even later agreed to disable the surveillance of the mirror maze to facilitate the assassin.
This was the most she could concede.
However, Shen Yao never imagined that Uncle Yu Er's people would be so foolish!
Not only did they incapacitate themselves, but they also caused such a huge disturbance.
"What a bunch of losers!" Shen Yao frowned as she watched Xia Qing Tian and her group on the surveillance monitor, about to leave.
"Miss Shen, there are suspicious individuals in the parking lot," a staff member alerted her.
"Let me see," Shen Yao looked at the monitor. "Someone from the Miao family? What are they doing here?"
"Do you need them removed?" the staff member asked Shen Yao.
Shen Yao narrowed her eyes slightly, then looked at Xia Qing Tian and her group who were leaving. "No need to remove them for now. Keep a close eye on him. Inform me immediately if anything happens. I'll go greet our guest."
If the Miao family's target was also Xia Qing Tian, then her task would be much easier.
However, before that, she needed to stall the Miao family for some time.
She would settle this score with the Miao family later, with interest.
With that thought, Shen Yao strode with long legs towards the exit.
She soon intercepted Xia Qing Tian and her group at the exit. "Mr. Gu, it's been a while."
"Indeed," Mr. Gu replied, his gaze deepening as he looked at Shen Yao, a hint of caution in his eyes.
"It's you! Miss Shen?" Xia Qing Tian recognized Shen Yao as well.
"You two know each other?" Mr. Gu's chest tightened as he asked Xia Qing Tian.
"Miss Shen gave me the latest handbag," Xia Qing Tian said with a dry laugh. "I was just thinking of returning the money to Miss Shen."
"There's no need. Once I give something, I don't take money for it," Shen Yao offered Xia Qing Tian a charming and alluring smile. "The most important thing is that Miss Xia likes it."
"Why are you here too? Are you here to see the male models? The men here seem a bit strange," Er Ya said, recalling the flamboyant man in the mirror maze, and then looked at Shen Yao, curling her lip. "I heard it's very expensive. Why don't you just go back and not waste your money on this place?"
Hearing Er Ya's words, Shen Yao's charming smile froze. She masked a slight embarrassment.
It was that fool Uncle Yu Er again, ruining the reputation of her Gou Wen Feng Yue Lou.
"Er Ya, this is Shen Yao, the owner of Gou Wen Feng Yue Lou, also known as 'Gou Wen'," Mr. Gu explained with a chuckle.
"You're called Gou Wen?" Er Ya looked at Shen Yao with a surprised expression. "Why would such a beautiful woman have a name like 'Gut-wrenching Grass'?"
"Oh?" Shen Yao was also a little surprised by Er Ya's words. "Not many young people know that Gou Wen is also called Gut-wrenching Grass."
"Gut-wrenching Grass?" Xia Qing Tian blinked.
"A woody evergreen vine of the genus *Gelsemium* in the family Loganiaceae. It has green leaves and small yellow flowers. Properly processed, it can be used medicinally, but it is inherently toxic. It was historically known as Gut-wrenching Grass," Er Ya stated, listing all poisonous substances as if they were treasures.
"It's not easy for women to be in this business. The name is just to be intimidating, to ward off lecherous individuals," Shen Yao said softly and casually, seeing Xia Qing Tian deep in thought.
At that moment, Shen Yao's internal message receiver picked up a staff member's voice. The Miao family had left Mr. Gu's car and had likely finished their task.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yao's smile became even more charming. "It is our Gou Wen Feng Qing Lou's loss that we could not provide you with an enjoyable experience today. I will inform the staff that all your expenses tonight are on the house. Gou Wen Feng Qing Lou looks forward to your next visit."
Hearing Shen Yao's farewell, Xia Qing Tian nodded and was about to say something when Er Ya exclaimed in surprise, "What? Tonight is on the house?"
Er Ya turned around excitedly. "Qing Tian, did you hear that!"
"I... I heard," Xia Qing Tian blinked.
"Then let's hurry up and have some fun!" Er Ya said, about to rush inside.
"No, you can't watch those shows. What are you going to do?" Xia Qing Tian grabbed Er Ya by the collar and asked.
"There's still KTV, spa, and some beauty and skincare treatments we can participate in! There's also a painting exhibition and art exhibition! It's all free anyway, so let's try everything we can! I don't know when I'll be able to come to Kyoto again!" Er Ya excitedly dragged Xia Shang inside. Xia Qing Tian could only offer Shen Yao an apologetic smile and quickly followed.
Watching Er Ya, who didn't play by the rules, and Xia Qing Tian walking inside, Shen Yao's mouth twitched.
Can't this person just go die already?
What are they dawdling for!