Chapter 232: 232, Unforeseen complications! (Third update, requesting monthly votes)

Others might not have noticed the elder sister leaving, but Yan Liuyuan did, and he had to admit that among the whole family, it was ultimately Ren Xiaosu and Yan Liuyuan who were most wary of the outside world. This was also one of the reasons Ren Xiaosu trusted Yan Liuyuan the most.

He whispered to Ren Xiaosu, "Brother, that woman next door might stir up trouble."

Ren Xiaosu glanced at the departing figure of the elder sister, thought for a moment, and said, "It's fine, no need to worry."

While packing up, Wang Futai eagerly approached Ren Xiaosu with his ledger, saying, "Our general store's income is now very stable. Residents from near and far come here to buy groceries. Here, take a look at the accounts, Xiaosu."

Ren Xiaosu chuckled and glanced at Old Wang, "Enough, it's the New Year. Why check the accounts? What's the matter with the things you handle? Hurry up and get in the car. I'll take you to our outpost to have a look. We'll send you back on the eighth day of the New Year."

Though the outpost was good, it was still part of defensive fortifications. During the New Year, no one cared about such details, but if someone inspected after the holiday and found they had brought their family over, there might be trouble.

Moreover, Wang Futai and the others lived quite well in the market town, and Yan Liuyuan, this clever little fellow, could gather a lot of intelligence under the guise of being a friend to women.

Yan Liuyuan whispered from the side, "Brother, why has the Li family suddenly started hunting down Xu Xianchu? Did you do it?"

"Cough cough," Ren Xiaosu glanced at Yan Liuyuan, "Don't spread that around."

"Mmm," Yan Liuyuan nodded obediently, "Don't worry, my lips are sealed tight."

Just then, the elder sister from the neighboring general store arrived with a group of soldiers. Even from a distance, she pointed at Ren Xiaosu and shouted loudly, "It's those two men. When they came to the market town last month, the older one was wearing the uniform of a private army. But this time, he's switched to a regular army uniform, and even has the rank of a major!"

Ordinary people might not recognize the insignia, but those running businesses at the fortress gate were sharp. How could they not recognize this?

The soldiers surrounded Ren Xiaosu and the others. A captain stepped forward and looked at Ren Xiaosu, "Which operational unit are you from? Show your officer's certificate."

Ren Xiaosu and Li Qingzheng exchanged glances. Just as Ren Xiaosu reached for his officer's certificate, a chorus of gun cocking sounds rang out, and more than a dozen dark muzzles were pointed at them.

The elder sister from the general store smiled with delight. If this young man's military identity was problematic, then Wang Futai's general store would surely be in trouble!

Ren Xiaosu smiled and pulled out his officer's certificate, handing it to the soldier in front of him. He said calmly, "These days, few dare to check on the Special Investigation Bureau."

Li Qingzheng inhaled sharply. He found that Ren Xiaosu was not at all flustered, and that same haughty, composed demeanor he had when making up stories—it was too similar...

Upon hearing the words "Special Investigation Bureau," the officer frowned. He opened the certificate and indeed saw Ren Xiaosu's photo, the steel seal, the number, and the prominent words "Special Investigation Bureau."

Under normal circumstances, he would have panicked. The Special Investigation Bureau was a place where no one who entered ever came out!

But after thinking it over, the doubts about Ren Xiaosu and the others were too many. Regular soldiers, after training, had different postures and stances, and Li Qingzheng's behavior in uniform looked suspiciously fake.

The officer said coldly, "Are you officers from the Special Investigation Bureau? We still need to verify."

After speaking, he ordered his subordinate to take out a palm-sized device. Upon inputting Ren Xiaosu's officer's certificate number, it displayed Ren Xiaosu's photo...

The officer inhaled sharply and immediately turned to slap the elder sister from the general store, sending her sprawling to the ground. Then he turned and bowed to Ren Xiaosu, "I'm sorry, sir!"

Ren Xiaosu took back his officer's certificate and scrutinized the officer, "I now suspect you're a spy trying to persecute my Li family's officer. Is that watch on your wrist a communication device among spies?"

Upon hearing this, the officer quickly removed his watch and handed it to Ren Xiaosu, "Please take this back for inspection, sir. This is a local specialty I brought for you."

"Mmm," Ren Xiaosu's gaze swept over the others, "Do you have any suspicious items? I suspect you're smugglers."

At this, a soldier hesitated and said, "Sir, the Special Investigation Bureau doesn't deal with smuggling, does it?"

Ren Xiaosu paused, "We're starting to now!"

Li Qingzheng watched the scene unfold. Just a moment ago, he was the one taking bribes, but now, seeing Ren Xiaosu's approach, it seemed he was more adept at using bribes and intimidation than himself...

This group of soldiers had come with great fanfare, but now they stood in a line, heads bowed, their pockets searched and money taken as evidence of treason.

"Enough," Ren Xiaosu waved his hand, "Go back. I suddenly think you're not suspicious."

He had to admit, the identity Hu Shuo had arranged for him was quite useful.

The elder sister lying on the ground, dazed from the slap, had just recovered when another slap came from the officer, "Take her back with me. What a meddlesome thing!"

The soldiers carried the elder sister away. Ren Xiaosu watched their departing figures and sighed, "What a bunch of good people. They came and even brought so many local specialties. How pure!"

As he spoke, he handed the watch to Wang Futai. Before, Wang Futai had bribed Li Qingzheng with his own watches to spare the girls from labor.

Li Qingzheng hesitated, "I sold all the watches you gave me before. Should I return the money to you?"

Ren Xiaosu smiled, "Then you wouldn't have helped us for nothing, would you? Keep it. We're not that petty."

"Hey, alright," Li Qingzheng said happily, though he felt something was off. Why did it feel like Ren Xiaosu was the squad leader?

On the way back, Yan Liuyuan leaned against the carriage excitedly, "Brother, is your outpost fun?"

"Quite fun," Ren Xiaosu laughed.

"What do you do every day?"

"We just attend some classes, eat some meat, take walks in the mountains to dig for wild vegetables and mushrooms, and catch rabbits," Ren Xiaosu said, "There are lots of rabbits in the mountains. When you come, I'll teach you how to set traps."

At that moment, Ren Xiaosu suddenly thought that although Yan Liuyuan was also a supernatural being, he had no means of self-defense. Should he collect some nanobots to give Yan Liuyuan first?

When they returned to the mountain, Ren Xiaosu saw Hu Shuo explaining with a satellite phone, "Our Special Investigation Bureau doesn't deal with smuggling, mmm, yes, really. This must be a misunderstanding. We have no intention of taking power from the Inspection Bureau..."

...

Ren Xiaosu said he wanted a monthly ticket...