Chapter 356: Chapter 363 Watching like a Tiger
 

Su Wenyue wondered how the host would handle the situation, whether to use a decoy or otherwise, when suddenly a group of masked men in black rushed onto the arena. Without a word, they attempted to snatch the flower lantern from the woman in red’s hands. Su Wenyue fell silent—failing to trick, they resorted to force, resorting to outright theft.

Shangguan Wuyou and Han Yu protected their companions the instant the men in black appeared. Han Yu, in particular, shielded Su Wenyue firmly behind him. She wanted to watch the excitement but ended up seeing only Han Yu’s broad back. Although curious at that moment, Su Wenyue wasn’t imprudent.

Nobody knew whether those men in black were just too skilled in martial arts, but the women in red guarding the lantern were overpowered. The men in black easily snatched the lantern, and then, complicating matters, several more groups of men in black appeared, all evidently aiming to seize the “Colorful exquisite lamp.” The site grew crowded, and chaos ensued.

Ye Xinxin became agitated when she saw the lantern being stolen, pointing at the men in black, she said, “Husband, the lantern has been stolen! Could it really be the Colorful exquisite lamp? Such a beautiful lantern was ours, and it’s a pity to have it taken away. Get someone to snatch it back quickly.”

Ye Xinxin, unlike Su Wenyue, relished chaos. She seemed unafraid at the sight of assassins, instead encouraging Shangguan Wuyou to join the fray. Given their different family backgrounds, their attitudes were starkly diverse.

Su Wenyue watched Ye Xinxin, excited and almost eager to join in the fray, with black lines forming on her forehead but also with some envy. There was a time when she too was such an impulsive and straightforward figure, but those days had long since been smoothed over by life.

In contrast to Su Wenyue’s envy, Shangguan Wuyou was frustrated. His Wife seemed keen on adding to the chaos. If the real Colorful exquisite lamp had been present, he might have ordered his men to join the struggle, but he knew it was a fake.

“Xinxin, behave yourself. This is not the time for recklessness. If you continue making trouble, don’t blame me for restricting your freedom!” Shangguan Wuyou usually indulged his daughter-in-law, but he knew what she feared most, and he threatened her sternly; Ye Xinxin dared not speak any further.

Seeing Ye Xinxin calmed down, Su Wenyue also breathed a sigh of relief. What was happening was just a minor disturbance. The true excitement would begin when the real Colorful exquisite lamp was revealed. She glanced back at the arena.

The men in black had taken the “Colorful exquisite lamp” and left. Despite some remaining disorder on the arena, the guards and women in red returned to their posts. Even the Host, who had looked utterly shocked before, regained his composure as if nothing had happened. Those who were observant enough would detect the anomaly.

The onlookers who had come for the spectacle were ready to disperse, since the mysterious gift had been taken by the men in black, and nothing exciting remained. Suddenly, the Host’s voice rang out again.

“There was an unexpected incident with assassins just now, but it was a minor nuisance that didn’t affect the proceedings. The event will continue as scheduled, and my master never breaks his promises.”

As the Host spoke, everyone who was about to leave halted, curious about what would happen next. The mysterious gift had been stolen, but could there be another prepared?

Seemingly responding to everyone’s silent questions, the Host added, “Don’t worry, the item taken just now was merely a very delicate flower lantern. The mysterious gift prepared by the master of the house has not been stolen.”

After the Host finished speaking, to prove the truth of his words, the woman in red opened the battered wooden box that Su Wenyue had been watching closely, revealing a black wooden box inside. Similarly colored in black, this small box looked ancient and emitted a sense of mysterious antiquity.

The moment the small box appeared, Su Wenyue felt her curiosity intensify. Her gaze burned with eagerness as she looked at the black wooden box, wishing she could grab the box immediately, find a secluded spot, and unravel the mystery within.

Perhaps Su Wenyue’s desire was too intense. Not only did Han Yu notice, but even Shangguan Wuyou observed the change in her eyes as she looked at the small box. Could it be that the Colorful exquisite lamp was inside this black wooden box?

People like Han Yu and Shangguan Wuyou had acute intuitions, especially when Su Wenyue had exhibited a somewhat unusual behavior, leading them to the same conclusion. Shangguan Wuyou was just speculating, but Han Yu seemed quite certain, unable to ignore the fervent way his Wife eyed the black wooden box.

“Could the item inside that small box be the Colorful exquisite lamp?” Han Yu asked casually.

Su Wenyue’s eyes remained fixed on the black wooden box, and she subconsciously nodded. But this too was out of trust in Han Yu and her unguarded state. Under the light, Han Yu’s eyes appeared even deeper.

Everyone waited for the Host to open the black wooden box to see for themselves. The earlier lantern was so beautiful; surely, the item within the small box could be another stunning flower lantern. Meanwhile, Sikong Ling stood at a window with a somber expression, watching what was happening below. However, due to his concealed vantage point, those below could not see him.

Han Yu felt someone’s gaze on him, though it lasted but a moment. He scanned in that specific direction but didn’t see anything, which made him even more cautious. He gestured subtly to a spot in the crowd below.

Su Wenyue didn’t notice any of this, her entire focus on the black wooden box. It wasn’t until the woman in red handed her the small box that she felt a surge of joy, managing to restrain herself from opening it. It wasn’t the right time yet.

Ye Xinxin’s eyes sparkled as she peered at the small box, but she surprisingly held back, choosing not to ask Su Wenyue to open it right then. She too was eager to follow Su Wenyue back home. If the previously stolen lantern was a fake, then perhaps this one was indeed the genuine Colorful exquisite lamp. She wondered what the real lamp looked like.

The audience had hoped to see the contents of the box and discover the true nature of the mysterious gift. Unexpectedly, the Host did not open the small box but handed it directly to Su Wenyue, and it was clear she had no intention of showing it to the crowd.

Many people below clamored, demanding to see what was inside the box. Su Wenyue, of course, ignored them, holding the black wooden box tightly, looking to Han Yu, her expression clearly urging him to take her away quickly.

Seeing Su Wenyue’s reaction, the crowd felt deep disappointment, voiced in sighs and expressions of regret, some even cursing. Yet, no disturbance arose. Han Yu’s expression, however, grew more serious. He sensed several powers below eying them covetously, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

“Master, should we take action?”