Chapter 208 - 207: The Perfect Opportunity

Chapter 208: Chapter 207: The Perfect Opportunity

Learning that Xian Yu Fei was the one behind Amos, Gu Qingyin became even more motivated.

Chad felt the same way. He said thoughtfully, "Right now, we can only prove Amos has been in contact with him. We don’t have conclusive evidence that they’re colluding to plot against me."

’We’re so close...’

"We can set a trap," Gu Qingyin said, propping her chin on her hand as she thought aloud. "Amos wants to eliminate you, and Xian Yu Fei wants to eliminate us. Why don’t we give them the perfect opportunity to make their move?"

Huo Yunjing didn’t join their discussion. Like the very picture of a doting husband, he diligently peeled grapes for Gu Qingyin at the side.

Huo Xingchen, however, was quite enthusiastic. "We could find a remote place and stay there for a couple of days?"

Gu Qingyin nodded in agreement. "But we can’t make it look too staged."

Chad furrowed his brow in thought. A few seconds later, his eyes lit up. "I own a small island that’s still under development. Usually, only the construction crew is there. Why don’t we... go camping on the island and get a taste of the simple life?"

"We could also go fishing and diving!" Huo Xingchen chimed in, helping to plan the trip. "And when it gets dark, it’d be cool to explore the woods on the island."

Chad shook his head, disappointed. "There aren’t many woods. It’s mostly just rock."

Huo Xingchen adapted on the fly. "Then we’ll go rock climbing instead."

Chad thought for a moment and decided it was a viable plan. He looked to Gu Qingyin for confirmation. "Should I make the arrangements?"

Gu Qingyin had stuffed herself with grapes. She let out a little burp, then said with an embarrassed smile, "Sounds good. Just remember to find an excuse to give the workers the day off. We don’t want to drag innocent people into this."

Chad agreed and immediately pulled out his phone to start giving orders.

The decision was sudden, but he made no effort to conceal their plans.

Amos found out quickly. He remained silent for a long time but ultimately decided to inform Xian Yu Fei.

He knew this island trip was an obvious trap, but he had no choice but to play along. If he missed this, he might never get such a perfect opportunity again.

「The next morning」

The group set off. The journey was smooth, and by that afternoon, they had arrived at the island and made it ashore.

By then, all the workers had left the island to enjoy their rare holiday.

"Let’s find a place to set up camp," Chad said, gesturing to the small yacht behind them. "The tents, tools, and supplies are all in the cabin."

Gu Qingyin stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him in surprise. "Are we actually camping?"

"Where else would we stay?" Chad said. "Aside from the worker’s dormitories, there’s no other lodging on the island. And I have a feeling you wouldn’t want to stay there."

Chad wore an expression of lingering dread. "I inspected it once. I have no desire to ever go back. You know how it is... those guys work hard all day. They don’t have much time to tidy up."

Gu Qingyin made an OK sign with her hand. "Alright, I get it. Say no more." She sighed. Not wanting to pitch a tent herself, she simply took a paper figure from her pocket.

The paper figure rapidly expanded upon hitting the ground, growing to the size of an adult.

Chad’s eyes went wide. "What is that? A puppet?"

Hearing his voice, the paper figure turned its head to look at him.

Chad was so startled he held his breath. The paper figure’s face was flat, with only drawn-on eyes and a mouth. Even though the expression was a smile, it looked incredibly eerie under the circumstances.

Thankfully, the paper figure only glanced at him, gave a slight nod in greeting, and then went about its business, heading onto the yacht to retrieve their things.

"It’s a type of puppet. It can help with chores. More useful than a person, sometimes," Gu Qingyin said with a smile. "And most importantly, it’s easy to carry."

Huo Xingchen watched with envy and trotted over. "Mom, how do you make these paper figures?"

Gu Qingyin just smiled at him. "How are your talisman studies coming along? How many types have you mastered? Why don’t you draw one for me?"

Huo Xingchen immediately went quiet. He nonchalantly gazed out at the island. "The air’s nice here." He pointed toward a pile of jumbled rocks. "That spot over there looks perfect for setting up camp."

Gu Qingyin followed his gaze, speechless.

However, Huo Yunjing, standing beside them, let out a soft chuckle.

Huo Xingchen: "..."

The paper figure was strong, moving all their gear in a single trip. It followed them uncomplainingly up a slope to a flat, sheltered spot that caught the sun, and then began to set up camp.

The paper figure was incredibly considerate. Before pitching the tents, it first assembled their table and chairs, allowing the group to sit and watch it work.

Of course, Gu Qingyin didn’t just sit there idly. She took out sunflower seeds, fruit, and milk tea, and even produced her own portable trash can.

’Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility.’

By the time the tents were pitched, the sun was beginning to set.

Sitting on the edge of the cliff, with the sea breeze on their faces, watching the sun dip below the horizon—it was utterly idyllic.

"How beautiful..." Chad had just breathed in awe when he overheard the family of three next to him break into a heated debate.

Huo Xingchen: "If we’re camping by the sea, we have to have a barbecue."

Gu Qingyin: "We can have a barbecue anytime. When you’re by the ocean, you have to eat seafood."

Huo Yunjing mediated between the two. "Why don’t we get some seafood first? We can boil it or grill it."

The mother and son fell silent for a moment, then moved on.

"Do we have fishing gear? A net, crab traps, wetsuits? We could go get some oysters and abalone."

Chad chimed in, "...We have all of that on the yacht. We could also head out to sea and catch some big fish."

Gu Qingyin stood up. "Then let’s go. What are we waiting for?"

Huo Yunjing and Huo Xingchen got up and followed her.

Chad looked completely baffled. ’Wait, aren’t they being a little too relaxed?’ he thought. ’Does anyone even remember why we came to this island?!’

Though he was complaining internally, he still hurried to catch up, making an effort to join the conversation. "They have blue lobsters here! The meat is firm and sweet. You have to try them!"

Gu Qingyin gave him a look of praise, as if to say, "Now you’re getting it." "The lobster-catching mission is hereby assigned to you!"

"No problem!" Chad said with a proud grin. "I go deep-sea fishing all the time. I’m very experienced."

As it turned out, Chad wasn’t bragging. He ended up catching half of their dinner.

Huo Yunjing and Huo Xingchen worked together to get the other half.

As for Gu Qingyin... on a whim, she decided to test her true fishing skills. In two full hours, she only managed to catch one tiny, palm-sized fish.

Chad was stunned. Sea fish were usually quite large, especially in the deep waters far from shore; it was actually harder to find a small one.

Huo Yunjing comforted her, "Don’t worry, we have more than enough to eat."

Gu Qingyin hummed in agreement and sighed. "I guess nobody’s perfect. I’m just a person who’s only suited for handling the big stuff."

Huo Yunjing paused, then nodded with a serious expression. "You’re right. A trivial matter like fishing is truly beneath your great talents."

Huo Xingchen, watching from the side, couldn’t help but grimace. ’Dad, don’t lay it on so thick.’

By the time they returned to the island, the sky was completely dark.

Gu Qingyin scanned the campsite and saw that the little warning trinkets she’d left behind were still undisturbed.

She casually dismantled them and flopped into a folding chair. "I’m hungry."

Huo Yunjing smoothly washed an apple and handed it to her. "Have this for now. Dinner will be ready soon."

Gu Qingyin’s eyes curved into crescents. "Thanks, honey."

Huo Yunjing returned her smile with a doting one of his own before turning to get busy again.

Huo Xingchen and Chad: "..." ’Have some respect for the single guys here.’