As Yan Chuan watched Ashu observing the trucks driven by the gold miners, he caught a blurry glimpse of a large box covered with a black cloth in the back of the truck.
The Fog Mountain Forest had once been a gold mine where gold miners could become millionaires overnight, so it was natural for visitors to bring mining equipment with them.
In addition to the machinery, of course, there were also weapons used to guard the gold mines and seize wealth.
But Yan Chuan was merely an innkeeper.
He was not sturdy, and his only companion was a young and strong employee, along with an old firearm in the inn used for scaring off wild animals.
Yan Chuan also knew that because Ashu had not driven to town for supplies, even that old firearm was out of bullets.
In the lobby, there was a seemingly righteous police officer, but there were six gold miners in total.
Originally, Ashu was walking ahead of Yan Chuan, but when Yan Chuan was entangled by a malicious guest, Ashu tried to squeeze in.
He was too young, quite impulsive, and the handsome face quickly darkened with clouds, clearly becoming enraged.
Yan Chuan pulled on Ashu’s hand and shook his head at him, to which Ashu displayed a frustrated expression.
“What do you want?” the Asian innkeeper asked calmly, furrowing his brow at the brown-haired man.
Evidently, the gold miners found the beautiful Asian innkeeper’s submissive attitude pleasing.
Some beer spilled from the mug resting on the oak table, dripping onto the floor.
The gold miner took a few steps to refill the beer.
The golden beer, topped with foam, flowed smoothly into the glass.
The brown-haired gold miner cleared his throat and took out an unrefined gold nugget from his pocket, slamming it onto the table.
Outside, the daylight dimmed as dark clouds gathered, threatening a storm. The inn was lit only by a gas lamp, and the gold nugget, approximately the size of an adult man’s palm, refracted a bright light.
It was an unrefined gold nugget, freshly mined from the earth, still covered with bits of rock dust, but it was in good condition and weighed heavily in the hand.
As soon as the nugget was revealed, the young boyfriend in the couple quickly stared wide-eyed, exclaiming several times.
“Hey, dude!” the man in long sleeves approached, incredulously praising the brown-haired gold miner: “I heard that the Fog Mountain Forest has already been stripped of gold, that there’s no gold left. Who knew there was still this much?”
His girlfriend frowned and softly pulled his hand, whispering, “Hans!”
Hans, indifferent, brushed his girlfriend’s hand aside, gazing intently at the gold nugget on the table.
The complimented brown-haired man smiled and ambiguously gestured toward the table, his eyes glancing over the Asian innkeeper’s fair cheeks and elegant neck.
“Care to share a drink with us?” the gold miner pointed at the filled mugs and the gold nugget, complaining: “Your inn is rather boring, luckily you’re here… finish this drink with us, and this nugget is yours, how about that?”
Yan Chuan looked at the gold nugget produced by the man.
Gold is always hard currency, a symbol of wealth.
The small inn was located deep in the rarely trafficked Fog Mountain Forest, with passersby being only occasional visitors, either making a long journey to view the abandoned gold mines or hoping to find a bargain; it was unlikely to profit this much.
This group of gold miners had evidently made a fortune from the gold mines, their pockets bulging with riches.
Under the direct gaze of the brown-haired man, Yan Chuan shook his head.
“I do not drink,” he said honestly.
The gold miner exchanged glances with his companions, sharing a mysterious smile.
“Just one drink, dear,” his tone was akin to that of a seasoned predator enticing oblivious prey, thick with temptation: “If you were in a tavern outside, you couldn’t just drink a glass and walk away with this.”
The brown-haired man tapped the gold nugget on the table.
When he touched it, it made a clear clinking sound against the wood.
“Of course,” he squinted, jokingly adding, “You could also spend a lovely night with me. You know, no one dislikes a strong man.”
“You!” Ashu was completely enraged, his expression dark.
Yan Chuan understood what this man meant.
It was nothing less than an implication to engage in something more intimate.
Yan Chuan had grown immune to such verbal harassment; he continued to hold Ashu’s wrist, signaling for him to remain calm, and asked the man, “What if I say I don’t want to drink?”
The beautiful Asian innkeeper’s tone was flat, his gaze barely lingering on the gold nugget on the table, his eyes steady as he looked at the gold miner.
His soft, rosy lips were pressed together, reflecting his displeasure.
He appeared uninterested in the gold or spending a lovely night with this strong man.
Hans, who had just flattered the gold miner, threw disdain and said to Yan Chuan: “That’s a gold nugget! Just a drink!”
The young woman beside him could only sigh, trying to stop him: “Oh my god!”
An older lady, wearing a headscarf, tightly held onto a little boy who was trying to peek and observe, murmuring as she went upstairs.
After being refused several times, the brown-haired man, who was already somewhat tipsy, coldly snorted and pulled out a gun from his waistband.
He did so with great force, the handgun clattering onto the table, fully loaded, reflecting a metallic cold light.
Yan Chuan tightly pressed his lips together.
He knew the gold miners in front of him had guns, but he didn’t expect one of them to threaten him just because he didn’t want to drink.
Ashu stood protectively in front of Yan Chuan.
Seeing this scene, Hans, who was just trying to stir up trouble, stepped back. The police officer in the corner stood up, pointing to his sidearm, pulling out his officer’s badge: “Stop! Put down your weapon!”
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