"How could I possibly bring people in casually? I've already said they're really not bad people!" Pan Yue emphasized repeatedly outside the door, her voice showing a hint of impatience from saying it so many times.
The guards outside the door remained expressionless, their hands blocking the entrance.
As a guest, Pan Yue's companions naturally required strict screening. Just moments ago, two fruit knives had been found on them, the kind that were incredibly exquisite and not something an ordinary person would carry.
If not for their professional training, the guards might not have even recognized them.
"Those knives were indeed souvenirs from our trip. We intended to bring them back as gifts, we truly had no ill intentions!" the two detained individuals also defended themselves.
From the doorway of a small courtyard diagonally opposite, Qin Ningyi and his subordinate, Lao San, watched the situation at Grandpa Nong's entrance from afar before retreating.
"We'll go after they're done," Qin Ningyi handed the items he was carrying to his subordinate. Those two individuals didn't seem right, and the guards would need time to handle them.
The subordinate took the welcome gifts and held them securely. He glanced at the arguing people over there, then at both sides of the small courtyard. "Young Master Qin, there are quite a few guards. If those two can't get in even with escorts, it might be a bit difficult for us to get in without someone to lead the way..."
Grandpa Nong had made a report, and at a time when not a single blade of grass should be disturbed around him. The number of guards and their rigorous state suggested it would be very difficult.
The subordinate held no hope for this visit.
Qin Ningyi looked at the scene calmly. Yao Jian emerged, and after Pan Yue's persistent persuasion, Yao Jian agreed to let the two people in.
"This..." The subordinate was shocked to witness this.
Qin Ningyi's brow furrowed. "Have the people downstairs keep a close watch on the opposite side."
With that said, Qin Ningyi began to disarm himself of any sharp objects.
Meanwhile.
After Pan Yue's soft persistence, Yao Jian led two individuals, who claimed to be Pan Yue's distant relatives, into the courtyard.
"Thank you, thank you. We happened to meet Pan Yue here and decided to pay a visit," the two men said, carrying their bags and smiling familiarly. "We're both very interested in agricultural technology, and Pan Yue brought us here to exchange ideas. Is your whole family involved in this line of work?"
The two men acted as if they were unaware that this was Grandpa Nong's home, which had recently gained significant fame, and inquired about the courtyard's owner as if making small talk.
Pan Yue frowned beside them. When these two had given her expensive gifts earlier, claiming they were from her father, they had explicitly said they were coming to see Grandpa Nong. Yet now, they seemed ignorant.
Feeling suspicious, she was about to ask, when the bald man turned to look at her and smiled, pulling a diamond-inlaid lollipop from his bag. "Here, Xiao Yue, a gift for you."
Pan Yue's eyes lit up at the sight of the lollipop, and she immediately put her doubts aside.
The diamonds here were even better than the one on Huo Rou's birthday gift!
Yao Jian scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed by their words. "We do farm, yes, but we grow different things."
He was actually quite talkative, but also soft-hearted.
The guards followed at a distance, listening to the casual conversation of the two men. Their sense of vigilance relaxed a little.
Grandpa Nong's forehead furrowed even deeper as he watched Yao Jian lead two strangers, with guards following behind, towards him.
"Who are these?" he asked Yao Jian.
As Yao Jian was about to explain, Pan Yue chimed in, "Grandpa Nong, these are distant relatives of my family. We met them while doing some fieldwork. They're also involved in agricultural technology, so I thought I'd bring them to see."
Grandpa Nong's brow remained furrowed, but since Yao Jian had brought them in, he had to host them. "Come and sit."
The two men sat down with profuse gratitude. The guards remained standing not far away, unwilling to leave. The two men glanced at the guards, then at Grandpa Nong, and seeing that he had no intention of dismissing the guards, a glint flashed in their eyes, and their pupils narrowed in unison.
"Grandpa Nong? I never expected the person Pan Yue mentioned who is so knowledgeable in agricultural knowledge and technology to be you!" exclaimed one of the well-built men, leaning forward eagerly. "It's an honor!"
Complimentary words flowed incessantly from their mouths, and Yao Jian felt a sense of elation. The two then began discussing technical matters, using professional terminology.
Pan Yue, feeling drowsy from their conversation, lowered her head to play with her phone. Grandpa Nong, however, replied perfunctorily, his gaze fixed on their hands.