Chapter 26
The dusk stretched Jian Xinyi's shadow to infinity, and the whole street was immersed in warm orange and yellow.
It was the time when people were returning home. The streets were bustling with people, and sedan chairs made of colorful brocades were passing through, reflecting beautiful glare.
Jian Xinyi narrowed her eyes and walked a little further into the street.
"This is it."
She followed the route the little girl told her and finally found the bookstore.
The mahogany sign at the door is particularly eye-catching, and the large gold-plated characters make this bookstore look more imposing than a restaurant.
"Rong'an Bookstore?"
Jian Xinyi strode in. Several bookshelves were still empty, probably because they had just been renovated.
She looked around aimlessly and found that this bookstore didn't even have some basic storybooks, only some basic Four Books and Five Classics, and even few annotated copies.
Before she could speak, the shopkeeper behind the counter came forward with a smile on his face, "Sir, would you like to buy some books?"
Jian Xinyi looked at the man in front of her. He was wearing a dark orange round-necked robe with round patterns. He didn't look like an ordinary person, especially the gold ring in his hand, which made him look very wealthy.
She casually picked up a few books and flipped through them, then asked casually, "Do you still have the "Legend of the South Wind" here?"
"Unfortunately, this book is very popular recently. It will probably take five or six days to arrive."
Jian Xinyi thought about it carefully. She only stopped updating for five or six days because of her injury. She couldn't be waiting for her to update and then plagiarize.
But there is insufficient evidence at the moment, so I can only try to ask this person.
Thinking of this, she became even more annoyed and threw the book away heavily. "Where did you print this book? Why did it take five or six days to arrive?"
When the bookstore owner heard Jian Xinyi's words, his expression changed slightly. "What do you mean where it was printed from? This book is just too popular. Too many people read it, so it sold out quickly."
What's too popular? It's just an excuse!
Jian Xinyi's face was filled with anger. Just as she was about to speak, another person walked in from the doorway. Without even looking up, he asked, "Boss Hou, how are these goods?"
Jian Xinyi felt that the voice sounded familiar, so she turned around and saw that the person was none other than Cao Jiaxu, the nephew of the wealthy family who always opposed her.
"I knew someone was behind this, and it turned out to be you!"
She walked forward angrily, not caring at all that she was alone.
The nephew took a few steps back, and when he saw that it was her, he looked very arrogant, "Please explain clearly what you mean by making trouble. This is a legitimate place to sell books, please don't disturb us."
Upon hearing the word "colleague", the bookshop owner's face turned red with anger. "I thought it was someone else, but it turns out it's a colleague who's here to challenge me. Please come in."
Seeing that the two were about to hold Jian Xinyi up, she quickly dodged to the side, but she kept saying, "You, you are plagiarizing. Do you understand plagiarism?"
The nephew burst out laughing after hearing what Jian Xinyi said, revealing two big gold teeth. "If you have evidence, then you say it's plagiarism. Why don't you say you plagiarized us?"
Many people came and went to watch the fun, and words of plagiarism and nonsense gradually spread among the crowd.
The shopkeeper saw that the situation was not right and immediately judged Jian Xinyi, "It's obvious that you are here to extort money from us. Get out of here."
Jian Xinyi was completely stunned. She had seen plagiarism before, but she had never seen anyone plagiarize so brazenly. "How can you say you're extorting money? Our bookshop in North Lane has been a family business for three generations, and yours is just a newly established one. It's just that you, Cao Jiaxu, want our land, yet you resort to such despicable means. Bah!"
Cao Jiaxu shook his head and pretended to brush off the dust on his body nonchalantly. "It's just that our family is rich and powerful, and they tried to extort money but failed, so they turned around and bit us."
The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger, and the looks they gave Jian Xinyi gradually became sharper.
Jian Xinyi raised her eyes slightly, and the crowd fell silent.
They can easily judge who will win the war.
The faint light of the setting sun shines through the window frame, onto the old stone slabs, and at the feet of the bustling crowd.
Jian Xinyi understood and knew that she could not give any further explanation. She would only fall into the trap of self-proof in someone else's territory. It would be better for her to get out of here first.
"It's just a picture book. I can still afford it. I won't go after you."
After saying that, she took out the only penny she had left from her pocket.
Pretending to be smart will cost you blood.
Jian Xinyi felt like crying but couldn't, yet she pretended to be very tough. "Then let's see who in the capital can come out on top in our sketchbooks."
Cao Jiaxu was not willing to be outdone and started to make harsh remarks.
"Okay, I also want to see whether my Xi Shi sells better or your fake Dong Shi sells better."
"We'll see."
Jian Xinyi pushed through the crowd and strode out the door.
There were also some nosy people in the crowd who challenged her from behind, "I thought I copied something, but these little guys are also called copying?"
"I drew this by imitating me, so why doesn't it count as plagiarism?"
Jian Xinyi sat down on the floor, spread out two books, and began to talk from the first page, "Starting with the character introductions, the patterns on the clothes of these two boys are both lotus branches."
Continuing to flip through the pages, she became even more annoyed. "What's more, the storyboard at the end of the first chapter is exactly the same as mine."
The curious people around her gradually formed a circle, watching her gradually find evidence, and couldn't help but nod repeatedly, "It's true."
Jian Xinyi thought the effect was good and was about to turn to the next page to continue looking for clues of Cao Jiaxu's plagiarism.
"Those in front, spread out."
A loud voice interrupted Jian Xinyi's press conference. She looked up and saw a group of warriors in golden armor walking towards her from a distance.
"The Jinwu Guards are here!"
Following the leader's command, the surrounding crowd scattered instantly.
Jian Xinyi even ran home with her books. She had never run so fast in previous physical tests.
Before, she just watched other vendors run away, but now, she has traveled through time and become a vendor herself, and is being chased by the Jinwu Guards.
It's still a pursuit in the physical sense.
Fortunately, as a little girl, she blended into the crowd smoothly and even looked back at the group of armored warriors.
I didn't see anyone familiar.
I guess they still need more people to handle the case in Yudu Lane.
Yes, I haven't seen Qian Yuan and Brother Zhuo and the others for several days. This case must be particularly difficult.
She shook her head. It was strange that she would still think of him at this time.
While Jian Xinyi was still in a daze, she heard a familiar male voice behind her, "Sir, that person is causing trouble in my store."
Why did Cao Jiaxu follow me?
The figure of the Armored Hero in the distance was getting closer. Seeing that something was wrong, she quickly went into the alley.
After all, she has almost figured out these secret paths over the past few days.
Ever since the last incident at Wanhua Pavilion, she realized that she had to run fast if she wanted to escape.
But in the blink of an eye, she didn't even know which alley she had run to. She looked around and found that there was no one around. It was very deserted.
The sun sets in the west, and the remaining light settles on the ground. The cold waning moon alone reflects the azure night sky. There are occasional dog barks, and nothing else.
Jian Xinyi sat down, breathing heavily.
In the dark alley, only Jian Xinyi's breathing could be heard. The surrounding walls were covered with lush moss and were extremely cold and damp.
This should be a downtown area, but it is extremely gloomy and quiet here.
Gusts of cold wind blew from the alley entrance, causing the nearby debris to rustle.
Jian Xinyi was startled and turned to look to the side. She was relieved to find that it was just a pile of ordinary garbage.
The sky gradually darkened, and the light in the alley became less and less, leaving only the lonely crescent moon struggling to support it.
She rested for a while and felt that her strength had recovered a lot. She was ready to go out, but when she stood up, she accidentally kicked the debris next to her, and the round bundle inside rolled to the other side of the alley.
The cloth used for the bundle was shiny and looked like the finest brocade.
Even in the downtown area, such fine brocade should not appear in this dark alley.
She walked forward quietly and looked at the round bundle from left to right.
There were many black stains on the goose yellow brocade. Because the light was too dim, she couldn't see what the stains were. She thought they must be some dirt.
But this smell is really unpleasant.
A... foul smell of rotting flesh mixed with rust.
She slowly stretched out her right hand, but her heartbeat became faster and faster uncontrollably. The terrifying feeling once again swept over her body. Suddenly, she felt as if she was falling into an abyss. She didn't know where she was and could only feel her heart pounding.
Jian Xinyi took a few steps back. It’s better not to touch things of unknown origin. It would be bad if she got into trouble.
She hurried out, but suddenly her feet slipped and she fell to the ground. Her right hand fell directly on the bundle and untied the buckle on it.
Caught off guard, Jian Xinyi saw what was inside.
Even in such a dimly lit alley, the dark red blood around it could reveal what this round thing was.
What's more, those protruding eyes...
She was so frightened that she couldn't utter a word.
That's a complete head!
Jian Xinyi quickly crawled out of the alley using her hands and feet, and the sudden light shone into her eyes.
At this moment, she suddenly felt that the Armor Hero was so just and warm.
"Inside, there's something inside...a human head!"
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