The two exchanged a glance, secretly relieved that this made things easier.

Ai Shan was just about to reach out, when in the next second, Liu Meng, who had been sleeping, suddenly sat upright, his eyes as big as copper bells staring fiercely at him.

"What are you up to?"

Ai Shan was frightened out of his wits by this sudden movement, his heart constricting sharply.

His hand froze in mid-air, the smile on his face instantly became rigid, turning as pale as paper.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but felt like his throat was blocked by something, unable to make a sound.

Beck was also badly scared, his body trembling unconsciously, the towel in his hand almost slipping away.

He looked at Liu Meng in terror, his brain working swiftly, trying to come up with a plausible excuse to explain their actions.

"I... I..." Ai Shan stammered, cold sweat dripping down from his forehead, rolling down his cheeks.

"Beck's here, his car got stuck up front, I was just coming to call you for help." He spoke while stealthily hiding the ether-soaked towel behind him.

Liu Meng snorted coldly, a hint of chill in his gaze, "Do you take me for a fool?"

With those words, he swiftly reached out one hand and grabbed Ai Shan's arm, while his other hand went straight to his neck, exerting force abruptly.

Ai Shan, being small in stature, was easily pinned down on the ground.

Meanwhile, Liu Meng quickly stood up, delivering a kick to Beck's calf.

"Ouch!"

Beck let out a scream, his body losing balance and crashing heavily to the ground, the ether-soaked towel flying out of his hand.

He curled up in pain, clutching his injured leg, his face full of agony.

Ai Shan was held firmly on the ground by Liu Meng, his cheek pressed against the cold sand, choking on a few mouthfuls, coughing repeatedly.

He struggled desperately, flailing his arms and legs, but felt like he was being crushed under a mountain, unable to move at all.

"Liu Meng, let me go!" Ai Shan shouted desperately in terror.

Liu Meng remained unmoved; instead, he increased the pressure, his knee digging into Ai Shan's back, causing Ai Shan to scream in pain.

"Hmph, playing this game with me? Do you know what I did before I retired?" Liu Meng shouted in anger, his eyes full of disdain.

At this moment, Qi Yun lifted the tent flap and came inside, exhaling a smoke ring without expression, looking at the two lying on the ground.

"Alright Meng, tie them up."

Liu Meng responded, not pausing in his actions, one hand continuing to hold Ai Shan tightly, the other reaching for a rope.

With skilled movements, in just a moment, he had Ai Shan's hands bound behind his back, purposely tightening the knot, making Ai Shan gasp in pain.

After dealing with Ai Shan, Liu Meng quickly walked over to Beck, who was still rolling in pain on the ground.

Liu Meng grabbed his collar, lifting him off the ground, Beck grimacing in pain, "Stop... stop hitting!"

"Now you know fear? Too late!" Liu Meng snorted coldly, saying this as he bound Beck's hands securely with the rope.

Qi Yun stood to the side, silently watching all this, as he crushed the cigarette butt under his shoe, bending down to pick up the towel and ether bottle, examining them momentarily, his expression growing colder.

"Boss Qi, I was wrong! I shouldn't have been greedy, I don't want this reward, please let me go!" Ai Shan pleaded for mercy.

"Right, right! We don't want the reward! Boss Qi, please forgive us!"

Qi Yun gave them a cold glance without saying a word.

Outside the tent, Mamati stood quietly, not entering, his eyes full of disappointment.

Hearing the commotion, Ah Li ran over, scratching his head, confused, and asked Mamati: "What's going on?"

Mamati shook his head at him, "Don't go in."

Ah Li was stunned but heeded his words, standing aside.

At this moment, Qi Yun came out of the tent and handed the items over.

Mamati took them and glanced at them, anger flashing in his eyes, "I never thought they dared to do such a thing, and to think I regarded them as brothers."

Earlier by the campfire, after speaking with Ai Shan, Mamati had already noticed something amiss with him, and after returning to the tent, he informed Qi Yun of everything.

Including the circumstances at the dunes yesterday when the items were first dug out, he didn't hide anything.

The response he got was very calm, as if Qi Yun had already known everything.

This left him quite surprised, knowing he made the right choice; otherwise, they might never hire him again.

In their line of work, reputation was crucial, and if clients no longer trusted you, no amount of experience would be useful.

Then, Ai Shan's voice rang out from inside the tent, "Mamati, I really know my mistake! Please speak to Boss Qi, spare me this time! I was just foolish for a moment!"

Ai Shan's voice had a sobbing tone, filled with fear.

Beck also pleaded bitterly on the side, "Boss Qi, we really know our wrongs, we shouldn't have been greedy. For Mamati's sake, spare us! We vow to be good people in the future and never dare again."

Qi Yun looked at Mamati and asked, "What do you say?"

Mamati furrowed his brow, his eyes full of complex emotions, disappointment, anger, and a touch of reluctance.

He was silent for a moment before saying slowly, "Boss Qi, I'm sorry, I didn't recognize their true character and nearly endangered everyone by bringing them in."

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