Chapter 686: End, Part 2

Chapter 686 -439: End, Part 2

Then, her tone shifted. “Gruus is a poor kid. He’s just been through some things that made him lose his fighting spirit. Please don’t be angry over this matter.”

Gruus!

Hearing the name, Feng Mountain couldn’t help but scoff internally.

‘That six-foot-three useless oaf.’

However, he quickly composed himself, his expression instantly shifting to one of humility and politeness.

“Of course not. As long as Jenny is all right, that’s all that matters!”

Lady Penny gave Feng Mountain a long, hard look, her gaze seeming to pierce through his facade and into the depths of his soul.

The look made Feng Mountain feel utterly exposed, as if he were standing naked under a spotlight, completely ill at ease.

He subconsciously opened his mouth, wanting to explain something, but before he could speak, Lady Penny gently patted Jenny’s hand, a weary smile on her face.

“I’m tired. Why don’t you show Feng around the ranch? It’s a shame you’ve come at the wrong time of year; you’re missing the beautiful scenery.”

At this, Feng Mountain respectfully rose to his feet, watching as Jenny helped Lady Penny slowly into the room.

He let out a small sigh of relief only after their figures disappeared behind the door.

He mulled over Lady Penny’s meaningful gaze, wondering if she had truly seen through him.

When Jenny returned to the living room, she saw Feng Mountain’s uneasy expression, looking like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

She couldn’t help but find it amusing. The corners of her mouth lifted into a gentle smile.

“When Penny was young, she and my father were founding members of a Montana motorcycle club. They were well-known in the southern part of the state. Later, she got married, had Gruus, and moved to West Yellowstone City to buy a ranch.”

Jenny gently walked to Feng Mountain’s side as she spoke, recounting the stories of the past.

‘So that’s how it is!’

Hearing Jenny’s explanation, Feng Mountain suddenly understood everything.

No wonder both Sheriff Sean and Quinn, the leader of the outlaws, were so respectful when they said they’d come to see Big Sister Paine. She really was a matriarch in the gang world.

“Come on, I’ll give you a tour of Melon Ranch,” Jenny said with a beaming smile, walking over and affectionately linking her arm with Feng Mountain’s. Her eyes were filled with happiness. “It might not be as beautiful as Crown Territory, but this is where I grew up.”

With that, she pulled Feng Mountain along, leaving the cabin with a cheerful spring in her step.

After leaving the cabin, Jenny and Feng Mountain walked arm in arm toward the warehouse.

Inside the warehouse, Nash, Bat, Gordon, and the others were sitting in a circle around a fire in the center.

A ranch hand was skillfully placing marinated meat on the grill. As the chunks of meat roasted over the flames, their surfaces quickly turned golden-brown. Fat began to render out, dripping through the grate and into the fire with a SIZZLING sound.

Wisps of fragrant white smoke rose, and the savory aroma instantly filled the warehouse, making everyone’s mouth water.

A young Mexican man named Diego carried an iron kettle, weaving through the group and pouring tea for each person.

His face was alight with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting sincerity and rustic charm.

With each cup he poured, he would softly say, “Enjoy.”

“Boss!”

“Chief!”

Seeing Feng Mountain walk in, everyone quickly got to their feet to greet him.

“It’s fine, you all just keep resting!”

Feng Mountain waved his hand with a smile, signaling for them to carry on and not to mind him.

They had all been through a lot these past two days, and every one of them was exhausted.

Right now, he just wanted everyone to properly relax and enjoy this brief moment of respite.

Just then, Bat walked up to Feng Mountain’s side, turned slightly, and said in a low voice, “Boss, Yves found a truck. The cargo’s loaded. It can be delivered to Lengwan in four days!”

Feng Mountain gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

‘With this settled, the trip’s mission could be considered a complete success.’

‘The operation had been full of twists and turns, but thankfully, everything was still under control.’

Jenny, who was standing nearby, heard Bat’s words and instantly understood what the “cargo” was. Acting on a mix of feminine intuition and discretion, she quietly took a few steps away.

She knew in her heart that there were some things a woman didn’t need or want to know.

“Got it. We’ll rest for a day, then prepare to head back to Crown Territory tomorrow.” Feng Mountain finished, then turned to Jenny and asked, “Is there a hotel you know of nearby?”

Jenny couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him with a look of playful reproach. “You don’t need a hotel. You can just stay here at the ranch. We have dorms for the summer workers, and they’re all empty right now. I’ll have Aunt Laura get them ready. I promise they’ll be clean and comfortable.”

As she spoke, a hulking figure walked through the warehouse door, his frame so large he nearly filled the entire doorway.

He was carrying two large buckets filled with bright orange cantaloupes that had a tempting sheen.

However, the moment the big man’s eyes fell on Feng Mountain, he jolted as if he’d been electrocuted. Almost subconsciously, he spun around to leave.

“Gruus,” Jenny called out quickly, a hint of urgency in her voice.

The big man froze in his tracks, as if he’d been nailed to the floor.

After a moment’s hesitation, he slowly turned back around. His face was filled with fear, and he avoided Feng Mountain’s gaze, not daring to make eye contact.

Jenny hurried forward and whispered something in Gruus’s ear.

Gruus’s tense body gradually relaxed. Then, Jenny gently pulled him toward Feng Mountain.

“This is my man, Feng Mountain, and he’s the only one for me.”

Jenny introduced them softly, her tone a mixture of sweetness and pride. Her gaze shifted between Feng Mountain and Gruus as she tried to ease the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

A hint of terror still lingered on Gruus’s rugged face. His lips trembled slightly, and he looked at Feng Mountain as if he had something to say, but the words seemed to be caught in his throat, and he ultimately couldn’t get them out.

Sensing the big man’s distress, Feng Mountain took a small step forward. With a gentle smile, he spoke first. “What’s in the past is in the past. Don’t take it to heart.”

“I… I’m sorry!”

Gruus lowered his head, his massive frame slumping, too ashamed to look up.

His body trembled slightly, his heart in endless turmoil.

It was because of his own stupid, drunken slip of the tongue that his sister had been kidnapped, triggering the whole series of events that followed.

Now, the outlaws had put out the word.

They would beat him on sight in West Yellowstone City, so now he could only hide out on the ranch like a frightened rabbit, not daring to go outside.

Jenny looked at Gruus with a pained expression, then turned her gaze to Feng Mountain, her beautiful eyes filled with pleading.

“Feng, I want to bring Gruus back to Crown Territory. He’s been through a lot and suffers from anxiety. I think a change of scenery might help him. I know what he did wasn’t intentional.”

Er!

Feng Mountain was taken aback for a moment, thinking to himself.

‘Anxiety?’

‘Isn’t that just like the veterans? Except they can’t control their violence, whereas this guy is afraid of everything.’

‘Since Jenny wasn’t holding a grudge and had asked him personally, he had to grant her this favor.’

Feng Mountain agreed at once. “He can come to Crown Territory, but he won’t be getting a free ride. He’ll have to pull his weight just like everyone else. Gordon!”

“Boss!” Hearing the call, Gordon immediately put down his plate of food and hurried over, waiting for Feng Mountain’s command.

Feng Mountain pointed at the terrified-looking Gruus. “This is Jenny’s brother. He’ll be coming back to Crown Territory with us. From now on, he’s all yours. When we get back, teach him how to grow vegetables… and how to be a real man.”

‘Him!’

‘Miss Jenny’s actual brother?’

Hearing this, Gordon couldn’t help but size Gruus up.

Gruus had a powerful build, but his eyes revealed a timid nature, and he carried himself with a cowering posture.

Gordon broke into a wide grin, showing off a set of big, white teeth. His smile was hearty and warm as he said, “Leave it to me, no problem. C’mon, buddy, let me introduce you to everyone.”

With that, he proactively slung an arm around Gruus’s shoulders.

“Go on!” Seeing Gruus hesitate, Jenny gave him a gentle push, her eyes full of encouragement.

Gruus hesitated for a moment before finally following Gordon with slow, shuffling steps.

“Thank you!”

Then, Jenny happily rose onto her tiptoes, her fair cheeks flushed a faint pink, and planted a soft kiss on Feng Mountain’s cheek.

The intimate gesture stunned the onlookers for a second, but then they erupted into a series of whoops and catcalls.

Men started whistling from all around.

The somewhat subdued atmosphere instantly became lively.

Joyful smiles broke out on everyone’s faces.