Zhou Cheng hadn’t interacted much with Gu Siyan before and didn’t realize his young cousin was so lively. In front of the Zhou family, she always appeared quiet and well-behaved.

“Children shouldn’t meddle in adult matters. Just show me the location and keep your distance.”

Gu Siyan pouted, “I’m not a child! You all treat me like one, but Sister Xiaolan doesn’t.”

Zhou Cheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. When it came to handling children, his wife was skilled – she could probably sell Gu Siyan and have the silly girl count the money for her.

Then Zhou Cheng had a thought – overprotecting girls wasn’t good, as Zhou Yi had proven. His young cousin was already in her teens, the age of first love. What if some scoundrel deceived her?

“Yes, we’re looking for things Yuan Han sold because we need to deal with him. He’s no good – the items he sold belonged to his ex-wife. No matter how much we tried to tell your Sister, Zhou Yi, she wouldn’t believe he was bad. Maybe only by finding Yuan Han’s ex-wife will Zhou Yi wake up.”

Zhou Cheng explained Yuan Han’s actions simply. He certainly wouldn’t tell a teenage girl about forced abortions, but he felt it appropriate to mention how the Yuan family had swindled Ye Xiaoqiong’s inherited property and how Yuan Han sold her family heirlooms.

Gu Siyan was already shocked.

“Such a horrible person – get rid of him quickly! Oh right, Sister Zhou Yi doesn’t believe he’s bad!”

Seeing her indignation, Zhou Cheng knew she truly cared about Zhou Yi and softened his tone: “You silly girl, I’m telling you this so you won’t be deceived by someone like Yuan Han. If you want to date someone, ask your family’s opinion. They might not share your tastes, but they’re better at judging people and won’t harm you, understand?”

Gu Siyan glared: “Cousin, how can you say such things? If my mother heard this, she’d beat you up!”

Gu Siyan had no interest in dating. It seemed terrifying, with pitfalls everywhere.

She once had a good friend named He Jia who secretly dated a male classmate during tutoring sessions. Later, she became pregnant.

Gu Siyan hadn’t seen He Jia since. She heard she’d transferred to a school elsewhere and cut contact with former classmates and friends.

After that incident, her mother watched her like a hawk, swatting away even male mosquitoes, let alone boys passing notes – forbidden.

Gu Siyan herself had no such interests.

Girls were easily deceived, and when deceived, they were the ones who got hurt.

First He Jia, now Sister Zhou Yi… that Yuan Han was despicable!

Zhou Cheng laughed at her response. Still an innocent young girl – he was worrying unnecessarily.

After explaining the situation to Gu Siyan and having her identify the stationery shop owner, she obediently walked away, making encouraging gestures as she ran. How exciting – what would Cousin do? Would he reason with Owner Ding?

Zhou Cheng approached slowly. What kind of dangerous place was this, that his wife had needed to buy things just to leave safely?

That set of scholar’s four treasures was quite amusing – Xiaolan had initially intended it for his grandfather but decided to give it to Uncle Gu instead.

Then Uncle Gu regifted it to his grandfather, so it ended up with him anyway.

Thinking of how Uncle Gu was now helping Xiaolan with the scholarship program, buying him another set of scholar’s treasures would be appropriate. Of course, he’d need to buy one for his grandfather too, lest he get jealous.

“Boss, give me two sets of scholar’s treasures, good quality ones.”

The owner was crouching, organizing merchandise. Zhou Cheng stood silently behind him, making his hair stand on end.

“Certainly, just a moment. What price range are you looking for?”

Zhou Cheng smiled, “Price isn’t an issue. It depends if the goods satisfy me.”

A handsome man with an attractive smile – the kind that caught even men’s attention – yet the owner felt chills down his spine.

“Let me call my assistant-“

Before he could finish saying “assistant,” Zhou Cheng’s hand landed on his shoulder, his other hand holding a dark gun barrel.

“Better not. What if you speak too loudly and my hand slips? I just want to consult with you about some business. Answer my questions straightforwardly, and we can go our separate ways.”

Zhou Cheng’s gun hand was perfectly steady, showing no signs of accidental discharge.

The owner wasn’t pleased at all.

Ordinary people holding guns would be nervous – such steadiness indicated experience.

Whether bandit or police, the owner couldn’t tell which identity would make things easier today.

Better a bandit – if police, none of them would escape!

“Whatever you say, customer.”

Zhou Cheng pressed his arm while seeming to have eyes in the back of his head:

“Anyone taking another step forward, and I’ll blow Owner Ding’s head off.”

Owner Ding forced a laugh.

“My assistants don’t know better. Please don’t mind them.”

Several people had emerged from the back of the shop, trying to slowly surround Zhou Cheng, but he’d caught them. Ding’s heart sank – this wouldn’t end well.

Zhou Cheng wasn’t here to rob them. He gestured with the gun: “Have your assistants find me two sets of scholar’s treasures, good quality ones. Meanwhile, answer my questions. You collect goods in Beijing and transport them to Hong Kong – there’s someone called Master Qiu, your big boss, right? I want to talk with Master Qiu. Owner Ding surely can contact him?”

Ding feigned confusion, “What Master Qiu?”

Zhou Cheng’s expression darkened.

“Owner Ding, if you won’t cooperate, I’ll have to take official channels. Trust me, you don’t want that. I can’t control official investigations, and Master Qiu’s business would suffer severe losses. Don’t you agree?”

Ding smiled bitterly.

Keep playing dumb?

Where did this bastard come from?

Daring to carry a gun around Beijing, not even closing the shop, not afraid of being seen – who would believe Zhou Cheng lacked backing?

Someone like this wants to meet Master Qiu – he just wanted to pass along a message.

Even if Ding refused, Zhou Cheng would find another way to meet Master Qiu, just with more trouble.

…

Hong Kong.

A Mercedes drove toward the suburbs.

Chai Hai rarely visited Master Qiu during the daytime, but with no phone in the village house, he had to make the trip.

June was truly hot!

Same village house, same small courtyard – clearer in daylight, showing a grape trellis in the yard. Master Qiu sat beneath it, carving wood.

“Is the jade collection ready?”

Master Qiu spoke without turning to face Chai Hai, who bowed deeply:

“Master Qiu, Old Ding’s shop was approached by someone claiming to be from the Zhou family in Beijing. He wants to meet you.”

Chai Hai kept his head lowered, deeply ashamed.

He didn’t know how Old Ding’s people had been exposed, causing such trouble for Master Qiu.

Master Qiu set down his carving knife.

“Do you know what kind of people prefer to introduce themselves by their family name rather than their own when stating their identity?”