Master Qiu suddenly asked a question, making Chai Hai extremely nervous.
He hadn’t considered this matter before and only answered after some thought:
“Because he’s very confident about his family background?”
Master Qiu brushed off the wood shavings from the table. “There’s more to it than that.”
Oh?
While Chai Hai waited for Master Qiu’s explanation, the latter picked up his carving knife and resumed working on the wood in his hands. Several minutes passed before Chai Hai heard Master Qiu speak again:
“Recently, many people want to meet me, so let’s meet them together. Pass on this message: On the 12th of this month, I’ll be going to Fujian Province. Whether it’s the Du family’s eldest young master or whoever from the Zhou family, if they want to meet me, tell them to come to Fujian. Tell them to stop bothering Old Ding and the others.”
“Yes!”
Master Qiu always kept his word, and this time he would meet not only the Zhou person but also Young Master Du.
This was for the best – resolving all matters at once would prevent these people from constantly disturbing Master Qiu’s peace.
Without further instructions from Master Qiu, Chai Hai left the courtyard.
In the sweltering weather, only a slight breeze could be felt under the grape trellis.
He had planted these grapes in his second year after moving here. In previous years, they had flowered but never bore fruit. Only this year did they produce abundantly, with clusters of grapes gradually growing from small to large, changing from green to purple-red, glistening transparently in the sunlight, making one’s mouth water.
Master Qiu wasn’t particularly interested in eating the grapes – he had no special requirements for food. Rather, he felt that the previously barren grape vine suddenly yielding a bountiful harvest might be some kind of omen.
In the past, Master Qiu didn’t believe in fate, but now he had no choice.
Fate was just that unpredictable. When heaven decides you should die, you die – even in perfect health, disaster can strike from above.
When heaven decides you should live, you can survive even in the direst circumstances.
…
“The 12th,” Zhou Cheng was marginally satisfied.
Old Ding was nearly driven mad. Zhou Cheng hadn’t stayed at the shop but had left after making his statement. Now he had returned after they’d received Master Qiu’s response. Old Ding had considered fleeing overnight with his people, but suddenly his calligraphy and ink shop’s neighborhood started conducting security drills. Police cars were patrolling nearby day and night… Listening to others’ discussions, Old Ding felt bitter and increasingly reverent.
They were being watched!
Unable to escape, Old Ding could only continue manning his shop obediently.
Fortunately, there was a response from Hong Kong. Old Ding was naturally extremely grateful – Master Qiu hadn’t abandoned small figures like them, and despite usually avoiding outsiders, had agreed to meet this Zhou person.
Was it for business?
It must be for their safety.
“I don’t know Master Qiu’s exact whereabouts, but when you arrive at this location, someone will guide you to meet him. You can tell those police officers to withdraw now, right? Master Qiu has great credibility in his business dealings, otherwise, he couldn’t have succeeded in this trade!”
Old Ding spoke highly of Master Qiu, while Zhou Cheng remained noncommittal.
However, these underworld figures did indeed keep their word, and more importantly, why would Master Qiu risk gambling with Zhou Cheng’s destructive potential when the matter could be resolved in one meeting?
“I truly just want to become friends with Master Qiu. Old Ding, I wish you prosperity in your business!”
Old Ding’s smile didn’t reach his eyes – with the continued patrols, who would come to sell him anything? What prosperity when he hadn’t made any sales for days?
Anxious to send away this bearer of ill fortune, Old Ding tensed when Zhou Cheng stopped at the doorway.
“Old Ding, I want to buy two sets of the Four Treasures of the Study. Have you prepared them?”
Old Ding cursed internally – damn it, would this never end? Even taking advantage of this?
Old Ding resignedly brought out two sets of fine brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. However, Zhou Cheng asked for the price, saying, “I won’t take advantage of you. Whatever price you charge others, charge me the same.”
“These items are quite expensive. Even with a discount and rounding down, it comes to 1,800 yuan—”
Zhou Cheng placed two stacks of money on the counter, removed twenty bills, and pushed the rest toward Old Ding: “Count it.”
Each stack was 1,000 yuan.
Old Ding was surprised that Zhou Cheng paid.
Now he was certain that Zhou Cheng wasn’t an ordinary person – he wouldn’t take advantage of such small matters.
As Zhou Cheng left with his writing supplies, Old Ding’s “assistants” were dissatisfied, but he stopped them: “Harmony brings wealth. Don’t provoke such people. If even Master Qiu is handling this personally, can’t you see how deep this runs?”
Zhou Cheng walked slowly back with his purchases.
It wasn’t as mysterious as Old Ding imagined. In such a short time, Zhou Cheng couldn’t possibly have uncovered Master Qiu’s mainland supply network, and such dramatic measures weren’t necessary for that alone.
Old Ding and his people were frightened by the guns and police patrols. It wasn’t difficult for Zhou Cheng to arrange a security drill with the local police station – increased patrols could also deter crime and maintain order.
Even the petty thieves had behaved better these past few days!
Zhou Cheng swung his purchases, feeling he was doing good deeds.
Gu Siyan was preoccupied with this matter and insisted on coming along. Zhou Cheng knew she wouldn’t focus on her studies until he dealt with Yuan Han… These were Gu Siyan’s exact words, and Zhou Cheng wanted to ask if she dared repeat them in front of Uncle Gu and his younger aunt. Gu Siyan just grinned mischievously:
“Cousin, it’s so exciting! Did that shop owner tell you everything as soon as you showed up?”
The young girl’s eyes were full of admiration.
Zhou Cheng felt embarrassed to mention threats and forceful suppression. “It wasn’t that quick. We won’t know where Yuan Han sold the items for some days yet. Your Sister Xiao Lan is asking whether Yuan Han’s ex-wife will cooperate. Even by your summer break, we might not have results. Why are you in such a hurry?”
Gu Siyan looked disappointed:
“Will it take that long?”
Of course, it would take that long.
Only because they were family would Zhou Cheng spend so much time resolving this. As the leading figure among the younger generation and a male relative, the family elders placed high hopes on him, so naturally, he had to look after his younger brothers and sisters… Zhou Yi was older than him in age only – her brain seemed barely functional, possibly even less clever than his cousins Gu Siyan and Cheng Min.
Dealing with Yuan Han would be simple.
Trying to make a fool wise, when someone in their twenties already had a fixed personality, truly took effort.
Zhou Cheng wasn’t in a hurry.
Going to Fujian Province wasn’t a problem; he could take the opportunity to visit Brother Pan San.
This mysterious Master Qiu had truly piqued his curiosity.
…
“You say Master Qiu is willing to meet me?”
Du Zhaohui was very surprised.
Could he help Xia Xiaolan buy the vase now?
Wonderful, wonderful – he should let Xia Xiaolan see that only he could handle such matters.
As for that boyfriend Xia Xiaolan found, running off to America to show off, could he accomplish anything serious? In terms of economic strength and connections, Du Zhaohui believed he still had the upper hand.
“Young Master Du showed such sincerity that Master Qiu had to agree to meet you. On the 12th of this month, Master Qiu will be handling business in Fujian Province. We’ll trouble Young Master Du to make the trip himself.”
Chai Hai smiled pleasantly.
In his heart, he spat several times – how shameless! Coming so persistently that Master Qiu was simply too annoyed and agreed to meet Du Zhaohui as an afterthought. He couldn’t understand what Du Zhaohui was so proud about.