Chapter 406: A Kick That Sent Him Flying

Chen Qingqing seemed to have forgotten the lessons of the past, deliberately drawing near Chen Guanlou.

"Lou ge'er!"

Chen Guanlou cast a silent glance at him; had there been fewer people around, he would have spat curses and told him to get as far away as possible.

Chen Qingqing grinned with a fat, sycophantic smile. "Now you're the richest among our generation. Everyone admires you."

Chen Guanlou let out a cold laugh. "I'm nothing. Those few who've been hanging around the Grand Lord in the military? I hear they've all become generals, swimming in gold."

"Pfft, generals. These days, everyone in the military calls themselves a general. A mere sixth-rank military officer? No future in it." Chen Qingqing looked down his nose at the several clan brothers serving in the army.

Chen Guanlou bit back the urge to roll his eyes—it was undignified. "What do you want? Get to the point. If you've got something to say, spit it out."

Chen Qingqing grinned, lewd and oily—so greasy he could probably squeeze out a bucket of oil. His greasiness was deeply unpleasant.

"Lou ge'er, I heard you gave a calligraphy scroll as a gift today."

"You've got good ears."

"Nothing special. You work in the Heavenly Prison—you must have plenty of good stuff under your control. Those convict officials eating at your table? They're at your mercy."

"What exactly are you driving at?" Chen Guanlou cut him off mid-flattery; even his toes could guess this man had no good intentions. He hadn't snapped yet only because he wanted to hear what Chen Qingqing was scheming.

Chen Qingqing glanced around, lowered his voice, and said, "I know a wealthy collector of antiques—he can swallow any quantity of goods. Lou ge'er, don't say I don't look out for you. Let's partner up: we steal antiques and paintings from the prison inmates, split the profits seven to three—you get seven, I get three. How's that?"

Chen Guanlou gave him a second, longer look. This man was truly shrewd—he'd set his sights on the Heavenly Prison. Who had given him this idea? Or had he gotten inspiration from somewhere else?

"Did you come up with this yourself?"

"Hehe, just tell me—is this deal good? If it is, let's make a big score. If you're not happy, we can do eight to two—you get eight, I get two. How's that?"

"Not interested." Chen Guanlou's face was icy. Anyone with a shred of shame would have taken the hint and left.

Clearly, Chen Qingqing wasn't the type with a thin skin—his face was thicker than a city wall. He kept inching closer to Chen Guanlou.

Chen Guanlou found him repulsive and stepped back quickly, barely resisting the urge to toss him out—preferably into the pond for a good wash. In the dead of winter, he still reeked. This man was beyond saving.

"Lou ge'er, don't refuse so fast. Tell me what's wrong with the deal—we can adjust as we talk. If you're serious, I'll introduce you to that wealthy buyer. Just don't kick me away after I've helped you."

Chen Qingqing felt he'd never been this sincere about anything. If Chen Guanlou still refused him, he was ungrateful.

Chen Guanlou snorted. "Even if I had a source—could get rare antiques and calligraphy from the convict officials—why should I partner with you? As for buyers, the capital lacks everything except wealthy collectors. Antique shops and pawnbrokers are lining up to work with me. Why should I team up with you?"

"We're brothers."

"We're not close." Chen Guanlou's face was stern. They weren't close at all. If not for sharing the Chen surname and clan ties, Chen Guanlou wouldn't even be sitting here talking to him.

Chen Qingqing's face darkened, then he forced a smile. "Lou ge'er, don't say that. Brothers fight tigers together; sons fight alongside fathers. We're brothers—closer than any outsider. If you'd rather help strangers than your own kin, word will get out, and your reputation will suffer."

Chen Guanlou laughed, pointing at his own face. "Do you think I care about my reputation? If I cared, would I have taken a job in the Heavenly Prison back then? Chen Qingqing, you don't even know who I am, yet you come here trying to partner with me? Are you so full you've got nothing better to do? You think your age makes you the elder brother, so you can order around your younger clan brothers? Who gave you the confidence? Who gave you the nerve? If you still want to save face, leave now. Otherwise, right here in front of everyone, I'll make sure you lose it completely."

"Chen Guanlou, don't push too far! I'm offering you a good business opportunity—don't be ungrateful!" Chen Qingqing hissed, voice tight with fury.

Chen Guanlou had had enough—he kicked out, sending the man flying.

Crash! Crash! Crash!

The commotion was too loud to ignore.

"Chen Guanlou, you're insane! Business is about righteousness, not selfishness! You hoard everything and beat your elder brother—you're a barbarian, your studies have rotted in your gut! Chen family has you as a disgrace? Our ancestors are shamed! I'll report you to the clan—I'll have you expelled!"

"Chen Qingqing, shut up! What day is this? What place is this? How dare you shout and spout nonsense? Someone, gag him immediately! The banquet hasn't even started, and you're drunk, babbling nonsense—this is pure chaos!"

The clan's eldest uncle stepped forward first to control the situation. Clever clan brothers—especially those who disliked Chen Qingqing—immediately yanked off their stinking socks and shoved them into his mouth without caring if they offended others. Classic personal revenge!

Chen Qingqing's struggles were useless—he was dragged away.

The clan's eldest uncle approached Chen Guanlou, his face grim, expression unreadable.

"Lou ge'er!"

"Uncle!"

"You're usually level-headed. Why did you act so impulsively today? Chen Qingqing talks without thinking—just ignore him. Why hit him?"

"I didn't hit him—I kicked him." Chen Guanlou said solemnly.

The clan's eldest uncle's lip twitched, his expression even more strained. Was this about hitting or kicking? Could he not grasp the point?

He was about to be driven to death by anger.

"Everyone saw what happened. I managed to suppress it for now, but people will ask later. Chen Qingqing might really go to the clan and file a complaint. When the elders intervene, you can't keep this attitude."

Chen Guanlou bowed. "Thank you for the warning, Uncle. Chen Qingqing wanted to partner in business—I refused, clearly. He wouldn't let it go, spat vile words—I kicked him to teach him a lesson."

"If that's the case, just tell the truth if anyone asks. Everyone in the clan knows Chen Qingqing's reputation—no one will defend him. But you've always been solitary in your ways; many in the clan resent you. If someone uses this to undermine you, it's predictable."

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow slightly. His uncle was being unusually open with him—this kindness was unmistakable.