Chapter 26: Xiao Cao: Uh… Hello?

"No problem, I'll arrange for someone to deliver it to Big Brother Wang's room."

The madam wore a fawning smile, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

Everyone in this area knew Wang Hu's little quirks, but what good did it do? Here, Wang Hu was the biggest boss—if you dared oppose him, forget about business, you might not even live to see tomorrow.

"Mm!"

Hearing this, Wang Hu's expression softened slightly.

He then directly led the group upstairs.

This was a brothel on Wang Hu's territory, so he had a private room here, exclusively for his own amusement.

"You all wait outside."

Fortunately, although Wang Hu was cruel in his methods, he had no taste for performing in front of others; after reaching the room's entrance, he simply told his men behind him.

They just needed to wait outside for him.

"Yes, Boss!"

These men weren't new to Wang Hu; they nodded knowingly and skillfully took up positions outside the door.

After Wang Hu entered the room, they even thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

While waiting for the girl to arrive, Wang Hu pulled out a whip he had prepared in advance, swinging it and hearing a sharp crack.

He looked satisfied.

Lately, because Lei Tang had been in a bad mood, Wang Hu had been dragged down with him, hoarding a full belly of anger—tonight was finally a chance to vent it.

As for whether those slender, delicate girls could withstand such a whip.

That was entirely outside Wang Hu's consideration—he just needed to feel good, didn't he?

At the same time.

Xiao Cao, having confirmed the target, had already pushed through the crowd to the second floor; seeing guards outside the door, he couldn't help scratching his head.

"How can I avoid being noticed?"

Ye Tian's order was for him to eliminate Wang Hu without anyone seeing him—if anyone spotted him, the hundred taels were gone.

Xiao Cao didn't want that hundred taels, already almost in hand, to fly away.

After observing for a long time, Xiao Cao finally noticed a window on the outer wall of the room, left wide open.

His eyes lit up.

He immediately climbed out onto the wall; despite his small, thin frame, Xiao Cao was surprisingly strong—he gripped the narrow cracks in the wall and crawled slowly toward the window like a gecko.

,,,

Inside the room, Wang Hu took out one by one the tools he had prepared in advance.

He completely failed to notice a slender figure leaping in through the window, landing without a sound; at first he was afraid, but seeing Wang Hu still facing away, utterly unaware.

Xiao Cao's courage grew slightly; he stepped forward a few paces.

Wang Hu was just about to pick up a tool to admire it.

The next moment.

"Puff!"

A blood-smeared dagger suddenly thrust through Wang Hu's chest, its tip emerging from his front.

Blood streamed uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth.

Wang Hu froze in place—he clearly hadn't expected anyone to try to kill him at this moment.

He raised his hand to shout for his men outside, but the moment he opened his mouth, blood gushed out like water, making no sound—he struggled to turn his head, wanting to see who it was.

"Ugh!"

Xiao Cao hadn't expected him to suddenly look over.

One hand gripped the dagger's hilt, the other awkwardly scratched his head.

Ye Tian only said not to be seen by others—being seen by Wang Hu shouldn't matter, right?

"Uh… hello?"

"!"

Seeing this familiar, slender, small figure, Wang Hu was utterly incredulous—he had imagined it might be a vengeful enemy, but never in his wildest dreams had he thought it was the humble maid he'd once dismissed.

Was it Ye Tian who wanted him dead? But why?

Wang Hu couldn't understand.

He reached out to grab Xiao Cao, but Xiao Cao yanked the dagger free and dodged away.

"Thud!"

This final blow robbed Wang Hu of all strength—he collapsed helplessly to the floor.

So this counts as success, right?

Looking at the fallen Wang Hu, Xiao Cao paused in brief confusion, then slowly smiled.

Perfect—the hundred taels are almost in the bank.

Overjoyed but not reckless, Xiao Cao did the same as before, climbing back out the window, moving silently without drawing any attention.

On his way downstairs, hearing another guest ask for wine, Xiao Cao honestly went over to serve it.

The men guarding outside hadn't heard Xiao Cao's movements, but the sound of Wang Hu falling was loud—they clearly heard it.

But.

"Tch, this noise—Boss must be planning something brutal tonight."

"You'll get used to it over time. Boss loves hearing those women scream. With his mood these past few days, he'll probably kill several tonight."

As they spoke, their eyes held a hint of regret.

But remembering Wang Hu's status, they suppressed that regret—this wasn't something someone of their station could meddle in.

At this moment.

The madam arrived with two young women.

It was clear these two women had heard of Wang Hu's deeds; their steps were heavy and slow, their eyes filled with fear of the unknown.

But they dared not refuse, having been threatened by the madam.

Seeing this, the guards at the door averted their gazes, staring at their noses, keeping their hearts still, daring not to look or speak.

"Big Brother Wang, I've brought the girls for you."

At the door, the madam knocked skillfully and called out softly.

"..."

She had expected Wang Hu to let the girls in, then order her away, as he always had.

But this time, after waiting a long while, no sound came from inside the room.

"Big Brother Wang?"

With no choice, the madam called out again.

Still no reply. This time, even Wang Hu's own men sensed something strange and turned to look.

"This?"

After repeatedly calling and receiving no answer, the madam had no choice but to glance at the guards.

"..."

The men exchanged glances, none speaking, each silently urging another to go.

All feared angering Wang Hu by intruding.

Finally, after long silence with no response, one of Wang Hu's newer men was pushed forward to push open the door.

"Boss?" he muttered, gathering courage as he opened the door.

He feared seeing Wang Hu's displeased face.

But the next moment.

"Boss!"

When they saw Wang Hu again, he was already completely cold.

"Boss!"

"Call for help!"

"Big Brother is dead!"

The men behind him snapped to attention, abandoning all caution, rushing forward en masse.

The madam looked as if the sky had fallen, as if mourning Wang Hu's death.

The only one in the room who seemed relieved was likely the two girls brought in; they exchanged glances, each seeing relief in the other's eyes.

With Wang Hu gone, they were safe.

,,,,