Chapter 1724: Beiping Old Dreams: Beauty Actor Overwhelms the Big Shot 39

Shen Qiuhe didn't expect to be exposed so quickly.

In fact, ever since that day when he and Jin Chen were mistakenly kidnapped, Shen Qiuhe realized that spying in the Pei residence was no simple matter.

Jin Chen is overly complicated, with a stubborn and eccentric nature; trying to drive a wedge between him and Pei Yinnian is even harder.

Moreover, sneaking around Pei Yinnian to find the shop contracts and account books stored in the residence is out of the question.

Shen Qiuhe also wasn't unaware of the hints Pei Yinnian had given him, nor the opportunity to confess voluntarily.

But he had no other choice.

"Born in troubled times, we each just look out for ourselves."

In the new-style tea pavilion under the overpass, Shen Qiuhe refused Pei Yinnian's offer to escort him back to Shanghai.

"I'm actually curious—you know today's invitation is a trap, yet why are you still willing to come?" Shen Qiuhe asked.

"I came to keep the appointment because of the old friendship between our families."

Pei Yinnian sat alone at the opposite end of the table, his expression indifferent yet somewhat puzzled: "The Shen family holds considerable status in Shanghai; why do you still assist the British garrison?"

"Whether you believe it or not." Shen Qiuhe curled his lips into a smile. "Shanghai will soon no longer be the Shanghai of old; concessions are multiplying, and everyone wants a piece of territory."

"And their next target is Beiping."

Rather than sit and wait for death, it's better to gamble everything so the Shen family can continue to live in peace.

Pei Yinnian's expression didn't change. "I know."

Merchants always sense a hint of such changes, and besides, Chu Wu, that good brother of his who is a warlord, is also aware.

"However long one can hold out, that's how long it lasts—whether in Shanghai or Beiping, there will always be someone who won't give up easily." Pei Yinnian said with certainty.

Shen Qiuhe merely looked at him; a few traces of bitterness surfaced on his bloodless face. "What you say is also true, but I have no time left."

"Since you've come, you might as well go to the garrison hall. Mr. Weir promised he wouldn't harm you; he just wants to make a deal with you."

"Sorry, Xiao Nian."

As his words fell, the British soldiers burst out from the rooms behind him, instantly surrounding Pei Yinnian.

Pei Yinnian sat on the stool, showing no intention to stand; sunlight streamed in from outside the window, lighting his handsome face in flickering flashes.

In the cool room, the spot where he sat was the only source of light.

"Get up!" the squad leader barked in broken Chinese with a fierce tone.

Pei Yinnian gave a low chuckle, though the smile didn't reach his eyes; if any merchant association member were present, they could accurately tell this was his expression when he was about to seize profits.

"I don't trust you that much; you should have known that already."

He said this to Shen Qiuhe, not even regarding the foreign devils blocking the rear as worth noticing.

The first gunshot rang from outside the room.

By the time the British troops reacted and tried to seize Pei Yinnian, they were already a step too late.

Or perhaps it was that Jin Chen entered too swiftly.

The British troops blocking the doorway saw only a black shadow swoosh in, and the next second they lost consciousness.

"Damn you, for threatening my wife." Jin Chen specifically beat the squad leader who had just given Pei Yinnian a fierce warning.

After finishing, he turned and flung himself into Pei Yinnian's arms, dissatisfiedly glaring at Shen Qiuhe before cooing, "Knowing he's a spy, why did you still chat so long?"

"Some past matters need to be clarified."

Pei Yinnian's expression softened instantly; it was the first time in many years since Shen Qiuhe left the Pei residence that he had shown such tenderness.

This time Shen Qiuhe didn't avoid Jin Chen's gaze, saying, "I still feel a bit regretful that I couldn't lure you into the trap."

"Even if I gave you three lifetimes, you still couldn't do it." Jin Chen said coldly.

"..." He's still utterly shameless!

Shen Qiuhe, feeling stifled, turned his gaze away and didn't want to look at the person who insisted on rushing in and hugging Pei Yinnian.

Chu Wu led his men, closely following behind.

"Come on, long‑no‑see Young Master Shen, don't go to the garrison hall—my place is also quite comfortable to sit in."

Chu Wu cocked his gun aimed at Shen Qiuhe, yet out of regard for the childhood acquaintance he refrained from firing directly.

Shen Qiuhe brushed past them, his gaze still fixed on Pei Yinnian, as if seeking some answer.

"Your decision won't affect me, and I won't do anything to the Shen family far away in Shanghai." Pei Yinnian left him with those words.

But all of this rests on the premise that they saw through Shen Qiuhe's plan and didn't let Jin Chen fall for the trap.

Otherwise, Pei Yinnian would certainly not let Shen Qiuhe off lightly.

Jin Chen furrowed his brows, pulled his wife into his embrace, and, with extreme possessiveness, nibbled at her ear.

"Don't look—Shen Qiuhe himself admits he's not as good‑looking as I am."

"This guy's whole aura of a white‑moonlight beauty is really annoying."

"Still not leaving?" Chu Wu snapped angrily.

Now that the elder brother has come to Beiping, and without Chu San that bastard constantly causing trouble, Chu Wu practically swaggers about.

Yet it's just these people causing trouble when he's at his happiest, making Chu Wu feel a surge of anger inside.

"You, it's definitely you." Chu Wu had his men seize Shen Qiuhe and hand him over to his brother to decide, also deliberately leaving a foreign devil behind: "Go tell your boss; next time I'll skin him!"

Yun Cunxuan walked in from outside with an "aiya," slinging his arm over Chu Wu's shoulder, saying, "I say, Fifth Master has been getting more and more imposing lately."

"That's right—my brother backs me up in everything." Chu Wu said proudly, "But we masters are only pleased for these couple of days; after a while I'm heading to the Northeast."

"What are you going to do there? Though that place is indeed prosperous now, it's not peaceful either." Yun Cunxuan wondered, and Pei Yinnian also glanced over.

"Precisely because it's not peaceful that I want to go; living forever under my brother's wing is just boring."

"Awesome, it's got to be Fifth Master this imposing fellow." Yun Cunxuan gave a thumbs‑up, then turned to Pei Yinnian to discuss the matter at hand.

"Those foreign devils and the Japanese devils brought in by the Hai Dou from Early Liang are still eyeing us; last time at the gambling house they likely grew resentful, openly and covertly suppressing our new business."

Yun Cunxuan spoke without lacking indignation, meanwhile handing over the complaint letters from the shops under his command for them to see.

"Hey, what the hell is going on?"

Jin Chen embraced Pei Yinnian from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder; upon hearing this, he boldly proposed: "Whoever stirs up trouble gets a beating; beat them until they're scared."

Pei Yinnian helplessly patted the back of his hand at his waist: "Not a bad idea, but how innocent are the bullied shopkeepers and common folk?"

Jin Chen had just been speaking casually.

He isn't a big shot; he's merely the man behind the big shot.

At the moment, he abandoned thought without any psychological burden; even if he had a good idea in his heart…

Nor would he tell Chu Wu, who keeps summoning his wife to the Chu family for meetings every few days lately.

But Jin Chen hadn't expected that after that day, his wife would become even busier!