Chapter 49: Tingting

Lu Chen gave some instructions to Steward Wang regarding the matters to be handled today, then had Chen Mo drive him and Xiao Huangmao toward Central.

However, Xiao Huangmao did not sit in the passenger seat this time, but instead squeezed into the back seat with Lu Chen.

Lu Chen did not refuse; he looked at Xiao Huangmao with amusement before stating a destination.

Chen Mo nodded slightly and drove steadily along the street.

"How have you been lately? Have you been bullied?"

Lu Chen handed Xiao Huangmao a 555 cigarette, lit one for himself, and leaned back against the seat, his whole demeanor appearing somewhat languid.

"Same as always, working at the docks every day. I was wondering why the fishmonger hadn't been seen lately; I thought he'd gone to feed the fish in the sea, never expected he'd ended up with you, Big Boss."

Xiao Huangmao glanced at Chen Mo in the front row before whispering.

He lit his cigarette, took a puff, and tucked the newly opened pack of 555s back into his pocket.

Only then did he speak cautiously.

"I haven't really been given a hard time. It seems Fei Ge from Jiu Chang Jie was dealt with by someone. I don't know the specifics, it's just what they're all saying, but he really has disappeared."

Lu Chen frowned slightly, recalling Fei Ge.

After taking a puff of his cigarette, he said, "You are only allowed to listen; you are not to investigate or get involved in those matters."

After a moment of silence, Lu Chen looked at Xiao Huangmao.

"Tell me, is there anything interesting happening on the streets lately?"

"Speaking of that..."

Xiao Huangmao's hand holding the cigarette paused, a look of recollection appearing on his face as his eyes drifted upward for a moment.

"There's been a lot more yarn at the docks lately—that's the raw material for the Textile Factory—and those gangs have been acting a bit strange, too."

A flash of doubt crossed Xiao Huangmao's eyes, and his face carried a look of confusion.

"They've all been quite... crazy lately. I don't know what kind of orders the big bosses above gave them, but they're collecting debts much more aggressively than last year."

"It's because the debt collection is so intense that I've had to avoid those gangs with my daughter."

Chen Mo's low voice came from the driver's seat, causing Xiao Huangmao, who had been quietly reminiscing, to jump in surprise.

With a look of fear on his face, he glanced at Chen Mo in the driver's seat and leaned closer to Lu Chen again.

"I'm here. What is your daughter's name?"

Lu Chen looked deeply at Chen Mo, then spoke in a gentle tone.

He patted Xiao Huangmao's arm as he did so.

A look of surprise appeared on Xiao Huangmao's face, and the fear in his eyes slowly vanished.

"Tingting. Her mother named her when she was still around. She's at a private school now, learning to read."

Chen Mo paused slightly, the car seeming to falter for a moment, before he responded in a low voice.

"A good name. How about this: when you go back tonight, tell Steward Wang. Don't go to the private school anymore; the company will sponsor you to go to the Jiaohui Xuexiao. It'll be safer that way. In the future, if you have time, go pick her up for school; if you don't, have Steward Wang make the trip."

Lu Chen paused, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke.

"Go straight to the private school and pick up your daughter. Call Steward Wang later, take her back to the Zhuangyuan first, and I'll have Professor Li make arrangements for you tomorrow."

"Boss, there is one hour left until the scheduled time. It will take 40 minutes to pick up Tingting; you might not have enough time."

Chen Mo glanced at his watch before speaking in a low voice.

His voice carried a hint of hoarseness, and beneath his steady tone, there seemed to be a touch of excitement.

"There is enough time. Even if Feizai is left waiting, what can he do about it?"

Lu Chen narrowed his eyes, his voice revealing a trace of coldness.

Even Xiao Huangmao glanced at Lu Chen with some surprise, smoking his cigarette in silence on the side.

Chen Mo did not speak, merely glancing at Lu Chen through the rearview mirror.

Lu Chen nodded slightly and smoked his cigarette in silence.

The front of the car silently turned in a different direction.

Moving further and further away from the bustling Central, some dilapidated single-story houses gradually appeared outside the car window.

"Xiao Huangmao, keep talking."

Lu Chen did not wait idly, but continued to ask.

"There's nothing particularly special, but the boss I work for at the port is acting a bit strange; the wages haven't been paid as promptly as before."

Xiao Huangmao thought for a long while before speaking uncertainly.

He was in a dazed state, just saying whatever came to mind.

"It's a good thing I have the subsidy from Li Ge, otherwise life would be a bit difficult this month."

Lu Chen frowned, a flash of sharp light crossing his eyes.

He opened the car window a crack, and the salty, fishy sea breeze blew in, seemingly staining the inside of the car with a hint of sweltering heat.

Lu Chen silently closed the window and closed his eyes.

The car stopped steadily at the entrance of an alley.

"Boss, I'm going to pick up my daughter."

Lao Mo said in a low voice, and Lu Chen waved his hand.

Before long, the car door opened again, and a dirty little girl appeared in Lu Chen's field of vision.

The girl's face carried a hint of reserve and some innocence.

She did not speak, but was settled into the passenger seat by Lao Mo.

The car started up again. Only then did Lu Chen open his eyes.

A smile appeared on Lu Chen's face. As the vehicle drove back near Central, Lu Chen looked out the window.

"Lao Mo, stop the car. Xiao Huangmao, get out and buy a box of pastries."

Lu Chen casually pulled out a few Hong Kong banknotes and stuffed them into Xiao Huangmao's hand.

"Alrighty."

Xiao Huangmao was stunned for a moment, then he gripped the banknotes tightly, and the moment the car stopped, he opened the door, got out, and ran away.

Before long, he came back panting, carrying a box.

After getting back in the car, he reached forward; Lao Mo took it smoothly and placed it on Tingting's lap in the passenger seat.

Only then did he say to Tingting, "Quick, thank the uncle."

"Thank you, uncle."

A delicate, childish voice came from Tingting's mouth; although the sound was very soft, Lu Chen raised a smiling face.

"Lao Mo, don't come up with me in a bit. Xiao Huangmao, give Steward Wang a call and have Steward Wang come over to take our little princess back home."

Lu Chen paused for a moment before continuing, "You and Steward Wang can go buy some daily necessities for Tingting while you're at it. I'll go to Feizai's side by myself; there's no danger."

After saying this, Lu Chen looked at Xiao Huangmao and patted his shoulder.

"Your Li Ge has gone out to handle some business during this time. Have Steward Wang give you your wages. If there's anything you can't handle, contact Lao Mo. I'll have a word with Feizai in a bit so they won't give you a hard time."

Lu Chen took another deep look at Xiao Huangmao before continuing.

"Feizai is not my man, you need to be careful."

After finishing, Lu Chen got out of the car and saw a fat figure squeezing out of a car not far away.

It seemed as if the car door was about to be deformed by the pressure.

Even Lu Chen, who was not far away, could seemingly see the car jump slightly after Feizai got out.

Lu Chen put a smile back on his face, straightened his jacket, and then walked toward Feizai.