Chapter 261: Chasing and Fleeing

He Yuzhu activated the system Scanning, confirmed that the banknotes printed with the portraits of Franklin and Hamilton were all genuine, and nodded slightly at Jin Hai.

After exchanging the money, the two walked out of the money shop and, before long, noticed they were being followed by three figures.

He Yuzhu glanced at the reflection in a shop window and joked: "Brother Jin, do you think those fellows behind us are from the money shop, or were they sent by Xiao Tian?"

Jin Hai spat: "It must be that grandson Xiao Tian! He thinks we're fat sheep."

"Where should we make our move?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Lead them to the riverbank; once we've finished them off, we'll treat them to the muddy water of the Huangpu River."

He Yuzhu and Jin Hai exchanged a look, suddenly turned into a small alley, and ran toward the woods by the river.

Seeing this, the three pursuers thought they were panicking and losing their way, so they immediately drew the axes at their waists and gave chase.

As soon as the three rushed into the woods, they discovered their targets had vanished into thin air.

Just as they were looking around in confusion, they suddenly heard a sound of breaking air—two cold glints shot out from the shadows, precisely pinning into the shoulders of two of them.

The two men's axes hit the ground immediately; before they could even make a sound, Jin Hai had already flashed out from behind a tree, his Dagger flying as he opened several bloody gashes on their bodies.

Just as the third thug was about to step forward to help, He Yuzhu descended from the sky, his short blade stabbing straight at the man's throat.

The man didn't even have time to groan before he collapsed limply to the ground.

Jin Hai grabbed one man by the ankle and dragged him toward the riverbank.

He Yuzhu followed with long strides, carrying the other two corpses, one in each hand.

Arriving at the riverbank, He Yuzhu exerted force with both arms and violently threw the two heavy bodies into the center of the river.

Two splashes, waves surged, and after a few whirlpools, the river surface returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened.

In the days that followed, He Yuzhu and Jin Hai began to operate methodically in the Shanghai black market.

They wanted to catch Xiao Tian, but they never saw him again. Perhaps the kid knew he had provoked someone he shouldn't have and went into hiding.

Through Boss Chen, He Yuzhu got to know quite a few money shop owners.

Like a diligent little bee, he shuttled between various black markets and underground money shops every day.

Five days slowly passed before He Yuzhu finally exchanged the fifty thousand Big Ocean into gold and US dollars.

He was still a long way from his plan to exchange all six hundred thousand Big Ocean in his space into gold.

If he just let those Big Ocean lie in his space, a year later, he feared he wouldn't be able to spend them in this lifetime.

On the sixth day, Zhao Ying finally arrived in Shanghai with two Shengli Hao cargo ships.

Seeing that she was much fuller than before, He Yuzhu joked: "Sister Zhao, you've been living quite well! If you keep getting this fat, I'm afraid you won't be able to get married!"

Zhao Ying immediately widened her eyes and cursed: "He Yuzhu, you little bastard, your mouth is still so foul! If you talk nonsense again, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Watching the two bicker, Jin Hai just smiled and said nothing.

When He Yuzhu introduced the two to each other, he learned that they had known each other for a long time.

"Let's go, Sister Zhao, I'll treat you to a stay at the International Hotel; I'll cover all the food, drink, and entertainment for these days!" He Yuzhu said generously.

"Are you asking me for a favor?" Zhao Ying pouted.

He Yuzhu leaned into her ear and whispered: "Are you guys planning to purchase goods this time? Do you need Big Ocean?"

Zhao Ying nodded: "This time we need to buy a large batch of tea, silk, ceramics, and hog bristles..."

"You must have brought a lot of US dollars on this trip, right? I want to exchange Big Ocean for your US dollars, how about it?"

Zhao Ying grinned: "Which wealthy family did you rob again?"

"It's all my hard-earned money!" He Yuzhu joked.

"I want a commission!"

He Yuzhu immediately put on a cold face and said: "You dare ask for a commission? Then don't even think about getting any more benefits from me in the future!"

"Fine, fine, fine," Zhao Ying waved her hand, "besides you covering my food and lodging in Shanghai, you also have to pay for me to have some clothes made."

"Deal." He Yuzhu agreed readily, "I have a total of six hundred thousand Big Ocean on hand, and I want to exchange it all for US dollars."

Zhao Ying shook her head: "No, I can only take fifty thousand at most."

"Good, deal!"

At noon, He Yuzhu enthusiastically hosted a banquet for Zhao Ying and her group of seven.

After ordering, He Yuzhu looked at the steamed shad, France foie gras, and Kobe steak on the table... his heart was practically bleeding... the ten-person banquet actually cost three hundred and fifty Big Ocean.

"Big Sister, how come you've become so extravagant after not seeing you for a few months? If you eat like this, your company will go bankrupt!" He Yuzhu said.

Zhao Ying didn't care at all, only smiling as she said: "In these chaotic times, one must drink today's wine today. Otherwise, if one dies someday, it wouldn't be worth it."

Although Jin Hai had money, he was also stunned by the expense of over three hundred Big Ocean for a single meal.

While going to the restroom, he said to He Yuzhu: "I used to work with this woman, and she was quite frugal back then. How did she become like this after going to Hong Kong?"

"Isn't it because Hong Kong is paved with gold, allowing this woman to make money!" He Yuzhu pouted.

"Since she can make money, this brother is definitely going to Hong Kong!" Jin Hai said.

After the meal, Zhao Ying instructed her subordinates: "You six, hurry and contact those foreign firms. Tell them to load the goods onto the ships, and we'll pay them in Big Ocean on the spot!"

After the few agreed, they went off to get busy.

He Yuzhu wanted to return to his room to sleep, but was dragged by Zhao Ying to go shopping for clothes.

They walked into a tailor shop named Charlie Tailoring. Zhao Ying took a fancy to the various British fabrics in the display window at a glance and immediately summoned a French tailor to make her clothes, ordering ten suits in one go, each costing several dozen Big Ocean.

The tailor in the shop was beaming with joy, guaranteeing completion within five days.

Zhao Ying nudged He Yuzhu with her elbow: "Little brother, what are you standing there for? Pay up."

He Yuzhu pouted and painfully took out six hundred and thirty Big Ocean.

As soon as they left the shop, He Yuzhu complained: "Sister Zhao, this money wasn't worth spending!"

Zhao Ying raised an eyebrow and scolded: "You little ingrate! Your sister here just exchanged your fifty thousand Big Ocean for US dollars at the highest rate, and you're already feeling the pinch over this little bit of money?"

"That's not it; it's just that I think the style of those suits is too tacky. Do you find it interesting to wear the same clothes as a man?"

Could it be that you even know how to design clothes? Then help your big sister design a few sets!

If I don't let you witness my skills today, you'll really look down on me! After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he took Zhao Ying into a tailor shop run by a local master craftsman.

He took a charcoal pencil out of his bag, and in less than half an hour, he drew five or six fashionable clothing designs, including both improved cheongsams and the Western-style skirt suits and trench coats popular in later generations.

The master craftsman held the drawings and studied them for a long time, exclaiming: Young man, you are not simple! Did you specifically study design? I have never seen these styles before.

I just figured them out myself. Old sir, I want to discuss a business deal with you. After the clothes are made, I can give you these designs, and you can waive the production fee for me, is that okay? He Yuzhu asked.

No problem! The master craftsman was so excited that his hands were trembling.

Although Zhao Ying did not understand design, she was an expert at wearing clothes and naturally recognized the uniqueness of these garments. She looked as if she were seeing the person before her for the first time, took He Yuzhu's arm, and said: Little brother, I am going to open a clothing store when I return to Hong Kong, you must design more styles for your big sister!

No problem, leave it to me. However, you can't keep fleecing me! He Yuzhu said with a smile.

Stingy! Zhao Ying pouted.

The next day, He Yuzhu was awakened by urgent knocking on the door.

Opening the door to look, Zhao Ying was standing outside, her expression grave: We were cheated by a person from the Netherlands! We ordered twenty thousand Big Ocean worth of hog bristles, and yesterday he said he needed three thousand Big Ocean as a deposit for turnover, but by evening we couldn't contact him, and this morning our people went to his company to find him and discovered he had absconded with the money!

How do you know he ran away? He Yuzhu asked.

That grandson left a note in the office saying he was going back to the Netherlands, had no money to pay everyone's wages for this month, and told everyone to take the office supplies to settle the debt.

That is quite a conscientious Boss, running away and still voluntarily saying so. He Yuzhu joked.

When He Yuzhu immediately rushed to the office location of that person from the Netherlands with Zhao Ying, he found the office in chaos, with employees scrambling for office supplies.

He Yuzhu grabbed a middle-aged Pangzi and asked: Where does your Boss live?

We went to his house; he bought two Western-style houses, but they were long ago mortgaged to others. You are here to collect debts, right? There is no hope. The middle-aged Pangzi said.

Zhao Ying stomped her feet in anger: He Yuzhu, hurry up and think of a way, we absolutely cannot suffer this loss in silence!

Big sister, you are the professional at intelligence work, why are you asking me to think of a way?

If you talk back to me again, I will deal with you! Zhao Ying scolded.

He Yuzhu turned to a young man and asked: Do you have a photo of your Boss?

The young man thought for a moment: I have a company group photo at home.

Give the photo to me, and I will give you five Big Ocean.

The young man's eyes lit up immediately: Then please come home with me to get it.

After getting the photo, He Yuzhu studied the tall and sturdy person from the Netherlands on it and said to Zhao Ying: It seems we have to go to the docks to intercept him. However, running away with three thousand Big Ocean is too conspicuous; he must first go to a bank to exchange it for gold bars or US dollars. Let's go to the underground money shops at the Waitan first to take a look.