Chapter 331: Xu Damao Sets a Trap

"Big Brother, our shop is located right on Qianmen Street, the storefront is large, and we run a legitimate business; how could we possibly scam you!" Cui Dazhi said with a fawning smile.

The older man's eyes rolled around: "I don't trust you lot. How about this: have your Siqiang come to the place we're renting to inspect the goods."

Cui Dazhi and Xu Damao exchanged a glance and nodded.

"I can't wait too long," the older man added, "we have an appointment with another Boss to look at goods tomorrow!"

"Fine, lead the way so we know where it is, and I'll go invite our Siqiang right now!" Cui Dazhi replied.

The two brothers followed the pair, twisting and turning until they entered a dilapidated little Siheyuan.

The moment they stepped through the courtyard gate, five burly men lunged from the shadows and, without a word, shoved burlap sacks over their heads.

After a round of punches and kicks, they snatched the over five million yuan on them and immediately scattered like birds and beasts.

Xu Damao struggled to pull off the sack, spat out the grit in his mouth, and cursed loudly: "Fuck his grandfather! Who the hell are these people?"

Cui Dazhi rubbed his bruised corner of his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood-tinged saliva: "This whole thing reeks of something sinister. Someone came to the shop to ask about the Blue and White Plum Vase this morning, and this afternoon we run into the seller at Liulichang; it's too much of a coincidence. We brothers capsized in the gutter this time; it's all our fault for being too eager for success. This trap wasn't even set very cleverly!"

Xu Damao was still fuming: "Motherfucker, don't let me catch these bastards, or I'll definitely skin them alive!"

"What a damn stroke of bad luck," Cui Dazhi said, brushing the dust off his body. "Let's go, let's go find Xiaomei and Xiaoli to vent our anger; Brother is treating today."

The two supported each other, hailed two rickshaws, and headed straight for Xiaojing Hutong.

"Brother, shouldn't we go back and report this to Siqiang first?"

"Going back just means getting scolded; better to have some fun first," Cui Dazhi waved his hand.

"Brother, your habit is really strange; every time you get frustrated, you run to the brothels!" Xu Damao muttered.

"You know nothing, kid! A man only wants to seek comfort from women after he's been thwarted. If you're really happy, that's when you go to the casino!"

"I've been taught!" Xu Damao quickly flattered him.

The two stopped in front of an inconspicuous black-lacquered wooden door and knocked with a rhythm.

A moment later, the door creaked open a crack, and a woman of eighteen or nineteen, wearing silk pajamas, poked her head out; seeing they were regular customers, she quickly pulled the courtyard gate open.

Xiaomei reached out to gently stroke the injury on Xu Damao's face and asked with concern: "Little brother, who bullied you like this?"

"Ran into a double-cross; got played by someone," Xu Damao said sullenly.

Just as they entered the room, another woman in a nightgown, Xiaoli, pressed herself against Cui Dazhi.

She was born with a pair of fox-like eyes, and her two snow-white legs were faintly visible beneath the thin gauze.

"Master Cui, where have you been having such a good time, and how did you end up looking like this?"

"Quick, bring me a basin of water; I need to wash off all this bad luck," Cui Dazhi ordered.

"Come, let's go take a bamboo tub bath, I'll scrub your back," Xiaoli said, leading Cui Dazhi toward the inner room.

Xiaomei helped Xu Damao take off his dirty outer garment, and seeing the bruises and swelling all over his body, she couldn't help but gasp: "Master Mao, which hero did you provoke? They really laid it on thick. Fortunately, it's all just skin-deep; let me apply some medicine for you."

"It can wait until later," Xu Damao reached out to touch Xiaomei's thigh, but she slapped his hand away.

"You kid, not even fully grown yet, and already so impatient!" Xiaomei laughed and scolded, "Behave and wait, medicine first."

Xu Damao grinned cheekily: "The moment I see Sister Xiaomei, I only feel heartache, and my whole body doesn't hurt anymore."

Xiaomei fetched medicinal wine and carefully applied it to Xu Damao's injuries.

Xu Damao winced in pain, yet he enjoyed it like it was sweet nectar.

Those soft palms gently rubbed the injured areas, gradually drifting elsewhere...

Before long, sounds that would make one blush and heart race emanated from both rooms.

About an incense stick's time later, Xiaomei rested her head in the crook of Xu Damao's not-so-broad arm and sighed gloomily: "Damao, Bolihua has come to collect protection money again, and this time he wants an especially large amount. If we really give them this money, neither of us will be able to survive. The wind is blowing hard these days, business is difficult to do; can you ask someone to put in a word for us? We sisters will definitely repay you well."

Xu Damao sucked his teeth, troubled: "We brothers are both here having fun behind Siqiang's back; how could we dare to disturb the old man?"

Xiaomei pleaded softly: "Don't you have any other connections? Bolihua has put the word out that if we don't pay, we have to accompany him. I heard he's already done away with quite a few people like us..."

Xu Damao calculated for a long time, suddenly thought of He Yuzhu, then shook his head—without tangible benefits, that man would never lift a finger.

"Damao, help us... otherwise we're afraid we won't make it through this summer!" Xiaomei begged with a sobbing tone.

"Alright, I'll discuss it with Brother," Xu Damao reluctantly agreed.

At this moment, Cui Dazhi also emerged from the room next door, still holding the disheveled Xiaoli.

Clearly, she had told him about the Bolihua matter as well.

Cui Dazhi frowned: "That bastard Bolihua has quite a bit of influence in the Qianmen area; he controls dozens of brothels under his command, with over thirty thugs. We'd definitely suffer if we went head-to-head!"

Xu Damao's eyes suddenly lit up: "I've got it! If this grandson were weak, I'd really be at a loss; but since he has such a large force, it's actually easier to handle. I have an idea..."

After hearing it, Cui Dazhi shook his head repeatedly: "Isn't this detour a bit too long?"

Xu Damao was confident: "As long as the two of them can get hired, I have a way."

Xiaoli and Xiaomei looked at each other, faces full of confusion.

The next day, Xiaomei and Xiaoli each changed into plain, clean clothes and arrived at Xueru Clothing Store.

Chen Xueru received them personally.

"Are you two here to apply as shop assistants?" Chen Xueru sized them up.

Xiaoli nodded timidly and recited the story they had prepared early on: "To tell you the truth, Boss Chen, we sisters were both abducted by human traffickers and sold to Badahutong. Thanks to the government for rescuing us, but... after the rehabilitation ended, we could never find any decent work. We're almost unable to put food on the table; please, Boss Chen, have mercy and give us a way to live."

Seeing their pitiful appearance, Chen Xueru sighed softly: "Since you are willing to support yourselves, I will give you a chance. However, I'll say this first: I don't care what you did before, but working for me, you must never return to your old profession!"

"We never will!" the two said in unison, their eyes showing just the right amount of anticipation.

"Come to work tomorrow," Chen Xueru nodded.

Three days later, in the evening, Bolihua swaggered into Xiaomei and Xiaoli's courtyard.

"Xiaoli, time to pay the protection fee." He puffed on a cigarette ring, eyeing them sideways.

Xiaoli gathered her courage and said: "We sisters have already washed our hands of that life; you can't still be collecting money from us, can you?"

Bolihua sneered: "Turned over a new leaf? Who are you trying to fool!"

"We're working at Xueru Clothing Store now, we're legitimate shop assistants," Xiaoli said, looking up.

"How dare she try to poach my people! That woman Chen Xueru is truly tired of living; I'm going to go smash her shop right now!" Bolihua flew into a rage.

"Our Boss said that no matter what we did in the past, since we are working for her now, she will protect us. Even if you go and tell her about our past, she won't care," Xiaomei said slyly.