Chapter 93: Wu Rui

"They've rebelled!

"Section Chief Xiao, call the police station and the Gendarmerie Headquarters immediately.

"Tell them to send men over at once.

"Daring to storm my territory—I don't believe I can't deal with these student brats."

Wu Jingzhong ordered with chilling murderous intent.

"They have already been notified.

"Commander Liu and Li Hanyuan are already sending men to rush over here," said Xiao Guohua.

"Master, please calm your anger.

"Suppression won't work.

"Military mediation is coming soon, and countless eyes are watching.

"If we stir up trouble now, wouldn't that just give the Reds an excuse?"

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly advised.

"What you say is true.

"This bunch of students is not to be trifled with.

"Back then, Cao Rulin and Lu Zongyu were almost beaten to death by them.

"You are young and have a reputation.

"These people are all bitter and full of hatred; when people compare themselves to others, there is always jealousy.

"They might not dare to lay a hand on me.

"But they will definitely try to destroy you.

"How about this: the matter in Aodao needs to be handled as well; you go south to lie low for a while."

Wu Jingzhong looked at his favorite subordinate and waved his hand, having made up his mind.

"Master, Director Yu just left, and your birthday and the military mediation are coming up soon.

"If I leave, who will share your burdens?"

Hong Zhiyou feigned reluctance.

"These are all minor matters; the situation in Aodao is already urgent.

"Sit down."

Wu Jingzhong sat down on the sofa.

Hong Zhiyou felt a secret joy in his heart.

He had manufactured the unrest precisely to find an opportunity to slip away like a cicada shedding its skin.

In Xiangdao, Long Er and Mr. Ji had already set up the shipping company.

The Rong family and Yong Jianqiu also intended to bring him to the table.

Once such a golden opportunity was missed, he wouldn't find another in ten lifetimes.

"Su Jianhua opened his mouth and demanded eighty thousand US dollars, saying he was cooperating with someone in Aodao named Ye Han.

"You go and get the money back; if you have difficulties, you can find Station Chief Xie Ruo.

"He has a good relationship with me and will help you."

Wu Jingzhong felt vexed whenever he mentioned his son-in-law.

"With Station Chief Xie's help, great things can be expected," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Still, you must be cautious.

"The waters in Xiangdao and Aodao are very deep; we have no garrison there, and the foreigners don't understand the ways of our ancestors.

"It's all gang-run security and old warlord backgrounds there.

"Act according to the situation; if you can't get the money, so be it."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand, giving a solemn warning.

"Thank you, Master," Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

"There is another more important task right now.

"Once you go to Xiangdao, Wu Rui will inform you.

"Also, you must keep an eye on my brother-in-law, Mei Shao.

"Many assets are registered under his name.

"You must make him transfer all the assets to Wu Rui's name this time."

Wu Jingzhong leaned in closer and continued.

"Master, if the Lady makes a scene, it will be very troublesome," Hong Zhiyou said, feeling the difficulty.

"This is also Wu Rui's wish.

"I was going to handle it personally, but it just so happens I can hand it over to you," Wu Jingzhong hinted in a low voice.

Hong Zhiyou understood; a tiger father has no dog for a daughter.

This was the limit of her patience; she was going to administer medicine to the eldest son and the uncle.

"A while ago, those few antiques you got from the club—I had Mei Shao auction them in Xiangdao.

"Guess how much he sold them for?"

Wu Jingzhong's tone turned stern as he tapped the table in anger.

"Those were rare items.

"It should have been at least..." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Thirty thousand!"

"Thirty thousand? That's excessive."

"Indeed, I asked Station Chief Xie to inquire, and Mei Shao resold them for eighty thousand US dollars.

"He pocketed the lion's share himself.

"Furthermore, he and my son-in-law have been finding ways to hide money from Wu Rui.

"I've worn out my prostate for the Party and State; I can't just work for them for free my whole life."

Wu Jingzhong's eyebrows twitched as he gave a cold, grim laugh.

"Master, I know what to do.

"It's a pity I don't have the ability to be in two places at once, or I would be stationed in Xiangdao and Yuezhou to manage the company for you."

Hong Zhiyou hinted subtly.

If he could, who would want to play games with the likes of Yu Zecheng and his plague-gods every day?

Wouldn't it be better to do business in Xiangdao, eating and drinking well?

"You don't need to worry about that.

"Wu Rui went to university; she understands business matters.

"She just hasn't seen blood and can't bring herself to be ruthless."

"You are the sharp blade of my Wu family!

"Cut away all those tangled messes for her."

Wu Jingzhong tapped his finger on the table, entrusting him with the heavy responsibility.

"Very well, I will set off now," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Go.

"This is your travel allowance.

"Don't forget, while parents are alive, one should not travel far; I have already settled your parents in Villa No. 1.

"Let your sister-in-law look after them for now; by the time you return, the courtyard should be finished, and you can pick them up then."

Wu Jingzhong opened the drawer, gave him three thousand US dollars, and warned him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

You son of a... good thing I'm not a local.

"Thank you, Station Chief, for your trouble."

Hong Zhiyou accepted it and left the Jinhai Station via the underground secret passage.

After leaving the station.

He headed straight for Yong Jianqiu's residence.

"You're going to Xiangdao?

"Ye Han is a lackey of Fu Laorong; it will be very troublesome to get people from him," Yong Jianqiu frowned and said.

"I know.

"That is why I came to ask for your guidance," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Take this.

"When necessary, you can find Mr. He; he is the 'King of Aodao.'

"Fu Laorong owes him a favor.

"However, this old friend of mine has a very eccentric temperament; whether he will grant this favor is hard to say."

Yong Jianqiu took a gold watch from his pocket and handed it to Hong Zhiyou.

"A gift for me?" Hong Zhiyou was overjoyed.

"In your dreams, you aren't my son-in-law.

"You must return it when you're done."

Yong Jianqiu smiled slightly.

"Then I must repay it," Hong Zhiyou teased in a playful tone.

"The current situation is unsettled; if there is an opportunity in the future, I ask that you, little friend Hong, look at our connection and give Manzhu a hand," Yong Jianqiu sighed, his eyes full of expectation.

"You hold me in too high regard," Hong Zhiyou shrugged.

"It is not me; it is Mr. Du, Young Master Rong, and Long Er.

"None of them are ordinary people.

"I have no reason not to place a bet on you."

Yong Jianqiu laughed.

"That works.

"As long as you don't make me your son-in-law, anything is fine," Hong Zhiyou agreed readily.

Yong Jianqiu happily shouted to Manzhu, who was playing the zither on the side:

"Girl, see Secretary Hong out."

"It's not like he doesn't have legs of his own, and I'm still a wounded soldier," Yong Manzhu pouted unhappily.

"No need to trouble yourself.

"Farewell."

Hong Zhiyou winked at her and walked away quickly.

"As if anyone cares that much about you.

"You want to be my Yong family's son-in-law? I wouldn't even look twice at you,"

Yong Manzhu hummed unpleasantly.

But the moment she thought of Hong Zhiyou going to the unfamiliar Xiangdao, her fingering on the zither became visibly chaotic.

……

Hong Zhiyou returned to the courtyard.

Yu Zecheng pulled him into the room:

"Didn't we say we'd join forces to deal with Liu Xiong? Why did you run off?"

"What else should I do if I don't run?

"Stay and play mahjong with you bunch of jinxes?

"I'm going to Xiangdao to wine and dine; I'll make you all green with envy."

Hong Zhiyou raised an eyebrow and laughed.

"Who are you calling a jinx!" Cuiping rolled up her sleeves, glaring at him to intimidate him.

"Sister-in-law, you'd better save your Vajra Palm for slapping old Yu.

"The trap for Liu Xiong is already fully set.

"Just waiting for the auspicious time to strike.

"I reckon that with the Station Chief's methods, this guy will still end up in your hands.

"You two can play it by ear when the time comes.

"I'm off, you two play by yourselves.

"Don't see me out!"

Hong Zhiyou pushed open the door and slipped away in a flash, too lazy to even pack his clothes, heading straight for the 74th Army airfield to catch a military flight to Yuezhou.

"Old Yu, the kid ran off.

"Do you think we can still return to the Jinhai Station?

"If we can't go back, aren't you finished?"

Cuiping closed the door and said anxiously.

"No.

"Wu Jingzhong won't let him go.

"I'll bet you, once the military mediation begins, old Wu will have to drag him back."

Yu Zecheng said.

"I'm asking you, who cares about him," Cuiping said.

"Me?

"That's simple.

"Once Liu Xiong is dead, the Station Chief will have to summon me back.

"And he'll have to beg me to return."

Yu Zecheng smiled with full confidence.

……

It was already past midnight when Hong Zhiyou arrived at the Yuezhou airport.

Wu Jingzhong had already made the call.

As soon as he got off the plane, Wu Rurui, wearing a black trench coat, with her hair in curls and elegant makeup, was already waiting at the airport.

"Secretary Hong."

She greeted him in a gentle voice.

"Miss Wu." Hong Zhiyou shook her hand lightly.

Old Wu was not handsome.

Sister Mei could not be considered pretty either.

But Rurui had a unique charm.

Her face shape was not the standard oval or melon-seed face; it was somewhat similar to Ni Ni's catfish-like face.

With just a little makeup, it gave people a sense of sophistication and cold elegance.

Complemented by her height of about 1. 5 meters and her proud chest.

Her temperament was absolutely striking.

"My mother often mentions you; she treats you like her own son.

"We are all family, just call me Rurui."

Wu Rurui smiled with natural grace.

"By the way, this is my uncle, Yingxue's father.

"He might also be your future father-in-law, oh."

As she spoke, she introduced the middle-aged man beside her with a light laugh.

"Uncle, hello, I often hear the Lady and the Station Chief mention you.

"I ask for your guidance."

Hong Zhiyou bowed slightly to greet the middle-aged man beside her.

Mei Shao was nearly forty.

But he was extremely well-maintained, with his hair slicked back, wearing black-rimmed glasses, having a bit of the air of the "Senior Brother" from *The God of Cookery*.

"We're family, no need for formalities," Mei Shao said politely with no expression.

Clearly, he did not welcome Hong Zhiyou much, and was too lazy to even pretend.

"Let's go to the winery first."

Wu Rurui walked toward the car parked on the side of the road.

Two new cars.

Studebaker brand.

Old Wu probably hadn't even heard of them yet, but things were already luxurious here.

Wu Rurui drove the car skillfully:

"Want one?"

With her other hand, she pulled out a pack of women's cigarettes.

"I haven't smoked this kind, let me try."

Hong Zhiyou pulled one out first and held it to her lips.

Wu Rurui bit it lightly.

Hong Zhiyou took out a lighter and lit it for her.

"Thank you," she smiled charmingly, turned her head, and elegantly exhaled a puff of smoke out the window.

Hong Zhiyou also lit one.

Once the cigarette was lit, the distance between the two felt closer.

Before coming, Hong Zhiyou thought Wu Rurui should be the gentle and weak type.

Otherwise, why would she go along with everything Su Jianhua said?

Now that he saw her, just this aura alone was a carbon copy of the Station Chief; she was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

"Where is Su Jianhua?"

Since he was here to finish someone off, Hong Zhiyou used his full name directly.

"He lost money at the Taixing Casino in Aodao and even injured the dealer.

"He was detained by Ye Han."

"The other party is demanding eighty thousand US dollars to release the person."

Wu Rui said indifferently.

"Why are you helping him keep things from the Station Chief?" Hong Zhiyou frowned, puzzled.

"His father has an ancestral home on Queen's Road in Xiangdao, only three hundred meters away from Henry Pottinger's residence; it is worth a fortune.

"I want to take this opportunity to get my hands on that house.

"After all, if one wants to develop in Xiangdao, without a good place to stay, distinguished guests will not come to visit."

Wu Rui gave a cold smile and continued:

"His parents are in good health, and he has an older brother; even if I wait for them to pass away, this house might not necessarily fall into my hands.

"Therefore, this is the real mission for your visit this time."

"But the Station Chief and his Lady have chatted, and they say you love Su Jianhua very much." Hong Zhiyou felt a chill down his spine hearing this.

"I loved him very much in the past.

"But after leaving the world of romance and luxury, I discovered that people are the most unreliable things.

"People change.

"I used to love Su Jianhua very much, but he hid the fact that he had many women outside.

"He used my father's money to buy jewelry and houses for those women.

"Then he would take the empty ledgers and come to me for money.

"I complied with everything he asked.

"Would you say I was a fool?"

Tears flickered faintly in her eyes.

Hong Zhiyou smiled and said nothing.

"Some time ago, my mother said my father's high blood pressure had flared up and he was ill.

"At that moment, I knew my father was getting old.

"I have to plan my own path; I cannot let everything rest on his shoulders.

"Therefore, I want Su Jianhua to pay his debts."

Wu Rui looked at Hong Zhiyou with a charming smile.

"A sensible person." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Is that your assessment of me?

"Thank you.

"I thought you would think I was cold-hearted and ungrateful." Wu Rui smiled, quite surprised.

"Not at all.

"Everyone has the right to live, and to live well.

"Those who know it is a pit of fire yet insist on staying inside are the true fools.

"The house and the person—I will resolve both for you."

Hong Zhiyou flicked his cigarette butt away with a flourish.

"What is the situation with your uncle?" Hong Zhiyou asked again.

"The heavens are high and the Emperor is far away; he thinks I am easy to manipulate.

"Everyone has selfish motives.

"With civil war looming in the north, he perhaps thinks my father will die in Jinhai.

"These assets would naturally belong to him then.

"He knows the local gangs, which is why I called you here.

"If things go wrong, I will have to be buried with you."

Wu Rui lifted her chin, speaking of grave matters lightly.

"To be buried with a young lady of your stature, then it is worth it." Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"You really are a flirtatious man.

"It is fortunate I am not a peony flower." Wu Rui suddenly realized her father had truly not chosen the wrong person.

"But what if I want to die?" Hong Zhiyou looked at her proud chest and said suddenly.

"I will consider it."

Wu Rui's eyes shimmered with affection as she winked at him with a smile.

They arrived at the winery.

Mu Liancheng had definitely invested a fortune.

The grounds were vast, with grape trellises stretching on endlessly.

After driving for a long time, they finally stopped in front of a classical palace-style building.

"Secretary Hong, get some rest early. Tomorrow morning I will take you around, and then we will head to Xiangdao." Mei Shao stepped forward to greet him.

"Uncle, go and rest first." Wu Rui said respectfully, looking as innocent as could be.

"Very well."

Mei Shao walked out.

"Follow me."

Wu Rui led Hong Zhiyou through the gardens.

They soon arrived at an indoor hot spring pool.

Inside were wine racks, a piano, and a gramophone.

"Pop!"

She opened a bottle of red wine and poured two glasses.

"Try it, it's produced by the winery." She raised her glass.

Hong Zhiyou clinked his glass with hers: "I drank so much in Jinhai that I felt like vomiting."

"I had forgotten; those dozen trucks of fine wine last time were a pity." Wu Rui giggled.

"I will bathe first.

"Can you play the piano?" She took off her coat, revealing her voluptuous figure.

"A little," Hong Zhiyou said.

He sat by the piano and began to play casually.

Wu Rui's jade-like body submerged into the hot spring pool, and she closed her eyes to enjoy the music.

The song ended.

Hong Zhiyou took off his clothes, jumped into the hot spring, and pulled her into his arms:

"How was the tune?"

"It was played a bit poorly, but it was quite pleasant. Did you compose it yourself?

"What is it called?"

Wu Rui's fingers gently stroked his fair, handsome cheek as she asked with a charming smile.

"Chrysanthemum... Terrace."

"Are you implying something?"

"What do you think?"

"I think you are."

"Big sister is truly wonderful..."

Ever since she lost hope in Su Jianhua, Wu Rui had long ago fed her loyalty to the dogs.

In any case, Su Jianhua had plenty of women and did not treasure her.

She was not promiscuous.

Usually, aside from money, she handled these matters all by herself.

Wu Rui did not want to touch other men.

Because she feared they would be self-righteous and treat her as a plaything—a mess that is hard to cut and even harder to untangle.

After all, this was not Jinhai.

The fewer melodramatic affairs unrelated to money, the better.

But for this Imperial Envoy, Hong Zhiyou, she had to reward him.

Firstly, they saw eye to eye.

Secondly, Hong Zhiyou was her man.

The long night stretched on.

Each took what they needed, each found their own pleasure.

Two birds with one stone.

No matter how you looked at it, she was the one profiting.

Of course, that still depended on Hong Zhiyou's performance.

Facts proved that Hong Zhiyou was worthy of his reputation in the streets.

An hour later, Wu Rui lay in Hong Zhiyou's arms like a lamb.

"How should we handle your uncle's matter?" Hong Zhiyou kissed her and asked with a smile.

"Make him cough up the money, and you take it back to Father."

"Without Su Jianhua, the quality assets I have on hand are more than enough for turnover," Wu Ruirui said.

"However, you must be careful; your uncle might make a move against you," she said.

"Rest assured, he cannot touch me," Hong Zhiyou said.

"He could make a move in Xiangdao."

"You aren't familiar with that place, and the influence of Father and Uncle Xie cannot reach you there," Wu Ruirui said worriedly.

"Do you think the Station Chief sent me here just to sleep with his precious daughter?"

Hong Zhiyou pinched her chin and gave a frivolous, cold laugh.

"With those words from you, I can rest easy," Wu Ruirui sighed softly, her jade-like arms hooking around his neck.

"Well, Miss Wu, I didn't disappoint you, did I?" Hong Zhiyou flipped her over and embraced her from the side.

"I have only ever had two men."

"Compared to you, Su Jianhua, heh..."

Wu Ruirui suddenly realized that it had been less than half a month since they parted, yet Su Jianhua's image seemed to have blurred.

"However, I'm afraid that if you go back, my dad will beat you to death."

The hot spring pool rippled, and her voice was slightly breathless.

"Why?" Hong Zhiyou laughed lewdly behind her.

"You stole his title!"

Wu Ruirui giggled.

"Your wealthy father is allowed to exploit me."

"Can't I bully his precious daughter a little?"

"This is called one thing subduing another."

"Good sister, do me a favor; let's go annoy him."

"Daddy."

"Good girl."

At three in the morning, the two had just moved from the hot spring pool to the inner chamber.

They had just gotten into bed.

The lights went out.

The room plunged into darkness.

"Why did the power go out?" Wu Ruirui asked in a panic.

"It's fine, my people did it."

"Do you know the electrician in the manor?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I don't," Wu Ruirui said.

"In the winery, the Station Chief long ago planted people to protect you."

"When the wiring is inspected tomorrow, it will be the perfect time to add a little something for my uncle."

Hong Zhiyou sneered.

A fierce dragon does not cross the river without cause.

Because of his playboy reputation, the world ignores that he himself was the most outstanding graduate of the Sino-American Special Training Class.

Anyone who underestimates him.

Will pay a bloody price.

Chapter 93 is under review; everyone, don't wait up tonight.

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(End of chapter)