Qu Qiao, speak slowly. What happened to Qing Shan?" Lin Wanrong was startled. It was so late, and Qu Qiao was waiting here. Could it be that something really happened to Qing Shan? But wasn't Xiao Luo watching over him? Even if Qing Shan was impulsive, Xiao Luo was a clever person, and nothing should go wrong.
"Big brother, last night, I saw Qing Shan and Beidou preparing many knives and weapons. By the time evening came today, they were all gone, and even their shadows were nowhere to be seen. Qing Shan must have gone to pick a fight with someone. Although he used to fight before, it was always with his fists. This time, with knives and guns involved, it must be a serious matter. Big brother, you must save Qing Shan. If he gets hurt, my father might not survive." Qu Qiao anxiously choked on her words.
Dong Qing Shan's establishment of a gang was kept secret even from Qu Qiao. This kind and innocent girl had no idea that her little brother, under the influence of Lin Wanrong, had transformed into the leader of a gang. Seeing Qing Shan preparing weapons, she thought he was going to fight someone but didn't know that Qing Shan had become a powerful figure.
Lin Wanrong, relieved that Qing Shan hadn't been kidnapped, patted Qu Qiao on the shoulder and said, "Qu Qiao, don't worry. Qing Shan will be fine. Trust your big brother."
Qu Qiao tightly held onto his sleeve and sobbed lightly, "Big brother, I couldn't find Qing Shan in the afternoon. I was anxious and didn't know what to do. I came to the Xiao family to find you, but they said you and Miss were out. I'm worried, big brother..."
Qu Qiao had been waiting here for over an hour, full of worry and fear. Now, seeing the person she cared about, she couldn't hold back her tears.
Lin Wanrong hugged her tightly and comforted, "Qu Qiao, don't be afraid. With big brother here, Qing Shan will be fine. He's my brother-in-law; I won't let anything happen to him."
Qu Qiao blushed, holding onto him firmly. She found her emotional support, but her delicate shoulders still trembled slightly. Until Qing Shan returned safely, she wouldn't completely relax. Lin Wanrong understood her thoughts and held her close, saying, "Qu Qiao, what about Luo Yuan? Wasn't he with Qing Shan?"
Qu Qiao wiped her tears and said, "Yesterday, he and Qing Shan talked for a long time in the room. It seemed like they were discussing something. Later, he left, and I haven't seen him today."
Qing Shan had already prepared weapons yesterday, indicating he was well-prepared. With Luo Yuan advising him, they wouldn't be at a disadvantage. Qu Qiao didn't understand Qing Shan's current strength, thinking he was still the same as before, a reckless brawler. Hence, she hurriedly came to find Lin Wanrong.
Lin Wanrong quickly grasped the situation and smiled, "Qu Qiao, don't worry. Qing Shan will be fine. I'm sure they are planning something. Let me check on those two."
He intended to send Qu Qiao back but noticed the lack of strength in her after waiting for so long. Now that she had taken a calming pill, she seemed to have lost her energy, leaning on Lin Wanrong in exhaustion.
Feeling heartbroken, Lin Wanrong instructed a servant at the door, "This young lady is here to see me. Why didn't you invite her in?"
He, now a distinguished figure in the Xiao family, was treated with great respect by everyone. The servant dared not refuse and said, "Third brother, we advised this young lady several times, but she insisted on waiting here."
Qu Qiao hastily added, "Big brother, don't blame them. It was my decision to wait here. The Xiao family is vast, and you are working here. I didn't want to trouble you."
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Qu Qiao, in the future, treat the Xiao family as your own. Don't be polite. If anyone dares to disrespect you, just let me know, and I'll take care of it. Consider this Xiao family as your own."
He spoke arrogantly and shamelessly, making Qu Qiao puzzled. She said, "Big brother, the Xiao family is the Xiao family. How can I treat it as my own?"
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, a bit embarrassed by his own words. He hugged Qu Qiao tightly and reassured, "Silly girl, I'm just afraid you'll be mistreated. My status in the Xiao family is different now. No one can bully my Qu Qiao."
The words were comforting, but there seemed to be an underlying meaning. These clever girls were one match for another, and Lin Wanrong shook his head helplessly. He mounted his horse, planning to check what those two youngsters were up to and ease Qu Qiao's worries.
As he was about to leave, the rarely speaking Miss Xiao asked, "Lin San, where are you going?"
He chuckled and replied, "Miss, my friends have some matters to attend to. I need to check on them."
Miss Xiao frowned, "Tonight, I still need to discuss the promotion of perfumes and soaps with you—"
Damn, when did this girl ever discuss this matter with me? Why bring it up today? He smiled and said, "Miss, I'm not free today. Let's discuss it another day."
Qu Qiao, noticing Lin Wanrong's conversation with Miss Xiao, tugged at his sleeve and said, "Big brother, don't let your important matters be delayed—"
Lin Wanrong stopped her, "Qu Qiao, only your matters are important. Everything else is nonsense." Despite being crude words, it touched Qu Qiao's heart. She nodded shyly and didn't speak further.
Seeing the two women engaged in a heated conversation, Lin Wanrong sighed, "The easiest to coax is still my darling Qu Qiao. If I don't marry her, it would be against heaven's will."
Miss Xiao, seeing Lin San focusing on the other girl, interrupted, "Excuse me, who is this young lady—"
Qu Qiao, feeling asked about, hurriedly answered, "Miss Xiao, I'm from the old Dong family in the city. I made clothes for your mansion a few years ago."
Miss Xiao nodded, "Oh, you're from the old Dong family. My mother mentioned it. I vaguely remember, your name is Xiang Xiang or Qiao Qiao. Not sure if I remember correctly."
Qu Qiao blushed, "Miss Xiao has an excellent memory. I'm called Qiao Qiao."
Lin Wanrong couldn't stand hearing the name Xiang Xiang, finding it vulgar. "My darling is called Qiao Qiao, a hundred times better than your Xiao Yu Ruo." However, Miss Xiao, who hadn't met Qu Qiao before, only knew the name and seemed to have quite a memory.
A strange smile appeared on Miss Xiao's face. She glanced at Qu Qiao, seemingly satisfied, and then looked at Lin Wanrong, saying, "Lin San, since you have matters to attend to, go ahead. Today, I want to have
a good chat with Miss Qiao Qiao."
A chat? You don't even know my Qu Qiao, what's there to talk about? How did this Miss Xiao suddenly become so generous? Lin Wanrong felt strange. Nevertheless, Miss Xiao turned to Qu Qiao and said, "I wonder if Miss Qiao Qiao would like to honor me with her company?"
Qu Qiao, who had been disturbed by Qing Shan's situation, had somewhat recovered. Blushing, she smiled, "Miss Xiao is joking. As long as Miss doesn't mind my dullness, Qiao Qiao would be happy to talk."
Lin Wanrong, sensing something amiss in Miss Xiao's smile, intervened, "Darling, I'll accompany you back. I'm worried this girl will teach you bad things."
Qu Qiao shyly said, "Big brother, since you're working in the Xiao family, I'll accompany Miss Xiao for a chat. It will be less troublesome for you in the future."
Lin Wanrong was overjoyed to hear Qu Qiao's idea. "Since that's the case, you can stay here and talk to her. However, this girl has a strange temperament. If she says bad things about me, don't believe it. Just think the opposite. If she says I'm bad, believe that I'm good. If she says I'm fickle, then I'm single-minded."
Qu Qiao teased, "Big brother, you're such a character. I know you well enough. You can rest assured."
Though the words were pleasing, there seemed to be more beneath the surface. These girls were each as shrewd as the other. Lin Wanrong shook his head helplessly, mounted his horse, and left. At the entrance, he noticed that Miss Xiao had already held Qu Qiao's hand, and her face was as radiant as May flowers.
Ignoring their conversation, Lin Wanrong was eager to see how the battle between Qing Shan and Xiao Luo was going. Riding southward, he heard the sounds of fighting before even reaching the Horse-Turning Alley.
It's really happening. Lin Wanrong was excited. He dismounted, climbed a hill, and looked down from afar.
Below the hill, torches were raised, and hundreds of people were engaged in a fierce battle. One group wore clothes of various colors, lying defeated on the ground. The other group, dressed in all black with red cloth strips wrapped around their left arms, was clearly outnumbering the first. Lin Wanrong immediately spotted Dong Qing Shan among them. The guy looked robust, clad in black with a red cloth strip on his left arm, wielding a heavy wooden stick. He swung it fiercely at a smaller opponent.
Lin Wanrong took a deep breath, indeed, it was an ambush. The recent rigorous training in Hongxing finally proved its worth, as the fighting capabilities of these two hundred individuals were evidently a notch above the opposing force. With both numerical and qualitative advantages, they swiftly overwhelmed the enemy formation.
What surprised him the most was the sight of Xiao Luo among the attacking team. He was being protected by the formidable Qing Shan, Li Beidou, and another individual. Xiao Luo held a wooden stick in his hands, his face flushed with excitement, ready to strike at the sight of anyone.
Originally thinking that a delicate scholar like Xiao Luo would be afraid of blood, it turned out that once he entered the battlefield, he was more spirited in combat than anyone else. One should not underestimate human nature, Lin Wanrong reflected.
The person guarding Xiao Luo, closely following Luo Yuan, executed clean and precise moves with no unnecessary actions. Lin Wanrong observed with astonishment, wondering when Hongxing had found such a skilled fighter.
Arriving a bit late, Lin Wanrong witnessed the aftermath of the battle. Hongxing's side achieved a complete victory, and Dong Qing Shan, Luo Yuan, and Li Beidou excitedly embraced each other in triumphant celebration. However, the skilled individual guarding Xiao Luo took advantage of the distraction and quietly retreated.
Something's amiss! A thought stirred in Lin Wanrong's mind, prompting him to discreetly follow the person. The individual made several turns and entered a deep alley. Glancing around, he entered without a sound.
Lin Wanrong had no knowledge of the taboo saying "avoid alleys, avoid forests," so he quietly followed. Looking up, he saw a small sedan parked in the alley, surrounded by a few men in green attire on either side.
The individuals who aided Luo Yuan bowed before the sedan and reported, "Reporting to the master, the matter has been concluded."
A voice came from within the sedan, asking, "Have they discovered you?"
The person replied, "Young master has never seen the subordinate, naturally, he won't recognize. However, from the subordinate's observation, it seems that the young master is quite interested in these brawls."
The voice inside the sedan chuckled, "This lad, despite his scholarly pursuits, enjoys a good fight."
The portly old man emerged from the sedan, sporting a large belly and a face glowing with redness. His smile squeezed his eyes into a narrow slit, resembling a Maitreya Buddha. At first glance, he exuded the aura of a stereotypical corrupt official.
Damn, has this old man had cosmetic surgery? Otherwise, with his appearance, how could he have fathered such a beautiful daughter as Luo Ning? Lin Wanrong chuckled inwardly. You sly old fox, I've got you now.