Chapter 50

Who's heartless?

After he finished speaking, all the eyes behind him were fixed on Lu Qin.

Lu Qin understood that she had no choice but to go. Even if she didn't care whether Ling'er lived or died, they would find other ways to forcibly take her away.

She nodded kindly and said, "Okay, please."

Seeing the bearded man give a wink to his men, Lu Qin's heart leaped into her throat, but she watched calmly.

The group of people blocking her way approached step by step. One of them pulled out two black handkerchiefs from his pocket, tied her hands and blindfolded her, knotted them tightly, and stuffed a rag into her mouth, as if to prevent her from screaming for help if she went out.

After losing her sight, Lu Qin's hearing became acute. She heard a group of people approaching her, carrying her forward and kicking over a lunchbox, making a dull rubbing sound.

Not long after landing, the ground began to feel bumpy.

Lu Qin touched around and quickly realized that it was a sedan chair. She touched further and found a slender arm.

These people were really cautious, afraid of attracting attention, so they even used a sedan chair to carry her and Ling'er.

Lu Qin pondered a perfect plan, her mind heavy with thoughts. In fact, the Qian family's clothing shop was just a few steps away on this street, but it felt like an eternity to her.

When the sedan chair finally stopped, these people carried her to another place, hastily untied her, and threw her into a pile of junk, showing no mercy whatsoever.

Lu Qin thought she was going to fall badly and prepared herself mentally, but unexpectedly landed in a pile of soft things.

She hastily pulled off the handkerchief around her eyes, only to discover that beneath her lay a small mountain of old-fashioned cotton cloaks, all covered in dust.

Judging from the appearance, this place is the warehouse of the Qian family's clothing shop.

"Mr. Lu, it's a pleasure to meet you."

As Lu Qin was pondering this, a shrill voice came from behind her. She propped herself up in her cloak and turned around to look.

The man was wearing a light pink mandarin jacket, had sparse hair, a wicked grin on his face, and a set of crooked teeth. At first glance, he looked like a weasel that had come to life.

"Let me introduce myself," the weasel spirit said, waving his folding fan. "My name is Qian Yuming. My father is a low-ranking official, nothing special. I invited Boss Lu here today because I want to make friends with him."

Lu Qin casually dusted herself off and said directly, "Let's not beat around the bush. Boss Qian is a clever man with a sharp mind. There's no need for riddles."

Qian Yuming didn't beat around the bush and immediately said, "It's really straightforward talking to Boss Lu. Then I'll get straight to the point."

"I really like your clothes. If you're willing to provide the designs, I'll accept your shop as a branch and keep you from going out of business. That way, we can both make money. What do you say?"

Lu Qin didn't answer directly, but pretended to be puzzled and said, "I've heard that Boss Qian's family has been in a monopoly for many years and can't tolerate other shops opening. Why would they tolerate me?"

“In business, if you’re useful, we’ll keep you around,” Qian Yuming said, shaking his head. “Zhang Gui is a brainless idiot, but I’m not stupid. You’re able to live in the capital, so you must have some skills.”

“Then Mr. Qian’s words are not sincere. The design of the garment comes from my family. If we are to cooperate, it should be your family that sets up a branch.” Lu Qin spread her hands and said, “If I don’t agree, what will Mr. Qian do?”

Qian Yuming didn't even look at her, but strolled politely across from her and smiled.

"Your dog, what was its name again... oh, Babao, right?" His eyes darted around. "Do you want to know how it died?"

Lu Qin's pupils dilated: "What?"

"You must think that I was jealous of your money, so I had Zhang Gui kill that dog, but that's not the case at all."

Qian Yuming ignored her reaction and continued on his own, “That day, Zhang Gui’s father, who is also the county magistrate, had a private transaction with someone involving some spices or medicine. On his way back, he passed by your clothing shop and was smelled by Babao.”

"..."

"It must have smelled strange. Babao chased after him all the way. The magistrate was afraid that he would bark and attract attention, so he pretended to be kind and fed him a piece of meat... Poor thing, what a clever little dog."

At this point, Qian Yuming looked regretful and clicked his tongue twice meaningfully, then the air fell silent.

After hearing the whole story, Lu Qin felt as if a million ants were gnawing at her heart, causing her a dull ache. She couldn't help but imagine Ba Bao's dying state.

She stared into Qian Yuming's cunning eyes and said, "Whether Boss Qian's words are true or false is still unknown."

“You can ask your husband,” Qian Yuming said calmly. “That day you went out to get your clothes, but he was still in the shop. He found that Babao was missing, and searched for a while at the door. When he saw that Babao had run back by herself, he went back into the shop.”

He shook his head: "It's a pity that you both missed the best opportunity. If he had taken a second look, or if you had come back sooner, Babao might still have been saved."

If they come back sooner, there might still be hope...

The words echoed in Lu Qin's ears, and her fingers trembled involuntarily.

Babao, it's all Mother's fault for being a step too late... Wait, no, that's not right.

Lu Qin looked up at Qian Yuming's smug face as he revealed the truth, and instantly snapped out of her sadness.

Their clothing shops weren't even in the same area; how could he know such a thing so clearly?

She was filled with dread as she thought about it, and slowly realized what was going on: "You're spying on us?"

Qian Yuming was circling in place when his hand, which was twirling a folding fan, suddenly stopped, covering half of his face and revealing only his eyes.

"Since Mr. Lu has planted so many spies in my house, I naturally have to reciprocate."

He turned his gaze over, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

"I also know that Boss Lu and her husband put on a good show today in order to uphold justice."

Qian Yuming's shrill voice sounded like a spider spinning white silk. When Lu Qin heard it, she felt as if her face was entangled in a spider web, and her whole body felt chilled.

This person is just as cunning as Aunt Zhao back then, and perhaps even more shrewd.

If you don't take precautions when associating with this person, you will inevitably fall into his trap and suffer in silence.

Qian Yuming caught the fleeting look of fear in her expression and laughed, "I've known Zhang Gui for many years and know many of his family's secrets. Maybe I'll be a good helper for you two."

The words echoed in the narrow warehouse. Lu Qin lowered her head, and after a long while, her smile returned. She tilted her head and asked, "So, Boss Qian is also dissatisfied? I thought that Boss Qian, having received the benefits, would be the most willing to follow Zhang Gui."

“That idiot Zhang Gui acts like a big shot, he’ll never be reliable.” Qian Yuming closed his folding fan and said with a contemptuous look, “If it weren’t for making a living, who would be willing to be so respectful to him? In fact, the people on this street have long been dissatisfied with Zhang Gui, including myself.”

As he spoke, he slowly took a few steps closer, his eyebrows raised, and his sharp voice suddenly deepened, as if it were bewitching.

"As long as Zhang Gui is defeated, everyone will be happy. You will avenge the dog, the bad practices on Xuande Street will be eradicated, and I can do business in peace."

"So, Mr. Lu, are you really not going to consider it?"

...

Actually, using bad people to teach bad people a lesson is not a bad idea, but Qian Yuming is really treacherous. Lu Qin always felt that he had other plans, so she dared not easily agree to join forces.

Her heart swayed like a suspended bell, so she made an excuse to interrupt, saying that the designs for the clothes were all drawn by her husband, and she needed to discuss them with him. She also said that if she stayed out too long, it would displease her husband, and she had to hurry back to appease him before she could persuade him to agree.

The two agreed to meet again at the same time the next day. Qian Yuming was overjoyed and kept his word by having the bearded man send Ling'er back. He also thoughtfully gave them a lantern for lighting.

After confirming that these people hadn't done anything to Ling'er, Lu Qin felt relieved and led her away from the place to her own clothing shop. At this moment, it was getting dark outside, and the lanterns in front of many shops were lit up. Up close, they appeared as dots, but from a distance, they formed a patch, like a colorful stream flowing in mid-air, which was very beautiful.

Lu Qin thought, "The night view is so beautiful. I wish Hao Jingshi were here too. I haven't seen them all day."

She was taken away by Qian Yuming for an entire afternoon, and Hao Jingshi was completely unaware of it. He couldn't see her for a while, so he must have been extremely worried.

Thinking of this, Lu Qin quickened her pace.

She and Ling'er rushed back to the clothing shop, panting, only to find that the door was already locked before closing time.

Lu Qin paused for a moment. At this moment, Aunt Zhao saw her from next door and seemed to understand the purpose of her return. She poked her head out and said, "That young man closed the shop at the beginning of Shen Shi (3-5 PM) and left in a hurry."

Lu Qin hurriedly asked, "Did you see where he went, Auntie?"

Aunt Zhao pointed in a direction, and then told her in detail what Hao Jingshi had said about closing the shop to rid the people of a scourge. She also kindly advised her to live a peaceful life and not to do anything outrageous again.

Seeing that she was pointing in the direction of Zhang Gui's house, Lu Qin didn't bother to explain, so she quickly thanked her and turned to run in that direction.

...

Lu Qin was certain that Hao Jingshi would not return to the manor. If he couldn't find her, he would most likely go to Zhang Gui to question him, since he was now the one who had a grudge against them.

She knew Hao Jingshi's personality all too well.

She had never taken Hao Jingshi's fiery temper seriously before, but ever since she heard the fortune teller's words, she has become fearful, constantly worried that his domineering nature would arouse resentment and bring him disaster.

Lu Qin's thoughts were in turmoil, and she kept praying to God that Hao Jingshi would not go to Zhang Gui's house, or that she would get to Zhang Gui's house before Hao Jingshi.

However, she did not know exactly where Zhang Gui's house was, so she hurriedly asked around, only to be turned away one after another.

They said angrily, "Your husband was searching for you all over the streets, he was so worried, and you, on the other hand, were thinking about someone else!"

"Heartless! This young man is so pitiful! If it were me, I wouldn't care whether you live or die, let him go wherever he wants!"

"What are you doing going to Zhang Gui's house so late at night? Have you no shame?"

"..." After receiving a bunch of strange looks, Lu Qin felt both amused and exasperated, and stomped her feet in frustration.

Hey, who's heartless!

If she had known Qian Yuming would ask her to collaborate, she wouldn't have shamelessly put on this act. Now look what's happened—everyone on the street misunderstands her!

Lu Qin wandered around helplessly, having no other choice. Just as she was about to go to Qian's clothing shop to ask Qian Yuming, Ling'er suddenly shook her arm.

She pointed to the light on the tree at the street corner: "Madam, look, it's Xuan Lan!"