Chapter Three: Her Methods

The next day, the Crescent Moon Gang.

Ah Chen told Uncle Chen everything he had overheard at the Qiao Mansion.

Ah Chen has always admired scholars, especially those as learned as Lin Tang. Hearing Uncle Chen say this, he nodded repeatedly.

"Uncle Chen, you think so too, right? I think so too!"

Uncle Chen sighed again and said, "Besides, Madam's health... is a result of the illness she developed while protecting Master Qiao back then. In the end, it's retribution for Master Qiao's heavy-handed killing! Back then, when he started his own gang, he wiped out the Black Tiger Gang without leaving any room for mercy... Huang Jinhu was Master Qiao's mentor, the one who promoted him; Liang Kuan was even his sworn brother... And now? Huang Jinhu is imprisoned in a place where there is no sunlight, and Liang Kuan's fate is unknown... Although there are some extenuating circumstances, these methods are ultimately... not benevolent enough."

Ah Chen felt a lump in his throat and immediately pleaded, "Uncle Chen, you're a veteran in the gang, and Master Qiao respects you greatly. You have to talk to him! He can't treat Madam like this..."

Uncle Chen waved his hand, his wrinkles deepening: "Family matters are hard to settle, family matters are hard to settle... This is not something we outsiders should interfere with..."

Ah Chen said anxiously, "Uncle Chen, if you don't take care of this, then no one will!"

Uncle Chen just shook his head, "I can't control it, I can't control it..."

Despite this, when Qiao Yuan strode into the council hall with a menacing aura, seeing his gloomy face, Uncle Chen hesitated for a long time, but finally couldn't hold back. Taking advantage of the opportunity to serve tea, he cautiously spoke up: "Master Qiao... I've heard that Madam... hasn't been feeling well? These past years managing both internal and external affairs have truly been difficult... Perhaps some things... should be postponed? After all..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qiao Yuan suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing straight at Uncle Chen and forcing him to swallow his words.

Qiao Yuan was already feeling regretful and irritable because of Lin Tang's calmness last night, and he had a nameless anger that he had nowhere to vent. Now, when he heard that even an old man like Uncle Chen was on Lin Tang's side and his words were subtly revealing his dissatisfaction with his actions, his anger flared up!

"Uncle Chen, you're an old friend who's been by my side for a long time. How come you're siding with her too? Has she blinded you with the profits she's made from your shopping mall and bank bonuses over the years?"

Uncle Chen was old and experienced, and Qiao Yuan had always respected him. He had never been scolded like this before, and his old face turned red.

In the past, given Qiao Yuan's temperament, he would have readily lowered himself to appease the old man. But today, his temper was anything but mild. He abruptly stood up, slammed his hand on the rosewood table, making the teacups clink. His face showed no remorse, only the fury of being contradicted and the annoyance of being "betrayed."

"Enough!" His voice was icy, carrying an undeniable ferocity. "Do I, Qiao Yuan, need you to teach me how to do things? Benevolence and righteousness? Hmph! In this world, how can anyone survive to this day by talking about benevolence and righteousness? Lin Tang? Since she is so virtuous and generous, how could I possibly betray her 'kindness'?!"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, carrying a resolute determination, and he ordered sharply, "Achen! Prepare the carriage! To Garden Road! Today, I will bring Cheng Qing into the manor! I will give her a proper status!"

Outside, Ah Chen listened to Qiao Yuan and Uncle Chen arguing and thought to himself: Didn't I ask Uncle Chen to persuade the master? How come he couldn't persuade him correctly?

Hearing Qiao Yuan call him, he was unwilling but dared not hesitate for a moment and could only lower his head and reply "Yes". When he turned around, he caught a glimpse of Uncle Chen standing there, his old face ashen and his goatee trembling with anger.

Ah Chen thought to himself: I heard that Uncle Chen used to face nine enemy guns without batting an eye, he must have been really angered by Qiao Yuan. If Uncle Chen couldn't do anything, what could a nobody like him possibly do?

Ah Chen could only drag his feet toward the black Chevrolet parked in the backyard. Through the rearview mirror, he saw Qiao Yuan striding out, his face ashen, his jaw clenched tightly, and the lingering aura of hostility mixed with the smell of tobacco that could be smelled even through the rain curtain.

He opened the back door of the car and slumped in, instantly filling the car with a suffocating sense of oppression.

"Drive faster!"

Ah Chen didn't dare to say anything more and stepped on the gas.

“Master…” Ah Chen thought for a moment, then spoke up, “Madam… her health has been poor since that incident, and now it’s the rainy season, which is making her legs even worse. If you… bring Miss Cheng in so hastily, what if Madam can’t handle it…”

Qiao Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze piercing straight at A Chen in the rearview mirror.

"Don't worry," Qiao Yuan said sarcastically, "Lin Tang is the most virtuous and generous woman. She's been hoping I'd take a concubine and have more children. I think she's also tired of me and wishes I wouldn't go to her room every night. Now that's exactly what she wanted, what can't she bear? Ah Chen, when did you become so fussy and worry about her?"

Ah Chen's throat went dry. He wanted to argue, "Madam was just saying those words out of despair," but when he caught sight of the burning anger in Qiao Yuan's eyes, he swallowed the words back.

Silence filled the car once again.

“Ah Chen,” Qiao Yuan unexpectedly spoke up this time, “Do you still remember the Powell Foundation? Do you know what I think every time I come home and see Lin Tang’s photo hanging in the stairwell?”

His throat bobbed, and he responded hoarsely, "Sir...I...I remember."

Qiao Yuan leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed, the smoke from his cigar swirling around his tense profile like an impenetrable shadow. "These days, Madam has been avoiding me. She's secretly sold stocks and bonds. Do you know why?"

Ah Chen's gaze darkened slightly.

Ah Chen's voice was somewhat bitter, "Master, perhaps it's not like that. Madam may have other reasons for doing this."

Qiao Yuan shook his head, his chest heaving violently. Ashes from his cigarette fell onto his expensive trousers, but he seemed oblivious. He only managed a blood-tinged sneer through his teeth, "No! There's no other reason. She just hates me, hates that I can't protect her... That Cheng Qing..."

"I know, sir, it's because she resembles the madam somewhat..."

"It's just a superficial resemblance, it's not her after all. I just..." Qiao Yuan met her, looking extremely regretful. "She's virtuous, she's generous, she even let me take a concubine... Ha, perfect! She's keeping her white moonlight, and I'm looking for my soulmate. Let's not get in each other's way! Ah Chen, tell me, isn't this the greatest fairness in the world?"

Ah Chen wanted to say a few words on behalf of the lady, but thinking of her once radiant appearance, even though she was now dignified and generous, there was always a hint of sadness in her expression, and for a moment he didn't know how to start.

Silence fell between them again.

The car sped along the wet streets, splashing up murky water droplets, and finally stopped in front of the exquisite little villa on Garden Road.

Ah Chen turned off the car, his heart heavy, as if weighed down by a stone. Before he even got out of the car, he saw the door of the Western-style building creak open.

Cheng Qing was already dressed to the nines and waiting at the door, wearing a brand-new scarlet cheongsam with shimmering silver trim on the collar and cuffs. Her face was covered in heavy makeup, her lips as red as fire. She had clearly received the news and was eagerly awaiting news. When she saw Qiao Yuan's car stop, a radiant smile, brimming with a sense of immense victory, instantly bloomed on her face, a smile that seemed particularly dazzling under the porch light.

"Master Qiao!" Cheng Qing's voice was sweet and crisp, filled with undisguised joy, like a canary released from its cage. She walked briskly to meet him, followed by two maids who were struggling to carry several large suitcases and packages. They had obviously prepared everything in advance, just waiting for this moment.

"You've finally arrived!" She acted as if she hadn't seen Ah Chen, rushing straight to Qiao Yuan who had just gotten out of the car. She affectionately took his arm, almost pressing herself against him. The cloying scent of her perfume instantly dispelled the lingering tobacco and blood stench in the car, making Ah Chen feel nauseous. She tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling with undisguised smugness and anticipation. "I've packed everything. See if anything's missing?"

Qiao Yuan, held by her arm, seemed to have his fierce expression softened somewhat by her overwhelming warmth and submissiveness. However, the gloomy flame deep within his eyes did not extinguish; instead, it burned even more intensely and darkly, as if fueled by oil. He glanced at the large boxes, then looked down at Cheng Qing's expectant face. His lips twitched, but it wasn't a smile; it was more like a cold confirmation.

"Hmm." He responded softly, his gaze sweeping over the pile of luggage, then past her excited face, and landing on the misty street corner in the distance, as if confirming something, or perhaps just suppressing the complex emotions churning within him that he himself couldn't quite explain.

Cheng Qing's jubilation, at this moment, was like a mirror in his eyes, reflecting only the pale, almost deathly silent figure at the corner of the stairs. His arm was stiffly held by Cheng Qing as he walked towards the car.