Chapter 102: The Scheme

In the attic, the nauseating stench of dead mice mixed with dried fish was overwhelming, an almost unbearable pungency.

Front pulled out a handkerchief to cover his mouth and cautiously stepped inside.

Could this place really hide the “roster” without fear of a “cat” attacking it? Seeing the scraps of mice carcasses on the floor, Front immediately gave up on searching the cat’s nest further.

Still, he donned gloves and sifted through the debris with his fingers, noticing the cat’s den. He hesitated but ultimately refrained from reaching in to touch it.

“Vasym, your cat is quite industrious…” Front chuckled and stepped back.

“It’s time for a cleanup. Once Irina returns from the hospital, I’ll have her clear out the attic; it’s been ages since it was last tidied,” Zhou Sen grumbled.

“It seems Mr. Anthony didn’t keep such an important item at home. But where else could he have hidden it?” Front wondered.

“That, I don’t know. My relationship with my foster father is pretty distant; he doesn’t interfere with me, and I stay out of his business affairs,” Zhou Sen replied. “Besides my police salary, I get an extra two hundred yuan a month for pocket money.”

“But Vasym, your lifestyle isn’t cheap,” Front remarked.

“To be a cop, the government salary alone isn’t enough. I’m in charge of several streets as a patrol captain,” Zhou Sen explained.

Front laughed knowingly; it was clear now that “protection fees” or other unofficial income made up the bulk of his earnings.

This explained the source of Zhou Sen’s consistently high spending habits.

Now that the post of patrol captain had been reassigned, Gu Lao Liu still paid that income every month, but Zhou Sen no longer accepted it.

“Not in position, no gain.”

Moreover, Zhou Sen didn’t care about that money anymore; the inheritance left by Anthony was enough for him to squander for a long time.

Besides, he had his own ways to make money—why risk alienating former subordinates over petty cash?

“Instructor Front, is there anything else you want to see?” Zhou Sen was quite cooperative. Ever since hearing from Anna that Shibuya had sent people again, he had anticipated this day and was well prepared.

He carried the biggest secret with him—a fact that Front, a seasoned agent from the Cheka, could never have guessed.

“No, but could you accompany me to Mr. Anthony’s company office?” Front asked.

“Well…” Zhou Sen hesitated.

“Any problem?” Front pressed.

“No problem for me, but after Anthony’s death, Uncle Ivanovich has been managing the company. Now, we’re at odds, so if I go, I probably won’t even get through the front door,” Zhou Sen explained.

“Anthony’s gone. You’re his only legal heir and majority shareholder. Why wouldn’t he allow you in?” Front challenged.

“I’ve mortgaged my shares,” Zhou Sen admitted.

“What?! Why?”

“If I didn’t mortgage them, those shares would soon be worthless in my hands. Then they’d be meaningless,” Zhou Sen said.

Front didn’t know much about finances and couldn’t tell if Zhou Sen was telling the truth, but the reasoning seemed plausible.

“Then shall we visit the late Sherkin’s house?”

“That’s no problem,” Zhou Sen nodded.

…

Irina was having a hard time accepting the news of Anthony’s passing but was physically fine.

Still, the hospital checkup revealed problems: hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity. Without control, another shock could be dangerous.

Anna stayed by her side at the hospital.

Zhou Sen wanted to treat Anna to a meal in gratitude but was politely declined.

He decided to keep Irina hospitalized for a few more days for observation; no rush to discharge her. There was no need to worry about the household with her there.

Anthony was gone, but Zhou Sen wouldn’t turn Irina out. Having someone at home was better than none, especially since Lucy needed care as well.

After a day of turmoil, Zhou Sen was exhausted. The house felt too empty alone, and he had to light the fire and cook by himself.

He closed the door and went straight to the Ningxiang Pavilion.

Wen drove over to pick him up, even moving the safe from the study into the car. Without Wen’s strength, such heavy work would be impossible.

As he got in, a “meow” sounded. Lucy slipped through the door crack and jumped into the carriage.

“Lucy, what are you doing? Get down, come home…”

Lucy ignored him, stubbornly staying in the carriage, dodging left and right, playing hide-and-seek with Zhou Sen, refusing to go home. The little creature was clearly opposing him today.

“Fine, I’ll take you along,” Zhou Sen huffed, exhausted from the struggle. Since the little one refused to leave, so be it—she’d come with him. After all, he had messed up her nest.

…

Wenchang Bridge · Su Residence.

“Master, the tickets for the Miss and Ah Hua have been bought—tomorrow night’s train,” Su Xing reported as he entered the study.

“Hmm, have their things been packed?”

“Miss’s things are mostly ready. Ah Hua is still handling company affairs and hasn’t had time yet.”

“If there’s no time, then don’t bother packing. Buy what you need in Beijing,” Su Wenqing instructed.

“Prices in Beijing aren’t like in Bingcheng. We should bring what we can, and since the train ride is long, we need extra provisions.”

“There’s food on the train. No need to overpack. Too much luggage is a nuisance,” Su Wenqing said. “Who did you choose to accompany Xiao Yun and Ah Hua?”

“Maiden Xiao Mei, plus two of Ah Hua’s men to help with the luggage. They’ll have someone to command once they arrive in Beijing,” Su Xing replied.

“That’s fine. Three is enough. Don’t draw too much attention on the road,” Su Wenqing cautioned. “We have some business in Beijing as well. Let Ah Hua handle it so he won’t be idle.”

“Understood, Master.”

“By the way, how’s the arrangement for that matter?”

“The Fourth Brother has been sending people these past days to gather information on Zhou Sen. The Nangang Police Precinct said Zhou Sen was promoted to police lieutenant last year and transferred from the security department, but his current assignment is unknown. He’s started a company—‘Sen Ji’—based in the warehouse he rented as patrol captain. Basically, he rarely leaves those three places: the company, Ningxiang Pavilion, and the home on Gaoshi Street.”

“Have you put him under surveillance?”

“We tried a few times but lost him,” Su Xing admitted.

“Were you discovered?”

“Probably not. Fourth Brother’s men lack experience and are wary of following a cop too closely, fearing exposure,” Su Xing explained.

“Use your brains. Find a better way. Don’t just resort to kidnappings or ambushes halfway through. I want this done quietly, without a fuss. Understand?” Su Wenqing emphasized.

“Yes, Master. I’ll speak with Fourth Brother immediately,” Su Xing acknowledged.

“No rush—first, eat.”

…

Inside Ningxiang Pavilion, Zhou Sen, Bai Yulan, and A Xiang were having dinner in the dining room.

“Brother Sen, try the fish-flavored shredded pork I made. How does it compare to yours?” A Xiang asked eagerly.

“Not bad. The cooking time is just right. A Xiang, you have a natural talent for cooking. You’ll become a renowned chef one day,” Zhou Sen praised.

Talent is always a crucial part of any endeavor. Without it, no matter how hard one works, it’s merely a means of livelihood. Those with talent can rise to the top of their industry.

“Really? That’s all thanks to Brother Sen’s teaching,” A Xiang beamed.

“You’re smart and learn fast. But don’t just learn from me. Learn from anyone better than you. Absorb the strengths of all and integrate them,” Zhou Sen advised.

“Are your expectations too high for A Xiang?” Bai Yulan asked.

“Not at all. An ideal isn’t necessarily to be realized; it’s a goal that drives you forward,” Zhou Sen explained.

“You should be called Master Zhou—all your words make sense,” Bai Yulan teased him.

“I like that nickname, Master,” Zhou Sen laughed. Now he could not only eat at the table with them but also joke around.

“By the way, I settled with Boss Fu today. Our teahouse and snack shop renovations will be entirely subcontracted to his team. Aside from materials we specify, they’ll provide the rest. Fu gave a pretty good price,” Bai Yulan said.

“Has the contract been signed?”

“Of course. We signed a preliminary contract on the spot. The final quote needs detailed calculations,” Zhou Sen said.

“Don’t rush the schedule. Quality is more important.”

“You’re not worried I’ll get greedy and pocket your money since the safe is here?” Bai Yulan asked.

“What’s mine is yours. If I did, consider it a lesson bought with money. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t touch a cent in the safe,” Bai Yulan assured. Over the years doing business in Daowai, her reputation was impeccable. Otherwise, someone in the red-light district wouldn’t have such standing.

Previously, the Ningxiang Pavilion’s business belonged to Old Ma. After he died, she couldn’t just close it immediately—that would be disrespectful to Old Ma and unacceptable to his family. She reluctantly maintained it until now but was already weary.

If not for Su Wenqing and Old Qin’s combined pressure, she wouldn’t have made this decision so quickly.

Now, she’d finally sever ties and move on to legitimate business.

After dinner, Zhou Sen didn’t leave or help A Xiang clear the dishes but followed Bai Yulan, clearly wanting to enter the study with her.

“What’s on your mind? Speak inside,” Bai Yulan said, noticing that it had been inconvenient for Zhou Sen to talk during dinner.

“My foster father, Anthony Robin, has passed. Last year he went to Fengtian on business. He died in a car accident and was cremated locally. I planned to retrieve his remains myself, but they said they could ship them directly. I just need to pick them up at the train station. They’ll arrive in Bingcheng in a couple of days,” Zhou Sen said in a low, somewhat sorrowful tone.

“Ah?” Bai Yulan was startled.

“When I received the news, I was shocked too. Though we share no blood, Anthony raised me for over ten years. He never married or had children. I’m basically his sole heir. According to our customs, I’m recorded in the family register,” Zhou Sen continued. “Though he had a bad temper, he was my only kin. So, when his ashes arrive, I’ll find a grave for him and lay him to rest.”

“Do you need me to do anything?” Bai Yulan asked.

“With our current relationship, I hesitate to ask too much…” Zhou Sen lowered his head. Some things are better spoken upfront. He felt uneasy hiding Anthony’s death.

“I’ll accompany you to the train station,” Bai Yulan offered.

Zhou Sen was surprised.

“I don’t mean to force you. Don’t feel obligated…”

“I’m not. If you truly intend to marry me, it’s only right for your fiancée to be present when you receive your foster father’s ashes,” Bai Yulan said earnestly. “I stand by my decisions and won’t regret them.”

“Alright, then we’ll go together,” Zhou Sen agreed without hesitation. Some matters require no second thoughts.