Chapter 38: Investing in the Fragrant Pavilion

Three hundred thousand yuan was no small sum for Zhou Sen. If it were a matter of cash, he could produce it, of course. At home, in Old Anthony’s study, the safe held stacks of bills and gold bars; combined with the bank deposits, all converted to local currency, the amount would certainly reach that figure. If he included Old Anthony’s company shares, bonds, and securities, the total would naturally far exceed that. Yet these assets in his hands were presently worthless; if news of Old Anthony's passing were to spread, even holding them would be futile—and besides, there was that Ivannovich, ever watching like a hungry wolf.

Perhaps this was the opportunity to put those assets to use?

“I want to see Bai Yulan,” Zhou Sen said, unwilling to simply lend the money without a second thought. This was a considerable sum; no one’s company for a single night was worth it.

“You want to see Miss Lan?” Ah Xiang’s eyes widened.

“Of course. Such a major matter—can a young girl like you decide it?” Zhou Sen smiled. “Or do you dare take three hundred thousand back yourself? How would you explain where it came from?”

“I…” Ah Xiang was momentarily speechless.

“You’re just a maid, so why worry so much about your employer? Unless you’re her own daughter?”

“Nonsense! Miss Lan is only ten years older than me; how could she possibly be my mother?” Ah Xiang retorted angrily.

“That’s true. So why are you so concerned?” Zhou Sen chuckled, scratching his head.

“Miss Lan treats me like her own sister. If she suffers, I won’t have an easy time either. Naturally, I’ll do everything I can to help her,” Ah Xiang explained.

“You know how to repay kindness.”

“Master Zhou, I may be young, but I understand a lot.” Ah Xiang said.

“Then tell me—since I’m not close to Bai Yulan, why ask me for help?” Zhou Sen inquired.

“Miss Lan has already approached everyone she could. Everyone understands the hidden motives of those people. I had no one else to turn to but you,” Ah Xiang thought for a moment before replying.

“You don’t think I have any of those hidden motives?” Zhou Sen asked, genuinely curious, given the somewhat unusual relationship he had with Bai Yulan—and his reputation was none too pristine.

“If you had such intentions, you’d have already announced your relationship with Miss Lan to the world,” Ah Xiang replied.

“Perhaps I’m using it as leverage?” Zhou Sen grinned.

Ah Xiang’s expression stiffened, uncertain how to respond.

“You’ve been gone for so long. Bai Yulan must be anxious. Let’s return together,” Zhou Sen stopped teasing her and rose.

“Wu En, stay here at the warehouse. If Old Six comes back and I’m not here yet, have him go home first. You go home too. We’ll deal with any issues tomorrow.”

“Yes, brother.” Wu En nodded. Ye San was absent, and there was still Susanna at the hotel; someone had to stay behind.

…

At the Riverbank Dojo, four Japanese ronin gradually regained consciousness, puzzled to find themselves back at their own dojo after being knocked out.

They were soon summoned before Kawahara Shinjiro.

After hearing their explanations, Kawahara Shinjiro flew into a rage. “Idiots! You four clearly got drunk and passed out by the roadside, yet you fabricate stories about being knocked out by someone—by a single person, no less! Do you take me for a fool?”

The four knelt before him, not daring to breathe. Clearly, they’d chosen the wrong script.

“I’ve already investigated. The four of you are lazy by nature. Go and contemplate your actions!” Kawahara Shinjiro scolded. He trusted his senior brother far more. Besides, the thought of one Manchurian policeman defeating four Japanese warriors sounded utterly fantastical.

The four ronin were aggrieved; beaten and now punished—where was the justice in that?

…

“Miss Xiang, what colors does Yulan like? What are her hobbies?” Zhou Sen hailed a carriage and set off with Ah Xiang toward Huifang Lane outside the city.

Ah Xiang shot Zhou Sen a peculiar look. Was he truly interested in her boss? Did he intend to court her?

But Bai Yulan had made it clear she found Zhou Sen unappealing.

Ah Xiang wasn’t sure how to answer. To speak would be to betray Bai Yulan; to keep silent, and the only person able to save Ningxiang House from disaster—Zhou Sen, the rich young master—would be lost.

“Miss Lan likes white, but usually wears black and purple. Her favorite food is cakes from Lao Dingfeng…” Ah Xiang finally spoke.

“At this hour, buying cakes from Lao Dingfeng and rushing back to Ningxiang House would be too late. Next time, perhaps. Today, I’ll go empty-handed.” Zhou Sen mused aloud.

Ah Xiang glanced at him oddly. Bai Yulan never ate gifts brought by others; whoever sent them, she would either give them away to her staff or toss them out.

Ningxiang House was closed for business, so the main entrance was out of the question; they’d have to use the back door, which Zhou Sen didn’t mind.

Not his first time using the back entrance.

Not knowing how long he’d be inside, Zhou Sen paid the driver and sent the carriage away.

He remembered that, come evening with lanterns aglow, Ningxiang House was at its liveliest. Even in the dead of winter outside, inside was warm and bustling.

Now, it was cold and lifeless—large houses, ornate and antique, with only a few rooms lit.

The sudden closure of Ningxiang House surprised not just Zhou Sen; many found it unbelievable. Business had steadily declined, but it hadn’t reached the point of collapse.

Moreover, the year’s end was approaching—the busiest season. Closing now was tantamount to pushing money away.

For Bai Yulan to close Ningxiang House so resolutely meant the challenge she faced was truly formidable.

Bai Yulan lived at Ningxiang House, treating it as her home.

Naturally, she resided in the finest room—the topmost loft, overlooking the entire House.

The estate, with its pavilions and courtyards, covered over two thousand square meters, with gardens, lofts, and a grand performance hall.

In Huifang Lane, Ningxiang House occupied the best location, its main entrance facing the busiest street.

It had once been a guildhall. Bai Yulan’s late husband, Old Ma, purchased it, bought up neighboring homes, tore them down, expanded and remodeled, creating its current scale.

At its peak, Ningxiang House could accommodate a thousand guests, with over a hundred girls. Including the madams, attendants, servants, musicians, and cooks, it supported four to five hundred people.

Now, counting cats and dogs, it didn’t even reach a hundred.

“Ah Xiang, Boss Bai’s been looking for you all afternoon. Where have you been?” A middle-aged woman, clad in a crimson jacket and white cloak, holding a portable heater, blocked Zhou Sen and Ah Xiang’s way.

“Sister Yan.”

Zhou Sen recognized her at once—the House’s manager, commonly known as the madam: Sister Yan.

Ordinarily, Bai Yulan was rarely seen; only for high-status guests would she appear. Most of the time, Sister Yan handled affairs and greeted clients.

“This is Officer Zhou from Nangang Police Station. Ningxiang House is closed today. What brings you here?” Sister Yan frowned, questioning Zhou Sen.

“Oh, Sister Yan, I lost a lighter here last time I was drinking. I happened to see Miss Xiang, who said she found it. So I came with her to get it,” Zhou Sen replied cheerfully.

“A lighter? Miss Xiang could have brought it to you later. No need for you to come in person.”

“Well, I was passing by on business. No trouble at all,” Zhou Sen smiled.

“Oh, I see. Forgive the discourtesy,” Sister Yan glanced at Ah Xiang and walked past them.

“Master Zhou, why did you lie to Sister Yan just now?”

“Lie? When did I lie?” Zhou Sen grinned, never admitting to what he’d said.

Ah Xiang rolled her eyes, about to retort, but thought better of it—nothing was settled yet, and the secret must be kept.

“Miss Lan…”

“You wretched girl! Where have you been all afternoon? Do you know how worried I was?” Bai Yulan, in a loose robe, stormed over, furious and forgetting her usual composure.

This side of Bai Yulan was one that countless men could only dream of witnessing.

“Zhou Sen! What are you doing here?” Suddenly, their eyes met. Bai Yulan was startled, then glared at him, demanding an answer.

“Miss Xiang said you were in trouble and asked me to help,” Zhou Sen replied, grinning. A beautiful woman in anger was a sight to behold—though it depended on one’s mood.

“Ah Xiang?!”

“Ah, Miss Lan, I’ll go check the kitchen—see what’s for dinner…” Ah Xiang knew staying would mean trouble, so she slipped away to protect herself.

“This isn’t the place to talk. Shall we go inside?” Zhou Sen gestured toward the room. If anyone saw them at the door, rumors would spread.

Bai Yulan frowned slightly. Though she wanted nothing more to do with Zhou Sen, he was already at her door. Refusing him now would seem unreasonable.

“Come in.”

Zhou Sen nodded and followed Bai Yulan inside.

It was a familiar room. Zhou Sen sat directly on the sofa, and Bai Yulan finally took a seat across from him.

“I don’t care what Ah Xiang told you—my affairs are none of your concern.” Bai Yulan took a cigarette from the box on the table, holding it between her fingers.

“Can you honestly say that night had nothing to do with you?” Zhou Sen, treating himself as an insider, took a cigarette but didn’t light it, posing his question.

“What do you want?”

“You lured me into a trap, yet claim it’s none of my business? Or was I the only guest that night you found tolerable?” Zhou Sen said. “You want to keep Ningxiang House, control your fate, avoid becoming someone else’s plaything. But you’re a woman—young, beautiful, and possessing great wealth. In these turbulent times, you’re like a feast, and everyone wants a piece. You have no backing, and those willing to be your backing are all wolves. You try to play both sides, but the wolves have joined forces, cornering you until you surrender. Then they’ll decide how to split the spoils. Am I right?”

All this, Zhou Sen had gleaned from Ah Xiang’s words and his own deductions.

Bai Yulan was moved. She gave a bitter smile. “Even so, what can you—a debauched rich young man—do for me? Can you outplay those wolves?”

“I’m a wolf too. But I’m a male wolf; you’re a female wolf. We’re both lone wolves, with no pack—only ourselves. If we join forces, we can overcome the current crisis. My situation is better than yours; at least, I’m not their target yet.”

“Master Zhou, your appetite is bigger and more shameless than theirs!” Bai Yulan stood and shouted angrily. “Get out! Leave now!”

“I’ll invest three hundred thousand yuan for a ten percent share of Ningxiang House. You’ll still control the House; I won’t interfere in its operations. You can turn Ningxiang House into whatever you wish. My only condition is that you don’t abandon your original ideals!” Zhou Sen stood as he spoke. “If you don’t object, I’ll take that as your consent.”

“What do you mean, Zhou Sen? Just because I slept with you one night, you want to help me? Do you take me for that kind of woman?” Bai Yulan demanded.

Zhou Sen stared at her, stepping closer and leaning in. Their faces were so near, he could hear her heartbeat.

“If you don’t mind, I could stay a few more nights.”

“You… you scoundrel!” Bai Yulan, furious, was once again teased.