Chapter 56: Schemes

“Axia, prepare a guest room. Tonight, I’m staying here,” Zhou Sen turned and instructed Axia.

“Zhou Sen, what are you trying to do?” Bai Yulan was startled. This man better not push his luck.

“Nothing at all. I just want a place to sleep here tonight so I can help you out first thing tomorrow,” Zhou Sen shrugged.

“You have your own home, so why insist on staying here?” Bai Yulan grew anxious.

“Relax. I never said I’d sleep with you,” Zhou Sen replied. “That night was a misunderstanding, but even misunderstandings can forge fate between us. Unless you’re willing, I won’t step into your bedroom—except, of course, in emergencies like earlier.”

“Aren’t you afraid?” Bai Yulan felt slightly reassured, thinking that at least he wasn’t acting out of line.

“What’s there to fear? And even if there was, what use is fear? Being cautious can sound wise, but to put it bluntly, it’s just indecisiveness and timidity,” Zhou Sen said. “You’re only worried that Sister Yan will find out, right? But so what if she does? If she reports to the people behind her, would it harm me?”

“As long as you understand, these people are capable of anything.”

“If I went home alone now, wouldn’t that be even more dangerous?”

“Well…”

“Just let Axia find me any spare room. I’ll sleep, leave early tomorrow, and Sister Yan will never know,” Zhou Sen insisted.

“Alright, if you’re not afraid, I have nothing to fear either,” Bai Yulan took a deep breath and nodded.

Axia responded and left to make arrangements.

“The incident that night—was it related to Sister Yan? You didn’t expose her, was it because you feared she’d lash out?” Zhou Sen suddenly asked.

“She was too anxious. I wasn’t sure before, but now I know: the one who schemed against me that night was Qin Xiong, that despicable man,” Bai Yulan nodded.

Zhou Sen sighed, “It seems he’s been coveting you for a long time. Otherwise, how could he have gotten rid of someone so important by your side?”

“What are you getting at?” Bai Yulan was surprised. She realized that, despite his annoying habits, Zhou Sen was easy to talk to, even seemed to understand her well—this comforted her.

He just liked to “tease” her a little too much for her liking.

“That man is far more dangerous than Su Wenqing. Su Wenqing comes at you openly, but he’s the snake lurking in the dark. We have to find a way to eliminate him!” Zhou Sen declared, feeling murderous intent toward Qin Xiong for the first time.

Now that Bai Yulan was his woman—after sleeping together, that was that—he could not tolerate anyone coveting her.

“What’s your plan?” Bai Yulan was no naive lily. Running the Fragrant Pavilion, she could never be a delicate woman; when ruthless, she was decisively merciless.

“If you’re sentimental, unwilling to break old ties, then I’ll do it,” Zhou Sen said. “Both Qin family sons are tough. With Old Seventh gone, if the eldest takes over, the second will be in trouble. The eldest even covets the women his father wants. If the second gets solid evidence, what do you think will happen?”

“He’ll definitely report to Old Seventh.”

“When the Qin family is in turmoil, we’ll only have to deal with Su Wenqing. Then, you can reopen the Fragrant Pavilion without a problem.”

“So you want to hand Sister Yan over to the second Qin son?”

“Why not? She’s leaving the Pavilion tomorrow, and it’ll be of her own accord—she’s no longer yours,” Zhou Sen chuckled, amazed at his own cunning. Was this some kind of latent talent, unlocked at last?

Bai Yulan bit her lip lightly. “Are you really going to do this?”

“Mercy earns no gratitude. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the second Qin son spares her life; she won’t really be killed,” Zhou Sen assured her.

“Very well, I’ll follow your plan,” Bai Yulan said, not one to be stubborn, though her interest waned.

“Do I seem a little different to you now?” Zhou Sen grinned, feeling inexplicably relaxed and playful around Bai Yulan.

After all, Bai Yulan was only twenty-seven, three years older than he was. An older woman was said to be worth her weight in gold—she understood men far better than those just awakening to love.

Young girls new to romance were far too troublesome, unless they’d been childhood sweethearts.

“From now on, don’t step foot in here without my permission,” Bai Yulan snorted coldly.

Axia, so thoughtful, arranged a room not far from Bai Yulan’s little building. When Zhou Sen opened the door and stepped outside, he could see Bai Yulan’s boudoir window.

“Brother Sen, I’ve prepared a charcoal brazier in your room, brought you some snacks, and left water for you to heat for washing your feet. I’ll come clear it tomorrow,” Axia explained before closing the door and leaving.

What a clever and perceptive girl!

Better get some sleep—he’d have to rise early tomorrow.

…

The gambling houses stayed open through the night, so when Zhou Sen called Qin Lang early in the morning, the man was still brimming with energy.

Despite yesterday being the Little New Year, gamblers paid no heed and business boomed, with profits up forty or fifty percent for the night. How could Qin Lang not keep watch?

“Qin Lang, it’s Zhou Sen!” Zhou Sen announced.

Qin Lang didn’t react at first, but when he remembered who Zhou Sen was, his voice rose sharply, “Zhou Sen, you dare call me?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Didn’t you give me your card?” Zhou Sen chuckled. “Enough nonsense. Meet me at Renyi Hall in fifteen minutes. If you don’t show, you’ll bear the consequences—and I won’t wait.”

Bang!

With that, Zhou Sen hung up.

Qin Lang was furious, smoke practically pouring from his ears. He’d never met someone so brash, speaking to him that way and hanging up on him.

Just a lowly cop—what’s he got to boast about?

But Qin Lang didn’t stay angry for even a minute; he sprang from his chair, dressed quickly, called two men, and rushed to Renyi Hall.

Renyi Hall was a breakfast shop, famous for its lamb-stuffed pastries and steamed dumplings.

It was still early, so few pedestrians were out, even fewer breakfast patrons. When Zhou Sen arrived, most seats were empty, but the rich aroma already filled the air.

Zhou Sen ordered a basket of steamed dumplings, two lamb pastries, and a bowl of lamb soup—anything unfinished could be packed up, nothing wasted.

He sat down and took a sip of lamb soup just as Qin Lang strode in with his entourage, full of swagger.

“Zhou Sen, what are you playing at? If you’re here to mess with me, watch your legs!” Qin Lang threatened.

“No rush. Have you had breakfast? If not, sit and eat with me—my treat!” Zhou Sen grinned.

Qin Lang sat down, still fuming. “Boss, two baskets of beef dumplings and lamb soup.”

Zhou Sen bit into a lamb pastry, juice dripping down his chin—crispy, tender, and incredibly flavorful.

“How’s your father’s health these days?"

“What’s your point, Zhou?” Qin Lang’s eyes flashed dangerously, like a wolf ready to bite.

“I mean, can he handle a shock? If not, I’ll drop it so you won’t be troubled,” Zhou Sen replied.

“What are you trying to say?” Qin Lang clenched his fists, pressing hard.

“Your elder brother did what he shouldn’t have—even if he failed, he tried,” Zhou Sen said.

“What do you mean?”

“Today, a woman named Yan Yuyan is leaving the Fragrant Pavilion. If the second Qin son wants to know, he only needs to ask,” Zhou Sen explained.

“My brother…?” Qin Lang wasn’t stupid, quickly grasping the implication.

“I’ll say no more, lest you think I’m sowing discord. Take her back and ask, or not—it’s up to you.”

“You’re not so kind as to give me this news for nothing. What’s your condition?” Qin Lang calmed down.

“I want an IOU that Yan Yuyan holds. Get it and hand it to me,” Zhou Sen said.

“Alright. If everything you said is true, I promise you’ll have the IOU,” Qin Lang replied solemnly.

“Thank you.”

Qin Lang rose and left immediately, not touching his dumplings or soup. Since they were ordered, Zhou Sen packed them all to go.

…

“Renyi Hall’s lamb pastries and dumplings, Boss, you went so far early in the morning to get us breakfast, I’m truly touched…”

“Hurry and eat while it’s hot. Once it cools, it won’t taste as good,” Zhou Sen replied, not explaining further. Fewer people knew about his meeting with Qin Lang, the better.

“Old Six, I want to register a company—what procedures do I need?” Zhou Sen asked Gu Lao Six.

“It’s simple. Just need an address, then register with the city government,” Gu Lao Six replied.

“Then run the errands for me—register ‘Sen Company.’ Write down every business scope you can, so we avoid trouble later,” Zhou Sen said.

“Alright.”

Zhou Sen pulled out two ‘Old Sheep’ bills from his wallet and handed them to Gu Lao Six. “Is that enough? If not, let me know.”

“It’s enough, Boss.”

“Good. I have other things to do, so you handle patrol duty. Wu En, come out with me; don’t wait for us for lunch,” Zhou Sen instructed.

“Got it.”

…

Zhou Sen took Wu En, changed into civilian clothes, bought a set of long cotton robes at a tailor’s, and called for a carriage.

He went straight to Tongji Market.

It was winter, the off-season, so Tongji’s warehouses were mostly empty and would only be stocked again in spring. Zhou Sen needed this window for some maneuvering.

He naturally used a false name, “Linzhou,” and signed a three-month lease contract with Tongji.

He paid all three months’ rent up front, ensuring there’d be no breach of contract.

“Wu En, you know the carriage business—get me one, nothing too flashy. You’ll be in charge of both the horse and carriage,” Zhou Sen instructed. Having his own carriage would make travel easier, and Wu En was skilled in this area.

“Alright, brother, but where will we keep the horse?” Wu En asked. Neither Zhou Sen’s house on Gaoshi Street nor the warehouse on Haicheng Street had a stable.

“We’ll find somewhere to board it, and sort it out later,” Zhou Sen decided.