Chapter 65: Confession

"Ah Xiang, bring another set of bowls and chopsticks!"
"Right away, Brother Sen!" Ah Xiang replied cheerfully and darted off. As the hostess, Bai Yulan's lips curled slightly, but in the end, she did not speak to stop her.

"Yulan, is the food I made still edible?" Zhou Sen walked over and sat down beside Bai Yulan, grinning as he leaned in to ask.

"It's alright," Bai Yulan nodded. The sight, aroma, and taste of the dishes truly awakened her appetite.

She couldn't go against her own heart.

"If you think it's good, eat more. You look much thinner these days," Zhou Sen said as he served her a bowl of Yangzhou fried rice.

The glistening rice grains, each distinct and fragrant, truly tempted Bai Yulan's desire to eat.

The allure of good food is indeed hard to resist.

"Try the fish I made. Time was tight—if I'd had a bit more, it would've been even tastier," Zhou Sen picked up some fish with his chopsticks and placed it in Bai Yulan's bowl.

Bai Yulan frowned slightly. She wasn't a germaphobe, but she didn't like others putting food into her bowl. Yet somehow, Zhou Sen's gesture didn't particularly bother her. It was her dining rule, and Ah Xiang knew it.

Of course, Zhou Sen had no idea and kept serving dishes.

"Brother Sen, the bowls and chopsticks are here."

"Ah Xiang, sit down and eat with us," Zhou Sen called out.

"Brother Sen, Sister Lan, you two go ahead. I won't disturb you," Ah Xiang chuckled. In the kitchen, she'd left herself a big bowl of Yangzhou fried rice.

"Yulan, are you always this strict about dining etiquette?"

"No, Ah Xiang, when I tell you to sit and eat, just do it," Bai Yulan glared fiercely at Ah Xiang. She knew exactly what the girl was thinking.

Ah Xiang sat down happily. She'd never tasted such delicious food, and even if there were leftovers later, well...

Bai Yulan, who hadn't eaten well for several days, ended up eating two bowls of fried rice in a row, thanks to the tangy, appetizing dishes. She also couldn't stop eating the squirrel perch.

Finally, she finished with a bowl of longan, red date, and yam soup.

Ah Xiang, still growing, ate no less than Bai Yulan. It was a wonder how her petite body managed it.

The rest, naturally, Zhou Sen polished off. Nothing was wasted.

"You didn't come just to cook us a meal, did you?" Bai Yulan returned to the sofa in the living room, sitting cross-legged, her posture quite alluring.

No matter what, this beauty was always enchanting—even at her most disheveled, she was a hundred times prettier than any ordinary woman.

"I've been missing for four or five days. You weren't worried about me?" Zhou Sen rubbed his nose and sat down to ask.

"Would worrying help? I'm just a commoner. You're a policeman," Bai Yulan shot him a look.

Zhou Sen gave a wry smile, then took out the IOU Yan Yuyan had asked Bai Yulan to write and handed it to her.

"How is she now?" Bai Yulan glanced at it, pressing it under her hand as she asked.

"I don't know, but Qin Lang probably didn't trouble her. Qin Xiong, however, is another story," Zhou Sen shook his head. He truly didn't know.

Bai Yulan sighed.

"She brought it on herself," Ah Xiang remarked, earning a sharp look from Bai Yulan.

"I intended to destroy the IOU for you, but that would be overstepping. It's better for you to decide," Zhou Sen explained.

"Now the rumor outside is that you've become my intimate guest, that I seduced you, and you did all this for me, causing Feng Hua and Qin Xiong to fight. The two families are at each other's throats," Bai Yulan said, rubbing her forehead. "My reputation is ruined by you."

"Wasn't it me who seduced you?" Zhou Sen chuckled.

"The tacit understanding between Su Wenqing and Lord Qin Seven has been shattered. They’ll clash again, but no matter who wins, neither will spare me," Bai Yulan said.

"That's why, while they're fighting it out, we need to grow strong enough that they can't ignore us—or find a protector so powerful that neither would dare touch us. Then, whoever wins won't be able to harm us," Zhou Sen said.

"Easy to say, hard to do. What do we have to fight them with?" Bai Yulan asked.

"Su Wenqing and Lord Qin Seven both covet the next chairman's seat of the Ice City Chamber of Commerce. You’re just an appetizer, not worth the trouble," Zhou Sen had studied the dynamics among the three in detail—even minor figures like Old Six knew plenty.

"Who are you calling an appetizer? You're the appetizer!" Bai Yulan snapped angrily. She was no fool, but the truth stung the most.

"Yes, yes, I'm the appetizer. But mine is a dish nobody else can taste—and if they try, they might get sick," Zhou Sen laughed.

"Stop joking. I've staked everything I have," Bai Yulan said.

"You’ve settled things with the Ma family?" Zhou Sen was taken aback, immediately understanding her meaning. This woman truly had guts, extraordinary indeed.

"Except for the Fragrant Pavilion, I want nothing else," Bai Yulan said slowly.

"And that batch of cotton cloth?"

"I gave it to them," Bai Yulan replied. "The money and goods are all settled. I have no ties to the Ma family anymore."

"The Ma family is so greedy, I fear when you rise again, they'll come looking for you," Zhou Sen said.

"You think I'd be afraid of them if I made a comeback?" Bai Yulan retorted, her voice full of authority.

"True enough. Without you, they'll just sit and squander their wealth. In no time, that million-strong fortune will be gone."

"Food’s eaten, matters discussed—today is New Year's Eve, you should be heading back now," Bai Yulan began to usher him out.

"Bai Yulan, that's harsh. You know, I’m in even more danger than you right now," Zhou Sen said. "Aren’t you going to show me any concern?"

"Concern? What could I do for you?"

"At least acknowledge my status," Zhou Sen said.

"Status? What status? Lover, or kept man?" Bai Yulan shot back.

"Lover sounds awful; kept man isn't much better. How about fiancé? Or I could announce to everyone that you’re my fiancée?"

"Get out..."

"Alright, no more joking. I’m serious. If you truly want to protect the Fragrant Pavilion and establish yourself in Ice City, you need to seriously consider your next steps," Zhou Sen said hurriedly. "I imagine you don’t want to return to your old business, but have you decided what you want to do?"

"The Fragrant Pavilion is on a main street. I plan to knock down the wall, turn it into a storefront, and rent it out. I'll keep a few rooms and open a teahouse, run it myself, and keep the Fragrant Pavilion name. I'll invite famous performers from the interior to come and showcase their talents, build up the reputation. That way, at least I can maintain our current lifestyle," Bai Yulan considered a moment before sharing her thoughts with Zhou Sen. She could see he meant her no harm—otherwise, he wouldn’t have helped her so much.

"A teahouse is a good idea, but simply knocking down a wall and renting out space is too stingy," Zhou Sen said. "I have another idea—the Fragrant Pavilion covers a large area, with plenty of space. We could make it a commercial complex combining shopping, entertainment, and dining. Target customers would be women and affluent men. We could invite famous Ice City brands to open branches or run them ourselves. Once it’s established, we’d be unique in Ice City!"

Bai Yulan frowned deeply. What was all this?

"Yulan, if you trust me, I’ll invest all my bank loans here. You decide the equity split," Zhou Sen said.

"Zhou Sen, are you serious?"

"Absolutely. If you’re willing, I’ll write a feasibility report in two days. Once you see it, you’ll understand," Zhou Sen said.

"Alright...good," Bai Yulan wasn’t sure where Zhou Sen got his confidence, but seeing him like this, she didn’t want to dampen his spirits.

"Yulan, actually, these past days I wasn't here because I was kidnapped. The culprit was a guy called 'Yuliekin.' Luckily, they wanted to swap me with the police department, otherwise I might not have had a chance to see you again," Zhou Sen felt he owed Bai Yulan an explanation.

"What?" Bai Yulan exclaimed, clearly shocked.

"It's all over now. He didn’t do anything to me, and I came back safely," Zhou Sen laughed. "Alright, I’ve said everything I needed to say. I should head back now. Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year..."

...

"Ah Xiang, go check on..." Once Zhou Sen left, Bai Yulan summoned Ah Xiang, her pretty face cold as she issued her order. (A hint: Sister Bai isn’t an ordinary person either.)

"Yes, Sister Lan," Ah Xiang replied, her expression serious, and immediately headed out.

...

Station Street, Daiwa Hotel.

A Japanese-style suite on the second floor.

Knock knock...

"Come in!" A deep male voice sounded from inside. A slender figure entered, closing the door behind her.

"You're here!" Behind the screen, a man in a kimono sat elegantly at a tatami table, sipping tea.

"Yes."

"Sir, he left home early today. First, he bought breakfast and took it to the Haicheng Street warehouse. He didn’t stay long. Then, he wandered the streets alone, bought some snacks, and visited a bookstore called 'Yi Gu Zhai.' He spent about twenty minutes inside. When he came out, he had a book in his hand—the cover was in Russian, but the exact title is unknown. Also, Su Wenqing's daughter was at the bookstore; she arrived later. When Zhou Sen left, she followed him out..."

"What’s their relationship?"

"Should be nothing significant. They only met last time when Zhou Sen helped Su Yun retrieve her wallet," the woman answered, head lowered.

"Su Wenqing treasures this daughter and has promised her to his adopted son Feng Hua, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"And then, where did he go?"

"He took a tram, got off at Zhengyang Street, walked to the Fragrant Pavilion, as usual entering through the back door. He stayed nearly three hours, then went home."

"This fellow’s relationship with Bai Yulan is quite extraordinary. Have you investigated Bai Yulan’s background?" asked the Japanese man behind the screen.

"Bai Yulan has lived in Ice City for more than eight years. Her ancestors were Qing dynasty military nobles. The family declined, and she married Ma Ming. After Ma Ming died, she took over the Ma family, leading it for five years. Besides being known as the most beautiful woman outside Daowai, she is also a philanthropist, dedicated to helping homeless orphans, especially girls. Her character is tough and unyielding, loyal and honorable, highly respected in the city."

"Arrange a meeting with Mr. Rozayevsky for me. I want to see him."

"Yes, sir."