Chapter 80: Appointment (Please subscribe!)

"Boss, have you heard the news?" Leaf Third still had the habit of pushing the door open and walking in without knocking, a bad habit he just couldn’t shake.

"Get out!"

Leaf Third let out an awkward sound, walked out, and knocked before entering again. "Boss, have you heard? That actress Xiao Xiangning from the Ruiqing Troupe at the New Stage, her brother went missing here in Ice City years ago. She’s come back this time just to look for him."

Zhou Sen, who was trimming and mounting Bai Yulan’s copy of the Heart Sutra, nearly sliced his own finger with the blade.

That girl still remembered him—she had actually come looking for him.

This was trouble. Not many people in Ice City knew he had been adopted by Old Anthony, but it wasn’t exactly a secret either. Besides, he hadn’t changed his name.

Though he had a Russian name, he’d never stopped using his Chinese name, Zhou Sen, and that was the name he used at the police station as well.

If Xiao Xiangning were just a little-known actress, her ability to gather information would be limited, and she might never find him. But now she’d become a sensation in Ice City with her performances and was a newly crowned star. That changed everything.

She’d always been clever since childhood—sooner or later, she’d come knocking at his door.

Now things were complicated.

Zhou Sen weighed his options. He was already entangled in all sorts of troubles; if she got involved, it would only become more tangled and impossible to resolve.

No, he had to take the initiative.

But the moment he stepped outside, there would be a tail following him. He’d have to find a way to fool his follower.

Yet once he gave his tail the slip, they’d realize they’d been spotted…

"Third, where’s Wuen?"

"Oh, he’s outside sweeping."

"Have him hitch up the carriage. We’re going out," Zhou Sen said as he put away the Heart Sutra.

"Got it," Leaf Third replied, then went out to call for Wuen.

…

Twenty minutes later, Zhou Sen and Wuen appeared on Carpenter Street, entering the shop where he’d ordered a wooden dummy last time.

Shops like this usually had a front room for displaying goods and a workshop in the back, with a rear exit, as any workshop would.

Zhou Sen bought a few small stools and loaded them into the carriage, instructing Wuen to drive back with the goods.

He remained behind in the shop. As expected, it wasn’t long before his tail entered as well. When the follower saw Zhou Sen wasn’t there, they hurried out.

Hidden, Zhou Sen watched the scene unfold. Once his suspicions were confirmed, he quietly slipped out through the front.

He was now dressed in an ordinary long cotton robe, a fur hat with long earflaps, hands tucked in, and shoulders hunched as he shuffled down the street.

Who would recognize this stooped figure as the ever-dashing young master Wasim?

Necessity was the mother of invention.

He hopped onto a tram, found a seat, switched lines at Station Street, and headed toward Daowai.

Money opens many doors.

With a little cash, Zhou Sen managed to slip into the backstage area of the New Stage. Of course, the dressing rooms were off-limits.

If anything happened there, no one would take the responsibility.

But Zhou Sen had his ways. There were places he couldn’t go, but staff at the New Stage could.

Slipping a note backstage was commonplace in the world of opera. Many actresses sought connections with the rich and powerful—survival demanded it. Fame and power were hard to resist.

Any famous opera actress would encounter such situations, sometimes even receiving direct invitations to visit admirers at their homes.

Should they accept or refuse?

If they accepted, there was no turning back. Refuse, and they risked offending someone. Unless they had powerful backing, it was best to test the waters first, perhaps by having someone deliver a note.

Zhou Sen used the name "Su Wenqing." Why not? He’d already used it once before; what harm in using it again?

Mentioning Su Wenqing ensured the note would reach Xiao Xiangning without being intercepted.

What Zhou Sen didn’t know was that Ah Xiang had also arrived at the Incense Pavilion.

Ah Xiang entered openly, announcing her identity and walking straight backstage, while Zhou Sen sneaked in. Naturally, they didn’t cross paths.

The Incense Pavilion had gone through upheaval, but Bai Yulan still wielded considerable influence in Daowai.

The New Stage did business with all sorts and wouldn’t dare offend such a guest. Besides, Bai Yulan wasn’t a competitor, nor was there any enmity.

Ah Xiang had come to the backstage under Bai Yulan’s name to visit Xiao Xiangning and present a box of handmade pastries as a token of respect.

It was a proper gesture.

Bai Yulan had indeed just attended Xiao Xiangning’s performance the day before and sent pastries the next day—a perfectly reasonable courtesy.

"Miss Ah Xiang, this way, please." Upon learning her identity, Troupe Leader Sun Qingkui personally received her. Having just returned to Ice City, he needed to maintain good relations with everyone, especially someone as influential as Bai Yulan.

"Thank you, Master Sun. I’m here on behalf of my boss, Miss Bai. Where is Miss Xiao Xiangning?" Ah Xiang’s demeanor and tone were perfectly measured.

"Please wait a moment, Miss Ah Xiang. I’ll call her right away," Sun Qingkui replied with a smile.

This small parlor was set aside by the New Stage for Xiao Xiangning’s rest and receiving guests—a privilege reserved for stars.

Her performances had been a sensation, every show drawing rave reviews and crowds.

The New Stage had been making a fortune lately and was eager to keep her happy, lest she be lured away by a higher offer.

Actors are human too—not everyone can be the star. That morning, Xiao Xiangning had only played a supporting role and had already stepped offstage.

She was backstage, removing her makeup.

When Sun Qingkui relayed the message, she hadn’t intended to go, but upon hearing the visitor wasn’t some lecherous admirer, she agreed.

Jiang Rou had removed her makeup but hadn’t yet changed out of her costume. Her long hair draped over her shoulders, and she looked so striking that even Ah Xiang was surprised when she entered.

"Miss Xiao Xiangning, after hearing your performance, my boss, Miss Bai, was deeply impressed and wishes to make your acquaintance. Please accept this small token," Ah Xiang said.

"Please thank Miss Bai for me. I’m flattered, but I really can’t accept such a gift without reason," Jiang Rou replied with a polite curtsey, gently refusing.

"It’s just a box of pastries, nothing of great value. If you like them, you’re welcome to visit the Incense Pavilion anytime," Ah Xiang said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you for your kindness. If I have the chance, I’ll certainly pay a visit," Jiang Rou replied. A box of pastries was nothing, and she could always return the courtesy.

"Well then, I won’t disturb you further," Ah Xiang said, rising to take her leave.

"Miss Xiao Xiangning, the General Chamber of Commerce President Su has sent you a letter, requesting that you open it personally," a staff member from the New Stage announced, handing her an unsealed envelope.

At this, Ah Xiang’s brow furrowed slightly, but out of courtesy, she didn’t stay and left quietly.

Why would that sly old fox Su Wenqing send a letter to Xiao Xiangning? Did he have designs on her?

That man wasn’t as lecherous as Old Man Qin, but he was reputed to keep several mistresses, yet still had the nerve to propose to Sister Lan.

Hmph. She’d have to report this to Sister Lan.

Xiao Xiangning certainly knew who Su Wenqing was, but she never imagined she’d be tangled up with such a prominent figure.

It was nothing but trouble. To be noticed by someone like that was the price of fame—inevitable.

She could choose not to read the note inside the envelope, simply toss or burn it.

But it wasn’t sealed—whether she read it or not, no one would know.

Curiosity got the better of her. She pulled out the slip and, upon seeing the salutation, her face filled with shock.

It was addressed to "Little Snot-nose"—a nickname only Zhou Sen had ever used for her, and no one had called her that in years.

Jiang Rou’s face flushed with excitement. She read on—it was an appointment, stating the time and place to meet at noon.

Quickly, she put the slip back in the envelope. Sun Qingkui mustn’t find out—she knew her godfather too well. He was too opportunistic. If he knew that "Su Wenqing" had sent her a note, he’d probably go around telling everyone.

Yet just because he didn’t say anything didn’t mean others wouldn’t—particularly the messenger.

"You there, who sent you with this letter?" Jiang Rou asked the staff member.

"He’s already gone."

"You haven’t told anyone else about this letter, have you?"

"No. He instructed me to give it only to you," the messenger replied, shaking his head.

"Alright, you can go," Jiang Rou nodded. Since the messenger had been instructed, there was no need to press. Anything more would seem excessive.

Time was short; she had to change quickly and find an excuse to slip away.

…

At the corner of Zhengyang Street, in the Yaan Tea and Pastry Shop.

Zhou Sen had chosen this place because, years ago, he’d once stolen pastries from here and shared them with Jiang Rou.

They’d been chased for two streets by the fat owner and his dog, finally managing to escape.

That was the only time Jiang Rou had ever done something bad with Zhou Sen. After that, she never agreed to such mischief again, and they never returned—not even Zhou Sen.

It was a shadow from their childhood.

More than ten years had passed. The old owner was long gone, and the shop had changed hands, though the name and the taste remained.

Even the decor was unchanged, just slightly patched up, and the customers were still the old neighbors.

People just got used to it.

He pushed open the door, and that familiar aroma of wheat greeted him—the very scent that had tempted them into mischief all those years ago.