Chapter 40: Gathering at Cloud Dragon Pavilion
“Hehehe,” upon hearing this, Old Tang’s eyes glimmered with amusement, and he chuckled dryly a few times. So this girl clearly does good deeds, yet still intends to wash her hands of it completely?
“But this matter may not go as we hope. It might even end up causing trouble for us. There are already quite a few people in the chamber of commerce looking to give us grief…”
Sui Yi was already heading towards the kitchen.
“That’s between Old Tang and Mr. Lin. But isn’t there also the deputy mayor?”
Old Tang’s eyes flashed sharply at these words!
Ha, so their strategy matches ours!
This Sui Yi… he had underestimated her!
“Hey, tomorrow is Saturday… Are you prepared? Don’t embarrass me in front of those people…”
“Mm… I’ll read some books later.”
Read books? She answered so confidently! Does she think tomorrow is a closed-book exam?
Old Tang was vexed—this is last-minute cramming?
Why did he ever think to bring Sui Yi, who knows nothing about antiques, with him? Even Zhou Ran would be more reliable!
–––––––––
How much can one read in a single night?
Skimming ten lines at a glance, perhaps?
And what if one remembers everything instantly?
The window was open, and a cool breeze from the riverside drifted in. Five or six thick volumes lay open or closed on the desk. Sui Yi glanced up at the river lanterns outside. Hmm? The people on the boats had disappeared; it seemed the night was deep.
“Though my memory isn’t bad, I could only read this much,” Sui Yi shut her eyes, tired. Indeed, this field isn’t mastered overnight; she could only progress gradually.
Even with her special ability, she could easily make a name for herself, but she had no intention to rely on this inexplicable gift.
Besides, in this profession, without substance, survival is difficult.
She didn’t intend to be famous in name only.
After a moment’s thought, Sui Yi took a sip of tea and continued reading.
––––––––––––––––––––––––
While she studied, Yan Qingwu sat on the sofa in the living room. She was watching the news with her mother when her gaze fell on a newspaper lying on the table.
The clothes pictured looked familiar.
“First a murder case, then the killer was shot, and now something happened at your school. It seems Nanxun isn’t very peaceful—no wonder you’re distracted,” the woman beside her, sensitive and perceptive, noticed her absent-mindedness and commented. The crystal chandelier cast its dazzling light over her face.
She looked very young, with an exquisite, striking profile and coffee-colored hair in gentle waves over her shoulders, stylish yet dignified. Though sitting quietly, her elegance and grace spoke of long years.
Tang Hanyan had always been the envy of other women—beauty, career, family, children—her life was nearly perfect.
Because things were so perfect, she took extra care to maintain them, never allowing the slightest slip.
––––––––––––––––––––––––
“You distracted Mom… she had to rush here from the provincial capital… Actually, it’s nothing, I wasn’t affected,” Yan Qingwu picked up the newspaper, flipped it open with her slender fingers, and paused as she read.
“The uniform pictured is from your school. The police have their explanation, but your school’s fame has spread again,” Tang Hanyan teased gently, raising her cup of floral tea.
Her fingers, like Yan Qingwu’s, were slender and beautiful.
She eyed her daughter, secretly thinking that her daughter would surpass herself.
Beyond doubt.
Yan Qingwu’s distraction was interrupted; she looked up.
“Is there something you want to say, Mom?”
“Transfer schools… This school isn’t good, and you’re in your final year. I don’t want you to be affected. I’ll take you back to the provincial capital. The school will be arranged.”
Yan Qingwu was silent for a moment.
She rarely opposed her mother’s wishes in such matters, even though she thought this wasn’t important, but she still felt reluctant.
A mother knows her daughter best. Tang Hanyan, seeing this, changed the subject, “Tomorrow I’m attending an event, mostly Nanxun’s old entrepreneurs. Come with me.”
She never forced her children to study like other parents, partly because Yan Qingwu never needed her to worry in this regard, and partly because her own confidence and experience from studying abroad shaped her thinking.
She trusted personal abilities far more than mere grades.
Of course, grades do reflect talent.
“A business gathering? Did you come back for this?” Yan Qingwu was not keen to attend.
“It’s not about business—it’s antiques and artifacts, something you’re interested in. Well, will you come?”
––––––––––––––––––––––––
The next day, Sui Yi stood quietly in casual cigarette pants and a soft knit sweater, wearing Bonke shoes. Old Tang grumbled endlessly beside her, while Zhou Ran looked embarrassed.
“Sui Yi, can’t you dress a bit more formally?” Old Tang had been nagging for ages, but Sui Yi just looked up at the sign above the club entrance.
Yunlong Residence.
Well known in Nanxun, even famous in the Jiangnan district—a gathering place for established entrepreneurs of Nanxun Town.
Still, she turned to Old Tang, “I’m your assistant. I don’t need to stand out too much; it fits my role…”
Old Tang was conflicted. He didn’t really mind, just felt that at her age, she should treat herself better. Look at the clothes she bought for him…
“Is it that bad?” Sui Yi saw his hesitation and compromised inwardly.
Bad? Zhou Ran quickly shook his head.
Old Tang was even more conflicted. Actually, it wasn’t bad, even pleasing to the eye. It’s just…
Couldn’t this girl buy a dress or something more formal?
“Then I’ll go back and change…”
“Change to what?”
“My school uniform.”
“....”
Old Tang instantly lost his temper, like a defeated rooster.
“Old Tang…” A greeting snapped him out of it. He turned and saw a tall, robust man walking over, skin dark, face square, full of presence.
He approached in a few strides.
Was this Yu Quan?
A major figure in the Nanxun Chamber of Commerce?
Rumored to be second-in-command.
Worth hundreds of millions.
Old Tang and Yu Quan exchanged pleasantries as they entered the club, seemingly unconcerned with Sui Yi and the younger generation. Zhou Ran, however, was more eager, following closely behind…
Sui Yi remained indifferent, trailing after them, occasionally glancing at the slender women in bright red cheongsams who flitted about gracefully. The corridor was antique in style, fragrant and elegant, with stone murals and carved windows imbued with ancient charm.
Amid refinement, there was a touch of opulence, like a noble manor from days past, every step seemingly paved with gold.
She felt a fleeting sense of deja vu, as if in a previous life, she had walked this path countless times…
“Sui Yi, hurry up…” Despite his sharp tongue, Old Tang cared for Sui Yi sincerely, afraid she might disappear.
Sui Yi quickened her pace and followed, soon entering the main hall.
The hall was lively, with many young women in cheongsams, but unlike the smoky nightclubs, the atmosphere here was far more refined.
Just now, Sui Yi even heard several women conversing fluently in English, their temperament clean and graceful.
They poured and served tea for the guests—elegant and charming.
As Sui Yi entered, before she could look at Old Tang, a rugged, hearty voice rang out.
“Hey, you’re Sui Yi!”
A stocky, rough-looking old man, with sharply defined features and a booming voice, caught sight of Sui Yi and his eyes lit up. He strode forward, looked her up and down, and laughed, “Do you know who I am?”
Sui Yi turned to face him, catching a glimpse of Old Tang’s expression and another person behind the old man. Her gaze paused.
She only glanced for a moment, then looked away. That person, surprised, watched her quietly. Seeing her turn away so naturally, as if she didn’t recognize him, he curled his lip in a mischievous smirk.
“Sui Yi greets Mr. Lin.”
Lin Zhengdao’s eyes widened, bright as copper bells, and he laughed, “Ha, few people call me ‘Mr.’—sharp eyes, indeed~~ Old Tang, I like this girl. Let me take her home!”
The comment, though innocent enough, was risky in these times.
Many people’s expressions shifted, even Zhou Ran’s face changed.