Chapter 909: 384: Haikou Trembles (Part 1)
Chapter 909: Chapter 384: Haikou Trembles (Part 1)
Yueyao nodded and said, “I know.”
In the middle of the night the next day, An Zhichen went to pick up Yueyao and was very surprised to see that Yueyao had packed all the jewelry and ornaments he had given her. He had thought Yueyao was not fond of gold, silver, and jewels but only loved antiques and paintings!
An Zhichen was puzzled in his heart, but he didn’t show even a hint of it on his face, so Yueyao didn’t know what he was thinking. The reason Yueyao was bringing these pieces of jewelry was because she thought they were quite valuable; leaving them behind would be a bargain for others, and she couldn’t bear not to take them.
An Zhichen led Yueyao through several twists and turns on the road without encountering a single person. After walking for more than a quarter of an hour, they finally arrived outside a courtyard: “It’s in here.”
The newly changed courtyard was much larger. There were two main rooms and four wing rooms, and the furnishings in the house were even more exquisite than the previous place: “Are you worried others won’t know there’s a lady living here?”
An Zhichen laughed and said, “I’ve already arranged everything; you don’t need to worry. This time, I’ve arranged for an old nanny and four maids for you.” Now that Yueyao’s identity was that of a distant cousin, naturally, she couldn’t have just one maid serving her.
Yueyao didn’t voice any objections.
An Zhichen led Yueyao into the house and first took her to see the studio and study. Yueyao saw that everything inside was arranged very neatly, clearly showing much effort had been put into it. In a low voice, Yueyao said, “Thank you.” Yueyao felt that other than saying thank you and sorry to An Zhichen, she didn’t know what else to say.
An Zhichen earnestly said, “You are my wife; no need to be so polite.”
Yueyao’s face turned red instantly. She lowered her head, grumbling in her heart; she never thought An Zhichen was so glib, wondering why now it felt like she had misjudged him in the past. If Yueyao hadn’t lowered her head, she would have seen the smile on An Zhichen’s face.
Yueyao’s shy demeanor also itched An Zhichen’s heart. But he understood Yueyao’s temperament. If he acted recklessly now, it would only push Yueyao further away. An Zhichen consoled himself, there was no rush; once they returned to the Capital City and had the wedding, he could do whatever he wanted, legitimately.
Before Yueyao raised her head, An Zhichen masked his own restlessness: “Zichang, they say your paintings are excellent, but I have never seen them.” An Zhichen was asking Yueyao for a painting.
Yueyao did not agree to An Zhichen’s request: “I haven’t graduated yet. After I do, I’ll definitely give you one.”
An Zhichen smiled a little: “It’s very late now; go to sleep!” In the future, everyone would belong to him, so there’s no need to talk about giving or not giving.
Yueyao had grown accustomed to the frequent change of people around her. The old nanny and four maids at the Moon Looking Residence also showed no signs of strangeness, almost as if they had always attended to Yueyao. Yueyao sighed that An Zhichen’s means of managing people were truly impressive.
Zhaodi knew there would be changes in personnel, but seeing the people who had switched over the next day made her little heart race.
Since moving into Moon Looking Residence, Yueyao’s routine gradually returned to normal.
In contrast, Zhou Shu’s days were a living hell. After the mysterious warehouse fire, everything went awry. Previously, the goods sent by suppliers were all top quality; now they dared to mix in inferior goods. Returning goods caused major delays, and sea vessels couldn’t depart as scheduled. These were minor issues; the most troublesome was an accountant from the accounting room committing suicide. Although this wasn’t the firm’s responsibility, the family insisted on suing, claiming the firm drove the individual to death. Usually, in such cases, the government would just go through the motions, and the most the firm would face would be a small compensation, sometimes none at all. But this time, the government pursued it seriously, constantly questioning people, making everyone at the firm anxious.
Ah San anxiously said, “Master, this isn’t a solution!” One death is a minor affair, but if the firm gets a reputation for being easily bullied, that’s a major problem.
Zhou Shu shook his head and said, “Wait a bit longer.”
Ah San grimaced and said, “Master, what are you waiting for?” He truly didn’t know what the master was waiting for. If they waited much longer, he was worried about internal strife within the firm.
Zhou Shu remained silent.
Ah San suddenly thought of something: “Master, you won’t still be hung up on that woman, will you? Master, all of our troubles stem from that woman. Master, that woman is unlucky. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Master, the world is full of women; whatever kind you want, surely you can find. But that woman is absolutely no good.” People who work the seas tend to be superstitious, and Ah San believed that since Yueyao arrived in Haikou, nothing has gone smoothly, leading him to conclude that Yueyao was a jinx.
Zhou Shu’s face darkened.
Ah San knew Zhou Shu was on the verge of anger but felt compelled to speak: “Master, I’ve spoken nothing of the past. But ever since she came to Haikou, nothing’s gone right for us. Master, that woman is really unlucky. You can’t let a woman destroy the firm we’ve risked our lives to build.” If the Master still wouldn’t relent, he was determined to stop him.
Zhou Shu clenched his fists: “I know what’s going on.” Until now, Ah San hasn’t been able to find out who the mole was, indicating the mole is well-hidden. If they’re this well-hidden, it must be someone he trusts.
In the evening, Zhou Shu received word that the Imperial Censor filed over a dozen charges against him, making Zhou Shu’s expression immediately grim. But soon, Zhou Shu frowned. The Zhou Family had always wanted to acquire his firm to bring greater benefits to the Zhou Family. But if they instigated the Imperial Censor to impeach him, it doesn’t add up. Doing so could very well lead to Zhou Ji Commercial Firm’s bankruptcy, and Zhou Xi should know that pushing him too far wouldn’t be good for anyone. This affair wasn’t orchestrated by the Zhou Family.