Chapter 57: No Regrets From The Start
The procuress’s heart pounded wildly, thinking that it was over, things had gotten serious!
The other side was preparing to fight Xiaguang Garden to the death!
She knew that she absolutely could not let Cao Weida leave with anger, otherwise, there would really be no room for maneuver.
Everyone was smart; they clearly knew Xiaguang Garden had a backer, yet still dared to say such words, which meant they had the confidence to say them!
Although Xiaguang Garden outwardly relied on the relationship with the East Asia Academic Research Association president, in reality, they didn’t take her seriously at all; she had to hand over large dividends every month and was even afraid they wouldn’t accept them!
For small matters, they would solve them for her out of consideration for the money, but if she provoked someone she shouldn’t, she knew full well that the East Asia Academic Research Association president might not help her and could even use her life to do a favor for others!
“Aiya, sir, why are you so angry? Getting that angry harms your health~~” The procuress smiled coquettishly, tightly hugging Cao Weida’s arm to stop him from leaving, her mouth curved in a seductive smile as she said:
“My underlings lack knowledge; don’t stoop to his level. He’s just a fart; just treat it as him letting off gas.”
“As long as you can calm down, I’ll have someone tie him up right now and let you vent as much as you want. Even if you beat him to death, it’s what he deserves. What do you think?”
“I think we’d better forget it. Your Xiaguang Garden is a big temple, and this little Buddha of mine needs some self-awareness.” Cao Weida chuckled, brushing off the hands hugging his arm,
Did she really think a couple of nice words would let it drop just like that?
She was taking Cao Weida far too lightly!
She was taking herself far too seriously!
The procuress stumbled and nearly sat on the ground, but she couldn’t worry about that and hurriedly put on a smiling face again,
“Sir, today it’s Xiaguang Garden’s fault; it’s my Han Lu’s failure in discipline. Punish or beat me as you please; as long as you can vent this anger, anything I can do, just say the word.”
“Men, come tie up He Lilong for me!!”
Cao Weida calmly watched her; sure enough, a procuress has no feelings and an actor no righteousness.
From ancient times to now, any procuress running a brothel was basically no good person, especially proficient at seeking profit and avoiding harm, and best at judging whom to fawn over.
He could guarantee that if his attitude hadn’t been so strong, the other’s attitude absolutely wouldn’t be so servile.
Now, with her underling, tie him up if she said so, give him away if she said so, let him be beaten to death if she said so, tsk tsk.
Good people are bullied, good horses are ridden; it’s truly an unchanging principle.
He didn’t know that although he kept smiling, anyone could tell it was a fake smile, especially those eyes, which were simply too intimidating.
Having killed at least two little devils a day, over twenty in total, he was fine normally, but once truly angry, the disregard for life in his eyes exploded in the observer’s heart like thunder on a clear day, making their hair stand on end involuntarily.
Precisely because of this, the procuress was even more convinced the other’s background was unfathomable; that gaze of a superior disdainfully overlooking an inferior made her not dare move a muscle.
Her gaze shifted to the burly man nearby.
Name’s He Lilong?
Pretty domineering name; just didn’t know if his fate was as domineering as his name.
With the intensely oppressive gaze lifted, the procuress’s rapidly beating heart eased a bit, but He Lilong was already panicked and at a loss, personally experiencing the pressure the procuress had just felt.
Even if he were a fool, he could see he’d offended someone he couldn’t afford to today; even Lu Jie, with the East Asia Academic Research Association president as her backer, was so humble, and he, who ate under her, could be crushed by them as easily as an ant?!
Hearing Lu Jie say to tie him up for the other to vent on, even death being deserved, his visually striking, burly body couldn’t help but tremble.
Thud~
He Lilong splendidly knelt, not daring to wipe the cold sweat pouring down his face, banging his head on the ground several times after kneeling,
“This sir, grandpa, I was wrong; please be magnanimous…”
Cao Weida didn’t bother listening to the rest; just a brainless thug, he didn’t take him seriously at all.
“Shut up.” Just those two simple words weighed like a thousand pounds, choking He Lilong’s remaining words in his throat.
His gaze turned back to the procuress; the pressure that had just lifted pressed down on Han Lu again, scaring her into a sweat in mere seconds.
Cao Weida walked lightly to a table and sat down, his fingers tapping the surface neither lightly nor heavily, neither fast nor slow.
Tap~ Tap~ Tap~
Each sound exploded in the procuress and the burly man’s ears like thunderbolts, making their hearts jump along.
After a long while, Cao Weida finally spoke: “You said as long as I calm down, you’ll do anything?”
The procuress secretly breathed a sigh of relief; as long as he spoke, it was good, it was good!
Speaking meant there was room for negotiation!
What she feared most was him making no demands and deadlocking with her; if he truly had a big background, wouldn’t she be done for?
From the brief contact, she didn’t think he was bluffing.
Aura was something profound and intangible, yet real, not something just anyone could have!
“Sir, your orders.” Han Lu stood ever so obediently.
“What if I say I want your Yihongyuan’s new courtesan Xinghong.”
Han Lu forced a smile uglier than crying: “Sir, if you take Xinghong, Xiaguang Garden’s reputation will be ruined; those big shots would tear down my Xiaguang Garden, which I can’t afford to provoke.”
“Looks like you still lack sincerity in apologizing.” Cao Weida gave her a flat look and made to stand up and leave.
These harmful procuresses were all the type who wouldn’t let go without seeing the rabbit; he had little patience left.
As the saying goes, use connections when you have them, or they expire and become useless!
If not now, wait until after the little devils surrender?
That would be nonsense!
Now Cao Weida was very useful to Ono Shiota and them, because he could help them earn lots of money, lots of gold bars.
Dealing with Fu Decheng, Ono Shiota was unwilling, after all, Fu Decheng had Security Brigade Brigade Commander Cui Qi behind him; Ono Shiota still had to give some face.
Moving Cui Qi wasn’t something decided on a whim.
But dealing with a brothel procuress was a piece of cake?
No way those behind Han Lu would fall out with Cao Weida over a procuress who could be replaced anytime; even if Ono Shiota knew, he wouldn’t say anything.
Even, Ono Shiota would prefer him to be a bit more arrogant.
From poor origins, suddenly rich with power in hand, if not arrogant and overbearing, it would instead raise suspicions.
Last time with Kui Biao it was like this, this time clashing with Xiaguang Garden too.
These were just incidental matters; clashing with anyone was the same, and since this procuress didn’t know better, use her to make an example; it didn’t matter whom, whatever.
Han Lu trembled all over and hurriedly changed her tune: “Can do it, definitely can!”
“Oh? Weren’t you just saying it couldn’t be done?” Cao Weida looked at her with full mockery.
Han Lu squeezed out a smile: “Sir, I’m just a woman, long hair short knowledge, no filter on my mouth.”
“Rest assured, I’ll have someone bring Xinghong right away—no, I’ll go invite her personally!”
With that, she hurriedly ran upstairs, ignoring He Lilong kneeling to the side.
Cao Weida sat back down; Little Ear poured tea for him nearby.
Soon, a girl tied with rope was carried down; Han Lu cautiously said:
“Sir, Xinghong is brought to you; I’ll arrange a private room right away, have the best cook prepare a feast to liven things up, wishing you good fortune tonight, red-hot success.”
“Who said I want her here.” Cao Weida cut her off, setting the teacup on the table with a dull thud, making Han Lu’s heart bleed,
“Sir, your meaning is…”
Cao Weida looked puzzled at Little Ear, “Is my meaning not clear enough?”
“Clear, too clear; afraid someone’s playing dumb despite understanding?” Little Ear grinned with big teeth; good, damn right, for looking down on Big Brother Cao at first, for being smug!
Still smug now? Smug some more quietly?
Something that could’ve been settled nicely, but had to provoke Big Brother Cao into a rage!
Though not the protagonist, his heart felt as refreshed as drinking cold tea in the dog days.
Only by following Big Brother Cao could he bare his teeth at Xiaguang Garden; before, he truly wouldn’t have had the courage.
“Understood, too well understood; just now my brain was a bit clogged.” Han Lu’s heart twitched and trembled!
Xinghong was the courtesan she was about to launch!
Cultivating a Qing Guan Ren wasn’t cheap, let alone a courtesan?!
From signing the contract to now, food, clothing, housing, everything the best, plus professional teachers for music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and literacy with a mister; the money spent was enormous!
Just about to see returns, and someone had her in their sights.
Originally hoping that even without the first night, she could bring continuous profit to Xiaguang Garden!
Now, not only no first night, but person and all taken away in one go.
Thinking back, they had politely negotiated, even courteously saying money was no object, price up to her.
Now… money?
Did she dare open her mouth?
Being able to brush off the previous misunderstanding was already thanking the heavens!
Truly lost the wife and the soldiers too!!!
Regret, such regret!!
Thinking of the culprit behind all this, Han Lu couldn’t help glaring at He Lilong, wishing to death by a thousand cuts on him right then!
All because of this damned fool!
Without him, how would things come to this?!
Just you wait; once this plague god leaves, see how Mother deals with you!
Ignoring the ashen-faced He Lilong, Han Lu hurriedly ordered the underlings who carried down Xinghong: “Quick, go get Xinghong’s contract!”
Today Xinghong was definitely getting taken away; she had no courage to refuse. Being smart, she might as well send her generously; maybe it could ease their relationship.
If he got happy, thought her sensible, came to Xiaguang Garden more, maybe she could hook up with this sir and turn disaster into fortune!
