Chapter 276: Meeting in Chunjiang Restaurant 1
“You thief, stop your nonsense!” The shop assistant did not expect that someone would dare to act this atrociously in the Yuexiu Fabric Shop. This person really had a death wish.
“Quickly, go get the shopkeeper to take care of this thief!”
…
Several people rushed out to look for the shopkeeper. Within the time it took to burn an incense stick, a plump, old gentleman in a deep blue brocade appeared at the back of the house, smiling like a Maitreya Buddha. He had one hand on his back, and the other on his beard. As soon as he saw the man with the ox-headed mask, the plump old man put his smile away, and his eyes revealed a vicious intent.
He suddenly yelled loudly.
“Where did this thief come from? How dare you make trouble in our Yuexiu Fabric Shop! Are you looking to die?”
He immediately gave his orders.
“You lot, catch this thief and tie him up.”
Naturally, these people were not ordinary people. As they were about to bare their fangs and begin attacking the ox-head man, they watched as he took off his mask indifferently, revealing his actual appearance.
There was a black decree emblem in his hand.
With a sharp, blade-like gaze, he stared at the plump old man. He spoke in an apathetic tone.
“Ji Zhaoxun! Don’t you even recognize me?”
When the fat old man named Ji Zhaoxun saw Jiang Yeqian’s face, his expression changed from agitated to completely blank as if his entire being had been struck by lightning. He then fell to his knees with a loud thud.
“Ma-master!!!”
After calling out, he hurriedly crawled toward Jiang Yeqian. He hugged the man’s thigh and said, “Oh my god, Master, why are you here?”
Jiang Yeqian put on the mask again.
The shop assistants were all taken aback, could this be… the master!
Without having enough time to respond, the fat old man yelled, “All of you retreat first!”
The shop assistants were puzzled but they backed away for the moment.
When there were only two people left in the back of the shop, Jiang Yeqian motioned for him to get up. However, the fat old man did not dare move. Kneeling there, he uttered meekly, “Master, weren’t you in Wushuang City all the time? How did you find the time to visit Qingzhou City?!”
“Am I not allowed to come to Qingzhou City?” Jiang Yeqian said in a cold tone.
“Master, what I meant was that you should have let me know in advance if you were coming so that I could welcome your glorious arrival.” The fat old man was one of the three liaisons of the Zhaixing Administration in Qingzhou City and was responsible for the management of secret agents and intelligence affairs in the city. He managed this fabric shop ostensibly, but in reality, the fabric shop was one of the sub-rudders of Qingzhou City. Even if he was just a local contact person, the fat old man had been proud of his identity all his life!!
He had only been qualified to go to Wushuang City once five years ago in his entire life! Entering the nameless building, he had the honor to meet the Head of the Zhaixing Administration just once!
Jiang Yeqian questioned him, his gaze deep. “Does the Zhaixing Administration need such showy fanfare as an information department?”
“No, no.” The fat old man apologized quickly.
Jiang Yeqian put away the little decree emblem and said coldly, “The girl outside wants to buy some fabric. Just give her what she wants.”
The fat old man responded with a dazed expression, “Of course…?”
His tone was firm but it carried a slight confusion.
‘Which lady?
‘What kind of fabric?
‘Master came all the way here, just for this?’
Jiang Yeqian said, “Any question?”
“No, I’ll sell it to her right away,” the fat old man replied anxiously.
Jiang Yeqian seemed very satisfied. As he was about to leave, he thought for a moment, “Since she isn’t the one who is paying, tell them that the fabric can be retailed, but only if the price is doubled.”
The fat old man got up and nodded; he gave a waist-deep bow and said, “I will follow Master’s instructions to the word”
Before leaving, Jiang Yeqian said his final piece. “None of the seven grand masters are in Qingzhou City, but there is someone in Qingzhou City who is capable of wiping out the entire Lingyun Restaurant overnight. Ask all the secret agents who are under you to be more alert these next few days. I’m afraid some of the grand masters will be arriving in Qingzhou City to check on the situation very soon!”
“Roger that!” The fat old man’s forehead was sweating bullets from the tension.
The grand masters were coming to Qingzhou City. They really wanted him dead!
It seemed that… there would not be any room to rest for the upcoming period of time.
…
Qi Qingyao shopped around; she did not find anything to her liking. As she was about to leave, Jiang Yeqian came from the toilet and stood behind her. Suddenly, a fat old man appeared with a very kind smile that carried a hint of flattery.
“Miss, this batch of fabric can actually be sold to you.”
‘What?’
Qi Qingyao was a little taken aback.
‘Who is this fat old man?
‘But…’
“Actually?” It seemed that there was more to this so she asked, “What are your conditions? Go ahead and say it.”
“You have to pay more.” The fat old man was smiling and his eyes were squinted into a thin line. Out of the corner of his eyes, he glanced at the man who was wearing an ox-head mask and his smile became even bigger.
Oh, the fabric was pre-ordered by someone else. If she wanted it, she would naturally have to pay more. In a pompous, wealthy manner, Qi Qingyao said, “Money is not a problem.” She then yanked Lu Yan’s arm, pulling him toward her, despite his disgust. The process took only three seconds.
Lu Yan was not able to respond in time.
She released her grip.
Lu Yan was still in a daze.
Qi Qingyao said, “Little Yan, it’s time to pay.”
Lu Yan gave Dong Jing a glance.
Coming back to his senses from the shock, Dong Jing quickly paid the fat old man.
It was only then that the fat old man clearly recognized the person who was paying. “Ma-master Lu!!” His legs almost gave out again from nervousness!
Qi Qingyao instructed Jiang Yeqian, “Carry all the things!”
Jiang Yeqian was silent. He then picked up several rolls of fabric.
The fat old man exclaimed excitedly, “Miss, I’ll give you two more rolls of fabric since I find you quite congenial.”
Without waiting for Qi Qingyao’s answer, he took out the extremely delicate fabrics from beneath the counter.
Qi Qingyao blinked and told Jiang Yeqian to carry the whole lot together.
The fat old man barked at his men, “Why are you guys lazing around? Hurry up and escort our customers to their carriage!”
Following that, a few of his men smiled as they carried the two rolls of fabric to the carriage.
Qi Qingyao was stunned by this unexpectedly vigorous and resolute behavior.
It seemed that the fat old man wanted to give them more. However, the man in the ox-head mask looked over calmly. With just a glance, the fat old man knew that if he were to give any more, it would spark suspicions of himself.
He did not dare to say another word.
He could only look at their fleeting silhouettes silently as they left.
He was looking at the figure of that young lady with the greatest curiosity. ‘Who… is she?
‘She could actually make the Master follow her and be at service all the time!
‘Master Lu of the Senluo Chamber of Commerce as well. He actually paid for her shopping expenses! This is really…’
The fat old man did not dare to escort them to the front door, fearing that it would be too much. He went straight into the back of the house. Then, a man in black appeared, seemingly out of thin air.
He handed a piece of information to the fat old man.
The fat old man opened and glanced at it.
He felt very unnerved.
‘Qi Qingyao!!
‘She is Qi Qingyao!
‘Qi Qingyao, the person who had flaunted in front of the Jiang family. She also won the largest house in Qingzhou City that was previously owned by Lu Yan!’
This person’s name, to him, had been making rounds recently like a storm during the month.
‘She has some kind of connection to Su Hexiao and Li Qinglian. However, there was no relevant information that could be found!’
The man with the ox-head mask next to her had also been investigated for a long time now but with no results. However, today… that person was revealed to be the master.
A lot of things seemed to have become clear all of a sudden.
‘But why is Master Lu following her?
‘Is there a reason for this?
‘Wait a minute.’
‘Could it be that Master was following her to find out about her identity through this self-imposed hardship?’
When the fat old man thought of this, he was almost moved to tears.
‘Master is really setting an example by taking the lead. He is a role model for all of the spies in the Zhaixing Administration! They should all learn from him and prioritize information gathering by all means!’