NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28: The House
Chapter 28: The House
“Thank you, Quarry Patrol Inspector!”
Xu Lian expressed his gratitude.
In reality, even if he didn’t want to join the Yi Sect, he didn’t dare to refuse outright… he understood the importance of being pragmatic.
Seeing that the White Fox was about to leave, Xu Lian quickly said, “I have one more thing to report.”
The white fox stopped. “What is it?”
“This morning, Han Du and the eldest son of the Pei family, Pei Heng, invited me to the Lichun Brothel to listen to music. During that time, Pei Heng gave me a house deed and asked me to arrange a meeting with the Quarry Patrol Inspector.”
Xu Lian took out the house deed without hesitation and “betrayed” Han Du and Pei Heng.
Green Bamboo Town was under the control of the Yi Sect, and anything happening there might be under their surveillance. It was better to tell the truth than to lie and hide, as this would show his sincerity… and gain trust.
The white fox looked at the house deed Xu Lian was holding and snorted. “The Pei family really thought of everything, trying to get through to me through you.”
Xu Lian said, “I was also helpless… I couldn’t refuse in front of Han Du, who I once worked under, so I had to accept the deed.”
The white fox casually said, “It’s just a house. If they give it to you, just take it. There’s no need to arrange a meeting. You can tell Pei Heng that the higher-ups have already decided that the patriarch of the Pei family will be the next mayor. There’s no need to waste your time.”
After a pause, the White Fox added, “You can also say that you have persuaded me to help them by making the patriarch of the Pei family the next mayor. If you say that, the Pei family will surely reward you heavily, not just with a house.”
Xu Lian’s eyes widened. This White Fox Quarry Patrol Inspector was quite “scheming”… He understood that someone who could sit in the position of Quarry Patrol Inspector, managing all the mines in Green Bamboo Town, couldn’t be simple.
There were no simple people in this world, because simple people had long since become extinct.
“In the future, if you have something to report, concentrate your thoughts on this jade token, and I will know.”
The white fox lifted its small paw, revealing a purple jade token with a white fox pattern engraved on it, and threw it to Xu Lian before turning and leaping out of the window, disappearing into the forest as a white shadow.
A communication talisman?
Xu Lian caught the purple jade token, wondering about its meaning.
“Manager Xu, it’s time to finish the work.”
Pu Ling knocked on the door.
Xu Lian looked at the darkening sky outside the window and opened the door. “Finish the work, open the granary and distribute the grain!”
The miners, already eager, streamed in from all directions and lined up to receive their grain.
After the miners left, Zhang Yuan looked at Xu Lian expectantly. “Brother Lian, are we distributing meat today?”
“You do not get meat every day. Do you think the mine is run by my family?”
Xu Lian tied a bundle of dry wood to his horse’s back, took a bundle from the stone house, mounted his horse, and left the mine.
In his bundle, besides the items he bought at the market, there was a bottle of the bandits’ blood and some meat from the kitchen… these were the privileges of a manager, not available to overseers.
Although the higher-ups didn’t care much about the mine’s expenditures, it couldn’t be too excessive. If meat was distributed to the overseers every day, there would be a significant financial gap that would be hard to explain.
“Sinsiter Xu.”
Zhang Yuan muttered as he sat on Yang Ye’s black donkey cart with Pu Ling and Lin Bufeng.
Xu Lian was very wealthy now, everyone knew that. Other mines had fifteen overseers, but Xu Lian’s mine had only four, with eleven vacancies. Where did the embezzled wages go?
It was obvious that they ended up in Xu Lian’s pocket.
Many people wanted to be overseers, but Xu Lian refused. So some people called him “Sinister Xu” behind his back.
“Sister Xiya, pack your things. We’re moving to a new place. We have a new residence.”
At home, Xu Lian took out the deed directly and handed it to Li Xiya.
Wang Cuiyun snatched it first, examining the deed carefully. Her old face was forced into a smile. “This is a house on the new street, the best location.”
“The house was donated by the eldest son of the Pei family, Pei Heng.”
Xu Lian mentioned casually and urged, “Stop looking, hurry up and pack.”
Wang Cuiyun carefully folded up the deed. “There’s not much to pack, just two mattresses and some pots and pans.”
Then she realized, “Ah,” she exclaimed in surprise. “You’ve connected with the Pei family of the three great families?”
“What do you mean by connecting with the Pei family? The eldest son of the Pei family asked me for a favor.”
Xu Lian couldn’t resist showing off.
Wang Cuiyun chuckled without exposing him. “You’re right, master.”
The four of them packed up quickly. The family was too poor, with very few belongings.
Xu Lian tied these belongings to his horse and led it away, while Wang Cuiyun, Li Xiya, and Yang Chan’er followed beside him, covering their faces with clothes.
It was dark, and the street was quiet and empty.
Yang Chan’er’s small hand clutched Xu Lian’s sleeve, her face tense. “What if we run into robbers? Maybe we should leave tomorrow night and ask my father for help.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m quite skilled with a blade.”
Wang Cuiyun comforted Yang Chan’er, as he had once seen Xu Lian fight a strong man with a blade and completely win. “I reckon that Master’s promotion is related to his blade skills. Master, am I right?”
“Correct.”
Xu Lian was a bit surprised. Although Wang Cuiyun didn’t accurately guess everything, she was close. If he weren’t a martial artist, he wouldn’t have received the Quarry Patrol Inspector’s attention.
It wasn’t far from the old road to the new road, and they didn’t encounter any robbers on the way.
Even rogue bandits who lived by robbery wouldn’t be out at night, probably hiding somewhere. If the Night Patrol showed up, there would be no time to hide.
“This is the place.”
Xu Lian compared the address on the deed and found his house.
This area was home to wealthy families, with bright lights inside, except for his house, which was dark and easy to find.
“They gave me the deed, but they forgot the key. Young Master Pei is really careless.”
Looking at the iron lock on the door, he was speechless. He grabbed the lock and twisted it hard, “Crack,” it broke open… brute strength worked wonders.
The three of them were a bit surprised but didn’t say anything, probably thinking that the lock was rusty and easy to twist.
Xu Lian opened the door and led the horse inside.
After the three of them entered, he closed the door.
“This house is very clean; someone must clean it regularly.”
Wang Cuiyun rushed into the house, her old face beaming. “The beds, tables, and chairs are all here. The houses given by wealthy families are indeed different.”
Xu Lian was also satisfied. Although Pei Heng forgot to give him the key, the exquisite furnishings showed great sincerity, making it possible to move in immediately.
“Let’s cook.”
He took the dry wood and pots and pans from the horse and moved them into the kitchen, finding it full of firewood and various kitchen utensils, all new.
Wang Cuiyun happily began to cook. “Master is making our family change every day. My old age will be comfortable.”