Song Yan was bewildered. Why was Eighth Master here at this hour? Even his bodyguard, Wang Long, was out of the hospital.
He greeted him respectfully, "Good to see you, Brother Wang."
Wang Long responded with a noncommittal, "Hmph."
Although he had been completely crushed by Xu Lai at the Mingyue Tea House, he wasn’t discouraged. On the contrary. After learning that Xu Lai was a Martial Arts Grandmaster, I even feel honored. How many Third-Grade Martial Artists in the world can survive a single blow from a Martial Ancestor? I, Wang Long, am one of a kind. This is the highest honor!
"I hear Jiang Bai’s friend has arrived?" Old Jiang Ba asked nonchalantly, his hands clasped behind his back.
Song Yan didn’t dare to hide anything and quickly explained the situation with Liu Chengyin.
"A family activity... Galaxy Kindergarten..." Wang Long said in a low voice, "Eighth Master, that name sounds familiar. I believe you mentioned it yesterday when you were talking with President Su."
Old Jiang Ba had been lost in thought the entire trip and hadn’t paid any attention to the name. Now, prompted by his bodyguard’s reminder, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "That’s the kindergarten Mr. Xu’s daughter, Xu Yiyi, attends!" Chapters first released on novel·fiɾe·net
Old Jiang Ba breathed urgently, "Quick, get me the list."
Song Yan was confused, wondering why the eternally composed and steadfast Eighth Master was acting so out of character. He didn’t dare to ask, however, and obediently went to find the list.
Seemingly impatient with the delay, Old Jiang Ba asked again, "Has Mr. Xu Lai arrived?"
Mr. Xu! The title "Mr." was not one to be used casually, especially not by Eighth Master. A cold sweat beaded on Song Yan’s forehead as he whispered, his voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, "Xu Lai... I believe he has arrived."
"Take me to him!" Old Jiang Ba commanded excitedly.
"Well..." Song Yan hesitated, uncertain if he should tell the truth.
Noticing his reluctance, Wang Long’s voice turned grave. "Don’t tell me you slighted Mr. Xu."
"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare." Song Yan shook his head frantically, though inwardly he was cursing up a storm. Damn you, Liu Chengyin! You really screwed me over! Didn’t you say Xu Lai had no connections? How could he possibly know Eighth Master! He clung to a final shred of hope. What if the Xu Lai that Eighth Master knows isn’t the same one Liu Chengyin had me deal with?
As the driver led the way, Song Yan prayed desperately to the heavens that they were two different people. Otherwise, he was a dead man.
But the tour bus passed through Zone A, bypassed Zone B, and finally stopped in Zone C... in room C50, the most remote one of all.
Wang Long asked with a mirthless smile, "Song Yan, you didn’t actually put Mr. Xu in here, did you?"
Sweat poured down Song Yan’s forehead, and he didn’t dare say a word.
Old Jiang Ba pushed the door open and found the room empty. Seeing its filthy, chaotic state, his expression darkened as he stared at Song Yan. "What is going on? Where are they?"
Song Yan, who was all too aware of Eighth Master’s brutal methods, no longer dared to hide anything. With a THUD, he fell to his knees and explained everything from start to finish.
As Old Jiang Ba listened, his vision swam, and he felt a rage so intense it could trigger a heart attack. He had gone through so much trouble just to build a connection with Xu Lai, only to have his own idiotic subordinate ruin everything.
Suddenly, Wang Long said, "Eighth Master, I think there’s someone by the lake..."
The group hurried toward the lake and spotted Xu Lai in the distance.
Old Jiang Ba ran over and cautiously approached. "Mr. Xu."
Ruan Tang’s heart skipped a beat. That’s Eighth Master from Liu City! Why is he here?
Ruan Tang didn’t know about the relationship between Old Jiang Ba and Xu Lai, so she quietly pulled Xu Yiyi behind her protectively.
Xu Lai ruffled his daughter’s hair, then turned to Mao Gaoshan and his family with a smile. "Dinner’s ready." His gaze then shifted to Old Jiang Ba, and his smile slowly vanished. "You’re just in time. Why don’t you join us?"
Sensing the shift in Xu Lai’s attitude, Old Jiang Ba felt as if he’d been plunged into an ice cave. His whole body was drenched in a cold sweat, and he didn’t dare sit down. He spoke sheepishly, "Mr. Xu, I’m fine standing."
Mao Gaoshan, however, raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Uncle, cut the nonsense and eat with us!" With that, he forcefully pulled Old Jiang Ba down to sit, much to the astonishment of Wang Long and Song Yan.
"Uncle, you seem to work at this resort too. You be the judge. This Song Yan guy..." Mao Gaoshan launched into a tirade for Old Jiang Ba’s benefit.
Old Jiang Ba nodded eagerly, like a chicken pecking at grain, and apologized profusely. "I’m sorry. This is my fault for poor supervision."
Song Yan’s face was ashen. He knew he had caused a disaster. Kneeling on the ground, he stammered, "Mr. Xu, Mr. Mao, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have listened to Liu Chengyin. I’m so sorry..."
"You haven’t wronged us," Mao Gaoshan said. "We’re leaving after we finish our meal. Or are you trying to kick us out now?"
After he finished speaking, with his arm still around Old Jiang Ba’s shoulder, the realization finally hit him. "Uncle, you just said ’poor supervision’? Whoa, you’re in management?"
"Just some minor oversight, that’s all," Old Jiang Ba said with a weak laugh.
"My name’s Mao Gaoshan, I’m in the liquor business. Next time you’re in the East Sea, just mention my name! I can get you a ten percent discount at any major restaurant!" Mao Gaoshan boasted grandly. "What’s your name, Uncle?"
"Everyone just calls me Old Jiang Ba. I’m in the funeral business. You’d best not mention my name when you’re out and about—it’s bad luck..."
Old Jiang Ba. The funeral business... Something isn’t right. Something is very wrong. He hadn’t even had a drink, but Mao Gaoshan’s head was spinning as if he’d been struck by lightning. Who else in all of Liu City would dare call himself Old Jiang Ba?
Mao Gaoshan forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace. As he retracted his arm, he carefully brushed Old Jiang Ba’s shoulder as if to remove a speck of dust. "Eigh... Eighth Master. Please forgive me, sir. I had no idea it was you. I... I... I’ve had too much to drink."
"Alright, eat," Xu Lai said calmly. "We have to go back to the East Sea after this."
Hearing this, Old Jiang Ba grew anxious. He was a veteran of the world. He knew that if Xu Lai left today, their connection would be severed, and they would be strangers from now on.
In a panic, he said, "Mr. Xu, I’ll have Wang Long arrange rooms for you immediately. The children must be tired after a long day. A soak in the hot springs tonight would be a good way to relax."
Xu Yiyi’s big eyes darted around. She could tell her father was furious. She hugged Xu Lai’s arm and said in a soft, wheedling voice, "Yiyi’s never been in a hot spring before! I want to go with Daddy and Mommy!"
Xu Lai frowned slightly and looked at Ruan Tang. "What do you think, honey?"
Ruan Tang was still baffled. Why is the renowned Eighth Master of Liu City being so respectful to Xu Lai, almost like a subordinate? But then there was the incident at the Mingyue Tea House and the change in Ruan Lan’s attitude about marrying into the Su Family of Hangcheng... All of this has to be connected to Xu Lai and Eighth Master! She wanted to understand what was going on, so she bit her lip and said, "Maybe we should just stay for one night."
Only then did Xu Lai nod.
At that moment, Xu Yiyi gave Old Jiang Ba a clever wink. He was so moved he nearly cried. Without Xu Yiyi’s help, I know nothing I said would have convinced Xu Lai to stay.
Overcome with gratitude, Old Jiang Ba shouted, "Wang Long, get two rooms ready at once! And have Mr. Xu’s and Mr. Mao’s luggage sent over."
Wang Long kicked Song Yan. "Lead the way! Are you just going to stand there like a statue?"