The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits

Chapter 149

Another bonus chapters for the coffee <3

I may have to separate the updates today and tomorrow. So for now, it will be 4 chapters and 3 the next day for the regular and bonus chaps <3

Toast cups intertwined, music and dance flourishing.

Official Fang had told them about the banquet described by Yao Ji, and Jiang Huaiqing looked around. The scene before his eyes matched what Official Fang had revealed to them.

Was this the place where Yao Ji performed her dance?

Jiang Huaiqing lowered his gaze, concealing his pensive thoughts.

He had always portrayed himself as someone unfamiliar with business in the presence of He Chengyu. He genuinely lacked knowledge in that area. During the banquet, He Chengyu primarily took charge of interacting with Boss Sun and others while Jiang Huaiqing listened and occasionally made puzzled expressions. He would stop and explain when He Chengyu noticed.

His main role was to take note of every occurrence at the banquet and observe the people present. Later, he would exchange information with He Chengyu and piece together the clues they obtained.

Generally, not many people actively sought to converse with him. Occasionally, there were some who wanted to find an alternative way to approach He Chengyu through him.

Regarding these individuals, Jiang Huaiqing seemed completely oblivious to their true intentions. After conversing with them, he wouldn't make any promises or leave any leverage for them.

This was the final test for both sides. He Chengyu remained composed, and since Boss Sun introduced them, the others didn't harbor much hostility towards him.

After the banquet concluded, He Chengyu planned to leave with Jiang Huaiqing but was stopped by Boss Sun.

"It's late, why don't the two of you stay overnight? It saves you the trouble of coming back tomorrow."

"Will we also be here tomorrow?" He Chengyu raised an eyebrow.

"Hahaha, yes," Boss Sun chuckled. "It was a last-minute decision to change the venue. People will come from the other side tomorrow, and Boss Gu's merchandise is ready. It'll be directly delivered."

He Chengyu looked at him with a half-smile. "Boss Sun must have had this plan for a while. I won't blame you for speaking the truth."

"Well, it really was a last-minute decision. They urgently needed it on the other side, and the original date we set was a bit late for them." Boss Sun explained with a smile.

He Chengyu possessed what they urgently needed, so he couldn't afford to offend him. He wouldn't be surprised if He Chengyu became angry since trustworthiness is highly valued in business, and this time, he had been the one to break his word.

"Alright, then I'll stay for an extra day. Send someone with my letter to inform the person inspecting the goods, and have them deliver it tomorrow."

The two of them were arranged to stay in the same room. This time, nobody was forcefully assigned to attend to them. After Boss Sun repeatedly apologized, he finally left with his people.

Once they were sure nobody was around, Jiang Huaiqing relaxed and sat on the bed. "It's a good thing we didn't choose today as the day to make our move."

Originally, they had planned to capture the person today after discussing it with Official Fang. However, they changed their minds and decided to strike on the day of the official transaction.

He Chengyu walked over and sat next to him. "During times like these, we must remain vigilant and not let our guard down. If we had chosen today, we would have only startled the snake in the grass."

After all, their true target was not these businessmen but the hidden Beimo people behind them.

Jiang Huaiqing lowered his voice and spoke in a tone audible only to the two of them, "Perhaps Boss Sun did it intentionally. The original date they chose was tomorrow. The date they told us was just to divert attention. If we really had any issues, they wouldn't suffer much loss."

"I think so too. Keeping us here is a form of covert surveillance. We only brought a few servants with us, and I assume they are being closely watched as well. They won't have the opportunity to communicate with the outside."

"Their plan is well calculated. However, Chengyu, aren't you worried that they are only conducting a single business transaction?"

He Chengyu understood the implication in Jiang Huaiqing's words and shook his head. "No, they are doing this to ensure that we have no problems. Even if there are issues, they can still escape unharmed. If they wanted to get rid of us after obtaining the goods, there would be no need for repeated tests."

It wasn't appropriate to discuss too much on someone else's territory, so He Chengyu stopped Jiang Huaiqing from continuing the topic and asked one of the servants stationed outside for hot water.

A dreamless night passed.

The next day, they could clearly feel that the security in the courtyard had intensified. He Chengyu accompanied Jiang Huaiqing to the main hall, where Boss Sun was already present, engaged in a conversation with a burly man.

"Boss Gu has arrived," He Chengyu glimpsed the two of them and Boss Sun halted his conversation with the man, approaching them and making introductions, "This is Master Tu, the person conducting the transaction with us this time."

"Master Tu doesn't look like someone from Subei," He Chengyu casually remarked after a brief exchange of pleasantries.

"That's true. However, we have a good relationship," Boss Sun didn't hide it, "But in my opinion, it doesn't matter where he comes from. As long as we can cooperate amicably. What do you think, Boss Gu?"

"Boss Sun's words make sense."

After a while, the other business owners also arrived.

After finishing the tea in his cup, He Chengyu spoke, "Because the goods involved in this transaction are quite special, I need to have a face-to-face conversation with someone from your side who can make decisions. Is this request unreasonable?"

"Not unreasonable, not at all," Boss Sun quickly defused the tension, "Boss Gu, rest assured, Master Tu is the person in charge on their side."

After spending some time together, Boss Sun gained some understanding of He Chengyu. He knew that He Chengyu appeared easygoing but had a strong character. It was normal for someone his age, who had achieved such success in business, to have a strong personality, and Boss Sun didn't mind this slight flaw.

To Boss Sun, He Chengyu's statement was meant to ascertain whether the person he would be talking to had the qualifications.

Sure enough, as soon as the words were spoken, Boss Sun saw Boss Gu's attitude soften.

"Meeting you is a stroke of fate. Let me raise a toast to everyone." Master Tu stood up and downed the drink in his cup.

Both sides didn't waste much time on meaningless conversations. Soon, they steered the discussion in the right direction.

"Master Tu, the goods you requested have already arrived in a batch. If you're in a hurry, you can inspect them right away." He Chengyu got straight to the point.

Master Tu couldn't be happier and immediately agreed.

The delivered goods were neatly arranged in the courtyard. Master Tu opened the boxes with his people, and the sight of pristine white salt greeted their eyes.

He grabbed a handful, and fine white grains slipped through his fingers.

He Chengyu strolled over, fanning himself. "How is it? I dare say, no one else can obtain goods of this quality."

Boss Sun also saw such white salt for the first time, unable to conceal his astonishment in his eyes.

Master Tu looked at the other boxes, and without exception, the quality of the goods exceeded his expectations.

He signaled to Boss Sun, and Boss Sun understood that this meant he was very satisfied. The smile on his face grew wider. "Boss Gu, you have truly given us a big surprise."

"No rush," He Chengyu closed his fan with a snap, "With this quality, let's meet the real decision-maker. Shouldn't I be qualified enough?"

"Of course." A slightly rugged voice came from behind.

He Chengyu turned around and saw a man dressed in Subei attire walking towards them from the corridor, accompanied by several guards. Upon seeing him, Master Tu respectfully greeted him.

This man exuded a strong aura of violence. Rather than calling him a businessman, it would be more appropriate to say that he was a military man. Judging from the respectful attitude of Boss Sun and others towards him, it was evident that he held a high position.

Various thoughts flashed through He Chengyu's mind, but he didn't show any expression on his face.

On the other side, Subei Army and Hidden Dragon Guards, following the clues provided by Fang Jun, were gradually closing in on the estate.

The people inside the estate were oblivious to the approaching danger, immersed in the joy of the transaction. Only He Chengyu and Jiang Huaiqing remained vigilant.

Not to mention the others, even Jiang Huaiqing was surprised when he saw box after box of goods being opened. He realized that He Chengyu had spared no expense in order to lure out the mastermind behind the scenes.

After presenting those items, the gazes of everyone present towards He Chengyu changed. Jiang Huaiqing felt the constant piercing stares and found it somewhat amusing. Yesterday, they were all reserved, but today, they couldn't wait to get close.

The communication between the two parties went smoothly, and before finalizing the deal, He Chengyu put down his cup and asked, "May I be so bold as to ask where these items will eventually be used?"

"Boss Gu has such excellent goods in his hands. There will definitely be future collaborations, so there's no harm in revealing a bit of information. The goods will be transported to Beimo."

"Isn't this the first time you've done business with Beimo?" He Chengyu asked curiously.

"We started a few years ago. The people in Beimo are generous. As long as they are satisfied with what you give them, the prices are negotiable." A businessman sitting next to He Chengyu shook his wine glass.

After the deal was settled, He Chengyu expressed his intention to bid farewell, and this time, there was no obstruction.

The carriage was still waiting in the courtyard, not far from the main gate, which was tightly closed. No one knew what was happening outside.

Instead of boarding the carriage, He Chengyu grabbed Jiang Huaiqing's hand and headed towards the main gate.

Boss Sun, perplexed, followed behind. "Boss Gu, what is this?"

He Chengyu stopped in front of the gate, turning his head and curling his lips. "Before we leave, I have one more big surprise for you all."

For some reason, Boss Sun had a bad feeling in his heart.

Just as he was about to say something, the main gate was suddenly rammed open from the outside, and soldiers clad in armor poured in.

"Do you have connections with the authorities?!" Boss Sun's eyes widened in fury.

He Chengyu and Jiang Huaiqing found themselves surrounded by the soldiers. Jiang Huaiqing turned to look at Boss Sun and spoke clearly, "We are originally affiliated with the authorities. Why speak of connections?"

At that moment, Jiang Huaiqing showed no sign of being clueless about the situation.

Subei Army stormed into the estate, swiftly subduing everyone. Since they had acted during the most relaxed moment, no one anticipated it. Some people were still bewildered even as they were pushed toward the main gate.

"Was it all planned from the beginning?" Boss Sun, forced to kneel on the ground, looked up at He Chengyu, who was protected by the crowd. His gaze was filled with malice.

"If you dare to trade with Beimo and permit the trade of these goods, you should have anticipated this day." He Chengyu's voice was calm. At this moment, his expression and tone were completely different from the familiar "Boss Gu" that Boss Sun knew.

"Who are you exactly?"

It wasn't until he was locked up in a cell that Boss Sun learned that the extravagant "Boss Gu" was the top-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations.

After capturing the individuals, Fang Jun's men immediately began the interrogation. A series of clues were unearthed, and based on the information provided by these individuals, the well-hidden forces were completely wiped out.

As for the captured Beimo people, their fate had to be determined after consulting with the court.

Fang Jun was wrapping up the final details in Beimo, and the relevant reports were promptly delivered to Shang Junlin's desk.

"With the credit for Beimo matter in hand, Official Fang's entry into the cabinet this time is justified." Shen Yu sighed after reading the report, then asked, "How does Your Majesty plan to deal with those from Beimo?"

Shang Junlin chuckled, "The leader came to the capital willingly. Whether they live or die depends on the sincerity Beimo shows."

Shen Yu understood. This was a grand scheme.

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