Chapter Fifty-Six: I'm Quite Open-Minded

Chapter Fifty-Six: I'm Quite Open

The white Lexus glided into the upscale Riverside Residence complex in the Wenhui district, trailed by a black Toyota Prado, its imposing presence undeniable. The dignified and elegant Wen Qing stepped out, her gaze soft and affectionate as she looked toward the Prado. From the black vehicle emerged a flamboyantly dressed young man, his outfit at the peak of fashion, hair layered and permed, ears and wrists adorned with studs, bracelets, and a massive pendant—all the accessories he could possibly wear. He looked every bit the part of a visual rock band member.

“Mom, are you really trying to swallow the entire southern part of Hedong City?” The young man laughed as he approached, nestling up to Wen Qing with an almost childlike dependence.

Wen Qing’s face bloomed with a smile as she replied, “Of course. My plan has always been for you to take charge of the southern district. With that, the Jin family will control forty percent of Hedong. I’d like to see who dares to challenge us then.”

The young man gave a wry smile. “Me? Mom, are you just finding a reason to kick me out of the house?”

Wen Qing shot him a reproachful glance, exasperated by his lack of ambition. Her tone was calm: “Ever since Fan Nanjie’s downfall, there’s been no strong force in the southern district. I thought this was our opportunity to expand, but then I heard about a newcomer rising to prominence. I wondered who it could be—turns out, it’s her.”

“Who?” The young man raised an eyebrow, curiosity written all over his face as he leisurely lit a cigarette.

Wen Qing looked at him with slight irritation, but didn’t press further. “Remember the storefront I bought when I first wanted to enter the southern district?”

“Yeah, I remember.” The young man nodded, nostalgia and reluctance flickering across his face. “Last year you rented it out, right? Mom, I was with you, of course I remember…”

Wen Qing cast him another sharp look. “I bet you remember the woman who rented it, don’t you?”

He didn’t deny it at all, shamelessly reciting, “On the river’s islet, the cuckoo calls; the graceful lady, the gentleman pursues. I really did fall for her, Mom. If you hadn’t stopped me then…I would have…”

Faced with Wen Qing’s growing annoyance, he wisely left the rest unsaid.

“I’m telling you, that woman now wants to become the head of the southern district.” Wen Qing sneered. “Do you still dare underestimate her?”

“What?” His expression shifted, the frivolous demeanor replaced by seriousness. “You mean that woman wants to take over the southern district? Mom, are you sure? She seemed so gentle and frail.”

Wen Qing snorted. “I wish I were mistaken, but I visited her today. Her medicinal restaurant reopened, and most of the notable figures from the southern district came to offer congratulations—including the Three Tigers of the South City.”

He scoffed. “The Three Tigers of the South City…more like three dogs.”

“Tomorrow, I want you to reclaim the property for me,” Wen Qing said calmly. “Remember, from now on the southern district is Jin family territory. If anyone interferes tomorrow, let them know Jin Biao has a son even fiercer than him: Jin Wenwu.”

The young man’s carefree smile returned. “Mom, don’t make me sound so terrifying. I haven’t even gotten a girlfriend yet.”

“I’m staying here tonight. Go do what you need to. I’ll call you in the morning,” Wen Qing said, then reminded him, “And sleep honestly tonight. Don’t get up to any mischief with your mentor.”

Jin Wenwu smiled slightly. “Got it, Mom.”

The massive Prado sped away, and Wen Qing entered the building. The apartment was just like the storefront she’d bought two years prior, when she first conceived the idea of annexing the southern district for the Jin family.

Back then, she had been deterred by Wang Shunxi’s deep roots and Fan Nanjie’s fierce reputation. Wen Qing had hoped Jin Biao could secretly support Fan Nanjie, making him a puppet of the Jin family, but hadn’t anticipated that Wu Lei from the west and Ma Pinghai from the north were also backing Fan Nanjie.

She’d almost given up on swallowing the southern district, but then Wang Shunxi and Fan Nanjie both fell from power, and she expected Su Yanqing would step up to take over. Yet, the woman unexpectedly vanished without a trace.

Within a week, the name Ruan Qingshuang was whispered everywhere in Hedong’s underworld. Wen Qing could hardly believe that the gentle woman who had rented her storefront last year had suddenly become this formidable new leader.

Since that was the case, she would show no mercy. To dominate Hedong City, she must first conquer Wenhui and Hongnan—the two southern districts!

…

That night, Ruan Qingshuang barely slept. Her mind was filled with images glimpsed through the door crack. What worried her most was that Guoguo had noticed; if that child blurted it out in front of everyone, she’d never be able to face anyone again.

Restless and anxious, Ruan Qingshuang could only pray that Guoguo would forget all about what happened by morning.

After a sleepless night, sleep finally came to her around five in the morning, so she didn’t even notice Guoguo getting up.

Fortunately, Ruan Qingshuang was still asleep, or she might have wanted to disappear from embarrassment.

After washing up, Guoguo’s first act was to find Xu Yun. “Daddy, I have something to tell you, but you have to pay me a hundred for the information.”

“Er, no problem.” Xu Yun handed over a hundred. He was indeed interested in Guoguo’s intelligence.

Guoguo triumphantly pocketed the money, then glanced around to make sure they were alone before whispering, “Daddy, last night after you showered, you walked out naked, and Mommy saw everything. She was so excited she couldn’t sleep the whole night.”

Xu Yun was stunned for a long moment. Was this information really worth a hundred? But…this was horrifying. He’d been so careful, yet still got caught?

“Don’t tell Mommy, okay? Last night, even in her sleep, she threatened me not to spill the secret,” Guoguo said, patting his chest with a look of hardship. “Do you know how hard it is to earn a hundred?”

Too easy for you, actually. Xu Yun didn’t say this aloud. He grabbed Guoguo. “Guoguo, here’s another hundred. Never mention this to anyone again, deal?”

Guoguo shook his head decisively. “Nope, then I’d lose money. This gossip is so juicy, I bet Sister Wan’er and Sister Qiu Yan would both pay a hundred to hear it.”

Good grief! Should he say Guoguo had a business mind or was born to be a paparazzi? Xu Yun felt like banging his head against the wall.

Of course, Qiu Yan would never be interested in such gossip. After getting ready, she checked the time and came out of her room, saying succinctly to Guoguo, “It’s time. Let’s go to school.”

“Sister Qiu Yan, I have something to tell you,” Guoguo repeated to her what he’d told Xu Yun…

“Not interested,” Qiu Yan rejected him immediately. It wasn’t that she didn’t respect Guoguo; she’d simply overheard everything from her room—Guoguo hadn’t bothered to keep his voice down.

As they left the medicinal restaurant for school, Qin Wan’er emerged from the bathroom, clutching her stomach and laughing. “Hahaha, Xu Yun, you got caught last night by Sister Qingshuang! Let’s see how you face everyone now.”

Xu Yun snorted, unfazed. “What’s there to be afraid of? A grown man gets seen naked—so what? Are you jealous because you missed it? If you want to see, just say so. I’m quite open, you know.”

“Scram!” Qin Wan’er tossed her towel at him. “You’d better figure out how to deal with the landlady!”

Xu Yun dodged. “By the way, the landlady seems pretty formidable. You don’t know her?”

“Nope.” Qin Wan’er shook her head. The eastern district was managed by the Jingxuan and Nantuo police stations. Qin Wan’er only knew the eastern district’s boss was Jin Biao, but had no idea that Wen Qing was Jin Biao’s wife.

Xu Yun shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to handle it myself.”

Qin Wan’er didn’t understand what he meant, nor did she care. She didn’t know who Wen Qing was, so she didn’t worry about trouble.

After Qin Wan’er left for work, the vegetable delivery arrived, and Xu Yun busied himself as usual. Knowing Ruan Qingshuang hadn’t slept well, he didn’t wake her. Perhaps, he thought, letting her sleep was best—she wouldn’t have to fret over whether to move out.

Actually, Ruan Qingshuang was awake. Even if she hadn’t rested well, she was up by eight. She stayed in her room, unsure how to face the situation. If she didn’t move, what would Wen Auntie do to her?

When she rented last year, Ruan Qingshuang knew Wen Qing was no ordinary woman. Their first meeting, Wen Qing had brought four men, all tattooed, plus a spoiled young disciple who kept teasing her.

Ruan Qingshuang knew Wen Qing had connections, but she really liked the location and the rent was reasonable, so she gritted her teeth and signed for two years. Now, only a year in, Wen Qing wanted the property back.

Sooner or later, the inevitable would come. Although Ruan Qingshuang had prayed Wen Qing would spare her, she heard voices downstairs.

Yesterday’s white Lexus was now joined by several other cars, all parked in front of the medicinal restaurant. Wen Qing, dressed as elegantly as ever, was accompanied by a carefree young man and a dozen burly, tough-looking men.

Wen Qing strode confidently into the newly renovated restaurant, smiling at Xu Yun who was waiting at the front desk. “It seems you’re not planning to move out as I asked?”

Xu Yun nodded, returning her smile. “Auntie, didn’t I say yesterday? We won’t move until the contract ends. If you prefer the old décor, we’ll restore it when the lease is up.”

“Heh, has no one told you not to speak to my mother like that?” Jin Wenwu said with a mocking smile, looking down at Xu Yun. “Talk to my mom like that, and you’ll regret it…”