A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Chapter 1007 Visiting Sha Yanwen

Upon hearing this, Wu Mingqiang suddenly put down his chopsticks and said, "Oh, I see. A while ago, Detective Long and I went to a banquet and ran into Miss Lily there. She kept asking me to take care of her husband. Miss, what do you think I should do? If you're not happy, I won't bother with her anymore."

After returning from the banquet, Gui'er didn't ask Wu Mingqiang about going to the banquet, but after hearing what Acheng said, she was still a little bothered. Now that Wu Mingqiang talked about the banquet without any reservations, she knew that Wu Mingqiang wasn't deliberately hiding it. Maybe for him, it was just part of his job.

Gui'er thought for a moment and said, "I met her at the banquet. She was also trying her best to get on my good side, but with the kind of people she and her mother are, there's really no good relationship between them. However, she is still a member of the Marshal's Mansion, and it would be embarrassing to completely break ties with her. If she really needs something from you, just follow the rules of the underworld. You should do the same things you would do for others." Gui'er meant that Wu Mingqiang should pay her to do the job.

Wu Mingqiang smiled and said, "I understand. By the way, Miss, you haven't seen the Third Young Master since you came to Hong Kong, have you? I heard that he's dying."

"What do you mean no?" Gui'er didn't react for a moment.

"The third young master has been smoking opium ever since he got married. His father-in-law is quite strict with him, and he's always been pampered and spoiled. He doesn't like it, so in his spare time, to get some relief, he smokes even more heavily. Now he's bedridden."

Gui'er was stunned. She had known for a long time that Sha Yanwen was addicted to opium, but he seemed quite normal usually. She hadn't had much contact with him at the Marshal's Mansion, and they would just chat a few words amicably when they met. She never expected that in just a few years, he would have reached this point.

"No wonder Fourth Concubine doesn't side with her son, but with her daughter and son-in-law. So that's why. How does his in-laws treat him? He's in this state now, and the Marshal's Mansion is already in such a state..."

"I heard they're raising him like a kitten or puppy. After all, the young lady and the third young master over there even have a child. Miss, do you want to go see him? If so, I can help arrange it."

Gui'er thought for a moment. She had no grudge against Sha Yanwen, and he was practically family. She should at least show him some courtesy. So she nodded and said, "Then you go and make the arrangements."

Two days later, Wu Mingqiang returned and informed her, "It's all arranged. Tomorrow, after Miss finishes school, we'll pick her up and take her to the Zhao residence for a visit. The Zhao family will even invite her to stay for dinner."

Gui'er frowned and said, "I heard they're a wealthy and powerful family. Why does it sound like they're taking this so seriously? They even have a meal. I don't like those kinds of formalities. I'll just go see Third Brother and then leave."

Wu Mingqiang said with a smile, "When I gave them my visiting card, they said that if the young lady didn't want to eat there, she could simply not stay. It's no big deal."

On that day, Wu Mingqiang and Acheng drove over to pick up Gui'er, and they had prepared a gift.

Gui'er looked at Wu Mingqiang, dressed in a suit and tie, and then at herself, who was wearing a simple cotton cheongsam that students often wear because she had to go to class. Acheng was wearing trousers as usual, with a cotton shirt over a mandarin jacket and Chinese-style trousers on the bottom. Looking at them, it was actually Wu Mingqiang who was dressed the best.

"Miss, Dingxiang asked me to bring you a set of clothes. Why don't you find a place to change?" Acheng said.

Gui'er glanced at it and saw that it was a light green satin cheongsam with pearl buttons, which was very elegant. She nodded and said, "It's good that she noticed. Third Brother's family is a wealthy family. If he goes there dressed too plainly, he might be looked down upon."

Afterwards, Gui'er took a car to the mountain road and walked a little further. Suddenly, a bright and clear view appeared before her eyes—a beige Western-style building built against the mountain, with Roman-style columns covered with bougainvillea. The carved iron railings were as tall as two people. Four uniformed doormen stood at the entrance. When they saw the car arrive, one of them stepped forward and asked the purpose of the visit by the car window. When he heard that they had arranged to come and see the son-in-law, he immediately directed the other three to open the iron gate.

Upon entering the gate, the courtyard was covered with imported lawn, and a central fountain was gurgling with water, beside which stood a Western-style nude stone sculpture. Several gardeners were squatting in the flowerbeds pruning roses, while maids carrying copper kettles moved about in the corridors, their steps as light as cats. Two old women were waiting at the entrance of the main building. Seeing Gui'er get out of the car, they hurriedly bowed and said, "Miss Sha, please come in. Master and Madam are waiting in the living room."

The living room was astonishingly large, with a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, dazzling the eyes. The floor was made of rosewood, so shiny it reflected light, and covered with a thick Persian carpet that made no sound underfoot. Western oil paintings hung on the walls, and a large gilded clock in the corner ticked clearly in the spacious room. Mr. Zhao wore a silk mandarin jacket, and Mrs. Zhao wore a set of jade necklaces, earrings, and bracelets of excellent quality; they were simply exuding wealth and luxury.

Upon seeing Gui'er, the two immediately stood up, followed by seven or eight servants carrying tea trays and handing out hot towels. Their entourage was even more impressive than that of the Marshal's Mansion back in the day.

"I've long heard that Yanwen has a capable younger sister, and seeing her today, I can confirm her extraordinary bearing." Master Zhao laughed heartily, pointing to the sofa, "Please sit down, please sit down. You must be tired from your journey."

Gui'er quickly sat down in the guest seat as required, with A-Cheng and Wu Mingqiang standing behind her.

When Mr. Zhao saw this, he quickly came over and warmly took Wu Mingqiang's arm, saying, "Mr. Wu, please have a seat too."

Gui'er and Acheng were both taken aback for a moment, but Wu Mingqiang waved his hand and said, "My young lady can sit down."

Master Zhao glanced at Gui'er, then at Wu Mingqiang, seemingly somewhat apprehensive, and hesitated to speak.

Gui'er suddenly realized that the Zhao family was being so hospitable because of Wu Mingqiang, who was now Long Xing's subordinate.

The Zhao family hasn't been operating in Hong Kong for very long, and they must have suffered considerable losses on the mainland when they moved there. The place is a mixed bag, and as the saying goes, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. They definitely want to find a powerful backer, and they would never dare to offend someone like Longxing.

No wonder they didn't even invite the fourth concubine to live with them, yet they treated me so warmly.

Once Gui'er understood, she turned to Wu Mingqiang and said, "Brother Wu, it's rare for them to be so polite, please sit down too."

Master Zhao was a smooth man, and upon seeing this, he immediately nodded and bowed, saying, "Yes, yes, young man, please have a seat too." He also invited Ah Cheng to sit down.

Acheng didn't say a word and just waved his hand.

Gui'er turned to him and said, "Brother Acheng, sit down."

Only then did Wu Mingqiang and Acheng sit down next to Gui'er.

Mrs. Zhao then warmly instructed the servants to serve tea, snacks, and fruit. The two sides exchanged pleasantries politely for a while, but Sha Yanwen was nowhere to be seen.