Chapter 40: The Flower-Plucking Bandit Enters the Manor

"Lan Tianlei, get your sorry self in here!"

After hearing Chu Chen’s quoted price, Zhou Shicai bellowed toward the door. Moments later, the notoriously arrogant City Lord shuffled in, bowing and scraping.

"Master, what are your orders?"

"Quickly, have someone prepare the documents. We are going to sign a contract with Brother Chu," Zhou Shicai shouted, his excitement palpable.

"Huh? A contract? What kind of contract?" Lan Tianlei asked, completely bewildered.

"Are you tired of being City Lord? You don't even know what a contract is?"

*Just tell me the contents, otherwise what am I supposed to draft?* Lan Tianlei thought, feeling as if he were on the verge of tears.

Seeing this, Chu Chen spoke up: "Boss Zhou, don't be so impatient. Since I have given my word, I will not easily go back on it."

Upon hearing this, Lan Tianlei shot him a look of profound gratitude and hurried off to find a clerk.

"Ah, forgive me, Brother Chu. I was just overcome with excitement," Zhou Shicai said, looking sheepish.

How could he not be excited? He had been buying up refined salt in massive quantities and selling it at a loss, yet he still couldn't compete with them. This deal was a massive victory.

An hour later, Chu Chen held the signed contract in his hand. The three men had agreed that, starting immediately, a representative would be sent to Mashan Village once a month to procure goods. Payment would be made upfront before the goods were released, and both sides agreed to keep the matter strictly confidential. For security, Zhou Heng also agreed to dispatch guards to patrol the perimeter of the factory in Mashan Village day and night, provided they did not interfere with the lives of the villagers.

With the deal finalized, everyone was in high spirits.

"Gentlemen, since everything is settled, let me host you tonight at the Cuiyun Pavilion. We shall not stop until we are drunk!" Lan Tianlei said with a grin, looking toward Zhou Heng.

If the Eighth Prince would deign to dine with him and he could make a good impression, a future promotion to the capital might not be out of reach. Zhou Heng turned to look at Chu Chen.

"Brother Chu, what say you?"

At this, both Zhou Shicai and Lan Tianlei looked expectantly at Chu Chen. Feeling their intense enthusiasm, Chu Chen suddenly felt like a complete fool. *If I had known they were this eager, I could have asked for a hundred wen more!*

"Eat? Why wouldn't I? I’m bringing my own people, too. I’m going to eat until I get my money's worth." He replied, "Can I bring ladies along?"

As soon as he said this, the expressions of the men changed.

"Haha, Brother Chu is truly a man of refined tastes! Which ladies? The Cuiyun Pavilion is full of them," Zhou Shicai said with a knowing smirk, clearly considering Chu Chen a kindred spirit.

"Err, why order from a fast-food joint when I have my own instant noodles? I’ll bring my own, thank you." *Joke's on you,* he thought. *Luo Yi and Xiaofang are waiting for me in Qingyun City. If I don't bring them along, how can I balance the psychological cost of this deal? If Mashan Village weren't so far, I’d bring the whole village.*

"May I ask, Brother Chu, what are 'instant noodles,' and what is a 'fast-food joint'? I don't believe such things exist in our Great Xia Dynasty," Zhou Heng asked, looking puzzled.

*Fine, you wouldn't understand anyway.* "I'll explain later. You go ahead; I’m off to pick up my ladies."

With that, Chu Chen walked toward the exit of the government office. The three men saw him off with great enthusiasm. Chu Chen climbed onto his motorcycle, and with a thunderous roar and a cloud of exhaust, he sped toward the west side of the city.

The three men were once again stunned. "What on earth was that?" Zhou Heng turned to Lan Tianlei, a question clear in his eyes.

"Your Highness, Young Master Chu calls it an 'Iron Horse.' I don't know the specifics. He arrived at my city riding it and crashed through the gates, so..." He trailed off, terrified that the Prince might lose his temper and have him executed.

"Very well, we understand. Since Brother Chu does not blame you, ensure you perform well tonight," Zhou Shicai said, smoothing things over. Zhou Heng, however, remained deeply intrigued by the "Iron Horse" that had vanished into the distance in the blink of an eye.

Chu Chen rode his motorcycle with the wind in his hair, feeling quite pleased with himself. He had no idea that back home, Luo Yi and Xiaofang were cowering in their room, staring at the door in terror.

"My two beauties, I have been watching you for a long time. Come out! Let me teach you the art of dual cultivation, and we shall reach paradise together." An ugly, white-haired old man stood outside, leering at the door.

"What do we do, Miss? That must be Lai Er, the notorious flower-thief of Jiangnan. Rumor has it he is a formidable martial artist and a lecher; goodness knows how many innocent women have fallen to him," Xiaofang said, on the verge of tears.

Luo Yi was calmer. "Don't panic, Xiaofang. There must be a way. If it comes to it, I will hold him off, and you run into the street and call for the authorities."

"No, Miss! You go, I'll hold him!"

As they were paralyzed with indecision, the door was kicked open. Lai Er walked in, laughing lecherously. "Heh, I have roamed the martial arts world for decades, but I have never seen such beauties. It seems my cultivation will increase greatly today!" He began walking toward them.

In a split second, fueled by desperation, Xiaofang lunged at Lai Er, hugging him tightly. "Miss, run!"

"Haha, you think you can escape?" Lai Er grabbed Xiaofang by the throat and shoved her aside, then kicked Luo Yi to the floor. To him, two weak women were easy prey.

"This maid is quite something, taking the initiative to throw herself at me," he chuckled, grabbing Xiaofang's clothes and tearing them with a loud rip.

Luo Yi, having recovered, pulled out a dagger and lunged for Lai Er's kidneys. Predictably, she was kicked several meters away and collapsed to the floor, unable to move.

"A pretty face, yet such a venomous heart. Let's see how I deal with you later," he sneered, reaching for Xiaofang to drag her into the inner room.

Just then, a rhythmic *thump-thump-thump* sound grew louder. A moment later, a young figure appeared at the door. Seeing the broken entrance, Chu Chen realized something was wrong and rushed inside, drawing the pistol from his waistband.

He entered the room and was met with a scene of pure rage. *How dare someone break into my home!*

Luo Yi lay on the floor in pain. Xiaofang, her clothes in tatters, was being held by a hideous old man. Chu Chen roared, "Let her go! You dare touch my woman? Are you tired of living?"

"Oh? The master of the house returns. Do you know? Every time I, Lai Er, take a fancy to a woman, her little husband ends up dead." He tossed Xiaofang aside and turned toward Chu Chen. He didn't think twice about the scrawny young man. He loved tying up husbands and watching the despair in their eyes.

"Boy, do you want me to do it for you, or will you tie yourself up?"