Something Happened

Seeing Wu Yuqing pout, looking thoroughly displeased, Lin Fei felt a little embarrassed.

His training had kept both her and her father from eating, leaving them to accompany him on empty stomachs.

"Sorry, I lost track of time."

Wu Yuqing wasn't really angry. She'd eaten plenty of desserts, so she wasn't that hungry.

She was just getting bored of watching him practice his punches.

She watched her father practice every day, and now she was watching Lin Fei do it too. To her, it was all unbearably dull.

"I've never seen anyone so devoted to practicing punches. You're drenched in sweat. What's so great about it?"

"Hurry up and wash off, or you can't eat with us."

Wu Zhen called over a servant, who took Lin Fei to a guest room to bathe.

Lin Fei took a shower and felt refreshed.

Although he was exhausted, his body felt as if it had been massaged. It was quite comfortable.

The servant had prepared a new outfit for him: a suit.

After changing into it, Lin Fei looked much sharper, with a touch of gentlemanly charm.

When he arrived at the dining room, Wu Yuqing's gaze changed as soon as she saw him.

"I never would've guessed—you look pretty handsome in a suit!"

Wu Zhen sized Lin Fei up and nodded repeatedly.

"Mm, that's one of my old suits. The style's a little mature, but it fits you well. You've got some of the dashing, handsome charm I had when I was young."

Lin Fei smiled and scratched his head, a little embarrassed by the praise.

"Uncle Wu, where are my clothes?"

"Threw them out!" Wu Yuqing cut in.

"Your clothes were soaked with sweat. They were filthy and stank. I was afraid they'd dirty our washing machine, so I had someone throw them away."

Wu Zhen shook his head helplessly and explained, "Don't listen to her nonsense, Lin Fei. The servants took your clothes to wash them. They won't be dry for a while, so wear this for now."

"Hurry and sit down. Let's eat!"

Lin Fei didn't stand on ceremony. He took the seat to Wu Zhen's right, facing Wu Yuqing across the table.

"I didn't feel it while I was practicing, but now I'm really hungry."

"Hahaha, dig in! There's plenty!"

Wu Zhen was quite fond of Lin Fei now. He felt the young man was very much to his liking.

Most of all, he approved of the way Lin Fei had practiced his punches.

The Wu Family had hired a chef to prepare all their meals.

The food looked and smelled delicious, and it tasted just as good. It was the first time Lin Fei had eaten such an abundant and delicious meal. He cleaned his plate and still wanted more.

Wu Yuqing didn't eat much. After she finished, she just watched Lin Fei eat.

"Lin Fei, our food tastes good, doesn't it?"

"Mm, it's delicious."

"Just because it's delicious doesn't mean you can come mooch meals off us every day."

Lin Fei knew Wu Yuqing was joking and didn't take her seriously.

"Uncle Wu, thanks for having me today. I'll head back now."

"Mm, if you want to practice your punches again, come by anytime. You're always welcome here."

Back at his new place, Lin Fei checked in with Xu Youle and Zheng Qian about their work progress.

Xu Youle had found a warehouse and negotiated a contract. Lin Fei just needed to go sign it and make the payment.

Zheng Qian had also finished moving. She had paid the moving expenses herself.

Lin Fei transferred the money to Zheng Qian, then arranged a time to inspect the warehouse and set off for Nanli City.

On the way back, Lin Fei made a special stop at a supermarket to buy some cold drinks and ice cream for Peach Blossom.

"Peach Blossom, I'm back!"

As soon as Lin Fei entered the courtyard, he called out loudly.

The housekeeper soon came hurrying over in a panic.

"Master, something's wrong!"

"What happened?"

"Madam Peach Blossom hasn't come home for several days. We've searched everywhere, but we can't find her."

Lin Fei's expression changed, and the cold drinks and ice cream fell from his hands to the ground.

"What do you mean, she hasn't come home for several days? What exactly happened?"

The housekeeper trembled and dropped to her knees.

"Master, five days ago, some people from a gambling house came to collect a debt. They said Xinghua's father owed them money and demanded that she pay to ransom him. Otherwise, they'd chop off his hand."

"Xinghua had no money to repay the debt, so she begged Madam Peach Blossom to go with her and save her father. For the sake of their sisterly bond, Madam Peach Blossom took Xinghua and two guards and left."

"But they haven't come back yet. I sent the servants out to look for them, but they couldn't find Madam or the others. I'm afraid..."

Lin Fei's face darkened, and he felt a terrible premonition stirring in his heart.

Five days!

If they were all right, they should have been back long ago.

"Which gambling house did Madam go to?"

"I don't know. She left in such a hurry that she didn't say anything."

At that moment, a servant said with his head bowed, "I think I heard the name Xinglong Gambling House."

Lin Fei turned and headed straight for the door.

The housekeeper hurriedly called after the others, "What are you standing around for? Hurry and follow Master to look for them!"

"No need. You all stay here. I'll go alone!"

Lin Fei didn't take any servants with him. He went out by himself.

A larger group would attract more attention.

If he failed to find Peach Blossom and the others, his own people might draw unwanted attention—and who knew what trouble that could cause?

The most urgent thing was to find the gambling house and learn what had happened to Peach Blossom and the others.

Nanli City was enormous. There was no way he could find the place quickly on his own.

There was only one person Lin Fei could think of who might help.

Li Ruxue!

She was a local of Nanli City, a member of the Li Family, and the Pavilion Master of the Thousand Gold Pavilion. Her information network was far better than his.

Lin Fei ran all the way to the Thousand Gold Pavilion. He didn't even put on his Wish-Fulfilling Mask before barging inside.

"Stop!"

Two servants blocked him.

"This is the Thousand Gold Pavilion, not a place you can barge into. If you disturb the guests, you'll be in for it."

"I need to see Li Ruxue. Go tell her right away that Lin Fei urgently requests an audience!"

Lin Fei was frantic with worry, but he still forced himself to be patient and waited for someone to deliver the message.

Before long, the maid Xunmei appeared.

"Lin Fei, long time no see. Are you here to discuss next year's merchandise trade?"

"Xunmei, I'm not here to talk business. Something urgent has happened. I need your young lady's help."

Seeing how anxious Lin Fei looked, Xunmei hesitated, then led him inside.

"Our young lady is meeting with a guest. No matter how urgent it is, you'll have to wait a little. I'll go tell her."

"Sorry for the trouble."

Lin Fei was there to ask for help. No matter how frantic he felt, all he could do was wait patiently.

He sat in the private room for over half an hour before Li Ruxue finally arrived.

"What urgent matter did you need to see me about?"

"Miss Ruxue, someone in my family has gone missing. I heard she went to a place called Xinglong Gambling House. Do you know where it is, and who runs it?"

Lin Fei looked at Li Ruxue solemnly, his eyes full of urgency.

"Please help me, Miss. If you can help me find my family, I'll repay you handsomely!"

"What's your family member's name?"

"Peach Blossom. There's also a maid named Xinghua."

Li Ruxue didn't waste words. She turned to Xunmei.

"Go ask around."

Xunmei left at once. Another half hour passed before she returned.

"Miss, according to the Li Family's informants, there's an Xinglong Gambling House on Yulan Street in South City. It seems to have the Blood Wolf Gang backing it."

"As for the family members Lin Fei mentioned, there's no news yet."

Lin Fei's heart lurched. Had something really happened to Peach Blossom?