TGCFNM -Chapter 399 Making Plans Early

Because of Uncle Hong’s instructions, Chu Ling and the others stopped going out altogether. Even visitors who came to call were politely turned away one by one.

However, when Cui Wan came to visit, Steward Liu considered it for a moment and decided to let him in.

Cui Wan smiled at Steward Liu. “All the visitors these past couple of days were refused?”

Steward Liu nodded. “Manager Hong gave the order.”

“Manager Hong, huh…” Cui Wan’s eyes shifted thoughtfully. “I was wondering why the eldest young master still hasn’t returned. Seems like he’s got something else to deal with again.”

As he spoke, Cui Wan headed toward the front hall.

Steward Liu stopped him. “Boss Cui, the young master and Lord Chu are by the fish pond.”

Cui Wan let out an “Oh,” smiling. “Last time I came, I only had a quick look. That place is quite nicely done—rockeries and lotus pond, rather charming. Didn’t expect you’d be raising fish there now~”

Steward Liu hesitated. “Well… not exactly raising them. Boss Cui should go see for himself.”

So Cui Wan went to take a look. The more he watched, the more his brows furrowed.

“…What are they doing?”

“Fishing,” Steward Liu replied.

Cui Wan pointed at the one Su He had just caught. “Isn’t that a grass carp?”

Steward Liu nodded. “The pond isn’t stocked with ornamental koi. It’s filled with various fish for cooking. We bought dozens from the fishmonger we usually go to. They’re all in this pond.”

Cui Wan froze for a moment. “They’re not fishing for fun—they’re fishing to eat?”

Steward Liu nodded. Exactly.

Cui Wan was baffled. “Isn’t that unnecessary? Couldn’t you just cook the fish after buying them? The eldest young master said they shouldn’t go out, but he didn’t forbid the cook from going out, did he?”

Steward Liu chuckled lightly. “He was worried Lord Chu and the young master would be bored.”

Cui Wan gave a helpless laugh. “Fine then. I’ll go find them—and I’ll stay for lunch.” With that, he strode over.

Chu Ling had already spotted Cui Wan and waved. “Brother Cui, want to fish?”

Cui Wan smiled and shook his head. He found a seat and looked at them teasingly. “You were told not to go out, and you really haven’t stepped outside. I thought you’d be rebellious and insist on going anyway.”

Wan Sanjin leaned against a pavilion pillar. “We don’t dare go out.”

Cui Wan’s eyes lit up. “Offended someone? What have you done this time?”

Chu Ling casually flicked her fishing rod. “Brother Cui, we went to Lord Lu Shi’s residence…”

Cui Wan immediately raised a hand. “Stop. Don’t say any more. I don’t want to hear it… And when you’re in front of that lord, behave yourselves.”

Chu Ling’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Brother Cui, sounds like you’ve had some experience?”

Cui Wan let out a long breath. “Let bygones be bygones. You can ask, but I won’t tell.”

Chu Ling could hardly suppress her curiosity and was just about to press further when Xiao Hua suddenly shouted—

“Sir! A fish has taken the bait!”

Chu Ling quickly turned around and started reeling in the line.

Cui Wan looked at them helplessly. “I came today on serious business. Come sit down so we can talk.” He beckoned them over while tidying up the tea and snacks on the table.

Chu Ling handed the fishing rod to Zhang Dong, then she and Wan Sanjin went to sit down.

Wan Sanjin asked, “Brother Cui, what serious matter?”

Cui Wan’s expression turned solemn. “A friend of mine was robbed. Nothing else was taken—only the courtesan portrait I brought back disappeared.”

Chu Ling’s expression changed. Nothing else was missing, only the portrait of the courtesan. It was obvious—the thief had come specifically for that painting.

“Was it the Xuanyuan family?” Chu Ling asked. After all, behind Canghua Tower stood the Xuanyuan clan.

Cui Wan shook his head. No one knew.

Wan Sanjin asked, “So Brother Cui, you came specially to tell us about this?”

Cui Wan nodded. “You’re the ones most deeply involved in this matter. I had to pass on the warning. Once I’ve delivered the message, I’ll be leaving the capital. As for my business here, I’ll need to make arrangements in advance—either transfer it directly to Wan Xing or shut my doors and wait for the right moment.”

Wan Sanjin was somewhat dumbfounded after hearing this. “So Brother Cui, you feel extremely guilty because your friend’s painting was stolen, and now you don’t even want to continue doing business?”

Cui Wan shook his head. “No. It’s because of your elder brother.”

Wan Sanjin was startled. What happened to his elder brother?

“Your brother is deeply calculating, but he’s fiercely protective of his family. Now you’re fooling around in the capital—he’s not only unconcerned, he’s even delayed entering the capital…” Cui Wan paused mid-sentence. “I’m considered your brother’s friend. I know he wouldn’t act like this without reason. And his expansion outside the capital has been too fast, too flamboyant. He’s practically standing at the eye of the storm.”

Wan Sanjin had no real concept of this; he had never involved himself in the family business.

Chu Ling also didn’t understand much about business, so she simply listened quietly.

Cui Wan gave a short laugh. “Fine, I’ll put it more plainly.”

“Wan Xing and I are both businessmen. When danger approaches, my choice is to keep a low profile, close most of my shops, and endure until it passes. Wan Xing’s choice, however, is to face it head-on. If he wins, no one in Great Zhou will be able to contend with him. If he loses, the entire family will be dragged down with him.”

Chu Ling couldn’t help but sigh. “Businessmen truly are the first to sense when something’s wrong.”

Cui Wan sighed helplessly. “There are fewer people in the taverns. Inspections at the city gates have grown stricter. There have already been several clashes. If you’ve seen enough, it’s easy to tell.”

Wan Sanjin finally reacted. “So Brother Cui, you came to sell your shops to me? How many are you selling? I’ll buy them all.”

Cui Wan fell silent for a moment, then deliberately avoided Wan Sanjin’s overly eager gaze. “Seeing you like this, I’ve decided not to sell.”

“Why?!” Wan Sanjin was stunned.

Cui Wan laughed. “Why else? If Wan Xing dares to leave you in the capital, he must have his methods. In that case, why should I sell? I won’t.”

With that, Cui Wan stood up and went off to fish. He only felt that this trip had been worthwhile. After saying just a few words, he felt completely refreshed, no longer anxious at all.

Wan Sanjin and Chu Ling left the pavilion. After walking a bit farther away, Wan Sanjin lowered his voice and asked, “Do you understand?”

Chu Ling: “…More or less. But Brother Cui probably doesn’t know your elder brother has already prepared half the family fortune to save someone.”

“Should we try to persuade him?” Wan Sanjin whispered.

Chu Ling glanced back. “No need. He’ll definitely go seek your elder brother himself to discuss countermeasures.”

Wan Sanjin thought that made sense, then pointed upward. “So… is he really not going to live much longer?”

Chu Ling shook her head. “Not necessarily.”

Wan Sanjin was surprised. “Brother Cui is already preparing to run away, and you’re saying not necessarily?”

Chu Ling reasoned, “Whether it’s Manager Hong or Brother Cui, I haven’t seen any panic on their faces. And Brother Cui’s first reaction was to make early arrangements, not to flee the capital immediately. That suggests there’s probably still time.”

Wan Sanjin muttered, “Is it better if he dies, or if he lives?”

Chu Ling let out a deep sigh. “If he dies—chaos. If he lives—disaster.”