Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 138

The owner of the Prosperity Inn didn’t ask for a high price. After a brief discussion with Xu Shen and Liang Cheng, Lu Tang decided to proceed with the purchase.

Being cautious, Lu Tang only paid the deposit and left the remainder to be settled the next day.

After leaving the inn, Xu Shen asked Lu Tang, “Who is Zhou Jing you mentioned?”

“A pitiful man whose family was destroyed by the Xie family. You’ll meet him soon.”

Liang Cheng quickly caught on, “Are you planning to make Zhou Jing the manager of the inn? But you don’t know him well, and he might not want to take the job. Little Tang, running a business on impulse isn’t wise. Even though the owner asked for a low price, Yuhang is far from Qinghe County. Managing the inn from such a distance will be difficult.”

Xu Shen disagreed with Liang Cheng, understanding Lu Tang’s motives better.

Lu Tang wanted to open the inn, not only because she genuinely wanted to, but also because she was probably waiting for someone.

When Qin Mo left, he only said a few words. Little Tang must be feeling upset now.

Xu Shen patted Lu Tang’s shoulder, “If you want to open it, go ahead. Your family can afford this venture.”

Liang Cheng flared up, “Xu Shen, what do you mean? Are you encouraging her to waste money? If you want to throw money away, donate it to the orphanage.”

The orphanage took in abandoned infants.

“How am I harming her? The inn in Sihe Town was just practice from her family. Not only did she succeed in opening it, but she also dealt with Gu Yunhe. Opening an inn in Yuhang shouldn’t be an issue. You can’t expect Little Tang to stay in Qinghe County forever!”

Xu Shen’s words stunned Liang Cheng, “Leave Qinghe County?”

Xu Shen glanced at Lu Tang. If she couldn’t forget Qin Mo, even if he didn’t come to find her, she’d eventually go looking for him.

Qin Mo clearly wasn’t from Qinghe County.

When Little Tang went looking for him, she’d need a legitimate reason. Opening an inn near Qin Mo’s home would be perfect.

“Of course. Little Tang has the skills to expand the family business nationwide. Are you going to stop her?”

Liang Cheng opened his mouth, looked at Lu Tang, and suddenly quieted down.

Right, why hadn’t he thought of this?

The family business was thriving, and naturally, it needed to expand. Little Tang might not stay in Qinghe County.

What would he do then?

What if she encountered trouble like Boss Dou again?

Last time, Qin Mo helped. What about next time?

Without Qin Mo…

Clenching his fist, Liang Cheng found a new direction in life!

“I support you, Little Tang!”

Lu Tang: …

The three of them discussed the inn on their way back to the Laifu Inn, laughing and joking. As they entered, they ran into the innkeeper, Du Zhongming.

Since Lu Tang had saved Du Zhongming’s son and had connections with Qin Mo, Du Zhongming was exceptionally courteous. Lu Tang accepted his hospitality without hesitation and asked, “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, Young Master Lu.”

“You know my family runs an inn. This trip to Yuhang made me realize what a wonderful place it is, so I…”

Du Zhongming suddenly remembered what Lu Tang had said the other day and tensed up, “You want to buy my inn?”

If Young Master Lu wanted it, his Master Qin would immediately offer it up.

Lu Tang was taken aback, then scratched her nose awkwardly, “I was just joking that day. You remember that?”

Du Zhongming relaxed, “I’m very passionate about my business. I wouldn’t want to suddenly be out of a job.”

Lu Tang: …

“I just want to ask, if I wanted to find Boss Dou, where could I find him?”

Du Zhongming:

Why did you need to preface with your family business to ask about Boss Dou?

Lu Tang: …

I thought it was appropriate, but now it seems not.

To help Lu Tang meet Boss Dou, Du Zhongming consulted Qin Mo before arranging the meeting.

Lu Tang’s goal was simple: to ask Boss Dou to investigate why the Prosperity Inn suddenly went up for sale, whether there were any business issues or debt problems.

These were things she, as an outsider, couldn’t easily investigate.

Fearing Qin Mo, Boss Dou didn’t dare slack off and personally took his men to investigate.

Meanwhile, the owner of the Prosperity Inn brought some food to the county jail.

The last time he visited was three years ago.

Zhou Jing wasn’t considered a high-risk prisoner, so the innkeeper bribed the guards and was allowed to visit.

When he arrived, Zhou Jing was leaning against the wall, staring blankly. Hearing footsteps, he mechanically turned his head, his eyes widening in shock upon seeing the visitor.

The innkeeper was heartbroken seeing Zhou Jing’s sunken cheeks and skeletal frame, and wiped away tears, “I brought you some food.”

“Why are you here?” Zhou Jing’s voice was hoarse from disuse.

The innkeeper said, “Little Ye is getting married next month.”

Zhou Jing trembled.

Little Ye.

His son, Little Ye.

“He…”

“Don’t worry, he’s doing well. The bride is the county magistrate’s daughter, who admires his talent and respects him.”

Zhou Jing’s eyes stung, his fingers gripping the wooden bars tightly. After a long silence, he took a deep breath, “Good.”

So they went to Yingyang County.

The innkeeper choked up, “I’ve sold the inn. I’ll be moving to Yingyang County soon.”

Since Zhou Jing’s incident, the innkeeper had taken care of his family.

At the time, the innkeeper tried to help with Zhou Jing’s case, but the Xie family was too powerful, and the main witness was adamant. Despite his efforts, it was in vain.

Later, Zhou Jing’s son was expelled from school, and his wife left Yuhang with their son.

Zhou Jing hadn’t heard from them since.

He didn’t dare to know.

Initially, the innkeeper visited often, but as hope for overturning the case faded, Zhou Jing refused the visits.

He didn’t want to see anyone.

Refused enough times, the innkeeper stopped coming. This sudden visit was to deliver this news.

Zhou Jing collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed.

After a while, the innkeeper continued, “I heard from the young master who bought my inn that you might be released soon.”

Zhou Jing remained silent.

The innkeeper went on, “That young master said he was detained a few days ago, and he was in the cell opposite you.”

Zhou Jing’s fingers twitched.

Since that person left without returning, his hope had been crushed. He thought…

Zhou Jing looked up, “He bought your inn?”

The innkeeper rubbed his hands, “He said you might be released soon. Is it true? Can the case be overturned?”