Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 50

“Young Master, last night, we watched Gu Yunhe’s place, but we didn’t find a chance to strike. Gu Yunhe talked with someone the entire night.”

 

 

 

Liang Cheng looked puzzled. “Talked all night? With whom? It couldn’t be Yu Shunhai, could it?”

 

 

 

Wan Xi shook his head. “No, it was someone we didn’t recognize. It seemed like Gu Yunhe was very afraid of that person.”

 

 

 

Liang Cheng looked at Lu Tang. “Is there really someone in Qingshui County that Gu Yunhe is afraid of?”

 

 

 

Lu Tang asked Yuan Bao, “Did you hear what they were talking about?”

 

 

 

“No, there were guards in the courtyard. We couldn’t get close. We watched from a tree outside and saw the lights on all night. Just now, he left with that person in a carriage. There were guards with them, so we couldn’t get too close. We don’t know where they went, but it didn’t look like they were heading back to the county.”

 

 

 

Wan Xi added, “Young Master, you’ll never guess where Gu Yunhe is staying.”

 

 

 

His eyes shone with the anticipation of revealing a juicy secret, rubbing his hands together in excitement.

 

 

 

“At Lu Yuchen’s house,” Lu Tang said casually.

 

 

 

Wan Xi’s excitement deflated instantly, like a balloon losing air.

 

 

 

His expression was comical, like someone who had a winning hand in a card game but got trumped at the last moment.

 

 

 

Lu Tang, amused by Wan Xi’s expression, handed the empty wine jug to Yuan Bao. “Alright, you two go back to the inn and rest. You might have to stay up again tonight.”

 

 

 

After sending them off, Lu Tang and Liang Cheng headed straight to Yu Shunhai’s house.

 

 

 

“Brother Tang, what do you think Gu Yunhe is up to?” Liang Cheng scratched his head, unable to figure out what Gu Yunhe was planning.

 

 

 

Lu Tang didn’t say much, only replied, “Let’s see what Yu Shunhai has to say first.”

 

 

 

They bought two pounds of marinated beef along the way and arrived at Yu Shunhai’s house in no time.

 

 

 

Lu Tang initially worried that Yu Shunhai might have gone to find Gu Yunhe and they would miss him. But with Gu Yunhe leaving with someone else, Yu Shunhai was home.

 

 

 

The dilapidated door of Yu Shunhai’s house was half-open. Yu Shunhai was squatting under the eaves, smoking a pipe.

 

 

 

Surprised to see them, he looked up, holding his pipe, with a shocked expression.

 

 

 

The yard was cluttered, reflecting the mindset of its owner who seemed to be barely getting by. Yu Shunhai, once known for his meticulousness at Qingchun Restaurant in Qingshui County, now lived in squalor.

 

 

 

Lu Tang sighed lightly and smiled, “Manager Yu, I came uninvited.”

 

 

 

Yu Shunhai slowly got up. He seemed unsteady, whether from squatting too long or something else, nearly stumbling forward. His gaze fell on the wine jug in Lu Tang’s hand, and his expression stiffened.

 

 

 

Lu Tang pretended not to notice and smiled, “Since you aren’t coming to be the manager of Qiao Family Inn, I’m here to learn from you. I hope Uncle Yu won’t mind teaching me a few tricks. Our businesses don’t conflict, and we can still cooperate.”

 

 

 

Changing to a more affectionate address, Lu Tang patted the wine jug. “I left in a hurry and didn’t bring anything. This is some osmanthus wine I bought from Yunyang Restaurant along the way.”

 

 

 

Liang Cheng, acting as if he belonged, smiled and walked into the house. “Shall we eat and chat in the yard? I’ll get the bowls and chopsticks.”

 

 

 

Yu Shunhai’s heart pounded wildly as he stared at the jug for a long moment, then forced a smile. “I’ve been feeling unwell these days, taking medicine, so I can’t drink.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang smiled, “That’s alright. Liang Cheng and I will drink. Drinking gives me courage. I haven’t managed a shop before, and I have many questions to ask Uncle Yu. I need a bit of liquid courage.”

 

 

 

Yu Shunhai wanted to say something, but Liang Cheng had already brought out a small table, placed it in a clear spot in the yard, and set out three pairs of chopsticks and three cups. The marinated beef was placed in the center, and the wine jug was set aside.

 

 

 

Lu Tang casually sat down, acting impolite. “Uncle Yu, not drinking? Then I won’t pour for you.”

 

 

 

As he spoke, Lu Tang lifted the jug, pretending to open it to pour wine.

 

 

 

“Wait.”

 

 

 

Yu Shunhai’s breath hitched, and he raised a trembling hand to stop him.

 

 

 

His hand shook violently, his face pale, sweat beading on his forehead.

 

 

 

Lu Tang quickly stood up to support him, looking worried. “Uncle Yu, are you alright? Should I get a doctor?”

 

 

 

Lu Tang helped Yu Shunhai to sit on a small stool. After taking a couple of deep breaths, Yu Shunhai shook his head. “It’s nothing, just a cold these past few days.”

 

 

 

As he spoke, his gaze drifted to the wine jug.

 

 

 

Lu Tang signaled to Liang Cheng.

 

 

 

Liang Cheng, catching on, said, “Actually, a bit of wine can help with a cold.” He laughed, “Especially Yunyang Restaurant’s osmanthus wine. It’s so good that if you don’t drink it for a day, you miss it terribly.”

 

 

 

At this, Yu Shunhai looked at Liang Cheng as if he had seen a ghost. “You… you crave this wine?”

 

 

 

Liang Cheng nodded. “Yes, I used to drink your plum wine without feeling so dependent. Since drinking this osmanthus wine, I feel like something is gnawing at me if I don’t have it for a day.”

 

 

 

Silently, Lu Tang gave Liang Cheng a thumbs-up for his acting skills.

 

 

 

Yu Shunhai’s breathing grew heavier, and he seemed terrified. His hand trembled even more. Just as Liang Cheng looked at Lu Tang, Yu Shunhai’s face was streaked with tears.

 

 

 

Liang Cheng was shocked, looking at Lu Tang: What’s happening?

 

“Uncle Yu is so moved to hear you like his wine!” Lu Tang ignored Liang Cheng, pressing on. “Let’s finalize the wine order for osmanthus wine. It’s a specialty of Yunyang Restaurant. Qiao Family Inn can help spread its fame. Travelers who stay with us can remember Sihe Town’s osmanthus wine. That way, the whole world will know about our osmanthus wine!”

 

 

 

Lu Tang spoke with an air of expectation, as if a grand future lay ahead.

 

 

 

But Yu Shunhai’s face grew even paler. He bit down hard to stop himself from speaking the truth.

 

 

 

He couldn’t say it. He couldn’t risk his son’s life and future.

 

 

 

“You should discuss the wine business with your mother. You can’t change the Qiao Family Inn’s rules on your own.” After a fierce internal struggle, Yu Shunhai spoke again, his voice much calmer.

 

 

 

A cold glint flashed in Lu Tang’s eyes.

 

 

 

“Uncle Yu, I’ve already talked to my mother. She agreed.” She smiled. “But my mother said that since this is such a big order, it’s best to discuss it with the owner of the wine shop, as we’ll be working together for a long time.”

 

 

 

Liang Cheng played along, looking curious. “By the way, who is the owner of Yunyang Restaurant? Someone who can run such a good business and keep the prices fair must be a great person.”

 

 

 

The word “great person” made Yu Shunhai cough violently. “The owner doesn’t live in Sihe Town. I don’t know when he visits the restaurant.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang asked, puzzled, “Didn’t Er Bao say he saw you arguing with your boss yesterday?”

 

 

 

Yu Shunhai avoided Lu Tang’s gaze, looking at the ground and smiling. “Er Bao was mistaken. The one arguing with me was Gu Yunhe, not our boss.”

 

 

 

He paused and then turned to Lu Tang. “You’re familiar with Gu Yunhe, aren’t you?”

 

 

 

Lu Tang saw that Yu Shunhai’s gaze was now calm, but his heart felt cold.

 

 

 

So, Yu Shunhai and Gu Yunhe were in cahoots now?