Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 57 Regret
The madam's heart skipped a beat; she knew things were in deep trouble!
The other party is preparing to fight Xiaguangyuan to the death!
She knew she absolutely couldn't let Cao Weida leave in anger, otherwise, there would be no turning back.

Everyone here is smart. They know that Xiaguangyuan has powerful connections, yet they still dare to say such things, which means they have the confidence to say them!

Although Xia Guangyuan outwardly claimed to be connected with the president of the East Asian Academic Research Association, in reality, the president didn't take her seriously at all. Every month, she had to hand over a large portion of her dividends to him with both hands, and she was afraid that he wouldn't be happy to accept them!
If it's a small matter, people will solve it for her because of the money. But if she offends someone she shouldn't, she knows perfectly well that the president of the East Asian Academic Research Association might not only not help her, but instead use her life to do favors for others!

"Oh dear, sir, why are you so angry? Getting angry is bad for your health~" the madam said with a coquettish laugh, clinging tightly to Cao Weida's arm to prevent him from leaving, her lips pursed in a seductive smile.
"Your subordinates are short-sighted, don't take it to heart. They're nothing but a fart. Just treat them like they're deflated."

"If you can calm down, I'll have someone tie him up right now so you can vent your anger. Even if he's beaten to death, he deserves it. What do you think?"

"I think we should forget it. Your Xiaguangyuan Temple is too big for my little Buddha statue; I should know my place." Cao Weida chuckled, brushing away his arms that were crossed.
Do you really think you can get away with it by saying a few nice words?

They really don't take me, Cao Wei Da, seriously at all!

They take themselves way too seriously!

The madam stumbled and nearly fell to the ground, but she didn't care and quickly put on a smiling face.

"Sir, it was Xiaguang Garden's fault today. It was my fault, Han Lu, who failed to discipline them properly. I will punish you as you please, as long as you can vent your anger. If it is within my power, please just say the word."

"Guards, tie He Lilong up!"

Cao Weida calmly looked at her, thinking, "As expected, bitches are heartless and actors are ungrateful."

Throughout history, brothel madams have generally been bad people. They are adept at seeking profit and avoiding harm, and are masters at tailoring their services to different people.

He was certain that if he hadn't been so assertive, the other party would never have been so subservient.

Now, with her subordinates, they can tie you up whenever they want, send you away whenever they want, or have you beaten to death whenever they want. Tsk tsk.

The saying "A kind person is often bullied, and a good horse is often ridden" is truly an age-old truth.

Little did he know that although he kept smiling, it was a fake smile that even a fool could tell, especially his eyes, which were incredibly menacing.

He killed at least two Japanese soldiers a day, and in total he killed more than twenty Japanese soldiers. He was usually fine, but once he got really angry, the indifference to life in his eyes was like a thunderbolt in the heart of the person being watched, and the hair on their head would stand up involuntarily.

This is why the madam was even more certain that the other party's background was unfathomable. The way that a superior looked down on a subordinate made her not dare to move an inch.

His gaze shifted to the burly man beside him.

His name is He Lilong?

That's pretty imposing, but I wonder if his fate is as imposing as his name.

The oppressive gaze shifted away, and the madam's rapidly beating heart eased slightly, but He Lilong was completely flustered and at a loss. He had personally experienced the pressure the madam had just exerted.

Even if he were stupid, he could see that he had offended someone he couldn't afford to offend today. Even Sister Lu, who had the president of the East Asian Academic Research Association as her backer, was so humble. As someone who made a living under Sister Lu's thumb, it would be as easy for her to crush him as to crush an ant!

Upon hearing Sister Lu say that helping him would allow the other party to vent their anger, and that even death would be their own fault, his visually striking and rather robust body couldn't help but tremble.

puff~
He Lilong knelt down dramatically, not daring to wipe the cold sweat from his brow. After kneeling, he slammed his head down several times.

"Sir, grandfather, I was wrong, please forgive me."

Cao Weida didn't bother to listen to what he said next; he was just a brainless thug, and he didn't take him seriously at all.

"Shut up." These two simple words weighed as heavily as a thousand pounds, pinning He Lilong's next words to his throat.

His gaze fell on the madam again, and the pressure he had just felt weighed on Han Lu once more, startling her so much that she was drenched in sweat within seconds.

Cao Weida walked quietly to a table and sat down, tapping the surface of the table with his fingers in a measured and unhurried manner.

Da~da~da~
Each sound, like a thunderclap, rang in the ears of the madam and the burly man, making their hearts pound.

After a long while, Cao Wei Da finally spoke: "Tell me, as long as I calm down, I'll do anything you want?"

The madam secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that he spoke up! It was good that he spoke up!

The fact that they spoke up means there's room for negotiation!

What she fears most is that the other party won't make any demands and will just go straight to a fight with her. If the other party really has some powerful background, wouldn't she be out of options?

Based on their brief contact, she did not believe the other party was bluffing.

The aura is a mysterious and intangible thing, but it is real and not everyone can have it!

"Master, what are your orders?" Han Lu stood there obediently. "What if I said I wanted Xinghong, the newly crowned courtesan of your Yihong Courtyard?"

Han Lu forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Sir, if you take Xinghong, the reputation of our Xiaguangyuan will be ruined. Those old men could tear my Xiaguangyuan down. How can I afford to offend them?"

"It seems you still don't have the sincerity to apologize." Cao Weida glanced at her indifferently and made a move to get up and leave.

These brothel owners are all ruthless and won't act until they see a clear benefit; he's running out of patience.

As the saying goes, connections you don't use will expire!

If we don't use it now, are we going to wait until the Japanese surrender before using it?
That's utter nonsense!

Cao Wei Da is very useful to Ono Oda and his group now, because he can help them make a lot of money and gold bars.

Ono Oda was reluctant to deal with Fu Decheng, since Fu Decheng was backed by Cui Qi, the brigade commander of the security brigade, and Ono Oda still had to give him some face.

Making a move against Cui Qi is not something that can be decided on a whim.

But dealing with a brothel madam would be a piece of cake.
It's unlikely that the people behind Han Lu would go against Cao Weida for a madam who could be replaced at any time, and even if Ono Oda knew, he wouldn't say anything.

In fact, Ono Oda would love for him to be a little more arrogant.

If someone comes from a poor background and suddenly becomes rich and holds power, they are more likely to arouse suspicion if they are not arrogant and domineering.

The same thing happened when I fought Kui Biao last time, and it's the same when I'm going against Xia Guangyuan this time.

These are just things I do on the spur of the moment. It doesn't matter who I argue with. Since this madam is so unreasonable, I'll just make an example of her. It doesn't matter who I choose to target anyway.

Han Lu trembled and quickly changed her words, saying, "It can be done, it can definitely be done!"

"Oh? Didn't we say we couldn't do it just now?" Cao Weida looked at her with a mocking expression.

Han Lu forced a smile, "Sir, I'm just a woman, all hair and no brains, and I can't keep my mouth shut."

"Don't worry, I'll have someone send Xinghong over right away. I'll go and invite her myself!"

As he spoke, he hurriedly ran upstairs, ignoring He Lilong kneeling to the side.

Cao Weida sat back down, and Xiao Erduo helped pour tea for him.

A moment later, a girl bound with rope was carried down. Han Lu said cautiously:
"Sir, Xinghong has been brought to you. I will arrange a private room for you and have the best chef prepare a feast to celebrate your arrival. I wish you good fortune and a prosperous night."

"Who told you I was going to be here?" Cao Weida interrupted her, slamming his teacup down on the table with a dull thud, a sound that made Han Lu's heart bleed.

"Sir, what do you mean?"

Cao Wei looked at Xiao Erduo with a puzzled expression, "Was my meaning not clear enough?"

"Clearly, very clearly. Is someone pretending not to understand?" Little Ear grinned, showing his big teeth. Serves him right, damn it, serves you right for looking down on Brother Cao at first, serves you right for being so cocky!

Still gloating now? Shall we gloat a little longer?
What should have been a peaceful discussion turned into something that made Brother Cao lose his temper!
Although he wasn't the main character, his heart felt as comfortable as if he had drunk some herbal tea on a sweltering summer day.

It was only after following Brother Cao that he was able to bare his teeth at Xiaguang Garden. If it were before, he really wouldn't have had the guts.

"I understand, I understand perfectly, my mind was just a little blocked just now." Han Lu's heart was pounding and trembling!

Xinghong is the courtesan she's about to debut!
Training a courtesan is no small expense, let alone the top courtesan!
From the moment the contract was signed until now, everything we eat, wear, live in, and use has been the best. We also hire professional teachers in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to provide us with meticulous training and to teach us to read and write. The money spent on that is enormous!
Just when they were about to see a return on their investment, someone else set their sights on them.

They had originally hoped that even if she lost her virginity, she could still bring a steady stream of profits to Xiaguangyuan!
Now look what's happened! Not only has she lost her virginity, but she's been taken down along with the pot.
Thinking back, the other party had spoken to me politely and even courteously said that they had plenty of money and that I could name my own price.

Now look at the money?
Would she dare to ask?
She was already grateful that the previous misunderstanding could be cleared up!
What a double loss!

I regret it so much! I regret it so much!!
Thinking of the culprit who caused all this, Han Lu couldn't help but glare at He Lilong, wishing she could tear him to pieces right then and there!
It's all because of that damn idiot!
If it weren't for him, things wouldn't have ended up like this!

You just wait, once this plague god is gone, see how I deal with you!
Ignoring He Lilong, who was now pale with fright, Han Lu hurriedly ordered her subordinates who were carrying Xinghong down, "Go quickly and bring Xinghong's contract!"

Xinghong was definitely going to be taken away today. She didn't have the guts to refuse anyway. She was smart, so she might as well give him away openly, which might ease the tension between them.

If the man is pleased and thinks she's sensible, he might visit Xiaguang Garden a few more times and perhaps even get on the good side of things. Who knows, she might just turn misfortune into blessing!

(End of this chapter)