Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 64 Troubled Times
As the banquet came to a close, Cao Weida personally saw Ono Oda and his entourage off. Before parting, Cao Weida pulled out a handful of silver notes and slipped them into the driver's hand.
"Sir, the officers have had too much to drink. Could you please take them to the Wan Hua Lou to sober up? I've already made the arrangements there."

“You’ve been driving all this time, you must be tired. Take a break and relax with me.”

The Japanese driver couldn't take his eyes off the car. He was just a driver, and his daily salary was fixed. His superiors could make money, but he didn't get any of the bonuses.

He really wanted to accept the money, but he didn't dare to, so he looked to Ono Oda for help.

“Just take it when Cao-san tells you to. He’s the most loyal friend of our Great Japanese Empire!” Ono Oda’s eyes were practically disappearing with laughter. He thought it was over for today, but he didn’t expect there to be a second round.

"Ono-kun, Fujita-kun, Matsui-kun, Tabe-kun, I'm so sorry, I really can't get away. Next time, I'll definitely accompany you. I know you like Western women, so everything has been arranged. Please enjoy yourselves."

The Japanese soldiers' smiles deepened, and they kept saying "Yoshi yoshi".

"Thank you, Mr. Cao." The driver glanced gratefully at Cao Weida, quickly stuffed the banknotes into his inner pocket, and patted them down as if to reassure him.

Mr. Cao is such a good person!

"Director, you..."

"Hey, forget about me. San'er just came to report that something else has happened. I have to go and handle some official business," Xu Hancheng said with a sigh.

"Huh? What happened?"

Xu Hancheng didn't intend to hide anything, and was about to speak when Cao Weida stopped him: "Forget it, it's better not to say anything. It's better for me to know less about things. If something goes wrong, I won't be able to explain myself."

"Look at what you're saying, you're my brother, how could I doubt you?"

Haha, you're all brother and buddy now, but when something really happens, you'll probably run faster than a rabbit.

"Forget it, you're right. These days, the more you know, the less likely you are to live. If I tell you, it will only harm you." He patted Cao Weida on the shoulder. "I remember your kindness. I, Xu Hancheng, am not someone who doesn't know how to repay kindness. Let's settle things in a matter of time."

"Alright, you're the groom today, you can't miss the auspicious time, go and do your thing."

"Alright, then take care, Director."

After watching Xu Hancheng leave, Cao Weida rubbed his face, which was almost numb, and took out a few red envelopes to walk up to He Daqing, who was clearing away the dishes.

"Master He, you've worked hard today. Here, have some good luck with you." Cao Weida handed the thickest red envelope to He Daqing, making He Daqing a little embarrassed as he vigorously wiped his hands on his apron.

"Take it." Cao Weida knew he was embarrassed, so he simply stuffed it into his hand. Then he gave He Yuzhu a red envelope, which He Daqing quickly stopped.
"Master Cao, no need, really no need, a red envelope is enough."

"Hey, it's not something you gave to me, it's for the kids, all of them have a share."

"This"

"Alright, take them." Then he called to a few of the younger ones, "Zao'er! Come on, one for each of you."

The younger ones looked at Tian Zao, while Cao Weida laughed and cursed, "I gave her the money, why are you looking at her? Take it all."

Tian Zao rolled her eyes. "Take it. Master Cao is a rich man. Why not take it?"

"???" Cao Wei Da was completely baffled.

What's wrong with this girl? Did she eat gunpowder?

It was perfectly fine when we arrived, wasn't it?
"What are you looking at!"

"Hey~~" Cao Weida was amused by his anger, rolled up his sleeves and strode over: "You little brat, you're getting cocky and unruly, aren't you? You'd better talk back, and don't run away!"

"Hehehe~~ Aren't you afraid I'm stupid? Bye-bye, you bad brother!" With that, he ran out in a flash.

"This girl," Cao Weida said, both amused and exasperated.

“That girl has something on her mind.” Duomen strolled over with his hands behind his back. “I reckon she’s upset because she saw Ono Oda and the others coming over.”

Cao Wei Da suddenly realized that in those days, some people became orphans due to natural disasters, while others were caused by man-made calamities. After the Japanese invaders came in, the number of orphans increased dramatically, and it was hard to say.
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. There are too many things like this these days; even if you wanted to, you couldn't possibly manage them all.

"Alright, the newlyweds are still waiting for you in the room. Hurry up and go in. A moment of bliss on the wedding night is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

"Hehe, okay, I'll go first." After taking two steps, he stopped again. "Master Duo, I've bought a house now, so I guess I won't be going back as often. You'll definitely be very bored without me by your side."

"Alright then, tonight I'll treat you to a night out at the Wan Hua Lou to have some fun and relieve your loneliness."

"Get lost, you son of a bitch." Duomen laughed and cursed, then helped He Daqing tidy up before tactfully leaving.

The courtyard quieted down, but the commotion inside the room was just beginning.

"Sir, don't tear it! It's such a waste to ruin such a nice dress."

"Sir, don't... don't stop."

Just as Cao Wei Da was indulging in a sensual pleasure, at Xiaguang Garden, due to patrols, there were significantly fewer people out strolling around at night, which consequently affected Xiaguang Garden's business.

The usually bustling Xiaguangyuan Garden has been rather quiet these past two days.

Third floor, Flowing Light Hall.

A rather handsome man in his thirties was holding the courtesan Yingchun in his arms, fast asleep.

Zhu Tianxi is very satisfied with his current life. What kind of life was it when he was a Kuomintang agent? He was always hiding, never having enough to eat or wear, like a stray dog, living in constant fear.

Those superiors were no good either; I never received any benefits, but I was always given one death mission after another!
They sit in their offices enjoying the good life while the hard-working people have to work hard and go hungry. How can that be fair?

Ever since I joined the puppet government, look at the kind of life I'm living now.
Drinking all day, holding cash, and hugging women—that's what life is all about!
"Damn it, I surrendered too late!" Zhu Tianxi muttered in frustration in his sleep, unaware that two masked men, holding daggers in reverse, had already moved closer and overheard his muttering.

"Damn it, killing him with one blow was too lenient on him!!" The henchman who had come with him gritted his teeth.

Xu Jingge, his face covered, had a murderous glint in his eyes. "You damned traitor! For wealth and glory, you were willing to be the Japanese devils' dog and caused the deaths of so many brothers!"
If circumstances allowed, he would have loved to tie him up and take him back, torturing him alive piece by piece!

A hand was tightly wrapped around Zhu Tianxi's mouth and nose like a tight band, instantly waking Zhu Tianxi from his sleep. When he saw a man in black standing in front of him, he was so frightened that he wet himself on the spot.

"Waaaaah~~ Waaaaah~~" Even a fool could tell that the Kuomintang's assassination squad had discovered him. His eyes were filled with terror, and he wanted to beg for mercy, but Xu Jinge didn't even bother to listen.

"My boss asked me to tell you that he's very angry. He's sending his regards!"

Pfft~~
Zhu Tianxi froze, then collapsed onto the bed, filled with regret and fear.

"Hmm?" Yingchun, who was awakened by the noise, opened her eyes groggily. When she saw two dark figures standing by the bed, her mind went blank for a moment, and she was obviously not in a good mood yet.

But the next moment.
Hiss~~
Yingchun stared wide-eyed, then reluctantly collapsed onto the bed.

Xu Jingge felt a pang of pity, but in the end, he could only turn his face away.

He checked her breathing and pulse, and after confirming she was dead, he whispered, "Mission accomplished, retreat!"

The next morning, he got up with Du Shiniang's gentle help. As soon as he opened the courtyard gate, he saw several people walking hurriedly toward the police station.

"Tsk, Mr. Duo, is your butt in a hurry? Why are you in such a rush?"

"Hey, something terrible has happened!" Duomen stopped in his tracks. "Two people died last night at Xiaguangyuan!"

"Oh? Someone died at Xiaguangyuan? Who was it?" Cao Weida's heart skipped a beat. You know what, the Military Intelligence Bureau's ability to act is really fast!

I got the information yesterday afternoon, and I killed him last night!

"I heard there are two people, one is a man whose identity I don't know, and the other is Yingchun, the top courtesan at Xiaguangyuan. I'm just about to go and take a look."

"Alright, I'm going to be busy today. You stay home and keep your concubine company."

They belong to government departments. Although they don't earn much, they still have some conscience. As long as a public official gets married, they are entitled to marriage leave.

However, there isn't much time, only two days.

Cao Wei's heart skipped a beat. "Wow, so fierce!"

This is very much in line with the Military Intelligence Bureau's style of operation!
Although he knew this was to ensure the safety of the spies to the greatest extent possible, Cao Weida still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

This is an innocent life!
Cao Weida wouldn't be emotionally affected at all if it were the Japanese devils, but he simply couldn't bring himself to harm innocent Chinese civilians.

He shook his head, deciding to stop thinking about it; it wasn't something he could control anyway.

"Alright, then you can go ahead and get busy, Mr. Duo."

"These are turbulent times, so you shouldn't be running around all the time," Duomen advised before leaving.

At midday, Cao Wei was lying in the courtyard basking in the sun, while Du Shiniang, dressed in a cheongsam, served him with gentle eyes, occasionally adding tea to his bowl.

Just then, there was a noise outside the door, and then 'Wang Fugui' walked in with a smile on his face.

"Master Cao, may you be blessed."

"Oh, Mr. Wang, what brings you here? Please come in, Shi Niang, please get Mr. Wang a seat."

"No need, no need, Master Cao. I have something I'd like to discuss with you. Dongxing Restaurant has already prepared a banquet, what do you think?"

"Haha, Mr. Wang is treating, so of course I have to accept." He stood up. "Shi Niang, I won't be back for lunch. I'll have one of the guys there send you a portion later."

"Yes, sir, please take care." Du Shiniang replied obediently.

(End of this chapter)