A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

The next day, just past noon.

The sun was blazing, and the river surface reflected a dazzling white light.

Chen Che arrived on time.

He wore a long silk robe, which accentuated his tall and straight figure. His hair was, as usual, neatly combed, and he wore sunglasses that blocked the sunlight without completely obscuring his face.

Chen San followed behind, carrying a briefcase.

Everyone in Jinling City knew about the young master of the Chen family. As soon as the two stood in front of the berth, many eyes on the dock swept over them, some openly and some covertly.

A small, motorized dinghy is waiting at the berth.

Two burly men in sharp suits jumped off the boat. Their eyes fell on Chen Che, and their tone was respectful:

"But was it the young master of the Chen family in person?"

Chen Che nodded slightly but did not reply.

Chen San stepped forward and handed over the gold-flecked invitation: "My young master has come as invited."

The leading man checked the invitation, his face immediately breaking into a smile. He stepped aside to make way for boarding the boat: "My boss has been waiting on board for quite some time, please!"

The small boat headed towards the center of the river. The engine sputtered and chug, drowning out the noise from both banks.

After about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the outline of a large ship indeed appeared on the vast, misty river ahead.

Compared to its brightly lit nighttime appearance, it appears much more understated during the day. The hull is painted dark gray, and it has three decks of cabins, its design being a modified version of an old-style riverboat.

The large ship was anchored quietly in the middle of the river, rising and falling gently with the waves.

The small boat skillfully docked alongside the large ship, and the rope ladder was lowered.

"Young Master Chen, please."

Chen Che adjusted his glasses, grabbed the damp, cold, rough hemp rope ladder, and steadily climbed upwards.

As he stepped onto the deck, several men in short jackets were wiping the railings. When they saw him board the ship, their eyes met briefly before they dispersed.

The inner cabin door was closed, and not a sound could be heard.

Chen San sniffed hard and whispered in Chen Che's ear, "Young Master, there's the smell of gunpowder. There are firearms."

"Haha! What an honor to have such distinguished guests at our humble abode!"

A burst of hearty laughter came from the upper floor.

Chen Che looked up and saw a burly man wearing a royal blue silk shirt and with a shiny braid walking briskly down the stairs from the upper floor. He was all smiles. It was Boss Huang.

He walked closer and burst into another hearty laugh, but his gaze swept over Chen Che from head to toe like a brush, lingering briefly on the briefcase in Chen San's hand.

"Young Master Chen is honored to have you here!" He enthusiastically tried to pat Chen Che on the shoulder, but Chen Che simply stepped aside to avoid him.

"Boss Huang, you're too kind." Chen Che took off his glasses and handed them to Chen San, revealing his full face.

His tone was calm, with a touch of the detached smile befitting a scion of a prominent family, "When Boss Huang visited my father last time, he said that there was a hidden paradise in Jiangxin. Having seen it today, I can confirm that it truly lives up to its reputation."

Boss Huang then gestured to lead the way, saying, "I left in such a hurry that I didn't even get to drink Master Chen's fine tea."

He chuckled and stepped aside, saying, "Young Master Chen, please come in? The sun is quite strong in the middle of the river."

Chen Che nodded and followed him toward the inner cabin.

The hatch opened, and the light became slightly dim.

The casino lobby was empty, with a few gambling tables covered with dark green velvet. Beside a round mahogany table by the window, tea sets were laid out, and two beautiful young women in cheongsams stood at attention, serving tea.

"Let's have some peace and quiet so it's easier to talk."

Boss Huang pulled out a chair for Chen Che to sit down, and then sat down opposite him with an air of importance. The woman immediately stepped forward and silently brewed and poured tea.

The emerald green tea liquor was poured into a white porcelain cup, releasing a fragrant aroma.

Boss Huang picked up his cup but didn't drink, looking at Chen Che through the rising steam: "Young Master Chen, did you come here simply to try your luck, or... is there something else?"

To get straight to the point.

Chen Che gently stirred the floating leaves with the cup lid and asked, "Boss Huang, are you a member of the 'Green Gang' in Shanghai? May I ask your name?"

"I am Huang Su, the head of the Hongshui Hall of the Green Gang. I have been ordered to open a branch in your esteemed territory."

"I just want to make a living," Huang Su said casually.

"Hahaha!" Upon hearing this, Chen Che stood up and exaggeratedly spun around in place, exclaiming, "Boss Huang is so generous! I like it! I like it!"

"There are a few things I've been wanting to discuss with Mr. Huang."

Chen Che sat down again and pushed the teacup in front of him aside: "First, Miss Dong has been very troubled lately because of her brother's affairs."

He paused, observing the subtle changes in Boss Huang's eyes, and then continued:

"I don't really like seeing my fiancée troubled."

Huang Su remained calm and composed.

He was about to speak when Chen Che stretched out his hand to block him: "Secondly, I like to stroll around the streets when I have nothing to do, but recently when I walk at night, I've bumped into stones twice, and they were big stones."

Chen Che maintained a smile throughout: "But I'm tough, I wasn't hurt at all. I wonder if Boss Huang could tell my fortune—is it that I'm tough, or are these 'stones' tough?"

Huang Su took a sip of tea and was about to speak when Chen Che's hand blocked his way again, and he said calmly, "Third."

"I have a good friend at 'Tianyunlou' whose surname is Liang..."

Chen Che's eyes grew sharper and sharper. He took the sunglasses from Chen San and put them on, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"Her matter is also on your account, Boss Huang, isn't it?"

Chen San looked out the boat window, trying to calm his heaving chest: "Boss Huang, now that you understand the accounts, how should we talk?"

Huang Su gave the two women who were pouring tea a wink, and they bowed and left.

"Young Master Chen speaks frankly and openly." Huang Su straightened his back; he was nearly half a head taller than Chen Che.

"Nothing more than seeking wealth. If all four great families could be as straightforward as Young Master Chen, there wouldn't be so much turmoil in Jinling City."

Huang Su looked down at Chen Che and said, "Young Master Chen has given me three instructions, and I will also give you three pieces of advice."

"First of all, we're operating a gambling ship, so it's only natural that you have to accept the consequences of your bets."

"Secondly, there are many stones on the road at night. Whether it hurts your feet or not depends on how you walk, young master."

"third......"

Huang Su frowned slightly, his thoughts unreadable: "I've lost quite a few good friends at 'Tianyun Tower,' a girl from the same building? Is the Chen family really that domineering in business?"

Although Chen Che lost Liang Yanqiu in "Tianyunlou", the "Green Gang" also lost seven members, including Xie Jia and Chun Shiyi Niang.

Chen Che paused for a moment, but his expression remained calm: "The Green Gang can control everything in Shanghai, but this is Nanjing."

Upon hearing this, Huang Su didn't reply, but clapped his hands forcefully a few times.

The inner door opened, and eight thugs dressed in black suits entered one after another, each carrying a Czech-made ZB-26 light machine gun.

Chen San flashed in front of Chen Che, blocking his way. Chen Che glared at him and waved his hand, so Chen San had no choice but to step back.

Huang Su leaned closer to Chen Che and said in a voice only Chen Che could hear, "You survived a punch through the chest, and now you dare to come knocking on my door?"