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

Broken planks were flying everywhere in the gym, some splashing onto the walls and leaving trails of flying wood chips.

The mirror on the wall was shattered into a spiderweb pattern. Several panes of tempered glass embedded in the window even had fine cracks. The chandelier on the ceiling swayed precariously, making a slight creaking sound.

A perfectly good, modern gym has become a mess, and it looks like it will take a lot of work to rebuild it.

"We need to have Manager Zhao renovate this place," Chen Che said, frowning. "We don't want any decorative equipment; the ring has to be solid."

"Young Master, there's something I wanted to say earlier, but I'm not sure if I should," Chen San said in a low voice, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Chen Che was taken aback: "Third Brother, just say what you have to say."

Chen San remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering his words.

"That move just now." He pointed to Chen Che's throat, then to his own wrist, "I took your throat, and you used your tactical stick to stab my wrist, forcing me to change my move."

Chen Che nodded, waiting for him to continue.

"You knew I wouldn't actually slit your throat, didn't you?"

Chen Che's smile froze for a moment.

Chen San looked at him calmly: "So, that's why you dared to trade your throat for my wrist?"

Chen Che opened his mouth as if to say something, but finally lowered his head.

"Young Master, I'm not blaming you." Chen San shook his head. "On the contrary, I have to praise you. Being able to instantly understand the enemy's concerns in the face of battle is a skill."

He paused, then changed the subject.

"But have you considered what would have happened if the person standing opposite you today wasn't me, Chen San, but someone who truly wanted you dead?"

"That man won't care about his wrist. He'll win if he stabs you in the throat." Chen San's voice lowered. "You're willing to trade your throat for his wrist? He'd be more than happy to do that. A wrist for a life, that's a very good deal."

Chen Che stood there, sweat trickling down his forehead and dripping onto the broken wooden planks with a soft "patter" sound.

"Third Brother, I understand what you mean. I won't make the same mistake again when I fight with you in the future."

Chen San nodded slightly: "Only in this way can you learn what it truly means to fight with your life on the line."

Chen Che nodded, took two steps forward, and patted Chen San on the shoulder: "Hey, Third Brother. I thought it was something serious. You should have told me about this a long time ago."

Chen San looked at Chen Che approvingly, smiling without saying a word.

"Let's go, steam some medicinal herbs, take a medicinal bath, and then get a good night's sleep."

......

Upon waking up in the morning, Chen Che first called Manager Zhao and asked him to renovate the gym according to his requirements.

The Peace Hotel worked swiftly, finishing the job in just one day. They even replaced the original wooden arena floor with rubber, so it would no longer collapse under the weight.

Another day has passed.

The flower girl, the newspaper boy, and the tofu pudding vendor at the entrance of the Peace Hotel have all disappeared.

Instead, there was a young shoe-shining boy and an old man selling candy.

It's just the same old thing in a new bottle, and Chen Che couldn't help but chuckle.

The dockside banquet is in two days.

Chen Qichuan and Dong Yi arrived in Shanghai today. Their train leaves this afternoon, and Uncle Qian has already arranged their rooms and reception.

Chen Che still needs to confirm one last thing today.

After finishing his breakfast, Chen Che left Chen San in the room and leisurely went to the lobby.

Pushing open the door, Li Yu was already waiting at the street corner.

"The French Concession," Chen Che said quietly to Li Yu as he jumped into the gleaming rickshaw.

Li Yu started running, at his usual fast pace. Chen Che could feel the hostile gazes behind him receding into the distance.

The rickshaw passed through Zhongshan East Road, the wheels making a pleasant crunching sound as they rolled over the asphalt road, and Li Yu's figure appeared even more robust.

But Chen Che's attention was not on Li Yu.

As the rickshaw passed Yong'an Company, a man squatting on the street tying his shoelaces glanced in this direction.

Chen Che withdrew his gaze and leaned back in his car seat.

Ahead was the intersection of Zhejiang Road. A cigarette vendor carrying a load of cigarettes passed by, blocking the rickshaw's turn.

A rickshaw came towards them. The peddler didn't even look up, just kept tidying up his cigarette boxes, so Li Yu had to take a small detour.

"Li Yu," Chen Che suddenly spoke.

"Young Master?"

Have there been many unfamiliar faces outside the restaurant these past few days?

Li Yu ran, his voice low: "I saw them, people from Nanshi."

"Oh?"

"I've fought with some of them when we were vying for leadership," Li Yu said, his steps perfectly steady.

Chen Che's lips curled up slightly.

Upon entering Baxianqiao, the area borders the edge of the French Concession.

This place is a melting pot of all sorts of people, a gap between the Chinese-controlled area and the foreign concessions, where all kinds of businesses operate.

Chen Che could always feel a faint gaze sweeping over him.

The rickshaw crossed the Eight Immortals Bridge and finally entered the intersection of the French Concession.

The police officers on the roadside, dressed in Annamese uniforms, leaned lazily against the wall, smoking.

Chen Che looked back and saw a postman on a bicycle stopped on the Chinese side of the border and did not follow.

The window in the teahouse was also closed.

But he didn't relax.

The streets of the French Concession were quieter, the plane trees provided denser shade, and there were fewer pedestrians.

This makes it easier for him to identify the location of hidden stakes.

Thirty meters ahead, a gentleman in a long gown stood in front of a newsstand reading a newspaper, but he hadn't turned the page.

Two men wearing top hats sat in the floor-to-ceiling windows of the café on the left. Their coffee was not steaming, indicating that they had been sitting there for quite some time.

Chen Che let out a soft breath.

The rickshaw turned off Xiafei Road and stopped in front of Su Yanqing's quaint little building. Chen Che got off the rickshaw nonchalantly.

Su Yanqing's villa was located at the border of the western part of Shanghai and the French Concession.

Last time I came, it was at night. This time I finally saw the three-story French villa clearly. The red brick walls were inlaid with bluish-gray cornerstones, and the roof was in the Mansard style, covered with fish-scale-like slate tiles.

Chen Che walked up the steps, knocked on the door, and waited at the entrance.

After a moment, the door creaked open, and Su Yanqing poked half her body out.

"Che'er!" Her voice was full of joy, and she immediately wrapped her arms around Chen Che's arms.

Chen Che gave a wink to the gentleman in the long gown and the man in the top hat not far away.

"Sister Qing, it's not convenient to talk right now," Chen Che said in a low voice, only loud enough for Su Yanqing to hear.

He pushed Su Yanqing's hands away and slipped a note into her hand: "Take this to the police station duty desk and say it's from me."

"My fiancée is coming to Shanghai today, so I won't be able to see you for a while," Chen Che winked at Su Yanqing and raised his voice.

"I have plenty of money. You're just an actor. You think you can get into the Chen family?" Chen Che gave a bitter smile that only Su Yanqing could see. "Save your breath!"

This was the best way Chen Che could think of to protect Su Yanqing.

Su Yanqing paused for a moment, bit her lip, and looked at the note in her hand, as if she understood something.

"Slap!" Su Yanqing slapped Chen Che across the face.

The force was quite strong, and Chen Che was stunned for a moment after being hit.

"Get out!" Su Yanqing shouted. "I never want to see you again!"

"Bang!"

The door was slammed shut behind them.

Chen Che stood in front of the door, touching his left cheek, which had been slapped hard by Su Yanqing; it was still burning.

Sister Qing is amazing.