Free Web NovelChapter 352: Chapter 305: Lonely Ghosts and Wild Spirits
Seeing the conversation go off track and Zhao’s misunderstanding of him deepening, Yang Xiao also grew tired of defending himself. He decided to let Li Qingxuan explain on his behalf in the future, as Zhao would likely trust Li Qingxuan’s words considering their relationship.
"Zhao, let’s not talk about this for now. If you agree, I will hurry up and get the script ready, and we can start using your store on Yuejiang Road, what do you think?" For Yang Xiao, his script was more important than his reputation.
The store on Yuejiang Road was Zhao’s most successful business, with a prime location and high foot traffic, making it the ideal place for launching anything to great effect. But upon hearing this, Zhao’s expression immediately turned troubled. Yang Xiao didn’t press the issue and said any store would do as long as Zhao was willing to help; he would be very grateful.
"No, no, Yang, don’t misunderstand me, it’s not that I don’t want to help, it’s just... just that the store on Yuejiang Road will have to be vacated starting next month."
"Why?" Just a few months ago, Zhao had told Yang Xiao that only this store was still profitable while the others were losing money.
Seeing Zhao’s troubled expression, Yang Xiao began to understand that Zhao must have run into trouble and had no choice but to give up the store. "Zhao, tell me what’s going on. My boss is very powerful and righteous. I can ask him to stand up for you."
Perhaps it was the alcohol or having kept it to himself for so long, but Zhao opened up to Yang Xiao and explained that someone had set their sights on the location of his store. Naturally, Zhao didn’t agree to give it up, but those people had significant connections. Every now and then, someone would come and cause trouble in his store. Unable to contend with them, Zhao had no choice but to agree to their demands and move out next month.
"Have you talked to Boss Li about this?" asked Yang Xiao.
"I have, but even Boss Li is powerless against them. Their backer is too strong. I overheard Boss Li mention something about the... the United Federation. Even he can’t afford to provoke them; he advised me that it’s better to avoid trouble when possible," Zhao sighed.
Yang Xiao immediately understood that the antagonists were bullish because they were backed by the Apostles Union. No wonder they were so arrogant, but Yang Xiao wasn’t afraid, "Zhao, let me talk to my boss. He might have a way to deal with this."
"Really? If... if this can be worked out, I’m willing to pay 200,000 yuan as a token of my gratitude," Zhao replied promptly.
Yang Xiao had other matters to attend to. He consoled Zhao for a while before leaving. He quickly contacted the person watching over Li Qingxuan and had him released.
Then he thought of Fu Qingzhu. With Fu Qingzhu’s capabilities, settling Zhao’s issue shouldn’t be a problem, but he also knew that Fu Qingzhu seemed to have run into troubles recently. It might not be appropriate to bother him now, but after some thought, Yang Xiao nonetheless sent a message to Fu Qingzhu, offering his help while also mentioning Zhao’s situation. frёewebnoѵēl.com
To his surprise, Fu Qingzhu promptly replied that he would take care of the matter, although he did not respond to Yang Xiao’s offer of help.
After reflecting for a moment, Yang Xiao sent another message to Fu Qingzhu, "We are friends, don’t keep things from me. If you need help, just say the word."
Just like before, Fu Qingzhu did not reply.
After much traveling, when Yang Xiao arrived at Xiang Ma Town with his pack on his back, it was already night, yet not too deep into the night. He found a small hotel to stay in the town, one that didn’t require an ID card. Key was that there were no special services at night either. Just from this point, one could tell that the nightlife in Xiang Ma Town couldn’t compare to that of Xia Shi Town; furthermore, the rent was exorbitant—it actually cost 2000 yuan for one night.
"Boss, are you joking?" A cold look crossed Yang Xiao’s face. This was no longer ripping customers off, it was robbery. "2000 yuan—I wouldn’t need to pay this much even at a hotel."
The hotel owner was an elderly man with gray hair who seemed to have seen many customers like Yang Xiao and couldn’t be bothered to even lift his eyelids as he spoke emotionlessly, "Then you can choose not to stay. All accommodations in Xiang Ma Town are priced the same."
"Is this a group scam targeting outsiders?" Yang Xiao let out a cold laugh.
To his surprise, the old man actually nodded naturally, speaking with a thick local accent, "Everyone who comes to town is an outsider. We only do business with outsiders. I can only assure you of one thing—if you stay here, it will be absolutely safe. There are no cameras, no eavesdropping devices, no thieves or bandits, and no need for an ID card. Who you are, where you come from, what you’re here to do—it’s all none of my concern. Nobody will know you were here, including myself." freewebnσvel.cøm
After hearing this, Yang Xiao knew the old man was no simple character. After he paid, the man limped and led him upstairs to a very run-down guest room, reminding him that if he had to leave at night, remember to go through the back door and not to forget to pick up a paper lantern that was hung behind it.
"What do I need a lantern for?" wondered Yang Xiao with suspicion.
"To avoid ghosts." The old man hunched his back, walking down the dim corridor without turning his head, "After midnight, there’s no one around town, only those lonely ghosts. You’re carrying something, and you’re not familiar with the rules. Carry our lantern, and the familiar ghosts might just spare your life when they see it."
After the old man left, Yang Xiao sat on the bed, pondering his words. He suspected that it was his backpack that had caught attention—indeed, as a foreigner coming to Xiang Ma Town with such a big package, it would be obvious to anyone with eyes that he was carrying something valuable. It wasn’t a substantial amount of money, it was the Resentful Eye.
The money wasn’t a big issue—if it was robbed, so be it. But if it was the Resentful Eye, that would make things complicated; it would require a murder to seal the lips.
Through the old man’s words, Yang Xiao felt even more that there was something unusual about Xiang Ma Town. He didn’t sleep at all that night and waited until 1:40 in the morning to finally push open the room door and step out with his backpack—it was even more conspicuous to hold onto those Resentful Eyes.
Following the old man’s earlier advice, he went around to the back door. Sure enough, there he found numerous paper lanterns tidy and hung up, each lantern inscribed with the words "Guo Family Store."
It seemed the shop owner’s last name was Guo—at least, that was Yang Xiao’s guess. In fact, Yang Xiao even suspected carrying the lantern might make him a target for robbery. Throughout history, many inns on deserted roads and in remote villages had ties with bandits like Xiang Ma. Upon discovering any travelers with gold, silver, or valuable possessions, they would secretly inform the bandits, who would then ambush the travelers along their necessary routes.
Nevertheless, after some deliberation, Yang Xiao still decided to carry away a lantern marked with "Guo Family Store." He was curious to see what the shop owner was really up to.
The back door was a very thick and old wooden one. Pulling out the door bolt, he pushed hard, and the night wind poured in instantly, causing the lantern in Yang Xiao’s hand to sway ceaselessly.
Stepping outside, Yang Xiao followed the path he remembered towards the direction of the hotel. The stone-paved road in the town was empty of any figures, and the streets were utterly silent, save for the lanterns hanging outside different shops, which the night wind blew haphazardly in all directions.
