In the quiet car, Hu Er suddenly spoke: "Master, are we going directly back to the villa?"
After a moment, Hu Li said, "Go to H University's commercial street." Hu Da quietly gave Hu Er an approving smile, thinking that this once dull-witted Hu Er had learned to read the situation.
"Hu Da, go check on how Hu Si is doing?" Hu Li was both angry about Hu Si's willfulness and regretful about her madness.
They split into two groups. Hu Li had the car parked by the road across from Muyun Pavilion, not getting out or speaking, just staring straight at the opposite side without blinking.
After waiting for half an hour and seeing guests coming in and out but not the person she wanted to see, Hu Li left with a trace of disappointment.
This scene was just seen by Hua Yan's aunt, who was wandering around Muyun Pavilion. To confirm her suspicion, she boldly passed by the car and happened to see Hu Li staring at Muyun Pavilion with the car window half open. At that moment, her heart beat so fast that she mistook Hu Li's longing gaze for a debtor's scrutiny. Thus, she gave up her desire for the jade jewelry that had been tantalizing her.
Hu Da arrived at the mental hospital and, under the doctor's guidance, saw Hu Si sitting alone in an all-white room. She was no longer with long hair but bald. The doctor said they shaved her head to prevent her from continuing to pull out her hair.
Hu Da tried calling Hu Si a few times without any reaction. After understanding the situation from the doctor, Hu Da left in low spirits. After everyone had left, Hu Si, who had been lying motionless on the bed, suddenly looked back at the door, confirming no one was there, stood up, and looked out the small window at Hu Da gradually disappearing.
"How is Hu Si's condition?" Hu Li, having just taken a bath, went downstairs in her nightgown and asked Hu Da, who had returned to the villa.
"The situation is still not optimistic."
Hu Li squinted and pondered for a moment before asking, "Does the hospital have our people arranged?"
"No, after investigation, this hospital's management, technology, and services are of the highest standards in the country," Hu Er replied.
"Find someone to monitor the situation over there," Hu Li ordered without doubt while sipping tea, leaving Hu Da and Hu Er puzzled by her arrangement. Could Hu Li suspect something?
"Master, do you want someone to take care of Hu Si, or someone else?" Hu Da asked.
"Both. Find a local, diligent woman to take care of Hu Si, and capable people for the other tasks."
"Master, are you suspecting that Hu Si is faking her madness?" Hu Er asked.
"Just in case!"
"Master, what should we tell Cousin?" Hu Da asked. Hu Er, not understanding, looked at Hu Da. Cousin's family was one of the big heads in the German underworld, primarily dealing in arms and drugs, with only a few legitimate businesses. The Hu family, on the other hand, was mainly engaged in legitimate business, with their underworld power existing only to protect the family industry.
Now, Cousin had something to discuss with the Master. What could it be? Hu Er also waited with Hu Da for Hu Li's response, which was delayed.
"Their last batch of drugs wasn't brought in. This time, they want to use our business to develop drug trafficking here. Quite a clever move. Did he mention whether my mother knows about this?"
"From Cousin's tone, it seems that Madam went back to her maiden family specifically for this matter. She should be aware."
"Oh? The Ke family wants to have it both ways." For so many years, Mother had always been concerned and protective of her family's affairs. Father, the old fox, had spent much effort on this issue before. Now that the family business was handed over to him, he pushed this matter to him for convenience. Since Mother knows, and Cousin Kezheng officially discussed this matter with him, it means Mother tacitly approved the Ke family's plan.
Certainly, here is the translation of the passage into English:
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The reason for not calling him was to hope that he would voluntarily accept the Ke family's plan, right? With a faint smile, Hu Li looked up at Hu Da and the others, saying, "Tell him that the mainland's anti-drug efforts are very strong, and they are scrutinizing us returnee businessmen even more closely. We can't agree to this matter for now." If it weren't for knowing that Huayan was working on anti-drug operations, if it weren't for knowing Huayan, Hu Li might have been very willing to accept the Ke family's proposal.
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After all, their Hu family was also a part of the underworld. Although they didn't touch drug-related matters, this year several major international underworld organizations were worrying about drugs. Participating in this could be quite exciting.
"Cousin is determined to wade through this flood?" Hu Er asked in surprise.
Hu Da glanced at Hu Li, who showed no intention of stopping him, and explained, "When we set off, Cousin specifically came to discuss with the Master about the two families cooperating to smuggle drugs into the mainland. At that time, the Master didn't respond. Just now, Cousin called again."
"Miss Huayan was recruited by the national department, and her job now is to fight drugs. This...," Hu Er was very worried. If their Master really ended up cooperating with Cousin to smuggle drugs, wouldn't that put him and Miss Huayan on opposite sides?
"Don't frown. The Master hasn't decided yet, have they? I warn you, when you're around Miss Huayan, keep your mouth shut tight," Hu Da warned Hu Er with a slap. This earned him Hu Er's dissatisfaction: "How many times have I told you not to use violence? Besides, when have I not kept my mouth shut?"
"This is a matter of great importance. Be cautious." Then Hu Da whispered to Hu Er's ear, "The Master's lifelong decision must not be wrong, right?" Hu Er covered his itchy ear, nodding vigorously in agreement with Hu Da's words.
Hu Li watched them fussing around for a while and then asked, "Is she usually free in the evenings?"
The two suddenly quieted down from their bickering. After a moment of daze, Hu Er suddenly realized and hurriedly said, "Miss Huayan usually stays at home except for going to school. Master, if you need someone, I can recommend a few good places."
"Give me a list later. You two go and complete the tasks I just mentioned. I might need to go out tonight."
After seeing off Hu Li, Hu Da asked Hu Er, "Why did the Master add a 'maybe' at the end?"
"That means the Master isn't sure either. I find you getting dumber," Hu Er retorted.
"You're the dumb one! Your mouth has gotten so venomous after just a few days. Could it be you learned it from Miss Huayan?"
"Miss Huayan's tactics are amazing: monosyllabic pronunciation, indifferent tone. The calm expression can make people collapse in just a few seconds," Hu Er said smugly, while Hu Da curiously asked, "Have you ever experienced that treatment?"
"I have, and the memory is vivid. It makes me hesitant to make phone calls now."
"Why?"
"After you all left, Miss Huayan was taken away by several people from the state. I followed her out of concern, but later, their people found out. I also lost track of Miss Huayan. In desperation, I called her, but we barely spoke a few words. But now thinking about it, my heart almost stopped beating. The atmosphere was so cold, so cold... If you have the chance, you can experience it," Hu Er said with a deep sigh.
Hu Da became anxious, saying angrily, "Don't jinx me, okay? Why would I want to experience that? But Miss Huayan and our Master are truly a perfect match." Hu Er nodded firmly in agreement.
Hu Li hesitated for a moment in the bedroom and finally dialed Huayan's number. The ringtone echoed repeatedly until the prompt inside asked to redial later, and Hu Li's heart, which had been pounding wildly just now, sank to the bottom. Lying on the bed, Hu Li tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and began to think wildly. He picked up his phone and put it down, tossed around for a long time without falling asleep, and his blood grew colder.
Huayan was helping out downstairs, leaving her phone in the bedroom. After finishing her tasks and having a simple meal, when she returned to the bedroom to rest, she noticed a missed call on her phone.
Seeing it was from Hu Li, she hesitated for a moment before calling back. On Hu Li's end, he was staring blankly at his phone when the sudden ringtone startled him. Seeing it was from Huayan, a big smile finally curved his lips, dispelling the agitation from earlier.
"Sorry, I was busy downstairs just now and didn't bring my phone...," Hu Li said.
"It's okay. Is the shop very busy?" Hu Li regained his confidence, appearing as if the helpless child from before was just an illusion.
"There have been quite a few people these days."
"I'm free these days. Do you want me to come and work as a store clerk for a few days?"
Rolling her eyes, Huayan said, "Do you want customers to see your mixed-race face or look at my jade jewelry?"
Hu Li unconsciously touched his face, thinking that his face was indeed a hindrance, "Then are you free tonight? I just arrived in Seaside City today..."
"Yes, I did say I would treat you to dinner when you arrived. Alright, I'll call you tonight and invite you to dinner. But won't you be tired just after getting off the plane? Should we postpone it for a few days?"
"Not tired. Tonight is fine."
"Okay." Huayan was speechless at Hu Li's persistence.
In the evening, Huayan didn't let Hu Li come to Muyun Pavilion to pick her up. Instead, she arrived first at the small teahouse that Cheng Xiang had once brought her to. Here, not only was there good tea to drink, but the chef's cooking skills were also extraordinary. Huayan's father was a superb chef for home-cooked meals, and although the taste here wasn't as rich, every bite was still immensely enjoyable.
Hu Li arrived at the small teahouse with forty beautiful purple roses prepared by Hu Da early in the morning. Seeing the bustling entertainment city next to the teahouse, he suddenly remembered the last time it rained, Huayan had dinner here with a man named Cheng Xiang. There was a hint of displeasure in his heart, but he took a few deep breaths and slowly walked in. A mixed-race handsome man holding rare purple roses made the service staff and customers in the shop marvel at him.
They forgot about eating and just watched Hu Li walk to that table? Finally, after a few words with the waiter, the waiter led him to a private room on the second floor. As soon as the waiter returned to his own cashier, several female waitresses surrounded him, constantly asking about Hu Li's situation. The young waiter smiled and dealt with them while feeling a