EFB Chapter 89 Yao Hong, I need your help!
Chapter 89 Yao Hong, I need your help!
Chapter 90 Yao Hong, I need your help! (5k)
In the private room "Prosperous Peony", the dim light of the Western chandelier cast a warm glow on the wine on the glistening duck fat on the table.
The moment Yao Hong sat down, the atmosphere in the room changed.
The intense, almost explosive smell seemed to have been neutralized by the aroma of Quanjude roast duck, or perhaps suppressed by Lu Cheng's nonchalant expression.
"Would you like more bowls and chopsticks?"
Yao Hong paused for a moment, looking at the small white porcelain bowl in front of her, and then at Lu Cheng's calm and composed face.
The feeling of lingering fear and resentment that had been nagging at her suddenly dissipated.
Instead, there is a sense of security that is hard to define.
This man is like a pillar of strength, stabilizing the sea. No matter how fierce the storm outside, as long as he sits there, even if the sky falls, he can be used as a blanket to keep it calm.
"Okay, I'll eat it."
Yao Hong sniffed, draped the expensive mink coat over the back of the chair, revealing the dark red cheongsam underneath.
She was also a person who knew how to navigate social situations. Since Lu Cheng had given her a way out, she naturally knew how to accept it.
"Lu Feng, make a pancake for Fourth Concubine," Lu Cheng instructed.
"Why!"
Although Lu Feng, the little wolf cub, didn't know who this woman was, he didn't dare to be negligent based on his master's attitude.
He clumsily picked up a lotus leaf pancake, spread sweet bean sauce on it, added shredded scallions and cucumber strips, then added a few slices of fatty and lean duck meat, rolled it into a tube, and handed it over.
"Auntie, please try this. This duck is fresh out of the oven, and the skin is crispy."
Yao Hong took the wrap, looked at Lu Feng's still childish yet resolute face, and then glanced at the group of teenagers around her who were staring at her with wide eyes.
She suddenly laughed.
With that smile, the fierceness of the "Rouge Tiger" disappeared, and she became like a cheerful older sister next door.
"Good lad, you have a good eye."
46
Yao Hong took a bite of the duck roll, the grease bursting in her mouth, the aroma making her squint her eyes.
After swallowing that mouthful of hot air, she was completely brought back to her senses.
"Since Boss Lu is treating, then I won't stand on ceremony."
Yao Hong picked up her wine glass, her phoenix eyes scanning the table before finally settling on Zhou Daikui and A Bing, who were sitting somewhat reserved in the corner.
"This must be Master Zhou, right? I've often heard people say that the Qingyun Troupe's success today is inseparable from your leadership as the old manager."
""
Zhou Daikui was flattered and quickly stood up, his wine glass trembling.
"Oh, no, no! It's all thanks to Chengzi's hard work. I'm just a stall attendant."
"You're being modest."
Yao Hong actually stood up and walked to Zhou Daikui, personally filling his glass with wine.
"Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. Lu Cheng is out there fighting on the front lines, and without you, such a respected figure, at home, he wouldn't feel so secure."
That was a brilliant move.
This both flattered Lu Cheng and gave Zhou Daikui a huge boost in terms of face.
Zhou Daikui's old face instantly turned as red as a monkey's bottom, and he felt so warm inside, warmer than if he had drunk two catties of strong liquor.
"This must be Master A Bing, right?"
Yao Hong then turned to A Bing, looking at his eyes, which were still covered with a faint white film.
"I've heard that your erhu playing is exceptional. I've heard it a few times before, and it still makes my heart ache."
Ah Bing was blind, but his heart was extremely sensitive. He could sense the woman's air of wealth, but this time, that wealth was not prickly; it was all softness.
"You flatter me, sir. I'm just a blind man, a stringed instrument craftsman, trying to make a living." Ah Bing bowed slightly.
"Craftsmen are the most worthy of respect."
Yao Hong took off a bright green jade bracelet from her wrist and a longevity lock from her neck, then casually stuffed it into the hands of Xiao Douzi, who was gnawing on a duck leg, and Hongyu, who hadn't dared to speak.
"It's our first meeting, and I didn't bring anything fancy. Here, the kids can play with this little thing."
"this----"
The entire table was stunned by the sight of the flawless jade and the gleaming gold longevity lock.
This is a trinket? This could buy a small courtyard house in the southern part of the city!
"Take it."
Lu Cheng took a sip of wine and said calmly, "One should not refuse a gift from an elder. Fourth Madam is treating you all like her own juniors."
O
Only after hearing Lu Cheng's words did the children dare to respond, and they all sweetly called out, "Thank you, Auntie."
The atmosphere immediately became lively.
Yao Hong, that woman, was able to thrive in a bandit's den like Ma Dashuai's; her social skills were absolutely top-notch.
She set aside her airs and drank with the opera troupe, recounting interesting stories about Beijing in vivid detail.
One moment he was praising Guan Erniang for the fine stitching of the shoe soles, and the next he was asking Lu Feng if practicing martial arts was hard.
Before three rounds of drinks had passed, everyone in the room, except for Lu Cheng who still maintained his masterly demeanor, had been won over by her.
Zhou Daikui, in particular, was quite drunk. He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Oh, Fourth Madam, you are such a generous person! So generous! Much better than those officials' wives, so approachable, really!"
Lu Cheng sat in the main seat, watching this scene with a smile on his lips, but his eyes remained clear.
He could tell that Yao Hong was trying to curry favor with the people around him.
This is a gesture of goodwill, but also a form of—a disguised "intrusion."
This woman is very clever. Knowing that she couldn't directly conquer Lu Cheng's territory, she started to take the "encircling the city from the countryside" approach, first winning over the people around Lu Cheng.
However, Lu Cheng was not averse to it.
In these chaotic times, having more friends means having more options.
Moreover, a woman like Yao Hong, with her genuine personality, is far more endearing than those hypocrites who stab you in the back.
"Clang clang."
Just then, there was a knock on the door of the private room.
The door opened, and a strong smell of alcohol rushed in.
Just then, Li Sanye, the owner of the Iron Fist Gym next door, walked in with his eldest apprentice, Zhao Shanhe, carrying wine glasses and beaming with smiles.
"Oh my, the noise I heard just now sounded like Master Lu."
When Li Sanye entered the room and saw this scene, he was first stunned, then his eyes swept over Yao Hong, and his heart skipped a beat.
That is—the fourth concubine of Marshal Ma's mansion?
Goodness, Master Lu has quite the influence; even this person is having dinner with him.
"Master Li." Lu Cheng didn't get up, but simply raised his glass in greeting.
"Master Lu, what a coincidence! We were celebrating our apprentice's birthday next door. We heard you were here, so we came over to offer you a toast."
Master Li was a shrewd man; although he was shocked inside, he remained outwardly composed.
He first toasted Lu Cheng three times, adopting an extremely humble posture, which is the custom for juniors to toast their elders.
Then he turned to Yao Hong and respectfully offered her a cup: "Fourth Concubine, may you be blessed."
Yao Hong had drunk quite a bit, and two rosy blushes appeared on her face, making her look even more beautiful and alluring.
She didn't get up, but lazily raised her glass, naturally exuding the air of a master's wife.
"Master Li, is that right? I heard you have a good relationship with Boss Lu? In the future, I'll have to rely on you to support the Qingyun Troupe in the southern part of the city."
"Of course, of course. Master Lu's business is my Iron Fist Gym's business!"
Third Master Li patted his chest loudly.
As they went back and forth, the scene became even more lively.
Lu Cheng sat there, like an outsider, yet also like the anchor of this situation.
He looked at the snow falling outside the window and listened to the noise inside the house.
This is the human world.
There were flashing swords and clashing blades, as well as toasts and laughter.
There are life-or-death battles, and there are also human relationships and worldly affairs.
And Lu Cheng sat in the eye of the storm, watching this grand drama unfold.
After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,
The roast duck carcasses on the table had been simmered into a milky white broth, which was then steaming hot and distributed to everyone's bowls.
Zhou Daikui was really drunk.
This old man has been cautious his whole life, but today he's completely let loose.
He held a wine glass in his hand, his eyes were glazed, and he slurred his words as he leaned close to Lu Cheng's ear. Although he kept his voice low, everyone in the room had sharp ears.
"Makoto—Makoto."
-
Zhou Daikui let out a burp, and the smell of alcohol went straight into Lu Cheng's nose.
"Master, you're drunk." Lu Cheng helped him up.
"No! I'm not drunk!"
Zhou Daikui waved his hand, and a sly glint suddenly appeared in his cloudy old eyes as he quietly pointed at Yao Hong, who was chatting with Feng Sanniang.
"Uncle—I have something to say to you from the bottom of my heart."
"This woman—she is truly beautiful, like a fairy from a painting."
"But—"
Zhou Daikui swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly.
"She's Marshal Ma's woman."
"That's a warlord, a bandit leader, he has guns and cannons!"
"We—we're just actors. Even though you're capable now, what if the Commander-in-Chief finds out—"
At this point, Zhou Daikui seemed to recall something terrifying, shrank his neck, and gripped Lu Cheng's sleeve tightly.
"Chengzi, you'd better take it easy."
"That's not a red tiger, that's a monstrous tigress that eats people without spitting out the bones!"
"Our Qingyun Class has worked so hard to get to where we are today, we can't—we can't let it—be ruined by this little thing between men and women."
Although Zhou Daikui was drunk, his words revealed the survival wisdom of a seasoned veteran.
Since ancient times, when actresses and women of the powerful get involved, even if the actresses are innocent, it's like mud falling into your crotch—it's still shit even if it's not.
What's more, he was a ruthless warlord.
Lu Cheng listened without changing his expression, only a hint of helplessness flashed deep in his eyes.
He turned and glanced at Yao Hong.
Yao Hong had obviously heard it.
But she wasn't angry.
Instead, she held a wine glass in her hand, looking at Lu Cheng with a half-smile, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation and a hint of expectation.
It's as if it's saying: How about it? Are you scared?
Lu Cheng gently pushed Zhou Daikui's hand away and poured him a cup of hot tea.
"Master, you're overthinking it."
Lu Cheng's voice was steady.
"Fourth Concubine is a benefactor and a confidante to our Qingyun Troupe."
"Our friendship is like that of gentlemen, pure and simple."
"A righteous heart casts a righteous shadow. What is there to be afraid of?"
This sentence not only reassured Zhou Daikui, but also subtly drew a line between him and Yao Hong.
A friendship between gentlemen.
These four words were like an invisible wall standing between the two of them.
The light in Yao Hong's eyes dimmed slightly.
She laughed self-deprecatingly, tilted her head back, and drank the wine in her glass in one gulp.
"What a fine friendship between gentlemen."
"Boss Lu, you really are a heartless person."
Setting down her wine glass, Yao Hong's eyes were somewhat unfocused, as if she wanted to say something, but Lu Cheng spoke first.
Lu Cheng leaned forward slightly and poured some hot tea into Yao Hong's cup, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear it.
"Fourth Madam, we've had our wine and food. Could I possibly ask you for a favor?"
Yao Hong was taken aback, her drunken eyes slightly lifting, a hint of surprise and mockery in them: "Oh, Boss Lu, have you changed your ways? You actually need my help now? Tell me, do you want money or an official position?"
Lu Cheng shook his head, dipped his finger in tea, and seemingly unintentionally drew a few strokes on the table, but his eyes instantly sharpened.
"Neither."
"I need a picture."
"Map of Commander Zhang's Fengtai Camp".
Yao Hong's hand froze abruptly, and she instantly sobered up halfway. Her eyes widened as she stared at Lu Cheng in disbelief, as if she had heard something utterly unbelievable.
"What do you need that for?"
Lu Cheng didn't speak, he just looked at her quietly.
"I need to know where the sentries are in his yard, and where the machine gun is mounted—"
Lu Cheng paused, his voice becoming even softer, as soft as a breeze, yet carrying a chilling edge.
"Also, which room does he like to sleep in at night?"
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"Clatter".
Yao Hong dropped her chopsticks on the table.
She was a woman who had also lived a life of danger; how could she not understand the meaning behind those words?
Horror, worry, fear—a whole host of emotions surged into my heart in an instant.
"You—you're insane?!"
Yao Hong lowered her voice, which was trembling.
"That's the Fengtai Grand Camp, the garrison of an entire reorganized division—it's a den of dragons and tigers!"
"Even if you're a master kung fu master, can you withstand thousands of guns? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Lu Cheng did not break free from her hand, but simply let her hold him, his expression remaining terrifyingly calm.
"It is impolite not to reciprocate."
"He gave me two bullets, so I have to give him something in return."
"you----"
Yao Hong looked at the man, at the resolute determination and the extreme madness in his eyes, and her heart trembled.
She suddenly realized that she couldn't persuade him otherwise.
That guy is crazy.
A madman with the skills of a grandmaster.
"call----"
Yao Hong loosened her grip, her chest heaving violently, both from fright and anger.
She picked up the cup of hot tea and gulped it down in one go, as if trying to suppress the turbulent waves in her heart.
a long time.
She looked up at Lu Cheng with a complicated expression, and finally let out a sigh.
Give me some time.
"Four days—no, three days."
Lu Cheng smiled and raised his teacup.
Thank you.
Yao Hong rolled her eyes at him, a look that was both alluring and deeply worried.
The meal lasted until the moon was high in the sky.
When the event ended, the snow outside had stopped, and the ground was covered in a blanket of white, making the night sky appear somewhat bright.
Shunzi, along with his fellow apprentices, helped the unconscious Zhou Daikui and Lao Guantou back home first.
At the entrance of Quanjude, only Lu Cheng, Lu Feng, and Yao Hong remained.
The black sedan from Marshal Ma's mansion was parked alone by the roadside, its roof covered with a thin layer of snow.
Manager Zhao, being quite perceptive, kept his distance and went to smoke with the driver.
Yao Hong stood on the steps, her mink coat wrapped tightly around her, but her face was flushed red from the alcohol.
A gust of wind blew, and she swayed, seemingly unable to stand steadily.
-
"Fourth concubine, be careful."
Lu Cheng subconsciously reached out and offered a hand, but did not actually touch her body.
This sense of propriety brought a pang of sadness to Yao Hong's heart.
She raised her head, and her eyes, which were usually shrewd and charming, now seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, wet and looking exceptionally vulnerable.
"Lu Cheng".
"Thank you for tonight."
"Thank me for what?" Lu Cheng withdrew his hand and put it behind his back.
"Thank you—for not embarrassing me. Thank you—for letting me have a decent night among these sincere people."
Yao Hong took a deep breath, and the white mist dissipated in the cold night.
"Do you know? In the Marshal's Mansion, everyone is afraid of me, and everyone is plotting against me."
"Every night when I sleep, I have to put a pair of scissors under my pillow."
"Only tonight—"
She looked at Lu Cheng, her eyes suddenly burning with passion. The emotions she had suppressed all night, fueled by alcohol, could no longer be hidden.
"Lu Cheng, take me home."
Just this once.
"I don't want to do anything else, I just want you to sit in the car with me for a while."
"It's too cold in that mansion, I'm afraid to be alone."
This was probably the weakest thing this "Rouge Tiger" had ever said in her life.
It is also a woman making the most humble request to a man.
Lu Feng, listening nearby, frowned, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist. Although young, he knew this was what was known as the "beauty trap."
Lu Cheng looked at Yao Hong.
With his keen eyes, he saw the tremor deep within the woman's soul.
That wasn't an act.
It was really cold, and I was really scared.
but.
"Fourth concubine."
Lu Cheng's voice remained calm, even somewhat cold.
"The path you choose is your own."
"Since we chose that secluded mansion, even if it's a bit cold, we'll just have to bear it ourselves."
"I'll take you back, it's easy."
"But if you go down the wrong path, it will be difficult to turn back."
Lu Cheng turned around, no longer looking at that tear-streaked face.
"Manager Zhao."
He shouted.
"Hey! They're here!"
Manager Zhao quickly threw down his cigarette butt and ran over.
"Take Fourth Concubine back to her residence. Drive slowly and avoid any bumps."
After speaking, Lu Cheng cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Yao Hong.
"Farewell, Mr. Lu."
Then, he led Lu Feng and walked into the vast snowy night without looking back.
Yao Hong stood there, watching the figure disappear around the street corner.
Tears finally streamed down my face.
"asshole----"
She cursed, but her voice was so soft it sounded like a sigh.
"You're such a heartless bastard."
But for some reason, looking at that figure from behind, the respect she felt was even deeper than before.
This is the man Yao Hong has her eye on.
Remain humble yet assertive, unmoved by beauty, uphold your principles and stay true to yourself.
"Return to the residence."
Yao Hong wiped away her tears, and in that instant, she transformed back into the aloof and powerful fourth concubine.
But deep within those eyes, there was a longing that no one could understand.