Chapter 118 Bargaining
December 9th, Monday, sunny. Everything is favorable except the opening of a business. However, it’s estimated that no one is paying attention to Wanli, so the Jinhe Club, which reopened at 1 PM, had its first guest, Su Xiaomeng, a passing friend, rather than regular customers.
When a girl in a pastel pink Lolita winter dress walked into the golden hall, Su Xiaomeng’s first reaction was that she had entered the wrong place.
Before her was a sea of traditional Chinese clothing—Hanfu for men and women alike—many of the hall’s decorations and furnishings had been given a cultural twist. Those in the know understood it was the Jinhe Club’s reopening event, while those unaware might think it had been booked out by some cosplay group.
Jiang Yan wore a black silk dress with dark floral embroidery, steady and understated; while Jiang Yao went all out in a striking red dress adorned with rose embroidery, outshining everyone else.
It seemed that the contrast in clothing styles with Jiang Yan had become an ingrained stubbornness in Jiang Yao’s subconscious, which she increasingly acted upon.
“Damn it, why didn’t you tell me earlier, Xiao Yao? If you had, I would have dressed up too! Now I look like I accidentally walked onto the wrong set!”
Su Xiaomeng gritted her teeth as she glared at Jiang Yao’s outfit, enviously seething.
“Why should I inform you? You’re not part of the Hyacinth group…”
Jiang Yao twirled her braid with a proud expression, relishing the chance to make this top student uncomfortable, not missing any opportunity to tease.
“Su Xiaomeng, why are you just standing there chatting? Come up! Oh, and Jiang Yan, you too.”
On the balustrade of the second floor, Wan Yue, dressed in a dark red Haipai Su embroidery qipao paired with a snow-white mink fur, viewed the picturesque scene in the hall below with a smile.
In Jiang Yao’s triumphant gaze, Su Xiaomeng could only angrily loop her arm through Jiang Yan’s, but this closeness made Jiang Yan internally scoff at the dramatic difference in their heights.
……
In a luxurious private room on the second floor, Xiao Ai was now the new temporary manager of Jinhe Club, replacing Zhao Peng, silently standing by Wan Yue’s side with eyes full of resentment and unwillingness.
Because she was the only Hyacinth girl in this vibrant traditional world still dressed in a modern professional skirt.
“Has Zheng Shaolin started eating again? Not bad…”
Wan Yue stood up, strolling around the room with a smile, “When can he get out of bed? What about other health issues?”
“The skin burns have all healed, but he suffered severe injuries before, so a large area of his body’s organs and tissues is necrotic. It will likely take another week before he can truly get out of bed, and this is already the best outcome.”
“However, according to my grandpa, Zheng’s fundamentals are severely damaged; his rank has dropped to a lower-tier knight, and he may never recover.”
Su Xiaomeng pulled out a document from her handbag and gently placed it on the coffee table, her expression tinged with regret.
“The Wang family has many valuable things; you’re telling me they really won’t let go? Old Jin is a significant official in the Wang family; can’t his words carry any weight internally?”
Wan Yue returned to her window seat, frowning, her unlit cigarette playing between her fingers.
The southern Liang family is experiencing internal strife; many underground sects are getting involved, and some risks are likely to spill over…
Many crucial resources are being prioritized for the south…
Su Xiaomeng lowered her head awkwardly, letting out a sigh with a tone filled with helplessness, “There are already Southeast Asian black blood tribes infiltrating; the traitor from the Liang family has received outside assistance. The situation has devolved into a war of attrition, and the Wang family has been bogged down… I heard that the Dark Arrow is also increasing its troops in the southwestern provinces.”
“It looks like everything has been arranged beforehand; the Wang family can’t take care of itself. I wonder where the behind-the-scenes players will strike next…”
Wan Yue sneered and glanced at Jiang Yan, who was also deep in thought.
“There’s more; it has already started.”
Su Xiaomeng quickly stood up, looking very anxious, “I heard that last week, an unidentified black blood tribe ambushed the Hermit’s Alliance’s warehouse in S City, stealing a lot of valuable goods, resulting in the loss of two knights for the Hermit’s Alliance.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Wan Yue’s expression darkened, and both Jiang Yan and Xiao Ai froze in shock.
“That area is under the influence of the Zhou family and also forms the basis for Elder Wu Yuqing of the Hermit’s Alliance; she must have suffered significant losses… Hmph, how bold! They directly hit the core interests of the Hermit’s Alliance; finding Wu Yuqing’s warehouse surely requires an insider’s help.”
Wan Yue snorted a few times, her tone neither cold nor warm, her look mocking.
“Thus, the family has sent word through my grandpa. They hope the Hyacinth can continue to strike at the Black Dragon Society and stabilize the situation in C City. Now that we are already a step behind, we can only respond as we go.”
Only then did Su Xiaomeng reveal the purpose of her visit today, smiling as she took out a small note and a check: “Grandpa has discovered several Black Dragon Society strongholds; this is two million, as a private subsidy from grandpa to Aunt Wan.”
“Ha ha, the Wang family, and the Jin family, has never been known to make a losing deal. The last time the Hyacinth faced losses, Zheng Shaolin still lies like a useless person. I can’t be of much help now.”
Wan Yue didn’t even glance at the check that Su Xiaomeng held, sighing as her body lazily sank into the chair, playing with the unlit cigarette between her fingers, looking exquisite.
The room’s atmosphere began to grow awkward, and Su Xiaomeng was unsure what further justification she could present to persuade the Hyacinth.
“Aunt Wan, can’t even Old Jin heal Zheng Shaolin’s body? With two fewer knights, we indeed cannot muster enough people.”
Jiang Yan, who was sitting beside Su Xiaomeng, softly chimed in, like a bargaining chip that further irritated Su Xiaomeng into pinching her arm.
“Have you decided? If you let your grandpa fully treat Zheng Shaolin without leaving any hidden dangers, then I can consider continuing to deal with the Black Dragon Society.”
Wan Yue’s voice echoed like a temptation in the room, and Su Xiaomeng’s expression grew more conflicted.
“Xiao Ai, bring in the stuff.”
Seeing the atmosphere was about right, Wan Yue gently clapped her hands.
Xiao Ai understood and quickly left the room, returning a few minutes later with a small metal box.
The metal box was placed on the coffee table in front of Su Xiaomeng, and when opened, a mist of cold dry ice swirled out, revealing two cylindrical specially packaged boxes inside.
Su Xiaomeng was taken aback, nearly jumping up. Seeing everyone was laughing at her, she quickly sat down, blushing as she carefully took one cylinder out, examining the information on it closely.
“Where did this come from? You don’t need to ask; consider it my sincerity in collaboration. These two RMCE are for your grandpa, with the requirement being to ensure Zheng Shaolin’s safety. As for continuing to strike at the Black Dragon Society, I will do my best, and the compensation will be sufficient.”
Wan Yue finally lit the cigarette she had toyed with all day, smiling as she looked at the Lolita-dressed girl who clung tightly to the RMCE as if she were a miser.
“Um, having two RMCE in your grandpa’s hands means the Wang family has gained two lives. The family can now make a case for what needs to be done!”
Su Xiaomeng carefully closed the metal box, gripping its handle tightly, her expression one of relief, “I’ll go back immediately to discuss it with grandpa, and the future rewards will be decided based on the results against the Black Dragon Society, the old rules, and all spoils belong to the Hyacinth!”
“Deal!”
Wan Yue nodded, and Su Xiaomeng bowed in gratitude as Xiao Ai escorted her out.
“Exchanging two RMCE for Zheng Shaolin’s recovery is worth it; Zhong has once again made us proud… We actually didn’t need the Wang family to set conditions. We will also undertake a big job in the south at the end of this month or early next month…”
Zhao Peng’s promotion suspension is a significant matter; Xiao Dong needs to be on standby at all times, Xiao Ai must manage the club operations, and Xiao Ling should replace Zheng Shaolin to guard the Hyacinth Manor… We’re short on manpower again. At the end of the month, it will just be the two of us going, while Xiao Yao stays back to assist Xiao Ai in case of emergencies.
After glancing at the note she had in hand, Wan Yue threw it onto the table with no show of interest: “As for the targets provided by Old Jin regarding the Black Dragon Society, you can handle that over the next few days, whether you do it or not, you can decide on your own.”
“Yes, Aunt Wan.”
Wan Yue’s expression became serious; Jiang Yan knew that the other party had long been devising a plan for a decisive strike. However, it appeared from Wan Yue’s demeanor that she intended to take only Jiang Yan with her this time, leaving her filled with curiosity about the upcoming southern operation.
“Additionally, regarding the distribution of the secret blood… I don’t want a communal pot; do you have any opinions?”
Having addressed the main issue, Wan Yue shifted the topic to a more confidential direction.
“First tier: Xiao Dong and Uncle Liang, who can aim for upper-tier knight status within a few years. Second tier: upper-tier attendants and upper-tier blood servants with good potential. Third tier: those who have stagnated significantly at their current tier beyond the normal years.”
“Besides, any specific individuals that you particularly focus on can also be included in the second tier.”
Jiang Yan contemplated for only a few seconds before providing her answer, which was something she had been considering for quite some time. This distribution plan balanced the internal relationships and developmental needs within the Hyacinth.
Hearing this, Wan Yue smiled, looking quite pleased.
……
……
In the Lantern Graveyard, far from the main urban area of C City, Meng Huai, accompanied by Zhong Jing, stood silently before a small gravestone.
Meng Huai simply stood there, staring blankly at the deep brown mound of earth beneath the headstone, lost in thought.
You might not believe it, but while you were undergoing closed treatment in the capital a while back, your unit’s leaders issued a few critical illness notices, even your father had chosen a perfect burial spot for you in the Fenghuangshan Cemetery. Tsk tsk, all that was needed was an obituary, and then the lavish funeral would be arranged.
While joking about it, Zhong Jing did not stop his hands. He inserted several long incense sticks and white candles before lighting them, and finally lit a cigarette as well.
“If I die, I’d also end up in the East Suburban Martyrs’ Cemetery, alongside my comrades.”
Meng Huai squatted down, igniting a stack of yellow paper from the candle flame, carelessly scattering it before the grave, his tone cold with no expression on his face.
“Coincidentally, Meng Ayi wants to relocate the grave; should we consider Fenghuangshan?”
Zhong Jing chuckled, straightening up and glancing back. He saw Crane J見晴芽 dressed in a black retro wool winter dress, standing away under a green pine with an unbearably young lieutenant officer.
Though he realized it was quite rude, Han Jieli had already raised his hand to check the time for the third time.
Looking again at the girl in a black dress beside him, Han Jieli’s mysterious smile, which had not faded since entering the graveyard, remained intact.
“Miss Hejian, has the wedding with Mr. Zhong been decided?”
Han Jieli lazily sat down on the grass beneath the pine tree, removed his military cap, and chewed on a blade of grass.
“Uh… In a few months, according to Chinese and Japanese customs, we’ll first hold an engagement ceremony because I still have two years of studies to complete.”
He Jianqing replied quickly, glancing back from the distant grave with a low voice.
As her gaze shifted to the young Chinese officer, He Jianqing’s heart was also filled with curiosity.
The Han family, a small but notable group in the blood tribe world, especially for the Fujiwara family, which delves deep into China’s secret historical studies, had the Han family definitely been a topic that could never be overlooked for the past few hundred years.
Not only do they hold considerable influence in the Arrow Team in China, but the places frequented by the Han family usually carry extraordinary significance.
The young officer before her was said to be the last male in this generation of the Han family. He Jianqing suddenly had a ridiculous thought: would the attitude of China toward the blood tribe world change if this man were to be killed?
Of course, such an idea merely flashed in He Jianqing’s mind, turning into an alternative sense of irony.
“Miss Hejian, are you thinking that if I were dead, the Han family would retire from the historical stage?”
Suddenly, Han Jieli raised his head and spoke coolly, yet the smile on his face grew more pronounced.
“I’m sorry, Han San… I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
He Jianqing hurriedly lowered her head, her heart racing, feeling as if he had some sort of special ability to capture the shift in her emotions in an instant.
It made sense, given that the Han family, Dark Arrow, and China had long known her true identity; she was able to walk openly within the Zhong family precisely because of China’s moderate approach to the policies concerning traditional blood families—neither compromising nor overly pressing.
Compared to the grandeur of the Hejian Consortium, or the Fujiwara family’s behind-the-scenes dominance in Japan, the prominent blood families in China were more understated, seemingly abiding by certain orders alongside secular authority.
This is the foundational constraint of the civilizational sphere, one that does not change based on the identity as a blood tribe, and is something that traditional families in Europe and America can never grasp.
The Wang family, one of the three major blood duke families in the world, not only forms an important part of the entire blood tribe world but, like the Dark Arrow, is also integral to this land. The young Chinese soldier before them, being the last male in this generation of the Han family, was also one of the guardians of this cultural sphere’s constraints.
In the past, Japan and the Tanaka family attempted to challenge this cultural constraint or vie for dominance, but they failed. Not only was a majority of the Tanaka family’s power consumed on this land, but even their final ambitions were completely buried by two nuclear bombs in North America, leading to their current state of disarray.
“Miss Hejian, it seems that Mr. Zhong has encountered some problems!”
Suddenly, Han Jieli called out again, snapping He Jianqing from her reverie.
He Jianqing quickly turned her head, only to see Zhong Jing clutching his stomach, desperately leaning against a pine tree and retching, while Meng Huai had a deep furrow in his brow, seemingly reminded of some negative thoughts about Zhong Jing.
“Jing-kun!”
He Jianqing gasped and hurriedly ran over, lifting her skirt.
Meng Huai’s gaze shifted over, coming into contact with Han Jieli’s, both surprised.
“It should have been the cold mixed with century egg I had for lunch; it may have spoiled—greed has its consequences…”
After Zhong Jing finished his final retch, he finally exhaled, leaning against the pine tree and lightly waving a hand at He Jianqing who had rushed to him.
“Why don’t we… first take your brother to the hospital for a check-up? Then we can head back to the unit?”
Han Jieli noted Zhong Jing’s poor complexion and, noticing Meng Huai’s expression, realized the latter was hesitant as well.
“Brother, I’ll go with Jing-kun to the hospital; if there’s anything, I’ll notify Uncle and Aunt immediately…”
He Jianqing bowed her head deeply, lightly biting her lips, her hand trembling slightly as it supported Zhong Jing’s arm.
“Alright, thank you for accompanying him… It’s best if he doesn’t have any strange illnesses; otherwise, many people will start guessing. Do you understand what I mean, He Jianqing?”
Meng Huai glanced at her brother’s condition, nodding lightly, but his words to He Jianqing bore a sharp coldness.
“Uh…”
A trace of panic appeared in He Jianqing’s eyes but was quickly replaced by a stubborn and determined expression.
