Chapter 38: Ordered to Eliminate the Menace, Returning to the Concession

Pan Qiliang leaned forward two steps, his right thumb held high, the joints strained to the point of turning white. His tone was filled with admiration: "Chen Lin, you're a good man! I, Pan Qiliang, will follow your lead from now on!"

"Little Mirror, what are you trying to pull?" Zhai Laokou’s voice suddenly cut in. He squinted his small eyes, the wrinkles at their corners bunching together, his gaze darting toward Pan Qiliang with a touch of mockery. "Changing your allegiance already?"

Chen Lin turned his head to look at Zhai Laokou.

During the initiation ceremony earlier, he had felt that this man’s gaze was shifty, revealing a merchant’s craftiness. However, after hearing Liu Lichuan introduce him as the person in charge of accounts and recount his history, he inexplicably found him more agreeable—at the very least, he was someone who got things done.

"By the way, Little Mirror," Chen Lin withdrew his gaze and looked at Pan Qiliang, his tone lighter than before. "When were you released?"

"After you were taken away, Tie Liang let me go," Pan Qiliang scratched the back of his head, his tone casual. "He was the one who got beaten anyway. As long as he doesn't press charges, the magistrate can't be bothered with such trivial matters."

"Thank you for this time." Chen Lin cupped his hands and bowed slightly. "Otherwise, I would have suffered quite a bit in the county jail."

Pan Qiliang’s face suddenly fell, his eyes filled with guilt, and his voice dropped. "I'm the one who failed you. I couldn't protect you."

He was referring to the day Chen Lin was taken away. But at the time, he himself had been in jail and unable to help—and besides, things had not yet reached the point of a desperate, final confrontation.

"Chen Lin." Liu Lichuan suddenly spoke, interrupting their conversation.

He sighed softly, brows slightly furrowed, his tone more serious than before. "Whether you actually killed him or not doesn't matter now. The key is whether the Prefectural Office is still pursuing the matter."

"Lian Tinghuang?" Chen Lin paused, his eyes filled with confusion. "Why would he be concerned about a small fry like me?"

"A small fry? You’re no longer a small fry." Liu Lichuan suddenly smiled, his tone tinged with emotion. "Rumors are spreading everywhere that you are the 'Golden Finger' of the Concession, capable of turning stones into gold. And just now, news broke that you are a close friend of Old Man Gu—Gu Fuchang, the foremost silk merchant in Shanghai and a titan of the business world!"

Chen Lin felt somewhat dazed by these words.

Was he really that impressive? He had always thought he was keeping a low profile, ready to play the pig to eat the tiger at any moment. Who would have thought that, without realizing it, others had already draped him in a tiger's skin.

"Does Brother Chuan have any advice?" Chen Lin stopped dwelling on his reputation, still addressing Liu Lichuan as "Brother Chuan," his tone seeking guidance.

The smile vanished from Liu Lichuan’s face, his eyes turned cold, and his voice became icy. "This matter is being monitored by Lian Tinghuang. There is no other way—we must eliminate him."

The corners of Chen Lin’s mouth twitched imperceptibly.

Eliminate a Prefect? Liu Lichuan’s courage was truly staggering.

Liu Lichuan had expected Chen Lin to be timid or even refuse. But Chen Lin’s next words left him stunned, rendering him speechless.

"I want to know, what kind of person is Lian Tinghuang?" Chen Lin leaned forward, his eyes earnest, his tone as calm as if he were asking about an everyday matter.

"He hasn't been in office long," Liu Lichuan paused, his tone filled with loathing. "But he has already committed several heinous acts. He colludes with Cantonese merchants who have come to Shanghai to seize local properties, and he helps them cover up the opium trade—his hands are stained with blood."

"In that case, there is no problem." Chen Lin nodded, a confident smile appearing on his face, his tone resolute. "I only need Little Mirror to assist me. Within a week, we will deal with Lian Tinghuang."

Liu Lichuan said nothing more, simply nodding gently, his eyes showing a touch of approval.

Liu Lichuan did not keep Chen Lin for the remainder of the meeting. He called for Liu Lihua and asked her to take Chen Lin back to her inn to rest. Outside, the night had grown deep and quiet.

The moon hid behind the clouds, leaking only a faint glimmer of light.

In the distance, the sound of the watchman's clapper echoed—"Dong—dong"—striking twice. It was the second watch of the night.

Chen Lin followed Liu Lihua onto a small boat. No sooner had he sat down than Zhou Xiuying came running from behind, clamoring to go along.

After Chen Lin left, the atmosphere in the warehouse turned heavy.

Zhai Laokou frowned, looking at Liu Lichuan with a grave expression, his tone filled with worry. "This was something we should have done ourselves. To entrust it to a child..."

"Do you still think of him as a child?" Liu Lichuan waved his hand, interrupting him, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Who was it just now who said they wanted to yield the position of the Purple Head to him?"

Zhou Lichun, standing to the side, also frowned, his expression grim. "Lian Tinghuang is cowardly but meticulous. We haven't found an opportunity in all this time. Can Chen Lin... really pull it off?"

Pan Qiliang also leaned in, his tone uneasy. "Chief, does Chen Lin intend for me to sneak into the Prefectural Office for the assassination? It’s not that I, Little Mirror, am a coward, but I really don't have that ability."

"You must believe in Chen Lin." Liu Lichuan’s tone was firm. "I used to see him as just a big boy, but I’ve been wrong every time. This time, consider it a trial for him."

He looked at Pan Qiliang, his tone softening. "Little Mirror, rest assured. Chen Lin would rather die himself than let you go to your death. You just need to cooperate with him."

After saying this, he turned his head to Zhou Lichun, his tone serious. "Lichun, you are close to the Songjiang Prefectural City. If needed, you should assist Chen Lin as well."

Zhou Lichun immediately cupped his hands and bowed. "I shall certainly do so! The matter of Lian Tinghuang originated with us in the first place."

...

By the river.

The three boarded the boat, and Zhou Xiuying snatched the oar from Liu Lihua’s hands.

Her rowing technique was indeed quite good—steady and fast. The small boat pushed aside the calm river surface, the water splashing with a "swish" that sounded like the opening of two transparent gates.

The river was quiet, save for the "creak" of the oars cutting through the water.

Chen Lin did not speak, and Liu Lihua found it awkward to talk to him in front of Zhou Xiuying, so she could only lower her head, watching their reflections on the water.

It was Zhou Xiuying who broke the silence.

While rowing hard, she looked at Liu Lihua, her tone full of anticipation. "Sister Lihua, Chen Lin said he would compensate me with ten outfits. Tomorrow, will you take me to your shop to pick them out?"

"Ten outfits? Can you even wear that many?" Liu Lihua turned to look at her, her tone like that of a strict older sister, yet laced with indulgence. "Besides, our shop only carries clothes for young ladies. You run about on the boats all day; those clothes aren't for you."

"I don't care!" Zhou Xiuying pouted, putting more strength into her arms. "He promised to repay me for saving his life!"

"I'll take you to buy some good fabric tomorrow and have a few sets made for you." Liu Lihua shook her head helplessly, her tone softening. "As for the rest, make him give you cash."

Chen Lin also nodded, his tone casual. "My money is kept with your Sister Lihua. Just ask her for it."

After saying this, he suddenly felt something was amiss—the words sounded as if he had handed over his financial power to Liu Lihua.

Zhou Xiuying turned her head, a mischievous smile on her face, her tone full of teasing. "Aha! I get it! You two have already made a private pledge of love, haven't you?"

As she spoke, she suddenly straightened her face and looked at Liu Lihua, her tone tinged with grievance. "Who said that if you were getting married, you had to tell me first? It's all a lie!"

"What are you spouting nonsense about!" Liu Lihua’s face flushed a deep crimson, the heat spreading from her cheeks to her earlobes, and even her neck turned a soft pink.

For these two "glass sisters," their boat of friendship was truly fragile.

Chen Lin quickly shut his mouth and lowered his head, pretending to look at the water—at a time like this, he dared not interrupt.

Upon arriving at the Liu household, Chen Lin first went to check on Miaomiao. It was very late, and she was already fast asleep, her small face flushed and her breathing even.

Her cheeks were rounder than they had been a few days ago, fleshy and adorable.

At this rate, he thought, she was going to turn into a chubby little girl.

Chen Lin mused to himself. Miaomiao was still young; aside from being a distraction, she couldn't help with anything. Yet, every time he saw her, his sense of responsibility as an older brother was ignited—this was his only motivation to keep striving in this chaotic world.

Early the next morning, Chen Lin felt a sudden suffocation, as if his nose were blocked by something. He opened his eyes abruptly, thinking he was drowning again.

Once he came to his senses, he realized it was Miaomiao, who was lying beside him, pinching his nose with her small hands.

"Brother, when did you get back?" Seeing him wake up, Miaomiao immediately let go and leaned in close, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Is there nothing to do in the Concession today?"

The little girl clearly did not know that her brother had just experienced a life-and-death crisis.

"How could there be nothing to do?" Chen Lin sat up and reached out to ruffle Miaomiao’s messy, yellowish hair, his tone gentle. "Brother still has to earn money to buy Miaomiao something delicious."

"No, Brother!" Miaomiao suddenly shook her head, her expression serious. "Miaomiao doesn't need delicious things, just enough to fill my stomach is fine. Miaomiao wants to be with you."

As she spoke, her eyes slowly reddened. "Father is dead, Mother is gone, and the second brother is nowhere to be found. Miaomiao and you, we can't be separated anymore."

As she finished, tears instantly welled up in her large eyes, crystal clear and ready to spill over at any moment.

Chen Lin’s heart instantly softened. He reached out and pulled Miaomiao into his embrace, his voice light, as if soothing a child. "Miaomiao, be good. Brother is finding someone to help us fix the house; we're going to build a big one. When the time comes, we'll place Father's memorial tablet inside, and then we'll go find Mother and your second brother."

Miaomiao nodded heavily in his arms, then closed her eyes, squeezing out the tears, and wiped them clean with her sleeve.

"Brother, I'm okay now." She climbed out of his embrace, her tone filled with resilience. "You go and do your work; Miaomiao can take care of herself. I've been learning to read with Sister Lihua recently, and I even learned an ancient poem!"

Chen Lin got dressed and went next door—Libin lived there. The bookworm stayed in his room all day, reading, rarely even stepping outside, his skin kept so pale it was fairer than most women's.

"Brother Libin, come with me to the Concession today." Chen Lin pushed open the door, his tone direct. "I'm taking you to meet someone. Remember to pack your things."

"Ah? Have you already arranged it?" Libin looked up, his eyes filled with surprise—judging by his expression, he clearly knew nothing of what Chen Lin had been through over the past few days.

"Everything is arranged." Chen Lin nodded, explaining calmly. "The person is Reverend He Xin of the Concession. He was originally a Western doctor with a broad range of knowledge. If you want to understand Western learning, he is the perfect person to find. Of course, he also wants to learn about our Eastern culture from you—you shouldn't have any problem with that, right?"

Libin nodded immediately, his tone confident. "No problem."

Although he was not a great scholar, he had read many books since childhood; dealing with a foreigner should be well within his capabilities.

After breakfast, Chen Lin took Libin and prepared to head to the Concession. For his plan to proceed, he still required the support of the Concession.

Not far away, at the Wu Family Pawnshop, the old manager had already prepared a boat, which was docked at the riverbank behind the shop.

Wu Jianzhang lifted the hem of his horse-hoof jacket and carefully stepped across the threshold—he was wearing a high-end silk jacket today and sporting a pair of Western-style glasses, clearly intending to meet someone important.

When Chen Lin’s small boat passed in front of the Wu Family Pawnshop, he was sitting in the covered cabin, discussing with Libin the precautions for meeting Reverend He Xin, completely unaware that another boat nearby was heading in the same direction.