Trafford's Trading Club

Bai Shuitang scoffed, “The Song Family operates with an iron fist, especially under Song Tianyou. Ten years ago, he wasn’t the low-profile person he is now, but rather ruthless. The Song Family has always responded to deadly feuds with an eye for an eye, blood for blood. Your family killed Song Tianyou’s daughter and son-in-law, so of course, he would exterminate your family. It’s already merciful of Song Tianyou not to bury your entire country with you.”

Bazel also replied coldly, “You’re not a good person either.”

Bai Shuitang remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

He slowly sat down and said calmly, “Bazel, I don’t see you as an enemy, but as a partner. You want to destroy the Song Family, and I want their wealth; we each get what we need. I’m just reminding you, before we succeed, don’t let anger cloud your reasoning.”

Bazel raised his cup, drained it of tea, and remained silent.

This time, Bai Shuitang adjusted his clothes and stood up, “I should get to work soon. If there’s any news, I’ll notify you to take action.”

Bazel suddenly said, “In a couple of days, my people will all be here.”

Bai Shuitang frowned, “So soon? It’s much earlier than the planned schedule.”

Bazel responded, “They can’t wait any longer… These ten-plus years, their patience has worn out. If they aren’t satisfied soon, even I won’t be able to control them.”

“Hatred is not a good thing.” Bai Shuitang shook his head, “I’ll act when the time is right.”

“You’d better.” Bazel watched Bai Shuitang’s departing figure, his eyes filled with intense killing intent, “The Song Family’s wealth, with you? That’s my… nation’s wealth!”

…

In fact, from the teahouse to the Zhonghua Street Chamber of Commerce office, it was just a few hundred meters away, yet Bai Shuitang still left in his chauffeured car.

At this time, the performance inside the teahouse had also ended, with the next session in the afternoon. Luo Qiu glanced once more; Bazel had also left soon after, though not through the main entrance of the teahouse.

Luo Qiu thought for a moment—it was indeed as Song Ying had said, families like the Song Family that rose to power were concealments of deadly traps.

He shook his head and, after leaving the tea money on the table, also left.

At this time, Luo Qiu first went to the Zhonghua Street market to buy some groceries, then meandered to Yuna’s home, finding that Mr. Blind and Song Da had already departed.

Yuna was alone at home, her thoughts unknown.

Luo Qiu didn’t linger, and so he walked towards the Zhonghua Street Chamber of Commerce. He didn’t enter the Chamber of Commerce, merely heading to the alley behind it where the rear door was located.

When he first came to this place, Song Haoran had brought him here once. Luo Qiu was quite interested in the ‘Gate of Life’ specially set up by Old Master Song, but at that time, it had already been quietly sealed by Bai Shuitang.

Now the ‘Gate of Life’ was not sealed. Upon arriving, Luo Qiu saw a woman open the ‘Gate of Life,’ her expression bleak as she walked out.

Luo Qiu, unnoticed, walked to the woman’s side, just as a man in a suit, presumably an employee of the Chamber of Commerce, also emerged from the ‘Gate of Life.’

This man said coldly, “Go back and think it over. We can help with this, but now there are new rules. You know, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

The middle-aged woman pleaded, “I wouldn’t be here knocking on the ‘Gate of Life’ if I wasn’t out of options. Didn’t Old Master Song say that, no matter the difficulty, as long as they’re Chinese from Zhonghua Street, they can come?”

“That was before!” The suited man replied impatiently, “Yes, Old Master Song did say that. But think about it, what times are we in now? The Song Family has so many members, how much do you think it costs to sustain them? You who come knocking on the ‘Gate of Life,’ say a few words, and we have to provide manpower and resources. Who can bear that for long? Help is available, but pay according to the difficulty of your case! That’s the rule now!”

The woman lamented, “If I had enough money, would I need to come here and knock on the ‘Gate of Life’? I’ve reached a dead end! Brother, please, have some mercy…”

“No money?” The suited man chuckled lightly, “Don’t you have a house? If you just mortgage your house to us, your problem will be solved immediately!”

The middle-aged woman was instantly tense, “I can’t! That house represents a lifetime of hard work for my husband and me, it’s my daughter’s dowry!”