CHAPTER 63: THE VISIT

Next day.

Lin Xuan Qi woke up and held his hands to his temples.

Pain filled his head, and it felt like nails were being hammered into his skull as the pain throbbed with every beat of his heart.

He had a headache due to the hangover.

"So that’s how it feels," Lin Xuan Qi muttered to himself and he looked up.

It was all but a blur.

He shook his head and glanced ahead again.

His vision took a moment to focus.

Lin Xuan Qi tried to recall what happened the night before.

All that he could remember was having drinks and munching on the meat.

Then, it was a total blackout for him.

He made a note to himself that he mustn’t drink outside of the mansion.

It would be safe for him in the mansion, but certainly not outside.

Begrudgingly, he got out of bed.

There was lots of work to be done.

He had to go and settle the matter for the factories and retail shop.

Lin Xuan Qi changed into the new clothes that Xue Cong had placed on the side of his bed.

After he was done, he proceeded to make his way to the dining hall.

"Are you two all right?" Lin Xuan Qi asked when he saw Xue Cong and Yue Jie’s bloodshot eyes and the dark rings around their eyes.

They frowned and glanced at him for a moment and shook their heads.

Men are all the same, they thought.

"We are fine," both replied in unison.

Lin Xuan Qi shrugged and said, "Glad to hear that. Do take care of your health first."

He sat down and picked up his chopsticks.

Xue Cong and Yue Jie bit their lower lips and sulked for a moment.

They glanced at Lin Xuan Qi, the man who was the source of their troubles and was telling them to take care of themselves.

They stuffed a mouthful of the buns they had in their hands and munched on the buns quietly.

"Master Lee, I need your help to accompany me to check out the factories and the retail shop later," Lin Xuan Qi got back to business and asked Lee He Song.

Lee He Song, who had quite a bit to drink the night before, had recovered and Lee He Song nodded to his request.

Lin Xuan Qi then glanced over at Liu Shi Shi and said, "Help keep an eye on the mansion as usual. And remember, go and seek help from Sima Long in the Sima Mansion if anything happens."

Liu Shi Shi was rubbing her temple, nodded at him and waved at him.

Gesturing that she had everything covered.

Lin Xuan Qi went on and briefed everyone on where the Sima Mansion was.

He sighed and cursed Su Chen and Wu Tong.

Once he could get them off his back, he would be able to do things without being so fearful.

Things were, luckily, moving along in the right direction for him, and he had to wait for the right moment to strike.

After he finished his meal, Lee He Song was already waiting for him with Lee He Song’s sword in his hand.

Lin Xuan Qi took with him the Sima Family Five Poison Balls as a precaution.

He wasted no time, and they left to check out the location of the factories and retail shop afterwards.

...

The factories that Sima Long had kindly allocated to him were on the east and west side of the city.

Which was perfect for what Lin Xuan Qi wanted.

His plan was to separate the process, and the workers would not know what the other side was doing.

The final product would be delivered to the retail store at different times of the day.

Then, the final process would be done by him or someone he trusted.

It was the best he could think of to stop someone from learning how to do it.

Their first stop was the factory on the east side of the city, and it took them two incense sticks’ time to reach it.

The factory was an empty building with cobwebs in some corners.

There was a main building with workers’ living quarters beside it.

It was looking dirty but still good enough to be utilized.

Just some cleaning up would do and it would be ready to go.

Creak.

Lin Xuan Qi pushed the creaking door of the building and entered it.

A bloom of dust came onto his face, and he gave out a string of coughs.

He used his hand, waving it in front of his face, trying to get the dust away.

It didn’t work and he had to close his eyes and stop breathing while he waited for the dust to settle again.

When it was over, he opened his eyes and glanced at the huge opening in the building.

He started to pace from one end of the building to the other.

After which, he did so diagonally.

With the rough measurement, he mentally calculated the equipment he would be able to fit in with the storage required for the ingredients.

He wanted to turn around, but he felt Lee He Song’s hand placed firmly on his shoulder.

Lin Xuan Qi froze as he knew what it meant.

There was someone else with them.

"Let me handle it," Lee He Song said and patted his shoulder with his hand.

"Come out now, before you regret it." He drew out his sword, and it gave out a chilling glare reflecting the morning sun.

...

Magistrate Residence.

Su Chen and Wu Tong were seated and having some tea while they waited for the magistrate.

They stopped and put down their teacups when they saw Magistrate Ho enter the guest room.

They quickly stood up and bowed.

"Magistrate Ho."

"No need for the formalities. I’ve been working with your parents for so long," Magistrate Ho sat down and said.

"Thanks, Magistrate Ho." They sat down and briefed him on their intention for the visit. "We need your help, Magistrate Ho.

"There’s someone causing trouble in the empty Lin mansion.

"We’ve sought help to try to settle it, but we might need your help."

"Lin mansion?" Magistrate Ho mumbled to himself as he glanced at Su Chen and Wu Tong.