Chapter 342: The Compass is Destroyed
Hearing these words, Xu Youyou recalled that Old Master Wu had said something similar before.
“Even if you know where the item is, you still can’t find it?” Xu Youyou asked.
Old Madam Wu nodded and said, “My father was very capable but also very stubborn. He kept many things from us children. He only ever revealed bits and pieces to me, but I have long known he was not like ordinary people.”
Xu Youyou believed her.
However, Wu Xiaoguang, standing nearby, couldn’t hide the disdain flashing across his face as the corners of his mouth drooped.
“Great-grandpa might have had some skills, but he was way too eccentric. He didn’t even know how to make money when it was handed to him. If it were me, I would’ve rented out that cellar to film crews ages ago. Where are you going to find a fool now who’s willing to spend hundreds of thousands just to rent a cellar…”
Wu Xiaoguang stopped talking under Xu Youyou’s displeased gaze.
Xu Youyou said bluntly, “The film crew you’re talking about is funded by me.”
Wu Xiaoguang immediately froze, like a chicken being strangled, unable to utter a word.
Old Madam Wu glared at her disappointing grandnephew and said, “Since your great-grandfather didn’t want to rent it out, he must have had his reasons. You shouldn’t speak ill of your elders behind their backs.”
Wu Xiaoguang, who still wanted to get favors from Old Madam Wu, didn’t dare argue with her and could only bow his head.
Meanwhile, in the urban area of Fushan County, Hunan Province, an old man with a gaunt face was sitting in a black Maybach, holding a compass that was humming.
“Head west,” the old man mumbled.
The driver dared not delay and immediately steered the car westward.
After driving for a long time, and with the compass occasionally indicating the direction, they finally entered a village and stopped in front of a two-story building at the end of the village road.
The courtyard gate in front of the house was ajar. One of the old man’s attendants entered, but soon came back out.
“Dragon King, there’s no one inside the house. What exactly is the item we’re looking for? Can we just go in and find it ourselves?”
Hearing this, the Red Dragon King shook his head and glanced down at the compass, which had stopped pointing and was now spinning wildly.
“If the owner hasn’t invited us, how can we claim the treasure?” the Red Dragon King said.
Hearing this, the advisor quickly offered, “Big Brother, I’ll go into the village and ask about the family.”
The Red Dragon King nodded and added, “This treasure is extremely valuable…”
Just as he finished speaking, the compass in his hand suddenly exploded with a loud bang.
“Big Brother, are you hurt?” the advisor asked anxiously.
The Red Dragon King looked at the shattered compass needle and, instead of feeling sad, actually looked pleased.
“I knew it. Such a strong reaction from the compass must mean an extraordinary treasure has emerged.”
The advisor, however, still looked worried. “But the compass was destroyed. That was your most valued artifact. You spent so many antiques nurturing it. Was it really worth it?”
The Red Dragon King waved his hand dismissively and said, “Don’t overthink it. As long as we can get that treasure, it’s worth sacrificing ten or even twenty compasses.”
The advisor, being the most trusted person by the Red Dragon King, was naturally good at gathering information. Soon, he learned from the villagers what had happened recently.
“A pretty girl surnamed Xu, even more beautiful than a movie star, and very generous with money.”
Upon hearing this description, the Red Dragon King immediately knew who it was. His face darkened as he said, “That girl is clever. If she’s involved, we might not be able to get our hands on the treasure.”
The advisor said, “Hearing you say that, Big Brother, I’m worried too. Based on what the villagers said, I suspect the item is still in Old Master Wu’s possession. He had a long talk with Xu Youyou last night. They might have already reached an agreement. Our only chance now is to approach his great-grandson.”
The Red Dragon King nodded, fully agreeing. “No time to waste. We don’t need to wait for the old man to die. Let’s act now. Offer a higher price if needed.”
Back at the hospital, the Wu family thought Xu Youyou would leave immediately, but to their surprise, she stayed by Old Master Wu’s side. Even when she went out to eat, she left two bodyguards at his bedside.
“Miss Xu, if you hadn’t noticed my father’s sudden illness in time, who knows what would’ve happened. You really don’t have to stay here and waste your time,” Old Madam Wu said, feeling guilty.
Xu Youyou shook her head and said, “I won’t say anything polite. My deal with Old Master Wu isn’t done yet. Right now, I want him alive more than anyone else.”
Old Madam Wu wasn’t offended by her bluntness. Instead, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
She was old and couldn’t stay at the hospital for long. The younger family members all had their own lives. The only one who could stay was the good-for-nothing Wu Xiaoguang.
Frankly, Old Madam Wu didn’t trust Wu Xiaoguang at all. If something happened under his care, who knew where to go cry?
Although Xu Youyou was an outsider, with a bunch of bodyguards around her, she was still much more reliable than Wu Xiaoguang.
Wu Xiaoguang, never keen on doing any hard work, also tried to persuade Old Madam Wu, “Great-aunt, if you have free help, why force me to suffer? I have things to do, so I’m leaving.”
Just as he was about to leave, his phone rang.
“Two hundred thousand? Tell me again… I usually don’t agree to these things… but since you’re being so sincere, fine, five hundred thousand, final price!” Wu Xiaoguang said into the phone.
Old Madam Wu’s face darkened immediately. “Who are you dealing with now? Are you getting involved in something illegal again?”
Hearing this, Wu Xiaoguang quickly pocketed his phone and put on a show.
“Great-aunt, you’ve never liked me! You’re prejudiced against me! I swear I haven’t done anything illegal! But if you keep looking at me like that, maybe I will do something illegal just to show you!”
Old Madam Wu remained unmoved and said, “If you really do something illegal, you’re no longer my grandnephew. Don’t come crying to me when you get into trouble.”
Wu Xiaoguang snorted heavily. “Fine, I won’t! And don’t think you’re doing me any favors. I don’t care!”
After saying this, he stormed out of the hospital.
Old Madam Wu’s face was filled with worry, almost solidifying into something tangible.
“That useless brat. Who knows what trouble he’s going to cause now?”
Xu Youyou comforted her. “Madam, if he won’t listen to advice, there’s no point in worrying yourself sick. Every child has their own fate. Trying to control everything will only add to your troubles.”
