Chapter 345: The Fight for the Cellar
Although the villagers dispersed, the village chief stayed behind to accompany the two bodyguards.
For a moment, no one at the entrance of the Wu family’s small building would give way, resulting in a standoff.
The advisor kept signaling Wu Xiaoguang with his eyes, urging him to drive these people away.
But he underestimated Wu Xiaoguang’s greed. “I’ll do what I’m paid for. I won’t slack off, but don’t expect me to do anything extra without extra pay.”
The advisor was furious at Wu Xiaoguang’s shameless attitude and could only grit his teeth and say, “Fifty thousand yuan to drive these people away.”
“At least a hundred thousand!” Wu Xiaoguang countered.
The advisor gave him a cold look. “Take it or leave it.”
When Wu Xiaoguang saw that the advisor really was about to ignore him and was making a call, he panicked.
Before the call could go through, he hurried over and said, “Fine, fifty thousand it is. Consider it me doing a good deed today.”
After the advisor nodded, someone immediately transferred the money to Wu Xiaoguang.
Having received the money, Wu Xiaoguang became more professional. He approached the village chief and whispered:
“Village Chief Uncle, there’s nothing much going on here anymore. Don’t worry, you should go back and rest.”
But no matter how much he tried to persuade him, the village chief stood his ground, refusing to move. Instead, he started lecturing Wu Xiaoguang.
“Xiaoguang, even though you grew up with your grandaunt in the city, you spent every summer and winter vacation here. Everyone in the village treats you like one of their own. You’re young and prone to mistakes, but it’s okay to stray once — you just can’t keep going down the wrong path…”
Wu Xiaoguang felt like he was dealing with another nagging elder and grew increasingly irritated.
“Village Chief Uncle, don’t worry. I’ll learn from my mistakes and change,” he replied, perfunctorily, like placating an elder at home.
At home, even if the elders didn’t believe his promises, they knew nagging him endlessly was pointless.
But the village chief seemed deaf to reason, continuing to repeat, “Xiaoguang, you’re young and don’t understand the dangers. Some people you think are friends actually harbor bad intentions. Stay away from shady people…”
As he spoke, he kept glancing at the advisor’s group.
Wu Xiaoguang thought to himself, These people are like cash cows bringing me money. How are they shady?
The village chief’s nagging seemed endless, and Wu Xiaoguang finally snapped a little: “Village Chief Uncle, don’t you have anything else to do today?”
The village chief replied solemnly, “Helping someone find their way back is more important than anything.”
Wu Xiaoguang: …
The advisor grew increasingly impatient and gave a light cough. “Wu Xiaoguang, don’t forget what you’re supposed to do.”
Wu Xiaoguang had no choice but to keep urging the village chief.
But the village chief remained calm and unmoving. Even the two bodyguards relaxed and found stones to sit on, enjoying the scene.
The advisor was getting anxious. He couldn’t get through to Red Dragon King — it was as if the man had vanished into another dimension. Even though he was just behind the courtyard, his phone kept showing no signal.
He also had to guard against Xu Youyou returning from the county town.
“Wu Xiaoguang, why can’t I reach my boss? Did you do something to him? Take me to see him right now!” the advisor demanded, grabbing Wu Xiaoguang’s collar.
Wu Xiaoguang’s eyes darted around. “You know, this house belongs to the old master. Even though I’m his great-grandson, I can’t just bring people in freely… unless you… pay more…”
Hearing this, the advisor sneered, grabbed Wu Xiaoguang’s collar tighter, and said in a low voice, “You sure like asking for money, huh? I’m just afraid you won’t live to spend it.”
Seeing his fierce look and sensing the threat, Wu Xiaoguang trembled and finally stopped bargaining. “Alright, alright. But I can only bring one person in.”
Only then did the advisor let go.
The village chief chuckled and said, “Xiaoguang’s friend, if you’re going to play rough, why not just give him a couple of slaps?”
Wu Xiaoguang, Advisor: …
“Village Chief Uncle, you’re so good to me!” Wu Xiaoguang said sarcastically.
The village chief replied, “What’s the use of me being good to you if you won’t listen?”
Wu Xiaoguang instantly lost any desire to argue with this unreasonable old man and led the advisor into the courtyard.
Even after they were gone, the village chief didn’t leave immediately. He told the two bodyguards, “I don’t know why Miss Xu wants to meet the old master, but since she’s already persuaded him, I’ll make sure the cellar is rented to her. I’ll stop Xiaoguang from causing trouble. No one else will take the cellar away.”
The two bodyguards realized that the village chief had misunderstood, thinking Wu Xiaoguang had brought these people to snatch the cellar. But they didn’t correct him.
The bodyguards didn’t want to jeopardize Xu Youyou’s plans, and the village chief himself was motivated — if the crew rented the cellar, the village might even have a shot at becoming a tourist spot. He was determined to help Xu Youyou.
When Xu Youyou’s car appeared on the village road, both the bodyguards and the village chief breathed a sigh of relief.
The car door opened, and Xu Fang hurriedly got out of the driver’s seat, helping the elderly Madam Wu from the back seat.
“Wu Auntie, it’s good you’re back. Xiaoguang tends to get confused easily. Please stop him! The cellar’s already promised to Miss Xu. It can’t be rented to anyone else!”
Hearing this, Xu Youyou and Madam Wu realized the village chief had misunderstood, but neither explained.
“Don’t worry, Village Chief. I’ll keep that brat under control!” Madam Wu promised.
Xu Youyou had left two bodyguards at the hospital, but still had over a dozen with her. They all poured out of the vehicles, intimidating the advisor’s people at the door, who hesitated, unsure whether to go in.
Madam Wu led Xu Youyou into the courtyard. They couldn’t find Wu Xiaoguang or the others in the small two-story building.
Madam Wu immediately realized that the brat must have taken them into the cellar. Without hesitation, she said:
“Miss Xu, my father has never liked people going into his cellar. But since you’re his guest and lifesaver, he’ll surely allow it. I’ll take you there directly.”
Xu Youyou, curious about the cellar that Ouyang was so obsessed with, followed Madam Wu to the backyard and finally saw the cellar.
Although it was called a cellar, there was an opening above, so the lighting inside wasn’t bad. Without even turning on the lights, Xu Youyou could clearly see the familiar faces inside.
The Red Dragon King was already in a foul mood. Seeing Xu Youyou enter made his face even darker.
“I’ve already bought everything in this cellar. Anyone who doesn’t belong here, get out!” he growled.
