Chapter 272: The Calm Before the Storm

After dinner, Xu Shaochen escorted Zhao Qingyu back to School.

Zhou Family.

“Everything is prepared, right? Tomorrow’s wedding must go off without a hitch—it concerns our entire family’s reputation.”

Zhou Tianhua said to Zhou Long and Zhou Yun, who sat across from him.

“Dad, don’t worry. Everything is set.” Zhou Long answered confidently. Tomorrow was his wedding day; as the Eldest Brother of the Zhou Family, the ceremony had to be flawless.

Zhou Yun frowned and said to Zhou Tianhua, “Dad, Xu Shaochen is in Yunzhou. What if he causes trouble tomorrow?”

“Hmph! Even if he had ten times the guts, he wouldn’t dare!” Before Zhou Yun finished his sentence, Zhou Long immediately responded with arrogance and contempt.

Zhou Tianhua remained silent, clearly agreeing with Zhou Long.

He believed Xu Shaochen wasn’t foolish. Yunzhou was the Zhou Family’s territory. Xu Shaochen would have to be insane to create trouble here.

“But since he’s come all this way, let’s make sure he stays in Yunzhou for good.” Zhou Tianhua said coldly.

Zhou Long’s spirits lifted. “Dad, I’ll have someone keep an eye on him. As soon as the wedding ends, we’ll send him on his way.”

Zhou Yun watched this scene with a cold expression. The reason he knew Xu Shaochen was in Yunzhou was that he had been tracking Xu Shaochen’s movements.

His intuition told him Xu Shaochen would definitely come tomorrow. But since neither his father nor his brother believed him, he couldn’t do anything about it.

For quite some time, he had repeatedly warned Zhou Tianhua and Zhou Long about the danger Xu Shaochen posed. He wanted the matter to end here and sought to resolve the grudge peacefully, advising against any further revenge.

However, not only did Zhou Tianhua and Zhou Long ignore him, they believed he was terrified out of his wits by Xu Shaochen. They dismissed all his suggestions with disdain.

“Dad, Big Brother, I’ll leave now.”

With a nod to both, Zhou Yun limped away.

Although Xu Shaochen had once broken Zhou Yun’s legs, due to the Zhou Family’s financial resources and advancements in medical science,

his legs, while not fully recovered, no longer required a wheelchair. Running was out of the question, but walking was manageable.

Zhou Yun felt he had done everything he could. Now, he needed to make preparations—secure a large sum of money using his status, just in case.

He believed that even if Xu Shaochen didn’t kill them, he would surely destroy the Zhou Family’s financial power. Preemptively setting aside money was essential.

If something went wrong, he’d take the money and make a run for it.

Zhou Tianhua and Zhou Long frowned as they watched Zhou Yun’s retreating figure. Both were increasingly annoyed by his timidity.

………

“Listen up, you three. By tomorrow, I want this man’s head.”

Chen Dongqiu, filled with rage, handed Xu Shaochen’s photo to the three young men in front of him.

After suffering such great humiliation, Chen Dongqiu couldn’t quell his anger unless Xu Shaochen was dead.

As for why he set the deadline to the day after tomorrow, it was because tomorrow was the wedding of the Zhou Family’s Eldest Brother. No one in Yunzhou would cause trouble on that day.

“Yes, Boss.”

The three looked at the photo, then exchanged glances and responded to Chen Dongqiu with respect.

“Alright. After you’ve done the job, leave immediately for Hong Kong, and then head to Canada. I’ll take care of your families.”

Chen Dongqiu poured a glass of Alcohol for each of them, his tone calm yet somber. He patted their shoulders before his voice grew darker, “If you get caught…”

“Boss, we won’t allow ourselves to be captured alive.” The three quickly interrupted before Chen Dongqiu could finish.

“Good.” Chen Dongqiu nodded approvingly. “It’s good you understand. Remember, if you die, your families will live well. If you’re caught alive…”

He left the rest unsaid, but his threat was undeniable.

“Come, let me toast to your success. May everything go smoothly on your journey.”

Chen Dongqiu raised his Wine glass, and the three young men followed suit, finishing their drinks in one gulp.

………

As night fell, the city lights began to twinkle.

While Xu Shaochen, the target of both the Zhou Family and Chen Dongqiu, was currently out shopping for clothes with Zhao Qingyu.

“Aren’t these too expensive?”

Looking at prices that started in the four figures, with many items in the five-figure range, Zhao Qingyu felt uneasy. Even the cheapest items cost as much as her monthly salary.

“Whether it’s expensive or not doesn’t matter. What’s important is how they look on you. Go try them on.”

Xu Shaochen smiled calmly at Zhao Qingyu.

“Miss, your boyfriend obviously loves you very much. You shouldn’t waste his affection.”

A saleswoman standing nearby smiled warmly, trying to hype up her sales.

Zhao Qingyu was silent for a moment. Then, she bit her lip and picked the least expensive item before heading to the fitting room.

A few minutes later, Zhao Qingyu emerged from the fitting room, appearing at least twenty percent more beautiful.

The saleswoman’s eyes widened in surprise. Zhao Qingyu had already been very attractive, but the new outfit made her look stunning.

“Qingyu? Aren’t you supposed to be in Jiangzhou?”

A surprised voice called out. A tall woman, arm-in-arm with a Middle-aged Man, approached them.

“Chen Sha? Long time no see. I’m here in Yunzhou for some training. Is that your boyfriend?” Zhao Qingyu was momentarily stunned before she finally recognized the woman.

Chen Sha rested her arm on the Middle-aged Man with pride as she said, “This is my Husband. We’re already married.”

“Congratulations,” Zhao Qingyu said flatly.

Chen Sha’s gaze fell on the label of Zhao Qingyu’s outfit. She arrogantly remarked, “Qingyu, just buying this one outfit must have cost you a month’s salary, right? I remember you used to be very thrifty.”

“It’s alright,” Zhao Qingyu replied nonchalantly.

Chen Sha felt like she had punched a pillow—Zhao Qingyu wasn’t playing along, making it impossible for her to show off.

“Miss, pack everything here, including that outfit. I’ll take it all,”

Xu Shaochen said to the saleswoman calmly.

“What?” The saleswoman’s eyes widened in shock. She stared at Xu Shaochen, unable to react for a moment.

Chen Sha was also stunned. Was this a rich and handsome guy she hadn’t heard of? After all, the total cost of these clothes was in the tens of thousands.

“Charge it,” Xu Shaochen handed over a card, then smiled at Zhao Qingyu. “Qingyu, do you like them?”

Only now did Chen Sha realize Xu Shaochen was there with Zhao Qingyu. It seemed they were a couple.

In an instant, her emotions became a mixture of envy and bitterness. She had wanted to flaunt her good life—how wealthy and loving her Husband was—in front of Zhao Qingyu.

But instead, Zhao Qingyu’s boyfriend had spent a fortune on clothes for her, and he was both younger and more handsome than her own Husband.

She had intended to put Zhao Qingyu in her place, but now she only felt embarrassed.