48. Who is more lustful?

Ding Muchun naturally would not let him get his way. Sitting down heavily in a single-arm sofa, he said, "Zhongliang, your chance has come. Because of your performance last time, Major Shimazu and Mr. Hasegawa are extremely satisfied and confident in you. I received news today that they intend to recruit you into the Sakura Chamber of Commerce preparation team, with the title of director. Do not look down on it just because it sounds small. After all, you are still young; as long as you perform well, opportunities to rise will be endless."

Zhou Hongyi curled his lip inwardly, thinking to himself, "How stingy."

These little Japanese were still trying to play hard-to-get with him. It seemed they were still guarding against him. He had originally expected them to let him take over the chamber of commerce directly, or at least give him the position of second-in-command. He never imagined it would only be a directorship in a preparation team. Still, no title mattered as long as he held real power; he could still accomplish great things just the same.

Though filled with disdain on the inside, Zhou Hongyi put on an expression of surprise on the outside and said, "Really? But brother-in-law, I don't want to give up my work at the police station just yet."

Ding Muchun said as if it were only natural, "Who asked you to give it up? Just hold both positions concurrently. The police station's advantages are also substantial, so do not let go of either side. I have even been pondering whether there is a way to have you officially attached to Number Seventy-Six as well. I have nothing to hide from the two of you, brother and sister. Although your brother-in-law may look glorious now, in reality, I face obstacles everywhere I try to work. After all, the one calling the shots behind the scenes is still Deputy Director Li. If you can go there, Zhongliang, at least I will have one completely trustworthy helper."

Zhou Hongyi wanted nothing more, but he could not show too much eagerness. He asked with a worried facade, "Brother-in-law, could it be that Deputy Director Li intends to seize power?"

Ding Muchun smiled and said, "It hasn't quite reached that point yet. But you should have heard the saying that two tigers cannot share one mountain. In the Number Seventy-Six Secret Service Headquarters, one person making the decisions is enough; any extra person only serves as an eyesore everywhere."

Zhou Hongyi's eyes darted around. He would never let slip such a good opportunity to sow discord. He immediately let out a disdainful, cold hum and said, "Who was it that begged and pleaded to invite brother-in-law here in the first place? Has he forgotten all about that? Today's Number Seventy-Six Secret Service Headquarters was entirely carved out by you, brother-in-law, single-handedly. Yet Deputy Director Li still guards against you like a thief. That is simply too ungrateful. As the saying goes, 'If you employ someone, do not doubt them; if you doubt them, do not employ them.' Does he not even understand such a basic principle?"

"Hahaha, what a fine 'employ without doubt, doubt without employment.' Everyone understands the principle when they speak of it, but when it comes to actually doing it, it is harder than ascending to the heavens."

Taking advantage of Ding Muchun's rare free time and good mood, Zhou Hongyi hurriedly seized the opportunity to fish for more relevant intelligence.

"Brother-in-law, do you know a man named Gu Tianbo?"

"Gu Tianbo?" Ding Muchun repeated the name, then asked in return, "Why are you inquiring about him?"

"The other day at the Paramount, Miss Manyu mentioned this Gu Tianbo and used him to compare herself with me. Feeling a bit resentful, I wanted to inquire what extraordinary qualities he possesses."

Ding Muchun pointed a finger at him and said, "Zhongliang, youth after all finds it hard to pass the test of a beauty. I have heard that Miss Manyu seems quite taken with you, and even asked about you last night."

"Brother-in-law, the two of us are simply friends."

"Hahaha, you are unmarried and she is unattached. Even if there were truly something between you, who would dare to gossip? As for that Gu Tianbo... that man indeed has some competence in the business world, but he is extremely lustful. Not only has he married four concubines at home, but it is also said he keeps another four outside. One wonders how he manages to divide his time each day?"

"What? Four at home, and he keeps another four outside?"

Zhou Hongyi found himself in a difficult spot for a moment, because the system prompt regarding the mistress did not specify which one she was. Did he really have to visit all four boudoirs?

Just as he thought of this, he heard Ding Muchun add, "However, I heard people say that his most favored one—the newly acquainted outside mistress—is a foreigner, a French girl, living right around Huangpu Park."

"Hoo, that is a prime location indeed. It seems this Gu Tianbo truly dotes on his new flame. But do you know what kind of business he is in? If I become a director of the preparation team in the future, I will inevitably have to deal with these businessmen quite often."

Ding Muchun said, "Gu Tianbo is in the jade and jewelry business. He has seven shops right in the center of Shanghai. If you want to pursue any young lady in the future and give her jewelry, you truly cannot bypass his connections."

"Jade and jewelry business? Understood. If I have any needs in this regard in the future, I will have to ask brother-in-law to bridge the gap and introduce us. But there is one thing I feel unconvinced about."

"What are you unconvinced about?" Ding Muchun asked curiously.

With a mischievous smile on his face, Zhou Hongyi lowered his voice and said, "No matter how formidable he is, he only has four at home and four outside. Compared to you, brother-in-law, he is still lagging behind by hundreds of thousands of miles."

Just as Ding Muchun had picked up his teacup to take a sip, Zhou Hongyi's remark startled him so much that he choked, nearly spilling the water onto his trousers.

"You brat, stop talking nonsense! If your sister hears this, will you have an easy time tonight? Alright, enough of this. Eat your meal and get some rest early. No matter where they are going to transfer you, you must first heal your injuries and face the challenges in your absolute best condition."

"Understood, brother-in-law. Then you and my sister should also go to sleep early. Don't spend all your time on public affairs only to be busy with private ones afterward; your health is what matters most."

Zhou Hongyi's double entendre caused Ding Muchun's old face to flush red. If Zhou Pan'er had heard that, she would surely have come over to pinch his ears again. Laughing, he sprinted far away.

Returning to his bedroom and lying on the bed, Zhou Hongyi began reviewing the various pieces of intelligence he had gathered today, weaving them back and forth in his mind to deduce the possibilities ahead.

The title of director of the Sakura Chamber of Commerce preparation team was currently just something spoken by Ding Muchun; the specific rank still needed final approval from Shimazu and Hasegawa. Yet Zhou Hongyi was not worried at all about holding real power. After all, these little Japanese still needed to put on a public display of benevolence, and since they were letting him join this preparation team, making him a mere vase was out of the question.

As for the businessman named Gu Tianbo, Ding Muchun's tone and reaction when speaking of him just now had been thoroughly disdainful. This disdain was not due to any personal grievances; Zhou Hongyi guessed that this person probably held vastly different political views from Ding Muchun.

Propping one leg over the other, Zhou Hongyi muttered to himself, "Could it be that Gu Tianbo merely has a poor personal reputation, while actually being a patriotic businessman? It seems I must find an opportunity to meet him recently and confirm the exact residence of that new flame."

While Zhou Hongyi was deducing his plan in his mind, the Blind Man, his mother Qingxia, and his younger sister Shen Guduo had already arrived at Zhou Hongyi's Western antique shop, "One Piece."

"Oh my~~~ You must be Xiaobei? Just as pretty as Young Master Zhou described~~"

Since Zhou Hongyi had already informed Xiaobei in advance that he was going to find her a teacher, Xiaobei was not surprised when the Blind Man's family arrived. However, the Blind Man's mother's overly familiar warmth left her momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

"Mother, the girl is wearing a mask. From where on earth could you tell she's pretty?" The Blind Man tugged at his mother's sleeve, signaling her not to frighten the young lady.

The Blind Man's mother rolled her eyes and said, "What do you know? With your old mother's discernment, even if she wrapped her head up entirely, I could tell at a single glance whether she looks pretty or like a fright. Don't be afraid, miss. Young Master Zhou asked me to come and give you some training, and the Blind Man is here to help look after the shop because Young Master Zhou was worried you'd be unsafe here alone. But truly, this Western shop of yours is magnificent indeed~ The things sold in here are things I've only ever seen in the manager's office at the Paramount, and they are all very expensive~~"

Seeing Qingxia touching this and poking that, Xiaobei felt quite helpless and could only steer the conversation back to the point. "Sister Qingxia, Big Brother Zhou has already told me. From today onwards, I must trouble you. I earnestly hope Sister Qingxia will teach me everything without reservation; Xiaobei is endlessly grateful."