mtl008 Chapter 298 Why did you keep it from me?
Chapter 298 Why did you keep it from me?
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window into the room. Shi Wanxia got up early to begin another busy day.
Shuyun and Cui Zhihao were also preparing to go to the shop. Before leaving, Cui Zhihao went to Shi Wanxia's room.
"Miss Shi, don't worry about taking care of things at home. We'll handle things at the shop."
Shi Wanxia nodded, "Be careful, and come back to let me know immediately if anything happens."
Shuyun and Cui Zhihao left the Shi residence and walked through the bustling streets.
Cui Zhihao looked at Shuyun beside him, his heart filled with gratitude. "Miss Shuyun, we are so grateful for your help this time. If it weren't for your thoughtfulness, Miss Shi would have been distracted."
Shuyun's cheeks flushed slightly. "Young Master Cui, you're too kind. I'm doing this for the Shi family and for Sister Shi."
The two arrived at the shop and began to carefully examine the accounts and goods. During this time, Shuyun secretly met with her friends in the underworld to inquire about Cui Zhihao's attack.
Meanwhile, Choi Ji-ho was keeping an eye on every suspicious person in the shop, not letting any clue slip by.
While Shi Wanxia was at home, after finishing her documents, she began to study the next steps in the family business expansion plan.
She knew all too well that the business world was like a battlefield; one wrong step could lead to total defeat. She had to be careful and cautious to create a wider world for her family.
Before they knew it, the sun was already setting. Shuyun and Cui Zhihao returned to the Shi residence, where Shi Wanxia was already waiting in the courtyard.
Seeing them return, she went up to them and asked, "How was it? Is there a problem with the shop?"
Cui Zhihao shook his head, "Everything is normal, except..." He hesitated, then looked at Shuyun.
Outside the carved window lattice, sunlight filters through the dappled shadows of the trees, casting golden light and shadow, adding a touch of tranquility to this ancient Shi Mansion courtyard.
Shi Wanxia wore a light blue silk dress with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the hem, which swayed slightly with her light steps.
She was sitting at a stone table in the courtyard, holding a yellowed ancient book in her hands, studying it intently. A gentle breeze blew by, stirring a few strands of her hair, which further accentuated the gentleness and intelligence in her eyes.
Not far away, Shuyun hurried over. She was dressed in plain clothes, with a simple gold hairpin in her hair, and her expression showed some hesitation and worry.
Walking up to Shi Wanxia, she gave a slight bow and said softly, "Sister Shi, there are some things I think I should tell you."
Shi Wanxia looked up, her eyes full of doubt. She closed the ancient book in her hand and asked gently, "Shuyun, what is the matter that you are so serious about?"
Shuyun bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "It's about Brother Cui. He was assassinated a few days ago."
"Snapped!"
Shi Wanxia suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up, shaking the teacups so much that the tea almost spilled.
Her almond-shaped eyes widened, her face filled with anger and shock. She exclaimed angrily, "Brother Cui, Shuyun, how could you keep something like this from me!"
Shuyun quickly stepped forward, gently patting her back to comfort her, and said anxiously, "Sister Shi, don't get upset. Brother Cui was afraid you would worry, so he specifically told me not to tell you. He said you've been busy with important matters concerning the expansion of the family business recently and can't be distracted."
Shi Wanxia frowned, feeling both touched and angry. "He's injured, how could I not worry! When did this happen? How badly is he injured?"
Shuyun sighed helplessly and said slowly, "It was three days ago. Those people were ruthless, but Brother Cui is highly skilled in martial arts, so he was not in mortal danger. However, he still suffered some minor injuries. He has been recuperating these past few days, just so you wouldn't notice."
Shi Wanxia was extremely anxious and immediately headed towards Cui Zhihao's residence. "I have to go see him."
Seeing this, Shuyun quickly followed.
The two arrived at Choi Ji-ho's room, the door of which was ajar.
Shi Wanxia gently pushed open the door and saw Cui Zhihao sitting by the window, holding a book in his hand, seemingly reading leisurely.
Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw Shi Wanxia. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile, "Miss Shi, what brings you here?"
Shi Wanxia quickly walked to his side and saw the bandage wrapped around his arm. Her eyes instantly reddened. "Brother Cui, you were injured and you kept it from me."
Choi Jiho scratched his head a little embarrassedly, "I was just afraid you'd worry. It's just a small injury, nothing serious."
Shi Wanxia, however, insisted, "This is no small matter! Who did this? How dare they injure someone right here in the capital!"
Choi Ji-ho's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "I suspect it was done by those who covet the family business."
“Recently, our family has been facing fierce competition from several businesses in the land in the south of the city. They are probably trying to give us a hard time.”
Cui Zhihao still didn't want Miss Shi to know the real reason. He wasn't sure who had done it. For Miss Shi's safety, it was better to keep it from her.
Shi Wanxia's eyebrows furrowed, her eyes filled with determination. "Outrageous! We've always conducted business with integrity, yet they resort to such despicable tactics. Brother Cui, we can't let this go."
Shuyun chimed in, "Yes, we absolutely cannot let them succeed. Sister Shi, I know some people in the martial arts world; perhaps we can ask them to help us find out some information."
Cui Zhihao nodded in agreement, "Shuyun's idea is good. I can also contact old acquaintances in the martial arts world to see if we can find out who's behind this. Miss Shi, you just focus on handling government affairs. Leave these matters to Shuyun and me."
Shi Wanxia stubbornly shook her head, "No, this concerns my family and Brother Cui. How can I stand aside?"
“Let’s work together to figure something out. I refuse to believe we can’t beat those petty scoundrels.”
The three sat together and began to discuss countermeasures.
Shi Wanxia, with her keen insight into the business world, analyzed potential competitors;
Choi Ji-ho then analyzed the behavior and methods of people in the underworld to predict the other party's next move;
Shuyun also occasionally offered her ideas. Having lived in the city for many years, she was quite familiar with gossip and rumors.
Unbeknownst to them, the sky gradually darkened, and the light inside the room grew dimmer and dimmer.
Shuyun stood up and lit the candle on the table. The dim light illuminated the serious faces of the three of them. After a heated discussion, they finally came up with a preliminary plan.
In the days that followed, Shi Wanxia continued to appear as busy with political affairs as usual.
Shuyun socialized with various merchants, but secretly kept a close eye on every move in the business world, not letting go of any suspicious clues.
Cui Zhihao, through friends in the martial arts world introduced by Shuyun, inquired about information everywhere. He traveled between various taverns and casinos in the city, searching for clues from the snippets of conversation among those martial arts figures.
Finally, through their tireless efforts, they discovered some crucial clues.
It turns out that the mastermind behind this assassination was the young owner of a long-established business in the city. He was jealous of the Shi family's booming business and came up with this vicious scheme.
Upon learning the news, Shi Wanxia and Cui Zhihao decided to remain silent and secretly collect evidence before bringing him to justice.