Chapter 858 Invited to Dongfang Xu’s Mansion
Come to think of it, they were old acquaintances.
Moreover, as Xiu’s friend and uncle, she and Dongfang Xu could be considered on good terms.
However, at the thought of Xiu’s eyes, Lin Mengya always felt guilty in front of the Dongfangs.
She could shift all the blame onto Wanyan Lie and his force.
But she did not educate Xiaoyu, her younger brother, properly and was neglectful in disciplining him, which caused Xiu to lose her eyes.
Therefore, she would not shirk her responsibility in any case.
No matter what mistake Xiaoyu had made, Lin Mengya, as his sister, would try all she could to make up for it.
“Greetings, Mr. Dongfang. I’m sorry for offending your fifth brother out of desperation.” Lin Mengya, who respected the brave and astute Mr. Dongfang a lot, said, very modest in manner.
...
Dongfang Xu waved his hand with an embarra.s.sed look and said, “I see. It’s all my hopeless brother’s fault. He made a fool of himself. I’ve instructed the shop a.s.sistants to pack up all the medicinal materials you want to make amends for what he has done.”
At the mention of his younger brother, even someone as broad-minded as Dongfang Xu felt a little helpless.
Fortunately, his younger brother picked on Lin Mengya today. If he did that to someone else, the person would make a big scene that would make everyone uneasy.
At the thought that the pharmacy, whose reputation was built by several generations of the Dongfangs, had almost been ruined by that scoundrel, how could Dongfang Xu not feel distressed?
“Never mind, sir. Xiu and I are as close as sisters, so I can’t just be an indifferent spectator in any case. But I’m wondering if I should tell you something.” Lin Mengya said, staring at Dongfang Xu.
He said with a knowing look, “Of course, I know what you want to say. But… Xiu has a tough life!”
In fact, Lin Mengya wanted to say that Xiu was still young and far from being able to take charge of the Dongfangs’ Pharmacy as chief with her current reputation and tactics.
Now Lin Mengya could tell that it was no exaggeration to say that the pharmacy could earn the Dongfangs myriads of money every day.
Moreover, since the Dongfangs sold medicinal materials in the pharmacy, they must have caravans responsible for collecting medicinal materials.
In this case, Xiu, who took charge of the Dongfangs’ Pharmacy, must partic.i.p.ate in all links, including supply, transport, management and sales.
Sales of medicinal materials were the foundation of the Dongfang family’s wealth.
How could a girl like Xiu be competent in her job?
This was probably one of the reasons why Dongfang Xu was so anxious to get Xiu and Xiaoyu engaged.
After all, if Xiu became a royal by marrying Xiaoyu, her taking charge of the Dongfangs’ Pharmacy would be more acceptable.
Lin Mengya thought with a sigh that unfortunately, her silly brother failed to recognize what a wonderful girl Xiu was.
Xiu was brilliant, beautiful and intelligent with rare simplicity and myriads of money as her dowry.
It was a pity that she was not a man. Otherwise, she would take Xiaoyu’s place and marry Xiu.
Of course, she could only feel sorry for this.
“Xiu is indeed a rarely brilliant girl. Nevertheless, Mr. Dongfang, haste doesn’t bring success. You are in the prime of your life now, so you don’t have to be so anxious. Given Xiu’s intelligence, I believe that she can be competent in her job in a few years.” Lin Mengya said, not just to flatter Dongfang Xu or ease Dongfang Xu’s anxiety.
Simple people were generally fast learners.
In fact, Xiu was of unsullied character in this sordid world like Xiaoyu.
That was the reason why it was easier for them to distinguish true from false as bystanders.
In a few years, Xiu would probably become the new capable woman of the Dongfang family.
When the time came, who would dare to look down on her?
“Alas, I hope so. However, Miss, I hope you won’t blame me for what I’m going to do. It’s all my fault if I make you feel offended by my rudeness. Come on, take Miss Helan to my home,” Dongfang Xu said.
As soon as he finished speaking, quite a few people came in succession.
In the blink of an eye, the s.p.a.cious fourth floor was filled with a mult.i.tude of muscular men with sharp eyes.
Despite their common clothes, they all breathed steadily. At a single glance, Lin Mengya could tell that they were experts in martial arts.
Baisu nervously stood in front of Lin Mengya and stared at Dongfang Xu, who was sitting in front of her, with cold eyes.
“Baisu, go back with the medicinal materials first. It’s okay. Mr. Dongfang just invites me for a visit. He will never hurt me,” Lin Mengya said.
Compared with Baisu who was nervous, she appeared much calmer.
Well, how could she lose her cool?
It was true that Baisu was a master in martial arts and capable of fighting against ten enemies by herself, but what about the other enemies?
Moreover, Dongfang Xu did not seem to intend to kill her. Otherwise, he did not have to say that.
At present, she could only wait and see what exactly he was up to.
“That’s right, Miss Helan. Please believe that I really just intend to invite you to my home to stay for a few days. I, Dongfang Xu, promise in the name of my family that I will never hurt you,” Dongfang Xu, probably thinking it a little inappropriate to kidnap Lin Mengya, said in a very sincere tone despite his determined att.i.tude.
Baisu didn’t believe it. Nevertheless, at the sight that Lin Mengya did not look frightened at all, she reluctantly believed Dongfang Xu’s words.
“Okay, I believe what you said. But I have to warn you that my master is of a n.o.ble status. If you dare to make her suffer any grievance, I’ll definitely kill you!” Baisu said in an arrogant and cool voice although she was outnumbered by the enemies.
Lin Mengya nodded at her. After warning the men around her, Baisu reluctantly stepped back and went out through the door of the fourth floor.
Seeing Baisu disappear from her sight, Lin Mengya finally stopped pretending to be at ease.
How could she not be frightened? However, Baisu would never put her mind at ease if she appeared too timid in front of Baisu.
Lin Mengya took a sip of the slightly cold tea in front of her and glanced at Dongfang Xu lightly.
She said, “Now that my maid has left, Mr. Dongfang, you can rest a.s.sured. I don’t think I need so many guards. Don’t you think so?”
Even a sculpture could not bear to be watched by so many people.
Hearing her words, Dongfang Xu showed a bitter face. Presumably, even he did not expect that one day he would treat a delicate lady like this.
“All of you may leave now. Make sure to treat Miss Helan with due respect and not to slight her!” He gave orders in a deep voice.
After all his attendants left the fourth floor, Lin Mengya put down the teacup in her hand.
“Sir, no matter what on earth you mean by taking me to your home by force, I must make one thing clear,” staring at Dongfang Xu with her sharp eyes, she said frankly.
“In view of the public and the personal concerns, we are friends rather than enemies. I believe that you know that it’s not a good choice to be my enemy. If it’s your idea to invite me to your home, I’ll take it as a visit to a friend’s home for a few days. If you are incited to do this, you’d better think twice.” She came straight to the point with sharp words.
It was true that given the special situation the Dongfang family was in at present, it was understandable even if they kidnapped her.
Nevertheless, if the Dongfang family was incited by someone to deal with her, that would be a completely different thing.
“Rest a.s.sured, Miss. I’m just going to invite you to my home to stay for a few days. I won’t put you in a difficult situation. Besides, although I make this unwise move, I’m not that kind of despicable person. Please put your mind at ease,” Dongfang Xu said.
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Mengya nodded.
To be honest, Dongfang Xu and Dongfang Xiu were both upright.
She considered this kind of person trustworthy.
Lin Mengya got up and walked downstairs step by step behind Dongfang Xu.
At this time, because of what the Fifth Master of the Dongfang family had done, a lot of the customers in the lobby had left.
The customers, who stayed here, were either newcomers or old customers aware of the ins and outs of the matter.
The shop a.s.sistants, who were busy apologizing to the startled customers, would probably give them a proper discount to make up for what had happened to them.
Lin Mengya glanced at the back hall, where she had confronted the Fifth Master of the Dongfang family a moment ago, with a sparkle in her eyes.
It was not a bad thing to visit Dongfang Xu’s mansion. Anyway, she still needed to seek confirmation from him.
A small sedan chair carried by two people had been prepared outside. Lin Mengya got into the sedan chair without any hesitation.
In fact, she did not have to worry about how long Dongfang Xu could keep her in his mansion, as she believed that Baisu would soon tell that person about it.
As soon as that person came, Dongfang Xu would certainly release her obediently.
Her time was very precious and couldn’t be wasted.
They pa.s.sed through large streets and small lanes.
In the end, the sedan chair was put down in front of an impressive mansion in the outer capital city. Someone, looking like a steward, lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and politely asked Lin Mengya to get out of the sedan chair.
“Is this Mr. Dongfang’s home?” she asked.
The mansion in front of her was a very standard ancient mansion.
As soon as the gate was opened, she saw the richly and elaborately ornamented buildings inside.
“Yes, this way please, Miss,” the steward answered.
He looked shrewd, but he did not dare to offend Lin Mengya.
However, it did not improve Lin Mengya’s mood a lot. In any case, she was threatened and brought here today. It was really hard for her to be in a good mood.
If she wanted to do something, she would feel delighted no matter how exacting and tiring it was.
However, if she was forced to do something, she would only feel restrained even if she lived in a splendid house, slept on a plush bed and feasted on the most delectable dishes every day.
“Well, thank you for leading the way,” Lin Mengya said with a nod.
Then she pulled a long face and followed the steward into the courtyard.
The s.p.a.cious courtyard was obviously the place where they usually received guests.
Pa.s.sing through the verandas on both sides, Lin Mengya followed the steward into the backyard and walked through winding paths until they came deep into the mansion.
The mansion was large, but she barely saw other people along the way.
As Lin Mengya saw, there did not seem to be any female members in Dongfang Xu’s mansion.
Could it be that he, a big shot who held a dominant position in business and had connections with both mafias and officials, had not married yet?
“I’m wondering if your Madam is here. As a guest, I should go to greet her so as to avoid misunderstanding and causing Mr. Dongfang trouble,” Lin Mengya said.
She made a good excuse.
The steward hesitated for a moment and said hesitantly, “We do have a Madam here, but you’d better follow me to settle down and wait for my master to come back and decide if you should do that.”