In Blue Poplar Village, Ma Wu was trying to persuade Chu Er.
"Sell Hundred Joy Gate to Monkey Qiu while you still have the chance," he advised.
Chu Huaiyuan had waited for so long, and when Ma Wu finally arrived, this was what she heard.
Chu Huaiyuan lost control on the spot, lunging at Ma Wu and struggling with him. "Hundred Joy Gate is mine! Why should I give it to him? Why?!"
Ma Wu pushed Chu Er away, barking, "If you want to make a scene, go home and do it! Don’t come looking for trouble here!"
"Why?" Chu Er cried bitterly. "I’ve put so much effort into acquiring Hundred Joy Gate! Why should he get it just like that? Doesn’t the contract in black and white mean anything?"
Ma Wu straightened his torn clothes. Composing himself, he said, "When I was down on my luck, you nearly killed me, and I haven’t even settled that score with you. By rights, I shouldn’t be saying anything more to you. But this matter has dragged me into it, so I’m just giving you a heads-up. Monkey Qiu doesn’t want to make a big fuss right now, so take advantage of that and sell Hundred Joy Gate to him for a fair price. When Lu Dongliang was in charge, he handed most of the business dealings to Monkey Qiu. Calm down and think about it—how ruthless is Monkey Qiu? If you don’t care about your own life, that’s your business, but don’t drag me into this again!"
Chu Er shook her head. "I don’t trust you. What about your friend? Where is Li Qi? He’s a man of his word; let him meet me!"
Ma Wu sat on the sofa and took a big gulp from his wine glass.
Ma Wu had repeatedly stated to the newspapers that there was no special relationship between him and Chu Er. However, the newspapers paid no heed, constantly churning out stories, big and small, about their fabricated past.
Chu Er glared at Ma Wu, her voice hoarse. "If I can’t hold on to Hundred Joy Gate, you won’t get off easy either! If we have to die, we’ll die together!"
Ma Wu glowered back at Chu Er. "I’ll ask you again—did you get the newspapers to write those stories?"
Chu Er raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it was me! So what? You don’t want to be associated with me? Fine! Give me a good idea, and I’ll make the newspapers quiet down tomorrow!"
Ma Wu frowned at Chu Er.
Zuo Wugang was indecisive, but as a Chief Custodian, his fundamental skills were sound.
Ever since Chu Er came to Blue Poplar Village, she hadn’t dared to leave, worried that Monkey Qiu would resort to dirty tricks. The few times she sent Yang Yanzheng out, it was only to Greenwater City to gather information.
Ma Wu was still considering how to persuade Chu Er when Chief Custodian Zuo Wugang entered the room, looking tense. "Young Master Wu, Monkey Qiu is here."
"Who did he send?" Ma Wu immediately rose from the sofa.
"He came himself."
Given Zuo Wugang’s combat abilities and experience, there were not many people he feared, but Monkey Qiu was one of them.
Upon hearing this, Chu Er immediately stood up. "Good, he’s here! Just in time to settle this once and for all!"
Ma Wu called out, "Miss Er, this is my territory, after all. Please, show me some respect. When you meet Butler Qiu, speak to him properly!"
Yang Yanzheng also chimed in, "Miss, please listen to Young Master Wu this once."
Chu Er said no more. Ma Wu personally went out to invite Monkey Qiu in.
Monkey Qiu did not come alone; Lu Yuanshan was with him.
Once everyone was seated, before any pleasantries could be exchanged, Chu Er glared at Monkey Qiu. "Steward Qiu, speak plainly. I have no patience for beating around the bush. Is it my life you want? If you have the guts, come and take it!"
Hearing this, Wen Hongyan prepared for a deadly fight.
Seeing this, Zuo Wugang awaited Ma Junyang’s orders.
Yang Yanzheng tugged at Chu Er’s sleeve, urging her to calm down.
Lu Yuanshan gave a dry laugh and turned to Ma Wu. "Junyang, control your woman. How can she be so rude in front of her elders?"
Ma Wu took a deep breath. "Brother Shan, she’s not my woman. There are many misunderstandings here; we need to talk things over slowly..."
Chu Er cut him off, "No need to speak! Qiu Zhiheng, what exactly do you want from me?"
Monkey Qiu calmly replied, "I want to buy Hundred Joy Gate."
Chu Er slammed the table. "Not selling!"
Lu Yuanshan frowned. "Crazy woman, can’t you speak properly?"
Ma Wu pressed his palms down, signaling both sides to calm down. "Uncle Qiu, since you want to buy, shouldn’t we also discuss the price?"
Qiu Zhiheng nodded. "Alright, at least there’s one sensible person here. Five hundred thousand Ocean Dollars. Do you find this amount suitable?"
Chu Er clenched her teeth. "Five hundred thousand? Are you joking? Lu Dongjun sold Hundred Joy Gate to me for eight hundred thousand Ocean Dollars, and you offer to cut the price by almost half? Why should I sell it to you?"
Ma Wu addressed Qiu Zhiheng, "Uncle Qiu, this price indeed isn’t right. Hundred Joy Gate is a landmark of Greenwater City..."
"Buy half." Qiu Zhiheng looked at Ma Wu with a smile. Ma Wu was stunned.
Chu Er shouted furiously, "I’m not selling even half! I won’t deal with you people..."
Ma Wu glanced at Chu Huaiyuan. She felt blood rushing upwards, congealing near her neck, choking her.