Chapter 169: Moving into the Yu Residence

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Lin Sangqian hurriedly arrived at a cake shop under the Mai Ken Ji brand, only to find it in utter disarray. The manager and staff wore panicked expressions, and upon seeing Lin Sangqian, they were overwhelmed with guilt.

“Boss!” The manager immediately knelt before Lin Sangqian, tears streaming down his face. “It’s all my fault—I was incompetent and couldn’t protect the shop. Not only was everything inside destroyed, but all the money was stolen…”

Stores under Mai Ken Ji were required to hand over their monthly earnings to Lin Sangqian at the end of each month. Normally, the money was kept safely in the cash safe.

But unexpectedly, a group of bandits sneaked in last night, wreaked havoc, and stole all the money from the safe.

“Get up first. This isn’t entirely your fault,” Lin Sangqian quickly helped him to his feet. “Money can be earned again. As long as you’re all safe, that’s what matters.”

“But they took over a hundred taels,” the manager choked out.

He wiped his eyes and said, “Xiao Hu, who was on duty here last night, was slashed by the bandits.”

“What?” Lin Sangqian was stunned. “Where is he now?”

“In the back room. Don’t worry, boss—it’s not serious.”

Lin Sangqian hurried over and saw Xiao Hu sitting on a chair, his arm wrapped in bandages.

“Boss,” Xiao Hu stood up quickly upon seeing her.

“Sit down,” Lin Sangqian said as she checked his pulse and examined the wound.

It wasn’t serious, but she still took out the best medicine from her space and rebandaged it carefully.

“I failed to stop those bandits. I’m useless,” Xiao Hu said guiltily.

“Don’t say that. Keeping your life is the most important thing,” Lin Sangqian said sternly. “If something like this happens again, you must not confront them. Let them take whatever they want—you just hide and stay safe.”

Xiao Hu thought for a moment and shuddered. “Luckily, they only wanted the money and didn’t really kill me.”

“How many came last night?” Lin Sangqian asked.

“About three or four,” Xiao Hu replied. “I wanted to report it to the authorities, but it was already too late. When I saw them taking the money, I tried to stop them. I didn’t expect one with a scar on his face to slash me.”

Lin Sangqian frowned and warned, “Don’t do that again. Your life comes first.”

“I understand, boss.”

Leaving the shop, Lin Sangqian’s heart felt heavy. She had originally thought closing only some of the stores would suffice, but now it seemed better to close all of them temporarily and send the staff home for a few days—not to go out at all.

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After all, the townspeople probably wouldn’t have much appetite to come to Mai Ken Ji for food during this unsettled time.

Lin Sangqian, Zhao Lan’er, and others split up to notify all the shops to close temporarily.

As soon as they returned home, Yu Jingxiao sent word that the town was unsafe and suggested they stay at the Yu residence for a while.

The Yu household had many servants and guards, making it somewhat safer.

Besides, the Yu estate was large—having a few more people wouldn’t matter.

Lin Sangqian agreed and immediately had her family pack their things to move to the Yu residence.

She regretted not hiring some guards earlier. The town had always been peaceful; she never expected such a bandit gang to appear.

Liao Shuxia’s first thought was to bring her treasured embroidery piece, which should be finished in a few months. If anything happened to it now, she feared she’d cry.

When Wang Qiongshi heard they were moving to the Yu residence, she immediately refused to go home.

“Qi Erliu lives at the Yu estate, doesn’t she? Hmph, last time’s lesson wasn’t enough! This time, I’m coming with you all to see what mischief she tries.”

“Can you stop causing trouble?” Lin Yanbei snapped impatiently. “At a time like this, why stir things up?”

“How am I causing trouble?” Wang Qiongshi looked aggrieved. “Do you just want me gone? Don’t want to see me?”

“Exactly!” Lin Yanbei said firmly.

Wang Qiongshi was speechless. She wiped her face and said, “I’m not leaving. That’ll teach you.”

Everyone else was speechless.

This girl’s logic was impossible for normal people to follow.

“It’s so chaotic outside, and the road to Pingci County is still a ways off. Sending her back isn’t safe,” Liao Shuxia said. “She should come with us to the Yu residence.”

“Okay!” Wang Qiongshi happily linked arms with Liao Shuxia. “Auntie is still the kindest to me.”

Lin Beitao frowned and stopped paying her any mind.

After a quick packing, they set off for the Yu estate.

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“What did you say? You had them all move here?” Qi Erliu asked incredulously, nearly dropping her teacup.

“Yes,” Yu Jingxiao took a sip of tea. “It’s too unsafe outside.”

“That’s their problem. What does it have to do with us?”

Yu Jingxiao frowned. “The Lin family and I have known each other for over four years; they are my friends. A close friend of mine, before leaving this town, specifically asked me to take good care of Miss Lin.”

“A close friend? Who?”

“You don’t know them,” Yu Jingxiao said. “Besides, the Yu family and Lin family have many business ties. If something were to happen to the Lin family, it would harm our business as well.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have made the decision without consulting me!” Qi Erliu snapped.

Before Yu Jingxiao could reply, a cold voice interrupted, “What, Jingxiao is the head of the family—doesn’t he have any say at all?”

Qi Erliu turned to see Kang Ya entering.

She gritted her teeth, displeased, but could only lower her head and say, “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then why are you so upset?” Kang Ya sneered.

Qi Erliu was indeed anxious. She had always feared those seductive women from the Lin family would lure Yu Jingxiao away, and now they were moving into the Yu estate! This only gave them more opportunity!

Yet, she could do nothing to stop it.

Her earlier outburst at Lin Sangqian and the others had already left Yu Jingxiao wary of her. If she tried to interfere again, her gentle, virtuous image would be completely destroyed.

At that moment, Yuan Bo came in and said, “Young Master, Miss Lin and her group have arrived.”

“Hmm, I’ll go see them,” Yu Jingxiao said, getting up.

Qi Erliu hurried to follow. Kang Ya looked at her retreating back and scoffed disdainfully.

Lin Sangqian led her family into the Yu estate. Seeing Yu Jingxiao and Qi Erliu approaching, she smiled and said, “Thank you, Young Master Yu, for your kindness in taking us in.”

“You’re welcome. We are friends,” Yu Jingxiao replied.

At that moment, Master Ge, who had come along with the Lin family, suddenly looked at Qi Erliu and asked, “Madam, haven’t we met before somewhere?”