Unknown Intrusion

Chapter 53 Visit
Bedfordshire
Xu Cheng sat in the bright and clean small hall, observing the small groups of people outside and sipping his black tea.

Although the Wu family did not hold any noble titles, they were still a wealthy and prominent family in the prefecture, owning a considerable amount of land and employing many tenant farmers.

In addition, some have held important positions such as members of parliament or judges.

The mansion is situated on high ground, overlooking the entire city. Flowers bloom in the well-manicured courtyard, and expensive racehorses graze in the adjacent ranch.

In addition, the mansion is luxuriously decorated, showcasing the family's wealth.

In front of Xu Cheng were fashion magazines and a list of products for display.

We've been waiting a bit long!

Looking out the window, Xu Cheng fell into quiet contemplation.

I put aside other matters, took the time to take a steam train to Bedfordshire, just to verify a young man's story; it all feels like a dream.

But I can't not come.

"I hope everything goes well." Leaning back on the soft sofa, Xu Cheng closed his eyes for a short rest.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." When the fourth cup of black tea was reduced by half again, the butler led in a man dressed in a trendy suit.

The man looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, still somewhat immature and naive.

"Thank you for coming all this way... I never imagined that my cheese was so famous."

"That's right, I love cheese the most, please let me see the latest style of cheese." Xu Cheng was lying.

In fact, he wasn't interested at all.

But this club itself is made up of cheese lovers.

In any case, Xu Cheng finally got in.

"I see..." the man sighed, "The timing is a bit... unfortunate, my family's business has just encountered some changes."

He seemed unwilling to bring it up.

"I am so sorry that I was unable to entertain you properly despite your long journey, but there was really nothing I could do."

"Please allow me to offer my sincere apologies on behalf of the Wu family."

"Is it an order cancellation issue?" Xu Cheng asked casually, but his tone was unusually certain: "You've gotten involved in a patent infringement case and have to temporarily close down?"

The man lowered his eyes in pain, his tone tinged with resentment.

"Yes, those despicable guys, they're the ones who stole it... but now that we're delaying, every day we're losing a lot."

“I happen to know a few well-known milk merchants who might be able to help the Wu family,” Xu Cheng said with a calm smile.

"Really?" the man asked, looking at him skeptically.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet."

"My name is Xu Cheng. You may not recognize me, but you should remember my family... especially my grandfather, Xu Jin?" With a refined smile on his face, Xu Cheng extended his right hand.

"Just call me Wu Xiuyi." Wu Xiuyi shook his hand back, looking quite surprised: "Are you... a descendant of Sir Xu?"

He seemed to recall something based on Xu Jin's name.

As they shook hands, Xu Cheng noticed that the refined man's palm was covered in thick calluses. He didn't seem like the son of a wealthy gentry at all; he looked more like a retired soldier.

For a moment, many questions arose in his mind.

“Sir Xu Jin, I don’t remember much, but my grandfather did work with such a gentleman.”

"May I pay my respects to your grandfather?" Xu Cheng felt relieved, and his smile brightened.

"Um... if I may ask, what brings you here..." Wu Xiuyi hesitated before asking, "Nothing much, I just wanted to hear some teachings from an elder and, incidentally, inquire about some old matters." "...Old matters?"

Xu Cheng stared at Wu Xiuyi, whose face was full of doubt, without changing his expression: "I heard that your grandfather witnessed what happened back then."

“Oh, I see… I see. That’s why you came to visit…” Wu Xiuyi suddenly realized, then whispered, “I knew it. It couldn’t possibly be for the cheese…”

Pretending not to hear those words, Xu Cheng remained polite and waited patiently.

“Since we are old friends, please come with me. My grandfather happens to have some free time now.”

woo-

The long, drawn-out sound of the steam whistle echoed.

On the open plains, thick smoke and steam billowed into the air, while a massive machine slowly pulled along the railway tracks.

Inside the shaking yet quiet carriage sat a dozen or so men dressed in black, and a train conductor was checking tickets.

"Hello, gentlemen, please show your tickets."

I showed a first-class ticket, 40 copper starfish per kilometer. The train conductor smiled more. I glanced at it and saw that it was all going to Bedfordshire, a total of 33.5 kilometers, with a total price of 10 silver siren. I then lightly cut the page with scissors.

"Lunch is provided in first class. Would you like it delivered to you?"

After all, steam trains now travel at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour, and it takes about an hour to reach Bedfordshire. It's not unreasonable to offer a middle-class lunch for 10 silver sirens.

"No need." The other men remained silent, and the leader made the decision coldly.

"Okay, have a pleasant journey." The train attendant took off his hat in greeting and hurriedly left the carriage.

"Is it confirmed?" The middle-aged man asked coldly after the train conductor had walked away. He was Xu Cheng's and the native Su Yu's boss. His face was ashen, and he had lost all his composure.

"Yes, they've confessed. Yesterday afternoon at 2:30, Xu Cheng took this route! He bought a ticket to Bedfordshire," a subordinate replied.

"Very good, very good... I want to see what kind of tricks my good subordinate is up to!" The boss sneered, his words already brimming with murderous intent.

Anyone who came could see his anger.

Everyone present kept their eyes down, not daring to utter a single word.

"Does this beast realize I'm up to him? Otherwise, why would he suddenly leave the county at this time?" The boss was filled with murderous intent.

"If it weren't for the lord suddenly asking me to investigate the surroundings, I wouldn't have discovered that he had left the county without my permission!"

The order that came this time was delivered in an extremely stern tone, demanding an investigation into all recent business dealings and any unforeseen events. Naturally, the boss was eager to find out what was going on, so he contacted the local tyrant, Xu Cheng.

But unexpectedly... it couldn't be found anywhere.

The more anxious they became, the more they investigated, and in the end, they even went to another county!
I felt fortunate.

"Green Field Train, 40 kilometers per hour... Taking this train, the round trip will take no more than a day, it won't cause too much trouble, and I won't be able to find out about it."

If it weren't for this sudden investigation, he really wouldn't have known—he didn't know how long he would have been kept in the dark!

"I was planning to use him a few more times after a while... but now it seems I can't keep him!" the boss thought gloomily.

Wu Family
In the living room, which served as a banquet hall, there was a long table decorated with a snow-white tablecloth and ornate silver cutlery.

Wealthy landlords and capitalists gathered throughout the venue, raising their glasses in conversation.

Their topics range from the weather to business dealings; they talk about everything.

They usually travel in groups of three or five, and few are alone.

Leaning against the shadow of a pillar in the living room, Xu Cheng adjusted his new tie.

　On the new book chart, monthly tickets and following the reader's progress are the most important. Monthly tickets are limited, so please use them according to your means. Following the reader's progress is controllable; try to follow the reader's progress every day and don't let the book sit idle. Also, please use any recommendation tickets you have; don't save them up. Thank you!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)