Time Travel: Female Cannon Fodder of the Republic of China

Ai Shutong: "As the saying goes, you should get married first and then start a career. Since Li Cheng already has four sons and they don't look like overbearing people, it would be better for General Manager Li to let him go and see the world."

Li Fan looked at Ai Shutong, who was dressed fashionably, and nodded thoughtfully.

After all, this era is different, and he is no longer the knowledgeable and powerful steward of the Earl's Mansion.

Without saying a few more words, they arrived at the glass study room that was both familiar and unfamiliar. This time the door was wide open, and Li Fan took Ai Shutong directly in.

Li Maili sat upright on a carved rosewood chair, holding a thread-bound book in his hand. When he saw the two people come in, he placed the book on the desk with a reluctant look.

"Shutong is here? Sit down!"

Li Fan waved his hands twice, and the servant behind him placed the fruit basket and snack box on the tea table on the side.

"Master, this is the gift from the young lady to you."

Li Maili glanced at it and said "hmm" with satisfaction, "Since it's a gift from the junior, just accept it."

Li Fan noticed that the master's brows were relaxed, and he knew that he was in a good mood. After personally serving tea to the two of them, he bent down and walked out.

"Hey! Why is it so weird!"

Ai Shutong gathered her coat and said, "I learned makeup from Ina, but I was a little too aggressive."

Li Maili felt that she was lying with open eyes. This was not just a bit too much effort, this was simply..., she just died and was reborn again!

She was young and ignorant, and Ina followed her in making trouble!

Li Maili frowned and looked away.

"Why did you come back to Beijing so suddenly? You didn't even tell me before you came! What would I do if I wasn't here?"

Li Maili was deeply poisoned by feudal ideas since childhood, and he always advocated critical education when educating the younger generation.

Even if Ai Shutong was not rude, he would still find fault with her and lecture her. What's more, Ai Shutong did not hand in a visiting card in advance when she came to his house this time.

Ai Shutong, who had just sat down, stood up and bowed to Li Maili, "It's my fault, please forgive me, sir."

Li Maili waved his hand and told her to get up. "Well, you have made a lot of progress. It seems that going to school is still useful."

"When you come to Beijing this time, you can stay at the mansion. I'll ask Li Fan to arrange the yard for you later."

Ai Shutong, whose butt had just touched the chair, stood up again, folded her hands, bowed her head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Master, but I have something to do in Beijing this time, so I may have to go out frequently, so it may not be convenient for you to stay in your house."

Li Maili snorted coldly, "You speak truthfully."

Ai Shutong smiled gently, "I know that there are many etiquettes in the mansion. If I come here frequently, I am afraid that I will break the rules of the mansion."

"Don't worry, sir. I live in the Beijing Hotel, which is quite convenient."

Li Maili knew this better than she did. "The service at Beijing Hotel is really good. I stay there occasionally."

The Beijing Hotel was opened by the French, and the police and gendarmerie did not dare to go in to arrest people. When the situation was unstable, Li Maili would usually leave Beijing. If he could not leave for some reason, he would stay at the Beijing Hotel.

"I have booked a room there all year round. The key is with Li Fan. Remember to ask him for it."

Ai Shutong understood immediately that this was to save her money.

"Thank you, Master. I wish you a happy new year in advance. I wish you good health and all the best."

Li Maili couldn't hold it back any longer and laughed, "Kid, I just said you've made progress, but now you've gone backwards."

"The day after tomorrow is the Little New Year. It's too early for you to pay your respects this year."

"What? You don't plan to stop by the mansion before you leave?"

Ai Shutong quickly shook her head to deny it, "No, no, how is that possible? Shutong would come to visit the master often."

"I'm not afraid of being impolite. I'm wishing you a happy new year in advance!"

What if, by some chance, I'm delayed and fail to wish you a happy new year? Then, next time we meet, you'll have a gloomy face again.

Li Maili didn't know what Ai Shutong was thinking. It was beyond his expectation that she would bring gifts to his house, so he didn't blame her too much this time.

"Come to Beijing before the New Year. Things will be difficult to handle. You have to know how to speak up."

Ai Shutong: "It's not a big deal. I may need to trouble Manager Li."

Li Maili raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked at her, "Li Fan?"

Ai Shutong pretended not to see it and said "hmm" lightly.

Li Maili didn't ask what it was about, and said directly: "Okay, if you have any problems, go find him."

After the two chatted for a while, Li Maili called Li Fan in.

"Master, what's the matter?" Li Fan bent down and lowered his head.

Li Maili: "The lady needs you for something."

Ai Shutong stood up and said goodbye, "I'm going to talk to Manager Li, so I won't bother you any more."

Li Maili waved his hand and said, "Go ahead."

Manager Li took Ai Shutong to the steward's office, asked a servant to serve tea, and then asked, "Miss, do you have any instructions?"

Ai Shutong smiled politely, "I don't dare to take your orders, I just want to ask Manager Li about the matter of Qianduju."

"The former residence on Yongxing Street is now owned by the Li family. Steward Li should be aware of the situation there, right?"

Manager Li put down the tea bowl in his hand and suddenly realized, "Oh! I received a letter from my eldest son Li Zhong before, asking about the situation in Qianduju."

"After asking at that time, I remember sending a letter to the young lady."

Ai Shutong: "Manager Li may not know that I grew up in Qianduju. Mother Lin, who has taken care of me since I was a child, has always been the manager of Qianduju."

Manager Li: "I know Aunt Lin. You were asking about this person. Didn't she leave with someone called Fang Baozhu?"

Ai Shutong was a little disappointed when she heard him say that. "I asked someone to investigate. Lin's mother has returned to Beijing. She has no family left. Apart from her former residence, I don't know where else she could go."

Manager Li smiled and said, "I understand. The young lady wants to find this Lin Ma. How difficult is that? Wait a moment. I'll ask Li Xing to come over and ask about the situation."

"To be honest, the Li family has so many businesses that I can't manage them all by myself. Fortunately, there are several capable managers to support us. Li Xing is in charge of the real estate business, and he knows more than I do."

After saying that, he turned around and told the servant behind him, "Go and see if Li Xing is at home. If he is, ask him to come over."

After the messenger left, Li said, "Li Xing is often out collecting rent, and most of the time he is not at home. Miss, please be patient and let me go ask him. He will get the answer in a while."

Only then did Ai Shutong feel relieved.

I am not lucky today. The messenger came back and said that Li Xing is not at home. He went to the farm outside Beijing to collect rent and may not be back for two days.

Ai Shutong sighed again, she was destined to be cannon fodder. If she were the heroine, she wouldn't have to run around so much, the news would be delivered directly to her.

Seeing Ai Shutong's depressed expression, Manager Li asked quickly, "Miss, are you worried?"

Ai Shutong nodded: "Does Manager Li have any other ideas?"

Manager Li: "Yongxing Street is not far away, why not let my son Li Cheng run there?"