Divorced woman with child travels through time

After he left, Hu Chengxin waited a while longer before following the path he had taken to the bedroom. Listening to his thunderous snoring, he confirmed that the man was fast asleep. He then returned to the study, deftly walked to the man's desk, pressed the inkstone, and rotated it halfway. The bookshelf behind it moved aside, revealing a large, antique-looking door with subtle patterns. Hu Chengxin took out two specially made keys and quickly and easily opened the door. This was all information he had gathered the previous night while staking out the place.

Behind the door was a staircase leading down. After a few steps, one entered a huge warehouse filled with countless paintings, calligraphy, and antique jewelry, but not much gold or silver. Hu Chengxin didn't even glance at them. He took out a water bag from behind his back and carefully poured it around the paintings and calligraphy, making sure nothing was missed. The entire water bag was filled with kerosene, not a single drop was left.

Having done all this, Hu Chengxin slipped out the door. Just as the door was about to close, he tossed in a tinderbox, and a red glow filled the storeroom. The door was now completely shut, with only a faint smell of smoke wafting out. Hu Chengxin restored the inkstone to its original position, then turned and left.

Outside the Li residence, the patrolling officials were almost upon them. Hu Chengxin hid in a tree, waiting patiently. Soon, the officials passed by. Hu Chengxin turned around and looked out in the moonlight. There seemed to be nothing unusual outside the Li residence, except that wisps of smoke, resembling those from a cooking fire, were faintly rising above the storeroom. Hu Chengxin smiled. "Very good, the job is done. I haven't let my second brother down. Fortunately, there aren't any experts in the Li residence..."

Hu Chengxin lightly jumped down from the tree, disappeared into the street corner, and ran away without looking back. He didn't need to worry about what would happen next, as someone else would handle it. Hu Chengxin ran home in one breath, collapsed onto the bed, and fell soundly asleep.

On a temple pavilion not far from Li Fu, Wang Hanyang had been hiding in a corner, a very convenient spot to observe Li Fu. About half an hour later, a loud "boom" was heard, and half of Li Fu's warehouse was blown up. It was likely that Li Qingshan's wine cellar had been affected. Wang Hanyang descended from the pavilion with satisfaction.

The noise shook half the sky, and Li Qingshan and the others were all awakened. While everyone below was busy putting out the fire, Li Qingshan sat blankly in the courtyard, staring at the towering red light. He picked up his wine and took a sip, his face expressionless, but the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his anger. He casually stopped a servant who was rushing to fetch water and asked, "Has Li Dali returned?"

The servant hurriedly replied, "I haven't seen him; he must not have returned." After saying that, he went to fetch water to put out the fire.

Before long, the fire brigade arrived. Li Qingshan was still sitting in the courtyard, leisurely drinking his wine. Li Baozhu also came over, "Brother! Brother! Are you alright?"

Li Qingshan glanced back at her. "It's nothing, go back."

Seeing that her brother looked like he had just gotten up and was completely clean, Li Baozhu asked, "What exploded? It was so loud! What burned? Is it serious? Do you need money? I have some more."

Li Qingshan looked at her, his face full of gloom, and forced a smile. She really was his sister, just like him. "It's okay, don't worry. It's just that the wine your brother stored exploded. We still have money. It's alright, go back. There are people coming and going here."

"Okay, then I'll go back." Li Baozhu nodded. More and more people were coming to put out the fire, and it was indeed inconvenient for her to stay here.

Li Qingshan continued to sit and drink, as if the food he was burning wasn't his. Not long after, Li Dali returned with a group of people.

"Master, what happened?" Li Dali asked anxiously. Li Dali was the son of Manager Li and was highly skilled in martial arts. He had always been Li Qingshan's personal bodyguard. It was a matter of great importance, so he went there in person. Who would have thought that something would happen when he returned?

"You don't need to worry about it. Just tell me, how's it going?" Li Qingshan asked slowly and deliberately.

Li Dali stepped forward and whispered to him, "Boss Dai agreed, but he said he needs to clarify the number of people and pay 50% upfront. Regardless of whether the deal goes through or not, the deposit is non-refundable."

Looking at the dazzling flames before him, Li Qingshan said solemnly, "Alright, make the arrangements and send the money to him tomorrow. Tell him I agree."

Li Dali bowed slightly and clasped his hands, saying, "Okay."

Li Qingshan took off the jade pendant from his body and gave it to him, saying, "Have someone else handle this matter. They will stay by my side for the next few days. Also, go and get some more silver and find some good people. You'll need them in the future."

Looks like things are getting interesting. Having an opponent makes things less boring... Li Qingshan tossed aside the empty bottle of wine. "I'm going to sleep. Don't let anyone bother me."

"Yes!" Li Dali ordered his subordinates to fight the fire, while he supervised from the sidelines. His eyes burned with a relentless, raging hatred. "Wang Erniu, it seems my warnings were useless. Now you can't blame me for being ruthless and determined to fight to the death. Poor father, why couldn't he think straight?" Li Dali composed himself. "Hurry, or the fire will reach the side courtyard." The main house was beyond saving; they had to salvage as much of the side courtyard as possible.

When Wang Hanyang returned to Chen's restaurant, everyone was having breakfast. Upon seeing him, Wang Xiaoer brought him a bowl of rice porridge and two steamed buns. Wang Hanyang now lived in town, close to home, and often returned, so no one was surprised.

It was almost noon when Wang Erniu finally arrived with Chen Wenfang. Wang Hanyang stepped forward to unload the goods and asked, "Second Brother, why are you so late today?"

Wang Erniu handed him a jar and asked, "How was it? It's done."

Wang Hanyang took it and said happily, "It's done."

Wang Erniu nodded. "How's Brother Hu? A customer from the north just came and wants a thousand catties of tea. It's the season for tea, so it's been a bit of a delay."

"He's fine, he's sleeping at home."

“Okay, let him rest more and come to Chen’s later to start work,” Wang Erniu said.

"Okay," Wang Hanyang said with a smile. "I'll go and call him over later."

Wang Erniu said, "Call his wife and Zhen'er, and they can all come to the shop to help out from now on."

Wang Hanyang smiled without saying a word, then looked at Chen Wenfang behind him. Chen Wenfang replied with a smile, "He asked me."

Wang Erniu picked up a peanut from the side and smashed it at Wang Hanyang. Wang Hanyang dodged it with a mischievous grin and moved into Chen's shop.

After everyone left, Wang Erniu carried Chen Wenfang off the carriage and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, said coquettishly, "Look, my wife, I don't care what you say anymore, they all listen to you."

Chen Wenfang laughed and pushed away his large head that was leaning towards her, saying, "He did it on purpose, just to give me face. Do you think I don't know that?"

The two entered Chen's shop, joking around. Chen Wenfang also learned about the burning of the Li residence. This incident was a way of getting revenge for him, making trouble for them every day and being disgusting. He deserved it.