Little Pink Starfish

Big Brother Gu’s Orders, The Chief’s Complicated Mood

“To secure the Grand Prince’s position, the Hua family will fight us to the bitter end if needed,” Gu Xingnuo said quietly to Gu Xinglang and Yu Xiaoxiao. “Sending money into the palace privately is a capital crime. Us sneaking it out is also a capital crime.”

Gu Xinglang frowned. “But if we use that money to buy land, won’t the Hua family get suspicious?”

“Suspicion isn’t conviction,” Gu Xingnuo replied calmly. “Without proof, what can they do to us?”

“I get it,” Yu Xiaoxiao said. “As long as we shamelessly deny everything, we’ll be fine.” Just like when she knocked over a building at Delight Tavern—pretend it didn’t happen and all was well. As for why the Hua family would go all out for the Grand Prince, Princess Xiaoxiao simply ignored the logic.

Gu Xingnuo chuckled. Harsh as her words were, she wasn’t wrong. “As long as we aren’t the ones who cash the notes ourselves, they can’t touch us.”

“Then who will withdraw the money?” Gu Xinglang asked.

“We can go in disguise,” Yu Xiaoxiao suggested.

“No need to go that far,” Gu Xingnuo said. “Xiao Wei!”

“I’m here,” Xiao Wei called from outside.

“Go get Xiong Xiong,” Gu Xingnuo ordered.

“Yes, sir!” Xiao Wei ran off.

“You want Bear Bear to go?” Yu Xiaoxiao said. “Big Brother, he wanted to follow me around. If people see him, they’ll figure out it’s us.”

“It’s fine,” Gu Xingnuo assured her. “He and his men will wear masks.”

Gu Xinglang jerked upright. “Are we withdrawing money or robbing a bank?”

“Good plan,” Yu Xiaoxiao agreed.

—

At that moment, Bear Bear was sitting outside Li Wan’s room, exhausted but unwilling to go far. Life had been full of chaos lately, and he wasn’t ready to be apart from her just yet.

Inside, he was saying, “Don’t worry. I’ll ask your fourth brother to come tomorrow. If you want to leave with him, I won’t stop you.”

Xiao Wei approached and sneered, “Saying something that contradicts your heart? Impressive.”

Bear Bear glared. “What do you know? You don’t even have a girl.”

“Young Master wants to see you. Come with me,” Xiao Wei interrupted coldly. “Move quickly.”

Bear Bear jumped up. Young Master Gu wants to see me? Is this it—my judgment day? Will I be rewarded or executed? “What does he want?”

“You’ll find out when you get there,” Xiao Wei replied curtly.

Bear Bear followed, grumbling. “I’m on the princess’s side too. We’re colleagues, you know?”

Xiao Wei gave him a silent look of disdain.

“Keep it up,” Xiao Wei muttered as he turned away. “You still won’t beat me.”

Bear Bear fumed but couldn’t find an outlet for his frustration.

—

Once inside the side hall, before Bear Bear could even bow, Yu Xiaoxiao waved cheerfully. “Bear Bear, come sit!”

If she were alone, he’d dare sit. If it were just Gu Xinglang here, he might still try—after all, the third young master did everything his wife said. But Gu Xingnuo? No way. That smiling face was clearly dangerous.

“How are your injuries?” Gu Xingnuo asked with a grin.

“The doctor said I need rest,” Bear Bear replied cautiously, thinking, Better cling to the Gu family, or Li Yuanle will beat me to death.

“Bad injury?” Gu Xingnuo’s smile didn’t fade. “The Gu family doesn’t feed freeloaders.”

Bear Bear stood straighter. “Not that bad, sir! The doctor was exaggerating! I’m totally fine. I’ll work hard!”

“You said you were badly hurt, then not badly hurt, then totally fine.” Yu Xiaoxiao tilted her head. “So which is it? I think Miss Li shouldn’t be with someone dishonest.”

Bear Bear dropped to his knees. Three sentences and she wants to destroy me?!

Gu Xingnuo waved a hand. “We’ll deal with the Miss Li matter later.”

Bear Bear tried to plead, but Gu Xingnuo cut him off. “We don’t get to decide what happens there. I have something else for you.”

Bear Bear grew wary. “What is it?”

“We’re old allies with the Li family of Chengzhou,” Gu Xingnuo said meaningfully. “Some things, we can speak for.”

“Just say the word, sir. I, Xiong Xiong, will go through fire if needed!”

Gu Xingnuo waved him closer. On the table sat three bank notes. Bear Bear’s eyes nearly popped.

“You and your men go to Huixin Bank tonight,” Gu Xingnuo said softly, pushing the notes forward. “Exchange these for silver.”

Bear Bear’s jaw dropped. “F-Forty thousand taels?!”

“After exchanging, don’t bring the silver back to the Gu residence. Go here instead.” Gu Xingnuo handed him an address. “I’ll meet you there in the morning.”

Bear Bear saw the address, far from the Gu estate. Without thinking, he blurted out, “This is dirty money, isn’t it?”

Gu Xingnuo just smiled.

A chill ran down Bear Bear’s spine.

“You’ll wear masks,” Gu Xingnuo said calmly.

Corrupt official! Bear Bear cursed silently. Still pretending it’s clean money?

“What if we alert the authorities?” Gu Xinglang asked worriedly.

“With the Dali Temple on fire, officials have their hands full,” Gu Xingnuo said, gesturing reassuringly. “The imperial guards will be protecting the palace. Who’ll care about a bank withdrawal?”

Bear Bear’s face twitched. Did you just say no one cares about Huixin Bank?! That’s the biggest bank in Fengtian! They have branches across all six nations. The owner, Master Qian, is one of the richest men on the continent! That’s not a small-time operation!

But he didn’t dare argue.