Chapter 140: The Patsy

October 13, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

Chu Xuan replied without hesitation, “No problem. Go ahead and tell me.”

Even if it were ten thousand favors, she’d help.

Mu Chenze lowered his voice deliberately. “I need you to find someone. He lives in a courtyard at the northeast corner of the intersection of Jixiang Road and Xingfu Road. The gate is black. When you get there, give my name and say, ‘A friend from afar has come.’ He’ll give you the yarn and the bicycle.”

Chu Xuan smiled. “This isn’t me doing you a favor—it’s you helping me. You’re really efficient, aren’t you?”

“It’s just a coincidence he has what you need. I’ve already paid. Just pick up the goods.”

“The source…”

“No problem with the source. That man doesn’t steal, rob, or cheat.”

“Alright. Anything else?”

“The county security team should be searching Feng Chunhua’s place by now, right?”

“I’m not sure about that.”

Mu Chenze probed, “You could ask Wei Qiang.”

Chu Xuan answered calmly, “I’m not that close with Wei Qiang.”

“Really? Not close?”

Mu Chenze’s tone was a little sarcastic.

Chu Xuan picked up on it. “What do you mean by that? Speak properly.”

Realizing he’d overstepped, Mu Chenze quickly reined in his emotions. “I just mean, even if you’re not close, you could get to know him. One more friend, one more path. But if you don’t want to ask him, that’s fine. I’ll ask my classmate to help.”

“No need to trouble your classmate. Once I pick up the bike and the yarn, I’ll go ask Wei Qiang. You’re right—one more friend, one more path. I’ll try to make Wei Qiang a good friend.”

Hearing this, Mu Chenze instantly felt like he’d shot himself in the foot; there went his chance to shine.

Little did he know, Chu Xuan just didn’t want him getting involved in these matters.

Seeing that Mu Chenze didn’t need anyone to look after him, she left the hospital.

She went to the bank to deposit money.

She had a lot to do today, so the pickpocket-catching plan would have to wait for another day.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived at the courtyard Mu Chenze had described.

The gate was tightly shut.

Chu Xuan knocked.

A man’s hoarse voice came from inside. “Who is it?”

Chu Xuan replied softly, “Mu Chenze sent me. A friend from afar has come.”

After giving the code phrase, the gate opened.

The man was burly, with clear eyes—not the look of a shady dealer.

He pointed to a brand-new 28-inch bicycle in the yard. “Take it. The cloth bag on the handlebars has the yarn he wanted.”

“Thank you.”

Chu Xuan stepped forward, checked everything over, and, seeing nothing amiss, wheeled the bike out.

Just then, a small, delicate-looking young man, about twenty, entered the yard. “Bro, made another sale?”

He glanced at Chu Xuan, eyes darting away nervously.

Afraid of being recognized.

Chu Xuan thought he looked familiar.

Wasn’t this the pickpocket who’d tried to slash her pocket?

Talk about things falling right into your lap.

But in that instant, she started to doubt whether the bike in her hands was legitimate.

She imagined the scene: the pickpocket stealing bikes, his brother finding buyers.

If it was stolen, she absolutely couldn’t take it.

She parked the bike and said bluntly, “Refund! I don’t want the bike or the yarn!”

The burly man looked annoyed. “You think you can just demand a refund? I worked hard to get these! Unless you give me a proper reason, forget it!”

He squatted down, trying to keep his temper in check.

Chu Xuan pointed at his younger brother. “Him—he tried to slash my pocket with a knife on the street. If he can steal money, he can steal bikes! And yarn! I’m not taking anything that isn’t legit!”

She wasn’t the least bit afraid of falling out with the brothers.

After all, they were close to the main road. If she shouted, people would hear.

The man stood up and looked sternly at his brother. “Is what this chubby girl said true? Xiao Ning, are you back to your old tricks? What did you promise me? Have you forgotten how our mother died?”

Xiao Ning hung his head. “Bro, I was wrong! I’ll never do it again. I just saw you get cheated out of so much money, and the creditors came knocking, so I got desperate.”

He immediately bowed to Chu Xuan in apology. “I’m sorry! I was wrong!”

Xiao Ning’s brother’s anger at Chu Xuan vanished, and he bowed as well. “I’m sorry! I didn’t teach my brother well. Please give him a chance to change, and don’t report him to the security team. If you want a refund, I’ll give you all your money back.”

Xiao Ning quickly added, “The bike and yarn my brother got are definitely legit—he has proof. There’s a sales slip from a department store in another city, with the official red stamp. I’ll show you!”

He rushed into the bedroom.

Chu Xuan remained calm. “If you can prove they’re legitimate, I won’t return them.”

Xiao Ning’s brother looked grateful. “Thank you! About my brother…”

“Let me see the receipts first.”

“Alright.”

Soon, Xiao Ning came running back with two receipts.

They were genuine.

The goods were legitimate.

But Chu Xuan also learned that the bike cost 220 yuan.

Mu Chenze had only asked her for 200.

“How much did you sell the bike to Mu Chenze for?” she asked.

Xiao Ning’s brother blushed. “260 yuan. Don’t blame me for the markup—there’s no stock around here, and I had to go out of town to get it, plus travel, lodging, and food expenses.”

Chu Xuan silently cursed Mu Chenze for being a patsy—just to help her get a bike, he was willing to lose money.

Seeing Chu Xuan remain silent, Xiao Ning added cautiously, “We can give you a discount! How about we refund you fifteen yuan?”

Chu Xuan waved her hand. “No need. I’ll take the bike and the yarn. But if you help me with one thing, I won’t report you—and I’ll pay you an extra ten yuan for your trouble.”

Xiao Ning, eager to earn money for his family, agreed without hesitation. “Just say the word! I’ll do it!”

His brother eyed Chu Xuan warily. “You’re not asking Xiao Ning to steal something, are you?”

Previously, Chu Xuan had considered letting slip that Feng Chunhua was hiding valuables in her county house, hoping Xiao Ning would be tempted to steal them and cause Feng Chunhua a big loss.

But now she’d changed her mind.

“No. I’ll come back another day to discuss it. See you!”

She needed to ask Mu Chenze about the brothers before coming back.

She kicked up the bike stand, waved, and rode off.

On the way, she bought a heavy chain lock for the bike.

Then she went to the security team to find Wei Qiang.

When Chu Xuan showed up again, Wei Qiang couldn’t help but smile. “Looking for me?”

Chu Xuan smiled and asked quietly, “Can I borrow ten minutes of your time? Can we talk outside?”

“No problem. I’ll let the captain know. Wait a moment.”

“I’ll wait outside.”

Chu Xuan quickly walked out to a big locust tree in front of the security office.

Soon, Wei Qiang came over and stopped two meters away.

“Go ahead. What’s up?”

Chu Xuan looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then said softly, “Feng Chunhua’s been badmouthing me, but Auntie Li is still really nice to me. That must be because you put in a good word for me with your mom. Thank you!”

Wei Qiang looked skeptical. “You called me out here during work just to say thank you?”"