Chapter 577 - 380: Assets (Part 2)

Although Duan Rong only praised him lightly at the end, with this friendship, if there is anything in the future, he will be able to speak up.

Throughout the journey, Duan Rong contemplated this matter. He knew that Guo Xiangbao was trying to ingratiate himself with him; ordinarily, he wouldn’t want to accept such a gift. But since the gift was precisely what he wanted, he accepted it. "This Guo Xiangbao has some skills!"

Duan Rong returned to the West Gate Mansion and shared this matter with Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu was naturally delighted. She grew up in the Escort Agency and had been thinking that after such significant changes, Yuan Shun Escort Agency might disappear entirely.

Her father’s life’s work was in the Escort Agency, and she herself was once an Escort Master there. She couldn’t stand to see Yuan Shun Escort Agency end in such a fate.

Now, the agency has been handed over to Duan Rong, which is a good arrangement. She believes Duan Rong has his ways to let the agency develop again, possibly even better than before!

That afternoon, Duan Rong, Xiao Yu, and Zhu Xiaoqi left the West Gate Mansion and returned to Yuan Shun Escort Agency.

Duan Rong locked the big door of the West Gate Mansion again with a large lock, kept the key, and planned to return it to Ximen Kankan when the opportunity arises.

When they walked into Yuan Shun Escort Agency, only a few people were practicing in the Martial Arts Arena. Seeing Duan Rong and his companions enter, those in Escort Master attire were slightly startled.

The backyard of Yuan Shun Escort Agency had already been sealed with a government seal.

Duan Rong went straight over and tore down the seal on the backyard gate.

The backyard of Yuan Shun Escort Agency was well-maintained, the layout was neat, and furniture was complete. They simply tidied up, replaced the bedding and tea sets, and settled in.

The news of Duan Rong and his companions returning to the agency quickly spread among the Escort Masters and Porters in the agency.

Recently, there was much anxiety within the agency.

Especially after the Ruan Fengshan family was exterminated, everyone in the agency feared being implicated, hoping to leave the agency and find new opportunities. However, the big businesses were all ownerless; even if they wanted to switch allegiances, no one would accept them for the time being. They had to wait and gather news within the agency.

Later, it seemed they heard Duan Rong was back to take over the agency. The Escort Masters and Porters, upon hearing this news, whether true or false, felt as if injected with a booster.

If Duan Rong was truly managing the agency, then they wouldn’t leave. Many people had worked as Escort Masters for half a lifetime; who could say what the future holds, should they change allegiances?

If Yuan Shun Escort Agency could stabilize, they were still willing to work inside the agency.

Duan Rong seemed to understand the hearts of the Escort Masters. That night, in the Juyi Hall at the backyard of the agency, he summoned Leader Ye Feng of the first Escort Team, Leader Wang Zhuoyong of the fourth team, Leader Zhao Meng of the sixth team, and the Chief Accountant Xu Fuxian.

Yuan Shun Escort Agency originally had six Escort Teams, but over the years, it declined to only three Leaders remaining.

The four seated below looked solemn, uncertain about what would happen next.

Duan Rong sat on the grand chair that Ruan Fengshan often used.

Duan Rong said, "Bringing you together isn’t for any other reason but that the agency’s operations still depend on you. This agency is the life’s work of the previous generation and must not decline under our watch. What do you say?"

Upon hearing Duan Rong’s words, they felt reassured, their faces showing happiness.

Then, they exchanged pleasantries before discussing specific business allocations.

About an hour later, the four stood up, bowed to Duan Rong, and left the Juyi Hall.

Xu Fuxian, Wang Zhuoyong, and the rest walked out of the backyard to find, to their surprise, a crowd gathered near the backyard gate in the dark night.

Upon seeing them come out, the Escort Masters and Porters eagerly asked questions.

"Chief Accountant Xu, Leader Wang, Leader Zhao, how did it go? What was discussed?"

"Give the brothers some insight."

Wang Zhuoyong looked at the crowd, their expressions of anticipation mixed with worry, and said, "Everything at the agency is as usual; in the future, Lord Duan will be our leader!"

The crowd burst into cheers!

With Duan Rong in charge, the agency stabilized. They no longer needed to seek jobs elsewhere!

Inside the Juyi Hall, Duan Rong watched the four leave, rubbing his temples wearily.

Just then, a faint fragrance wafted into his nose; Duan Rong raised his eyes to see not far away, Zhu Xiaoqi holding a tray with a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup.

"Are you tired?" Xiao Yu stood behind Zhu Xiaoqi, looking at Duan Rong with concern.

Xiao Yu was also deeply concerned about the agency affairs, so while they were discussing matters earlier, she listened for a while behind a large screen.

Duan Rong had proposed many new management ideas; Xiao Yu, listening from behind, found them both novel and commendable.

Xiao Yu was originally an Escort Master, but she was soon to be married, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to handle matters at the Escort Agency anymore. Moreover, she and Duan Rong were both Outer Disciples of their sect. Once their three-month leave ended, they had to roam the world for their sect, making it impossible to focus their energy on managing the Escort Agency.

Xiao Yu spoke as she picked up the bowl of white fungus and lotus seed sweet soup from the tray and personally handed it to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong looked at the tempting sweet soup, but his expression froze.

He really wanted to ask, who made this? Was it Zhu Xiaoqi or Xiao Yu?

During this time, Duan Rong had tasted Xiao Yu’s cooking more than once, and it was truly indescribable!

But when Duan Rong saw Xiao Yu’s gentle and sincere eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to ask.

He took the bowl of sweet soup, scooped a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.

Duan Rong’s mouth twitched as he swallowed it, giving Xiao Yu an awkward smile.

Xiao Yu’s expression was slightly tense and said, "Why? Is it not tasty?"

"No, it’s delicious," Duan Rong said.

Xiao Yu laughed, "Then have more. White fungus is good for your health!"

Duan Rong sat there holding the bowl.

I also want to eat more, but you cooked it so overwhelmingly sweet, how am I supposed to eat it? Did you think rock sugar was free?

Zhu Xiaoqi stood behind Xiao Yu, covering her mouth, watching Duan Rong with amusement.

Duan Rong looked at Xiao Yu’s expectant eyes and suddenly asked, "Was this sweet soup only cooked in one bowl?"

Xiao Yu looked at Duan Rong with bright eyes and said, "Yes! I specially cooked it for you using a small porcelain pot. Top-notch white fungus, fresh lotus seeds."

Duan Rong’s eyes instantly dimmed.

Zhu Xiaoqi behind Xiao Yu burst into laughter, barely holding it in without making a sound.

Duan Rong had no choice but to scoop another spoonful and reluctantly swallow it.

Duan Rong felt that the sweetness was really overwhelming and said, "Xiaoqi, do we have any clear tea? Bring me a cup."

Zhu Xiaoqi finally couldn’t hold it anymore and laughed out loud, "Yes, I’ll go get it now."

Zhu Xiaoqi brought a cup of clear tea, and Duan Rong rinsed his mouth with it, summoning the courage to continue eating.

With the help of two cups of clear tea, Duan Rong finally finished that overwhelmingly sweet bowl of sweet soup.

Xiao Yu looked at the clean porcelain bowl with satisfaction, collected the bowls, bowed, and then left with Zhu Xiaoqi.

After turning past the screen, Xiao Yu looked at Zhu Xiaoqi and said, "He seems to really like it. Xiaoqi, soak some white fungus tonight, and I’ll cook another bowl for him tomorrow."

Duan Rong sat there, hearing the words on the other side of the screen, almost vomiting blood.

No, tomorrow I must make things clear with Xiao Yu; she can’t cook anymore. This could be life-threatening!

At dusk the next day, Duan Rong left the Escort Agency’s backyard. As soon as he reached the Martial Arts Arena, a few Escort Masters practicing there immediately stood up straight upon seeing Duan Rong, and called out, "Shopkeeper!"

Duan Rong was slightly surprised, then smiled and walked over.

However, on his way through the Martial Arts Arena, he was continuously called Shopkeeper by a chorus of voices.

He could see that those people were genuinely happy to see him, but being called out like this all the way made him awkwardly rub his feet!

Duan Rong finally left the Escort Agency, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. It seemed that the Martial Arts Arena path could no longer be used; the backyard had a side door, and he would use that for entrance and exit from now on.

Duan Rong left the Escort Agency and walked along West Main Street directly to the tea house.

He found a window seat on the second floor of the tea house and sat down, ordering two plates of dried fruits and a pot of clear tea.

While sipping tea, Duan Rong looked out the window, as he was waiting for someone.

This morning, he had asked a servant from the Escort Agency to go to the government office to set up a meeting with Yang Zhen.

There was a matter he wanted to discuss with Yang Zhen.