Chapter 74: Lin Laifu Visits

The first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow across the quiet courtyard of the Upper Eastern District estate. Lu Feng remained seated cross-legged on the stone steps of the central hall, his bare blade resting across his lap, his posture perfectly still.

Refusing to sleep for even a single second throughout the long night, he had maintained a vigilant watch over the entire property.

His sharp senses had remained locked onto the perimeter, ensuring no secondary wave of intruders attempted to breach the compound, while simultaneously monitoring the heavy iron-wood doors of the private training room where the three crippled captives were locked away.

As the morning sun climbed higher, the light footsteps of the two ladies echoed softly from the residential quarters. Having washed up and changed into fresh robes, Han Lin and Ye Chenxue stepped out into the crisp morning air, beginning their daily preparations.

Seeing Lu Feng still sitting on the cold stone steps with his weapon in hand, Han Lin walked over with a look of deep concern on her gentle face.

"Young Master Lu," Han Lin said softly, offering him a warm, respectful bow. "You have been awake all night protecting us. Please, go into your chamber and get some rest. Chenxue and I are awake now, and we are more than capable of watching over the estate and keeping an eye on those captives while you sleep."

Lu Feng opened his eyes, his mismatched gaze softening as he looked at her. Feeling the dull weight of fatigue finally tugging at his mind now that the sun was up, he offered a small, appreciative nod. "Very well. Keep a close watch on the training hall. We will make a final decision regarding the fate of those intruders once I wake up."

Standing up from the stone steps, Lu Feng stretched his muscles and walked back into his private wing. He collapsed onto the comfortable sandalwood bed, letting the heavy curtain of exhaustion pull him into a deep, peaceful slumber while the two ladies tended to the morning chores outside.

A little over two hours later, the distant, rhythmic sound of galloping horse hooves echoing against the cobblestone street outside the estate roused Lu Feng from his sleep.

His eyes slowly opened, blinking away the lingering grogginess as his sharp hearing locked onto the commotion outside his bedchamber window. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, he glanced through the lattice window shade just in time to spot a grand, familiar luxurious carriage pulling up directly outside the estate’s grand wooden gates.

Through the lattice, he caught sight of Han Lin hastily wiping her hands on her apron and sprinting across the wide courtyard toward the main entrance to unlatch the heavy doors.

Watching from his window as Han Lin struggled with all her strength to heave open the thick, heavy wooden gates by herself, Lu Feng let out a long, quiet sigh, shaking his head with a wry, amused smile.

"I definitely need to hire a few guards for this place," Lu Feng murmured softly to himself as he stood up to adjust his robes. "Not even for security, but simply to handle the backbreaking task of opening and closing these massive gates whenever someone visits."

Outside in the courtyard, the moment Han Lin finally managed to swing the heavy wooden gates open wide enough for passage, the grand carriage rolled smoothly into the estate grounds. Before the horses even came to a complete stop, the carriage door burst open, and the round, stout figure of Lin Laifu scrambled out in a frantic hurry.

Without waiting for his driver or personal attendants, the plump merchant began huffing and puffing as he ran at full speed across the cobblestone path toward the main residential building where Lu Feng’s quarters were located.

Lu Feng, who was just stepping out of his private chamber into the main reception hall, was slightly caught off guard to see Lin Laifu arriving at such an early hour. Then again, the wealthy man had explicitly promised the previous evening that he would drop by to pay them a visit today. Still, seeing such a stout, heavily built man running so furiously that his fine silk robes billowed behind him like a sail was a somewhat comical sight.

A subtle, knowing smile touched Lu Feng’s lips as he smoothed down his sleeves and walked forward to greet his guest.

By the time Lin Laifu reached the steps of the main building, he was panting heavily, his face flushed bright red and his forehead completely drenched in a thick layer of sweat. He leaned his hands against his knees, wheezing as he tried to catch his breath.

Behind him, the grand carriage finally came to a complete stop in a quiet corner of the courtyard. Two tall, well-built guards dressed in matching house liveries stepped down from the rear platform, carefully lifting several large, meticulously covered woven baskets out of the carriage compartment before standing at attention.

Han Lin arrived at the steps a moment later, having jogged back from the front gates. Seeing the plump merchant gasping for air and sweating so profusely, her innate kindness immediately kicked in. She quickly rushed over to a side table, pouring a cool glass of fresh spring water and grabbing a clean, damp cloth.

"Master Lin, please take a moment to rest," Han Lin offered gently, handing him the cool cloth and the glass of water. "Here, wipe your face and drink some water."

Lin Laifu took the cloth with a deeply grateful look, dabbing his dripping forehead before downing the glass of water in a single, desperate gulp. "Ah... thank you, Lady Han! Thank you! My apologies for my unsightly appearance... I hurried over the moment I finished my morning business!"

Han Lin offered a polite, gentle smile as she took the empty glass back. "I know you came here specifically to see Young Master Lu. Please wait here for a moment while I go into his wing to inform him of your arrival."

Just as she turned on her heel to walk toward the inner corridor to call for Lu Feng, a calm, steady voice echoed through the wide reception hall.

"There is no need to call for me, Han Lin. I am already here."

Lu Feng walked into the main hall with slow, deliberate steps, his posture relaxed and composure absolute.

Lin Laifu immediately looked up, his sharp merchant eyes instantly catching the subtle, faint redness around the edges of Lu Feng’s eyes—a clear sign of a man who had barely gotten any rest.

The plump merchant’s face flushed with a fresh wave of embarrassment, and he offered a deeply apologetic bow. "Ah, Young Master Lu! Forgive my intrusion! Did my hasty arrival disturb your valuable sleep? I should have come at noon instead!"

Lu Feng waved his hand casually, dismissing the man’s worries with a light smile. "It is no big deal at all, Master Lin. I was already awake."

Walking over to the central seating area, Lu Feng gestured toward the comfortable, carved wooden chairs arranged around a polished tea table. He took his seat on one side, offering a humble, polite greeting to his guest. "Welcome to our modest mini estate, Master Lin. Please, take a seat. I must apologize for not being properly prepared to receive a guest of your stature this morning. We have only just moved in, so our hospitality is lacking."

Lin Laifu quickly sat down opposite him, waving his hands in a flustered, self-deprecating manner. "Please, Young Master Lu, do not say such things! It is already a grand honor that you are willing to receive me inside your home! There is absolutely no need for formal preparations!"

Lu Feng offered a small nod of acknowledgement. He leaned back slightly in his chair, his mismatched eyes locking onto the plump merchant with a calm, curious gaze. "Master Lin, what brings you to my estate so early today?"