Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 805: Chapter 49

“It seems we can only find these candles.”

After bringing Song Haoran into this seaside apartment, Luo Qiu pointed at the candles standing on the coffee table, feeling somewhat helpless.

“It sure is a sudden strange weather,” Song Haoran sat down, watching the orange-red flame of the candle, “Even communication devices are damaged.”

He shook his head, “This kind of thing probably only appears in movies.”

Luo Qiu smiled without saying much… he couldn’t exactly admit that itchy fingers had caused this urban disaster.

“By the way, where’s your girlfriend?” Song Haoran looked around.

This was the fourth time he met Luo Qiu, and the previous three times, he always saw the girl who was inseparable from him.

Luo Qiu poured a glass of lemon water, casually saying, “She’s tired today, so she went to rest earlier.”

“Oh, let her rest more then,” Song Haoran didn’t seem to mind… in fact, his expression made it look like he preferred not having a third person present.

He looked at Luo Qiu and said, “I came here this time, perhaps you’ve already guessed something?”

Luo Qiu nodded.

Song Haoran directly said, “I won’t beat around the bush then. This is the examination report I got from the hospital. I monitored the whole process. Luckily, the result came out before this storm; otherwise, we might have had to wait longer.”

Upon saying this, Song Haoran smiled slightly, “It seems like it’s meant to be, meant for me to handle this matter today.”

Luo Qiu took the examination document from Song Haoran’s hand, carefully reading it without responding. Song Haoran waited quietly, knowing that anyone facing such a result would need time to digest it.

After a while, Luo Qiu sighed slowly, “It seems my grandfather is indeed Song Tianyin. Mr. Song, thank you for bringing me this news.”

Song Haoran laughed heartily, “Mr. Song? You should change your address, by seniority, you should call me uncle, and a legitimate uncle at that.”

Luo Qiu thought for a while, looking at Song Haoran, then suddenly said, “I need some time.”

Even with Ren Ziling, after all these years, Luo Qiu hadn’t called her ‘mom,’ let alone Song Haoran.

Song Haoran didn’t know that this ‘some time’ from his nephew would possibly take a very long time. He assumed it was just a temporary adjustment, thinking it would be fine afterwards, so he didn’t mind much.

Encountering a fellow countryman on a foreign street only to discover through several coincidences that they were long-lost relatives—if it were him, Song Haoran, he couldn’t accept it in a short time either.

But it didn’t matter—Song Haoran believed there was plenty of time in the future to reunite this bloodline with the Song Family.

“Let’s not talk about that for now,” Song Haoran nodded and then said seriously, “Luo Qiu, when do you plan to return from this trip?”

“Do you need me to go somewhere?” Luo Qiu thought for a moment and asked.

Song Haoran smiled, “As expected of a Song Family member, such a smart kid. Let me be frank, my father wants to meet you in person, but he can’t travel conveniently, so I hope you can come with me.”

Song Haoran looked at Luo Qiu, slowly and carefully, “Of course, we’re not demanding anything from you, rather as a junior, visiting your elders is only appropriate. And I truly hope you can come. Don’t worry, if the visa or other documents aren’t enough, I can arrange them for you… By the way, your father has a stepmother, right? If convenient, I can arrange for someone to bring her over too.”

Luo Qiu shook his head and suddenly said, “I don’t want her to know about this for the time being.”

Song Haoran didn’t ask further—he was raised under the traditional teachings of Song Tianyou.

Song Tianyou, as a prominent figure from the old times, upheld many of the old era’s ideals and concepts.

For instance, the man’s words are final in the house.

And since Luo Qiu was the only male left in his branch, he could make decisions for his household entirely on his own.

In fact, Song Tianyin, being Song Tianyou’s biological elder brother, belonged to the main branch in the Song Family, making Luo Qiu a legitimate grandson of the Song Family. For a once prominent family like the Song’s, traditional etiquette matters a lot.

The words of a main branch male naturally held more weight than that of a main branch side room’s opinions.

So, Song Haoran nodded directly, “Alright, it can be your call. When shall we set off then?”

Luo Qiu frowned slightly, “Mr. Song, before that, is there something else you should tell me? Like your background… A normal businessman shouldn’t possess such skills, should they, at the theater?”

Song Haoran wasn’t surprised by Luo Qiu’s doubts… or rather, precisely because Luo Qiu had such doubts, it seemed normal to him—otherwise, this young man’s calm composure would be too monstrous.

“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you much right now.” Song Haoran paused, “However, you have the right to know everything, but I think it would be better for my father to tell you personally.”

Luo Qiu remained expressionless.

Song Haoran knew it wouldn’t be easy to brush it off—although his father insisted on bringing him back, Song Haoran naturally preferred not to use force, since this was a family bloodline. If their relationship started on a wrong foot, it would be more difficult to mend later.

“Let me put it this way,” Song Haoran decided to reveal some information, “We are not in legitimate business. But rest assured, my father is principled, our dealings are extensive, but we have never touched anything from our motherland. All our earnings come from foreigners.”

Luo Qiu nodded.

Song Haoran quickly added, “However, rest assured, on this trip, you will absolutely encounter no danger… Or rather, as long as we’re in South America, we’ll do everything to protect someone, and that person won’t die.”

“I need to think about it,” Luo Qiu responded after a long time.

This answer didn’t surprise Song Haoran much. He clearly understood the principle of moderation and decisively stood up, “Here’s my phone number; the communication should be restored by tomorrow. I’ll wait for your answer, and I won’t be leaving here anytime soon.”

“Let me see you off,” Luo Qiu nodded.

Song Haoran soon left the seaside park, taking the dimly lit path along the coast. Only then did Luo Qiu slowly shut the door and walked back into the apartment.

The candle had burned less than halfway, yet Luo Qiu, standing before the candlelight, appeared almost ethereal. As the sea breeze blew from outside, ‘he’ dissipated into fine dust and vanished.

This was merely a temporary avatar crafted—the Boss’s real body remained in the club.

…

In the study, Boss Luo slowly opened his eyes.

Often, upon opening his eyes, he would see You Ye’s face, which gave him a sense of comfort.

The maid held a tray covered with a black cloth, looking at her master, “Has Mr. Song left already?”

“Mm, he’s gone.” Luo Qiu nodded, “Luckily, I left a temporary phantom avatar at the apartment beforehand.”

You Ye smiled, “It seems Mr. Song finally knows the answer.”

Luo Qiu said softly, “It was quite fast. I thought it would take one or two days… Have you found the items?”

You Ye placed the tray in front of Luo Qiu and uncovered the black cloth. On it lay three different items.

A crown made of some metal, designed like woven olive leaves.

The second was a silver ring.

And finally, a transparent black crystal bottle.

Boss Luo picked up the olive wreath crown, fiddling with it as the information about it surfaced in his consciousness.

This is: Gospel Crown.

As for the ring, it was an artifact capable of bestowing magical abilities to ordinary people, aptly named: Blessing Ring.

This blessing cannot grant people luck as if favored by the goddess of luck, but it can invigorate one’s spirit, alleviate pain, and remove minor ailments, while also imparting positivity, optimism, and kindness.

Of course, the real source of the Blessing Ring’s effect is that it can give ordinary people a powerful psychological suggestion, enhancing one’s mental and physical stamina by stimulating some of their potential.

As for the black crystal bottle, it is actually used to collect and store souls—a vessel similar to the one Boss Luo once gifted to the tyrant Nero.

Looking at these three items before him, Boss Luo suddenly smiled and said, “How about changing the name?”

The maid softly said, “Master bestows the name.”

A flash of mischief crossed Boss Luo’s mind, and he spoke up, “Let’s go with Charlatan Set.”

“Hmm, let’s call it that then.” The maid remained elegant.

Boss Luo found it rather dull, shook his head, and said, “Since this is the Gospel Crown, and the ring and bottle are auxiliary, let’s call it the ‘Gospel Set’… Later, deliver these to Bucky and guide him on how to use them.”

“Understood.” The maid nodded.

At this time, Boss Luo looked at You Ye and suddenly said, “I will leave alone for a while. During my absence, I will temporarily grant you authority equal to mine. If business comes in, make your own decisions.”

The maid nodded, executing the master’s orders unconditionally.

Luo Qiu said, “Since you’ll be making the decisions, do it according to your own preferences. I’m being lazy this time… However, I hope that when I return, I can see some of your creations.”

“Don’t you need to take You Ye with you?” The maid suddenly asked softly.

“After this time, see which Black Soul’s vacation is coming up, then wake them up,” the boss was silent for a moment, “Currently, you’re the only one who can go help Bucky that I truly trust.”

“Understood.” You Ye nodded, “Then, I’m going out, Master.”

“Wait.”

The maid turned around.

The boss said softly, “Even if I’m not here, remember to eat on time, taste different flavors, and keep them in your heart. Tell me when I return.”

“Hmm!”

Finally, when You Ye left the study, Luo Qiu spoke to himself.

“Following the previous master for hundreds of years, your knowledge and learning far surpass mine… So, when you don’t have to worry about restrictions, when you can make your own decisions…”

“Holy Maiden raising the flag of freedom…”

He seemed to be anticipating something… contemplating.

…

…

Caroline curled up in the corner of the sofa, covered by a blanket brought by Arno.

There is still no power, the communication system remains obstructed, even watching TV is impossible, and an old-fashioned radio brought by Arno only emits noise.

No incandescent lighting, only candlelight, everything seems to have returned to a time when modern civilization had not yet appeared.

Only a man and a woman, sharing a room.

“Want beans?”

Arno’s voice came from the dim light, Caroline could see a blur of movement—a situation where ordering takeout is clearly not possible, let alone cooking by oneself.

So Arno was dealing with some canned food.

“Thank you.”

Arno emerged from the darkness, carrying two plates. Caroline took one, perhaps too tired—from waking up in the morning until now, she hadn’t eaten, and was quite hungry.

The cheap canned beans unexpectedly emitted an enticing scent.

“You… you really can’t remember what happened last night?”

While eating, Arno hesitated and looked at Caroline—in the prior explanation, Caroline had briefly described what happened before she escaped in the morning.

Caroline put down her spoon, shaking her head: “I really don’t remember. When I woke up, I saw Livia sitting on the chair, covered in blood. I was…I was really scared, not knowing why I held a blood-stained knife in my hand.”

Saying this, Caroline shot Arno a complex look.

Arno could only smile bitterly, bowing his head, and said quietly: “I don’t know what the police would think, but if it were me… I would believe you.”

“Why?” Caroline asked suddenly.

Arno sighed: “Nobody knows better than me what a bad person Harry really is. Do you know? My mother, she had a bad heart, we all knew. But Harry still angered her so much she had a heart attack…he was still doing drugs with a bunch of people on the day of her funeral, didn’t even show up.”

Caroline paused for a moment; she clearly saw a wave of hatred in Arno’s eyes.

Putting oneself in his shoes, Arno’s hatred for Harry isn’t without reason—for instance, she did misjudge him and almost stuck a steak knife into Arno’s body this time.

Since childhood… he’s probably had to endure a lot of these incidents where he takes the fall for Harry, right?

“Can you…can you find him? Harry?”

Arno shook his head: “I never actively look for him, especially since recently, after he came out of prison, we’ve basically lost contact…except when he came to my house to find me.”

Arno suddenly laughed cynically: “At the time, I thought maybe this guy had some remorse in prison or something, but he came to borrow money from me…do you know why he wanted to borrow money? To buy a gift and please a woman—to snatch this woman away. Yes, the woman was his adversary’s girlfriend.”

Caroline shook her head… She had certainly seen people like Harry, from the slums, or outside in the world.

The hidden filth of men is always unimaginable.

“Does he go anywhere frequently?” Caroline pursued.

“I’m not sure.” Arno shook his head, then seemed to remember something and suddenly asked, “Right, what did you say when you attacked me before…that he stole your money? How much did you lose? Do you urgently need it? If possible, I have some savings, I can…”

“No need.” Caroline shook her head.

Someone as impoverished as Arno would never be able to repay the wealth on the card received from the mysterious merchant.

“You shouldn’t carry so much cash around.” Arno sighed.

Caroline frowned: “How do you know how much I was carrying?”

Arno looked surprised: “Wasn’t it much? But you looked very agitated at the time, so I thought it must be a considerable amount.”

Caroline turned her face away: “Nothing, it’s just a bank card.”

But Arno breathed a sigh of relief and said, “A bank card? Then go and report the loss? Besides, even if he took your card, he couldn’t do anything with it; he wouldn’t know the password, right?”

Normally, yes… However, the crucial thing is that the bank card acquired from that mysterious merchant already had the password written on it!