Chapter 266: Being Trapped
On the fifth day after Boss Cai's shop was sealed off, the matter finally showed some signs of progress.

It was his old rival, Boss Li from Lantingxuan, who was secretly manipulating and behind the scenes.

Boss Cai's son studies in a private school. Due to his tight schoolwork, he lives in the school every day and only goes home once every ten days.

Boss Li bribed some scoundrels, secretly approached Master Cai, and seduced him into gambling. At the beginning, he gave him some sweet treats, lured him little by little, and slowly set up traps. Master Cai lost more and more money, so he secretly took money from home to make up for his losses. Later, the hole became bigger and bigger, and he was forced to steal the house deeds and land deeds from his home to pledge for gambling, until he finally lost everything.

"This Li guy is so sinister and cunning, he's worse than pigs and dogs." Boss Cai was so angry that he stamped his feet and cursed: "He actually used such a method to deal with me. He and I are simply sworn enemies."

Qin Xiaoning asked Boss Cai: "Since we have found out that he was the one who set the trap, is there any chance of turning things around?"

After hearing this, Boss Cai gradually calmed down his anger and sighed secretly: "Although someone deliberately set a trap, the signature on the IOU was put by my son himself. According to convention, it is only natural to pay back debts. There is no way this matter can be circumvented."

After a pause, he continued, "I have asked someone to inquire these days. It seems that the court is going to carry out reforms after the new king takes office and the regent assists in the administration. It is said that some laws will also be changed accordingly."

"It is said that the new law will protect those who deliberately set traps and deceive others."

"If that's the case, and the relationship is good, then you can take back your calligraphy and painting building smoothly." Qin Xiaoning said.

Thinking that his business, which he had worked so hard to build, could be recovered, Boss Cai showed a little joy on his face: "If the new law can really protect the victims, then it is naturally good."

As he said this, he could not help but feel worried: "I just don't know when this new law will be promulgated."

Boss Cai was both happy and worried at the same time. Right now, he could only place more hope on the court, so he added, "Now that the new emperor has not yet taken power, I heard that the regent is a powerful figure, the son of the duke who recovered Hexi in the past. I heard that he is a man of both civil and military skills, unlike the previous emperor who only knew how to play tricks and did little serious work."

"I just hope that the regent can act decisively and issue new laws as soon as possible so that I can take back my shops." Then he said fiercely: "It would be better if the new law has some regulations so that the criminals who harm people in secret can be arrested and put in jail."

The old man talked to himself for a while, then asked Qin Xiaoning: "Madam Lu, you are from the capital. When you were in the capital, have you heard of this duke's son? I heard that the regent's name is Lu Ji."

Why are you suddenly talking about Lu Ji?

Qin Xiaoning hurriedly said, "I have heard of such a person."

Upon hearing this, Boss Cai immediately asked, "Have you ever met him? Do you have the same surname as the Regent, or are you related to him?"

Qin Xiaoning smiled bitterly: "You flatter me too much. How can I be related to such a high-ranking family?"

Seeing Boss Cai's embarrassment, Qin Xiaoning comforted him, "The laws of a country are a big deal. I don't think even if it's a reform, it won't be issued so quickly. Boss Cai should think of a way to get through this difficult time."

The old man said, "The shop is gone, but I still have some calligraphy and paintings. I want to set up a small stall first, and then make plans after I have enough capital."

After all, he has experienced the ups and downs of the business world for most of his life. Although he has experienced such a great setback, the old man still has a sense of sharpness.

Qin Xiaoning agreed: "Your idea is feasible."

Boss Cai smiled bitterly when he heard this: "It doesn't matter whether it works or not. Now that things have come to this, we can only give it a try."

He looked at Qin Xiaoning, and said cautiously, "I'm afraid I won't be able to pay you the money you promised me. I wonder if you'll still be willing to sell me the calligraphy?" Without waiting for Qin Xiaoning's response, he added hastily, "You're all alone and need to earn money to support your family. I can understand if you want to go to another shop."

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. This is human nature.

Unexpectedly, Qin Xiaoning said, "When I needed money to buy the house, you readily gave me the money in advance. Now that you are in trouble, I will naturally help you."

After a pause, she said, "But I do need money to support my family. How about this? I will provide you with five sets of calligraphy every month, and you don't have to pay in advance. After you sell them, we will split the price 50-50."

Before Qin Xiaoning finished speaking, Boss Cai said excitedly: "My wife is such a kind person."

Qin Xiaoning smiled and said, "It's just that I can't promise to only provide you with calligraphy. But I won't sell the calligraphy to other calligraphy and painting houses in Shuwang City. I will sell it to other cities."

"No problem." Boss Cai excitedly bowed to Qin Xiaoning and said, "With my wife's help, I won't have to worry about not being able to survive this disaster."

After coming out of Boss Cai's residence, Qin Xiaoning planned to take a look at the dim sum shop in which Mrs. Wei had invested.

Halfway through the journey, I happened to meet Mr. Li from Lantingxuan.

In Shuwang City, Jixian Pavilion is Lantingxuan's biggest competitor. Now that Jixian Pavilion has collapsed, Lantingxuan is the only dominant player.

"Ms. Lu, how are you?" When he saw Qin Xiaoning, Boss Li greeted her with a fake smile.

Qin Xiaoning had only dealt with Boss Li a few times before. Although she could see that he was an extremely profit-oriented person, she never expected that human nature could be so sinister that he could use such private means to ruin someone's fortune.

"Hello, Mr. Li." Qin Xiaoning greeted him indifferently, and didn't even show any intention of stopping.

"Madam, please stay." Boss Li called Qin Xiaoning to stop him and asked, "Madam, you must have known about the Jixian Pavilion, right?"

This guy is so shameless. He hurt others like that, but he can still talk about it without blushing or beating his heart.

Qin Xiaoning stopped and looked at Boss Li, then asked calmly, "What are you referring to? Are you talking about someone secretly plotting against Jixian Pavilion?"

Boss Li smiled and said, "Madam, are you standing up for that Cai guy? The business world is like a battlefield. Madam Lu, you are not so naive, are you?"

Qin Xiaoning was too lazy to bother with such a person, so she interrupted him and said, "What do you want to say when you ask me to stay? If there is nothing else, I am still busy, so I will leave first."

Having said that, he raised his foot and was about to leave.

Boss Li hurried forward to stop him and said with a smile, "Of course there is something wrong."

He said, "Jixian Pavilion has collapsed. Madam, if you switch to Lantingxuan, I will be very happy."

Qin Xiaoning smiled faintly: "I am really grateful to Boss Li for his kindness, but I have already signed a contract with Boss Cai, so I am afraid I can only let Boss Li down."