Chapter 264: Brimming with the Desire to Survive

Young Master Zhu thought for a moment. If it were just Gu Fei’s immediate family, he could have someone pull a few strings and get it done as a favor to him. But with so many people, it was indeed a bit more difficult.

He nodded. "I do know the procedure for transferring household registration."

"Your courtyard is part of Liu Family Village. To establish residency, you first need the village head’s approval. After that, you have to see the village chief. Only after the village chief agrees can you get it processed in the city."

Gu Fei listened and said, "Oh, I see. In that case, I’ll have my father go find the village head and the village chief first."

"And if the village agrees, there won’t be any problems on the city’s end at the government office, right?"

Young Master Zhu smiled. "The city part is actually easy. As long as you have enough silver, no one will intentionally block you. The trouble is actually with the village. Villages are generally unwilling to accept outsiders, let alone so many people."

"With so many people, the village head wouldn’t dare take your silver. He’d be afraid of the villagers’ objections."

Young Master Zhou, who was sitting nearby, sneered. "Why make it so complicated? Just say a word to the Young Master Heir’s servant, and there’s nothing they couldn’t get done for you."

"With pressure coming from above, the village head and village chief would have to agree, whether they wanted to or not."

Gu Fei waved her hand dismissively. "There’s no need to trouble them over such a small matter."

"Let’s try to handle it ourselves first. If it doesn’t work out, we can reconsider then."

Just as they were speaking, the sound of urgent hoofbeats approached from the distance, growing closer.

Before Gu Fei could react, Sister Dan quickly looked outside.

By now, the sky was nearly dark. The lanterns at the entrance illuminated a small patch of the street outside.

Sister Dan saw three horses pull up to the shop entrance. Then, Xiao Yu walked in, followed by Stone and Zhuzi.

Sister Dan shot to her feet, viciously jabbing Young Master Zhou beside her as she rose.

Young Master Zhou turned to look and also scrambled to his feet.

Gu Fei had just picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks when she saw everyone at the table rise to their feet, one after another. "Young Master Heir—"

Gu Fei’s hand trembled, and the piece of meat held by her chopsticks fell onto the table. She glanced at it with regret, then put down her chopsticks, turned, and forced a laugh. "Young Master Heir."

Xiao Yu swept his gaze across the room. At the table sat three men and two women, and the men were all young masters. His expression immediately soured.

Stone glanced at his master, then shot Gu Fei a wink. "My Young Master Heir just got back from the military barracks and hasn’t even had dinner yet."

Gu Fei was stunned for a moment. "Oh, then... I’ll go make a few dishes."

Xiao Yu said with a sullen face, "No need to trouble yourself. Isn’t there a whole table of food right here? We’ll eat together."

Lian’er and Pingzi hurried to bring over chairs, bowls, and chopsticks.

Xiao Lu dashed to the back kitchen to tell Sister Hua to make a few more dishes.

Xiao Yu sat down in a commanding posture and looked first at Young Master Zhou.

Young Master Zhou bowed and scraped. "Greetings, Young Master Heir. This humble one is the owner of the pawnshop next door." His eyes darted about, and he pulled Sister Dan closer. "This is my wife."

Xiao Yu’s expression softened slightly, and he gave a small nod.

Young Master Zhu cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "I am the owner of the First-class Pavilion. I came today to discuss business with Manager Gu."

After speaking, he noticed Xiao Yu staring at him with a hostile expression and quickly added, "I am twenty-two this year, and my wife is from the Cui family."

Second Young Master Zhu looked at his older brother in confusion. ’Why in the world is he bringing up his wife from the Cui family all of a sudden?’

Only then did Xiao Yu deign to nod. "Sit."

Young Master Zhu and Young Master Zhou exchanged a glance, and both sat down nervously.

Second Young Master Zhu also hurried to introduce himself, pointing at Young Master Zhu. "This is my older brother. I’m just here to discuss business with him."

Though he didn’t know why his older brother had suddenly used business as an excuse, he decided to go along with it since his brother had said it.

Xiao Yu just grunted and said nothing. ’Of all the men here,’ he thought, ’this Second Young Master Zhu is the most handsome, and the youngest.’