During the Republic of China era, I achieved unparalleled success by returning to the past.

The sleek Ford sedan drove into the bustling street, heading east. Sitting inside and looking at this vibrant metropolis offered a completely different experience.

Song Beiyou frowned as he activated Su Xiaowan's memories. He never expected that the person who invited Su Xiaowan to sing was Zhang Dabao, hosting a full-month celebration for his son. The time and place mentioned on the note were actually a transaction, the commodity being the serum. Su Xiaowan's mission was to obtain the serum and then hand it over.

Serum again!

As far as Su Xiaowan knew, serum came in many types, varying in quality. It was said that the medicine in this transaction was of superior quality.

Looking out the window at the passing people and cars, Song Beiyou thought to himself, "Since Su Xiaowan died because of the serum, why hand it over? I'll keep it for myself and investigate it thoroughly. Maybe I can even get a shot of the serum myself."

The question remains: in the original timeline, did Su Xiaowan succeed? And who killed her?

The wheels rolled over the crimson sycamore leaves.

The warm winter sunlight streamed through the car window onto his face. Song Beiyou's gaze shifted, and he saw the six-story blue brick building ahead.

A red carpet stretched from the entrance to the street, with flowerbeds lining both sides. Drums and gongs filled the air. A dozen or so Yihetang thugs, dressed in black, changed their usual fierce demeanor and greeted the crowd with smiles, appearing exceptionally kind.

Suddenly, a young couple in the corner caught his attention.

"parking."

The driver quickly pulled over. Song Beiyou opened the car door, stepped onto the blue bricks, and swiftly approached.

"...What brings you here? Mrs. Lin is a major client of the trading company; the manager asked me to keep her company."

Yang Kuan glanced at his fiancée's dress—puff sleeves, lace trim—and said cautiously, "Um... Ah Zhu works at a foreign company, so she should know a lot of foreigners. Do you know anyone who has influence at the police station?"

Bai Xiuzhu raised a delicate eyebrow. "Why are you asking about this?"

"Ah You has been arrested by the police. I'm thinking about whether I can find a way to get him out."

Bai Xiuzhu was taken aback: "He was arrested?" She then pursed her lips and said, "I'm just a lowly clerk, how could I possibly have contact with important people? Besides, even if I knew them, asking for their help would cost several dozen silver dollars for a meal."

Chen Kuan lowered his head, not daring to look at her. "Money can be earned back. Ayou is my brother, I..."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiuzhu immediately bristled like a hen: "Chen Kuan, you don't want to marry me anymore, do you?"

Chen Kuan lowered his head even further, his lips trembling as he murmured, "I..."

Bai Xiuzhu glanced back at the hotel entrance and sighed. "I know you brothers are very close. Alright, I'll go and find out. Go back now."

Chen Kuan looked up, his face beaming with delight: "Thank you, Ah Zhu! I'll head back now."

Standing behind the sycamore tree, Song Beiyou heard clearly: Today is the 24th of the eleventh lunar month. Calculating the time, I am indeed at the police station at this hour. He sighed inwardly: "Brother, I'm afraid you won't be able to hold onto your fiancée. Brother, I'll help you this once."

He stepped out gracefully, wearing leather boots, a smile playing on his lips.

Chen Kuan was overjoyed to receive his fiancée's promise and was about to turn away when he suddenly felt a tight grip on his arm—a slender, delicate hand had taken his place. Then, a soft, sweet voice sounded in his ear: "Ah Kuan, who is she?"

Chen Kuan froze, seeing an incomparably beautiful face with a rounded chin pointing at Bai Xiuzhu's back. He was stunned, and the iron-rimmed glasses on his nose almost slipped off.

Song Beiyou's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, sweet and crisp, just enough for Bai Xiuzhu to hear. She turned around abruptly, her eyes widening immediately—a beautiful woman wearing a fashionable, high-end cashmere long coat over a cheongsam was holding Chen Kuan's arm, looking at her defiantly.

A surge of anger welled up within her. Even if she wasn't satisfied, she couldn't let someone take what was hers. "Chen Kuan, who is she?"

Chen Kuan jumped in surprise, quickly pulled his hand away, took a few steps back, and shook his head vigorously: "I don't know, I don't know her!"

"You don't know her? She calls you 'A-Kuan'!" Bai Xiuzhu's eyes were red and brimming with tears, looking aggrieved.

Chen Kuan panicked. "I really don't know her! Miss, you must have mistaken me for someone else!" He hurriedly looked at Song Beiyou. But upon closer inspection, he froze.

"You are... Su Xiaowan? The Su Xiaowan who sang 'Night Fragrance'?"

Song Beiyou smiled and said, "You remember me?" Looking at Bai Xiuzhu opposite him, he asked, "Who is this? Your friend?"

Chen Kuan's mind was a complete mess, and he was sweating profusely. "She's my fiancée, Bai Xiuzhu. Miss Su, we really don't know each other, do we?"

Bai Xiuzhu was stunned when she heard the name "Su Xiaowan"—how could Chen Kuan possibly know this famous person!

Song Beiyou, wearing leather boots, walked up to Bai Xiuzhu, looked her up and down, and whispered in her ear, "A-Kuan is my friend. If you wrong him, I won't let you off the hook. Mr. Peter, the manager of Yihe Foreign Firm, is also my friend."

He took a gold ring off his finger, took Bai Xiuzhu's hand, and placed it in his palm. "I heard you're getting married. This is for you."

Bai Xiuzhu looked at the sparkling ring on her palm. When she turned her head, Song Beiyou had already gotten into the car. Black smoke billowed from the rear of the black Ford as it drove away.

Chen Kuan remained stunned.

……

"It's a private matter," Song Beiyou said calmly, noticing the questioning look in Ajuan's eyes.

The Ford pulled up in the hotel's backyard. As soon as the car came to a stop, someone eagerly opened the door. "Welcome, Miss Su! Hahaha!"

Song Beiyou's gaze sharpened slightly. He stepped out of the car, pretending not to recognize her, and politely said, "Thank you."

"Miss Su is even more beautiful in person than in the poster. My name is Zhang Feilong. My elder brother is currently entertaining VIPs outside and specifically instructed me to come and escort Miss Su upstairs."

"Oh, it's Mr. Zhang. Thank you for your help."

She was surrounded by admirers and escorted to a VIP room on the fourth floor. Tea, fruit, and snacks were already prepared.

Zhang Feilong chuckled and said, "Miss Su, please rest here. I will send someone to inform you when the banquet begins."

"Can."

"My elder brother is celebrating a joyous occasion today, and we've set up a card game. I wonder if Miss Su would be interested?"

"I'm sorry, I don't play cards with strangers," Song Beiyou said calmly.

"Practice makes perfect, right? Next time I host a banquet, I'd like to invite Miss Su to attend."

"Then let's do it next time."

"Haha, good! Miss Su is indeed unique. It's a deal then, I'll definitely treat Miss Su next time." After saying that, Zhang Feilong turned and left with everyone.

Xiao Juan put her performance bag on the table and sneered, "Sister, Zhang Feilong's eyes are so annoying."

"He won't live long," Song Beiyou said calmly, glancing at his watch: 11:30.

Ah Juan closed the door tightly and whispered, "The Dafugui Hotel has so many rooms, where exactly is the transaction taking place? Didn't Godmother explain?"

Song Beiyou shook his head. Suddenly, a room number popped into his mind. "Go to the front desk and find out who booked room 618 on the sixth floor."