Li Fengheng the Merchant

The merchant turned and left.

The house where Zhao Shuran lived eventually belonged to someone else.

As a tenant, she also had to move out.

Regarding this matter...

Li Mubai ultimately did not make a move.

It is perfectly reasonable for the other party to sell the house.

After all, Spirit City didn't have any relevant laws or regulations, so he really couldn't find a reason to take action.

Only.

The fat landlord's behavior was morally questionable.

After all, the lease on the house still hasn't expired for several days.

However, they generously returned a silver coin, the value of which was almost equivalent to a month and a half's rent, even though the way they refunded the money was somewhat insulting... to their character.

"This..."

Holding a pile of clothes in her arms, Zhao Shuran looked at the open door of the house with a hesitant expression.

"Sister, don't hesitate any longer. Do you have anywhere else to go?"

Seeing her hesitation, Li Mubai couldn't help but continue to 'bewitch' her.

He was not a heartless person.

Zhao Shuran and her widowed mother, who had just started a family, were indeed living in dire straits.

His relationship with the other party was not that of complete strangers; he couldn't just stand by and watch someone die.

Besides, the house is quite spacious, with two empty bedrooms.

It's more than enough to accommodate a mother and daughter.

And.

He also had a very good impression of Zhao Shuran.

Whether it's her character, her virtuous and gentle nature, or her hardworking and resilient personality, she's an excellent choice, far superior to those rich heiresses.

This world is different from the ancient times of the past.

In the ancient times of my previous life, most women were worthy of the title of "lady of a noble family". But in this world, any woman with a title or a descendant of a nobleman is incredibly fashionable. They even walk with their noses in the air, looking up at the sky and looking down on the common people.

So.

A woman like Zhao Shuran is all the more precious.

Faced with Li Mubai's invitation, Zhao Shuran did not respond directly, but fell silent, looking hesitant.

Actually.

She actually hoped to have more contact with Li Mubai.

If they could move into Li Mubai's house, it would mean they would have more interactions with him.

"I'm just a widow in the eyes of my neighbors, an ordinary person among the masses. But what about Brother Bai? He's become a powerful Soul Master at such a young age. He shines like a blazing sun. If I were to move into his house like this, wouldn't it attract gossip and tarnish his reputation?"

Zhao Shuran thought to herself.

She was very grateful for Li Mubai's generous invitation.

She was grateful, but she didn't want to tarnish Li Mubai's reputation or let the neighbors gossip about Li Mubai.

But.

If she didn't accept Li Mubai's invitation, where else could she go?

"Sis, are you worried about what other people are saying?"

Seemingly sensing the other party's doubts, Li Mubai tentatively asked.

After he finished speaking, Zhao Shuran looked at Li Mubai with some surprise, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes seeming to say, "How did you know?"

Seeing this, how could Li Mubai not understand?

A smile appeared on his face as he watched the departing onlookers, and he said in a gentle tone:

Life is full of disappointments; nine times out of ten, things don't go as planned.

Time is fleeting, and life is but a lifetime. Compared to this brief moment in the world, we are utterly insignificant. You are you, and I am I. We each live our own lives; why should we care about the opinions of others? Those who live according to the words of others are destined to be pathetic.

"Since that's the case, why not enjoy life to the fullest?"

There will always be gossip; if you don't listen, it will disappear.

Hearing these words, Zhao Shuran was moved.

Yes...

Why can't we enjoy life to the fullest?

One's life should not be dictated by others; why should one care about what others think?

Just like a few years ago, when he refused a family marriage and ran away on his own, he was gone for seven years.

Over seven years.

I've suffered so much hardship and endured so many injustices.

Why is it that nowadays, we no longer have the perseverance to resist external forces?

Thinking this way, the confusion and hesitation in Zhao Shuran's eyes immediately disappeared.

Why bother caring about others?

Just live your own life well!

A carefree smile appeared on her face, then she looked directly at Li Mubai and softly uttered a single word:

"Good."

Li Mubai smiled warmly and said as he walked towards the open door, "Let me help you pack your things."

Zhao Shuran clutched the tangled mess of clothes in her arms, unmoved.

She stood there, her gaze resolute. "Brother Bai, I won't stay for free. I'll pay you rent every month, according to market rates."

Upon hearing this...

Li Mubai was stunned.

After a while.

He then turned around and smiled, "Okay."

This time, Li Mubai didn't say anything polite, nor did he say that they were all family and there was no need for such formalities.

He understood.

This promise was a matter of Zhao Shuran's dignity; if he were to offer only polite words, he would undoubtedly be trampling on her dignity.

Since that's the case, why not agree?

He didn't care about the rent. As an elder of the Spirit Hall, his monthly salary was more than enough to support his family. He even had extra money to go out for drinks and "flower viewing" every month.

"Let's pack our things first? We'll have dinner together later."

As Li Mubai spoke, his gaze fell upon Xiao Yu'er, who was holding a rag doll in her arms.

The doll was a little dirty, but the little girl didn't seem disgusted at all. On the contrary, she held it tightly in her arms as if it were a treasure, as if she was afraid someone would take it away.

As Li Mubai turned his gaze, Xiao Yu'er also looked over.

Their eyes met.

Li Mubai smiled kindly, "Xiao Yu'er, from now on, you'll live with your brother, okay?"

"Really?"

The little girl looked delighted, her eyes still fixed on Qiji.

Li Mubai didn't speak, but nodded with a gentle smile, answering the question in another way.

"Brother Mubai, can you take me to see the circus?"

The little girl asked again.

"Of course, but there's a condition: you need to learn fifty new characters every week. Can you do that?"

Li Mubai stated his conditions.

"It's possible!"

The little girl shouted excitedly, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and she bounced around, clutching the doll in her arms.

"Brother Bai, don't spoil her."

Zhao Shuran also smiled and said.

At this moment, for some reason, she felt an unprecedented sense of ease, as if she had found someone to rely on and would no longer have to wander aimlessly.

Amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.

The group quickly tidied up some commonly used items, leaving behind a pile of tools for making tofu.

Zhao Shuran very reluctant to part with these things.

But.

Li Mubai's comment was to discard it, because there were more important things for her to do in the future.

Night falls.

Xiao Qian prepared a large table of dishes, saying it was to celebrate the new member.

She was equally happy about Zhao Shuran's arrival, because from now on, she would no longer be all alone.

Thinking back to the past, she used to stay up late every night, which exhausted her.

And now.

Finally, someone can share her 'troubles'—how could she not be happy?

Spirit City.

Inside a rather spacious mansion.

A middle-aged man dressed in an elaborate long robe sat alone on a sandalwood chair in the middle of the hall.

He was the wealthy businessman who bought the house Zhao Shuran had rented during the day.

His name is Li Fengheng, and he is a businessman through and through.

He comes from the Li Clan of the Heaven Dou Empire and is the third and youngest son of the current head of the Li Clan.

And the Li Clan.

He was one of the powerful figures in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Its predecessor was the Chief Judge of the Heaven Dou Empire, a position equivalent to a prince, truly a man of great power and influence.

Logically speaking...

With the trees planted by our ancestors, the descendants of the Li Clan should have a smooth and successful career in officialdom, like a dragon trapped in the sea.

However, Li Fengheng was oblivious to officialdom, but he had a unique and ingenious love for business.

With such a background and his exceptional business acumen, he quickly made a name for himself in the industry and is now one of the wealthiest businessmen in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Their wealth is so immense that it rivals that of a nation!

And now.

Even someone as remarkable as him has his moments of distress.

Sitting on the stool, the face of a young man from earlier that day kept flashing through his mind.

And that young man was none other than Li Mubai.

"This person gives me a sense of familiarity. Have I seen him somewhere before?"

Li Fengheng held a string of jade beads in his hand, playing with each bead one by one.

He probably wouldn't remember most ordinary people, because there are just too many people he needs to remember.

Those he remembers or feels familiar with are usually big shots in their own right.

That is precisely why.

That's why, during the day, when he was about to leave after successfully purchasing the house, he turned back and personally told Zhao Shuran that he could give her a day to move, all so as not to offend anyone.

If it were anyone else, he would have ordered his men to clean the house on the spot.

The croaking of frogs echoed from the ornamental pond outside, adding to the atmosphere of midsummer.

Just then.

A voice rang out from outside the hall.

"Third Master."

The voice pulled Li Fengheng from his thoughts.

He placed the string of jade beads he was playing with on the table beside him and slightly raised his head:

"Come in."

At the door of the hall, a figure dressed in a long black robe entered after receiving permission.

As soon as the visitor entered the hall, he bowed slightly, bent over, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, saying:

"Third Master, we've found out that gentleman's address. It's on the street next to Jingxi Street, not far from the house you bought during the day."

Upon hearing this...

Li Fengheng looked doubtful. "Are you sure it's that esteemed person?"

This left him no choice but to question what his subordinates were saying.

The person he was looking for was the Tenth Elder of the Spirit Hall, a super strong expert at the Title Realm, and the one who Worshipper Golden Crocodile admit defeat in that very sparring match.

Would such an extraordinary person appear in a small place like the one next to Jingxi Street?

During the day, he explored the entire Spirit City.

No large mansion was found.

He had originally planned to buy a large mansion, but to his surprise, there wasn't a single one in the west of the city.

Adhering to the philosophy of "since we're already here," he casually bought a house for his workers to live in, as a place to rest.

And now.

His subordinates told him that the young Titled Douluo actually lived in a street he looked down upon.

How could this not make him question it?

You need to know.

Not to mention the elders, even the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall live in large mansions.

The residences of those titled elders were even more extravagant, often covering hundreds of acres.

It's almost unbelievable that this Tenth Elder of the Spirit Hall lives in the Spirit City, a place without a large mansion.

"Third Master, I spoke with several Platinum Bishop, and they all personally promised that the Tenth Elder is right next to Jingxi Street. They even took me there to see him in person. However, I didn't see the Elder himself."

The black-clad subordinate made a promise without thinking, his tone full of sincerity.

Hearing this, Li Fengheng's skeptical expression softened somewhat.

Since those Platinum Bishop have personally made the promise, it's probably true.

At the same time, I thought of this.

A feeling of joy suddenly welled up in Li Fengheng's heart.

If those Tenth Elder really lived in such a place, it would mean that they were also short of money.

The reason he wanted the Tenth Elder was because he had heard that this elder had only recently arrived at the Spirit Hall.

In this situation, the other party's need for money must be very high.

He had nothing else but plenty of money.

If one can use money to obtain a promise from a Titled Douluo or their friendliness, it is an extremely worthwhile deal.

The reason he didn't approach the other elders was that they were all already very wealthy and didn't have much need for money.

And so.

He then set his sights on this new elder of the Spirit Hall, attempting to use his vast wealth to win over a Titled Douluo, gain his goodwill, and secure his promise.

How heavy can the promise of a Titled Douluo be?

Even Li Fengheng, the third son of the Li Clan, could not estimate its magnitude.

One man can hold off an army of ten thousand; one man becomes an army of ten thousand.

A verbal promise from such a person could perhaps guarantee the Li Clan's prosperity for a hundred years.

"In that case, go and prepare a generous gift. I'm leaving this matter to you, so don't mess it up. Don't be afraid to spend money on the gift; even if I had to use all the money I've earned this year to prepare it, I wouldn't hesitate, do you understand?"

Li Fengheng looked at his subordinate and said in a deep voice.

"Clear!"

The man in black spoke with a firm and resolute tone.

See here.

Li Fengheng waved his hand, and the latter, understanding the situation, slowly took a few steps back, then turned and left the hall, disappearing into the night.

After the visitor left.

Li Fengheng also got up from his chair and slowly walked into the courtyard, listening to the summer fantasy composed of various insects, and looking up at the cool night sky.

The crescent moon in the sky looked like a hook.

The twinkling stars, one by one, are scattered throughout the Star Luo Empire, while a misty Milky Way hangs quietly, creating a scene like a painting that captivates the viewer.

But Li Fengheng felt an overwhelming loneliness welling up in his heart.

At first.

What he most wanted to do was not to become an official, but to go into business.

But his father wouldn't let him go, saying that businessmen were absent and constantly belittling them.

At that time, he was proud and arrogant; how could he tolerate others trampling on his ideals like this?

Even if that person is your closest and most loving father, it's still not acceptable.

Then.

In a fit of anger, he ran away from home, determined to make a name for himself.

And ten years have passed since that parting...

All the past events flashed before my eyes like a slideshow.

Li Fengheng's eyes were filled with memories, and a feeling of loneliness began to spread through him.

He gazed at the waning moon in the sky and thought of his family:

"It's been almost ten years since I parted ways with my father. Even now, I often feel powerless, and I wonder if my father has been well all these years..."