The Gift Li Fengheng Prepared

"Having roamed the martial world for so many years,"

Above the sky, the Milky Way shines brightly.

Occasionally, a shooting star streaks across the unchanging starry sky, displaying the most dazzling brilliance, like a long sword slicing through the black curtain of the sky.

Li Fengheng gazed at the lonely waning moon, his voice pausing slightly.

"I started out selling fish for a living, with no reputation. Then I founded the Jixuande Restaurant, which brought me some fame. Next, I founded Hengtai Jewelry, which made me famous. Finally, I established 'Sili Trading Company,' which is renowned Might Shakes the Four Directions."

"The journey has been arduous, with both smooth and rough patches."

"But..."

"But the ending was good. Out of so many colleagues, I was the only one who made it to the end, so I guess that counts as achieving something?"

After a question in return.

Li Fengheng suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with self-mockery.

He understood.

Even if he takes his business to unprecedented heights, becomes incredibly wealthy, and can influence most of the empire single-handedly, so what?

She still wouldn't gain her father's approval, nor would she receive a single word of praise from him.

This is the arduous and uneven path we've traversed in the martial world.

If it weren't for his desire for his father's final words of affirmation, he probably wouldn't have been able to hold on and would have collapsed halfway there.

That is precisely why.

He hasn't been home once in ten years since the day he left.

To say that he never felt homesick during those ten years would be impossible; it would be self-deception.

Whenever he looked up at the waning moon...

He could no longer suppress the loneliness in his heart, and the deep longing he felt.

People always miss home.

This is why the saying and tradition of "fallen leaves returning to their roots" arose.

Now that Li Fengheng has achieved great success, he naturally wants to return home in glory, and then, amidst laughter and praise, let his life slowly come to an end.

That's exactly right.

That's why he thought of seeking out the newly joined elder of the Spirit Hall, hoping to gain the elder's goodwill or promise.

Even better, one could invite this elder to return home with him. Then, a banquet could be held, inviting a host of nobles and high-ranking officials to attend, thus achieving the effect of intimidating all the powerful figures present.

With such a powerful figure as a deterrent, even if the Li Clan no longer holds official positions, those people will have to be extremely cautious and dare not attack the Li Clan.

After all, if a titled expert wants to kill a person or destroy a family, who in this world can stop them?

No one would want to be enemies with such a terrifying person.

In this way...

It will surely ensure the prosperity of the Li Clan for at least a hundred years.

And also...

What kind of expression would his father have if he knew that he had the friendship of a Titled Douluo powerhouse?

They'll definitely rave about him!

Even his clansmen will welcome his return, and his story will be a significant part of their history.

He will be remembered in the annals of his clan!

This is the real purpose of Li Fengheng's trip!!!

Although he no longer sought titles or honors, he was still wholeheartedly devoted to his family. His decision to resign from his official post and go into business was also intended to contribute to the family's future development.

After all, no matter how corrupt an official is, how much money can they really embezzle?

A family that has power but no money is destined to not last long.

A family that has money but no power is destined not to last long.

So.

Li Fengheng always adhered to the principle that officials and businessmen cannot be separated, and that they can coexist. He used his official position to deceive people and create opportunities, and used money to open loopholes. Neither of them could be dispensed with.

This was one of the reasons why he left home in the first place.

All of this.

It's all for the family!

The moonlight was hazy.

Summer nights are never peaceful.

Unidentified insects and animals joined together to create a summer hymn.

Although this hymn may seem noisy, it is only when this song is played that people realize it is the height of summer.

"Mother, Brother Mubai isn't a bad guy, is he?"

Li Mubai's home.

Xiao Yu'er and Zhao Shuran were lying on the bed in another bedroom. As they listened to the muffled sounds coming from next door, Xiao Yu'er, nestled in Zhao Shuran's arms, suddenly raised her head and looked at Zhao Shuran with a serious expression, asking her a question.

"Of course not, your brother Mubai is the kindest person."

Zhao Shuran's cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice trembled slightly.

She patted the back of the Xiao Yu'er in her arms as she continued:

"If it weren't for you, Brother Mubai, I wouldn't know what to do now. There's a high chance that we would have left the Spirit Hall and returned to our previous impoverished life."

Upon hearing this...

Xiao Yu'er's slightly narrowed eyes suddenly snapped back to reality, a hint of fear showing through them.

Obviously.

She was frightened by the impoverished life Zhao Shuran described.

"Don't be afraid, Mother will never let you suffer again."

As if sensing the unusual tremor in Xiao Yu'er's body, Zhao Shuran suddenly spoke in an extremely gentle tone to comfort her.

Hearing her mother's comforting words, Xiao Yu'er snuggled closer to Zhao Shuran, her little hands holding Zhao Shuran even tighter.

Feeling the situation in her arms, Zhao Shuran's expression darkened.

That little girl suffered so much when she followed her.

Before, before I came to Spirit City.

At that time, she and the little girl were in a village in the Heaven Dou Empire. The village was not prosperous; it was an extremely remote place with poor transportation, so it was very poor.

She and Xiao Yu'er often went hungry, and if they could eat two meals a day, that was considered a very good life. When winter came, the mother and daughter, without winter coats, would shiver from the cold, and their hands and feet would be covered with chilblains.

It was in this small village that Zhao Shuran learned how to make tofu, and then she resolutely left the village to seek a living.

Because.

If she insists on staying there, she definitely won't survive the next winter.

Thinking back on the past, Zhao Shuran couldn't help but sigh.

Fortunately, those hardships are now far behind them, and she is determined to use her own hands to ensure that such a life will never happen to them again.

In Zhao Shuran's arms, Xiao Yu'er, who had finally calmed down, suddenly murmured a question:

"Mother, Brother Mubai is a very good person, but why do you think he hit Sister Xiao Qian? Sister Xiao Qian has been crying out in pain since before, is it because she did something wrong that she was punished?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuran collapsed from exhaustion.

Fortunately, the room was very dark, so her flushed face couldn't be seen.

She didn't know how to answer Xiao Yu'er's question for a moment. No matter how she answered, it seemed like a bad answer.

She knew that children were incredibly curious. So, after some thought and deliberation, she decided to find a reason to go to Tanghu:

"This is a matter between adults. Your brother Mubai wasn't hitting sister Xiao Qian."

Xiao Yu'er curled up in Zhao Shuran's arms, listening to her explanation, Xiao Yu'er then asked sweetly again:

"Then, why did Sister Xiao Qian cry out in pain? I feel so sorry for her."

Zhao Shuran's already flushed face turned even redder and hotter after hearing Xiao Yu'er's words.

She was very glad it was only nighttime; otherwise, Xiao Yu'er would definitely keep asking her why her face was so red and whether she had a fever or was sick, and she would really have a hard time answering that question.

As for Xiao Yu'er's question, she really wanted to answer that it wasn't out of pity, but out of love.

Only.

This answer is definitely not acceptable.

"Yu'er, there's no need to pity Sister Xiao Qian."

After thinking for a long time, this was the only answer Zhao Shuran could give.

"Why? Listen, Sister Xiao Qian must be in a lot of pain right now. Shouldn't we sympathize with her?"

In the darkness, Xiao Yu'er stared wide-eyed, her voice filled with confusion.

"That wasn't a scream of pain,"

Just as Xiao Yu'er was about to ask why, Zhao Shuran interrupted her first:

"Yu'er, don't ask so many questions. These are things for adults. You'll understand when you grow up."

"Oh."

Xiao Yu'er, who was about to ask a question, could only respond softly and then fell silent, but her doubts did not diminish in the slightest.

Feeling that Xiao Yu'er had calmed down, Zhao Shuran took a deep breath to suppress the heat in her heart. However, this feeling rose again with the sound from next door, and became even more intense.

On the other side.

"Master, you... Sister Zhao and the others are still next door."

Xiao Qian's eyes were glazed over, and she lay limp on the bed, her face flushed.

"Don't worry, this room is very soundproof."

Li Mubai chuckled, then pounced on Xiao Qian, who was powerless to resist and slumped on the bed, once again like a tiger pouncing on its prey.

What Li Mubai didn't know was...

At the very bottom of the wall separating the two rooms, there was a hole about the size of a bamboo tube in the corner.

Working from dawn till dusk.

The morning star has faded.

Suddenly, a rooster crowed, piercing the silent sky and signaling the gradual retreat of the night.

A pale dawn broke in the east, hanging in the sky.

A brand new day has arrived...

Above Spirit City, wisps of smoke curled from chimneys, swaying gently in the breeze like a thin white veil drifting in the wind.

"Is the generous gift I asked you to prepare ready?"

Inside the mansion.

Li Fengheng, full of energy and with a strong voice, asked a question to a burly man standing in front of him.

"Reporting to Third Master, everything is ready."

The burly man straightened up and answered respectfully.

"Alright, bring the items over. This matter is of great importance; I have carefully examined each of these generous gifts, leaving no room for error..."

Li Fengheng nodded.

"Yes."

The burly man responded and immediately turned and left.

Soon.

He then led a group of people carrying various boxes or holding exquisite boxes to Li Fengheng.

"Third Master, this is the generous gift we've prepared. It represents a year and a half's worth of the business's revenue. The detailed accounts will be delivered to you by Steward Wang shortly. Please take a look."

The well-dressed man spoke, stepping aside and extending one hand in an invitation.

Li Fengheng nodded, then stepped forward to the boxes.

He casually opened a large wooden box, and a golden flash immediately burst forth from it, dazzling everyone's eyes.

Li Fengheng narrowed his eyes slightly, then examined the neatly arranged gold coins in the box.

The box, which took two people to lift, was a meter wide and half a meter high. The gold coins inside were piled up so high that they filled the entire space of the box without leaving any gaps.

"Third Master, this box contains ten thousand gold coins."

The burly man followed behind Li Fengheng, a hint of nervousness on his face, and explained.

"This gift is rather simple and unpretentious."

Li Fengheng nodded, confirming the presence of the box of gold coins.

Seeing this.

The burly man relaxed slightly, but his heart immediately jumped again, because his boss Li Fengheng, had already stepped to the next box.

With a creak...

Li Fengheng opened the second large red wooden box.

This time, there was no dazzling golden light. Inside the box lay a nearly one-meter-tall carp statue. The statue was entirely green, with a translucent color, clearly made of high-quality jade, and of considerable value!

"Third Master, this is a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, symbolizing the auspicious meaning of transforming from a fish into a dragon."

The strong man's voice rang out behind him again, but Li Fengheng did not move. He simply stood there quietly, watching.

A long time.

Just as cold sweat began to bead on the burly man's forehead, Li Fengheng finally smiled and nodded with great satisfaction:

"This is a nice gift; it shows thoughtfulness."

The strong man beamed with joy upon receiving the praise.

Li Fengheng rarely praises people, but those he does praise invariably receive promotions and raises very quickly.

"Thank you for the compliment, Third Master."

The strong man suppressed his joy and quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

And at this moment.

Those carrying boxes or holding treasure chests around him all looked at the strong man with deep envy.

Immediately afterwards.

Li Fengheng then went to the third large box.

As he opened it, the contents of the box were revealed.

Inside were snow-white pearls the size of eggs, shimmering with a silvery-white luster in the morning light, exuding an air of nobility.

"Third Master, this box of pearls is a specialty of the East Sea, and each one is worth a thousand gold pieces. I learned from some Platinum Bishop that there is a woman in the Tenth Elder's household, so I specially prepared this item."

The burly man's expression tensed up again.

This box of pearls was so valuable that it accounted for half the total value of all the other gifts combined.

He was also very worried that what he was doing was too extravagant and might displease Li Fengheng.

"Good, very good!"

Who would have thought?

The next second, Li Fengheng burst into laughter, showering him with praise.

You did a great job!

Li Fengheng turned his head and looked at the burly man with a respectful expression with a satisfied look.

"You did a great job on this mission, and you were very meticulous. The merchant's warehouse is short of a guard. If you don't mind, you can work there in the future."

Li Fengheng said with a smile, his eyes full of admiration.

"No problem at all, no problem at all, thank you for your kindness, Third Master."

The burly man paused for a second before replying with a grateful expression.

Warehouse guard—that's no ordinary job.

What ordinary servant is qualified to work in this place?

Only those newly appointed by Li Fengheng are qualified to work here. This means that he has gained Li Fengheng's trust, and it also means that as long as he doesn't make any mistakes in the future, he will never have to worry about money again!

The strong, muscular man sighed deeply.

He never dared to be careless in his work, yet he never got a chance for promotion.

I never expected this.

He gained the Third Master's trust simply by preparing a gift for a very important person.