Chapter 92

However, she wasn't lying.

"I understand, I'll be right down."

After hearing what Ansuo, Shirou thought that this day had indeed come.

He was very familiar with this kind of protection money collection behavior; it was a common plot in TV dramas and movies.

This behavior was also mentioned in the information that Jie gave him.

After being reminded by Ansuo, Shirou became a little worried. He quickly tidied himself up, washed his hands, and went downstairs.

After going downstairs, seeing the children busy in the kitchen, Shirou greeted them and then headed towards the store.

"Huh? Shirou, you're down here."

Ansuo somewhat surprised to see Shirou come down so quickly.

"Isn't it because I was worried about you?"

Shirou pulled up a chair and sat down; he was still a little tired.

I just finished working out and then sparred with Texas. After that, I rode my bike over to fix the fan, and then I need to buy ingredients to cook dinner.

"Hehe, it's not that serious. We're just keeping you here as insurance. A-Xing is basically stationed here permanently, so no one should be going to make a move on this place."

Ansuo realized he had exaggerated the matter and caused Shirou unnecessary worry, so he quickly added some details.

"Oh, I see. That's great."

Hearing this, Shirou breathed a sigh of relief; it was best to have less trouble.

This made Shirou A-Xing did before, and how she could have a way of keeping others from getting close.

Could he be some legendary gangster from Lungmen?

"Sorry, I didn't explain clearly."

Ansuo clasped his hands together and sincerely apologized to Shirou.

"It's okay, but remember to tell me, A-Xing, or Jie if something like this happens again, otherwise it might be bad if something goes wrong."

Shirou waved his hand and said that he didn't know as much about the Slums as Ansuo, so he didn't say anything about Ansuo's judgment.

"I see."

Ansuo nodded obediently, after all, he had just caused trouble.

During his free time, Shirou looked around the shop.

Every time he comes, he takes a look at the store's merchandise and inventory whenever he has time, and he also goes upstairs to check things out when he has some free time.

After all, this place was established because of his dream, and Shirou cares a lot about it.

After seeing that the store mainly sold ordinary goods, Shirou thought it was fine.

Meanwhile, Ansuo took out a small notebook and started keeping accounts.

After a month of training and guidance from Jie, Ansuo has started helping with the store's bookkeeping. He can delegate other tasks to others, but bookkeeping is not an option.

This was something that Jie and A-Xing had repeatedly emphasized to her.

Just as Ansuo and Shirou were busy with their own things, several people wearing black suit jackets stood outside the Fuyuki Store.

"Is this it?"

The leader, holding a stick, shook his neck and asked, while several others beside him also held sticks, clearly indicating ill intentions.

The smile that Penguin Logistics should have

Outside the Fuyuki Store, several people dressed in black clothes, black hats, black sunglasses, and carrying sticks were looking at the store.

"Do these kinds of shops even make any money? I think they only sell old stuff."

The younger brother following behind asked, "I've checked out this shop before. It's just a small shop that sells mediocre stuff."

Of course, they also knew that there was a seemingly powerful Oni among them, which is why they chose to come now.

"There's nothing we can do about it. We've got people in other places, but this place is the only vacant one. For now, we should keep a low profile and try to avoid any conflict with the Lungmen gang."

The leader was also helpless after hearing what his younger brother said.

They escaped, and after arriving in Lungmen, they could only become petty thugs to survive.

"I see, as expected of the eldest brother. Then I'll do it!"

Hearing his older brother say that, one of the younger brothers decided to do his best.

Seeing that someone was willing to take on the work, the others also made way for them.

The henchman, carrying a stick, pushed open the shop door and went inside.

Inside the shop, Shirou and Ansuo were busy with their own tasks. When they heard the bell ring at the door, they instinctively called out at the same time, "Welcome!"

Turning around, I realized the newcomer was... Lupo, dressed rather strangely?

Wearing a black hat and black clothes on such a hot day made even Shirou feel hot.

The stick the other person was holding reminded Shirou of some gangster movies he watched in his early days.

If the person in front of you removed Lupo's ears, he'd be just like those nameless underlings in the movies!

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

Seeing that the other party seemed to have ill intentions, Ansuo changed his previous carefree smile and looked at the other party with a serious expression.

"They collect protection money."

The young man who stepped into the store glanced around. A red-haired boy of unknown race was arranging merchandise, and a purple-haired child from Casters was sitting at the cashier.

And that pile of scrap metal on the shelf.

He was considering smashing those things in protest if the two didn't obey.

"Protection fees?"

Upon hearing this, Shirou turned to look at Ansuo, because just a few minutes ago Ansuo had said that no one should make a move here.

Is this Croissant and Exusiai meant by setting a "flag" (a strategic goal or plan)?

Ansuo had no intention of taking the blame, avoiding Shirou's gaze, and asked the gangster, "How much do you want?"

It wasn't that she was following her heart; she was just following the rules of the Slums.

If you're not being targeted, great; if you are, you'll just have to face it.

Even the gangs in the Slums wouldn't overcharge, as if they were being restrained by someone above them.

Moreover, they would still help with some things after receiving protection money; it wasn't like they just took the money and left.

"Huh? Hmm... two thousand!"

Seeing that Purple Casters was eager to pay upfront, the underling thought for a moment and then gave a number.

He himself didn't know how much he was taking, so he just calculated it based on the amount of protection money he had collected before.

Hearing his younger brother's words, Ansuo frowned and realized something was wrong; the other party was asking for too much.

It usually only costs a few hundred dollars, and judging from the other person's clothes, Ansuo realized that the person in front of him was not from the Lungmen Slums.

"Let's talk outside."

Upon hearing the other party's offer and seeing the troubled look on Ansuo's face, Shirou stepped forward and spoke.

Although paying money would be the quickest solution, and two thousand was not out of the question, Shirou found it difficult to accept the other party's attitude and behavior.

Why should I—

Seeing that Shirou was going to talk outside, the underling became unhappy and grabbed a stick, ready to smash the shop.

Then Shirou pressed the stick down with his hand, and he didn't finish his sentence.

Shirou gripped the stick tightly in his hand, making it impossible for him to smash it or pull it back.

He seems like a very friendly person, so how come he's so strong?

"Let's talk outside."

Shirou said with a smile, while pushing the stick back.

Looking at the several blurry black figures outside the window, Shirou knew that the other party had accomplices, and if they were inside the store, there was a possibility that the store would be smashed at any time.

He wouldn't let these people destroy the store; it's everyone's hard work.

And it wouldn't be good to scare the children.

"OK."

Realizing the person in front of him seemed rather dangerous, the younger brother wanted to go back to his own people for some security, so he immediately pushed open the door and went outside.

Through the open door, Shirou saw several people outside.

How should I put it... why are they wearing the same clothes? It looks like they're just some random extras in a game between Exusiai and Croissant.

"Shirou, they shouldn't be from the Slums. Their clothes and behavior are not in accordance with the rules."

Ansuo forward, tugged at Shirou's sleeve, and slipped Shirou two thousand Lungmen Dollars.

She knew that Shirou was quite skilled, but it was still too dangerous for him to face more than a dozen people. She had just sent a message to A-Xing, hoping that A-Xing could come back soon.

I don't expect him to be a fighter, I just need him to intimidate people with his fierce appearance.

Speaking of fierce appearances... I'd also like to inform Jiehao that he should be more effective than A-Xing, and he's closer to her.

"It's alright, don't worry. Let's take everyone upstairs first."

After taking the Lungmen Dollars and stuffing them into his pocket, Shirou instructed Ansuo to take the children who had gathered because of the noise to the second floor.

He wasn't worried about fighting, and besides, Ansuo had said he wasn't from the Slums... so let's leave it to the Knights of the Round Table to handle.

"Be careful, the maximum loss is only two thousand, which is only half a month's profit."

Ansuo said with a worried expression.

If she were alone, she could just run away and be fine.

But she can't run away now; her home is right here.

"Don't worry, I've never been afraid of fighting."

Shirou patted Ansuo's head, then walked out and closed the shop door behind him.

The following scenes are not suitable for children.

Having been immersed in Penguin Logistics for over three months, Shirou now understands very well how to survive in Lungmen.

When dealing with these thugs... just beat them up and hand them over to the Knights of the Round Table.

He had been defending against Texas's attacks throughout the sparring session today. Although he managed to take down Texas a few times, he was still itching to get his hands dirty.

It's great now, someone just happened to come to our door.

Looking at the group of people in black suits outside, Shirou wore the smile that Penguin Logistics would expect.

On the other side, A-Xing, having received the message, ran wildly through the streets while simultaneously making phone calls on his phone.

"A-Xing? What's wrong?"

On the other end of the phone was Hoshiguma, who was currently engrossed in her work.

Upon receiving A-Xing's call and hearing the hurried footsteps, Hoshiguma sensed something was wrong and immediately stopped her work to inquire about the situation.

"Sister Xiong! It seems like there are some people causing trouble at the store. Shirou seems to be talking to them."

As A-Xing ran, he recounted the situation that Ansuo had just sent him.

"Someone's causing trouble, Shirou is making conversations?"

Hoshiguma recalled the first time she met Shirou; it seemed like he single-handedly defeated a group of people and forced them to surrender?

Missy, also known as Swire, seems to have wanted to poach Emiya from Shirou Penguin Logistics because she admired his character and combat prowess.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about Shirou's safety.

Hoshiguma's mind worked quickly, and she immediately realized that the person she should be worried about was not Shirou, but the people on the other side.

Just as Hoshiguma was about to explain to A-Xing, she heard A-Xing say, "Uh... Sister Xiong, it seems like everything's alright. Do you want to send someone over to collect the body?"