Chen Qing returned from Linfu Restaurant beneath the cover of night. His footsteps were steady, yet his thoughts surged like the tide.
Wu Manqing's offer still echoed in his ears.
When he had first begun learning martial arts, he had lacked resources and needed support.
But now, he stood only one step away from the threshold of Transformation Force. He had confidence of his own.
Though support from others was certainly tempting, it was also like an invisible set of shackles.
Besides, he would soon break through to Transformation Force. Why should he hitch himself to the Wu Family's war chariot?
With his mind made up, his steps grew a little lighter.
Before long, the familiar small courtyard with its blue-tiled roof came into view.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, he saw Madam Han holding needle and thread. She had been staring at Chen Qing's old robe for ages without making a stitch, her brows faintly furrowed, clearly burdened with worries.
When Chen Qing came home and saw her like this, he asked, "Mother, did you ask around? What is Miss Liu like?"
Madam Han seemed to wake from a start. Setting down her needle and thread, she sighed. "I did. I ran around for most of the day—my legs nearly wore thin."
She looked at her son with a complicated expression. "The girl comes from a respectable family. Shopkeeper Liu is honest and dependable, and his shop is doing well. As for her looks, the neighbors all say she is lovely. She seems mild-tempered, can read and write, and knows how to use an abacus and keep accounts. None of that is wrong."
Chen Qing nodded. "She sounds quite good."
"She is quite good..."
Madam Han changed the subject, lowering her voice. "But A Qing, your mother heard about