Chen Long and Chen Hu

All of this was for his worthless younger brother.

Besides, Li Xiao had joined the Martial Arts Hall. Who knew if some Senior Brother might back him up behind the scenes?

So he did not want to go too far.

After all, the two families would be relatives in the future.

Chen Hu also put on a smile and said to Li Youde before him.

"Uncle Li, I truly love Yu'er.

As long as she marries me, I guarantee I'll treat her well from now on and never let her suffer even a bit."

He already knew that Granny Wang had been eaten by wolves.

He felt somewhat regretful.

He regretted the Two Taels of Silver he had given her. Not only had she failed to get the job done, she had even died for no reason at all.

He had originally planned to ask for it back later!

Looking at Chen Hu's fake smile, Li Youde felt sick to his stomach.

If Li Xiao had not rescued Yu'er in time last time, who knew what might have happened.

Li Youde slammed his palm down on the table and sprang to his feet. Anger burst from his clouded eyes.

"Hmph, Chen Hu, stop spouting sweet words here!

Even if the Li Family starves to death, I will never marry Yu'er to the likes of you!"

Pointing at the door, his voice trembled with rage. "Last time, you joined forces with Granny Wang to abduct Yu'er. I haven't settled that score with you yet!

Now Granny Wang is dead, and you still have the nerve to come here and propose marriage?

Let me tell you, unless I, Li Youde, am dead, don't even dream of it!"

The smile on Chen Hu's face froze. He had not expected Li Youde's attitude to be so firm.

He had indeed entertained the thought of abducting Li Yu, but he had not yet put it into action.

His face darkened, and his tone took on a hint of threat.

"Uncle Li, don't speak so absolutely.

When did I ever abduct Yu'er?

Take a look at the state of your family. If Yu'er follows me, she'll at least eat well and live well.

Wouldn't that be better than suffering with you in this broken house?"

"My family's affairs are none of your business!" Li Youde's chest heaved violently.

"Even if Yu'er never marries for the rest of her life, I can still support her!

Get out! The Li Family does not welcome you!"

He only thought Chen Hu was refusing to admit it. He did not know that it had been Granny Wang's own idea, and before she could inform Chen Hu, she had been eaten by wolves.

Seeing the atmosphere at an impasse, Chen Long stepped forward and said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Uncle Li, leave a line in everything, so we can meet again in the future.

My brother truly likes Yu'er. Why block off the road completely?

Besides, Li Xiao is at the Martial Arts Hall now. There will surely be times when he needs people in the future. If we become relatives, wouldn't we be helping each other out?"

"Helping each other out?" Li Youde sneered. "The Li Family cannot afford the kind of help where you seize men and bully women!

Leave at once!"

He knew he was incapable, but Li Xiao being at the Martial Arts Hall was a fact. Even if it was only a bluff, he still had to protect his daughter.

Chen Hu's face turned completely black. He had not expected Li Youde to be impervious to reason, and he could not help but flare up, only for Chen Long to hold him back.

Chen Long looked at Li Youde's resolute expression, then glanced at the tightly shut door to the inner room. Knowing that today's matter would likely not succeed, a trace of sinister malice flashed through his eyes.

"Li Youde, don't speak too absolutely. Where is Li Xiao? We can discuss it once he returns."

Chen Long said with a cold laugh.

Previously, Li Xiao had followed behind Chen Hu, wanting to play matchmaker for Li Yu and Chen Hu.

In doing so, he had hoped to curry favor with him.

Now that he had deeply earned the Gang Leader's favor, Li Xiao surely would not refuse. As long as he gave him a little benefit, he was not afraid Li Xiao would disagree.

As long as Li Xiao agreed, Li Youde's opinion would not matter so much.

He was only an old man. When given face, he could be called Uncle Li. Without face, what was he worth?

Li Youde said nothing further, and the room fell silent!

When the Setting Sun dyed the horizon orange red, Li Xiao finally withdrew his fists and stood still, letting out a long breath of stale air.

Feeling the strength within him slowly but surely growing, he wiped away his sweat and prepared to return home.

"Dad, I'm back," Li Xiao called out in the courtyard.

When he pushed open that familiar Wooden Door, the sight inside made Li Xiao's brow furrow instantly.

His father, Li Youde, sat beside the table with a face ashen with anger, his chest still rising and falling slightly. Clearly, his fury had yet to subside.

Sitting across from him were two people—Chen Hu, wearing a disgruntled expression, and a Strange Man whose features somewhat resembled Chen Hu's, but whose gaze was more sinister and whose clothes were far more respectable.

He must have been Chen Hu's older brother, Chen Long, who held some standing in the Golden Sand Gang.

The atmosphere in the room was so heavy it seemed water could drip from it.

When Li Youde saw his son, it was as though he had found his Backbone. His expression eased slightly, but the worry in his Eyes did not fade.

Chen Hu looked up at the sound. When he clearly saw Li Xiao entering, he could not help but freeze for a moment.

They had not seen each other for little more than a month, yet the Li Xiao before him seemed like a different person.

Though he had always been tall and sturdy, he had once carried a trace of timidity and eagerness to please. Even when looking at him, his gaze had often been evasive.

But now, Li Xiao stood there straight as a pine, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. When his Eyes swept over them, they carried an oppressive force that could not be ignored, making Chen Hu's heart inexplicably tighten.

It was a confidence and steadiness that radiated from within, as though he had been Reborn!

This was also Chen Long's first time seeing Li Xiao. As he sized up the young man, a trace of Surprise flashed through his eyes.

This kid did not look like an ordinary Martial Arts Hall Disciple. There was a certain force about him.

"Brother Li Xiao, you're back?"

Chen Long spoke first, forcing a seemingly friendly smile onto his face.

"I'm Chen Long, Chen Hu's older brother.

I've long heard my younger brother mention you. Now that I see you today, you truly carry yourself extraordinarily. As expected of an outstanding disciple of the Martial Arts Hall."

Li Xiao did not respond to his Polite Words. His gaze turned directly to Chen Hu, his voice indifferent.

"What are you here for?"

Chen Hu felt somewhat uncomfortable under Li Xiao's gaze, but he forced himself to appear imposing.

"Li Xiao, I came to propose marriage to your dad today! I sincerely want to marry Yu'er into my family..."

"Propose marriage?" Li Xiao cut him off, a Cold and Sharp curve lifting at the corner of his mouth.

"You came to propose with the 'sincerity' of trying to abduct my Eldest Sister last time?"

Chen Hu's expression changed, and he hurriedly defended himself.

"That was Granny Wang acting on her own initiative. It had nothing to do with me! I..."

"Enough." Li Xiao's voice was not loud, yet it carried an Unquestionable force. "You need not concern yourselves with my Eldest Sister's marriage.

Now leave my home."

The smile on Chen Long's face could no longer hold. He stood up and narrowed his eyes at Li Xiao.

"Li Xiao, I know you are studying martial arts at the Martial Arts Hall and have a Boundless Future.

But more friends mean more roads. Why make things so strained?

My younger brother is sincere. As long as you nod, we'll be one family from now on.

Didn't you want to become a Headman before? As long as you agree to Li Yu marrying my brother, you can become a Headman of my Clear Water Gang. Otherwise..."

He did not finish, but the threat was self-evident.

Facing Chen Long's cold, sinister gaze, Li Xiao not only did not retreat, but stepped forward instead.

"Otherwise what?" Li Xiao enunciated each word, his gaze flashing like lightning. "Though the Li Family is poor, our bones have not softened to the point where anyone can manipulate us.

I, Li Xiao, practice boxing at the Martial Arts Hall not to curry favor with anyone, much less to let others threaten my family."

Seeing Li Xiao neither humble nor arrogant, Chen Long's heart filled with astonishment and doubt.

Could this kid have already cultivated Internal Force?

That's impossible this quickly!

But this steadiness and Sharpness were not something an ordinary Disciple could possess.

He glanced at Chen Hu, whose face had gone pale and who did not dare meet Li Xiao's eyes.

How could the gap between people be so vast?