"Good!"
"Well said! A reward for you!"
One of the strangers, a young man dressed like a young master, called out loudly.
At his words, a servant behind him took out a hundred copper coins as a tip. They landed in the copper basin with a pleasing chime.
"How generous!"
Lin Zheyu praised him and told the story with even more gusto.
It was a long tale. In theory, hearing only such a short passage shouldn't have moved anyone to tip.
But Lin Zheyu didn't care. As long as someone tipped, that was all that mattered.
"The story's quite interesting. This young storyteller is a real talent to be able to write something so captivating," the young master said with a smile to his companion as he ate a flaky pastry.
Beside him sat a delicate-looking young woman. Her cheeks were fair with a rosy flush, and her bright, dark eyes brimmed with spirit.
As he listened to the story, the young master explained the relationships between the characters to her.
Lu Qihui had come from Baohe City, where his family was a wealthy merchant clan.
With the turmoil of war spreading, Lu Qihui's father feared Baohe City might be caught up in it. He sent Lu Qihui and a paternal uncle to lead part of the clan to migrate to another city.
When they passed through Songyi City, they entered the city to rest for a few days.
Bored, Lu Qihui had wandered around and heard several people in a teahouse discussing a story. Curious, he'd gone over to listen for a while, and the more he listened, the more hooked he became.
So he specially found a storyteller to tell him the tale from the beginning.
The storyteller had spent several days telling it, but just as the story reached its most exciting point, he ran out.
After asking around, Lu Qihui learned that the story wasn't finished yet, and that it was told every day at Bidan Tea House.
"Huang Rong really is an extraordinary woman."
Lu Zhenfang sighed. "Brother, when we set out in a few days, let's bring this storyteller along. He can tell us stories on the road and keep us entertained."
"That's a good idea!"
Lu Qihui's eyes lit up. "If we can recruit someone like him into the Lu Mansion and have him tell us stories in his spare time, it'll add a lot of fun to our lives."
"Mm-hmm." Lu Zhenfang blinked, just as engrossed in the tale.
Happy times always passed quickly.
Under the audience's reluctant gazes, Lin Zheyu picked up the clapper and struck it against the table. "To learn what happens next, come back for the next installment."
"What?"
"That's it?"
"Tell us more! Just one more part!"
The audience went through the usual round of heckling. Lin Zheyu cupped his hands and prepared to leave the stage.
Smack!
A sharp sound rang out. Lu Qihui stood and slapped a silver ingot onto the table. "Sir, tell us one more part. There'll be a reward."
He then tossed the silver ingot into the basin, where it rang out with a clear clank.
Well, well. A big spender had shown up.
Lin Zheyu chuckled at the sight and returned to the storytelling stage. "Since you're all so enthusiastic, I'll tell you one more part!"
After all this time telling stories, he'd finally found himself a true number-one supporter!
Smack!
He struck the clapper against the table. "Previously..."
Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang exchanged a glance and smiled.
Lu Qihui said with a grin, "This storyteller does like money. We should be able to persuade him to travel with us. It'll only cost a little extra silver."
Lin Zheyu told another part.
Only when the sky began to darken did the audience finally leave, still wanting more.
On his way past the market, Lin Zheyu bought four catties of pork and some vegetables.
As his strength improved, his appetite grew, and so did his need for meat and medicinal nourishment.
On the street, along the road Lin Zheyu had to take to get home,
a burly figure leaned against a wall, idly bouncing his leg.
When he saw Lin Zheyu approaching, the man cast him a sidelong glance, his eyes full of scrutiny.
"Jia Yanyong!"
Lin Zheyu narrowed his eyes.
The man had clearly been waiting here for him.
What did he want?
Lin Zheyu couldn't figure it out.
He'd reached an agreement with Jia Yanming. The other party shouldn't have kept resorting to underhanded tactics.
Besides, he'd often seen Jia Yanyong at Bidan Tea House lately, listening to the stories with obvious enjoyment.
Lin Zheyu's thoughts raced. He stopped three meters from Jia Yanyong.
"Brother Yong, are you waiting here for me?" Lin Zheyu asked.
"That's right."
Jia Yanyong grinned. "Our gang leader thinks your stories are pretty interesting and wants to invite you to tell them at the Flying Rainbow Gang first thing tomorrow morning."
"Tell a few more parts while you're there. Listening to so little each day just isn't enough."
"That can be arranged."
"I wonder how much silver your gang leader plans to pay. My appearance fee isn't cheap," Lin Zheyu asked.
As one of Songyi City's three major gangs, the Flying Rainbow Gang had plenty of members.
If possible, he'd rather not offend them.
"Being able to tell stories for our gang leader is an honor. You still want to get paid?"
"These streets are all under the Flying Rainbow Gang's protection. You should be grateful we haven't charged you protection money."
Jia Yanyong curled his lip.
He clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked, his tone carrying a hint of threat.
His fierce features, burly build, and menacing expression made him seem immensely intimidating and like someone not to be trifled with.
"Then I'm terribly sorry, but I have something to do tomorrow morning."
"If your gang leader wants to hear a story, he can come to Bidan Tea House tomorrow afternoon."
Lin Zheyu refused.
He wanted to listen without paying? Was he trying to freeload?
Lin Zheyu hated freeloaders most of all.
"Don't tell me you think becoming Liang Song's disciple means you can ignore the Flying Rainbow Gang?"
Jia Yanyong said, his face tinged with mockery.
His brother had asked him about Liang Song before, wanting to know whether Liang Song was someone to be reckoned with. That was how Jia Yanyong had learned that Lin Zheyu had become Liang Song's disciple.
If this had happened over a decade ago, when Liang Song was in his prime, the Flying Rainbow Gang would have shown him some respect.
But Liang Song was now old and frail, and had a bad leg. How much strength could he still have?
"I never said that. I really do have something to do tomorrow morning."
Lin Zheyu replied calmly.
Seeing Lin Zheyu's indifferent expression, Jia Yanyong gave a cold laugh.
"My brother asked me to teach you a lesson ages ago, but then you started working with him, so I never got the chance."
"Now the gang leader wants you to tell him stories, and you're so damn ungrateful."
"Since you don't know what's good for you, I'll make you suffer a little. All you need is a mouth to tell stories, so breaking a few bones won't matter."
Jia Yanyong began walking toward Lin Zheyu.
His burly frame and fierce features radiated overwhelming pressure.
"You want to fight here?"
"This street is full of people. If I shout a few times, the authorities will be here before long," Lin Zheyu said evenly, showing no fear.
"The authorities?"
"Haha! So what if they arrest me? It'll only cost a little money. I can even make a murder disappear, let alone break a few of your bones."
Jia Yanyong said disdainfully.
He walked toward Lin Zheyu, step by step.
Rolling his neck, he cracked his knuckles.
His face bore a cold smile, with a touch of contempt and a touch of mockery.
He'd seen plenty of people like Lin Zheyu. They might act tough at first, but most would behave after a beating.
"I'll give you one last chance."
"Will you go to the Flying Rainbow Gang tomorrow morning and tell stories of your own accord, or should I teach you a lesson and have someone carry you there?" Jia Yanyong said.
"What if I choose neither?"
"Neither?"
"Then I'll help you make the choice!"
Jia Yanyong said indifferently.
He'd studied martial arts for over a decade. Though he wasn't particularly skilled, after years of training, he'd managed to break through to the Bone Forging Realm.
After joining the Flying Rainbow Gang, he'd been through all kinds of gang battles.
With his powerful physique and ruthless, fearless fighting style, he'd made quite a name for himself.
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