Early spring.
Fish market.
Aaron had just sold a "Seven-Star Catfish" for forty copper coins when he saw "Smiling Tiger" approaching.
Well, ever since he had smilingly chopped off Old Chu and his son's fingers, "Master Tiger" had gained another nickname—"Smiling Tiger"!
"Yo, Brother Yu, you've hauled in another big fish."
He greeted him with a smile, yet it sent chills down one's spine.
"Master Tiger."
Aaron nodded. "It was all luck!"
Very tactfully, he handed over twenty copper coins.
"Haha... Brother Yu is a straightforward man." "Master Tiger" grinned so broadly his eyes vanished, then abruptly changed the subject. "You've never tasted a little lady before, have you? Big Brother will take you out to broaden your horizons?"
Aaron's expression tightened.
Once he had paid up according to the rules, "Master Tiger" and his men could not make trouble for him openly. Otherwise, every fisherman would be left fearing for himself.
But if they could not come at him openly, they could do so in the dark!
For instance, coaxing him into the private brothels and backroom gambling dens they ran themselves! Urging him to whore and gamble... until he lost everything he owned, perhaps even gambled away himself!
"Um... no need. I only have eyes for Fourth Madam."
Aaron played the part of a simple-minded youth and answered in a dull, booming voice.
"Haha... Brother Yu, your tastes truly are unique. But though Fourth Madam is a little old, her charm remains. More importantly, she knows whether you're cold or warm and knows how to cherish a man!"
"Master Tiger" laughed heartily and let the matter pass so easily that the several sets of excuses Aaron had prepared went unused, making him all the more wary.
"Ah Yu, I think highly of you. How about this... in a