A Spring of Gratitude

"You..."

Chen Yao was exasperated upon hearing this.

As if having suffered a grave humiliation, her complexion alternated between pale and livid.

To call her a maid—wasn't that just forcing her into servitude?

Zhou Min, however, acted as if she had seen nothing, speaking as if it were a trivial matter and giving Chen Yao plenty of room to decide: "Think it over carefully. If you agree, come find me."

Having tossed out these confident words, she turned and left without a shred of lingering attachment.

Her footsteps were steady and full of certainty, as if she were convinced that Chen Yao would ultimately choose to compromise.

She understood the Chen Family's situation better than Chen Yao did; the other party had no reason to refuse, and even less qualification to do so.

Everything that needed to be said had been said; for now, all she had to do was wait for Chen Yao to soften, compromise, and bow her head in servitude.

Zhou Min had left, but her words lingered in Chen Yao's ears like a demonic chant, entangling her body and mind.

Chen Yao stood rooted to the spot like a clay statue, her expression shifting uncertainly.

Archery Battalion, Third Team main tent.

Han Ming was busy handling official business; although the fish tide had ended, his own busyness had only just begun.

Just then, a Water Soldier came to report: "Team Leader Han, Hong Ming requests an audience."

"Hong Ming?" Han Ming was somewhat surprised.

He hadn't sought out Hong Ming, yet the man had come to him first.

Not dwelling on it, he vaguely guessed the other's intent and ordered the soldier to summon him.

Hong Ming arrived a moment later. Upon seeing Han Ming, he cupped his hands and said: "This subordinate pays respects to Team Leader Han."

"No need for formalities."

Han Ming waved his hand, unconcerned with trifles, and asked about the business at hand.

"Hong Ming, what is the reason for your visit?"

Hong Ming deliberated for a moment before saying: "Reporting to Team Leader Han, this subordinate chanced upon a Treasure Fish during the fish tide. Knowing little about it, I have come to ask Team Leader Han to point me in the right direction."

"Point you in the right direction?" Han Ming raised an eyebrow after hearing this.

This kid was certainly eloquent, phrasing a question about whether he was willing to buy it in such a refined and elegant way.

He scrutinized Hong Ming, discovering that the man lacked the timidity born of his background, showing instead a sense of composure.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he feigned realization: "You wish to sell the Red-Horned Pomfret in your possession?"

"This subordinate indeed has that thought. I wonder what Team Leader Han's intentions are?" Hong Ming tossed the choice back to Han Ming.

Han Ming said, as if casually: "Oh? Do you not intend to sell it to the Chen Family?"

"The Chen Family?"

These words made Hong Ming pause, and he asked in confusion, "I ask that Team Leader Han speak plainly. What has happened to the Chen Family?"

Seeing that Hong Ming truly did not seem to know, Han Ming sighed softly: "It does no harm to tell you. The Chen Family's business has recently encountered difficulties, and they are in urgent need of Treasure Fish to turn things around."

At this point, Hong Ming understood, and finally realized why Han Ming had asked that question.

"Since you wish to sell, it just so happens that I have the intent to buy."

At this, Han Ming took the initiative to state his position, intending to purchase the Red-Horned Pomfret.

Hong Ming did not agree immediately, but instead pondered: "Team Leader Han, I wonder if you might allow this subordinate to return and consider it?"

"That is certainly fine."

Han Ming expressed his understanding, his gaze flickering as he saw Hong Ming off.

Outside the military town.

Chen Yao had completely lost hope.

The worst-case scenario had occurred: all the Treasure Fish within the Water Army had been reserved.

There was simply no room for an ordinary Water Soldier like her to intervene.

On the return journey, thinking of her family's situation, her mood grew heavy: "If it is like this for me, Father and the others are surely no exception."

They had already exhausted every means to purchase any available Treasure Fish, and the fact that they still hadn't gathered enough was proof enough of the situation.

Their Chen Family had truly reached the end of their rope!

"I will go back and ask. If it still doesn't work, then I can only..."

In the depths of her mind, Chen Yao could not stop the memories of what Zhou Min had said earlier from resurfacing.

She clenched her fists, but they eventually fell powerlessly, as if she had made a compromise.

Carrying the last shred of hope, she returned to the manor, where she was met by the sighs of her father, Chen Gu, and her second brother, Chen Jue.

"Xiao Yao, how are things on your end?"

Seeing Chen Yao return, Chen Father and the other man hurriedly asked, their tones brimming with hope.

Listening to their earnestness, Chen Yao shook her head in silence.

What answered her were their eyes, the luster extinguished, their expressions slumping into dejection at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Chen Jue felt his heart turn cold, shaking his head without a word, while Chen Father slumped down in deep disappointment.

Chen Yao pursed her lips, her throat bobbing with difficulty as she forced out the words: "Father, Second Brother, what did the Wang Family say? Are they truly unwilling to make any concessions?"

The two shook their heads, sighing and lamenting; the meaning was self-evident.

"Then can our family afford the compensation?" Chen Yao asked again.

The deadline was approaching; if they failed to gather five Treasure Fish, it would be considered a breach of contract by the Chen Family, requiring tenfold compensation.

This sum of money was enough to hollow out the entire Chen Family estate!

"I have already sent Chen Hong to contact sellers and prepare to liquidate our assets, but to gather them all in such a short time, I fear... it won't be enough!" Chen Father said, shaking his head.

Chen Jue added from the side: "The key is that the Wang Family won't give us any time at all. They claim that if the Treasure Fish aren't gathered by the deadline, they will immediately force us to pay with our water fields. But the price they offered is less than half of the value; it's clear they are kicking us while we're down, wanting to seize our family business while they have the chance. If we give it to them, the losses will be catastrophic!"

The two recounted the tyranny and shamelessness of the Wang Family; there was regret, and there was anger, but more than anything, there was helplessness and bewilderment.

After this compensation, how would their Chen Family ever stand firm in Clear River City again?

Chen Yao fell silent after hearing this, and deep within her mind, the wavering thought she had held began to solidify into resolve.

"Father, Second Brother, I have something to attend to, I'm going out."

With that, she didn't give them time to ask questions and strode away.

"Haha, good news!"

Just as Chen Yao stepped out, Chen Hong returned home in a rush, unable to wait to share his joy with his family.

Suddenly seeing Chen Yao walking away not far off, he couldn't help but call out: "Little Sister, where are you going?"

Chen Yao didn't respond, as if she hadn't heard.

Chen Hong didn't mind; he walked quickly into the house, just about to shout, but was interrupted by Chen Jue, who had heard the commotion and asked first: "Big Brother, did you manage to buy the Treasure Fish?"

He stared fixedly at Chen Hong, terrified that a single negative word might tumble out of his mouth.

Even Chen Father was full of anticipation and nervousness, his heart rising along with them.

Knowing the two were anxious, Chen Hong didn't beat around the bush and admitted it straight away: "That's right, I bought them!"

The brief response swept away the gloom in their hearts like a clear breeze, causing their spirits, which had plummeted to the valley floor, to instantly burst with vitality.

The two looked at each other, the excitement plain to see on their faces.

"Ah Hong, what exactly happened? Where did you find the Treasure Fish?" Chen Father asked curiously once he regained his composure.

Chen Hong dropped a bombshell: "This is all thanks to Little Sister!"

"Little Sister?" The two were completely bewildered.

Chen Hong explained: "You two don't know this, but these Treasure Fish were sent by a friend of Little Sister's."

He then passionately recounted the scene: "All afternoon, I visited every fish market, but returned empty-handed. I had to go back to the water fields, but just as I arrived, I heard the Wang Family had sent people to take over. They were appraising the property right in front of me, and the price they offered made me want to beat them to a pulp. But don't worry, I held back, because I couldn't beat them..."

"Big Brother, get to the point!"

Listening to Chen Hong's rambling, Chen Jue could no longer endure it and corrected him.

Chen Hong chuckled sheepishly and got back to the point: "Just as both sides were haggling, Little Sister's friend came to visit. Thinking that there was this connection, I decided to meet him. And upon meeting him, it was as if a divine soldier had descended from the heavens. Without a second word, he just tossed the Red-Horned Pomfret to me..."

Chen Father and Chen Jue didn't listen closely to the rest.

They had already grasped the gist from Chen Hong's account.

Chen Father interjected at the right moment: "Ah Hong, who is this friend of Little Sister's?"

"His name is Hong Ming!"