Household

Seeing her appear somewhat angry, Lin Qing felt a warmth bloom in his heart.

Knowing this was the simple, earnest kindness of a neighbor girl, refusing further would only hurt her feelings.

He had no choice but to take the still-warm porcelain bowl and smile, "Then thank you, Xiaoya. It smells delicious."

Seeing him accept it, the clouds cleared from Xiaoya's face, and she blossomed into a shy smile, whispering a soft, "You're welcome."

She turned around immediately, fleeing back into her courtyard as if escaping, and slammed the door shut.

From behind the door, Old Man He's wife could be heard exclaiming, "Good heavens, you silly girl, why didn't you bring the bowl back?"

Holding the bowl of tofu, Lin Qing stood where he was, shaking his head with a chuckle.

After a moment's thought, he downed the bean curd in one go, ultimately deciding not to leave any copper coins behind.

To measure such a heartfelt gesture with money would be vulgar.

Returning to the shop, his sister Lin Wan was tidying the counter, preparing to close up.

She looked surprised to see the tofu in Lin Qing's hands.

Lin Qing briefly explained that He Xiaoya had given it to him, to which Lin Wan replied earnestly, "Xiaoya is a good child. Her father, Blacksmith He, may have a stubborn temper, but he is an upright man who has often helped out the neighbors."

"I think Xiaoya has feelings for you. How about I go and propose the marriage for you?"

Hearing this, Lin Qing hurriedly waved his hands.

"Sister, I have no such plans right now."

"It is time for you to settle down and start a family. It would be good for you to marry and have children sooner rather than later," Lin Wan continued to urge.

"Let's talk about it later."

Lin Qing shook his head, and after finishing the bean curd, he prepared to make a quick escape.

Inadvertently, he knocked a Benefit-the-People Notice off the table and onto the floor.

Seeing the paper on the ground, Lin Wan seemed to remember something, her expression turning heavy: "A-Qing, wait a moment."

"What is it, Sister?"

Lin Qing turned back.

"This afternoon, the son of Manager Li from Spring Return Hall came by."

Lin Qing felt a sense of foreboding: "Uncle Li Wen, what happened to him?"

Lin Wan sighed, her tone filled with indignation and lingering fear: "On his way home from the shop last night, Uncle Li Wen was cornered in an alley by several masked men in black and had one of his legs broken!"

"Those people left a message saying this was a lesson for him. If he dares to continue with that 'Benefit-the-People Joint Petition' again, next time, they will take his life!"

She paused, then continued: "Uncle Li Wen had his son pass on a message, hoping you could visit his home when you have time. He said he has something to discuss with you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qing's expression turned instantly grim. His fists clenched involuntarily, his knuckles turning white from the force.

It seemed the Pan Family was no longer satisfied with the poor business of these past few days.

Not daring to strike directly at him, a disciple of a martial arts hall, they had chosen the relatively vulnerable Uncle Li Wen to kill the chicken to scare the monkey.

"I understand, Sister."

"I will go over first thing tomorrow morning."

Lin Qing's voice was low.

The next morning, instead of going to the martial arts hall, Lin Qing went straight to Spring Return Hall, located on another street.

The shop was still open, but the resident physician had been replaced by a strange old man, and the atmosphere felt somewhat desolate.

Uncle Li Wen's son, a youth of about fourteen, led Lin Qing through the front hall and into the bedroom in the back courtyard.

The room was thick with the pungent smell of medicine. Li Wen lay on the bed, his face sallow and his lips cracked. One leg was encased in a thick plaster cast and propped up high; he looked utterly haggard.

It was as if he had aged ten years overnight.

His eyes, once sharp and spirited, were now dull and filled with terror.

"Uncle Li." Lin Qing walked to the bedside and called out softly.

When Li Wen saw Lin Qing, a complex look flashed in his eyes—a mix of relief and helplessness.

He struggled to sit up, and Lin Qing quickly stepped forward to support him.

"Nephew Lin Qing, you've come..."

Li Wen's voice was hoarse and weak, trembling slightly: "I managed to keep my old life, at least..."

"Uncle Li, don't dwell on it. Focusing on your recovery is what matters."

Lin Qing offered comfort, though his heart felt cold.

What he saw was the desolation of a small shopkeeper crushed by the weight of power.

Li Wen shook his head with a bitter smile, looking at Lin Qing with dim eyes: "Nephew, I asked you here to tell you..."

"As for the Medicine Alliance, my Spring Return Hall has decided to withdraw."

He seemed to have exhausted all his strength, gasping for a few breaths before continuing:

"The Pan Family young miss is the concubine of the County Magistrate; we cannot afford to provoke them!"

"This time they broke my leg, but next time, they might truly take my old life."

"I am not like you. You are already a martial artist with the Hong Family Martial Hall as your backing."

"I have nothing, just this family of young and old..."

His voice carried a sobbing tone, filled with profound sorrow.

An old man who had painstakingly built his life for years and should have been enjoying his twilight years in peace was forced into such a desperate plight.

Listening to this, Lin Qing clenched his fists tightly inside his sleeves, his fingernails nearly digging into his flesh.

A fire of rage burned in his chest, and he felt an urge to speak.

"Uncle Li, we will remember this grudge. One day..."

But he knew better; at this moment, any grand declaration would be pale and powerless.

He did not possess the strength to challenge the Pan Family.

Nor did he have the ability to guarantee the safety of Uncle Li Wen's family.

Impulse would only bring about a greater catastrophe.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, his voice sounding a bit parched: "Uncle Li, I understand. Rest easy and recover from your injuries; do not worry about the Medicine Alliance. I understand all your difficulties."

A sense of powerlessness surged into his heart.

Other than agreeing, he could not offer a single promise to the old man before him.

Seeing that Lin Qing was so reasonable and did not blame him for backing out at the last moment, a flash of guilt crossed Li Wen's eyes as he muttered: "I am sorry, nephew, I am truly sorry..."

Lin Qing comforted Uncle Li Wen for a few more moments by the bedside, left behind some nourishing medicinal herbs, and then left Spring Return Hall with a heavy heart.

Walking along the bustling streets, the sun was bright, yet it could not dispel the gloom in his heart.

In this world where the strong prey upon the weak, without strength, even the most basic stability is a luxury.

If not for his stroke of luck in joining the martial hall and breaking through to the Skin Refining Realm.

The one lying on that bed today, or perhaps suffering an even worse fate, would likely be himself and Benevolent World Hall.

"Security Hall..."

Lin Qing murmured, his eyes turning deep and inscrutable.

When he returned to Benevolent World Hall, it was nearly noon.

His sister, Lin Wan, saw his poor complexion and, knowing the situation with Uncle Li Wen was dire, did not ask any questions, simply serving him a warm meal in silence.

After finishing the meal, Lin Wan brought out a pair of brand-new cloth shoes with layered soles from the inner room. The soles were stitched densely with sturdy, meticulous needlework, and the uppers were made of plain blue cloth, yet they were washed spotlessly clean.

"A-Qing, try them on and see if they fit."

Lin Wan handed over the cloth shoes, a gentle smile on her face:

"You practice martial arts all day and wear through shoes quickly. I saw your previous pair was nearly worn out, so I took some time these past few days to make you a new pair."

Lin Qing took the cloth shoes, feeling their solid texture, and a warm current surged in his heart.

Every stitch and thread was infused with his sister's silent care.

He took off his old shoes to try them on; the new ones were the perfect size, comfortable and snug.

"They fit perfectly, thank you, Sister."

Lin Qing was moved, speaking in a soft voice.

Lin Wan watched her brother put on the new shoes, her eyes filled with gratification.

She hesitated for a moment before asking as if it were a casual thought: "A-Qing, do you... do you still have enough money for household expenses?"