Recovery, Conspiracy

The next morning.

Li Nian limped out of the breakfast shop, watching the sun rise higher and higher, and could not help but sigh.

Compared to the booming business of the shop next door, his own place was deserted.

If things continue like this, even A-Chuan's basic monthly food allowance of one tael will be in jeopardy, let alone the money needed for that blasted gate-knocking ceremony...

Li Nian looked back.

Qin Sanfeng and Wang Xiumei, both wearing aprons, were staring at the passing pedestrians with longing eyes.

Li Qing was wiping the tables over and over again.

But even if he polished the tables until they shone, it was of no use.

"Xiumei, don't prepare any more steamed buns if they aren't ready. We'll just eat them ourselves; everyone go back and rest for a while."

Li Nian's voice was heavy with exhaustion.

Wang Xiumei's eyes drifted:

"Father, are we closing the breakfast shop? Where will the money for A-Chuan's martial arts training come from then?"

Li Nian let out another long sigh:

"Even if we want to keep it open, we can't. Preparing ingredients is an expense, and if we can't sell them, what else can we do?"

Grandmother Lin Shi kneaded the dough in silence, though she lacked her usual vigor.

"Old Li, give me two steamed buns! I haven't had your breakfast in a long time; I've been craving it!"

A middle-aged man walked in from outside and shouted loudly.

"Liu Zi? Aren't you afraid of Liu Hu..." Li Nian was stunned.

Thinking of the usually timid Liu Zi, who was now disregarding Liu Hu's threats just to support his business, Li Nian felt a surge of emotion he couldn't suppress.

This was what neighborly affection was all about!

"What are you thinking about, Old Li? My friendship with you hasn't reached that level yet. If Liu Hu were still around, I wouldn't even glance at this place!"

Li Nian's face darkened. He glared at him and was about to snap:

"You... wait, what happened to Liu Hu?"

Liu Zi grabbed a steamed bun and shoved it into his mouth, saying vaguely:

"Liu Hu is dead. Just last night, he and his wife were burned to death in their house!"

"Tsk tsk, you have no idea how miserable it was. I heard that after the fire was put out, they didn't even look like people anymore!"

Li Nian was dazed, muttering:

"Liu Hu is dead... who did it?"

Liu Zi rolled his eyes at him:

"How would I know? Maybe it was someone from the Iron Tiger Gang seeking revenge, or maybe someone else with a grudge. He had plenty of enemies, anyway!"

Liu Zi left shortly after.

His spot was quickly filled by others.

Liu Hu had often extorted these streets, frequently bullying men and women alike.

Now, the news of his death spread everywhere in no time!

"Old Li, give me three sesame cakes!"

"Xiumei, it's been a long time since I've had your noodles!"

"Sanfeng, give me a cup of water. I haven't had a steamed bun in days, and I'm choking a bit!"

Familiar voices rang out one after another as many neighbors came knocking on their door.

Everyone bought more than they usually did.

First, the Li family's shop used solid ingredients and never cut corners, earning them a good reputation.

Second, everyone had the intention of helping them get back on their feet.

The neighbors might not have been able to support them in standing up to Liu Hu, but they were all very willing to do what they could to help.

Wang Xiumei's smile had not faded since the rush began.

Li Qing had been lifting stones at home for several days, and now it finally came in handy.

He carried the noodles over quickly and steadily; one person was worth three waiters!

Grandmother Lin Shi wiped away tears with the back of her hand, then slammed the dough onto the board and kneaded it vigorously:

"Today, I'll make sure you get the chewiest noodles!"

Li Nian sat on his bamboo stool, unable to control the smile on his face, and laughed heartily.

He hurriedly called over Li Chuan, who was approaching:

"A-Chuan, come here. I have some good news for you!"

Li Chuan acted as if he knew nothing:

"What good news?"

Li Nian beamed with delight, pausing for a moment:

"Guess."

Li Chuan: "..."

Grandfather, you're at your age and still playing these kinds of games!

Li Nian stroked his beard and laughed triumphantly:

"Can't guess, can you? Liu Hu is dead!"

"Liu Hu is dead? Who did it?!" Li Chuan wore a look of timely shock on his face.

Li Nian smiled with satisfaction:

"I heard it was a righteous man, eight feet tall with arms reaching past his knees. If I ever meet him, I'll certainly have to kowtow to him."

How is this news getting more and more exaggerated as it spreads?

Li Chuan said: "That really isn't necessary."

Li Nian glared at him:

"You silly boy, he did you a huge favor; you should kowtow to him too!"

Li Chuan nodded helplessly and agreed.

I'll just kowtow to the mirror when I get back.

After the joking, Li Nian said earnestly:

"A-Chuan, I know you were worried about the family, which is why you took leave early to come back. Now that things are stable at home for the time being, you can go to the martial arts hall and focus on your training."

"I'll take care of the household matters, so you don't need to worry."

As he spoke, Li Nian pressed a tael of silver into Li Chuan's hand, looking somewhat guilty:

"I know you need quite a bit of silver to reach that threshold. I wanted to save more for you, but because of Liu Hu's actions these past few days, this is all I have."

"It's enough, Grandfather," Li Chuan comforted him.

The missing silver had already been made up for by Liu Hu.

"Go to the martial arts hall early; don't keep thinking about home," Li Nian waved his hand.

"Chuan'er, wait!"

Wang Xiumei, who had been cooking noodles, ran over and grabbed Li Chuan's hand tightly:

"I heard from others that you need to eat meat every meal to reach the threshold, and one tael of silver isn't enough. Take this."

Li Chuan opened his palm to look and saw, to his surprise, another gleaming tael of silver.

"Mother, where did you get this?" Li Chuan asked, astonished.

"Don't you worry about that. Go on, I have to get back to the noodles!"

Wang Xiumei patted Li Chuan and ran back.

Li Chuan noticed that the bracelet his mother had been wearing on her wrist was gone.

That was a gift from his father, Li Dahai, at the time of their engagement.

With his father and uncle away performing corvée labor, this was likely one of the few keepsakes Wang Xiumei had left.

Li Chuan gripped the two taels of silver in his hand, feeling as if they weighed a thousand pounds.

He made a secret resolution:

"I must reach the threshold as soon as possible, break through to Bright Force, and find a position to support myself so I no longer have to rely on the family!"

In a hidden, dark room.

A gloomy man with his right arm wrapped in bandages smashed a teacup onto the floor in a fit of rage.

"Crack!"

The porcelain cup shattered, sending shards flying in all directions.

"Song Jin of the Iron Tiger Gang, this is going too far!"

The gloomy man stood up, his tall figure completely blocking the candlelight.

This was none other than the leader of the Black Bear Gang, Cao Yan!

Two underlings stood to the side, their faces pale, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Relying on their numbers to encroach on my territory step by step—they are trying to drive me into a dead end!"

Cao Yan swept a cold, indifferent gaze over the two men:

"Fortunately, Brother Zhou will be returning from the prefecture city in a while."

Upon hearing Brother Zhou's name, one of the men trembled, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

That was a master of Dark Force!

No matter how strong the Iron Tiger Gang was, how could they possibly surpass Dark Force?

Cao Yan chuckled, then suddenly hoisted the man sweating cold sweat into the air and killed him with a single punch.

"You dog, this is the price for betraying me!"

Cao Yan said nonchalantly:

"Qiangzi, how is the matter with Liu Hu coming along?"

Qiangzi raised his head, not daring to meet Cao Yan's eyes:

"Liu Hu's house was burned down. I went to check; both he and his wife were charred!"

"Who did it?"

"Could it be the Iron Tiger Gang?"

Cao Yan's tone remained calm:

"If they had done it, they would have hung Liu Hu's head in front of my door to show off."

"Go find out what other enemies he had. Liu Hu worked for me; killing him is a slap in my face."

Qiangzi hurriedly agreed and turned to leave.

"Wait." Cao Yan pondered for a moment, "Did Li Nian's grandson go to the Pine Wind Martial Hall to study martial arts?"

"That is true, but we have already investigated. The man is just a good-for-nothing who spends his time in brothels; he shouldn't have the ability to do this."

Cao Yan narrowed his eyes:

"Investigate him as well. Send A-Liang to take over that shop; he has broken through to Bright Force."

"Yes, Boss!"

Qiangzi was about to head out.

"Wait, never mind calling A-Liang. We need him right now and he cannot be spared. We will discuss the shop later."