After driving off the thugs, Ye Chen turned to Ace. He was still fuming, his cheeks puffed up like a little tiger ready to pounce. Curious, Ye Chen asked, "What is Pirate King Roger to you?"
Ace wouldn't have stopped those thugs to ask about Roger for no reason. And when they spoke ill of Roger, his reaction had been far too intense. Ye Chen had a growing suspicion.
"I don't know him."
Ace gave an angry snort and turned to leave, but Ye Chen suddenly said with a smile, "Don't tell me he's family. Are you Roger's son?"
"How did you know?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Ace clapped a hand over it. Too late.
"So it's true. Don't want to talk about it?"
Ye Chen beckoned him over. Ace hesitated, then walked back.
Ye Chen glanced at the sky and smiled. "Come on. It's nearly noon, and I'm hungry. Let's find somewhere to eat and talk over lunch."
"I don't have any money."
Ace turned out both his pockets.
"Neither do I."
Ye Chen smiled and waved it off. "Don't worry. We can manage a meal. There are plenty of rich people on this street, aren't there?"
"Huh?"
Ace stared at Ye Chen, unsure what he meant. As they walked, Ye Chen kept sizing up the nobles passing by.
A wealthy merchant with a round, fleshy face approached them, expensive rings glittering on all ten fingers. Ye Chen deliberately brushed past him. The instant they touched, Ye Chen's right hand slipped unnoticed to the money pouch hanging from the merchant's waist.
It was a simple move, and the money was his. Ye Chen had no love for nobles anyway. He could call it robbing the rich to feed the poor—himself, since he couldn't afford lunch.
Ace