“Nonsense! What do you take me for?”
Shui Miao was furious. He immediately grabbed Xiao Rong’s clothes and threw them at her. “I guess you’ve spent too much time in nightclubs and gone downhill. I treat you as a friend and want to help you, but how do you see me in your heart? Well, I don’t want to waste more words. If you listen to me, go work at my friend’s small restaurant. Your father owes money to others, and I can try to figure something out. But if you insist on selling your body, then please leave. I don’t have friends like you.”
Xiao Rong put on her clothes. She didn’t leave either, as if Shui Miao’s scolding had woken her up.
“Are you really willing to help me?” Xiao Rong asked disbelievingly. “We aren’t even friends yet, let alone relatives. How can I possibly ask for your help?”
“Then you feel it’s okay to sell yourself?” Shui Miao’s words were sharp and merciless, trying to completely awaken Xiao Rong.
Innocent people aren’t scary, but stubborn innocent people are.
Xiao Rong was clearly someone simple-minded, but Shui Miao hadn’t expected her to be so clueless. He had already said he would help her, yet she was still stuck in her own thoughts.
“I didn’t want to either…”
Xiao Rong wiped her nose and started crying.
Seeing Xiao Rong moved, Shui Miao softened his tone slightly. “Tell me, how much does your family owe?”
“Te-ten thousand…”
Xiao Rong said this while still struggling internally because the gang leader had promised her ten thousand yuan for one night, and she was actually tempted.
“Just ten thousand? I’ll lend it to you.”
Shui Miao happened to have exactly ten thousand yuan on him, which Liu Hongmei had given him.
Without hesitation, Shui Miao placed the money in front of Xiao Rong.
※※※
“That Shui Miao is indeed a real man, giving away ten thousand yuan so casually! He’s just a poor nobody himself,” Lin Xue suddenly exclaimed from an alley not far from Liu Hongmei’s house.
Chu Miaoyi also had an earpiece on and had heard the conversation. She sighed, “I know he’s a good person. If I were in his place, I might also offer help, but I seriously doubt whether Xiao Rong is a fraud.”
“Little sister, you and I think alike. I also suspect that Xiao Rong is a fraud. How could an ordinary girl so easily take off her clothes in front of a man? It’s not like her father is lying in a hospital bed waiting for money for surgery. There must be something wrong here,” Lin Xue rubbed her chin. “No, we must investigate this thoroughly and not let good people be taken advantage of. Besides, Shui Miao is my brother now.”
“Sister, you guys haven’t even finished drinking yet, how did you become brothers all of a sudden?”
Chu Miaoyi could tell that Sister Lin had also developed feelings for Shui Miao.
“Little sister, let’s not talk about drinking,” Lin Xue smiled while hugging Chu Miaoyi’s shoulder. “I did say that, but look at Shui Miao’s magnanimity. Such a kind-hearted young man must have good character!”
“That’s true!”
Chu Miaoyi nodded. “Well then, since we both want to help Shui Miao, let’s make a plan.”
“Great! I was just waiting for this. I also want to teach that gang leader a lesson…”
Lin Xue rolled up her sleeves, eager to help but more interested in fighting and eliminating evil forces.
“I knew it…”
Chu Miaoyi shook her head helplessly. Lin Xue’s bold and righteous nature from childhood would probably never change.
※※※
Xiao Rong accepted the money and wrote an IOU.
Then Shui Miao accompanied Xiao Rong to the bank to make a transfer. After finishing the transfer, Shui Miao took Xiao Rong to the small restaurant and introduced her to Chen Bing. However, Xiao Rong didn’t agree to start immediately but said she would come in two or three days after visiting her father back home.
Shui Miao didn’t think much about it and agreed.
Chen Bing saw that Xiao Rong had a good figure and was very pretty, so he immediately liked her and offered to send her home, but she politely declined.
Xiao Rong said she wanted to buy some gifts for her father and left alone.
Shui Miao looked around the small restaurant and saw that Chen Bing had managed it well, feeling very pleased. Originally, Shui Miao had planned to ask his sister Chenxiang to come help Chen Bing run the restaurant, but now that Xiao Rong had come and the business wasn’t too busy, Shui Miao decided to go see his sister first and let her make her own decision.
“Brother, come sit, have some tea…”
Chen Bing suddenly became very enthusiastic, pulling Shui Miao to sit down for tea.
Shui Miao looked at Chen Bing twice and then shook his head. “Don’t be too hasty. The girl might not even like you.”
“Nonsense! What do you take me for?”
Shui Miao was instantly furious. She immediately picked up Xiao Rong’s clothes and threw them at her. “I think you’ve been at the nightclub for too long—you’ve lost your way. I consider you a friend, which is why I want to help you. But what do you think of me? Enough, I don’t want to waste any more words. If you’ll listen to me, go work at my friend’s small restaurant. As for the money your father owes, I can help you figure something out. But if you insist on selling yourself, then please leave. I don’t have friends like you.”
Xiao Rong put her clothes back on. She didn’t leave; instead, it seemed as though Shui Miao’s scolding had awakened her.
“You’re really willing to help me?” Xiao Rong asked, hardly able to believe it. “We’re not even really friends, let alone relatives. How could I possibly accept your help?”
“And you’re okay with selling yourself instead?” Shui Miao’s words were sharp and merciless, aimed at shaking Xiao Rong to her core.
There’s nothing frightening about a simple person—what’s frightening is a simple person who’s stubborn.
Xiao Rong was clearly the simple-minded type, but Shui Miao hadn’t expected her to be so obstinate. Even after offering help, Xiao Rong remained trapped in her own thoughts.
“I don’t want to either…”
Xiao Rong wiped her nose and began to cry.
Seeing that Xiao Rong was moved, Shui Miao’s tone softened. “Tell me, how much does your family owe?”
“T-ten… ten thousand…”
Even as she said it, Xiao Rong struggled internally. The gangster had promised her 100,000 for one night, and she had been tempted.
“Is that all? I’ll lend it to you.”
Shui Miao happened to have 100,000 yuan on her—money given to her by Liu Hongmei.
Without hesitation, Shui Miao placed the money in front of Xiao Rong.
※※※
“Shui Miao is really something! 100,000 yuan—just handed it over like it was nothing, and he’s practically broke himself.” In an alley not far from Liu Hongmei’s home, Lin Xue suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
Chu Miaoyi also had an earpiece and had heard the conversation. She sighed, “I knew he was a good person. If I were in his shoes, I’d probably help too. But I can’t help wondering if this Xiao Rong is a scammer.”
“Sis, you took the words right out of my mouth. I also suspect Xiao Rong might be a fraud. What kind of girl just takes her clothes off in front of a man like that? It’s not like her father is lying in a hospital bed waiting for surgery. There’s definitely something fishy going on.” Lin Xue rubbed her chin. “We have to look into this. We can’t let a good person get taken advantage of—especially since Shui Miao is my bro.”
“Sis, didn’t you two agree to have a drink? How did he become your bro so quickly?”
Chu Miaoyi could tell that Lin Xue had taken a liking to Shui Miao.
“Let’s not talk about that drink,” Lin Xue said, wrapping an arm around Chu Miaoyi’s shoulder with a laugh. “I did say that, but look at Shui Miao’s character. Such a kind-hearted guy—he’s definitely got good morals.”
“That’s true!”
Chu Miaoyi nodded. “Alright, since we both want to help Shui Miao, let’s make a plan.”
“Great! And I’d love to teach that gangster a lesson…”
Lin Xue cracked her knuckles. Helping was secondary—what she really wanted was a fight and to take down some underworld forces.
“I knew it…”
Chu Miaoyi shook her head helplessly. Lin Xue had always been bold and hated injustice. That part of her would probably never change.
※※※
Xiao Rong accepted the money and wrote an IOU.
Afterward, Shui Miao accompanied her to the bank to wire the money. Once that was done, Shui Miao brought Xiao Rong to the small restaurant and introduced her to Chen Bing. However, Xiao Rong didn’t agree to start working immediately. Instead, she said she’d return in two or three days after visiting her father back home.
Shui Miao didn’t overthink it and agreed.
Chen Bing, impressed by Xiao Rong’s figure and beauty, took an immediate liking to her. He offered to take her home, but Xiao Rong politely declined.
She said she needed to buy gifts for her father and left alone.
Shui Miao looked around the restaurant and felt relieved to see how well Chen Bing was managing it. Originally, Shui Miao had planned to ask his sister Chenxiang to help run the place with Chen Bing. But with Xiao Rong joining and business being slow, Shui Miao decided to visit his sister first and let her decide.
“Bro, have a seat. Tea?”
Chen Bing suddenly became very enthusiastic, pulling Shui Miao over for tea.
Shui Miao glanced at him and shook his head. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. There’s no guarantee she’s even interested in you.”
“Bro, you can read me like a book!” Chen Bing gave a thumbs-up and grinned. “You always know what I’m thinking.”
“Enough of that. You’re the boss of this restaurant now—try to be a little more refined, will you?” Shui Miao looked out the window. It was break time, and the chef and waitstaff Chen Bing had hired were off duty. Since arriving in Zhonghai, Shui Miao had been too busy to practice his Yin-Yang Five Elements Qi Gong. Now, with most of his money lent to Xiao Rong, he only had a little over a thousand yuan left. He needed to find a way to earn some money and focus on his training.
Feng Shui was his true calling, and his goal remained mastering the Yin-Yang Five Elements Qi Gong.
“Bro, do you think I have a chance?”
Chen Bing couldn’t get Xiao Rong out of his head. He could tell Shui Miao wasn’t interested in her.
In Chen Bing’s mind, Shui Miao was already popular with women—Chairman Lin and Sister Xiao Tang both had their eyes on him. There was no way Shui Miao would compete for Xiao Rong.
“That’s up to you. I have things to do—I need to check on Chenxiang at Lin Haiyang’s place. I’m not sure if she’s comfortable there.” Shui Miao couldn’t sit still. He had too many things to handle and no time for idle chatter. In fact, he found himself missing the past—after work, he’d rest in his dormitory, with plenty of time to practice Qi Gong.
Hearing this, Chen Bing quickly grabbed Shui Miao. “Bro, no need to go. I already thought of Chenxiang. I called Lin Haiyang to ask if she could come help me with the restaurant, but that guy refused to let her go. He even said Chenxiang was his now and no one could take her away. Do you think he has a thing for her?”
“…”
Shui Miao sat back down on the stool. After a moment, he muttered to himself, “Lin Haiyang is a good guy. If he likes Chenxiang, I think it’s a decent match. But I doubt Chenxiang feels the same. I still need to go talk to her and let her decide for herself.”
“Don’t go! Can’t you just call? And tell me more about Xiao Rong?” Chen Bing clung to Shui Miao, hoping for more information about Xiao Rong. Shui Miao smiled and shook his head, telling him that Chenxiang was actually Xiao Rong’s friend. If Chenxiang came to the restaurant, Xiao Rong would surely be happy.
Hearing this, Chen Bing immediately closed up shop and went with Shui Miao to find Lin Haiyang, determined to bring Chenxiang back at any cost.
**Dog Kennel**
Lin Haiyang was in the yard teaching Chenxiang some dog-rearing tips.
When Shui Miao and Chen Bing arrived, Chenxiang happily greeted them, while Lin Haiyang visibly tensed up.
“Haha, Lin Haiyang! Bet you didn’t expect me to come for Chenxiang so soon. Now that Bro Shui is here, are you going to let her go?” Chen Bing used Shui Miao’s presence to pressure Lin Haiyang.
Lin Haiyang looked at Shui Miao. “Bro Shui, you’re not really here to take Chenxiang away, are you?”
“I didn’t say that.” Shui Miao smiled and pushed Chen Bing. “If you want to convince her, do it yourself. Don’t drag me into it. I’m fair—let Chenxiang decide. If she doesn’t want to run the restaurant with you, then that’s that.”
Confused, Chenxiang asked what was going on and who had opened a restaurant.
In her heart, if Shui Miao had opened it, she would definitely return.
“I’m just the manager, the person in charge.” Chen Bing explained how Shui Miao had tricked Guo Ming and Guo Liang into handing over the restaurant. “Actually, the restaurant belongs to Bro Shui. I’m just helping him out. And Xiao Rong promised to come help in a couple of days. If you don’t come help me, I’m done for…”
“Stop rambling!” Shui Miao cut him off. Chen Bing’s babbling was unbearable. “Sis, Chen Bing here likes Xiao Rong and wants you to help set them up. That’s all there is to it.”
Lin Haiyang had thought Chen Bing liked Chenxiang. Now that things were clear, he relaxed. “Chen Bing, Chenxiang is the backbone here! I’ve taught her everything about raising dogs. It’s not right for you to poach her like this. I think you should work on winning Xiao Rong over yourself instead of relying on others.”
“Get out of here! You’re the one who’s not right. Your kennel will run fine without Chenxiang, but without her, my future happiness is at stake. Besides, I’m asking Chenxiang to be a partner. We’ll split the profits three ways—Bro Shui, Chenxiang, and me. Even at worst, we can make seven or eight thousand a month. And our ingredients are supplied for free by a big hotel.” Chen Bing was determined to bring Chenxiang over. The reason was simple: he had fallen for Xiao Rong and was lovesick.
To Chen Bing, this matter with Xiao Rong was the most important thing in his life.
Seeing how serious he was, everyone realized Chen Bing meant business.
Lin Haiyang thought for a moment, then glanced at Chenxiang and smiled. “Alright, my brother’s lifelong happiness comes first. I’ll respect Chenxiang’s decision. If she wants to go, I won’t stop her.”
“Great! You’re a true bro!” Chen Bing excitedly hugged Lin Haiyang and whispered, “You have a car—you can come by the restaurant anytime for free meals. How awesome is that?”
“Haha, you said it yourself.”
Lin Haiyang’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. He already had a plan to deal with Chen Bing: if he visited often and talked to Xiao Rong, Chen Bing’s jealousy would make him back down.
“Alright, you two are having a great time, but my sister hasn’t said anything yet.” Shui Miao noticed Chenxiang seemed conflicted. “Sis, there’s nothing to worry about. Do whatever you want. But Chen Bing and I need to be clear: if you come, you won’t do any manual labor. You’ll just handle the money and manage the finances.”
“Right, right! I really need someone to manage the accounts.” Seeing Shui Miao finally backing him, Chen Bing quickly agreed.
Lin Haiyang smiled and added, “Chenxiang, don’t worry about me. As you can see, it’s not too busy here. I’ll call my parents to come help. Those few acres of land back home aren’t worth farming anyway.”
“Alright then, I’ll come over once Xiao Rong arrives.”
Chenxiang looked at Shui Miao. “Bro, did you return the room you got for me? I’d like to move back in a few days.”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao’s head spun at the question. If his sister found out about his relationship with Liu Hongmei, how could he ever face her again?
“Don’t talk so vulgarly. You’re a small restaurant owner now,” Shui Miao looked out the window. It was break time now, and the chefs and waiters Chen Bing had hired had already gone home. Shui Miao had been busy since arriving in Zhonghai, with little time to practice the Yin-Yang Five Elements Kung Fu. Now that he had lent the money to Xiao Rong, leaving him with only a little over a thousand yuan, he needed to find a way to earn some money and then focus on his kung fu practice.
Feng Shui was still his ultimate goal, and his main objective was to study the Yin-Yang Five Elements Kung Fu.
“Brother, do you think I have a chance?”
Chen Bing was full of Xiao Rong’s image in his mind. He had also noticed that Shui Miao had no interest in Xiao Rong.
In Chen Bing’s mind, Shui Miao was currently surrounded by admirers like Lin Chairman and Xiao Tang, so he wouldn’t possibly compete with him for Xiao Rong.
“You just have to work hard yourself. I have something to do and need to go see Lin Haiyang. I don’t know how convenient it is for Chenxiang there.” Shui Miao couldn’t sit still any longer, thinking about all the big and small matters he had to deal with. He didn’t have time to chat here. In fact, vaguely, Shui Miao even missed the past when after work, he could rest in the dormitory with plenty of time to practice his kung fu.
Upon hearing this, Chen Bing quickly grabbed Shui Miao. “Shui Ge, you don’t need to go. I had already thought of Chenxiang. I called Lin Haiyang to ask for her, wanting Chenxiang to come help me run the restaurant, but that kid refused to let her go, saying Chenxiang was his now and no one could take her away. I think that kid might have feelings for Chenxiang.”
“…”
Shui Miao sat back down on the stool, thinking for a moment, then muttered to himself, “Lin Haiyang is a good guy. I think it’s quite reliable if he likes Chenxiang. But I guess Chenxiang might not like him. I still need to go there once, tell Chenxiang the situation, and respect her choice.”
“Don’t leave yet. Just make a phone call, and talk to me about Xiao Rong a bit more?” Chen Bing clung to Shui Miao, wanting to get some information about Xiao Rong from him. Shui Miao smiled and shook his head, telling Chen Bing that Chenxiang was actually Xiao Rong’s friend, and if they could invite Chenxiang to the restaurant, Xiao Rong would definitely be very happy.
Upon hearing this, Chen Bing immediately closed the door and went with Shui Miao to find Lin Haiyang, determined to bring Chenxiang back at all costs.
Dog Breeding Farm
Lin Haiyang was explaining some dog breeding techniques to Chenxiang in the yard.
Seeing Shui Miao and Chen Bing arrive, Chenxiang immediately came out happily, while Lin Haiyang looked visibly nervous.
“Haha, Lin Haiyang, you didn’t expect me to come so quickly to take Chenxiang back, did you? Now that Shui Ge is here, I want to see if you’ll let her go,” Chen Bing used Shui Miao’s presence to pressure Lin Haiyang into releasing Chenxiang.
Lin Haiyang looked at Shui Miao, “Shui Ge, you really won’t take Chenxiang away, right?”
“I didn’t say that,” Shui Miao smiled and pushed Chen Bing slightly. “You have to convince Chenxiang yourself. Don’t use me as an excuse. I’m very fair. Everything depends on Chenxiang’s own decision. If she doesn’t want to go with you to open the restaurant, then I have nothing to say.”
Chenxiang, not understanding the situation, immediately asked what was going on, wondering who had opened the restaurant.
In Chenxiang’s heart, if it was Shui Miao who had opened the restaurant, she would definitely go back.
“I’m just the manager,” Chen Bing explained how he had taken over the restaurant from Guo Ming and Guo Liang, then added, “Actually, the restaurant belongs to Shui Ge. I’m just helping him run it. Besides, Xiao Rong has agreed to come and help out in a couple of days. If you don’t come and help me, then I’m done…”
“What are you rambling on for!” Shui Miao interrupted Chen Bing. He couldn’t stand Chen Bing’s long-windedness anymore. “Chenxiang, this kid Chen Bing likes Xiao Rong and wants you to help him get together. That’s all there is to it.”
Lin Haiyang had thought Chen Bing liked Chenxiang, but now that he understood the situation, he finally felt relieved. He quickly added, “Chen Bing, Chenxiang is the backbone of my dog breeding farm! I’ve shared all my dog breeding experience with her. It’s really not right of you to poach her like this. I think you shouldn’t rely entirely on others for your relationship with Xiao Rong. You need to put in your own effort.”
“Get lost! You’re the one who’s not right,” Chen Bing pushed Lin Haiyang aside. “Without Chenxiang, you can still run your dog breeding farm just fine. But without her, I’ll miss out on the most important thing in my life. Besides, I’m inviting Chenxiang to be my business partner. After we make a profit, we’ll split the earnings into three parts—one for Shui Ge, one for Chenxiang, and one for me. At the very least, we can make seven or eight thousand yuan a month. You know, our ingredients are supplied for free by a five-star hotel.” Chen Bing was determined to bring Chenxiang along because he had fallen head over heels for Xiao Rong.
Chen Bing saw his relationship with Xiao Rong as the most important matter of his life.
Seeing how serious Chen Bing was, everyone realized that he was truly committed.
Lin Haiyang thought for a moment and then looked at Chenxiang with a smile. “Alright, since this is about my brother’s lifelong happiness, I respect Chenxiang’s decision. If she wants to go, I won’t hold her back.”
“Great! You’re a real brother!” Chen Bing excitedly hugged Lin Haiyang and whispered, “Actually, since you have a car, you can come to the restaurant more often. You can get free meals there. How great is that!”
“Haha, you said it!”
Lin Haiyang was reminded of a way to deal with Chen Bing. If he visited the restaurant often and talked more with Xiao Rong, Chen Bing’s jealous nature would surely make him give up voluntarily.
“Alright, you two are having fun talking. My little sister hasn’t said anything yet,” Shui Miao noticed that Chenxiang was a bit hesitant, so he persuaded her, “Little sister, don’t be too anxious. Do whatever you feel like doing. But let me and Chen Bing make one thing clear in advance: once you come, you won’t have to do any menial tasks. You’ll only be in charge of collecting money and managing the finances.”
“Exactly! I really need someone to handle the accounting at my place,” Chen Bing quickly agreed when he saw Shui Miao finally supporting him.
Lin Haiyang smiled and added, “Chenxiang, don’t worry about my place. As you can see, it’s not that busy. I’ll call my parents to come help out. We can leave those few acres of farmland uncultivated.”
“Alright then, I’ll go after Xiao Rong comes.”
Chenxiang looked at Shui Miao and asked, “Brother, did you cancel the room you rented for me? I want to go back home in a few days.”
“Uh…”
Upon hearing this, Shui Miao’s head immediately went “buzz.” If his sister found out about his relationship with Liu Hongmei, where would he put his face!
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