Chapter 22: Game Theory (Please keep reading)

Chapter 22: The Gambit (Please keep reading~)

"Auntie Zhang."

Chen Ping'an said with a smile as he looked at the old woman.

"Young Master Chen, is something the matter?"

Chen Ping'an gave a slight smile and immediately stated his purpose. He mentioned that he needed some sand and gravel, thinking that Uncle Zhang might have the connections to procure some.

"I wondered what it was! So it's this! Don't you worry, Young Master Chen. Once your Uncle Zhang returns, I will let him know."

Auntie Zhang agreed readily.

Hearing this, Chen Ping'an pulled some small change from his pocket, intending to give it to her. However, she refused to take it, no matter how much he insisted.

"We are neighbors; why talk about money? It's just some insignificant sand and gravel, so rest easy."

Auntie Zhang refused repeatedly.

Unable to persuade her, Chen Ping'an let it be for now. He made a mental note to bring some meat and vegetables over another day.

"Young Master Chen, would you like to sit inside for a moment?"

"No thank you, I have some matters to attend to at home," Chen Ping'an declined with a wave of his hand.

After a few more pleasantries, Chen Ping'an left Uncle Zhang's house.

"Young Master Chen has truly made something of himself!"

Auntie Zhang sighed with heartfelt admiration as she watched Chen Ping'an's departing figure.

In his manner of speaking and conduct just now, he had been extremely poised and socially adept, looking nothing like a youth barely past his twentieth year.

With the matter of the sand and gravel settled, one task was checked off Chen Ping'an's list.

Next, he only had to wait for Master Xiaohu to arrive so he could repay his debt.

The morning passed quickly. On a rare occasion, Chen Ping'an went out with Chen Erya to buy some groceries, including a whole half of a pig leg.

Looking at the money spent, Chen Erya appeared quite pained. However, considering her brother was currently practicing martial arts, his physical consumption was immense. Without plenty of meat, his body might not be able to withstand the strain.

Chen Erya did not mention that he should save more money to marry a wife for him.

Considering Master Xiaohu could show up at any time, the siblings did not cook the large pig leg for lunch. Instead, they hid it away to be eaten in the evening or the following day.

Today's lunch: a plate of scrambled eggs, a plate of steamed pumpkin, a bowl of seasonal vegetable and shredded pork soup, and one large and one small bowl of white rice.

"Brother, how did you manage to scrape together fourteen taels of silver?"

While eating, Chen Erya asked curiously, her eyes shimmering with admiration.

"Your brother naturally has his ways."

Chen Ping'an said with feigned pride. He didn't go into the details; some things were better left known only to himself to avoid placing an unnecessary mental burden on Chen Erya.

"Brother, you're amazing."

Chen Erya showered him with compliments.

Amidst the harmonious atmosphere, the siblings finished their lunch. Under Chen Ping'an's final sweep, the meal was eaten clean.

After the meal, the two worked together and quickly finished washing the dishes.

As they were chatting idly, just as Chen Ping'an was hesitating over whether to practice the Iron Cloth technique once, a knock sounded at the door.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Kid Chen, the ten days are up. It's time to pay the debt. Open up!"

The voice was familiar—it was Liu'er, the confidant who followed Master Xiaohu.

"Coming!" Chen Ping'an's expression sharpened.

As long as he repaid the fourteen taels owed to the Tiger Head Gang, both he and Nannan could live their lives with a clear conscience and enjoy a peaceful, comfortable existence.

*Creak!*

Chen Ping'an quickly opened the courtyard gate.

"Master Xiaohu is here! Quick, please, come inside."

With a smile on his face, Chen Ping'an welcomed the group into the courtyard.

Three people had come today, all familiar faces to Chen Ping'an.

Master Xiaohu, Liu'er, and a rogue named Feizi.

Previously, before Chen Ping'an had stepped into the path of martial arts, his perception was not keen. Now that his blood and qi were at a state of minor perfection, a quick glance revealed that everyone present had actually entered the threshold of martial arts.

To enter the threshold of martial arts meant one was considered a skilled fighter in their own right!

It wasn't that the Tiger Head Gang was so powerful that even their street thugs were at this level, but rather that Master Xiaohu was a high-ranking member of the gang—one of the three Great Protectors—and his confidants naturally possessed such status.

Just like Liu'er, even Feizi held a position similar to a minor leader within the Tiger Head Gang.

"Master Xiaohu, here, have some water."

Chen Ping'an poured some plain water he had prepared earlier into a bowl and offered it to Master Xiaohu.

His home was simple; he had neither teacups nor tea leaves, so he could only offer plain water.

However, before the water could even reach Master Xiaohu's lips, Liu'er pushed it aside.

"What is this crap!? Do you know Master Xiaohu's status? He comes here to drink plain water?"

Watching the water splash across the wooden table, Chen Ping'an's smile remained unchanged.

"My humble abode is simple, so I only have plain water. I apologize for the poor treatment, Master Xiaohu."

"As long as you know!"

Liu'er snorted coldly.

"Liu'er." Master Xiaohu waved his hand. "Kid Chen, I assume you are well aware of why we are here today."

"I know, I know." Chen Ping'an smiled broadly, spreading his sleeve like a rag to wipe up the spilled water.

Once the water was wiped dry, Chen Ping'an pulled a cloth bag from his bosom and poured the silver inside onto the table in one go.

Then, in front of Master Xiaohu and the others, he began to count it carefully.

"One tael, three taels, five and a half taels, six taels, seven and a half taels..."

The silver on the table consisted of various small pieces, so Chen Ping'an counted meticulously.

"Thirteen taels, fourteen taels! Master Xiaohu, there is a total of fourteen taels here. Please, have a look."

Looking at the silver on the table, Master Xiaohu nodded slightly.

However, before he could speak, Liu'er jumped up excitedly.

"Let me see! Let me see if there's any fake silver."

Liu'er grabbed the silver from the table and began inspecting each piece.

Although counterfeit silver was extremely rare in circulation nowadays, it didn't mean it didn't exist.

After checking them one by one, however, he found no fakes.

"You're lucky!"

Liu'er glared fiercely at Chen Ping'an. It was unclear where his anger was coming from, but he was taking it out on Chen Ping'an. Perhaps it was because of what had happened that other day.

"Kid Chen, you actually managed to scrape together fourteen taels. Not bad!"

As he spoke, Master Xiaohu's face remained largely expressionless, making it hard to tell what he was thinking.

"I received my monthly salary and borrowed a bit from some colleagues at the Town Guard Bureau; that's how I managed to gather the silver owed to you, Master Xiaohu."

Chen Ping'an said with a smile.

"Colleagues, eh? Kid Chen, it seems you have quite a good reputation in the Town Guard Bureau!"

Master Xiaohu narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking with a superficial smile.

"Haha, it's alright, it's just because my colleagues are kind to me. Old Man Chen left me a few connections."

Chen Ping'an spoke with a smile, his words carrying a subtle weight.

"Having people look after you... that is truly good!"

Master Xiaohu propped one hand on the wooden table and slowly stood up.

"In that case, your fourteen taels, principal and interest included, are considered paid in full. Come, give him the receipt. Don't say Master Xiaohu doesn't follow the rules."

Upon hearing this, the rogue named Feizi pulled a receipt from his bosom and handed it to Chen Ping'an.

"Master Xiaohu is merciful. Thank you, Master Xiaohu."

Chen Ping'an took the receipt, his face beaming with smiles.

"Let's go."

Master Xiaohu gave the command and walked toward the courtyard gate, with Feizi following closely behind. Liu'er gave Chen Ping'an one last harsh glare before following them.

"Oh, right."

Master Xiaohu stopped at the gate as if remembering something.

"You know, my Tiger Head Gang collects monthly protection money from the surrounding streets every month. The neighbors usually show respect and cooperate. Previously, since you owed money, we never mentioned the protection fee, which was a form of consideration for you.

Now that the debt is cleared, there's no need for special treatment. We'll waive this month's fee. Start paying from next month."

Hearing this, Chen Ping'an cupped his hands slightly, his smile unchanging.

"In that case, Ping'an thanks Master Xiaohu for his long-standing care."

"Not bad! A teachable youth. Hahaha, let's go!"

Amidst his loud laughter, Master Xiaohu led his men away, their figures quickly disappearing around the corner of the alley.

Chen Ping'an lowered his head slightly and looked at the wooden table. On the surface, right where Master Xiaohu's palm had pressed, a large, heavy handprint had appeared.