Chapter 51: If I Gain Power, I Will Never Let Chen Jiusi Off Easy

“Your meat wontons are ready.”

The owner placed a bowl of wontons topped with small dried shrimp in front of Chen Jie.

Their wontons were incredibly popular, and the shop was always crowded. The wonton skins were very thin and the meat filling was generous, though they were a bit pricey at twenty wen a bowl.

Chen Jie kept his head down as he ate.

He noticed that the wandering martial artist before him likely had an injury on his ribcage; when he sat, his center of gravity shifted to the left to avoid pulling on the wound.

A true desperate rogue.

*Slurp, slurp...*

Chen Jie ate a wonton and took two sips of soup, the entire process unhurried and calm.

The martial artist narrowed his eyes and said, “Kid.”

*Hmm?*

Chen Jie looked up. The martial artist continued, “Aren't you curious about who I am?”

Chen Jie nodded, then shook his head.

The martial artist changed his posture and looked at him. “What do you mean by nodding and then shaking your head?”

Chen Jie: “I am curious, but I don't want to know.”

“Why?”

“Fear of death!”

Chen Jie spoke quite frankly. Hearing this, the martial artist couldn't help but burst into laughter. “Haha! You kid certainly don't know how to play dumb.”

“Hehe, how did you know, Big Brother? When I was three, a fortune teller told me that the biggest problem in my life would be my inability to play dumb.”

...

Chen Jie continued eating his wontons.

The martial artist looked at him and asked, “You really don't want to ask?”

Chen Jie swallowed his last wonton, stood up, and said to the owner, “Settle my bill along with this gentleman's.”

Having said that, he placed the money on the table and cupped his hands toward the martial artist. “Great Hero, I am but a simple villager. I do not wish to know too much; the more one knows, the faster one dies. I have elders and children to look after at home and only wish to live a good life, so please, spare me.”

With that, Chen Jie turned and walked away. The martial artist watched his retreating figure with narrowed eyes, muttering under his breath, “Interesting!”

Once Chen Jie left the wonton stall, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and let out a sigh of relief.

*I'm still too weak. Being around someone this powerful creates too much pressure.*

*No, I must hurry up and cultivate.*

With that thought, he went to the general store and loaded up a bathtub.

He made his way back to the village. Along the way, he encountered many acquaintances. Seeing Chen Jie with a large cart full of goods, they were all incredibly envious. *Look at Jiu Si; ever since he became an apprentice to Physician Bai, his life has been getting better by the day.*

“Jiu Si is back!”

“Oh my, Jiu Si bought so many things again?”

“Brother Jiu Si, next time there's heavy lifting, just let me help. You don't need to do it yourself...”

One person after another greeted him.

Chen Jie greeted them back very politely.

Meanwhile, not far away, several people watched Chen Jie return, their faces filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment!

“Hmph, what's the big deal? He just had the luck to curry favor with Physician Bai. He's been acting so smug lately, pfft!” Lady Lu Qin cursed with a dark face.

Beside her, Lu San leaned on a cane, his face equally grim, staring at Chen Jie's back with venomous eyes.

Sitting opposite them were two people: Chen Sanliu and his son, Chen Xiong.

The two glanced at Chen Jie, their eyes burning with frantic envy and jealousy. *Why? He's just a spendthrift; why is his life so good now?*

At that moment, Chen Sanliu asked, “By the way, didn't Ma Liu come looking for him to collect a debt last time? Did he pay it back?”

Lu San replied, “Heh, the Bai family stepped in to settle it.”

Chen Sanliu said indignantly, “He's truly hit the damn jackpot, everyone is helping him. By the way, Lu San, is that matter you mentioned reliable?”

“How could it not be? The fish market is overwhelmed lately and needs to hire a batch of people. I've been going there every day recently and have already smoothed over the connections. It's a pity about my leg...”

Lu San sighed as he spoke, but the resentment in his eyes was hard to hide.

Chen Sanliu and Chen Xiong exchanged a look, and then Chen Sanliu spoke up: “Three taels of silver.”

Lu San said, “Three taels? That won't do. We agreed on five. Is five taels too expensive for a future career?”

Chen Sanliu said, “Brother Lu San, you know my family's financial situation; I really can't afford more than that. Let's make it three taels, and I'll throw in fifty catties of grain for your family, how about that?”

Lu San thought for a moment and looked at Lady Lu Qin.

Lady Lu Qin nodded. Lu San said, “Fine, but you have to pay the money first.”

Chen Sanliu hesitated, then asked after a long pause, “Are the connections truly solid?”

Lu San said, “Don't worry. Matters at the fish market are usually arranged by the Head Boatman. I have a very good relationship with him. If it weren't for my leg, I would have gone myself. Would such a good opportunity fall to your family otherwise?”

“Uncle Sanliu, think about it. Chen Jiu Si has climbed his way into the Bai family. If your family doesn't do something, you'll be suppressed by him for the rest of your lives. Can you accept that?”

Hearing this, Chen Sanliu gritted his teeth. “How could I accept that? That Chen Jiu Si isn't even a true member of the Chen clan! Uncle Zu is being foolish!”

“Alright, Brother Lu San, I'll leave this to you. But brother, the manager of the fishing guild is Wu Zhong. Will this work?”

“What's there to fear? Wu Zhong doesn't rule the fish market alone. Currently, all personnel movements at the market are handled by the Head Boatman. And the Head Boatman has connections; his cousin is a manager of the White Tiger Hall in the Fishing Guild. His status is much higher than Wu Zhong's. Even Wu Zhong has to show him respect.”

“Think about it. If you establish a connection with him, what will you have to worry about regarding Chen Jiu Si?”

“That Wu Zhong only has a bit of fame here in Xiantao Town. In the county, he's nothing.”

“My brother Chen Xiong, if you can catch the eye of the Head Boatman and get a recommendation from his cousin, once you get into the county and work your way up for a few years, the least you'll be is a manager of a local fish market. As for Chen Jiu Si, after a few years he'll just be a physician. What will he have to brag about then?” Lu San said to Chen Sanliu.

Upon hearing this, Chen Sanliu's eyes lit up. *That's right, my vision was too narrow. I thought Wu Zhong was a big shot, but in the Fishing Guild, he's just a minor player. If my son can truly build a relationship with the Head Boatman, what will Chen Jiu Si even matter in the future?*

*What's there to be so proud of!*

Thinking this, Chen Sanliu said, “Fine, I'll take your word for it. I'll leave this in your hands, Brother Lu San. Here is the money.”

“Good, good... Once Brother Chen Xiong becomes successful in the future, you must help me deal with Chen Jiu Si!”

“Don't worry, Brother Lu San. If I gain power, I will never let him off easy!”

The group was satisfied. Hearing their laughter, Chen Jie glanced over, giving them a start.

Lu San whispered, “Uncle Sanliu, Brother Chen Xiong, keep a low profile until the matter is settled. Low profile.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

The group nodded and immediately flashed forced smiles at Chen Jie. Chen Sanliu even stood up and said, “Jiu Si, you've bought so many things again! I've always thought you were a promising boy, haha...”

Chen Jie frowned slightly.

He had a feeling these people were up to no good.

But none of that mattered; the most important thing now was to get home.

“Wife, I'm back!”