Chapter 22: Big Deal

Three rhythmic knocks, then a pause while they waited.

After two or three minutes, the door creaked open from the inside.

A boy, looking sixteen or seventeen, darted out.

“We’re looking for Hu Liu,” Xiang Wentian said flatly.

“You’re looking for Sixth Uncle?” The boy’s expression turned unpleasant, noticing the lack of subservience in Xiang Wentian’s tone.

“Xing Da!” Xiang Wentian suddenly mentioned another name.

“Please wait, I’ll go tell Sixth Uncle right away.” The boy’s face tightened at the mention of Xing Da. He didn’t even bother closing the door, turning and dashing inside.

“Sent by the boss? Come in, come in!” A voice, rough and boisterous, approached rapidly. Then, a figure, nearly six feet tall and built like an ox, appeared at the doorway.

He stared, clearly surprised, at Xiang Wentian and Leng You.

Xiang Wentian said nothing.

Without a nod, he walked into the courtyard, carrying Leng You on his back.

It was a small, tightly enclosed courtyard on all four sides, with five or six men inside, all looking unfriendly.

Xiang Wentian didn’t even glance at them. By the time he reached the main house, a man had quickly run over to respectfully lift the heavy door curtain.

“May I ask who you are…?” Hu Liu was bewildered.

The young man before him had an extraordinary air about him. From his years of experience in the underworld, Hu Liu sensed a dangerous aura that made him wary. This only increased his uncertainty.

“Xing Da already sent word,” Xiang Wentian ignored Hu Liu’s question, clearly unwilling to reveal too much information about himself and Leng You.

“Y-yes, yes, yes. The boss sent word a couple of days ago, saying a distinguished guest might be coming and that I must treat them well.

Please sit, please sit! Please have a seat!

Erdan, quickly bring some good tea!”

Hu Liu didn’t mention that Xing Da had repeatedly warned him that this was an important person, to be treated with utmost respect. Any slight offense would result in Xing Da personally coming to remove his head.

Although the young man’s aura was indeed intimidating, he was still just a teenager. Hu Liu couldn’t understand what kind of influential figure this was, someone who commanded such caution and respect from Xing Da, a notorious figure throughout Tongyuan City.

Regardless of his inner doubts, his actions spoke volumes. He ushered Xiang Wentian and Leng You to sit, served tea, and even brought out a large plate of rare sweets to entertain Leng You.

“I need your help finding a buyer for something.” Xiang Wentian finally set Leng You down from his back, pulling her hand and seating her beside him. He then took the ginseng wrapped in grass paper from Leng You’s backpack and placed it on the table impassively.

“Whoa… Ginseng?” With Xiang Wentian’s unspoken permission, Hu Liu carefully unwrapped the grass paper. Upon seeing the contents, he gasped.

He never expected the young man to produce such a valuable item.

While not an expert, his years in the underworld had given him some knowledge. He knew this was something extraordinary, even for Tongyuan.

He immediately made a decision, whispering a few words to his subordinate.

The subordinate bowed, nodded, and ran out.

“Let’s have someone inspect the goods,” Xiang Wentian picked up a cup of lukewarm tea, turned, and offered it to Leng You. His voice was calmer than Hu Liu’s.

Leng You said nothing.

She expressed her gratitude with her eyes.

She took a large gulp; she was truly thirsty.

As she looked up, Xiang Wentian reached out, took the cup from her hand, and then slipped a pastry into her hand.

Leng You looked up and met Xiang Wentian’s gaze, taking a small bite.

Without artificial flavors, preservatives, or other modern additives, only a small amount of saccharin, it was a nearly natural food. The simple taste made Leng You finish the whole thing.

This was one of the “luxuries” she could only dream of in her past life.

After Xiang Huaixin returned to Pingdu, he would send her food, clothing, school supplies, and books several times a year, but none of them ever reached her.

Even the unused school supplies and books of the worthless children of the Leng family were sold off by Ma Dahua or used to patch up the walls.

The shameless actions of the Leng family and Ma Dahua, repeatedly stabbing at her heart, caused her to develop a peculiar obsession with these things she desperately wanted but could never have.

Even years later, after going to Pingdu with Wang Zicheng and experiencing countless delicacies, she still stubbornly believed that the things from that time were the most delicious.

And what she was eating today was the taste of that time she obsessed over.

Only, the obsession had changed its flavor. It was no longer the simple satisfaction of food on her taste buds, but the thrill of sending demons to hell.

“Want more?” Seeing Leng You close her eyes, finishing the pastry, Xiang Wentian asked softly.

“No more.” Leng You shook her head.

Years of hunger had caused severe atrophy of her stomach. Even with the help of her magical powers, her small body’s stomach couldn’t hold much. Besides, they had eaten a full breakfast before leaving, and the little space that had opened up was filled by the pastry.

After eating and drinking her fill, Leng You began to examine the room.

The hardwood furniture, the rough vase, especially the oil-printed picture of a tiger descending a mountain on the front wall, all revealed a forced cultural atmosphere, making it seem both comical and incongruous.

Leng You lost interest and subconsciously tugged at Xiang Wentian’s clothes, twisting them.

Seeing Leng You looking satisfied, Xiang Wentian put his arm around her, pulling her closer. Leng You leaned lazily against him.

The room was warm, making them feel drowsy after eating.

Jiao Liu stared at the siblings in front of him. Yes, in his eyes, they were siblings.

Only their clothes were quite different.

The boy, wearing a cotton hat without a badge, an army coat, and army boots, clearly came from a big city and was of unusual background.

But the thin girl, who looked only three or four years old, wore typical rural clothes: a coarse cotton jacket and pants, handmade cotton shoes, and a homemade, rustic cotton hat.

Despite this, the little girl was clean and composed, eating politely, unlike a typical rural child. This suggested a city upbringing.