Chapter 16: Madam, There’s No Need for Such Formalities

Su Wan was afraid Su Xinyao might accidentally reveal their secret, so she quietly gathered spiritual energy, preparing to erase her memory. After trying hard for a while, there was still no reaction. Instead, Su Xinyao looked very comfortable, nestling in her arms.

“Sister, you have something on you that makes Yao Yao feel really good,” she said.

Seeing the spiritual energy in her palm quickly entering Su Xinyao’s body, Su Wan froze.

When she withdrew her hand, the little one in her arms had already closed her eyes and fallen asleep. Could it be that last night’s half dose of the body-refining pill not only changed Su Xinyao’s physique but also awakened other hidden talents within her?

If so, that was naturally a good thing.

For the next three days, Su Wan followed Su Fu to the town to arrange the shop. Every time they returned, they brought delicious food for Su Xinyao, successfully winning her over and helping to keep the secret.

That day, the shop was finally set up and stocked.

Every day, ships brought goods to the dock, so there was no need to buy from far away. This kind of resale business was the most convenient.

It was also that day when the enemy the shopkeeper mentioned earlier came looking.

A well-dressed young master arrived with two small followers, brazenly blocking the entrance.

The leader stepped inside, pulled open a chair, sat down with his legs crossed, and slouched back with a disdainful look.

“So, you’re the new young lady. Hurry and call your husband out. Anyone who hits me has to pay. Not much—just chop off one arm.”

Su Fu saw the situation and quickly pulled Su Wan behind her for protection. Though scared, she stood in front and negotiated with the man.

“Sorry, this shop was just bought by me. The person you’re looking for left four days ago,” Su Fu said. From the man’s words, she realized he was after the former shopkeeper and guessed he wanted to make a quick exit.

No matter what Su Fu said, the man did not believe it and sneered, “Ran away? Hah, this shop was his lifeline, and he has several concubines at home. Do you think he’d just run away like that?” The man refused to believe it and thought Su Fu was one of the shopkeeper’s concubines, using her as a shield.

“I’ll count to three. If he doesn’t come out, don’t blame me for chopping off your arm as interest. Tsk tsk, you’re such a beauty—it’d be a pity to lose an arm.”

Su Fu was terrified but shouted angrily, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to the authorities?”

The man laughed loudly, “Forgot to tell you—I’m the magistrate’s cousin. So, do you think he’d punish you, or help me uphold justice?”

Su Fu was frightened, completely at a loss.

Su Wan peeked out from behind Su Fu and glared at the man, “If you dare bully my mother, wait till my master arrives—you’re as good as dead.”

The man, however, was completely unbothered and ordered his two followers to go inside and pin Su Fu down.

Outside, the gathered villagers were pointing and whispering about the situation inside the house, but not a single person dared to come in to help.

“That’s Wang Shun, the nephew of the pavilion chief, right? Oh no, this family is doomed. How did they offend Wang Shun?”

“Don’t you know? A few days ago, Wang Shun’s men were beaten in Li the shopkeeper’s store. The one who did it wasn’t actually Li’s man, but the culprit got away. Wang Shun couldn’t vent his anger, so he took it out on Li the shopkeeper.”

“The woman and children inside must be Li’s wife and kids, right? I never thought Li would be so cowardly—running away when trouble comes and leaving his family to be bullied.”

“No, you’re wrong,” a dark-skinned woman who recognized Su Fu tried to correct them. She wanted to tell them that the woman and children inside weren’t Li the shopkeeper’s family at all.

But suddenly she stopped herself, her expression turning vague and uneasy as she looked at Su Fu.

Inside the house, facing two burly men, Su Fu was terrified. “Don’t come closer!” She tightly shielded Su Wan and backed away until there was nowhere left to retreat.

“I said I bought this shop. Li the shopkeeper left Qinghe Town four days ago. You’ve got the wrong person.”

Wang Shun shook his head and sneered coldly, “Your little tricks won’t fool me. Since Li the shopkeeper won’t come out, then I’ll have to take it out on you. Blame your heartless husband for this. Attack!”

“No!”

Just as the two henchmen were about to strike, a dark figure suddenly flashed into the room, swinging arms and sending both men flying.

Wang Shun’s face immediately changed, shocked beyond words as he stared at the young man who had suddenly appeared.

The youth was dressed all in black, tall and imposing, with a cold, calm expression like a frozen pond, carrying an extraordinary aura.

“Master, Mother, it’s Master, the expert!” Su Wan jumped forward, hugging Ji Sang’s leg.

This was the expert who had repeatedly saved the Su family from danger.

Ji Sang felt a bit embarrassed but showed no sign of it. His cold gaze landed on Wang Shun, whose face paled in terror and nearly dropped to his knees, hurriedly apologizing, “S-sorry, great hero. I-I was blind and reckless.”

Wang Shun was a bully who only picked on the weak. Seeing Ji Sang’s powerful presence and muscular build, clearly a man of the Jianghu (martial world), he no longer dared to provoke him.

He wasn’t afraid of ordinary townsfolk but feared men of the Jianghu, and even more so those desperate enough to kill and silence witnesses.

“Get out!” Ji Sang ordered coldly. Without hesitation, Wang Shun scrambled out, crawling away.

“Wait, he scared my mother. He has to pay compensation!”

Su Fu was eager for Wang Shun to leave quickly, but hearing her daughter’s words nearly gave her a heart attack.

“No, no need, Wanwan. Just let him go quickly. It’s better to forgive than to quarrel,” Su Fu, afraid of the pavilion chief behind Wang Shun, just wanted to settle things peacefully.

“Why no need? He scared Mom and Wanwan. Master, shouldn’t he pay for that?” Su Wan clung to Ji Sang’s leg, acting spoiled.

Ji Sang’s forehead twitched repeatedly. This Su Wan was like a completely different person from the cold-blooded child who killed without blinking that night. Was this still the little devil who killed three death warriors with a wave of her whip?

Yes, in his eyes, Su Wan was a little devil. Born extraordinary but pretending to be weak. She even fooled her own family.

“Uh… well, Wanwan is right. He should pay up, or else I’ll kill you,” Ji Sang made a fierce face just in time.

Wang Shun was indeed scared, quickly pulling out all the silver he had and respectfully handing it to Su Fu. “Madam shopkeeper, the matter with shopkeeper Li is settled. I won’t dare to come bother you again.”

Su Fu was a little timid and hesitant to take Wang Shun’s silver. Su Wan jumped over, grabbed the bag, and said, “Little Wang, the shopkeeper Li you mentioned really ran off, and we’re not his family. He sold this shop to us four days ago and then disappeared.”

Seeing Wang Shun’s sincere attitude, Su Wan didn’t hold a grudge for today’s incident. But if he dared to come again—hmpf, he’d be dead!

“What? You’re not Li shopkeeper’s wife and daughter?”

“Of course not. We only bought this shop four days ago. I just said that, but you didn’t believe me,” Su Fu hurriedly explained.

Wang Shun finally believed it and cursed that bastard in his heart for almost getting him killed.

“I’m really sorry, I mistook you for someone else.” With that, Wang Shun turned and left.

Not too stupid, but not too clever either.

Su Wan shook the silver pouch in her hands and handed it to her mother. “Mom, take this to buy supplies.” Judging by the weight, it was at least seventy or eighty taels.

Ji Sang was startled and quickly helped Su Fu before she could kneel. Then he quickly pulled back his hand, saying, “Madam, no need for such formalities.”