Agent Yi Leng

Unexpectedly, Zhang Cong turned out to be the son of Huojian Ge. Yileng chuckled and said, "Misunderstanding. It’s like when a flood washes over a Dragon King temple."

No one blamed him. This situation would have to be handled this way regardless of whose responsibility it was. Huojian Ge was a very loose and rough father. He said, "Ah, why didn’t I think of this earlier? If my little bastard ever misbehaves again, I’ll buy a freezer."

Saying this, he still untied his son’s ropes and helped him massage his limbs, which had suffered from blood restriction due to being tied up. Rou Mingrui brought a set of utensils in front of Zhang Cong and said, "Drink this, warm yourself up."

Yileng recounted the incident that had happened and laughed, saying, "Huojian Ge, you should care more about my big nephew. You need to buy him a phone; that’s not something you should skimp on. You see, he’s already become a killer and nearly killed his uncle."

Huojian Ge took his flip phone out of the leather holster at his waist and said, "I haven’t upgraded to the iPhone yet."

Rou Mingrui asked, "Huang Ge, what did you originally plan? To send him to the police station?"

Yileng replied, "If we send him to the station, the child’s life will be ruined. But leaving him without supervision on the streets will be even worse. The biggest issue is that these children are idle and without guidance; they need a school to discipline them."

Huojian Ge said, "It’s not that I haven’t considered it. The kid was expelled from school for fighting every day. I found him a new school, but within a few days, he ran away because he liked playing online games. I don’t understand, what’s so fun about games?"

Zhang Cong chimed in, "Yeah, games aren’t fun. It’s the hair-washing salons that are fun."

Huojian Ge’s face turned red in anger as his muscles in the back of his head twitched. He raised his hand to slap Zhang Cong.

Rou Mingrui said, "Let’s not resort to violence. There’s no point in working a job without direction. We should find the child a trade to learn. Big nephew, what do you like?"

Zhang Cong replied, "I like playing LoL."

Rou Mingrui said, "Young people should avoid overplaying games. Don’t ruin your kidneys."

Yileng added, "Competitive gaming could be a path. One day, it might even become an Olympic sport."

Everyone looked confused at this comment. How could such a mature and steady chef say something so childish?

Yileng explained, "The first Olympic events were about running, javelin throwing, and shot putting—skills necessary for survival and war at the time. These have developed into modern events. With the advancement of technology and the future development of drone warfare, playing video games could also become a test of coordination, skill, and strategic thinking—much like competitive sports."

Huojian Ge, who wasn’t well-educated, listened, bewildered. He thought games were just games and couldn’t be considered a profession.

Yileng changed the tone of the conversation: "But any profession requires talent first, followed by effort. You’ve been playing for how many years, big nephew?"

Zhang Cong said, "About two or three years, I think. I’m not sure."

Yileng asked, "How’s your skill? Have you ever competed in any tournaments?"

Zhang Cong was speechless. He was just a casual gamer without much skill—someone who played purely for fun.

Seeing this, Yileng understood and turned to Huojian Ge: "Today, I sparred with your nephew and found out he’s not very skilled in fighting. His academic performance is likely worse. What if he learns to become a chef instead? With three years of drought, chefs will never starve. If he learns this trade well, he’ll always have work."

Huojian Ge said, "Zhang Cong, why don’t you go over and bow to your teacher?"

The defiant teenager crossed his arms and said, "Why should I?"

Huojian Ge said, "Because your teacher has turned the hotel into one of the most famous in the area in just a few days."

Zhang Cong said, "Then which school did he attend? I’ll just go to that school."

Rou Mingrui asked, "Huang Ge, did you go to Lanxiang for training?"

Yileng replied, "Old memories… I learned my skills in the mountains."

Huojian Ge said, "I was wondering about your background. Was it at Salt Lake Farm or the Fourth Prison? This is fate."

Yileng and he shared a drink. Yileng explained, "No, it was in the Northwest."

Huojian Ge said, "That’s over ten years ago. Zhang Cong, come over here and bow to your teacher."

Zhang Cong remained defiant: "You want me to bow? Who do you think you are?"

Huojian Ge was about to act out when Yileng stopped him, saying, "Forget it, don’t force the child."

Rou Mingrui changed the subject: "Huojian Ge, do you know why we clashed with Yin Bingsong yesterday?"

Huojian Ge asked, "I really want to know."

Rou Mingrui explained, "The internet café on the third floor caught fire, and a dozen children were trapped. The fire was blocked by a stainless steel anti-theft net. The firefighters couldn’t reach them. I climbed up to the third floor and smashed open the net, allowing the children to escape. I and a group of people brought a large truck over to allow them to jump down to safety. My brother risked his life by entering the fire to save a child who had already lost consciousness. If it weren’t for my brother, many lives would have been lost. I came here that day looking for trouble, but after seeing my brother’s heroism, I was deeply impressed."

Huojian Ge was astonished and asked, "So what does Yin Bingsong have to do with this?"

Rou Mingrui explained, "The television broadcast said that Yin Bingsong saved the children. It was a joke. I have video evidence proving otherwise. He was angry and tried to make trouble, but my brother disarmed him on the spot."

Huojian Ge cursed Yin Bingsong in anger.

Zhang Cong was deeply moved by this revelation. He realized that his savior was Huang Shifu. Feeling the weight of this revelation, he knelt down without hesitation.

Everyone was shocked. What had come over this child?

Zhang Cong said, "I was in the internet café that day, too. I was the last child to be pulled out."

Everyone was startled. Zhang Cong was indeed Huojian Ge’s son, but his life had been saved by Huang Shifu. This was more than just respect; this was a bond.

With that, Zhang Cong sincerely knelt three times, took a cup of wine, and paid homage to Huang Shifu. His apprenticeship was accepted.

Huojian Ge had no choice but to be moved, presenting Zhang Cong with a string of red beads, saying, "This is my gift to you for your apprenticeship."

Yileng humbly refused at first, saying it was too valuable but ultimately accepted the gift.

At this moment, Ali arrived, having just finished her work. She asked Huang Shifu when he would return, as the guests were waiting for their food.

Yileng said, "Excuse me, let’s have a drink later when we’re done."

He stood up to leave as Zhang Cong, ever clever, expressed his desire to learn the craft. Yileng reassured him, "Stay with your father for a while. Rare is the time for father and son to share a meal together."

Huojian Ge was very touched by this, raising a glass in honor of their bond. This moment was heartwarming, and Zhang Cong began his journey toward learning this new trade.

The group drank until very late before leaving. Huo Jian Ge was thoroughly drunk and had to be dragged to the car by his younger brothers. Zhang Cong said he would come by the next morning to learn a few tricks of the trade, so he left with them as well.

Today’s business had been good—the twenty portions of Da Hong Pao prepared had all sold out, and so did twenty side dishes. This meant four thousand yuan in revenue, and with other side dishes, staple foods, and alcoholic beverages combined, the total came to five thousand yuan. That meant earning fifty thousand yuan over ten days or one hundred and fifty thousand yuan in one month. Subtracting costs, the profits were astronomical.

Wu Yumei happily calculated with her calculator, a big smile on her face. Xiaohong beside her was snacking on melon seeds and asked, “Do you think we can give ourselves a pay raise?”

Over at the back kitchen, Ali entered to find Yi Leng cleaning the stove. She seemed as though she had something to ask, and without turning his head, Yi Leng said, “Say it. What do you want to know?”

“Why did you deliver meals to Yi Nuannuan?”

Yi Leng already had his answer prepared but hadn’t expected it to come from Ali. Looking at the situation from another perspective, Ali really was a kind person, a responsible and devoted teacher with a genuine concern for her students' well-being, including their mental health.

“I… know her father,” Yi Leng said, “Very well.”

“Did you meet him in prison?” Ali asked. “Like that guy who uses a tube to eat?”

That had been something Wu Yumei mentioned earlier to Ali, not in a tone of mockery or scorn but with pride. After all, small restaurant owners sometimes rubbed shoulders with all walks of life, and being involved in these dealings was like being a part of a semi-jianghu world—a life that wasn’t easy for a woman. Just like Jin Xiangyu

Yi Leng lit a cigarette, his voice cold and distant: “No. We’re comrades, not inmates. As for who Nuannuan’s father is, I’ll find the time to speak to her alone about it.”

Ali said, “That’s great. This child has no parents and is very lonely and introverted. If you can bring news of her father, I think it would be a great psychological comfort.”

Yi Leng nodded.

“It’s too late today. I’ll bring Nuannuan to the restaurant tomorrow at noon,” Ali said. She paused before adding, “This child is too pitiful. Thank you, Huang Shi Fu.”

Yi Leng found himself a little surprised. Ali’s eyes shimmered with emotion—this girl truly had the heart of a parent, taking care of her students. If every teacher were like this, then students would never struggle in their studies.

“Thank you, Teacher Ou,” Yi Leng said sincerely. If Ali hadn’t acted as a bridge, he would never have found a way to approach his daughter, after all. The friendship between a middle-aged man and a teenage girl would have appeared strange without this intermediary.

The following morning, Yi Nuannuan couldn’t concentrate during class. The mystery of the meal boxes had finally been solved. With Ali’s assistance, by examining the food types and the smell and appearance of the meal, they deduced that the meals both she and Ali brought had come from the same source. Ali’s meal was delivered by Huang Pihu, meaning the man in question was indeed Huang Shi Fu.

Ali had said she would take her to the restaurant at noon to clear everything up. At lunch, the meal boxes arrived as usual—this time, the two girls received identical ones. The box had a Pikachu design on it, with contents that included plum mackerel, tempura shrimp, eel rice, miso soup, and fruit (kiwifruits paired with a few red grapes).

This sumptuous lunch sparked jealousy among Jian Shiyu and Mei Xin. Unfortunately, the older sister wasn’t around, and Yi Nuannuan always seemed to be paired with Ali, leaving the two of them glaring helplessly.

Despite being middle schoolers, the students were highly perceptive to shifts in dynamics. Yijianmei fell behind in social standing due to Yin Weiran’s absence, while Yi Nuannuan, aided by Ali, had risen in social influence among the Second Year Class 5 students.

Ali was undoubtedly the center of attention wherever she went. She had become an icon to her students, and her presence brought Yi Nuannuan into the spotlight as well. As their interactions grew, the students discovered that Yi Nuannuan wasn’t just shy but also a quiet intellectual with much depth beneath her reserved exterior.

After lunch, Ali brought Yi Nuannuan to Yumei’s restaurant, which had been rebranded but still maintained Huang Pihu's connection. At the moment, there weren’t many patrons. Yi Leng saw Ali enter with Nuannuan and set his work aside, leaving his apprentice Zhang Cong to continue his task of peeling garlic and onions. He led the two of them to a quieter corner.

Ali said, “Nuannuan, sit here with Uncle Huang and chat with him. I’ll be right nearby.”

Nuannuan nodded. She felt no apprehension. From the moment she laid eyes on Huang Shi Fu, she had an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Then it struck her—his voice was identical to her father’s.

“I’ve been entrusted by your father to take care of you,” Huang Shi Fu said, startling her.

“You’re my father’s friend?” Nuannuan asked. She had suspected this even on the way here, but there were still many details she wanted to clarify—her father’s occupation, how he disappeared, and so on.

“Not just a friend. We’re comrades. Brothers. We went to college together and shared a dorm. After graduation, we joined the same company. I was there when he met your mother.”

Yi Leng controlled his emotions as he narrated his history from a third-party perspective. The details and emotions felt real to Yi Nuannuan, who began tearing up, her voice shaking as she asked, “Mom said Dad was a foreign trade manager who died during a terrorist attack abroad. Uncle… is that true?”

“Child, that’s the official account. His real identity went far deeper than that. Some people work in the shadows to serve their country. Your father’s disappearance is classified as missing, not death—he’s alive,” Huang Shi Fu reassured her.

Yi Nuannuan’s eyes sparkled with hope. Her father was alive! At fourteen, she felt an explosion of energy. With her father alive, she was no longer alone.

“You must have faith, Nuannuan. He was captured by enemies, but we never stopped looking for him. Trust in him. Trust in yourself,” Huang Shi Fu said, extending his pinky finger. “This is highly confidential and cannot be shared with anyone. Do you promise?”

Nuannuan solemnly hooked her pinky with his, saying, “Uncle, I promise. I’ll never tell anyone—even if I see Dad, I’ll pretend I don’t know.”

Huang Shi Fu nodded, proud and comforted: “You’re the daughter of Yi Leng and Xiang Mo. Remember this—you’re stronger and better than anyone else. You’re not a mere ugly duckling; you’re a little swan who has wandered away from its flock.”

“I remember, Uncle,” she said, resolute.

“From now on, I’ll make your lunches. If you ever need money, just come to me. I’ll take care of you until your father comes back.”

“Thank you, Uncle!” Nuannuan beamed with joy.

On their way back, Yi Leng sent his daughter home and nodded at Ali, who felt warmth in her heart as she and Yi Nuannuan discussed the upcoming New Year’s gathering.

“This time’s celebration will be a little special. The idea is to hold a parent-child gathering, with parents invited to school for dinner and activities. It could help many students’ strained familial bonds,” Ali explained.

Yi Nuannuan didn’t pay much attention. She wasn’t self-conscious anymore—her father was alive, and his life was filled with meaning and heroism, a true warrior battling through darkness and storms.

[--------------------------------------------]

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