Honey, you didn’t really drugged me, did you?

Chapter 51: If I gain power, I will definitely not let Chen 94 have a good time

“Your pork wonton is ready.”

The owner placed a bowl of wontons sprinkled with tiny shrimp in front of Chen Jie.

Their wontons were extremely popular, with many customers on regular days. The skins were thin, generously filled with meat, albeit slightly expensive, costing twenty cents a bowl.

Chen Jie bowed his head and ate the wontons.

However, he noticed that the Hero of the River opposite him must be injured in the rib area because he leaned to the left when sitting, probably to avoid pulling at the wound.

He truly was a desperate fugitive.

Slurp, slurp…

Chen Jie ate a wonton, drank two sips of soup, and went through the whole process calmly.

The Jianghu Guest squinted and said, “Kid.”

Hmm?

Chen Jie looked up, and the Jianghu Guest asked, “Aren’t you curious who I am?”

Chen Jie nodded and then shook his head.

The Jianghu Guest shifted his position and looked at him, “What do you mean by nodding and then shaking your head?”

Chen Jie replied, “Curious, but don’t want to know.”

“Why?”

“Scared of dying!”

Chen Jie spoke frankly, causing the Jianghu Guest to burst out laughing, “Haha, you sure know not to play dumb.”

“Hehe, big brother, how did you know? When I was three, a fortune-teller told me, my biggest problem in life would be that I can’t play dumb.”

…

Chen Jie continued eating his wontons.

The Jianghu Guest watched him and said, “You really don’t want to ask?”

Chen Jie ate the last wonton, stood up, and said to the owner, “Please settle this gentleman’s bill along with mine.”

After speaking, he placed the money on the table, bowed to the Jianghu Guest, and said, “Hero, I’m just a simple villager, I don’t want to know too much. The more I know, the quicker I die. I have old and young ones at home and just want to live well. So please spare me, hero.”

After finishing, Chen Jie turned and walked away. The Jianghu Guest watched his departing figure, murmuring, “Interesting!”

Chen Jie left the wonton stall, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Still too weak. Being around such strong people was too stressful.

No good, I must hurry and train.

With that thought, he headed to the general store to pick up a bathtub.

He made his way back to the village. Along the way, he encountered many acquaintances who all looked with envy at Chen Jie buying a whole cartload of goods; everyone envied the Chen family. Ever since Jiu Si apprenticed under Doctor Bai, his days were getting better.

“Jiu Si is back.”

“Wow, Jiu Si bought so much stuff again?”

“Jiu Si, next time there’s heavy work, I can help carry, no need for you to do it yourself…”

People greeted Chen Jie one after another.

Chen Jie politely returned their greetings.

Meanwhile, not far away, a few people watched Chen Jie return with envy, jealousy, and hatred on their faces.

“Humph, what’s so great about him? Just lucky to cling to Doctor Bai. He’s too arrogant every day, bah!”

Lu Qinsi said angrily with a dark expression.

Lu San, leaning on a cane at the time, turned grim and cast a resentful glance at Chen Jie’s back.

Across from him sat two people, Chen Sanliu and his son, Chen Xiong.

The pair glanced at Chen Jie, their eyes filled with insane envy and jealousy. Why should that good-for-nothing be living such a good life now?

At that moment, Chen Sanliu said, “Right, didn’t Ma Liu go to press him for debts last time? Has he paid the money?”

Lu San remarked with a sarcastic laugh, “The Bai family intervened to settle that.”

Chen Sanliu, infuriated, exclaimed, “Damn, that’s sheer luck! Everyone’s helping him. By the way, Lu San, is the thing you mentioned reliable?”

“How could it not be?” Lu San replied. “The fishery has been too busy recently and needs to hire a bunch of people. I’ve been going there every day recently and have made the right connections, but unfortunately, my leg…”

Lu San sighed.

Yet the resentment in his eyes was hard to conceal.

Chen Sanliu and Chen Xiong exchanged glances before Chen Sanliu quickly suggested, “Three silver taels.”@@novelbin@@

Lu San countered, “Three taels? That won’t do; we agreed on five, is five silver taels too much for a bright future?”

“Lu San, brother, you know the situation of my family. I really can’t afford any more. How about three taels, and I’ll add fifty kilos of grain for your family?”

Lu San pondered for a moment and glanced at Lu Qinsi.

Lu Qinsi nodded, and Lu San responded, “Deal, but you must pay me first.”

Chen Sanliu hesitated before finally asking, “Are you sure about this connection?”

“Don’t worry,” Lu San reassured him. “The fishery matters are generally arranged by the Big Ship Leader, and I am on very good terms with him. If it weren’t for my leg, I would have taken the job myself. Would this opportunity have fallen into your lap otherwise?”

“Uncle San Liu, think about it. Chen Jiusi has made ties with the Bai family. If your own family doesn’t do something, you’ll always be left behind by Chen Jiusi. Are you content with that?”

Chen Sanliu, grinding his teeth, responded, “How could I be content? That Chen Jiusi isn’t truly of the Chen family! The clan elder is muddled!”

“Alright, brother Lu San, leave this matter to me. But brother, the Fishing Guild manager is Wu Zhong, can it really be done?”

“What’s there to fear? The fishery isn’t controlled single-handedly by Wu Zhong. Right now, all staffing matters are handled by the Big Ship Leader. Besides, the Big Ship Leader has solid connections—his cousin is a manager at the Fishing Guild’s White Tiger Hall, a significantly higher position than Wu Zhong. Normally, Wu Zhong even has to defer to him.”

“Think about it, if you get connected with him, would you need to worry about Chen Jiusi anymore?”

“Wu Zhong is only somewhat known around Xiantao Town, but in the county, he’s nothing.”

“My brother Chen Xiong, if the Big Ship Leader takes a liking to you and recommends you to his cousin, and you manage to spend a few years in the county, even if you were to return to a lower position at the fishery, how could Chen Jiusi compare to you, who might just end up as a mere doctor?”

Lu San explained to Chen Sanliu.

Hearing this, Chen Sanliu’s eyes lit up. Indeed, his own vision had been narrow; he’d thought Wu Zhong was a significant figure, yet in the Fishing Guild, Wu Zhong was a minor character. If his son could indeed form a good relationship with the Big Ship Leader, what could Chen Jiusi amount to in comparison?

Feel haughty anymore?

With this thought, Chen Sanliu declared, “Alright, I’ll follow your advice, brother Lu San. I’ll give you the money now.”

“Great, great…once brother Chen Xiong becomes successful, you must help me deal with Chen Jiusi properly!”

“Brother Lu San, rest assured, if I gain any power, I will never let him have peace!”

Everyone was satisfied, but Chen Jie, hearing their laughter, glanced their way and startled everyone.

Lu San warned, “Uncle San Liu, brother Chen Xiong, be low-key before this is settled.”

“Mm-hm.”

Everyone nodded and then quickly tried to appease Chen Jie with nervous smiles, and Chen Sanliu even stood up saying, “Jiusi, you’ve bought so much again! I’ve always thought since we were young that you had potential, haha…”

Chen Jie frowned slightly.

He always felt these men were up to no good.

But none of that mattered now; what was most important was getting home.

“Wife, I’ve come back!”