During the night, Xue Cong turned from one side of the bed to the other.
It was difficult for her to fall asleep.
She felt anxious yet happy at the same time.
Anxious as she didn’t know how to face her family members again.
But at the same time, it would be great for her to meet with her younger brother again.
Thoughts came into her mind uncontrollably.
Did her father recover fully?
Was her mother still sewing outside, using the moonlight to save on the candle?
And did Ah Di listen to her to take good care of father and mother?
Different scenarios appeared in her mind.
She rested for a few incense time before the sun rose again.
...
Meanwhile, in Su Clan’s mansion.
Su Chen wasn’t too pleased, and he sat at the table.
A broken teacup was on the tabletop in front of him; he broke it when he slammed it too hard.
"That dumb fool. Who does he think he is?" Su Chen muttered out loud.
Wu Tong, with the teacup up at his mouth, blew the hot steam away.
"Dumb? His responses were well measured and hard to find fault with.
"I would think that he is more than what he looks like on the outside.
"No one owning such a mansion can be that simple."
Su Chen wasn’t too pleased with what he heard; his ears turned red in an instant as the blood rushed to his head.
"There goes our chance of getting that premium storefront then."
"Relax." Wu Tong took a sip from the teacup and said, "Didn’t you notice?"
"Notice what? Those women there are just atrocious looking...."
This time, Wu Tong shook his head at Su Chen.
Such a shallow one, Wu Tong thought to himself silently.
"I guess you’ve got the wrong priority.
"There are only two prominent martial art fighters there.
"Lee He Song is getting old, and Liu Shi Shi spent more time at the brothel from what I know."
Su Chen narrowed his eyes, leaned forward towards Wu Tong and said, "You mean..."
Wu Tong gave him a smirk and said, "I can...."
...
Next day, in the dining hall.
Lin Xuan Qi noticed the dark ring around her eyes and shook his head.
Xue Cong sometimes thinks too much, he thought.
She should learn more from Liu Shi Shi.
Taking a quick glance and he saw Liu Shi Shi in her usual self, enjoying the breakfast and thinking of mischiefs she could make.
"I’m done. We shall make a move soon." Lin Xuan Qi announced and glanced over to Lee He Song. "Sorry to bother you, but it’s best if you went with us."
Lee He Song nodded his head and said, "Glad to be of service."
After the visit by Su Chen and Wu Tong, Lin Xuan Qi wasn’t about to let his guard down.
"Shi Shi, I would need you to stay on alert in case they will send troubles this way."
Liu Shi Shi raised an eyebrow and said, "Sure."
It would be more fun for her if they tried to do so.
She was more than confident with her skill.
If it was martial art fighters from around the area, she was confident to take them on.
"Me, strong." Zhi Yong interjected and thumped his chest.
Trying to make himself useful.
"Yes, you can help out in the security too." Lin Xuan Qi was glad and happy at Zhi Yong.
"Make sure no one gets near the lab."
"Yes, Master Lin." Zhi Yong stood up and shouted.
Everyone at the table gave out a smile at him.
Even though he didn’t speak much like everyone else, Zhi Yong was helpful and would just listen to you attentively, not bothering anyone.
With everything settled, Lin Xuan Qi glanced over and said to Xue Cong, "When you are ready to go, just let me know."
"I... err..."
"Bring some gifts for them maybe." Lin Xuan Qi suggested.
"Right, gifts." Xue Cong slapped the back of her head and said.
She hurriedly went back to her room and came back a few moments later.
"I’m ready, Master Lin."
Lin Xuan Qi nodded and stood up.
Xue Cong then led the way with Lin Xuan Qi and Lee He Song behind.
They walked past Luo Bao’s store, continued to the entrance of the city.
After they got out from the gates of the city, Xue Cong led them to a village that wasn’t too far away.
Calling it a village was an overstatement.
It was a slum that was made up of many makeshift huts.
The environment was worse than the village Lin Xuan Qi had come from.
Paths were muddy and they intertwined with the messy and closely built huts.
Cries of children and coughs could be heard coming from all over the slums.
It was clear to Lin Xuan Qi now, as to why Xue Cong had such a high gratitude towards him at 99 points.
Xue Cong’s steps started to go slower as she walked towards one of the huts.
With her hands in front of her chest, she tried to breathe in deeply to calm herself.
"It’s going to be all right." Xue Cong mumbled repeatedly to herself.
Two familiar figures could be seen as she got closer through the opening of the hut that was made of mud and dried straw.
It wasn’t a window as it didn’t have anything to cover it, letting the cold wind blow through it.
That was the best they could make do with.
Cough.
The man inside gave out a cough, and it was followed with a sigh.
A woman’s head then popped out of the opening of the hut.
"Xue Cong?!" The woman shouted and her expression turned into excitement.
It took her a moment for her expression to change into one with fear and worry.
The woman’s face turned pale white immediately.
She came out from the hut and said frantically, "You shouldn’t be here.
"Go back to your master before you get caught by the constables.
"Your master can punish you for running away."
"Mother, it is not what you think." Xue Cong said as her mother came up and held onto her hand.
Her mother’s hands were in the process of pushing Xue Cong away and froze halfway when she heard what Xue Cong said.