Chapter 45: The Realization
Chapter 45: The Realization
As Jiang Cheng left the martial arts hall, his steps grew lighter on the way home.
With his advanced membership, he no longer had to worry about encountering those with connections or even members of the Wild Wolf Syndicate. His safety was now greatly enhanced.
More importantly, from now on, he had a fixed place to practice self-defense techniques. He wouldn't have to stay at home in the evenings; going to the martial arts hall would suffice.
Moreover, he now had the opportunity to learn secret martial arts.
Jiang Cheng took a deep breath.
With a powerful backer, one can run, but without one, you'll fall.
Only by relying on himself could he truly possess the power to protect himself. Having a short stick wasn't enough. No matter how well he practiced, facing several ordinary people with firearms would only result in a quick death. Only by learning secret martial arts could he stand a chance against armed opponents.
When he was at the martial arts hall earlier, he hadn't asked Zhao Xiangyu about this matter.
After all, anyone with a bit of emotional intelligence wouldn't ask such a question when there wasn't much of a relationship between them.
Now that his proficiency panel had exposed his "talent," he was confident that he would soon enter the core circle of the martial arts hall, making things simpler in the future.
Of course, there was also the matter of Aunt Chen's three thousand yuan. He needed to repay it as soon as possible.
When Aunt Chen took the money, she seemed calm and collected. But to save up three thousand yuan, it wasn't realistic to think it could be done in just a year or two.
Soon, Jiang Cheng arrived at his home.
"Grandma, I'm back."
"You're back?"
The elderly woman was preparing lunch. Seeing Jiang Cheng return, she emerged from behind the stove, her face tense as she asked, "How did it go?"
"Very smoothly."
Jiang Cheng placed the bag containing two sets of training uniforms on the table.
Then, waving the membership card in his hand, he said, "With this, we won't have to pay the Wild Wolf Syndicate next month. On my way back, no one dared to mess with me."
"Really?"
A smile appeared on the elderly woman's face.
"Of course, it's true. The martial arts hall has been operating on this street for decades; they must have their reasons."
"That's good, that's good."
The elderly woman muttered to herself.
Every night, as darkness fell, she began to worry.
She worried about Jiang Cheng's safety when he returned home.
She also worried about financial losses. After all, the reason for setting up a street stall was to earn money. If they couldn't save up the money they needed to pay by the end of the month, the consequence wouldn't just be getting kicked out of the house; they would be forced out of the entire area.
"Cheng is back?"
Aunt Chen also hurried over at the sound of her voice, asking, "How did it go? Did you get a result?"
"Aunt Chen is here? I was just about to come to you." Jiang Cheng smiled and recounted the events.
"That's good."
Aunt Chen listened intently and said, "Cheng, remember what they said. If someone blocks your way, show them the membership card. If they don't acknowledge it, don't resist. Just give them the money and then report the incident to the people at the martial arts hall. Since they've made this promise, they'll surely keep their word."
"Mhm, that's what I was thinking."
Jiang Cheng nodded.
"And there's one more thing."
He looked at Aunt Chen, then at the elderly woman beside him, "Grandma, Aunt Chen, I'm thinking of going to the martial arts hall every morning and evening to practice. After all, I paid five thousand yuan, which is two thousand more than what we pay the Wild Wolf Syndicate every month. If I don't learn something, it'll be a waste."
"What?"
The elderly woman was startled, "You want to go in the evenings too?"
"Grandma, you forgot about this."
Jiang Cheng waved the card in his hand, "With this, it's not only useful when I return from closing the stall, but I'll also be safe if I go out at night. And unlike during the day, when I'm riding the tricycle, it's inconvenient. At night, if I go out empty-handed, even if I encounter danger, I can still run away."
"Little Cheng, it's still a bit dangerous to go out at night. Why don't we just skip it and go in the morning?" Aunt Chen also expressed her inner worries.
Jiang Cheng hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, then let's not go tonight. We'll go in the morning."
Grandma and Aunt Chen were well-intentioned, so they agreed for now, and they would discuss the matter again in a few days.
"By the way, Aunt Chen, about the three thousand..."
Aunt Chen feigned anger and glared at him.
"Little Cheng, I've made lunch. Why don't you come over and eat together?"
"No, no, the food's ready at home too," Jiang Cheng quickly declined.
"Alright, then I'll head back first."
Aunt Chen stood up and before leaving, she added, "About the money, I'm not in a hurry. You can pay it back whenever you have the money."
After finishing his meal, at around eleven o'clock, Jiang Cheng pushed his tricycle and set off.
Such an important item as the membership card, he naturally carried it on his person.
When he arrived at the stall, Lu Zicheng was also there. They greeted each other.
As the sweet potatoes were about to be done roasting, a large crowd gathered around the stall, each person anxiously waiting.
Two batches of sweet potatoes were ready, and within a few minutes, they were all sold out.
Those who didn't manage to buy any could only leave for the time being.
"Jiang Cheng, your business is really good."
Lu Zicheng, standing beside him, said enviously.
Jiang Cheng smiled.
He didn't know what to say.
And in the midst of the alley, several figures were staring at them.
"Brother, did you see that?"
Fan Hua, keeping his eyes on Jiang Cheng, said, "Two batches of sweet potatoes just came out of the oven, and in the blink of an eye, they were all sold out."
"Hmm."
Jiang Xiong nodded and asked, "Is his business always this good?"
"That's right."
The man continued, "Although the selling speed can't keep up with the current pace, within a quarter of an hour, they're basically all sold out. Especially by the afternoon, around four or five o'clock, they're gone as soon as they come out of the oven. I watched for an afternoon yesterday, and it was just like this."
"The day before yesterday was the same."
Liu Yang quickly added from behind, "I counted, that guy can sell over a thousand roasted sweet potatoes a day. Even if you calculate half the profit, it's still five or six hundred."
"Yeah, yeah."
The two gang members behind him chimed in.
Hearing this, Jiang Xiong turned to Fan Hua.
Yesterday, he had asked the latter to follow Liu Yang and the others to see if what they said was true.
The latter nodded.
"Good."
A sinister smile appeared on Jiang Xiong's face. "Leave two or three people here to keep an eye on him. When he's about to close the stall and leave, send someone to notify me."
"Brother Xiong."
Liu Yang promptly reminded him, "That kid's pretty good with the short stick. Even three or four of us might not be his match."
"So he's good with the short stick?"
A cold laugh came from one of the gang members.
"When we were playing with short sticks, that kid was still in his mother's womb, suckling at her breast."
"Kid, if a real fight breaks out, you should be more worried about yourself." The remaining gang member patted Liu Yang on the shoulder.
"Since you brothers are confident, then that's the best."
Liu Yang smiled obsequiously.
As his gaze fell on Jiang Cheng, a flash of resentment passed through his eyes.
Kid, last time that group was too useless, scared off by your few words.
This time, let's see what you'll do!
(End of Chapter)
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