Chapter 70: The Outer Boroughs
Chapter 70: The Outer Boroughs
Upon hearing Jiang Cheng's words, a look of difficulty appeared on Bai Wei's face.
"Regarding the Martial Arts Academy, it might be tricky. We have limited rooms, and they're usually full. Moreover, for such a matter, I'll have to discuss it with the senior brothers."
Jiang Cheng's expression immediately turned grim.
"Don't worry."
Bai Wei smiled reassuringly, "It's not just the Martial Arts Academy that's safe."
"What do you mean, Senior Sister Bai?"
"I have a place in the outer boroughs, but I usually live at the Academy or with my parents. I hardly go there more than a few times a year. If you're willing, I can take you there. It doesn't require anyone else's approval; my consent is enough."
"The outer boroughs!"
The eyes of the senior members were filled with envy and longing.
What they had only seen on screens and in books had become a reality before them.
For instance, the cinema, amusement park, night club, and more—all these places they were experiencing for the first time left them momentarily stunned.
Compared to the slums, the outer boroughs were like heaven and earth!
If possible, they too wanted to live there permanently, enjoying the abundance of material comforts and freedom from gang threats.
But the housing prices were sky-high; a few hundred thousand was needed to buy a place. Without a house, they could only stay in hotels, where the daily accommodation fees were in the thousands, which was a hefty sum even for them. Moreover, without an ID or someone to lead them, they couldn't even enter.
Jiang Cheng had heard whispers about the outer boroughs, a place countless slum dwellers yearned for.
But he suppressed his excitement and asked again, "Senior Sister Bai, are you serious?"
"Of course, I am."
Bai Wei nodded, "As I said earlier, I also bear some responsibility for this. If I hadn't been so aggressive then, things might not have turned out this way. Your family can stay at my place for a while until the Wild Wolf Gang leaves. If you have no objections, go and inform your family quickly. I'll wait for you at the Academy."
Jiang Cheng looked into her eyes and could tell she wasn't just being polite; she was speaking the truth.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Bai. Jiang Cheng will never forget today's kindness and will repay you when the opportunity arises."
He didn't want to delay any further.
The outer boroughs were naturally a safer place; even the most powerful members of the Wild Wolf Gang couldn't reach there.
"There's no need for such formalities. By the way, you can come with us too."
"No, thank you."
Jiang Cheng shook his head, "After I send them over, I still need to continue my business here."
"That's true," Bai Wei sighed softly.
Jiang Cheng was skilled at roasting sweet potatoes, and in the outer boroughs, he could make even more money. Unfortunately, he lacked the necessary identification.
Staying there for a few days was one thing, but doing business was another matter entirely.
"Then you should go quickly. I was planning to come down and buy some of your sweet potatoes, but then this happened..." Bai Wei expressed her regret.
"It's fine," Jiang Cheng smiled.
The others also sighed in agreement.
They had hoped to get closer to him.
"Don't worry, this afternoon or tomorrow will be fine. I'll treat you all to a feast then."
Jiang Cheng smiled and, without further ado, bid farewell to the group. He quickly packed up his stall, pushed his tricycle, and headed home.
"Jiang Shidi, you've had it tough," someone remarked.
...
When he arrived home, the front door was ajar. Jiang Cheng opened it and found Chen Sao and Grandma chatting about daily life while mending clothes.
Hearing the commotion at the door and seeing Jiang Cheng, the two were momentarily taken aback.
"Grandma, Chen Sao, I'm back," Jiang Cheng said with a smile as he pushed the tricycle into the house.
"Xiao Cheng, what's going on? Why are you back so early? Did something happen?" Chen Sao's face showed a hint of panic.
The old lady's expression also changed.
After all, Jiang Cheng had only been gone for less than an hour before returning with his stall.
Is business not going well? Is the street empty?
"No."
Jiang Cheng parked the car and turned to the two of them, "I have something very important to tell you upon my return."
"What? What is it?"
Chen Sao was startled by Jiang Cheng's serious expression.
"It's a great opportunity."
Jiang Cheng first smiled, then furrowed his brows slightly, "The Wild Wolf Gang has doubled the management fee. Recently, the slums have become increasingly unsafe. If by the end of the month, some won't be able to pay up, and the surrounding area will only get more chaotic.
So, I've discussed it with Senior Sister Bai from the Martial Arts Academy. During this time, Grandma, Chen Sao, and Xiao Yue, the three of you will go live in the outer borough for a while. Come back after this period of turmoil."
"What?"
The others were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information, and Chen Sao was stunned.
The elder was even more perplexed, his face full of confusion.
Jiang Cheng had no choice but to explain it all again.
"Xia Cheng, you're saying that Senior Sister Bai from the Martial Arts Academy has a house in the outer borough and is willing to let us stay there for a while?" Chen Sao's face was filled with disbelief.
The outer borough was a place that existed only in rumors.
Even after she had married, she had never once set foot there.
She had heard so much about it that her ears had calloused. She had seen it countless times in her dreams.
"Yes, I've already discussed it with Senior Sister Bai. Chen Sao, you'd better hurry back and pack your things. You don't need to bring too much; enough for half a month will do."
Jiang Cheng turned to the elder, "Grandma, you'd better pack up quickly. I'll send all of you there together later."
The elder looked lost, and couldn't help but turn to Chen Sao.
"Xia Cheng, it's not that Chen Sao doesn't trust you. But is it really possible for such a great opportunity to fall into our laps?"
Chen Sao's face showed concern, "I've heard that the houses in the outer borough are at least several hundred thousand yuan each. What does that mean? How can they let us stay there?"
Jiang Cheng thought to himself, if it weren't for today's matter, it would be impossible.
But he definitely wouldn't say that aloud. Otherwise, Grandma and Chen Sao wouldn't be able to sleep at ease.
"Chen Sao, it's not possible to live there for free. I've already discussed it with her. I'll give her some rent as a token, but it's not like she needs this money. It's mainly because she often comes here to buy roasted sweet potatoes from me, and we have some acquaintance. Plus, I later bought the premium membership card for the Falcon Fist Gym, and after repeated requests, she finally agreed."
"Is that so?"
Chen Sao still didn't quite believe it, "Could it be that she has taken a liking to you?"
Jiang Cheng's expression was a mix of laughter and tears, "How is that possible? Chen Sao, what are you saying? How could she possibly take a liking to me? Alright, Chen Sao, hurry back and pack your things. She's waiting at the Martial Arts Academy. We can't let her wait for so long."
Chen Sao hesitated for a while, then shook her head, "Never mind, let's forget it. Something like this has happened before, and they came over anyway. Plus, you said that the Wild Wolf Gang will leave after half a month. If we just endure it for a while, we can go. And once we're there, we can't make money, and we'll have to spend money. Forget it."
Deep down, she did have expectations and yearnings for the outer borough. But more than that, she felt apprehensive and fearful.
"Chen Sao."
Jiang Cheng shook his head, "I know you don't want to trouble them, but I've already discussed it with them, and they've agreed. For the next period, there won't be much business. If clothes get torn, they get torn. We can still wear them. It's not like food; if we don't eat, we'll starve.
As for enduring it for a while and going, that's even more preposterous. In the past, every time this happened, Chen Sao, you were also anxious, deliberately acting ugly and hiding Xiao Yue. Since this time, we can go to the outer borough to hide, why not go?
What if something happens if we stay? Those from the Wild Wolf Gang, they can do anything. Chen Sao, you've been there so many times, and I've always listened to you. But this time, you must listen to me."
By the end, Jiang Cheng's tone had become unyielding.
Chen Sao was stunned.
She stared at Jiang Cheng with wide eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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