9

Chapter Nine: Fueled with Energy

“Hey, hey, hey, we’ve been talking so long, and I still need to buy these slippers. Are you going to sell them or not?” Yang Zhaoniang protested stubbornly.

Yang Yanguang cleared his throat awkwardly. “Almost forgot the main matter. Brother Duan, may I ask the price of these so-called wooden clogs?”

“Fate has brought us together, Mr. Yang. Why haggle over money and sour the mood? Just take a pair!” Duan Mingyu said magnanimously, feigning generosity with a sly smile. “I’m always willing to negotiate with you. Money is such a wonderful thing—why let it appreciate when you can spend it now?” The true reason behind Duan Mingyu’s apparent generosity was that none of the wooden clogs in stock fit young Yang Zhaoniang’s small feet; all were large sizes.

Poor Yang Zhaoniang was so touched she was almost confused and even changed how she addressed him: “Brother Mingyu, thank you so much!” Her fair, tender face blushed slightly.

That single “brother” from her made Duan Mingyu’s heart burst with joy. It seemed this young gentleman had real potential to be a ladies’ friend—heh heh!

With a wave of his hand, Duan Mingyu said, “Why be so polite with your brother? There’s a whole pile here. Pick whichever pair you like, just take them.”

Xu Zuye watched Duan Mingyu’s grandiose speech but was the only one in the group who fully understood the situation. He thought silently, “You’re truly cunning, but... I like it.”

Hearing Duan Mingyu’s prompt agreement, the child’s heart was instantly lightened. She dashed over to the stall in three quick steps and began her earnest search.

Meanwhile, the wily Yang Yanguang chatted idly with Duan Mingyu and Xu Zuye, swapping stories on all sorts of topics.

Time flew like an arrow; days passed like a shuttle weaving through time. After a long while, Yang Zhaoniang trudged listlessly back to Yang Yanguang. “Grandpa, none of these shoes fit me! Brother Mingyu, what should we do now?”

Duan Mingyu put on a helpless expression. “Zhaoniang, since that’s the case, why not come back another day? I promise to make you a pair of beautiful, unique clogs then.”

“All right!” Yang Zhaoniang’s face finally brightened a little. It was clear the little girl was truly fond of these wooden clogs.

***

“Trouble! Zhang Baobao is coming! Brothers, retreat quickly!” a sudden voice rang out.

The nearby stall owners turned pale at the mention of Zhang Baobao. Who was Zhang Baobao? He was the top hooligan in Bianliang City, commanding a band of thugs and making a living by collecting protection money. This in itself was not unusual. But this guy was ruthless, demanding half of the merchants’ profits as protection fees. How could anyone survive like that?

No one dared to provoke this local tyrant. Most endured in silence; some simply quit their trade. The clever ones played a cat-and-mouse game with Zhang Baobao, running away at the first sign of him. Duan Mingyu was one of them.

“Hmph! The money I earn with hard work—why should I just hand it over?” Duan Mingyu stuck to the principle of retreating when the enemy advanced and advancing when the enemy retreated, repeatedly eluding Zhang Baobao.

Upon hearing the news, Duan Mingyu immediately wrapped the cloth covering his goods around the wooden clogs and bolted. His movements were so practiced that even Xu Zuye admitted defeat. Was this kid on some kind of stimulant? His reactions were always so intense.

Xu Zuye didn’t realize that in his past life, Duan Mingyu had been terrified by the urban management officers. Zhang Baobao was even worse than them: a protection racket enforcer who resorted to violence at the slightest provocation. Compared to the city enforcers, Zhang Baobao was far more brutal. Thus, upon hearing his name, fleeing was an automatic reflex.

By the time Xu Zuye finished tidying up, Duan Mingyu had already darted three or four meters away.

After a few steps, Duan Mingyu turned back and shouted to Yang Yanguang, “Gentlemen, this is urgent. Let’s meet again another day!”

Yang Zhaoniang called out, “Brother Mingyu, where do you live? I’ll come get the clogs when I have free time!”

“East suburbs!” Duan Mingyu replied without turning around.

Seeing the young man flee so swiftly, Yang Yanguang’s face twitched violently. This kid was surprisingly nimble. He had heard rumors of protection rackets in the marketplace, but never imagined the situation would be so terrifying. The city of Bianliang was in a state of panic. Yang Yanguang’s brow tightened deeply.

“Grandpa, Zhaoniang wants the clogs. Let’s help Brother Mingyu!” Yang Zhaoniang tugged at Yang Yanguang’s sleeve.

No sooner had she spoken than a group of people swaggered over with high spirits. The lively atmosphere of the bustling street turned cold and quiet at their arrival. The street vendors’ calls abruptly ceased.

***

The leader was thin and sharp-faced, with a shifty look. He carried a wooden stick in his right hand—a perfect picture of a local thug. As Duan Mingyu would say, a walking gangster from the old days.

Yang Yanguang narrowed his eyes. This must be the infamous Zhang Baobao. Yang Zhaoniang snorted through her delicate nose: “Bullying and extortion—he doesn’t seem like a good person at all. Grandpa, you must teach them a lesson!”

Yang Yanguang raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to stand up for Brother Duan?”

“Who said that? You always tease me to make me happy.” But her lowered head betrayed her true feelings.

Yang Yanguang sighed. “They say you can’t hold back a grown woman, and that’s true. This little girl is still so young, and already she’s so headstrong. What will she be like grown up?” His hand moved toward his belt.

Yang Zhaoniang hurriedly stepped back. She knew her grandfather’s belt held a flexible sword that moved like a dancing ribbon. She had once witnessed him use it to wound several burly men in an instant.

Yang Yanguang’s gaze pierced Zhang Baobao like a sharp blade. Perhaps today he would rid the people of this scourge. Yet thinking of the gravity of their current errand, his hand fell back down naturally.

Seeing her grandfather lower his hostility, Yang Zhaoniang sighed with regret, disappointed once again at missing out on some excitement. Life—could it get any more miserable?

Meanwhile, Zhang Baobao suddenly felt a chill down his spine, shivering in the heat. Turning around, he saw only an old man and a child. After a cautious glance around and finding nothing suspicious, he turned back and snarled at the vendors standing in neat rows, “Business has been good today, huh? I’m a bit short on cash. Anyone willing to lend me some money?”

The vendors all internally despised this scoundrel—posing as an upright man while being a villain—but no one dared show displeasure. They all answered in unison, “Of course, of course! It’s nothing at all.”