Chapter 550: Right Here

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Luosaihu brought Shougaoger and a few lackeys, blocking the counter, his face grim.

Just as a few people walked out of the room, they saw them coming straight at them.

Daoba yawned and chuckled, "Yo, this early?"

Luosaihu, suppressing his anger: "It's not early; we're in a hurry to hit the road. Where's that little thief? He couldn't have already run off, could he?"

"Who said that?" Xiao Er came out holding Tuan Tuan, with Kang An following behind Lu Qi, and they walked together to the table side.

Luosaihu stepped forward: "Since he didn't run, just hand him over to us."

"What's the rush?" Daoba raised his hand, blocking him, "We're still hungry."

"You see him too—he's right here, right before your eyes, can't run off. Can't you wait till we finish eating to ask?"

"You!" Luosaihu was left speechless by his retort.

The group leisurely took their seats, and Daoba shouted, "Boss, make me another spread just like last night's!"

Soon, roasted buns, milk tea, lamb, and dried fruit were brought to the table.

Everyone began eating at a leisurely pace.

Kang An didn't wolf down his food like last night, but he still ate quickly and a lot.

Tuan Tuan looked at him: "I love watching you eat, Xiao An'an—everything you eat seems especially delicious to me."

Kang An looked at her and smiled.

Tuan Tuan tilted her little head: "Xiao An'an, from now on you must stay happy, smile more—you look too good!"

Lu Qi gave Kang An a sideways glance, but Kang An kept his eyes on Tuan Tuan, and his smile grew brighter.

Luosaihu and his men stood to the side, his face black as a pot bottom.

Shougaoger wrung his hands in anxiety, pacing back and forth, occasionally glaring at Kang An.

The breakfast took about half an hour.

Daoba set down the last lamb bone, wiped his mouth, stood up: "All right, I'm full."

Several people rose and left the table.

Luosaihu took a deep breath, strode forward, glaring at Kang An: "Come on, hurry up and follow us!"

Kang An stepped back two paces.

Luosaihu's voice was hard: "No matter what, we must get an answer today."

"Otherwise, detaining both person and goods here, the employer is waiting—delaying would leave us unable to explain."

Xiao Er said flatly: "The person, we can't hand over."

The crowd instantly exploded.

"On what grounds?"

"Exactly!"

"What are you to him, protecting him like this?"

Shougaoger, face red and neck thick, shouted: "If you insist on protecting him, fine—then help us make up the missing clearance document!"

"Exactly! As long as we can get on the road, we don't care where he is!"

Several people talked over each other, growing more excited.

Their gazes at Kang An seemed ready to spit fire.

Kang An stepped back another two paces.

Tuan Tuan walked to his side: "Don't be afraid of them."

Then Tuan Tuan went past him and stood in front of him.

She stood before that rowdy bunch of men; though she was the shortest, her voice was the loudest.

She tilted her little face up at them and shouted: "Why are you yelling so loud? You've scared him!"

The crowd: "……" fell silent.

Kang An's eyes reddened; besides his deceased parents, no one had ever protected him like this.

Tuan Tuan, how can you be so good?

Tuan Tuan planted her hands on her hips, refusing to budge: "Your stuff wasn't stolen by him—what's the point of staring at him?"

Shougaoger caught on: "If it's not him, who else could it be?"

Lu Qi drawled: "We already know exactly who the thief is."

The group all froze: "Who is it?"

Daoba crossed his arms, grinning: "We can't say right now."

Luosaihu snorted angrily, his face flushing crimson: "You won't release the person, and you won't even say where the goods are? Fine! Very fine!"

He waved his hand: "Then let's go fetch Shatuke to have him decide!"

Daoba didn't even lift his eyelids: "Go on, hurry up."

Luosaihu gave him a fierce glare, then stormed off with his people.

The inn grew quiet.

Tuan Tuan turned, took Kang An's hand: "Don't be scared, we're here."

Kang An lifted his head to look at her, tears welling in his eyes, yet his face broke into a smile.

The shopkeeper old man walked up to Daoba and rattled off a long string of words.

Daoba nodded repeatedly at him, replied in a few stiff, incomprehensible sentences, and pushed the old man back behind the counter.

Tuan Tuan asked: "Uncle Daoba, what did he say to you?"

Daoba replied: "He told me, if a fight breaks out later, we must go outside to fight—don't smash his stuff."

"Blood splashed inside would be a hassle to clean up; he can't be bothered to wipe it."

Everyone: "……"

Lu Qi couldn't laugh or cry: "This place really is unlike any other."

Soon after, a chaotic footsteps sound came from outside.

A burly man in a long robe with a headscarf strode in—the headman of this place, Shatuke.

He wore a large saber at his waist; his head alone towered over others, and several big men of similar stature trailed behind him.

Luosaihu and his men followed them into the inn.

Shatuke swept his gaze over everyone, his eyes icy and his presence overpowering: "Who is the thief who stole things?"

Tuan Tuan exclaimed: "Wow, your Zhongyuan speech is really good!"

Shatuke lowered his head and glanced at Xiao Tuanzi: "Aren't you afraid of me?"

Tuan Tuan thought for a moment: "Are you a bad guy?"

Shatuke stared, then after a moment shook his head.

"Then why should I be afraid of you?" Tuan Tuan looked at him, then at Xiao Er and Lu Qi, "But you're really huge! Bigger than my second uncle and seventh uncle!"

A flicker of smile crossed Shatuke's eyes; this little kid is quite interesting.

Immediately, his face hardened: "I didn't come here to chat; these people say you're harboring the thief who stole their Pass Clearance Documents and refuse to hand them over."

"Yes!" The tall, thin man pointed at Kang An: "It's him!"

Shatuke glanced at Kang An: "You usually steal food and drink; I've turned a blind eye, but now you've stolen these?"

Hand it over quickly, and I can still spare your life.

Kang An shook his head vigorously, gesturing wildly with both hands.

Lu Qi pressed his shoulder, then cupped his fists toward Shatuke: "Headman, he didn't steal the documents; we know where those documents are."

Shatuke sized him up: "Who is it?"

Xiao Er said: "Please, headman, follow me; we'll produce the stolen goods face to face, so we can settle this."

Shatuke readily agreed, nodding: "Lead the way."

The group arrived at the entrance of the Karakhan Spice Shop.

Daoba pointed at the couple: "They're the thieves."

The couple hadn't noticed the commotion here; they were greeting passing caravans: "Come in and have a look—our spice prices are fair, our goods the best!"

Upon seeing Shaketu, the man hurried forward to greet: "How did you come? If you need anything, I can send it over—no need for you to make the trip yourself."

Shatuke didn't respond: "If you say they stole it, where's the stolen goods?"

Tuan Tuan replied crisply: "It's right in the courtyard."

The couple exchanged a glance: "Stolen goods? We don't have any stolen goods, little miss—you can't just spout nonsense."

Shatuke strode into the shop, weaving past the shelves to the backyard: "Where?"

Tuan Tuan trotted around the courtyard on his short legs, then stopped: "Right here—dig and you'll see!"

Shatuke gave a glance to the men behind him; several burly fellows picked up tools from the courtyard and dug at the spot Tuan Tuan indicated.

The couple shouted from the side: "We've never stolen anything! Headman, don't let these Zhongyuan people deceive you!"

Shatuke remained silent.

Soon, an iron box was dug up.

His subordinate handed the box to Shatuke.

Shatuke opened the iron box, took out the papers inside, and unfolded them to look.

Under everyone's gaze, it was clear to all: just a few IOUs, certainly not any Pass Clearance Documents.

The couple exchanged a glance, a flicker of pride crossing their faces.