Chapter 27: Worry

Walking on the way back, Jiang Cheng felt a trace of worry in his heart.

If someday in the future these few people block me, what should I do then?

No need to doubt it; anyone who walks by the river will eventually get his shoes wet, and sooner or later I'll run into them.

Facing their extortion, should I meekly hand over the money? Or strike directly?

If I strike directly, those petty thugs are nothing to him, of course he wouldn't mind.

But once I beat them up, these people will surely bear a grudge and, after returning, tell the ones behind them.

Then it will be members of the Wild Wolf Gang coming over to cause trouble for me.

Of course, the ones who come might not be any fierce characters; they could just be Junior Leaders, and even though they wield a long knife, they still have some confidence.

The problem is that beating them would inevitably make an enemy of the Wild Wolf Gang, and they won't just stand by.

When that time comes, what should I do? Thinking of this, Jiang Cheng felt somewhat powerless.

So I can only meekly hand over the money? But before I practiced the Staff Method, I was robbed by thugs; now that the Staff Method is at Mastery, if thugs rob me again, wouldn't that make the practice pointless? "This damned world."

Jiang Cheng muttered curses.

Seeing that he was almost home, he quickly steadied his mood, fearing any sign might be noticed.

"Grandma, I'm back."

With more than ten meters still to the doorway, Jiang Cheng called out.

The Old Man nodded repeatedly, and after Jiang Cheng drew near, smiled and said, "Good that you're back; you didn't encounter any trouble on the way, did you?"

"No."

Jiang Cheng shook his head with a smile, and involuntarily recalled that earlier scene in his mind.

"Xiao Cheng, you're back?"

Chen Sao also stepped out of the house, smiling, "Haven't eaten yet? My family's meal is just ready; want to come eat together?"

"No, Chen Sao," Jiang Cheng hurried, "I just ate a few days ago. By the way, Chen Sao, in a couple of days, you and Xiao Yue should come to my place for a meal, okay?"

Business has been good these two days, and the next few days should be about the same.

He also wanted, like Chen Sao a few days ago, to set a whole table of dishes and invite them over.

Hearing that, Chen Sao's smile faded a bit, and she said earnestly, "Xiao Cheng, let's talk after this month passes."

"Alright."

Jiang Cheng, upon hearing that, said no more on the subject.

After saying goodbye to Chen Sao, the two entered the house, and the Old Man closed the door.

"Xiao Cheng, how was business today?"

The Old Man asked a bit nervously.

"Today we sold more than yesterday."

Jiang Cheng parked the car, and while unloading the Roasted Sweet Potatoes from the vehicle, he laughed, "Sold over ninety pieces, over five hundred yuan."

"Really? Is that true?"

The Old Man's eyes widened at the words.

In fact, she had been praying all day that Jiang Cheng could sell more Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

Because she also knew that if the end of the month didn't bring in the required money, there would be consequences.

"Of course."

Jiang Cheng pulled a stack of cash from his left pocket.

Mostly clean bills of ten and twenty yuan.

He also took a handful of change from his right pocket.

There were paper notes and coins, denominations of one and two yuan, with five yuan being the smallest.

"There should be about three hundred something here; the rest of the money, I bought eighty jin of sweet potatoes, all of it is here."

Jiang Cheng said with a smile.

At this rate, by the end of the month we can definitely save up three thousand yuan.

Provided there are no losses.

"Three hundred something? Let me count," the Old Man's eyes lit up as he sat on the stool and began counting.

Jiang Cheng moved aside, poured himself a glass of water, and watched silently without disturbing.

After a while, the Old Man smiled, "Three hundred thirty‑two, Xiao Cheng, is that what you earned in a day?"

"Yes."

Jiang Cheng nudged his mouth toward the sweet potatoes on the ground.

"When we sell these tomorrow, we'll have that much money again."

The Old Man looked on, both happy and gratified.

"I really hope we can earn this much every day from now on."

"That's nothing."

Jiang Cheng smiled, "Grandma, after a while I plan to get two buckets, and then the money we earn will double directly."

The Old Man's mouth opened wide in surprise.

Two buckets? Doesn't that mean we could earn six or seven hundred a day then?

Thirty days a month, that's twenty thousand?

Note, this is pure profit, already after deducting the cost of sweet potatoes and charcoal.

A pure monthly income of twenty thousand yuan—she couldn't even imagine what life would be like then.

Thinking of that, the Old Man grinned broadly.

But she also knew she was daydreaming, and urged, "Xiao Cheng, let's talk about this later, okay? Now we can earn this much in a day, Grandma is already satisfied; as long as we keep it up, we can pay all the money due at the end of the month."

When this month passes, next month, if we can still earn this much, we'll buy some good vegetables and invite Chen Sao and the others over for a meal; these years they've constantly taken care of us, and if our lives improve, we must not forget them.

"Don't worry, Grandma, it won't happen."

Jiang Cheng hurriedly said.

The original self always treated Chen Sao and the others as family.

Although I haven't been here long after crossing over, I can already see that they genuinely care about me.

No matter when, having one or two people who sincerely wish you well is not easy; he certainly won't forget.

"Hmm, you're hungry, right? Sit down and eat; take this money and keep it safe," the Old Man said, standing up and walking toward the stove.

Jiang Cheng replied with a sound, tucked the money away, walked to the bedside, and placed it into a box.

Inside the box there were over two hundred, the money earned yesterday; counting what he had on hand, it was close to six hundred.

And on his person there was about two hundred more, taken from those people, of "unknown origin," not appropriate to appear here.

Keeping it on his body is also fine, in case of unexpected needs.

The dishes on the table were the same as yesterday, except the pork was finished today.

Jiang Cheng let out a soft sigh in his heart.

Having meat every day is still a bit of a luxury for him now; he'll think about it next month.

He picked up a slice of meat and put it into the Old Man's bowl.

"No need."

The Old Man realized and hurried to put it into Jiang Cheng's bowl.

"Grandma doesn't need to eat these; you're still growing, you should eat more."

"Grandma, we'll be big earners in the future; can't you stop being so stingy with yourself? You saw the money just now, three hundred yuan, enough to buy ten jin of meat, enough to eat until you're full."

The Old Man was startled by the words and felt that Jiang Cheng's point was indeed reasonable.

In that daze, Jiang Cheng slipped a few more pieces into her bowl.

After finishing dinner and clearing the sweet potatoes, about another hour passed, and Jiang Cheng began practicing Staff Method.

The Old Man watched from beside him, and compared with previous times, his eyes held far less worry.

After all, Jiang Cheng had been practicing the staff for several days, and nothing had happened during that period, so her heart naturally relaxed.

What was even more pleasing was that in the past two days, the money Jiang Cheng earned selling Roasted Sweet Potato increased day by day; good days were finally arriving.

(End of Chapter)