Chapter 34: Marriage?

We must start training the Double Staff.

A flash of determination passed through Jiang Cheng's eyes.

A single staff leaves one hand free, so its killing power is limited.

But if both hands each hold a staff, that's a different story.

Even if ten or eight thugs attack together, it's just a matter of a few staffs.

Besides that, the Martial Arts Hall members should also be activated as soon as possible.

He only thought of going straight for it, directly opening a Senior Member.

The Wild Wolf Gang and the Iron Fist Gang are locked in a fierce fight; according to Lu Zicheng, the Wild Wolf Gang's situation is not optimistic and may eventually be forced out of this area.

When that happens, the Iron Fist Gang will take over this place.

That means the management fees and Stall Fees already paid will have to be paid again; he doesn't think the Iron Fist Gang is a benevolent group that will sympathize with the Poor District's residents—perhaps many will end up homeless.

Paying the money to the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall avoids that trouble.

Of course there is risk; if the newly arrived Iron Fist Gang doesn't recognize it, that would be troublesome, but Jiang Cheng feels that possibility is small. After all, three Martial Arts Halls have been rooted here for twenty‑to‑thirty years; countless gangs have come and gone, yet the halls remain while the old gangs have vanished.

While pondering, the distance to home was not far.

At that moment, the sky had turned completely dark.

At the doorway, not only the Old Man but also Chen Sao were looking this way, their faces full of worry.

When they finally saw Jiang Cheng's figure arrive, the two breathed a sigh of relief.

"Grandma, I'm back!"

Jiang Cheng walked over, smiling, "Chen Sao, you're here too—have you eaten?"

"Not yet, I've been waiting for you," Chen Sao said concerned, "Why did you only get home after dark? Did you run into trouble on the way back?"

She looked at the two stoves in the car.

"Luckily, someone was watching, so I had to take a detour, but I managed to slip by."

Jiang Cheng laughed.

"That's good," Chen Sao exhaled, though the worry in her brows remained.

Because Jiang Cheng might have been lucky this time and slipped through, what about next time?

Sooner or later, there will be a time when he'll be blocked.

"Xiao Cheng, if they catch you, will you honestly give them the money? Your older brother—"

At this point, Chen Sao's eyes reddened, her voice choked.

"I know."

Jiang Cheng sighed, then winked at her.

The three pushed the cart into the house, closed the door, and Jiang Cheng placed the money he earned today on the table.

Even the Old Man, who was mentally prepared, widened his eyes.

Chen Sao's mouth hung open, speechless.

That much money? All earned today? "Chen Sao, count it?"

Jiang Cheng smiled.

Money matters must be kept secret from outsiders.

But Chen Sao is not an outsider.

"Alright."

Chen Sao, a bit excited, began counting them one by one.

"Four hundred and six?"

Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with disbelief as she looked at Jiang Cheng.

"All earned today?"

"Exactly."

Jiang Cheng nodded, "Pure profit—the rest I spent on fresh sweet potatoes and charcoal, all in the car."

"Pure profit…"

Chen Sao was stunned.

She and her daughter mend clothes at home for others, earning a highly unstable income.

On average, they make only a few dozen a day, occasionally over a hundred.

Fortunately, she budgets carefully, paying a thousand a month in management fees, and after food and clothing can still save a bit.

But Jiang Cheng made over four hundred in a single day! It far exceeded her expectations. The candle flame flickered.

After a while, Chen Sao finally recovered from her shock.

She glanced at the money in her hand, then at Jiang Cheng, and asked, "Xiao Cheng, will you be able to earn this much every day from now on?"

"There shouldn't be any problem."

Jiang Cheng said without hesitation.

"That's good."

Chen Sao took a deep breath.

Four hundred plus a day translates to nearly fifteen thousand a month.

Such a high income in the Poor District is truly a rarity.

I've heard that even in the city, earning over ten thousand a month puts you in the top thirty percent.

Jiang Cheng can now achieve this; she is genuinely happy for him.

"Xiao Cheng, you must never tell anyone about this, and don't lend money to others. Also, building a good business isn't easy; don't chase cheapness and cut corners, or the hard‑won reputation will be lost."

Jiang Cheng listened attentively, smiling and nodding: "Don't worry, Aunt Chen, I won't do such short-sighted, self-destructive things."

Aunt Chen also believes you're not that kind of person.

Chen Sao nodded.

She looked at the money in her hand.

As for the money, let Grandma keep it for you, so you can afford a wife later.

At that moment, the old man's voice rang out.

In my opinion, let Xiao Cheng marry Xiao Yue.

Chen Sao was taken aback, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Actually, she had this idea in her heart for several years; Jiang Cheng is someone she watched grow up, she knows his background well; although poor, he is down-to-earth and hardworking, suitable for daily life; if she marries her daughter to him, she would be completely at ease.

But her daughter is still young, not yet at the age to discuss marriage.

Over the past two years, she had sounded out her daughter's thoughts; the daughter hemmed and hawed, saying she only saw Jiang Cheng as a brother and had not considered that aspect.

Now that Grandma Jiang brought this up, Chen Sao's thoughts also heated up again.

Actually, she doesn't care whether Jiang Cheng can earn a lot of money, but being able to earn money is naturally better.

Even if his monthly income were fifteen thousand, or even just ten thousand, his standard of living would exceed that of 99% of people in the Poor District; his daughter would definitely not suffer hardship with him.

Therefore, she also didn't speak up, wanting to see Jiang Cheng's attitude.

Jiang Cheng now felt a bit overwhelmed.

The original owner indeed had some thoughts about the neighboring Lin Yue.

But his words—

He felt this girl was too thin, though her appearance was decent.

Of course, this isn't the key; the key is that they aren't very familiar, and in the blink of an eye they'd be entering the hall of marriage—isn't that too fast?

Moreover, the times are also not good; if he really had a child, a sudden fear would arise in his heart.

"Why aren't you speaking? Xiao Yue isn't ugly either, she's sensible, and marrying her as a wife would be great." The old man said, somewhat displeased.

Chen Sao was just watching from the side.

Moreover, in her heart she also hoped to hold a grandson soon; seeing Jiang Cheng start a family and have a child, even if she died she could smile in the grave.

"Grandma, Aunt Chen," Jiang Cheng scratched his head, "Actually I haven't thought about this yet; I want to first sell the sweet potatoes well, then consider marriage."

"You child..."

The old man became anxious.

"Alright, Grandma Jiang," Chen Sao laughed, cutting off the old man's next words, looking at Jiang Cheng: "I think Xiao Cheng is right—first settle the career, then marry; it's not too late. Well, it's not early either; I should head back. Xiao Cheng, count the money and see if anything's missing."

"Aunt Chen, what do you mean by that?"

Jiang Cheng hurriedly said: "If I can't even trust Aunt Chen, who in this world can I trust?"

Chen Sao smiled: "Alright, I'll leave the money here; remember to save it, I'm heading out first."

"I'll see you off, Aunt Chen."

Jiang Cheng also hurriedly got up and followed her out the door.

"Aunt Chen, I don't mean to look down on Xiao Yue, I am……"

Jiang Cheng wanted to explain.

(End of chapter)