Chapter 62: Human Relations

Besides the reduced foot traffic on the street, Jiang Cheng made another discovery.

It was that the surrounding stall vendors occasionally glanced his way.

When they saw him looking, they quickly averted their gaze.

……

Jiang Cheng was speechless.

These people couldn't be thinking of borrowing money from him again, could they? If business were good these past two days, fine, but anyone with eyes can see that everyone is broke, and business will only get harder.

Not to mention, he still owes Chen Sao two thousand, plus next month's renewal fee of five thousand, a total of seven thousand, so the pressure is huge.

He shook his head and began roasting sweet potatoes.

After twenty or thirty minutes, Lu Zicheng from the neighboring stall finally pushed his cart over, arriving late.

Just as he set up his stall, he impatiently said, "Jiang Cheng, did you hear? Next month's management fee has doubled outright."

"Hmm, I only found out when I got back. Sigh, life is getting harder and harder," Jiang Cheng sighed.

"Yeah!"

Lu Zicheng subconsciously wanted to curse a few words, but reason told him this wasn't a place to speak recklessly, so he could only sigh and say, "I knew it wasn't that simple. I was thinking that although the Stall Fee had risen a bit, I could still pay for next month, but then the management fee doubled—it's unbearable."

While speaking, he glanced at Jiang Cheng, intentionally or not.

Jiang Cheng was truly scared.

Others all think he has money.

In fact, he is buried in debt.

After thinking, he waved his hand toward the other.

"What's up?"

Lu Zicheng walked up, a bit nervous and expectant.

Could it be that Jiang Cheng, seeing his difficult situation, finally agreed to lend him a bit?

He swore that if he had money, he would definitely repay it.

"Let me tell you a rumor; I heard it from someone else."

Jiang Cheng lowered his voice and told him that the Wild Wolf Gang would leave within half a month.

"Really?"

Lu Zicheng didn't dare to be flamboyant; his eyes bulged round.

"The likelihood is high."

Jiang Cheng nodded, "So for the Stall Fee due in two days, don't pay it yet, because if you pay, you might only get a few days of business before having to pay another amount. That's different from the management fee and can be completely avoided."

"Right, you're correct."

Lu Zicheng nodded his head like a chick pecking rice.

He didn't know whether the rumor was true, but he preferred to believe it existed rather than not.

It's only half a month without a stall, actually not even half—a little over ten days.

If he paid, and later the Iron Fist Gang showed up, he'd have to pay again; then it would be a total loss.

Better to wait a while; if it's really like that, he'd have saved over two thousand.

"Jiang Cheng, will you also take a break then?"

Jiang Cheng didn't want to lie to him, otherwise their meeting later would be awkward.

"I have this."

He pulled out a Membership Card, first made a shushing gesture, then handed it over.

The next moment, Lu Zicheng seemed to see something unbelievable; he was stunned, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.

"Got it?"

Jiang Cheng silently took back the Membership Card and slipped it into his pocket.

"I see, I get it, so you're… No wonder…"

Lu Zicheng only then recovered, a wry smile on his face.

Although he hadn't seen this kind of card much, he recognized the words "Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall, Senior Member" on it.

Senior members of the Martial Arts Hall are on a Monthly Subscription, paying five thousand a month. He couldn't earn that in a month.

"You said before you wanted to borrow money from me; I said I'd see how things stand—not that I'm unwilling, but I have no money myself. Today the street is so empty, and I'm still worrying about how to renew next month."

Jiang Cheng shrugged.

"Sorry, Jiang Cheng, I didn't know. If I had known, I certainly wouldn't have brought up borrowing money."

Lu Zicheng hurriedly apologized.

Then he thought of something and asked softly, "So the news you just mentioned, did you also hear it from there?"

"Otherwise what?"

Lu Zicheng inhaled a cold breath.

Information from the Martial Arts Hall can't be false. It seems the Wild Wolf Gang really will pack up and flee within half a month, so before leaving they're not caring about appearances, planning to scoop a big haul first.

"Luckily I learned this, otherwise in two days I'd really have paid the money."

Lu Zicheng was extremely relieved.

"Jiang Cheng, thank you, really thank you. Just this piece of information is worth over two thousand. Rest assured, I'll definitely remember this favor."

Jiang Cheng waved his hand, cutting him off.

For him, it was merely a trivial effort.

It also contained a hint of being afraid to borrow money.

Just then, a customer walked over, and Lu Zicheng went back.

Despite this, his heart still could not calm down for a long time.

In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.

Jiang Cheng tallied up; today's pure profit was just over three hundred, compared to yesterday's four hundred-odd, it was over a hundred less.

"It shouldn't drop below two hundred next, right?"

Jiang Cheng furrowed his brows.

I thought it would finally stabilize after great effort, and I even got a Senior Member in one go, but overnight it became unstable again.

Of course, getting the Senior Member was not wrong; it successfully avoided a lot of trouble.

Hope it doesn't fall any further.

He thought to himself, gazing toward the distant grain store; even the raw sweet potatoes he bought today would have to be reduced in amount.

On the way back, visible unrest could be seen.

More people were hiding in the corners; some knew Jiang Cheng, and upon seeing him come, they left immediately, while a few remained in place, looking hesitant.

Jiang Cheng could also roughly guess that these unfamiliar faces were likely forced by pressure to come out and rob others to cope with the doubled management fee.

Sympathy is sympathy, understanding is understanding; if these people actually made a move, he would not go easy on them.

……

All sounds ceased.

The night sky had only a few scattered stars, and the entire Poor District fell into deep darkness.

In a courtyard.

Jiang Xiong and the others sat around the dining table, the table laden with fine wine and dishes, fish and meat; even if Jiang Cheng were here, seeing it would make him salivate.

But the few at the table seemed low in spirits, brows furrowed, as if they had worries.

After a while, someone finally could not help but speak: "Brother Xiong, the Wild Wolf Gang suddenly doubled the management fee these past two days; this is surely no good thing, I feel the Wild Wolf Gang is about to pull out."

"Yeah, before the previous few gangs left, they showed this same sign, and not long after, the next gang arrived."

"During this time, there have also been reports of the Iron Fist Gang and the Wild Wolf Gang fighting each other; I heard the Wild Wolf Gang wins more than loses, I thought they could hold on for a while, but I didn't expect it to come so fast today."

"Brother Xiong, what should we do next? Once the Iron Fist Gang arrives, our days will surely not be as good as they are now."

Hearing their words, Jiang Xiong said nothing, just drinking his dull wine to himself.

He knew full well what they were saying.

(End of chapter)