Chapter 70: Outer City District

Hearing Jiang Cheng's words, Bai Wei's face showed a troubled expression.

"If it's about the martial arts hall, I'm afraid it won't be easy; the rooms are limited and usually already full, and for this matter I also need to go back and discuss it with several senior brothers."

Jiang Cheng's expression immediately turned grim.

"Don't worry."

Bai Wei broke into a smile, "It's not that only the martial arts hall is a safe place."

"What does Senior Sister Bai mean?"

"I have an apartment in the Outer City District, but I usually stay at the martial arts hall or live with my parents; I only get to use that apartment a few times a year. If you're willing, I can take you there to stay—no one else's approval is needed, just mine."

"Outer City District!"

Several senior members' eyes were filled with envy and longing.

Things they had only seen on screens and in books before became real before their eyes.

For example, residential communities, parks, cinemas, amusement parks, nightclubs, etc.; upon first entering, they stood frozen in place.

Compared to the Poor District, it's like heaven and earth!

If possible, they would also want to live there permanently, with abundant material life and no need to worry about gang threats.

But housing prices are too high—it takes hundreds of thousands to buy a unit; without a place, they can only stay in hotels, with daily lodging costs of several hundred to over a thousand, which even they find painful, and moreover, without someone to guide them and without ID, they simply cannot get in.

Jiang Cheng had also heard a little about this; it's a place longed for by countless people from the Poor District.

But he still suppressed his excitement and asked again, "Senior Sister Bai, are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious."

Bai Wei nodded, "I also said before that I bear responsibility for this matter; if I hadn't been so pushy back then, things might not have turned out this way. So my apartment can let your family stay for a while; once the Wild Wolf Gang leaves, you can come back. If you have no objections, hurry back and notify your family—I'll be waiting at the martial arts hall."

Jiang Cheng looked into her eyes and could tell she wasn't being polite but speaking the truth.

"Alright, then thank you, Senior Sister Bai. I will certainly remember today's kindness and repay you in the future if the chance arises."

He also didn't act overly sentimental anymore.

If it's the Outer City District, then naturally it's safer.

No matter how formidable the Wild Wolf Gang is, their reach doesn't extend there.

"No need to say all that—by the way, you can come along too."

"No thanks."

Jiang Cheng shook his head with a smile, "After sending them over, I still need to keep doing business here."

"That's true."

Bai Wei let out a soft sigh.

Jiang Cheng's skill at roasting sweet potatoes is excellent; if he were in the Outer City District, he'd earn even more—unfortunately, he lacks the necessary identification.

Staying a few days is fine, but wanting to do business there is difficult.

"Then hurry up and go—I originally wanted to come down and eat your roasted sweet potatoes, but instead this happened…" Bai Wei said with a look of regret.

"Yeah."

Several others also sighed.

They had originally intended to get close and friendly.

"It's fine; we can do this afternoon or tomorrow—then I'll treat everyone until they're full."

Jiang Cheng smiled.

Having just prepared to set up his stall, he said goodbye to everyone, quickly packed up, pushed his tricycle, and headed home.

"Jiang Shidi, it's not easy for you."

Someone sighed.

……

When he arrived home, the door was ajar; Jiang Cheng opened it and found Chen Sao also there, with Grandma both mending clothes while chatting about family matters.

Hearing the movement at the door and seeing Jiang Cheng appear before them, the two were still a bit slow to react.

"Grandma, Chen Sao, I'm back." Jiang Cheng laughed as he pushed the door open and wheeled the cart inside.

"Xiao Cheng, what's wrong? Why are you back so early? Did something happen?" Chen Sao's face showed a hint of panic.

The old man's expression also changed.

After all, Jiang Cheng had only been out for less than an hour, yet he had already packed up his stall and returned home.

Could it be that business is bad? No one on the street?

"No."

Jiang Cheng parked the vehicle, looked at the two, and said, "I've come back because I have something very important to tell you."

"What, what is it?"

Chen Sao was startled by Jiang Cheng's solemn expression.

"It's a great piece of news."

Jiang Cheng first showed a smile, then furrowed his brows slightly, "Because the Wild Wolf Gang has doubled the management fees, the Poor District has become increasingly unsafe lately; if we wait until the end of the month and someone can't pay, the vicinity will only get more chaotic,

so I've discussed it with Senior Sister Bai of the martial arts hall; during this period, Grandma, Chen Sao, and Xiao Yue—you three will go stay in the Outer City District for a while, and return after this turbulent period passes."

"What?"

The others were overwhelmed by the information, and Chen Sao froze on the spot.

The old man was even more bewildered, his face full of doubt.

Helpless, Jiang Cheng explained the details again in full.

"Xiao Cheng, you mean that Senior Sister Bai of our martial arts hall has an apartment in the Outer City District and is willing to let us stay there for a while?" Chen Sao's face showed utter disbelief.

Outer City District—it's a place that existed only in rumors.

Even though she is now a married woman, she has never gone there even once.

I've heard it so often my ears are calloused, and I've seen it countless times in my dreams.

"Yes, I've already talked it over with Senior Sister Bai; Chen Sao, hurry back and pack your things—you don't need to bring too much, just enough for half a month."

Jiang Cheng looked toward the old man again, "Grandma, hurry up and pack as well; I'll send you all over later."

The old man looked bewildered, involuntarily glancing at Chen Sao.

"Xiao Cheng, it's not that Chen Sao doesn't believe you; it's just that such good fortune—could it really happen to us?"

Chen Sao wore a worried expression, "I've heard the houses in the Outer City District cost at least several hundred thousand each—what does that even mean? Why would they let us live there?"

Jiang Cheng thought to himself, "If it weren't for today's events, this would certainly be impossible."

But he definitely wouldn't say these things out loud; otherwise, Grandma and Chen Sao wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully.

"Chen Sao, Bai Zhu is certainly out of the question; I've already told her I'll give some token rent—actually she doesn't lack that money, mainly because she often comes here to buy roasted sweet potato, we have some acquaintance, and after I later bought a senior membership at the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall and repeatedly asked, she finally agreed."

"Is that so?"

Chen Sao still wasn't quite believing it, "Could it be that they've taken a liking to you?"

Jiang Cheng laughed helplessly, "How could that be, Chen Sao? What are you saying? How could they possibly take a liking to me? All right, Chen Sao, hurry back and pack— they're waiting at the martial arts hall; we can't keep them waiting so long."

Chen Sao hesitated for a moment, then shook her head, "Or maybe we should just forget it—things like this have happened before, and we got through it. You said the Wild Wolf Gang people will leave in half a month; we can just endure it and it'll pass. Moreover, if we go there we won't be able to earn money, and it'll cost you money—so let's forget it."

She certainly had some longing for the Outer City District in her heart, but what she felt more was apprehension and fear.

"Chen Sao."

Jiang Cheng shook his head, "I know you're thinking of me, not wanting to trouble them, but I've already told them and they've agreed. In the coming period there won't be much business; if our clothes get torn, they stay torn but we can still wear them—unlike food, not eating will starve a person."

As for 'just endure and it'll pass,' that's even more nonsense—whenever this time comes, Chen Sao, you're always anxious, deliberately making yourself look ugly and dark, and even hiding Xiao Yue. Since this time we can go to the Outer City District to avoid trouble, why not go?

"'What if something happens if we stay? Those Wild Wolf Gang people are capable of anything. Chen Sao, I've always listened to you in the past, but this time you must listen to me.'"

By the end, Jiang Cheng's tone carried an unquestionable air.

Chen Sao was stunned.

She widened her eyes and looked at Jiang Cheng.

(End of chapter)