Chapter 36: Showdown

Since he found a place suitable for closed-door cultivation, Xiao Ran wasn't in a hurry these few days.

Just having left the mountain peak, he saw that it was already almost afternoon.

Xiao Ran's happy mood instantly sank to the bottom of a valley; he hugged his book and returned to the academy.

【Hehe, why don't you go listen to your little sister's lascivious tunes?】

Xiao Ran flared up: 【Old coot, watch your mouth!】

【Hmph, you brat now know this too—your little sister was drugged by Zhou Hua and then those two old geezers together sucked her yin essence. What do you plan to do about this?】

"I...."

Xiao Ran took a deep breath, hesitated a moment, then said: "I'd better first discuss this with my uncle; if I just rush in like this, it would ruin my sister's reputation and I wouldn't know how to face my uncle—blowing this up would be bad for everyone."

【Sigh, good counsel but no decision—when will you learn to be decisive? Only then can I rest easy.】

Xiao Ran fell silent; this matter ultimately needs to be clarified with the parties involved—if my uncle learns of it yet turns a blind eye, letting my sister suffer such humiliation....

Xiao Ran didn't even know how to view this matter anymore.

How will my uncle possibly respond?

"Forget it; today I'll first go down the mountain to find my uncle and talk."

Thinking this, Xiao Ran went down the mountain and quickly returned to the Yan Residence.

Having found Yan Buji, Xiao Ran fell silent for a moment, then clasped his hands and said:

"Uncle, I have some things I want to discuss with you."

"Oh? Can't we say it here?"

"It's a matter of great importance; please, uncle, find a secluded spot."

【Kid, something's off—I can't sense this person's aura!】

Xiao Ran's heart jumped; he silently asked: 【What?】

【He seems to know you might be secretly spying on him, so he used some method—I can't feel his aura at all; he's indistinguishable from an ordinary person!】

Xiao Ran's heart sank; could it be that my uncle discovered the old thing inside my ring?

Yan Buji watched Xiao Ran's expression change and instantly smiled inwardly.

Sure enough, you can't sense it anymore, right?

But if the other party isn't stupid, they'd naturally know I must have used some method to block others' perception; I just don't know whether he intends to show his cards or has some other motive.

After going to the study and the two sat down.

Xiao Ran looked at the sturdy Yan Buji; the first words out of his mouth were:

"Uncle, do you know that Zhou Hua is not a respectable gentleman?"

Yan Buji raised his eyebrows, then immediately nodded: "Yes."

There's no need to hide it—even his own strength he can sniff out; surely whatever happened in the academy can't escape his notice.

As for excuses, Yan Buji had already prepared them.

"Then why!!!"

Before Xiao Ran could finish his angry outburst, a knocking came from outside the door: "Sir, sir!!"

Yan Buji frowned, gestured for Xiao Ran to wait: "What's up? Didn't I say not to let anyone disturb us now?"

"Sir, all the shop managers have come, saying they have important business to see you."

Yan Buji sighed: "Nephew, wait a moment; I'll go handle these trifles, then we'll talk in detail."

Xiao Ran's face flushed red from holding back, he sighed: "Yes, uncle."

Yan Buji walked out the door, saw a large crowd chasing after him to the rear courtyard, and his face darkened:

"What exactly do you want?!"

A group of shopkeepers and waiters exchanged glances, eyes red, knelt on the ground: "Sir, please don't go—if you leave, what will become of us old fellows?"

"When did I say I was leaving?"

"Sir, aren't you going to the capital? This has spread everywhere!"

Yan Buji widened his eyes, shook his head helplessly: "I have urgent business in the capital, I'm truly sorry. Everyone, if the shops can be transferred or you can take them over yourselves, they're yours—just go to my accounts office to collect the deeds; for those with nowhere to go, I'll give each person a hundred taels of silver as severance."

Xiao Ran sat in the study, hearing Yan Buji say this, and was greatly shocked.

What reason could cause my uncle to spare no expense, even liquidating his estate, to go to the capital?

"Sir, I don't want your estate; we're willing to follow you to the capital to make our way. For over twenty years in Lin Shan Cheng, only you have sincerely treated us old hands. Since you're leaving, please take us with us—we'll continue to serve you as oxen and horses if needed!"

"If it weren't for you giving me a bite to eat back then, I doubt I'd be alive today!"

"Sir, your business back then suffered huge losses, yet you were willing to spend money to help my parents get medical treatment—such great kindness, I'll never forget it!"

"Please bring us along with you!"

Xiao Ran was shocked beyond measure.

As it turns out, so many of my uncle's shop managers are this loyal to him?!

But why would he....

"Nonsense! How can you follow me? What about your families? Dragging along so many people, do you want to work me to death? I don't have the time to arrange everything for each of you individually! I'm no saint or hero; our fate has run its course today—you.... go on your way."

"Sir!"

"Sir!"

"Sir.... really.... can't we go together?"

"Impossible." Yan Buji couldn't help but redden his eyes, turned away and wiped his tears.

The people in the courtyard all kowtowed with their heads on the ground, shouting: "Sir, in this life and the next we may never meet again. May you be safe and sound lifelong in the capital; we juniors will surely erect a longevity tablet for you and pray forever!"

This is human nature.

Regardless of what kind of person Yan Buji is in private, for the sake of his plan he has been wholeheartedly good to these old hands over these twenty years.

They remember Yan Buji's kindness, and now they are willing to stay together forever; it is truly moving.

Only, Yan Buji seems to have to go to the capital, yet he cannot take them along, so they can only weep bitterly, reluctantly seeing Yan Buji off.

After comforting the group, he personally escorted them out of Yan Residence; Yan Buji turned his head, saw the carriage parked in the back yard, and laughed.

"The protagonist has arrived."

Yan Buji ignored the carriage, returned to the study, closed the door, rubbed the corners of his eyes, and looked at Xiao Ran:

"You continue speaking."

Xiao Ran was silent for a moment, sighed, "Uncle, why must you abandon such a vast family estate and go to the capital?"

"I cannot tell you this; I know you might think I'm a hypocrite, a true scoundrel. But in the capital there is a reason I must go," Yan Buji sighed, and said.

Xiao Ran quickly shook his head, "The nephew does not dare think that way; so many people look forward to walking with Uncle, which shows Uncle's benevolence. However... however, the younger nephew truly does not understand why Uncle, knowing Zhou Hua's character, would still push the little sister into the abyss, causing her to lose her chastity, being brutally violated by two old men!"

Yan Buji closed his eyes, his chest rose and fell unevenly, as if a foul breath could not be settled; he clenched his fists and ground his teeth!

"Do you think I wanted to do that? Rou Er is my own daughter!!"

Yan Buji rose, let out a sudden roar, his eyes split wide as he stared at Xiao Ran.