Chapter 65: Xu Residence

"Stubborn, huh?!"

Big Tiger strode into the alley and saw that tall man standing on a boy's back, clutching a money bag in his right hand, sneering:

"Remember, all the beggars in this area belong to me!"

"If you take the money and don't respect me, I'll make you learn what proper conduct is!"

The boy, crushed under the foot, could barely breathe, yet he kept his eyes fixed on the money bag.

The timid girl suddenly rushed forward, raising a small fist to strike the man.

"Looking for death!" a fierce light flashed in the man's eyes as he lifted his foot to kick the girl.

At that instant—

"Crack!"

A massive hand like Iron Tongs suddenly clamped around the man's neck, lifting his whole body off the ground!

"Who dares to stick their nose out?!" the man roared, turning back to meet a pair of murderous eyes.

Big Tiger sneered, showing a set of stark white teeth: "It's your grandpa—me!"

"Show me your fist!"

"Bang!"

A heavy punch slammed into the man's nose bridge, blood gushing out instantly. Big Tiger released his grip; the man hit the ground and was immediately swamped by a rain of fists and kicks.

"To hell with your mother! Your grandpa is such a petty scoundrel that he can't even dare to snatch a child's money. How dare you have any face?!"

"Still daring? Huh?!"

"Call me grandpa louder!"

"Pain? Pain is exactly right!"

The alley echoed with the man's wailing and the muffled thuds of flesh‑to‑flesh blows.

Only when the opponent collapsed limp as mud did Big Tiger, still eager, finally cease, wiping the blood from the man's clothes with a casual swipe.

Turning to the two children frozen in place, Big Tiger grinned: "Not leaving yet? Not scared?"

The boy's eyes lit up: "Not scared! Grandpa is a good man! Grandpa stands up for us!"

The girl nodded vigorously: "Yeah! Grandpa is a good man!"

Big Tiger was taken aback, an inexplicable feeling bubbling in his heart.

A feeling that made his whole body incredibly comfortable.

After being a scoundrel all these years, it was the first time anyone called him a "good person"...............

Tsk, this feeling...... isn't bad at all.

He crouched, patted the heads of the two children, picked up the money bag and slipped it back into the boy's hand. Then he took a small blue‑glazed bottle from his chest and walked to the unconscious man.

"Consider yourself lucky." Big Tiger poured out a shimmering white pill:

"This hundred‑silver‑coin 'Rejuvenation Pill' is yours at a discount."

"Being a good person is costly and tiring; no wonder being a scoundrel is… " He swallowed it.

The pill dissolved the moment it entered his mouth.

The man's pallid complexion quickly flushed with color, his eyelids fluttering as he opened his eyes.

"En… benefactor…" he called weakly, but only saw Big Tiger's back turning away.

"May I ask the benefactor's name?!"

"No need, just look after your younger siblings. If you're scared, take them away from Lin'an." Big Tiger waved his hand without turning, brushed past the limp bandit on the ground, and stepped over him with both feet.

"Ah!!"

A pig‑like scream rang through the alley.

Now he'll probably be bedridden for a long time, maybe even end up crippled.

Of course.

If it weren't for fear of the authorities investigating, in the wilderness… Big Tiger wouldn't be so "soft‑hearted."

He stepped out of the alley.

"Where did the young master go?"

Big Tiger was startled, for Xu Shilin had vanished without a trace!

Could something have happened?

He couldn't help but feel uneasy and began searching immediately.

Until, in front of a courtyard, he saw his own young master chatting with a girl, which eased his mind.

He stepped forward, remained silent, and patiently listened to their conversation.

If Yu Lin were here,

he would know that the girl is Ling'er!

"Miss, may I have another look at the jade bracelet you're wearing?"

Xu Shilin bowed and saluted Ling'er.

He had originally been waiting for Big Tiger to punish that man, but when Ling'er passed by, she waved her hand to stop a candy‑skewer seller.

At a glance, it was serious.

The jade bracelet on Ling'er's wrist looked just like the one his father described!

So he stopped Ling'er to inquire.

Ling'er looked at him, nervous: "What? You want my bracelet or something?"

Having experienced that thief incident, she was now very cautious.

Xu Shilin quickly shook his head, explained gently: "Miss, you've misunderstood; I'm only noting that this bracelet resembles one described by an elder of mine."

"Is there a 'Xu' character on this?"

Ling'er heard him, then looked at his attire and demeanor, her eyes widened instantly, and she blurted out:

"You... you are Xu Shilin, Elder Brother Xu? The newly crowned top scholar, Elder Brother Xu?!"

Xu Shilin nodded with a smile:

"That's me. You're Ling'er, right?"

"Yes yes yes!" Ling'er stomped her feet in excitement, her face breaking into a brilliant smile: "Father's been talking about you every day! Besides, you weren't supposed to arrive until two days later..."

She suddenly slapped her forehead:

"Oh well, since you're already here, let's not talk about this! Come on, let's go home first!"

Without another word, she grabbed Xu Shilin's sleeve and headed home, her movements as swift and lively as a cheerful little sparrow.

Xu Shilin was pulled along by her as they walked forward, looking at the girl's lively back, he couldn't help but smile.

He thought Ling'er was wonderfully innocent and carefree; if she were to marry in the future, as her older brother he ought to help vet her suitors, making sure she doesn't marry the wrong person.

Behind them, Big Tiger, seeing this, also hurried to follow.

The three of them just kept running down another street until they stopped in front of a residence.

The residence consisted of seven rooms and two courtyards.

Above the gate hung a plaque reading "Xu Residence".

Xu Shilin couldn't help thinking to himself that his father's sworn brother's family was now somewhat wealthier than before...