Chapter 48

In Li Chunlan's ward, Xiao Bing came over after finishing his busy noon schedule and sat there, chatting with Li Chunlan. It was clear that Li Chunlan was in good spirits, especially after hearing that the small noodle shop was doing so well under Xiao Bing's management, making her look even more spirited.

Seeing Li Chunlan's happiness, Xiao Bing took the opportunity to propose his idea of expanding the business. Li Chunlan fell silent for a moment after hearing this. Xiao Bing thought she was unwilling to expand the noodle shop and quickly said, "Maybe I'm being too hasty. This is just a suggestion. If Aunt Li thinks it's not right, we can forget about it."

"It's fine," Li Chunlan said with a look of relief, "Young people dare to think and act. My husband was just like you when he was young, daring to think and act, which is why he could start from scratch. Although I'm old, my thinking is still up-to-date. You're right; we should take advantage of the current momentum and expand. I'll check if I have enough money. If not, I can borrow a little more or take a loan from the bank..."

"That's not necessary," Xiao Bing said with a smile, "Aunt Li, I've earned quite a bit of money from my missions in the military over the years. How about this: I'll use this money, and when the noodle shop makes more money in the future, you can save up and return it to me."

"How can that be?" Li Chunlan frowned, refusing, "That's the money you worked hard for. Although the business is doing well now, I can't have you invest all your money in it. If something goes wrong, I can't be so selfish... Xiao Bing, don't worry about it. I'll take a loan from the bank. The interest isn't much anyway."

Xiao Bing smiled, "Aunt Li, don't worry. My money is just sitting there, doing nothing. On the contrary, the noodle shop is doing so well now, and it's a great time to expand. How about this: I'll invest this money, and consider it as my share. What do you think? The noodle shop is doing so well now, and it might grow even bigger in the future. You won't mind me taking a share, right?"

Li Chunlan smiled, "You little rascal, what are you saying... But your suggestion is good. If you really want to invest, consider it as your share. We'll calculate the assets of the noodle shop, figure out the proportion of your investment, and sign a share agreement. But I have to tell you, if we lose money, don't blame me."

Xiao Bing smiled, "Don't worry, Aunt Li. I have confidence and a good eye for business."

Li Chunlan smiled, "I'll leave these matters to you. The expansion, hiring new staff, and the staff have been very busy these past few days, including you. I'll double everyone's salary this month."

Xiao Bing smiled, "The boss is really generous. I'll tell them when I get back."

Li Chunlan smiled, "Enough flattery. Don't forget, you're also one of the owners of the noodle shop. My health is getting worse, and Xiao Xiao is focusing on her studies. Her sister only comes back twice a year. The noodle shop is the lifelong dream of my husband and me, and we're entrusting it to you..."

After leaving, Xiao Bing suddenly felt a heavy burden on his shoulders. The noodle shop wasn't just a regular business; it was the lifelong dream of the Su family. Although Su Xiao Xiao's father had passed away, his dream was carried on by Li Chunlan. Now, Li Chunlan was entrusting both of their dreams to him. This was a sign of trust, and he couldn't let her down. It was also a way to make up for the Su family.

Xiao Bing chatted with Li Chunlan a bit more about the expansion. He didn't tell her that Su Xiao Xiao was sick with a fever and a cold. After leaving the hospital, he didn't go back to the noodle shop but went straight to the market.

Just as he reached the market entrance, he received a call from Ye Zi. After answering, Ye Zi asked with a smile, "Brother Bing, why weren't you at the noodle shop today? I brought my classmates there for lunch, and I heard Xiao Xiao is sick?"

Xiao Bing smiled bitterly, "Yes, she has a fever and a cold. She couldn't even go to class today."

"Oh, take good care of Xiao Xiao then."

"Hey, are you jealous?"

Ye Zi giggled, "No, I'm serious. Auntie hasn't been discharged yet, and Xiao Xiao is a girl. You're the only man in the house, so you need to take care of her. I understand."

Xiao Bing felt a bit moved.

"My family asked me to invite you for dinner today, but I declined for you. We can do it when you're free."

Xiao Bing thought for a moment and said, "I should be free tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll confirm it tomorrow and let you know. Everyone is very grateful to you for helping to invite Old Zhang to cure my father's illness. He couldn't get out of bed before, but now he's much better, so I'm inviting you for a meal to thank you in person."

Xiao Bing smiled, "If there's no emergency, I'll definitely come."

"If you can confirm it tomorrow, call me, and I'll pick you up."

"Oh, should I prepare some gifts for my future father-in-law?"

Ye Zi giggled, "Don't be so full of yourself. I haven't decided if I'll marry you yet. I might see someone better and kick you out."

Xiao Bing smiled, "I'm bold, careful, and thick-skinned. It won't be that easy to kick me out."

"Giggle, we'll see...,"

They flirted for a while, and then, knowing Xiao Bing had things to do and Ye Zi had class, they hung up and went into the market.

After a few days, Xiao Bing was still unharmed. Xie Lun couldn't sit still any longer and came to see the Peony Fairy again.

The Peony Fairy received him in the Heavenly King Hall. Before seeing him, she had already guessed he would question her. However, she hadn't expected Xiao Bing to be so difficult to deal with, or she wouldn't have taken on this job so easily.

Xie Lun's face was grim. After sitting down, he didn't care if the Peony Fairy was happy and directly asked, "Fairy, you are the Northern Heavenly King of Jiangcheng, with the power to make decisions in the northern part of the city. Surely you can't be unable to deal with a small fry like Xiao Bing?"

The Peony Fairy said calmly, "Xiao Bing is indeed difficult to handle. He is highly skilled, and from the way he dealt with Chang Huai'an, he is very cunning, not a simple-minded brute. Dealing with such a person, if we act, we must do it decisively to avoid future problems."

Xie Lun's face was stern, "Is the Fairy still waiting for the right moment?"

"I need a complete plan. Boss Xie, since I've taken your payment, I will do my job. I've already lost several capable subordinates for this, including a Ming Jing level expert. Don't you think I should be more cautious?"

Xie Lun's heart skipped a beat, his face showing fear. If Xiao Bing had killed a Ming Jing level expert, and if he knew the employer was him, wouldn't he be in grave danger? This thought only strengthened his resolve to kill Xiao Bing. If Xiao Bing didn't die, he would be in a dire situation.

The Peony Fairy said calmly, "Boss Xie, rest assured. As you said, although Xiao Bing is strong, he is just one person, and he has many constraints. I believe this man will not escape my grasp."

Xie Lun's eyes were filled with determination, "I leave it to you, Fairy."

After buying the groceries, Xiao Bing returned to the neighborhood and was about to go upstairs when Xiao Bei walked up behind him and said, "Brother Bing."

"Hmm?" Xiao Bing stopped, turned around, and smiled at Xiao Bei, "You've been working hard these days."

Xiao Bei's face always wore a bright, sunny smile. No one could see through the sunny boy's heart to know if he had any sorrows, and no one knew how much darkness lay behind his smile. Since Xiao Bing met Xiao Bei, over the years, he had always seen Xiao Bei's bright, innocent smile.

"I'm not tired, Brother Bing. Do you have any leads on Pei Ya's death?"

"Not yet," Xiao Bing frowned, sighing, "Xiao Xiao has searched everywhere she can, but there's no clue. She doesn't remember having any suspicious evidence, and I'm starting to doubt if the man's words before he died were true."

Xiao Bei said, "Could he have been trying to sow discord, to make you leave Longmen so that someone else could act?"

"We can't rule out that possibility," Xiao Bing said seriously, "Since I started my career, I've handled various missions and faced top-notch opponents from different countries. I've never felt this way before. It's like I'm in a fog, and I'm being led around without knowing it."

"Right," Xiao Bing said seriously, "I've had some small troubles these past two days. Someone is targeting me. I suspect it's that old man Xie Lun, or it could be someone else... Find out for me which faction Da Ben and Er Ben belong to, or who they are working for."

Xiao Bei nodded, indicating he understood.

Xiao Bing smiled, "After this, let's find some time to chat. By the way, has your drinking capacity improved?"

Xiao Bei scratched his head and smiled shyly, which made Xiao Bing laugh heartily, "Ha ha ha, you're the only one in Longya who can be taken down with just one cup. Ha ha ha."

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