Chapter 69 of 100

Chapter 69

13 min read3,334 words

Lowering his posture, Cao Hong extended his hand to Chen Dasheng, who smiled and shook hands with him, saying, "Long admired, long admired!"

It was all just polite talk. After all, he had just beaten their young master. As they spoke, Cao Hong pulled out a red envelope from his chest and walked towards the donation box.

In Rongcheng, anyone who knew the ropes would, upon arriving at the Sisterhood Workshop, first go to the donation box to make a donation. This was a widely accepted practice, and Cao Hong, as the Cao family's steward, was well aware of it.

Chen Dasheng exchanged a glance with Liu Xiaomin. From the look of Cao Hong, it didn't seem like he was here to make trouble. Could he be here to show goodwill, just like the others?

Cao Hong placed the red envelope in the donation box, bowed before the Bodhisattva Manjushri, and then turned to Chen Dasheng, "I just heard that the Sisterhood Workshop was attacked by a group of hooligans. My lord sent me to check on the situation. I'm truly sorry for the trouble you've been through, Mr. Chen."

"Just a few small-time hooligans, thank you for your concern!" Chen Dasheng replied politely, then turned to the door, "Qiao'er, bring some tea for Mr. Cao!"

"No need, no need!" Cao Hong waved his hands hurriedly, "Seeing that everyone is fine, I can report back to my lord. There are important matters to attend to at the manor, so I won't stay long!"

"Oh? Please extend my greetings to Mr. Cao," Chen Dasheng was taken aback. After a few symbolic words of farewell, he asked a girl named Huang Juan to see Cao Hong out.

---

"Is he really the Cao family's steward?" Chen Dasheng watched Cao Hong's back. This old man was quite polite, nothing like Cao Yin's arrogant attitude.

Liu Xiaomin nodded, "This Cao Hong also came from the capital with Cao Jinsong. He can be considered a veteran of the Cao family and holds a high position."

"From the look of him, it seems he doesn't know we beat up Cao Yin!" Chen Dasheng said.

"Who said 'we' beat him? It was clearly you!" Liu Xiaomin was immediately displeased by Chen Dasheng's words.

Chen Dasheng shrugged, "Wasn't it for you? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had any conflict with that fat guy. How could we have come to blows?"

"You still talk about it? I didn't ask you to fight with anyone. You're a natural-born thug," Liu Xiaomin rolled her eyes at Chen Dasheng.

Chen Dasheng couldn't help but laugh, "That guy had a foul mouth. Not beating him would be an insult to the people. Besides, fighting is the most direct, effective, and commonly used method for animals to compete for a mate. Understand?"

"Go to hell!"

What kind of talk about competing for a mate, so vulgar. Liu Xiaomin's face turned red, and she couldn't help but spit at Chen Dasheng, "Maybe the Cao family doesn't know it was you yet. If they find out, they won't treat you nicely."

Chen Dasheng shrugged indifferently, "If they find out, so be it. I'm not afraid of him. I beat his son, and now they're sending me money."

"Look at you, so smug. Cao Jinsong isn't someone to mess with. Now that Sister Xiaoli is away, no one in Rongcheng can keep him in check. I'm telling you, before Sister Xiaoli returns, you need to stay low and avoid trouble," Liu Xiaomin said helplessly.

"Alright, I get it. Why are you more nagging than my sister?" Chen Dasheng was a bit impatient and directly pulled Liu Xiaomin towards the donation box, "Let's go see how much we've collected today and split it!"

Excitedly walking to the donation box, Chen Dasheng found it locked with a large padlock, and without the key, it couldn't be opened.

Just as he was about to call Lu Qiao'er for the key, he saw her enter with two other girls.

"Qiao'er, you came just in time. Quickly, get the key and let's see how much we've collected today!" Chen Dasheng said expectantly. Many well-dressed and wealthy people had come earlier, so the donation box must contain a substantial amount of money.

In the past, Chen Dasheng had been somewhat disdainful and even contemptuous of Chen Xiaoli collecting money, but recent events had changed his character. Watching those people make donations, he even found himself hoping they would give more.

It was about time, and no one else would likely come. Lu Qiao'er glanced at Chen Dasheng, smiled teasingly, and took out the key to unlock the donation box.

Rustling sounds filled the air as a pile of red envelopes fell out, perhaps a dozen or so. Lu Qiao'er and the two other girls busily sorted them, and Chen Dasheng eagerly ran over.

"Huh? Cao Jinsong?"

Picking up an envelope, he saw the name of Cao Jinsong, the head of the Cao family, written on it. It was the one Cao Hong had just put in. Chen Dasheng's lips curved, about to open it, but Lu Qiao'er snatched it away.

"What are you doing?" Chen Dasheng stared at Lu Qiao'er in surprise.

Lu Qiao'er rolled her eyes at Chen Dasheng, "Brother Dasheng, you can't touch these. We need to put them away and wait for Sister Xiaoli to return before opening them!"

"What's the harm in opening them?" Chen Dasheng was immediately displeased.

As he spoke, Chen Dasheng watched helplessly as Lu Qiao'er neatly stacked the red envelopes and put them away.

Lu Qiao'er said, "They're just a bunch of bank cards. What's there to see?"

"Damn!" Chen Dasheng was speechless, "Why are you like this? Did I just waste my time?"

Lu Qiao'er covered her mouth and laughed, then walked away with the other two girls.

Seeing Chen Dasheng's expression, Liu Xiaomin couldn't help but laugh and poked his forehead, "You, I didn't know you were such a money-grubber."

Originally, he had hoped to get a share, but now it was all confiscated. Chen Dasheng's face twitched, and he shouted at Lu Qiao'er, "Little girl, if you dare to keep any for yourself, I'll beat your butt!"

"Come and try, I'm not afraid of you!" Lu Qiao'er stuck out her bottom at Chen Dasheng and giggled, running away.

"Damn." Chen Dasheng's forehead was full of black lines. These girls were really getting out of hand, thanks to his sister.

Just as Liu Xiaomin was laughing, her phone rang. She took it out, and her smile froze. She turned away and answered the call.

---

"What's wrong?"

Liu Xiaomin, who had been laughing just a moment ago, now looked pale and worried. Chen Dasheng felt a sense of unease.

Liu Xiaomin put down the phone and turned to Chen Dasheng, "It was my father. He said Cao Jinsong brought people to our house, demanding an explanation for his son being beaten. He told me to go back immediately."

"What?"

Chen Dasheng was stunned. The Cao family had just left, seemingly to show goodwill. How could Cao Jinsong go to the Liu family to make trouble right after they left?

"I have to go back right away." Liu Rongfa was very stern on the phone, and Liu Xiaomin was very worried. With the head of the Cao family personally showing up, this was no small matter.

Chen Dasheng frowned, "I'll go with you."

"You, why are you going?" Liu Xiaomin trembled, then said, "Don't make things worse. This was our fault..."

"I don't like hearing that. What do you mean 'our fault'?" Chen Dasheng was immediately displeased, "That Cao Yin had two experts with him. If I didn't know martial arts, I would have been crippled by now. Do you want me to stand there and let them beat me without fighting back?"

"Alright, I was wrong!" Seeing Chen Dasheng's anger, Liu Xiaomin quickly waved her hands. In that situation, Chen Dasheng had indeed acted to protect her. If he hadn't, Cao Yin would have beaten him up, "But, do you think Cao Jinsong will listen to us?"

Chen Dasheng shook his head, "Since he's come to your house to make trouble, he's clearly prepared to embarrass you. As you said, the Cao family is powerful and won't let your family off easily. You won't have an easy time when you go back. I was the one who did it, so I should go with you."

"But..." Liu Xiaomin wanted to say more, but seeing Chen Dasheng's determined face, she held back.

"Don't 'but' me. Your parents have been waiting for me to come over, haven't they? This is a good opportunity," Chen Dasheng said, playfully lifting Liu Xiaomin's chin.

Liu Xiaomin rolled her eyes at Chen Dasheng, "I can't stand you. You better control your fists and feet, no acting on impulse! Otherwise, you'll not only cause trouble for our family but also for Sister Xiaoli."

"Alright, I get it. Why do you make me sound like a thug?" Chen Dasheng shrugged, speechless.

"You are a thug. I've never seen anyone who loves to fight as much as you," Liu Xiaomin said.

Chen Dasheng laughed, "You're a teacher, so you think everything should be handled reasonably. But you have to understand that not everyone in this world is reasonable. When dealing with such people, I can only use my fists to prove my point. The principle is, if they don't offend me, I won't offend them. That's my way of life."

"Arrogant man." Liu Xiaomin couldn't help but spit at Chen Dasheng's smug face.

Although she said it softly, Chen Dasheng still heard it. He immediately put his arm around Liu Xiaomin's shoulder, "Yes, I'm an arrogant man. Teacher Liu, be careful of domestic violence. I will definitely abuse you."

"Get off!" Liu Xiaomin pinched Chen Dasheng's waist and broke free from his embrace, walking towards the door, "Are you coming or not? If not, I'll go alone!"

Chen Dasheng sniffed his hand, which still retained Liu Xiaomin's scent, and watched her walk away. This girl was beautiful, with a fiery figure and a big, round butt. If he didn't pursue her, it would seem unjust.

---