Second floor of the small building.
Ji Yin walked out of his room, preparing to give his morning lesson to the young man in the annex. He happened to see Song Wen busy in the medicinal field.
He also clearly observed Song Wen's robust state of qi and blood.
Ji Yin's spirits lifted.
“It seems the pills refined last time were extremely successful. This kid’s body recovered so quickly. I need to start refining a new batch of pills as soon as possible.”
Ji Yin thought to himself.
In a great mood, he couldn't help but say,
“Song Wen, it seems your body has recovered well. Your master is very pleased. When you have time, go out for walks more often; it will greatly benefit your recovery.”
After speaking, Ji Yin didn't wait for Song Wen's reply and departed with light steps.
Song Wen looked at the departing Ji Yin, feeling a bit strange in his heart, wondering why this old man was so excited today.
After finishing the chores in the medicinal field, the sun was almost directly overhead. Song Wen felt a bit hungry again. After cleaning himself, he left the Tian Sha Gang.
Song Wen, seeing a ray of hope, was in a good mood and decided to treat himself.
The Tian Sha Gang wields immense power in Yan City. Many industries, including the daily necessities of Yan City's residents, are intricately linked to the Tian Sha Gang.
Especially the shops near the Tian Sha Gang, most of the larger ones essentially belong to the Tian Sha Gang.
Song Wen didn't want to eat in the Tian Sha Gang's territory. He walked directly to a street side stall.
The stall was very small, just a setup by the street with three tables placed outside.
The stall had some cooked meats displayed, which looked quite good. Business was slow; all three tables were empty, so Song Wen casually found a spot and sat down.
The owners of the small shop were a young couple. The husband was preparing ingredients, and the wife was cleaning the tables.
Seeing a customer arrive, the young woman quickened her movements and asked,
“What would you like to eat, customer?”
“Bring plenty of meat, two small stir-fried dishes, and a large bowl of noodles,” Song Wendao.
“Alright, customer, please wait a moment.”
The young woman's face lit up with joy upon hearing this.
Their family, consisting of five people—parents above and a three-year-old child below—relied on this small stall to survive. However, business was poor, and their life was quite impoverished.
From Song Wen's attire, it was not difficult to tell that he was someone who wasn't short on money.
Moreover, judging by Song Wen's ordering style, he was a generous person; they should be able to earn a good amount of money from him.
The couple began to get busy. The young woman sliced the braised meat, and her husband set up the pot and lit the fire, preparing to stir-fry.
Soon, the young woman brought over two plates of braised meat.
“Customer, please start eating. The rest will be ready soon.”
The braised meat tasted good, and Song Wen quickly finished the two plates in front of him.
At this moment, the young woman came over carrying a tray with noodles and stir-fried dishes on it.
“Two more plates of braised meat.”
“Alright, customer.” The young woman put down the noodles and stir-fried dishes and walked away with a smile.
Just as Song Wen was feasting, three more men arrived at the stall and sat down at the empty table nearby.
Since Song Wen had his back to these three, he didn't see their faces, nor did he pay too much attention to them, simply assuming they were ordinary passersby.
These three also ordered some braised meat and dishes. Soon, the young woman served them.
The three men ate very quickly, devouring their food like a whirlwind, and soon swept the table clean.
“Burp!”
One of them let out a satisfied burp, stood up, and said, “Let’s go.”
The other two also rose and walked outside.
Seeing that the three had finished eating and were about to leave, the young woman wiped the grease from her hands on her apron and took a few quick steps to stand in front of them, a smile on her face.
“Customers, the total for the meal is one hundred and forty-two copper coins.”
The leading man showed no intention of paying. His eyes, full of ill intent, scanned the young woman up and down, especially her ample chest, before finally resting on her delicate face.
“Oh! The little lady is quite pretty.”
The other two men chuckled lewdly upon hearing this.
“Gou Ye has good taste; she indeed has some charm.”
“Little lady, why don't you follow our Gou Ye from now on? We guarantee you'll eat well and live comfortably. You won't have to suffer in the wind and sun, or expose yourself doing such a lowly business anymore.”
“Hahaha…”
Song Wen, who had been engrossed in his meal, heard the words ‘Gou Ye’ and turned to look, discovering that the three were indeed Gou Hang and his two subordinates.
A surge of anger rose in Song Wen's heart.
If it hadn't been for Gou Ye's deception, he wouldn't have joined the Tian Sha Gang, wouldn't have fallen into Ji Yin's hands, and wouldn't have been poisoned with the ‘Seven-Day Intestine Severing Powder’.
Gou Hang noticed Song Wen's gaze and turned to look. He didn't immediately recognize Song Wen, only feeling that Song Wen looked somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where he had seen him before.
After Song Wen became Ji Yin's personal disciple, his attire and appearance had greatly improved, no longer resembling his former slovenly self.
At this moment, amidst the three men's frivolous words, the young woman's expression panicked, and she hurriedly retreated, hiding behind her husband, who had rushed over to help.
The Tan Zhu shielded his wife behind him, a fawning smile on his face, “The three heroes are joking. My humble wife is ugly; how could she possibly catch your esteemed eyes?”
Gou Hang's attention was drawn by the Tan Zhu's words, and he no longer focused on Song Wen. He put away the lewd smile on his face and said with a fierce expression,
“Look closely, I am a member of the Tian Sha Gang. Eating at your roadside stall is already giving you a lot of face. How dare you ask me for money?”
The Tan Zhu's face was bitter. One hundred and forty-two copper coins was a large sum for their poor family, enough to feed them for several days.
But circumstances were stronger than him, and he had no choice but to bow his head.
The Tan Zhu bowed and scraped, saying with a fawning expression,
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. Please take your time, sirs!”
Gou Hang stared contemptuously at the Tan Zhu, “Consider yourself sensible.”
After speaking, he took his two subordinates and turned to leave.
Song Wen stared at the three figures, his eyes cold.
Besides Ji Yin, Gou Hang was the person he resented the most.
Now, Song Wen had Ji Yin as his backer. Although Ji Yin was only using him for testing medicine, Ji Yin would never easily let Song Wen get into trouble.
He could completely use Ji Yin's name to do something out of line.
Even if he killed Gou Hang and his two subordinates on the street, the Tian Sha Gang would not dare to trouble Song Wen.
Thinking of this, evil rose in his heart.
Song Wen's right hand reached for the dagger in his calf boot.
