Tonight at midnight, the book will have its first ranking push. There will be another chapter update at that time. I hope all the heroes will support us then. This week's performance will determine the future official recommendations, which is of great importance. The results depend on your support. Xiaomo humbly requests your recommendation votes.
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However, Yang Kai didn't think much about it. This was Wu Mei Town, so close to Lingxiao Pavilion. It was normal for the disciples to come down and move around.
Before long, Yang Kai arrived at the He Family Rice Shop. The shop occupied two storefronts on the street, and business was thriving. A shop assistant was busy inside and out. The shop owner was calculating accounts at the counter, and the shop owner's wife was serving customers.
After a long wait, the number of people coming to buy rice gradually decreased, and Yang Kai finally walked into the shop.
"Madam," Yang Kai called out. The shop owner's wife, who was about forty, looked up and immediately smiled. "Young man, you're here to buy rice again."
"Yep." Yang Kai walked straight to the cheapest coarse rice and pointed to a bag. "I'll take one bag."
The shop owner's wife responded, filling a cloth bag with rice while chatting. "Young man, you come once a month. Is this enough for you?"
"Basically, it is," Yang Kai replied.
"Liar!" The shop owner's wife gave him a disapproving look. "Look at your skinny arms and legs. If you were eating enough, you wouldn't be like this."
Yang Kai smiled awkwardly. "I also hunt in the mountains, so I don't go hungry."
The shop owner, who seemed to be concentrating on his accounts, didn't even look up. "Wife, there's some old rice over there. It's just sitting there. Give it to the young man."
"Whatever you say, dear." The shop owner's wife smiled in response.
"This can't be, you're running a small business too," Yang Kai quickly waved his hands.
The shop owner's wife frowned. "What's the problem? That old rice is infested with bugs and can't be sold anyway. But my husband says that those rice bugs are more nutritious than white rice. Wait here, I'll get it for you."
She walked to the back as she spoke.
Yang Kai felt a mix of emotions, not knowing what to say. Every time he came to buy rice, the kind shop owner and his wife would give him extra, always finding some excuse, like the rice being infested with bugs, but it was actually high-quality white rice. This made Yang Kai, who once believed there was no true kindness left in the world, feel a bit heartbroken.
"Thank you, Uncle He." Yang Kai's voice trembled slightly.
The shop owner smiled and looked up. "Everyone has their hard times. If you're hungry in the future, come here. Our rice shop may not have much, but we have enough rice to eat."
"Thank you." Yang Kai lowered his head, realizing there were still good people in the world.
Just as he was feeling grateful, two more people entered the shop. The only shop assistant greeted them warmly, but before he could even speak, one of them kicked him to the ground.
"Ouch..." The assistant fell on his butt and did a somersault. He lay there for a while, unable to get up.
"What's going on?" The shop owner quickly ran out from behind the counter. Yang Kai also helped the assistant up and looked at the two men. They looked fierce, one with a pale face, holding his stomach, looking very weak, and the other supporting him, with a bear-like waist and tiger-like back, the one who had kicked the assistant.
"Who's the boss?" the supporting man shouted.
"I am, I am," the shop owner quickly responded. He was just a regular merchant, but the two men in front of him looked tough, with knives and swords at their waists, clearly not to be trifled with. He didn't dare to be rude.
"Good, you black-hearted boss, you actually sold us poisoned rice. Look at my brother now. A strong and healthy man has become like this after eating your rice. My brother can usually fight tigers, but now he's about to lose consciousness. You black-hearted boss, you only care about money, not human lives!"
The shop owner was terrified. "What, how could this happen?"
"How should I know? My brother bought some rice from you this morning, cooked a pot of porridge, and after eating it, he became like this. Fortunately, I didn't eat it, or I would have joined my brother in the afterlife."
The shop owner's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, and he wiped it with his sleeve. "Sir, there must be some misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? Misunderstanding your mother! If it wasn't for your rice, how could my brother be like this?" the big man roared.
Yang Kai watched coldly, taking everything in. He knew the shop owner's character well. He often helped him and gave him things for free. How could such a kind person do something like this? Not to mention, even if the shop owner were a black-hearted merchant, he wouldn't poison the rice he sold.
If this news spread, how could he continue his business? Who would dare to buy rice from him?
The excuse these two men gave was too crude and couldn't stand scrutiny. So, they must be here to extort money. But their methods were too ruthless, almost cutting off his livelihood.
Yang Kai, though thin, was a martial artist with a sense of justice. The shop owner had been kind to him, so he couldn't just stand by. He stepped forward with a stern face and said coldly, "Gentlemen..."
"What?" One of the men glared at Yang Kai, his temper flaring.
Before Yang Kai could speak, the shop owner quickly stepped in front of him, gesturing and shaking his head.
"Uncle He..." Yang Kai was taken aback.
"Better to lose money than to invite disaster," the shop owner whispered.
Yang Kai sighed helplessly. The shop owner clearly saw through the men's intentions. But in business, harmony brings wealth. The commotion had already attracted a lot of attention, and if it continued, the shop's reputation would be ruined.
Even though he knew they were here to extort money, the shop owner had to go along with them to get rid of these troublemakers quickly.
With no choice, the shop owner forced a smile and said, "Your brother's poisoning is probably not related to my rice shop..."
Hearing this, the two men were about to get angry, but the shop owner quickly added, "But even if it's not related, since you came to my shop, I can't just ignore it. Your brother is in such pain, it's heartbreaking to see. It's best to seek medical help. Of course, if you're short on money, I can cover the medical expenses for you."
This statement clearly showed he was willing to lose money to avoid trouble. If they were here to extort money, they would likely take the offer. Moreover, the shop owner's words would help the onlookers understand the truth, protecting the shop's reputation.
However, the two men showed no sign of compromise. The supporting man suddenly became furious. "You black-hearted boss, do you think we're bandits? How dare you! We walk straight and sit upright, with a clear conscience. It's you, the black-hearted boss, who sells poisoned rice. Where is your conscience?"
His words were righteous and forceful, but Yang Kai, standing to the side, rolled his eyes. With that attitude, they claim to walk straight and sit upright, with a clear conscience?
The shop owner was also stunned. What? These two weren't here to extort money?
Just as he was at a loss, a handsome young man walked out from the crowd. He was about the same age as Yang Kai, but he looked much more refined and well-off.
The young man walked leisurely to the two big men, circling them with interest, smacking his lips.
Everyone was confused, but Yang Kai's eyes narrowed. He suddenly remembered seeing these three people on the way here, in that alley.
The supporting man had glared at him, and the young man was also there!
These three must be a group. Yang Kai suddenly smelled a strong scent of deceit.