CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 21: WHAT IS A SURPRISE (PART 2)

In situations like this, the job introduction could be well-intentioned help, or it might inadvertently lead to joining some gang. His parents thought it was introduced by a former cellmate, so they insisted on asking for details and were uneasy about letting him go.

Xiaowu was pretty clever and made up a story, saying that his overseas graduate tutor introduced him to the job, finding a student of the tutor’s in China. This wasn’t entirely a lie; he just swapped Zhang Yanfei’s identity.

He Kao: "Are your parents still running the shop in Nanhua City?"

Wu Yanjun: "Yes."

He Kao reminded him: "And what about those three punks you beat up back then? If they’re still running a shop locally, that’s a hidden hazard too."

Xiaowu, who had been a bit downcast earlier, suddenly laughed upon hearing this: "No need for me to handle it. During the nine months I was in the detention center, I saw them twice..."

Back then, Wu Yanjun injured someone, and the other party refused to negotiate and was determined to get him locked up. Since their son had already been caught, the old couple went all out; when negotiations failed, they hired a lawyer to fix the evidence and insisted on pursuing the case to the end.

Eating for free repeatedly, that’s certainly true, right? And getting beaten up for being asked to pay, that’s also true, right? In the end, the three boys were detained for fifteen days for provoking trouble and settled their debts.

The detention was also at the detention center, so Xiaowu ran into them inside; two arrived first, and one came two days late due to a cheekbone injury, each staying half a month.

He Kao interjected: "You could actually run into them inside; did it cause any conflict?"

Wu Yanjun emptied half a cup of wine, leaned back, and rested his hands on his knees: "Conflict, well, of course there was some, but I managed it. My mentor told me, no matter how much hatred you hold inside, don’t let emotions control you; you must act with willpower.

My mentor also told me to try not to provoke them at first. I was already there due to the initial incident, having paid my dues. If they were to provoke again, then I’d have to be prepared.

But I have to remain calm and not impulsive; once action is taken, it shouldn’t give the guards any grounds to question it, and shouldn’t let them have more drama. The goals are twofold: one, not to add more sentences to myself; two, to ensure they can’t cause more trouble."

He Kao: "Did you succeed?"

Wu Yanjun nodded heavily: "That’s thanks to my mentor’s excellent teaching."

He Kao: "What about the second time?"

Wu Yanjun: "The second time they came in, it was hard for them to get out. They were swept in by a police special operation, awaiting court decisions and even a transfer to prison."

Just before Wu Yanjun’s release, Zhang Yanfei was already out, but those three rascals came back in again. A batch came in simultaneously; it was said they were caught in a local law enforcement crackdown.

The boy that Wu Yanjun had originally injured was surnamed Zeng, and Xiaozeng’s uncle was a local district leader; after further inquiry, it turned out his uncle had been removed by disciplinary inspection a while ago after receiving multiple reports.

The most direct result of this was that Xiaowu couldn’t find anyone to exact revenge after getting out, regrettably, his mentor was also gone.

He Kao looked at Xiaowu with complicated feelings, having some suspicions he couldn’t voice. This boy might still be in the dark, given Zhang Yanfei is gone, maybe he’ll stay in the dark forever.

Because Xiaopang’s father was a detention center director before his passing, He Kao knew a lot about the situation. Conditions at the detention center were far inferior to proper prisons; many inmates would rather serve their time in prison earlier than linger in a detention center.

And poor Xiaowu, stayed in the detention center for nine months due to a relatively simple public security case, with his parents failing to secure bail.

Wu Yanjun always believed it was Xiaozeng’s family’s background that insisted on not negotiating, which got him into the detention center. The subsequent trouble was also wrought by Xiaozeng’s family... but He Kao didn’t think so.

Insisting on getting Wu Yanjun locked up might have undeniably been Xiaozeng’s intent, his family likely played a role. But to fail in securing bail and stay nine months, that’s beyond what Xiaozeng’s family could’ve managed.

Later Xiaowu’s parents took a hard stance, refusing to negotiate and Xiaozeng himself ended up detained, illustrating the limited influence his family had.

So where’s the problem? Who has both the power and motive to keep Xiaowu in the detention center for months? The primary suspect is his mentor, Zhang Yanfei!

Zhang Yanfei certainly had the ability; in such circumstances, he could still manage to get himself out, irrespective of whatever happened afterward, he indeed managed to get released.

As for the motive, he probably saw Xiaowu as promising; since he taught an apprentice, he wanted him to learn properly at least, to stay long enough in the detention center for enough time, so he wouldn’t be prematurely released before mastering the Technique.

But these are merely He Kao’s conjectures, unspoken. The conversation stayed focused on past experiences, to which He Kao added: "Actually, with some things, it’s best to nip them in the bud; otherwise, it becomes ever more troublesome later.

Take eating without paying, for instance; I doubt those thugs ate for free at every restaurant they visited, like at Kaifeng cuisine, where you order before the meal, and the staff don’t have the authority to waive the bill.

Your signature rice noodle shop could do the same with pay-before-serve. Nowadays, everyone orders by scanning codes, so when customers come, they scan to pay before ordering, and the cashier can inform them they’re not the boss and can’t serve noodles without charging.

If they insist on free eating in such situations, you can call the police directly, no need for you to resort to fighting. Though your shop is old, its business model could use a bit of updating..."

Xiaowu reached across the table and gave He Kao a heavy pat on the shoulder: "Brother, you’re spot on! Recently, my noodle shop switched to code-scanning ordering, just like you mentioned.

The old shop’s legacy meant many patrons were old neighbors, so we hadn’t changed, serving then billing, only had a pay-by-scan at the counter, recently fixed at last..."

They talked for a long time, Wu Yanjun felt particularly kindred to He Kao, having not encountered such a relatable friend since returning to the country. Fueled by alcohol’s courage, he spilled out many heartfelt thoughts, far beyond what would be expected for a second meeting.

Some things Wu Yanjun resisted sharing yesterday, He Kao managed to pull out almost all of it. Like why Wu Yanjun’s associates focused on him, it was linked to his father Zhou Du’s old case. Once someone brought up this past, they’d notice He Kao.

There were good tidings though; according to Xiaowu, his uncle conducted a thorough investigation, ruling out He Kao being Hidden Moth. Because in several incidents where Hidden Moth allegedly appeared, He Kao was visibly absent.

He Kao didn’t know how his uncle conducted the investigation, and Xiaowu didn’t say who the uncle was, but they arrived at this conclusion, presumably, such experts have their methods.

Amid a toast, He Kao implored Wu Yanjun, since he was within their circle, to spread his uncle’s investigation findings as widely as possible within the community to keep himself from being constantly monitored.

Then He Kao urged Xiaowu to visit Nanhua City, not just to see his parents but to let them see his current self; after all, he was holding an advisor role, with a decent income.

Xiaowu admitted he always wanted to do this, just couldn’t bring himself to do it, feeling like he’d embarrassed his parents. At this moment, he finally decided to return to Nanhua City the next day...

The two originally sat face-to-face; by the end of drinking, Xiaowu somehow sat beside He Kao, wrapping his arm around him, surprisingly crying with his drink!

Getting people drunk is one thing; making them cry from drinking is quite another. The barbecue stall owner was startled, wondering what these two big gentlemen were doing, worried they’d upset the place or skip the bill.

Luckily, none of that happened; Xiaowu wiped his nose and tears and it was over. Then He Kao settled the bill. Xiaowu took the Pendant off his chest and put it on He Kao, who asked: "Did you already handle it, no issues now?"

Wu Yanjun: "Of course."

He Kao: "It’s that simple?"

Wu Yanjun: "And what more complexity were you expecting?"

Xiaowu not only chose not to reclaim the Fake crafted by his junior sister but specifically dealt with it and left it with He Kao. Even though he divulged quite a bit, in two areas Wu Yanjun remained tight-lipped, even when moved to tears.

First was the specific content of Micro-Entry Skill’s Secret Technique, the second was the so-called time travel evidence.

What does Wu Yanjun’s presence mean for He Kao? Actually, it’s a joyful surprise, an exceedingly joyful surprise! He confirmed for He Kao that extraordinary figures truly exist in this world, alongside various Techniques that can be cultivated.

**