Chapter 15: Sugar Mites?
Chapter 15: Sugar Mites?
The twenty-sixth of April arrived, marking another market day at the garden. Luo Li initially planned to take a day off but changed his mind after a morning omen, deciding to go after all.
At the entrance of the back street, the sign for He's Tofu Shop had already been taken down. With Lin Jie gone, the shop was closed. A man standing upright at the entrance walked over to him.
It was He Dali, Lin Jie's husband. Luo Li felt hesitant about how to face him.
He Dali approached and patted Luo Li's shoulder: "Regardless of everything, thank you. I know my wife well—she was never one to believe in your methods and had a strong personality, or she wouldn't have ended up like this." His tone remained mournful.
Luo Li felt deeply apologetic: "Brother He, it's my fault for not being able to make Lin Jie believe in me. This happened so suddenly, and I hadn't come up with a solution... I'm truly to blame."
He Dali began to appreciate Luo Li: "Don't dwell on it. It's all in the past now. If not for you and Teacher Liu insisting on justice, we might not have been able to avenge her so easily."
He continued: "My former superior, Team Leader Zheng, greatly admires you. He thinks you're quite a man. How old are you this year? He asked me to see if you're interested in joining the army for a few years."
Luo Li was surprised, not expecting Team Leader Zheng to have noticed him. Unfortunately, he was already in his twenties, had wasted several years, and hadn't even finished high school. He had been learning physiognomy, which wouldn't be of use in the military. It would have been better if he had met Zheng earlier. Luo Li explained his situation to He Dali and declined the offer.
He Dali patted Luo Li's shoulder once more and bid him farewell.
Luo Li's previously depressed mood lifted after He Dali's words, and he walked with renewed energy.
Arriving in Garden Town, Wang Huzi had also come. He had just heard about Lin Jie's incident in Changping Town and hurried over to inquire.
Luo Li was surprised to see his gossiping side. Wang Huzi was eager to learn all the details and seemed unsatisfied. When he heard that Luo Li had already predicted Lin Jie's misfortune, he showered Luo Li with flattery and praise.
Luo Li felt annoyed and didn't want to engage further. Wang Huzi realized he had overstepped, considering the gravity of the situation. He awkwardly laughed and returned to his own stall.
Suddenly remembering something, Wang Huzi approached Luo Li to ask about the fat boss who had previously sought him out and had been seen wandering around recently.
Seeing Wang Huzi was tactful, Luo Li briefly updated him.
Wang Huzi angrily slapped his thigh and cursed Luo Li for letting the fat sheep slip away, as if he had lost a significant amount of money. Luo Li found it amusing and was left speechless.
Cao Cao arrives, Cao Cao arrives.
The fat boss scanned the area and spotted Luo Li.
Luo Li thought the boss was going to bother him again and was considering how to respond.
Instead, the boss came over and mockingly pointed at Luo Li: "I came here specifically to find you today. You couldn't cure my illness, and neither can you cure my fate. I took you seriously, but look at me now—still back pain, still dreaming? Haha, I was foolish to think you were a miracle worker. You're just a charlatan."
He threw a hundred yuan onto Luo Li's stall: "Here, take this as compensation for your clothes. A real miracle worker saved me, and I'm settling this matter with you."
Luo Li wasn't angry yet, but Wang Huzi was. In this line of work, dealing with arrogant and disrespectful people was common, regardless of whether business was good or bad.
Wang Huzi picked up the money and threw it back at the fat boss's face: "Just because you have a few lousy bucks doesn't mean you can insult people! Look at yourself—last time, you acted like a lapdog, thinking you were invincible. Maybe you've been deceived. I'm not afraid to tell you, this person here is truly capable. If he can't save you, who else can?"