Chapter 2

Having said this, the old man gently loosened his fingers, allowing the blood that had filled the head of the man whose throat was being choked to slowly flow back to the heart, and letting the air in his lungs gradually escape to avoid causing a violent cough

After saying this, the old man lowered his head and glanced once more at the shattered pieces of porcelain scattered on the ground, shaking his head and sighing, "What a pity for such a fine item"

Nangang offers many activities that can be enjoyed without spending money

As Fa Yingge was pondering these matters, the last two passengers also arrived, and the stagecoach slowly began to move.

Looking at that pale, bloodless face and those anxious, fearful eyes, the old man felt that he should comfort the child properly. He smiled and said, "Don't worry, if you like, you can read as much as you want. I am very pleased that someone here is interested in reading; this is quite rare."

Fa Yingge saw that his arrangement had succeeded. He rolled up the pile of trivial items into a bundle, then left the bench and hurried in the direction the boy had fled.

Fa Yingge continued to pursue along the road etched in his memory

When Fa Ying Ge woke up the next day, he knew it was time to get to work

It took Fa Ying Ge most of the day to leisurely visit several of the busiest streets in Nangang, moving from one store to another.

Fa Yingge did not come to seek women; the old man had told him that engaging in such activities in Nankang could easily lead to diseases, and these diseases were incurable.

Fa Yingge felt somewhat hesitant in his heart

Having taken the old man's position, money should no longer be an issue

Then what about this basket? Should the basket be thrown away as well? Fa Yingge felt extremely puzzled

As time passed, the sun gradually rose to its zenith, the crowds on the street increased, and the golden hour for shops arrived.

Fa Ying Ge readily agreed.

Perhaps in the future, Hector will replace the boss, after all, the boss is getting old. Hector has a good relationship with him, and with his protection, he should be able to do well.

I saw the young man with a pair of bewildered eyes, his pale face devoid of color was tense with fear, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly due to his fright

Fa Yingge comforted, "Rest assured, none of the people in the car look like thieves, nothing will go wrong"

The silk merchants often hold such performances, where they invite beautiful young women dressed in luxurious silk garments to sing and dance on stage

But I have nowhere to go. " The young boy cried out, saying as he wept.

Emerging from the casino, Fa Yingge felt truly satisfied. Unlike yesterday, he needed to hurry back to Lair today. He was uncertain when he would be able to visit Nangang again, so there was no need to hold back.

Alright, then I will go rest; do not stay up too late, the old man instructed

No, no, I didn't mean to, it's just my habit; I like to ask questions. Aunt Betty also said that this habit of mine is not good and that I should change it, but I can never seem to change. Aunt Betty said that if one is wealthy, this is called being eager to learn, and they will achieve great success. However, we are not wealthy and do not have the means to attend school, and constantly asking questions can be annoying to others. In reality, I do not mean it. Please don't take it to heart, truly don't let it bother you... Aunt Betty said that if one is wealthy, this is called being eager to learn, and they will achieve great success. However, we are not wealthy and do not have the means to attend school, and constantly asking questions can be annoying to others. In reality, I do not mean it. Please don't take it to heart, truly don't let it bother you...

Perhaps after the separation, I will move to Nangang and no longer engage in my old profession; instead, it would be quite good to specifically swindle money from those foreigners

He said: "I just saw you run out of a store. What did you do? After I saw you escape, a guy immediately called the sheriff, and several sheriffs arrived at once. What on earth did you do? Did you steal something from that store? If so, you need to come with me to see the sheriff; I could get one-fifth of the reward for that."

In the distance, one could see the young man anxiously pacing back and forth.

The young man walked intermittently, clearly lacking conviction

With the sound of curses, the hunchbacked second shopkeeper rushed out of the store, his face filled with anger, waving his fists as if he were looking for someone to devour.

Fa Yingge is quite fond of this kind of enjoyment

Upon hearing this statement, Fa Yingge nearly burst into laughter, secretly thinking to himself that he was indeed a seasoned expert in the world of thievery. In the entire southern region, which thief did not know him? And which thief did not recognize him?

Time passed little by little, and Fa Yingge continued to stare intently at that shop

"Aunt Betty? Is she good to you?"

I am glad to hear this; it seems you are gradually beginning to understand the use of strategies. This is good, as it puts my mind at ease, the old man said

Saying this, Fa Yingge patted the young man's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, once we reach Laier, everything will be fine"

When he reached a secluded and deserted place, Fa Yingge threw the assorted items in his hand into a corner where no one was paying attention

The old man, upon hearing Fa Ying Ge inexplicably mention something about the host, quickly deduced the general situation. He smiled and said: "Yes, yes, the host is quite anxious. You've been gone for so long, and tomorrow morning the host will want to see you. You should go rest now. As for this young friend, he can stay in my room tonight; your room is simply too dirty to accommodate guests."

Listening to the boy chattering beside him, Fa Yingge turned his head to look out the window. He thought to himself, this kid is really too talkative, both whiny and verbose, almost like a woman. Did he choose the wrong person? Is such a guy suitable to be a newcomer?

Having satisfied the culinary desires of the gentleman, I now intend to indulge his visual pleasures.

"Which books are interesting?" the old man asked nonchalantly.

In Nangang, a morning meal is not expensive. Fa Yingge calculated the money in his pocket, and after deducting the fare for the return journey by stagecoach, the remaining amount was sufficient for him to enjoy himself thoroughly.

In Nangang, as long as there is money in your pocket, even sitting still will not feel boring, as vendors pushing carts filled with various goods will occasionally pass by you

Upon hearing that he would not be sent to see the sheriff, the young man finally felt a slight sense of relief

You young people always fail to understand moderation and do not cherish your bodies. Going to bed early is for your own good, for the sake of your health. The old man spoke in a tone filled with the affectionate nagging of a loving grandfather to his playful grandson, addressing all the golden fingers.

Fa Yingge sat down on the bench beside the diagonal flower bed

Inside the nest, those golden fingers greeted their leader one after another, but Fa Ying Ge paid them no mind and led the young man straight upstairs to his room

That is the famous crab meat bun from Nangang, filled with meat from sea crabs, which is exceptionally delicious

particularly expensive, well, worth it, quite worth it, the silver coins from the books at seventeen or eighteen are also worth it

He thought for a moment and then asked, "You must be hungry, right? I haven't eaten anything either. I'm not familiar with this place, so why don't you go buy something?" Saying this, Fa Yingge took out a gold coin and handed it to the young man

Even Fa Yingge could clearly see that when the young man saw him, his expression relaxed instantly, no longer tense, and the corners of his mouth even bore a slight smile

For Fa Yingge, this city is incredibly familiar; even in the absence of any light, he would not lose his way

In the casino, Fa Ying Ge specifically seeks out those oddly dressed gamblers who come from overseas. Although they do not bet much each time, they always manage to allow him to win a little.

As the sound echoed, the old man descended from upstairs. He glanced at the young boy following behind Fa Ying and said, "You have worked hard; the journey must have been quite exhausting. Tomorrow morning, there will be much work to do. You should quickly take your little friend and go rest."

I did not receive much, so do not make wild guesses. These items are not worth much; in total, they cost two silver coins

A station wagon was just parked at the station, and Fa Yingge and the young man boarded it.

Seeing so much money, the young man was somewhat pale with fear, and he said: "Be careful, what if it gets stolen?"

There were not many customers in the shop, and the young man was hanging a blanket on the wall, while the hunchbacked second shopkeeper was watching the young man with a sidelong glance

Seeing the puzzled expression on Fa Yingge's face, the young man hurriedly said: "I absolutely did not embezzle a single copper coin"

"Such a thing has never happened before, how could this be?" the young man asked

Nangang is undoubtedly a paradise for someone with leisure time and a relaxed mindset

The young boy displayed an awkward expression and said, "That is simply too expensive; I have no money. Although Aunt Betty once mentioned that she could lend me money to buy books, I cannot let her spend so much. She has already taken care of me quite diligently."

The old man learned from the words of the youth that this young person lived in a family that had been reconstituted after losing loved ones due to that plague, which held significant value for the old man. This is because, for each individual, different experiences lead to entirely different methods of coping.

Those small vehicles are equipped with everything needed for eating and playing

The French and English brothers will not miss out on such a novelty

The long-time gamblers and the security guards in the casino looked at Fa Ying with the gaze of the dead.

However, these words cannot be spoken to this naive young man

"Stop pretending to be confused; show us what you gained from your trip to Nangang this time," the old man said slowly, still wearing that same smile.

"Seventeen or eighteen silver coins," Fa Yingge exclaimed upon hearing this amount, and he clicked his tongue in admiration, saying: "Today, I must truly savor what the snacks worth seventeen or eighteen silver coins taste like"

Throughout the entire morning, Fa Yingge spent his time immersed in such song and dance performances

Under normal circumstances, for someone who is crying, Fa Yingge would absolutely do nothing but mock them. However, now he has to find a way to comfort this newcomer in front of him

Upon arriving at the entrance of the store, Fa Ying Ge leisurely walked into the shop

"So you knew about the basket, but you never told me, nor did you ever invite me to eat." Fa Yingge said somewhat indignantly

However, this did not affect Fa Ying Ge at all. He nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad, you should be useful. However, I have some matters to attend to. I will return to Lai Er in the evening. If you plan to accompany me, then wait for me at the carriage station at the post house. I will meet you there in the evening."

The servants of wealthy families, the housewives of ordinary families, and the restaurant staff gathered there, bustling and haggling.

The young man was clearly feeling a bit hungry as well; he picked up the snacks that Fa Ying had used and began to eat.

The distance from Nangang to Lair is not very far, at most a two-hour journey. When the carriage stopped at the city gate of Lair, Fa Yingge was still immersed in the enjoyment of the journey; it was the young man who nudged him, reminding him to get off the carriage.

The pleasant holiday has come to an end

Through the gap, the old man could see that the light of the oil lamp was evidently turned down very low and dim, allowing the lamp oil to last a little longer

The South Port Pier is equally bustling in the early morning

This bag of glass beads can be considered a fulfillment of childhood wishes, Fa Ying Ge thought to himself

"Crab meat buns, you seem to have gained quite a lot from your trip to Nangang, being able to afford such expensive snacks," the old man remarked, somewhat surprised by the delicacies in Fa Ying's mouth. "These must have cost you about a gold coin," he said, extending his hand.

Hearing the old man's handling of the situation, Fa Ying Ge secretly nodded, no wonder this old man could amass such great wealth; there is indeed some truth to it

The old man is about to retire? Fa Yingge has been pondering this matter.

That is a place that every major city cannot do without

Retirement for the old man is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, allowing him to rise to a position he had never imagined before

In a narrow alley, the sounds of shouting and bargaining can be heard everywhere, and one can see prostitutes dressed in flamboyant attire and heavily made up.

That is a curry beef roll. The beef itself is nothing remarkable, but it contains a precious spice called curry, which is imported from the distant East and is particularly expensive

I am getting old and should retire. I plan to have you take over my position. You need to come with me to meet the boss tomorrow. Get some rest early.

What the young man said, not only did he not understand, but he had never even heard of it.

He will not be like the old man, content to be a landlord in a stable and secure manner

As for food, Fa Yingge's mouth had not stopped moving, and by the end, his stomach was starting to feel overwhelmed

Hearing the old man make such arrangements, Fa Ying pulled the young man upstairs

For such places, Fa Yingge is more than familiar with them

Everywhere, there are stalls piled high with fresh fish and live shrimp

With his pockets full of money, Fa Yingge no longer intends to return to that dilapidated inn

However, Fa Yingge speculated that the young man probably had nowhere else to go and could only run home. This is a natural reaction of a person—when something happens, the first place people think of for refuge is their own home. It is the place they are most familiar with and consider the safest.

"Can you write? Are you able to do calculations? If you understand these things, I can take you to my employer," said Fa Ying.

These should be enough, if not, I will go buy more said the young man as he stuffed the money he had found into Fa Ying's hands

"www.hetushu.com is still better to be cautious. By the way, how do you have so much money?" the young man asked curiously

What he needs to do now is to find a way to shake off the gamblers behind him who are watching him closely

As for Fa Yingge, he was quite exhausted; however, the information the old man had told him kept him from sleeping at all

Immediately, an angry voice came from inside the shop: "Damn it, you truly deserve it. You broke such precious porcelain, you must compensate, you must compensate for everything. Even if you worked your entire life, you would never be able to repay for these items"

Upon arriving in Nangang, it would be a great pity not to take the time to appreciate those unique and rarely seen products.

As evening approached, Fa Yingge arrived at a location near the dock, guided by passersby.

He had seen the wealthy children play with this thing, while in his childhood, he could only make small clay balls out of mud to play with

Regarding the unusual behavior of the leader today, the key figures felt somewhat perplexed. Those with quick wits, upon noticing a new face accompanying the leader, had a general understanding of what was happening.

"Eel stew, a famous specialty of Nangang, is even more delicious when eaten hot," the young man explained

"In that case, after I finish my business, I can help you deliver a message. Just let me know the address," said Brother Fa Ying.

"I am afraid that my family will worry, but I also do not dare to go home. Can you... can you...?" the young man said anxiously.

Noon in Nangang is the most vibrant time of the day, as shops open their doors for business and restaurants are already prepared to welcome the first batch of morning customers

When will I be able to reach such a level myself, Fa Yingge thought to himself

Fa Yingge took out several silver coins and exchanged them for a pile of trinkets to pass the time, along with a handful of copper coins he had found

Indeed, just like my mother, Aunt Betty has been taking care of me since I became aware of the world. My father and Uncle Carl were both sailors, but later my father fell ill and passed away from a terrible contagious disease. I didn't even get to see my father one last time, nor was there any ashes left behind.

For Fa Ying Ge, who rarely has the opportunity to enjoy seafood, this meal is undoubtedly a top-notch delicacy

The young man picked up a glass bead from the shards of porcelain and presented it to the old man for his inspection

With a gauze window in place, the night breeze that swept into the carriage was not as biting as that outside; instead, it brought with it the fragrant scent of trees.

Exiting one casino does not mean that Fa Yingge intends to stop; he casually walked into another casino

Looking at the half-basket of pastries left, Fa Yingge pondered how to return without letting that pack of wolves discover it. Such a good thing should be kept for his own enjoyment, at most offering a couple of pieces to the old man to flatter him.

For Fa Yingge, yesterday he focused all his attention on the young clerks, as he needed to find new recruits

After having breakfast, Fa Ying Ge walked towards that store

Fa Ying Ge took a couple of quick steps and gently patted the young man on the back.

However, the young man was deeply convinced by this statement, as it proved that Fa Ying Ge had indeed been to his home

Seeing the young man leave, the old man turned to all the golden fingers and said, "Everyone has worked hard today, so let's rest early. We need to get back to work early tomorrow."

Seeing these few ungrateful individuals, the old man slowly walked up to them, while those clever and obedient golden fingers had already scattered away.

Therefore, without further ado, Fa Ying and Ge immediately found a restaurant near the dock

Fa Yingge was afraid of being discovered, thus he did not dare to act rashly; he pretended to be admiring those expensive goods there

Hearing that the old man no longer mentioned the harvest from Nankang, Fa Ying was extremely pleased. He recounted in detail to the old man everything that had happened before and after in Nankang. Of course, he would not disclose to the old man about the two stolen money bags and his actions at the casino.

Seeing the young man looking flustered and on the verge of tears, Fa Yingge took the opportunity to say: "Why not temporarily find a place outside to hide for a while, and return once the storm has passed"

The young man, understanding the situation, promptly closed his mouth. He jumped down from the carriage and quickly ran towards a distant alley. Before long, he returned carrying a basket.

For someone like him, who grew up in a slum and later became a street hustler, the old man's position represents the pinnacle of social status; beyond this, there is only the boss.

In the early morning, the dock at Nangang presents an absolutely unmissable sight. At that time, the boats have not yet docked, and the dockworkers have not yet begun their work. Walking, standing, and sitting on the dock are those waiting to witness the sunrise. Most of them are individuals with a bit of money but not excessively wealthy. Like the English and French, they will not miss out on the free pleasures that Nangang has to offer.

Indeed, indeed, it is incredibly delicious. How about this one? I find it no less delightful than crab meat buns.

These items can only be seen in Nangang, as this is a place where the five directions converge. All goods are transported from distant shores, brought in from various countries overseas, and cannot be found elsewhere.

By the time he emerged from the casino, his pockets were noticeably fuller

Faying Ge took this opportunity to quickly and carefully take three glass marbles from his pocket and stuff them under the ceramic plate, then turned around and walked out of the store

"Is it the plague from seven years ago?" the old man asked. In fact, the memory of that plague is still vivid for those near South Port. Those days were akin to living in hell, with large numbers of people dying every day. The crematoriums outside the city were ablaze all day long, with smoke filling the air, and even the atmosphere was saturated with the putrid stench of burnt corpses. The clothing and bedding of the deceased were all thrown into the streets to be burned, and in some areas severely affected by the plague, entire streets of houses were reduced to ashes.

When the sun rises high in the sky and the dockworkers begin their shifts, the noisy crowd at the dock gradually disperses

After glancing at his room upstairs, the old man walked up.

There is no way, I only have gold coins," said Fa Ying Ge as he took out the money from his pocket and showed it.

Fa Yingge is immersed in a beautiful vision of the future

Fa Yingge knows that the young man is extremely frightened at this moment

The boy, who had clearly not noticed someone entering the room, was startled by the sudden sound. He had been immersed in a state of extreme tension all day, and this small scare was certainly not a trivial stimulus for him at this moment

"No, no, I did not steal anything, I did not steal anything. Please, let me go," said the boy, bursting into tears at this point

As Fa Ying Ge stepped out of the casino, a group of gamblers, their faces pale from losses and their eyes glinting with malice, had already followed closely behind him.

Indeed, my employer is waiting for my response tomorrow, so I should rest early, " said Brother Fa Ying.

If you did not steal anything from the shop, then even if I drag you to the authorities, I will receive no reward, alas, what a pity!" As he spoke these words, Fa Yingge cast a sidelong glance at the young man

For Fa Yingge, the next thing to do is to wait. Although he knows this is a foolish approach, and although he cannot guarantee when that expensive porcelain plate will fall and shatter, and although he does not know whether it will be that unfortunate boy, Fa Yingge is clear that this is the best solution he can think of

Rest assured, rest assured, I can certainly manage it. The road to where you live is truly difficult to navigate, the ground is covered in mud, and the smell is quite unpleasant. It's really strange how you have been able to live in such a place for so long

What would one do with such a sum of money? Fa Yingge began to ponder this.

Thank you, there are indeed many books here, the young man said sincerely as he came back to his senses

After speaking, he returned to his bedroom, but he did not completely close the door to the study, leaving a small gap. This way, he would be more alert to any sounds that might occur.

Those songs and dances are not particularly impressive; however, what is truly worth appreciating are the novel and exquisite silk garments.

Fa Yingge pretended to be confused as he took a piece of fish cake from the table and stuffed it into the old man's hand

It seems that someone is deliberately causing trouble, the old man sighed and said

Fayinge only needed to draw the attention of one or two plainclothes officers with those menacing-looking individuals, and he successfully shook off the pursuers behind him

Upon hearing the old man's instructions, those quick-witted individuals immediately began to tidy up. However, there were still a few who failed to grasp the situation; as soon as the old man finished speaking, those few began to shout and play around.

The dance performances can also be watched for free, and sometimes you might even receive gifts.

Fa Yingge felt quite surprised; this basket of food only cost 2 silver coins, which was even cheaper than the meals at the inn where he stayed on the first day

For someone as skilled as Fa Yingge, just holding a handful is enough to know exactly how much money is in hand

I think this is already quite good, so what is this? It is surprisingly more delicious than grilled eel

"What does it mean? What are you talking about?" Fa Yingge asked in confusion.

Seeing the grateful expressions of the shopkeeper and the second shopkeeper, no matter what happens in the future, these two individuals will undoubtedly remain loyal. A broken plate and a fact that is already beyond remedy can still serve such a significant purpose. A shrewd businessman is indeed remarkable

For Fa Yingge, this free day is the most relaxing holiday he has ever experienced in his life

Inside the shop stood an elderly man with a head full of white hair, accompanied by a tall and slender young man. The stout shopkeeper and the second shopkeeper stood there with utmost respect. Nearby, several customers, clearly there to watch the commotion, were drawn to this unexpected event, which often captures the attention of passersby

Fa Yingge was contemplating that engaging in this business in Nankang could be quite profitable

Upon witnessing this scene, Fa Yingge finally felt at ease. He quietly followed the young man all the way to the waiting area for the carriage at the post station. When he saw the young man settle down on a slope beside the waiting area, silently lost in thought, a heavy weight in Fa Yingge's heart was finally lifted.

What intrigued him was that the young man was sitting under the lamp, engrossed in flipping through the books that adorned his facade

"Not bad, not bad, what is this?" asked Fa Ying Ge.

Fa Yingge came specifically for those few casinos

Sitting leisurely in the carriage and gazing out the window, this feeling was something Fa Yingge had never experienced before, and he felt a unique sensation in his heart

Because they are well aware that those who are too imposing in the casino often end up floating on the shore by the dock the next day, waiting to be picked up by others

"Father, rest assured, I will handle it properly," the young man replied

Waiting is of little consequence for a golden finger; they often wait a long time for an opportunity to strike

Fa Yingge casually opened the basket and took out the neatly wrapped snacks, each contained in a sturdy cardboard box, tasting each one.

Fa Yingge secretly rejoiced at his foresight, as he did not allow the boy to carry the basket of pastries; otherwise, it was hard to imagine how many good things would have been wasted

To be honest, this is the first time that Fa Ying Ge has ever sat inside a carriage; sitting inside the vehicle is indeed much more comfortable than hanging on the luggage rack.

The old man shook his head and smiled wryly, thinking that Ektet would likely be interested in this newcomer he had found; such an eager student had never been encountered before

Oh, so you bought a basket? You are really wealthy

Today, Fa Yingge resembled a greedy gambler, frantically sweeping up wealth at the gambling table. The more he piled up his riches, the more evident the fierce glint in his opponents' eyes became; however, Fa Yingge pretended not to notice.

Getting off the vehicle, the sky had completely darkened, and I could only find a path through the dim moonlight.

The boy's anxious and fearful demeanor made Fa Yingge find it quite amusing, and he quickly reassured him: "Don't worry, don't worry, I have no doubts about your intentions; this basket of items seems a bit too cheap."

Fayingge heard someone respond behind him in the darkness. He took off his coat and wrapped the remaining snacks into a bundle, while he casually tossed the basket outside the alley.

The old man suddenly seized the throat of one of the most boisterous individuals with a swift motion that seemed entirely uncharacteristic of someone as aged as he was

The charges here are considerably higher, but Fa Ying is now financially robust and does not care at all about this small amount of money

Indeed, who would engage in such unreasonable actions? the shopkeeper inquired

"Novels? There are no novels; in Mr. Mardier's book, there are no novels. There are quite a few poetry collections, as well as some books on myths and legends, and religion. Those are all beyond my understanding, but I do not recall any novels."

Leaving the shop, Fa Yingge hurried to the dock at the fastest speed, as he intended to try his luck at several casinos there

One must learn from the merchants in Nangang; perhaps investing in business could yield greater profits. Once the money is earned, reinvesting it will cause one's assets to grow larger like a snowball, ultimately leading to becoming a wealthy individual

Only the dazed Fa Ying Ge remained, as he had never imagined that one day he would be able to sit in the old man's position. This was an enormous mhetushu. comcom good news, and Fa Ying Ge was extremely excited about it

"Have you ever owned a book of your own?" the old man asked

Oh, the basket! In those large stores, whenever you buy any snacks, they will give you a basket. If you buy a lot, you get a big basket; if you buy a little, there are also exquisite and delicate small baskets. Usually, all these snacks add up to at least seventeen or eighteen silver coins, and the cost of the basket is already included in that.

The old man was quite satisfied with the results of this conversation. He comforted the young man by patting his head, saying, "I am truly sorry to bring up these unpleasant matters for you. You must be quite tired today; go and rest quickly. You can sleep on the sofa in the outer room; there are blankets and pillows in the wardrobe."

"Who are the people in your family?" asked Fa Yingge knowingly.

Just as I heard this, the shop door suddenly swung open, and the young boy ran out of the shop crying, dashing towards the back street

The quantity of food purchased with two silver coins was indeed quite ample; before even finishing half, Fa Ying Ge was already full. After he forcefully stuffed two curry beef rolls into his stomach, he could no longer eat anything else. As for that young man, his appetite was much smaller than that of Fa Ying Ge.

"Just let me watch for a while, anyway, the lamp oil is running low. Let me see the oil lamp extinguish," the young man pleaded

Fa Yingge knew that it was time to ensnare the young man. He said, "However, I believe it is only a matter of time before you get caught. Just now, I heard that person tell the sheriff that you would definitely escape back to your home, and he instructed the sheriff to go directly to your house to wait for your capture."

Strolling along the street is one such activity, but the streets of Nangang are at their liveliest during the afternoon; it is still a bit too early now

The road that winds through the fields, the cart sways gently, reminiscent of being rocked in a cradle during childhood, a feeling that is truly comfortable and pleasant

"Do you enjoy reading?" the old man asked

The young man, without suspicion of anything else, said: "Indeed, Mr. Mardierde has many books. Oh, by the way, Mr. Mardierde was my former employer; he is a very knowledgeable person. Mr. Mardierde once said that knowledge is the only wealth that cannot be lost or devalued, and books are the treasure trove of knowledge. Mr. Mardierde possesses a vast collection of books, most of which I cannot understand, but those I do understand I find very interesting"

"Thirty percent? I estimate there are about one hundred and twenty to thirty. An income of nearly four hundred a month. What business does the employer engage in? Is the money received payment for goods or interest?" the youth inquired.

For a person who relies on their fingers to eat all day, gambling is truly second nature

He turned around and walked towards the center of the town, with a long time still left until evening, allowing for plenty of time to enjoy himself.

After having a haphazard lunch, the real entertainment in Nangang began.

Fayingge, carrying all his possessions, exchanged all his money at the casino for more than 150 gold coins. Although this amount was still insufficient to purchase a carriage, it was enough to acquire a horse along with four horse legs. Achieving such results within three days, Fayingge was quite satisfied.

Although Fa Yingge did not receive any gifts at the end, he was already quite satisfied

The second shopkeeper hurriedly stepped forward to greet the guests, while the young man assisted from the side

However, there are still one or two individuals who, despite lacking understanding, surprisingly come forward to ingratiate themselves.

After spending a bit of money for a rather satisfying experience, Fa Ying Ge returned to his room to rest

Indeed, it was not long before I saw that young boy walking while crying

"I don't have any money on me, is it..." the young man said anxiously

In the evening, the sky darkened, and it became difficult to discern anything in the distance, save for a faint shadow. The nearby trees and fields were also shrouded under a dim, lifeless sunset. To be honest, the view outside the window was rather unremarkable

The old man glanced at Fa Ying and nodded, saying, "Then when you go to Nankang in the future, bring me some back. What is the situation with the newcomer? Tell me all about it, and make sure I don't end up revealing my true intentions later."

Fortunately, Fa Ying Ge always remembers that he must feel the carriage at the station before evening.

Fa Yingge looked at the young boy and found him quite interesting; at such an age, he still cried at the slightest provocation. He remembered that he had long forgotten how to cry since following the old man.

"You have come, I... I originally thought you wouldn't come. Did you tell Aunt Betty that I am going on a long trip with you?" the young man asked urgently

Stepping out of the narrow and dim bedroom of Fa Ying Ge, the old man returned to his own room

Finding a person in Nangang is not an easy task

What should I do? What should I do? The young man lamented to himself, his face filled with despair.

I can write, I can write some characters, and I can even write decorative script. I am responsible for copying all the price lists in the store, and I can do calculations; my arithmetic is very good, even with decimals. I can perform operations with fractions, I can recite the value of pi, and I can even create profit analysis statistical tables

The old man nodded, turned around, and said to the shopkeeper and the second shopkeeper: "I understand that this matter cannot be blamed on you. Do not worry, you need not be anxious about it. As for that child, go find him and tell him that everything is fine. However, you must be more vigilant in the future, as there are those who wish to cause trouble in Nankang. Be cautious in all matters."

Fa Yingge sat by the window, facing a young man. The carriage was not full, with two seats still vacant, and since it was not at full capacity, the driver did not intend to depart. Next to Fa Yingge sat an elderly lady, who was quietly resting with her eyes closed. A middle-aged man sitting diagonally opposite appeared somewhat impatient, continuously complaining about why the carriage had not yet started, how long they had already been waiting, and similar remarks. By the carriage door, a young couple sat engrossed in whispered conversation, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. Fa Yingge sat by the window, facing a young man. The carriage was not full, with two seats still vacant, and since it was not at full capacity, the driver did not intend to depart. Next to Fa Yingge sat an elderly lady, who was quietly resting with her eyes closed. A middle-aged man sitting diagonally opposite appeared somewhat impatient, continuously complaining about why the carriage had not yet started, how long they had already been waiting, and similar remarks. By the carriage door, a young couple sat engrossed in whispered conversation, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings.

"Two silver coins? The crab meat buns you are chewing on are worth more than just two silver coins. If we gather a large basket and apply a 30% discount, it would still be around twenty silver coins," the old man said.

Although the old man’s total wealth is unclear to Fa Ying Ge, he knows that the old man owns at least one estate in France, which qualifies him as a minor landowner

Feeling his way through the night, Fa Yingge led the young man to the hideout. Before they even entered the alley, Fa Yingge softly said to the young man: "It is already quite late today. I will take you to meet my employer tomorrow. For tonight, you will stay with me, and do not speak to anyone."

For a golden finger who has been preparing to escape all day, getting rid of a few targets who are obvious and whose minds have already been clouded by anger is exceedingly easy and does not require any elaborate planning

"Not bad, right? By the way, do you really enjoy reading that much?" The old man pretended to be somewhat curious as he asked, hoping to learn more about the young man.

Hearing this from Fa Ying Ge, the young man finally felt relieved and explained: "Here, the prices of different items can vary greatly at different times. The items I bought are high-quality pastries that were made in the morning and couldn't be sold. If those large stores still haven't sold them by this time, they will have to throw them away. Therefore, I went to buy them, and they sold them to me at a very low price, as no one wants to eat pastries in the evening anyway"

By the time I emerged from the alley, it was already late at night and quiet.

The young man suddenly jumped up, which startled Fah Ying significantly

However, Fa Yingge still watched with great interest. In the past, when he traveled hanging behind the carriage, the sound of the wind whistling past his ears made every scene appear thrilling and exciting. Now, sitting inside the carriage, Fa Yingge realized that traveling could actually be such a relaxed and leisurely enjoyment

Oh, I am here to collect a debt. Every month, our employer sends me to Nankang to settle accounts. Today has not gone well; I have only received less than thirty percent.

When engaged in activities one enjoys, time always seems to fly by

Although Aunt Betty is not my real aunt, we are as close as family, the young man said

You may choose a few books from these; consider them a gift from me. However, you must go to bed early, as I will take you to meet the employer early tomorrow morning

"I want to read for a little longer," the young man said

The old man's face still bore that extremely natural smile, yet his veins were bulging, and his dry, aged fingers, though incredibly strong, appeared remarkably steady. Looking at the pitiable creature whose face was swollen to the color of pig liver, with its eyes rolling upward, no one would still perceive the old man as a kind and amiable figure

Seeing such a remarkable effect, the old man revealed a knowing smile, as it seemed that his authority remained undiminished from years past

Suddenly, Fa Yingge heard a series of "pingling panglang" sounds coming from inside the shop, and he knew that those few glass beads had finally taken effect

In order to make the young boy obediently follow him, Fa Ying planned to further intimidate the boy

Fa Yingge, while enjoying the snacks, praised them incessantly, saying that if he had known about such a good deal at such a low price, he would have eaten this delightful food every day for the past three days, how wonderful that would have been

Today, he no longer needs to consider these matters

"You should go back to the security committee and make a trip; it is best for everyone to be aware of this matter. Everyone needs to be a bit more cautious. It seems that Nangang is not very peaceful lately," the old man said to the young man.

"There are many books about various plants and animals, about different parts of the world, about navigation. Oh, by the way, especially about navigation; I particularly enjoy books in this area," the young boy said enthusiastically.

As the old man waved his hand, all the golden fingers quietly returned to their own bedrooms, and the entire hall was instantly enveloped in silence. Even if someone occasionally let out a soft cough, it would be immediately muffled by the thick blankets, producing only faint and dull sounds.

In the morning, there is quite a pleasant pastime. Fa Yingge saw from the flyers distributed by the street children that several of the largest silk shops in Nangang are hosting a song and dance performance

After a while, three to five customers walked into the store, seemingly looking to purchase something

Behind him came a series of furious roars: "You flee, I want to see where you can escape to. I will report you and have you thrown into prison; you deserve to be hanged"

Fa Yingge felt troubled, and as he noticed the expression of doubt gradually appearing on the boy's face, an aged voice came from upstairs: "Fa Yingge, have you returned?"

However, that young man was completely different; he stumbled along behind Fa Ying Ge, nearly tripping several times on the uneven ground.

Fa Yingge did not forget to take a look at that shop

Jumping onto the carriage and returning to his seat, the young man pushed the basket in front of Fa Ying Ge, while his left hand still held a handful of found silver coins

Accompanied by the youth, Fa Ying Ge made his way towards the lair through the narrow alley.

The young man thought for a moment and found no better solution; he detailed the address to Fahing, even instructing him on how to get there

The nest was extremely quiet at night, yet no one could sleep. Those with golden fingers had been ordered to rest early; they dared not defy the old man's wishes. However, for those who usually stayed up late, how could they possibly sleep so early?

Fa Yingge enjoys rolling dice the most, with wins and losses determined very quickly. At the same time, he is quite confident in his skills, as he is the leader among the golden fingers

Leaving the boy behind, Fa Yingge slipped out from a small alley, took a long detour, and returned to the original spot, quietly following the boy and carefully observing his actions

Fa Yingge, hearing the boy's detailed questions, was afraid of revealing any flaws. He feigned impatience and said, "Why are you asking these things?"

"So, are there any novels? What kind of novels do you like?" the old man asked

With the greatest fortune of his life tucked in his arms, Fa Yingge returned to the waiting area of the station for the carriage

In fact, the old man's peculiar smile alone rendered everyone unable to utter a sound, including the one who had suffered greatly.

Regarding the decorative elements and the concept of pi mentioned by the youth, Fa Yingge was completely ignorant. His knowledge was imparted by an old man; he could read notices and perform basic arithmetic operations. The returns submitted by his subordinates, the so-called "golden fingers," were accurate enough not to be miscalculated. Such skills were already quite remarkable within the confines of the nest

Pushing open the door to Fa Yingge's room, I saw this sly little fellow lying on the bed, munching on snacks, with a pile of such treats stacked on the table beside the bed

"The basket was thrown outside the alley, but it really only costs two silver coins. If you don't believe me, ask the newcomer. He bought it, and there is a trick to it," said Fa Ying Ge proudly.

There is no need for so much. The young man was clearly taken aback by such a generous display.

Yes, Aunt Betty and Uncle Carl also lost their respective loved ones, and they came together only later. The boy's tone was filled with sorrow, a profound sadness that could only be deeply understood by those who had experienced that disaster.

The young man hesitated all the while, taking two steps forward and then retreating two steps back. After a moment, he lifted his foot as if to head home, but then hesitated and withdrew his step. After wandering there for quite some time, he finally made up his mind to walk towards the carriage station in the outskirts.

"It doesn't matter, I'll cover it for now; you can pay me back later," said Fa Ying Ge casually.

He found a fairly decent inn near the dock to stay in

As he passed by a store specializing in toys, Fa Ying Ge entered the shop and took out a silver coin to purchase a small bag of crystal-clear glass marbles