novelraw Chapter 861: The Tavern
Chapter 861: The Tavern
"To be shameless, I haven’t been able to have a child with my wife for so many years. You, this kid, look quite charming. If I say something you might not like, in my heart, you’re like my own child. I’m naturally willing to help you if I can." The middle-aged man said awkwardly.
"No matter how you see me, I owe you one for today. If you ever need anything, just ask, I’ll surely help." The young man finished speaking and walked out of the room, looking in a hurry, probably to wrap up what he had done.
The middle-aged man watched the door close again, and the emotions that just existed in his eyes dissipated in an instant, as if everything that had just happened never existed. His expression as he looked at the door was particularly solemn, his downcast eyes hiding all his emotions, making it hard for others to read or understand him.
The middle-aged man sat in the room for a while longer before finally leaving.
The next day.
The middle-aged man did not expect to see Xu Ke in this tavern, and inevitably froze for a moment.
"Hey, old drunk, what are you looking at? The table is waiting for you. If you don’t drink till you’re drunk today, we won’t let you leave." Someone saw the middle-aged man standing at the tavern door without coming in and hurried over to pull him in.
Xu Ke looked in the direction of the voice and immediately saw the astonishment in the middle-aged man’s eyes when he saw him. His eyebrows, partially hidden by his hair, slightly raised. Although he could confirm that the young man from yesterday was looking for this man, this man’s identity was also worth scrutinizing, or else why would he be the only one who showed such an expression upon seeing Xu Ke in this tavern, as if he knew him.
The moment the middle-aged man met Xu Ke’s eyes, he felt a sense of unease. He never expected Xu Ke to come to this tavern, or that they would meet in such a way, causing his heart to panic. Even while drinking, he appeared distracted. Fortunately, his facade was convincing, and everyone else was busy drinking and having fun, so no one noticed anything amiss with him.
Although the middle-aged man seemed to be mingling normally with those around him, his mind was constantly tempted to look back, to see what Xu Ke was doing behind him, to check if Xu Ke was secretly watching him.
The middle-aged man was internally conflicted countless times, his thoughts growing and festering. Finally, when he found a chance to see what Xu Ke was doing, Xu Ke was no longer in his original seat. Instead, there was just an empty wine glass. Seeing this scene, the middle-aged man felt a void in his heart, unsure how to react.
"Old drunk, what are you looking at over there? Your wife doesn’t care about you drinking. Come over and have a drink with us. We won’t let you leave standing tonight." Someone called out to him, seeing him staring at Xu Ke’s seat without returning.
"I’m coming, I was just lost in thought. Let’s have a good drink." The middle-aged man said casually as he walked over to join the conversation, feeling a strange sense of relief.
Perhaps Xu Ke hadn’t noticed anything, he thought to himself.
The middle-aged man thought his interaction with Xu Ke would end there, but little did he know, more was to follow.
What can you accomplish in three days?
Xu Ke stood in an almost deserted alley, wearing a hat, quietly watching the road, thinking that three days were enough for him to investigate the middle-aged man he met in the tavern.
He knew the man came to this small town ten years ago, knew that his name was Xiang Lishan, but because he spent so much time in the tavern, most people called him "old drunk" instead of his real name. He knew the man ran the only auto repair shop in town, but because there were few car owners in town, he didn’t earn much. Fortunately, besides fixing cars, he could repair other vehicles, so his family got by comfortably and wasn’t short on money.
In addition to this, Xu Ke knew that "old drunk" had a wife, but they were childless even at their age. The man couldn’t have children, but his wife stayed with him, and he treated her like a treasure. He would hide her at home as if she were precious, so despite not having children, his wife was the most envied woman in town.
And today, Xu Ke was standing in the path where the old drunk’s wife would inevitably pass on her way home.
He blended into the dark corner like a shadow, watching the empty road with little to no foot traffic. After an unknown amount of time, he almost became one with the scenery before hearing a sound coming from the alley. A slightly coarse woman’s voice sounded in panic, "Why are you stopping me? We’re all from the same town, we see each other every day, what do you want?"
"We don’t want much, just a little money to spend." The leader’s frivolous and wanton voice spoke up. Somehow, a man could make such a sleazy sound, making others want to hit him upon hearing it.
"Why are you asking me for money? My husband manages all our finances, I have no money. If you want to borrow money, beating me is useless, you should ask my husband. Step aside, I’m going home." The woman said.
"We’re not idiots, so why are you pretending not to understand? Everyone in this town knows that your husband listens to you the most. Are you saying he won’t give you money? Do you think we would believe that?" The leader sneered.
"We’re all from the same town, and I don’t want to make this ugly. Just give us the money, and we’ll let you go without any further trouble. But if you think we’re fools to be brushed off with a few words, that’s impossible. No one’s a fool here, if you push us, who knows what crazy things we might do." The leader threatened.
"This road is usually deserted, and if something happens to you, no one will come to save you. If you cooperate, we’ll let you go safely. But if you don’t, don’t blame us for using force." The leader snickered, speaking with a cold menace.