Urban Martial Saint

Old Fifth Yang beckoned, and a man nearby immediately walked over and unveiled the tarp covering something on a nearby truck.

On the truck, an entire set of furniture was neatly arranged, beautifully crafted, in a dark red hue, permeated with an air of antiquity. Those standing by could even smell the fragrance of the wood. Although not many people are connoisseurs of furniture, it was clear to anyone with discerning eyes that this set of furniture was no simple matter.

”This... this is made of pure redwood!” exclaimed someone standing by the truck, looking at the furniture with a face full of envy.

Although modern furniture had infiltrated most homes, redwood furniture remained a darling of mainstream society. Not only because of the rarity of the wood, but redwood furniture also symbolized a culture, a status. Therefore, many wealthy people liked to place redwood furniture in their homes to highlight their status. Consequently, the price of redwood furniture had been gradually driven up. Even the cheapest set of redwood furniture would cost tens of thousands of yuan. And since this set was personally delivered by Old Fifth Yang, it definitely wasn’t cheap—probably worth at least hundreds of thousands!

Upon seeing the redwood furniture, Lin Changlu, who had prepared a gift for Gu Xianping, froze on the spot. Compared to Old Fifth Yang’s generous gesture, his modest gift was too embarrassing to present.

Gu Xianping did know a thing or two about redwood, and he too was quite surprised upon seeing the furniture, especially the two beautiful bookcases, which brought a twinkle of immense joy to his eyes.

For an old intellectual, having one’s own bookcase was indeed a delight. Gu Xianping once had a bookcase, but it had been damaged during the move, and his many books had long had nowhere to be stored. He was considering saving up to buy a new bookcase. Then, Old Fifth Yang sent over a complete set of furniture, and it was impossible for him not to be tempted.

However, Gu Xianping was also well aware of the value of the set. After being taken aback for a moment, he quickly waved his hands and said, ”No, no, this set of furniture is just too expensive. I couldn’t possibly accept it. Boss Yang, thank you for your kind intention, I’m touched, but I really cannot accept this furniture!”

”Teacher Gu, please don’t be so polite with me!” Old Fifth Yang laughed and said, ”This furniture isn’t mine, it was given to me by a friend in the past. I originally wanted to pass it off as belonging to an intellectual, but it just never felt comfortable to sit on. Despite its value, I much prefer the genuine leather sofas I bought, they feel better than this. So, this set of furniture has been in my basement for two years now, and if I don’t move it out soon, it might even attract bugs. I’ve been thinking, someday I’ll have the chance to give it to a true intellectual, can’t let good things go to waste, right? Teacher Gu, of all the cultured people I know, you are the one I admire the most. This furniture, only you deserve to have it!”

Old Fifth Yang’s words were heartfelt. In fact, he had never really looked up to intellectuals, it was only after hearing about Gu Xianping’s deeds that his view started to change. Especially when he learned that Gu Xianping spent his meager salary to support students, his admiration grew even more. Giving Gu Xianping this set of furniture was partly to show off to Ye Qing, but mostly it was out of genuine respect for Gu’s character.

Hearing Old Fifth Yang’s words, for a moment, Gu Xianping didn’t know how to refuse. Combined with Lin Changlu and others’ prompting, in the end, Gu Xianping found it impossible to decline and had to accept the furniture.

It had to be acknowledged, the quality of the redwood furniture was truly good. It took a great deal of effort for everyone to move the set upstairs. By the time everything was in place, it was already noon. Old Fifth Yang was meticulous in his planning, having already organized a banquet. Just as Ye Qing was about to take care of Gu Xianping’s meal arrangements, the vehicles arranged by Old Fifth Yang had arrived downstairs, and all the attendees were taken to the hotel where everything had been prepared.

It was clear that Gu Xianping was exceptionally happy that day. His daughter’s condition had stabilized, he was able to return to teaching, and he finally had a place of his own. The grievances and pain he endured before seemed to have been rewarded all at once on this day—it was finally the sweet after the bitter for him.

Seeing Gu Xianping so content, Ye Qing was also very happy. Gu Xianping had helped him a lot in the past, and it indeed was time for him to repay the favors.

After attending to the event, Ye Qing returned to the hotel. Old Fifth Yang had rented a house for Feng Jianshe and the others, and Ye Qing was just about to take them to check out the house.

However, just as he got back to the hotel, Ye Qing saw a scene that enraged him. Zhao Bin, for some unknown reason, had come and was sitting in front of Feng Xuehua, talking to her. Feng Xuehua was crying, and Ye Qing had no idea what had happened!

”Damn, you bastard still dare to come here!” Da Fei cursed furiously, barged into the room, and yanked Zhao Bin up by the hair.

Ye Qing also entered the room, looked coldly at Zhao Bin, and said sternly, ”What are you doing here? You want to divorce my second aunt? Have you brought the paperwork?”

Seeing Ye Qing, Zhao Bin immediately forced a smile on his face and stammered, ”Qing... Qingzi, you’re back...”

Ye Qing said coldly, ”Don’t call me so affectionately, you can call me Mr. Ye, or you can call me Ye Qing!”

Zhao Bin smiled and said, ”Hey, we’re all family, why be so formal?”

”Who the hell is family with you?” Da Fei glared at him, saying, ”Don’t forget, you’ve already divorced my brother’s aunt, you have no familial relation with my brother anymore. Family? What are you, daring to claim family with my brother?”

Zhao Bin was greatly embarrassed, glancing at Ye Qing and then at Da Fei, he awkwardly said, ”Qingzi, I admit, I was wrong about yesterday. But I’m still your uncle-in-law. I’ve realized my mistake, and I will change in the future, please just give me a chance, I really love your aunt!”

”You bastard, still have the nerve to talk about love?” Da Fei glared and said, ”Bastard, you haven’t forgotten what you said yesterday, have you? You said you didn’t know what regret was. So what? Thinking of regretting now? What about your bravado from yesterday? Weren’t you determined to get a divorce? How come you’re apologizing now?”

Zhao Bin hung his head. It wasn’t until he had returned to the station the previous day that he learned what had actually happened. After inquiring with friends in the county town, he learned about Ye Qing’s situation, which shocked him greatly. He had been an assistant police for five years, and his only wish was to be officially admitted as a police officer. However, he had never had the chance or the connections to make it happen. Upon discovering Ye Qing’s circumstances, he suddenly realized that with Ye Qing’s capabilities, his official admission was merely a word away. More importantly, with a relative as influential as Ye Qing in Jiuchuan County, not only his official admission but even promotion and wealth would not be difficult to achieve.

Zhao Bin began to regret last night, lamenting why he had spoken so harshly and why he had offended Ye Qing. Early this morning, he rushed to the county town and, after several attempts, found Feng Xuehua. He had been entreating her all morning with an uncharacteristically low profile, begging for her forgiveness. He knew that if Feng Xuehua forgave him, he would still be Ye Qing’s relative, and Ye Qing would surely not leave him high and dry.

However, Feng Xuehua had not yet forgiven him when Ye Qing returned. Seeing Ye Qing, Zhao Bin was no longer as arrogant as before with his heart filled with awe, and he spoke with extreme caution.

”You said yourself that you wanted to divorce my aunt,” Ye Qing looked at Zhao Bin and said, ”I’ve always believed that a man should keep his word. Are you going to file for divorce on your own, or would you like us to sue for divorce in court?”

”I... I don’t want to divorce Xuehua...” Zhao Bin, soaked in a cold sweat, looked at Feng Xuehua and pleaded urgently, ”Xuehua, I love you, I can’t live without you. Yesterday... I don’t know what came over me, I’m sorry, please don’t be angry, please don’t leave me, will you?”

Upon hearing this, Feng Xuehua’s tears flowed even more, covering her face as she couldn’t help but sob. Although Zhao Bin had treated her poorly, how could so many years of affection be severed so easily?

”Aunt, you won’t find happiness with such a man!” Ye Qing said, ”It was not easy for you to break free, so don’t go back to him. Don’t worry, I will find someone to take care of everything for you, and the divorce won’t be hard to handle!”

Zhao Bin turned pale with fear and fell to his knees with a thump, urgently saying, ”Xuehua, Xuehua, I was wrong, I know I was. Please, just give me one chance, just one chance, I will change, I promise I will, just don’t divorce me!”

Seeing Zhao Bin like this, Feng Xuehua became anxious and hurriedly said, ”You... get up...”

Zhao Bin said, ”If you don’t agree, I’ll never get up. I’ll keep kneeling here until you forgive me!”

”Damn it, you bastard, playing the rogue now?” Da Fei shouted angrily, ”Get lost, or I’ll beat the crap out of you!”

Zhao Bin trembled with fear, but for the sake of his future, he remained stubbornly on his knees. Even if he was beaten, so long as he didn’t divorce Feng Xuehua, he would still be one of Ye Qing’s relatives and have the opportunity for promotion and wealth. Being beaten in exchange for promotion and wealth was worth it!

”Still not leaving, huh? Really want me to hit you?” Da Fei glanced at Ye Qing, and seeing no reaction from Ye Qing, he grabbed Zhao Bin by the neck, ready to throw a punch.

”Don’t hit him!” Feng Xuehua suddenly cried out, causing both Ye Qing and Da Fei to look at her, both with a sense of foreboding. Could it be that Feng Xuehua had been swayed by Zhao Bin?

Zhao Bin was overjoyed, looking at Feng Xuehua anxiously, saying, ”Xuehua, Xuehua, have you... have you forgiven me? Don’t worry, from now on I will treat you well, I’ll make sure you have the best life, I’ll agree to everything you want. Starting tomorrow, let’s allow Yingying to stay at our place, let her live in our house and go to school from there, I’ll take care of all the expenses by myself, ok?”