Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 275 : Lucky Pearl Restaurant (3)

Chapter 275: Chapter 275 : Lucky Pearl Restaurant (3)

Lucky Pearl restaurant was the first restaurant to be established in Rainbell Town, back when the town was still reeling from the aftermath of war.

As Rainbell Town slowly recuperated and returned to its former glory, more restaurants and tea houses sprouted up, but none could match the legacy of Lucky Pearl Restaurant, which continued to hand out free lunches to the poor and needy every day.

Madam Chen’s generosity was rooted in a deep sense of gratitude. She had never forgotten the kindness shown to her and her people during the darkest of times. Xie Jianyu and Zhang Fengxi had done a lot more than just giving out free lunches for several days, but their compassionate act had left a deep impression on Madam Chen’s heart.

Most of the old residents had long since left, but Madam Chen remained. She remembered the pain and suffering, and she was determined to make a difference. Through her restaurant, she offered a helping hand to those in need, one meal at a time.

Ah Yan admired his mother in every aspect, but he was adamant about one thing and one thing only.

"Mom, I do not want to take over the restaurant."

Madam Chen slammed her bamboo chopsticks against the table and glared at her son.

"Again? Ah Yan, must you aggrieve me this early in the morning?"

Ah Yan shot his mother a pleading look.

"Mom, please. I like the restaurant. I just want to do something more useful in my life."

Madam Chen made a sharp sound when she sucked air into her lungs.

"Something more useful? Are you saying that our restaurant is useless???"

"..."

"Mom, I just..."

"I know what you want," Madam Chen shook a finger at Ah Yan. "You like hanging out with those crooked friends of yours. You all just want to hang around the neighborhood and do nothing!"

"But Mom, that is not true! We are not a group of ruffians! We are protecting the town!"

Madam Chen scoffed.

"Protecting, what? Last time when the mountain robbers came here, you people went into hiding!"

"But Mom, they had sickles!"

"I thought you said that you are protecting the town!"

It was no fun arguing with his mother. In the end, Ah Yan had to concede and begrudgingly go to haul fresh water out of the well.

He happened to come across Xie Jianyu and Mingyu, who just came back from spending their money on large amounts of treats.

Ah Yan quickly dropped the pail of water and rushed to greet the two guests.

"Young Master, let me carry them for you."

Xie Jianyu smiled at him.

"It’s not heavy, it’s just..."

"Sweets???"

Ah Yan’s eyes moved between the bag of sweets and Xie Jianyu.

"Young Master, do you like sweets?"

Xie Jianyu cleared his throat.

"Not usually, no."

It was not him who craved sweets. It was the baby in his belly.

Ah Yan swallowed hard.

"Young Master, you are so lucky," he said with a jealous undertone. "You remain slim whatever you eat. If I eat this stuff, Mom is going to make me get water from the nearest mountain."

All three of them broke into laughter.

"No way," Mingyu wiped tears off the end of her eyes. "Ah Yan, is Madam Chen such a strict mother?"

"Sister Mingyu, you will not believe it if I do not tell you!"

Ah Yan did not usually talk about his mother in front of others, but Xie Jianyu was not a stranger. Mingyu too had recently grown on him. She was cuter and more adorable than any other girl he met so far.

"Ah Yan, what did you borrow money from the loan shark for?"

Xie Jianyu’s question was like a cold bucket of water thrown over Ah Yan’s head. The smile on his face froze, then disappeared completely.

"Young Master, actually... I lost the money to a swindler."

"Ehhh?" Mingyu’s mouth formed a big O. "How come?"

Ah Yan scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

"Two weeks ago, a stranger came into Rainbell Town to recruit young men into the army. He asked for a small processing fee, just thirty gold coins to take us to the capital. Mom did not want to give me the money, so I borrowed that sum from the loan shark."

"Hmm."

Xie Jianyu tilted his head to the side and pinned Ah Yan with a look.

"Let me guess... That loan shark appeared just around the time this swindler started recruiting people for the army?"

"...."

A flush of red surged up Ah Yan’s face, followed by a deep purple, and finally settled into a deadly pallor.

"Oh, those freaking bastards!" He cursed loudly.

Mingyu cut a grimace. Ah Yan looked so pitiful.

"Is it your wish to join the army?"

A sheepish grin spread across Ah Yan’s face.

"I want to be strong," he said.

"Strong how?"

Ah Yan’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he spoke. "Strong! I want to beat up bad guys, just like Young Master! Young Master, you are also very strong!"

"You beat up the mountain robbers like they were nothing!"

"You and your friends helped to take out the leader," Xie Jianyu reminded him. "He was the most dangerous of them all."

"Ehehehe..."

Ah Yan flushed from the compliment.

"Young Master, how can I be as strong as you are? Can you teach me one thing or two?"

"..."

Xie Jianyu’s gaze raked over Ah Yan, assessing his youth and potential. It was not too late for the boy to begin cultivation. With hard work and dedication, he could grow to be a formidable cultivator.

Having mistaken the Crown Prince’s gaze as one of doubt, Ah Yan quickly blurted out, "I... I will save up and buy a good sword! I am going to practice earnestly, I promise."

Xie Jianyu’s lips curved into a faint smile. "That is not necessary," he said. "If you are willing, I will teach you a few basic moves. Whether or not you become a skilled swordsman depends on your journey, but what I teach you will allow you to protect yourself and the people you love."

"Really? Yayyy!!!"

The three people went inside the inn.

A while later, a shrouded stranger stepped out of a nearby dark alley and left for the woods.