Chapter 145: 145, Bicycle

That evening, Ren Xiaosu, accompanied by Yan Liyuan and the others, returned to the shop only to find something amiss—there were far too many people inside.

Originally, after taking over, they had told the numerous patients who came to seek treatment that the shop would no longer provide medical services, and so its reputation had quickly cooled in recent days; neither he nor Lao Wang had yet decided what to do with the shop.

Upon entering, Ren Xiaosu noticed that everyone was gathered around Wang Fugui, who was explaining something to them.

“The owner’s back!” Wang Fugui’s eyes lit up when he saw Ren Xiaosu.

“Hmm, why so many people?” Ren Xiaosu asked.

Wang Fugui pulled Ren Xiaosu aside and lowered his voice: “Wasn’t a dose of black medicine sold out the day before? Now people are coming here by reputation.”

“Does that even work?” Ren Xiaosu was puzzled.

“The big shots spread the word over a meal,” Wang Fugui said with a sly smile: “You young men don’t know the pain of middle-aged men. We’re all in the same boat! Besides, this black medicine has no side effects after consumption—it’s far better than other remedies.”

“Still, we can’t sell too much,” Ren Xiaosu refused: “Tell them—only one dose per week. We can’t produce more than that.”

Wang Fugui grimaced, watching a golden opportunity slip away. If Ren Xiaosu could supply him with more goods, he dared guarantee their shop would become the largest health tonic store in the Barrier…

What did it mean to monopolize a Barrier’s health products?

But when Ren Xiaosu said no, it was no. Wang Fugui explained to the customers that if they wished to buy, they’d have to wait until next week.

At that moment, a customer suddenly said: “I’ll pay 800 yuan to reserve next week’s medicine. Just set it aside for me!”

Wang Fugui’s eyes gleamed—could this really work?

Even Wang Fugui, the shrewd merchant, hadn’t realized how desperately the middle-aged men in the Barrier craved the black medicine!

Upon hearing someone offer an extra 200 to reserve, the others lost their temper. Though eager to buy, they weren’t fools to be taken advantage of. After the reservation was made with a deposit, the rest quickly dispersed.

Yan Liyuan suddenly spoke: “We can’t use those simple ceramic bottles anymore. We need the finest boxes to package the black medicine—and we must create a mystique! The more mysterious, the better!”

“Still as sharp as ever, Liyuan!” Wang Fugui grew excited: “Who knows? Maybe we won’t need to sell anything else in the future. One dose of black medicine a week could make us rich!”

At that moment, Wang Fugui seemed to have discovered a tremendous business opportunity.

“Fine,” Ren Xiaosu nodded: “You handle it. I’m clueless about business matters. By the way, where’s Chen Wudi?”

“He left as soon as you went to school,” Wang Fugui replied: “Don’t know where he went. Can’t find him anywhere. But don’t worry—he’ll be back at mealtime, right on schedule…”

Ren Xiaosu paused: “All he remembers is coming back for meals?”

Wang Fugui hesitated: “He’s not back for meals.”

This left Ren Xiaosu bewildered: “You said he’d return at mealtime. If he’s not here to eat, why come back?”

Just then, Chen Wudi burst in from outside, carrying a pile of things. Wang Fugui stared at his figure and said: “He’s brought us food…”

Chen Wudi bellowed in a voice as loud as thunder: “Master, I’ve returned from my alms round!”

Ren Xiaosu: “???”

At that moment, Ren Xiaosu noticed the pile in Chen Wudi’s arms—steamed buns, flatbreads, and a small bag of pickled vegetables, quite a variety.

What puzzled Ren Xiaosu was just how deeply Chen Wudi had immersed himself in this role.

Chen Wudi shoved all the food into Ren Xiaosu’s arms, leaving him stunned: “Where did you get so much food?”

Previously, Ren Xiaosu had worried Chen Wudi ate too much, but now he realized the boy could fend for himself!

“I’ve gone alms-gathering,” Chen Wudi said cheerfully.

“They just give it to you? Are they really that generous?” Ren Xiaosu asked curiously.

“They don’t give it for free. I told them I could exorcise demons and ward off evil,” Chen Wudi replied.

Ren Xiaosu’s heart leapt: “You’ve shown off your abilities?”

“No, Master—you told me not to,” Chen Wudi explained.

Only then did Ren Xiaosu relax. He had genuinely feared Chen Wudi would attract the attention of other factions: “Then how did you get the food back?”

Chen Wudi thought for a long time: “I insisted.”

Ren Xiaosu: “……”

Wait a minute—the concept of alms-gathering was something Ren Xiaosu had taught Chen Wudi himself, back when they were fugitives, telling him to seek alms among refugees.

So when Chen Wudi spoke of alms, was he referring to the very practice Ren Xiaosu had taught him…

In that instant, Ren Xiaosu worried the Barrier’s Order Officers might storm in and arrest Chen Wudi. He didn’t understand the process of Chen Wudi’s alms-gathering, so he couldn’t be sure whether it constituted burglary or robbery…

“That…” Ren Xiaosu said solemnly: “You’d better not go out these days.”

“Why?” Chen Wudi asked curiously.

“First, we’re not short of food at home,” Ren Xiaosu said: “Secondly, you should keep a low profile…”

“I can’t help it, Master. It’s so stifling at home. Bajie and the others have things to do, but I’m idle,” Chen Wudi whined pitifully.

Ren Xiaosu was at a loss: “If you must go out, you can’t go alms-gathering anymore, understand?”

“Awooo,” Chen Wudi agreed. Others’ words he could ignore, but his master’s he could not.

After Yang Xiaojin’s reminder, Ren Xiaosu grew even more concerned that other factions might target Chen Wudi, especially that mysterious Huozhong Company.

Other factions were manageable, but Huozhong Company seemed specifically aimed at the extraordinary.

Fortunately, this wasn’t their territory.

At that moment, Xiao Yu returned from outside and called out to Ren Xiaosu: “Xiaosu, check out the gift your sister bought you.”

Ren Xiaosu froze when he saw it—Xiao Yu had somehow acquired a bicycle, though she didn’t know how to ride one. She had pushed it all the way back.

“Sister Yu, why did you buy this? It can’t be cheap,” Ren Xiaosu asked curiously.

“It’s fine. I still had some savings from before. This way, you can ride to school conveniently,” Xiao Yu beamed, as if she had received the gift herself.

As soon as she pushed the bicycle to the backyard, Yan Liyuan gathered around: “How do you ride this thing? Are two wheels hard to balance?”

Ren Xiaosu asked: “Does anyone know how to ride?”

A crowd gathered around the bicycle. Wang Fugui shook his head, and Xiao Yu did the same.

Ren Xiaosu tried a few times but couldn’t quite manage it. He figured he’d ask Jiang Wu or Yang Xiaojin for advice tomorrow.