```
"It's okay, after getting rid of the outdated equipment at the internet cafe, we'll still have some money left. Just need to be a bit more frugal, and we can barely make it," Uncle Wang managed a rather unsightly smile in response.
He had no choice, the various helplessness of life forced him to bow his head.
How could Su Mo believe what he said? He shook his head and replied, "Uncle Wang, you don't have to lie to me, this won't work at all. How about this, I'll invest in the internet cafe. We'll renovate it and also get that thing called ZR equipment."
"How could that be alright?"
Uncle Wang was taken aback for a moment before he quickly responded.
"It's fine. After the renovation, just reserve a separate machine for me, and I'll come over to play when I have time. Didn't you also say that I stay indoors too much? Besides, you don't have to feel bad, I'll provide the funds and you'll contribute the effort, and we'll split the profits fifty-fifty," Su Mo quickly concluded the matter in a few words.
"Okay, then I'll go draft up the contract and the budget now. Don't think it's a hassle, even blood brothers should settle accounts clearly," Uncle Wang was actually very touched. How could he not know that Su Mo was looking after him as a family elder? This brother's grandson was usually taciturn, but in fact, he was very smart.
"Alright, then I'll continue collecting rent," Su Mo waved at Uncle Wang and continued walking forward. He had almost finished collecting all the rent, with only two tenants left.
Of course, these last two were somewhat special, so he saved them for last.
Moments later, Su Mo arrived at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall with a sack slung over his shoulder.
The sign of the Martial Arts Hall was made of wood, so old it seemed it would crumble to dust, with various small advertisements plastered over the door.
He pushed the door open while panting, and immediately, the view before him opened up.
A group of men with close-cropped hair, dressed in white training clothes, and with robust and sturdy figures, stood in rows. All of them flew up and kicked a wooden post at the same time.
"Ha!"
One by one, the wooden posts were broken at the waist.
Apprentices observing from the corners were so captivated that they were entranced, their faces full of admiration.
Of course, there was a bit of a performance aspect to these wooden posts.
The leading martial master even demonstrated Jeet Kune Do on the spot.
The sight of it made the students' blood boil, and they clapped and cheered.
At that moment, Su Mo entered, dragging the sack behind him.
Shush~~~
All eyes in the room immediately fell on him.
The new apprentices felt a bit of schadenfreude, thinking that they were about to witness some drama. In this day and age, someone still dared to drag a trash bag into the Martial Arts Hall and cause trouble.
Then, all the big guys turned to look at Su Mo and bowed to greet him.
"Big Senior Brother!"
The students on site were dumbstruck, speechless for a long time. Their teachers were actually this young man's juniors.
It seemed utterly absurd no matter how they looked at it.
Feeling somewhat unaccustomed, Su Mo waved his hand.
"Hello, juniors, where's the master?" he asked.
Many of the robust men crowded around, speaking enthusiastically.
"The master has gone to roam the seas and befriend people far and wide. However, he did instruct that when you come by, we should give you the rent. We'll go get it for you right now."
"No need, how could I possibly take rent from the master?" Su Mo replied.
"But that's what the master instructed," the junior brothers said, clearly in a dilemma.
"It's really okay, just wrap that rent money into red packets and distribute it to all the newcomers. Consider it a small token of kindness from a predecessor like me," Su Mo said to the curious apprentices who were watching.
"Well, since you've said so, we won't argue any further. Big Senior Brother, you're dragging such a big sack, it must weigh hundreds of pounds and be quite heavy. Let us help you with it," they offered.
"No need, no need, I can handle it. By the way, when will the master return?" Su Mo asked, shaking his head.
"It's uncertain, could be half a month or half a year. I heard he has an old friend who asked for his help with some intensive training. Big Senior Brother, do you need something from the master?" they queried.
"Nothing in particular, just thought I'd stop by to see how the old man is doing."
"Not to point fingers, Big Senior Brother, but you really are a bit of a homebody," they commented.
"Really?"
"Of course, we only see you once every six months."
```
"That's right, come back when you have time and sweat it out with the men."
The younger martial brothers in the room rolled up their sleeves, each showing off their muscles.
"Uh, okay. Since the master is not here, I have some things to take care of, so I'm going to head out now."
"Take care!"
...
Su Mo dragged a burlap sack towards the outside.
Before long, Su Mo arrived at his final stop; he let out a long breath and lifted his head. A large, eye-catching sign hung above: Zhao's Restaurant!
The whole restaurant was bustling with diners; one could smell the rich aroma of meat even from the entrance.
Although Zhao's Restaurant wasn't much in terms of decor, the food here was exceptionally good and quite affordable, making it an old staple of the town.
Dragging the burlap sack, Su Mo walked in, and a man with graying temples greeted him ecstatically.
"Su Mo, you've finally arrived."
"Mm, Uncle Zhao, I'm here," Su Mo nodded in response.
Uncle Zhao warmly pulled Su Mo to a table near the entrance. "Come on, sit down, I've been waiting for you. Today is your birthday, and I was about to come find you since you hadn't shown up. But now you're here, saving me the trouble. I've got something special to show you."
Without waiting for Su Mo to say anything, Uncle Zhao excitedly ran off to the kitchen.
Then he returned, cradling a flowerpot shrouded in a clear plastic bag, placing it in front of Su Mo and carefully removing the bag.
Green wheat leaves were exposed, and inside the flowerpot grew a small basin of oily wheat vegetable.
A look of surprise appeared on Su Mo's face.
"This!"
"Surprised, aren't you? I got this especially for you from the countryside. But wait, there's more, just you see."
Off Uncle Zhao went to the kitchen again, and soon he came carrying a small fish tank containing a moderately-sized bass swimming inside.
"Hehe, guess what this is."
"Freshwater bass," Su Mo answered, his expression showing a hint of emotion.
"You got it. These are tough to come by, all-natural and pollution-free. In addition to this, there's another highlight coming up."
"There's more?"
"Of course, just wait a moment."
Uncle Zhao cheerfully dashed back to the kitchen.
He soon reemerged, cradling a big rooster and happily said to Su Mo, "A three-year-old rooster, and it's castrated too. I'll slaughter it and cook you a nice dish later, to give you a good boost."
"Uncle Zhao, you're being too kind."
"Don't mention it. With your grandfather gone, of course I have to take good care of you."
"Alright then, thank you, Uncle Zhao."
Su Mo didn't insist further.
"That's more like it, you just wait!"
Uncle Zhao, brimming with joy, carried the ingredients back to the kitchen.
Su Mo, with his chin resting on one hand, gazed at the familiar restaurant, his thoughts adrift.
An hour later, Uncle Zhao brought out steaming dishes: stir-fried oily wheat vegetable, spring onion blasted rooster, and steamed bass, setting them before Su Mo.
The fragrant aroma caused the surrounding diners to unconsciously swallow their saliva.
"Eat while it's hot," Uncle Zhao advised with a smile.
Su Mo nodded and said, "Uncle Zhao, please bring another pair of chopsticks and a small bottle of liquor."
Uncle Zhao paused momentarily at Su Mo's request, then his eyes reddened slightly as he nodded.
"Alright."
As he turned to get the chopsticks, he couldn't help but shake his head and let out a sigh.
"Sigh~"