Chen Liuhe chuckled, "I think her suggestion is pretty good."
"To me, the saying 'a great recluse hides in the city' is utter nonsense. There's no place where you can really hide," Shen Qingwu said earnestly. Someone like Chen Liuhe was destined to have no connection with mediocrity in this lifetime. Even if Qin Ruohan weren't here today, someone or something else would eventually come along.
Besides, how many people in this world wouldn't want Chen Liuhe to truly immerse himself in this vast world as an inconspicuous speck in the sea?
"Haha, getting a compliment from Qingwu is worth as much as a bottle of Maotai," Chen Liuhe laughed. He then turned to look at Qin Ruohan, who was still pale, and said nonchalantly, "I know about your situation. You can leave now."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ruohan's expression tightened, and she asked urgently, "Aren't you going to help me?"
"What does helping or not helping have to do with making you leave? Do you think helping you means I should keep you here for dinner?" Chen Liuhe rolled his eyes with no trace of courtesy.
Hearing such a blunt remark, Qin Ruohan felt an impulse to grind her teeth. She had never encountered such an unrefined and stingy man before. What's the big deal about a meal? Could a meal really ruin you?
But since she needed his help, she had to swallow her anger and asked cautiously, "Since you've decided to help me, don't we need to discuss a plan or something? Just let me leave like this?"
"Didn't those people give you three days? What's the rush?" Chen Liuhe replied irritably, "Why not enjoy today's drink while it lasts? My motto is: if it can be done tomorrow, never do it today."
Hearing this absurdity, Qin Ruohan really began to doubt if she had found the wrong person. Putting all her hopes and life on such an unreliable person made her feel a bit desolate.
Shen Qingwu chuckled lightly and said, "You should go back for now. My brother will help you. In Hangcheng, not to mention all of China, people who can take away your life and fortune are few and far between."
In the end, Qin Ruohan left the courtyard with a mixture of anxiety and skepticism. Chen Liuhe, stingy as always, made no effort to keep her. After all, someone who came asking for help wasn't going to get a free meal from him. Where does one find such good fortune?
Chen Liuhe's petty and annoying nature made him seem like someone destined to be struck by lightning.
Once Qin Ruohan was completely out of sight, Chen Liuhe leaned back with his usual lazy demeanor and said, "Qingwu, where are those few and far between people you mentioned? Do they really exist?"
"None have been born, and the horn is no more," Shen Qingwu said with a serene smile, holding onto Chen Liuhe's sleeve.
"Haha, no wonder everyone in the capital knows that my most precious is my little sister. From childhood to now, our Shen family's little sister is the best at playing along with me," Chen Liuhe said with great delight.
Shen Qingwu didn't speak, just smiled gently. She had never once played along with this brother who wasn't actually related by blood, because, in her eyes, he had always been the closest to a god.
At this moment, a thin, middle-aged man entered the courtyard. He looked about thirty, dressed in filthy clothes, with a bald and messy head, and a face with a thieving look and a set of unsightly yellow teeth.
The whole appearance could only be described with two words: sleazy and shabby.
From his appearance and attire, it was clear that he was someone struggling to make ends meet, yet he had a name that completely contradicted his fate: Huang Million.
Chen Liuhe's place also rented in this courtyard. Although Chen Liuhe had only been here for a month and a half, he got along quite well with this disheveled neighbor, and they often chatted and bragged together.
This guy was indeed interesting. He had never received any formal education, couldn't recognize many characters, and was one of those who struggled from a small mountain village to the big city. Despite being young, he had a wealth of experiences, including stealing, scamming, begging for food, and sweeping the streets.
Even though he had struggled in the city for over a decade and found each day worse than the last, he never had the thought of going back to the mountains to resign himself to fate.
In his own words, "I'm shameless and can endure hardship. As long as I don't die, I will eventually succeed!"
"Sixth Brother, Little Sister, you're both here," Huang Million said with enthusiasm upon seeing Chen Liuhe and Shen Qingwu. His greatest strength was that no matter what setbacks or hardships he faced, he could always smile it off and never cursed the heavens.
"Wow, Sixth Brother, did you see that woman just now? She was so enchanting. I've never seen such a beautiful girl in my life. Just those... attributes and those long legs are enough for me to enjoy for a lifetime," Huang Million grinned, revealing his yellow teeth.
But neither Chen Liuhe nor Shen Qingwu showed any sign of disdain. They never looked down on anyone nor held anyone in high regard.
"I was so engrossed in watching that I almost fell into the pit outside the courtyard. Damn it, haha, but it was worth it," Huang Million babbled on.
After a pause, Huang Million added with a grin, "Little Sister, don't think I'm speaking too lowbrow. Don't hold it against me."
Shen Qingwu smiled faintly. She didn't mind this street-smart man chatting with her brother and even found him a bit admirable. How many people who struggled as hard as Old Huang without complaining are there?
Chen Liuhe finished washing the vegetables and said, "Old Huang, you're really indulging in eye candy but starving your other needs."
"Hehe, what can I do? I've never spent more than fifty bucks on a prostitute in my life. Even if it's a high-class lady, it would be at least two thousand. I probably won't even get to lick someone's toes in this lifetime, so I'll just have to use my eyes to fulfill my wish," Huang Million said with a grin.
"Hehe, want to join us for dinner tonight?" Chen Liuhe, who wouldn't spend a dime on a meal for Qin Ruohan, extended an invitation to Huang Million.
"Sure," Huang Million said without any hesitation. "I've got half a jin of homemade liquor that I haven't touched. How about we drink together tonight?"
"Alright!" Chen Liuhe smiled.
Dinner wasn't lavish—just a few vegetables, some meat, and Huang Million brought out his homemade fermented tofu, which looked a bit unkempt, but Chen Liuhe didn't mind. They enjoyed the meal with Huang Million's cheap liquor, savoring every bite and sip.
With only half a jin of liquor, they drank slowly, reluctant to finish it all at once. Shen Qingwu went back to her room after dinner. In the courtyard, under the moonlight, only Chen Liuhe and Huang Million continued their chat.
"Sixth Brother, Old Huang knows that neither you nor Little Sister are ordinary people. You must have big stories," Huang Million said. He loved drinking, but his tolerance was low. After two shots, he was already a bit tipsy.
"Why do you say that?" Chen Liuhe asked with a smile. He had told him many times not to call him Sixth Brother, but Huang Million persisted, so Chen Liuhe stopped insisting.
"Simplistic people look down on others. No ordinary person would ever think highly of me. Even the old man sweeping the streets looks down on me. Only you and Little Sister don't," Huang Million said bluntly, showing no hint of inferiority.
The words were rough and lacked logic, but they did seem to reflect a truth.
Chen Liuhe asked, "Since life is so tough, why do you still stay? Living with your back to the dirt and facing the sky doesn't seem too bad."
Huang Million grinned, "At least here I can still struggle and feel alive. If I go back, I won't even have a chance to struggle. I have to live out some kind of decent life, even if it's just a poor one."
Huang Million took a small sip of fiery liquor and said, "These years have been tough, and I've suffered a lot, but even if I die, I want to die in the big city. It's not just about making a name for myself; it's like a grand ambition. As long as I stay, my future generations can stay too. If I can't make it and go back to the mountains, my descendants will likely live their whole lives in poverty, facing dirt and mountains, never seeing the world."
"Actually, my demands aren't high. I never dared to dream of great wealth or nobility. As long as I have enough to eat and can marry a decent wife, not too beautiful, but someone I can willingly treat well for life, that's enough," Huang Million said.
Chen Liuhe listened with a smile. In his eyes, Huang Million was far more lovable and respectable than many people.
Huang Million took a swig and said, "Sixth Brother, if you need anything in the future, just let me know. I may not have much skill, but these hundred-odd pounds of meat can still be useful."
"Good!" Chen Liuhe nodded and joked, "
How about this: I take you along, you bring a bowl, you cry, and I shout. Let's find a tourist spot and we can both be the bosses?"
Huang Million was initially stunned but then burst into hearty laughter.
As night fell, Chen Liuhe sent the tipsy Huang Million back to his room and cleaned up the leftovers. Not bothering to check if Qin Ruohan was asleep, he called her directly.
He didn't say much, just asked some general questions about her opponents, like their names, identities, and affiliations. Qin Ruohan was willing to share everything, but Chen Liuhe didn't give her much time, cutting off the call after two minutes.
Since he had decided to wade into Qin Ruohan's mess, Chen Liuhe knew he had to be prepared.
His decision to help Qin Ruohan was not driven by any misplaced compassion or sympathy, but simply because the little sister's situation reminded him of his own sister from a year ago.