Volume Two: Anbei Corporation Chapter Twenty-three: Why Return What Was Earned Through Ability

Qiao Lanyue knew that every time this matter was discussed, it would inevitably lead to arguments. After all, her son had grown up and developed his own values and worldview, along with his own principles for conducting himself. This was something they had always considered carefully while raising him; they certainly did not want their child to become a parasite. Yet, this was both their success and their failure.

Now, conflict had arisen between her child and her husband, and she no longer knew whose side to take. The argument grew louder and louder, until Li Yu produced a bank card, causing Qiao Lanyue’s brows to furrow—this time, the situation was spiraling out of control.

“There’s ten million in this card, enough to cover all my expenses since childhood, and there’s still some left!” Li Yu pushed the card toward Li Chengye, his voice cold. “From now on, you walk your sunny road, and I’ll cross my single-log bridge!”

“Son, what are you saying?” Qiao Lanyue interjected, positioning herself between them, hoping both sides would calm down. As she spoke, her gaze fell upon the bank card. Taking out ten million from the family was perhaps easy, but for Li Yu to produce it… that was astonishing. Yet she understood his character. Since he had brought out this card, there really would be ten million inside.

Where had this money come from? Or rather, which family had given it to Li Yu?

The conversation could go no further at this point; Qiao Lanyue reminded her son to take care of himself, not to forget his meals, and then left with Li Chengye.

In the end, it was Qiao Lanyue who took the bank card.

“Why are you so angry at your son? How old are you?” Qiao Lanyue said helplessly from the passenger seat.

“You tell me—if I hadn’t made him suspend his studies, what would he have done?” Li Chengye replied, tugging at his tie. “Are you saying this is my fault?”

“You’re not wrong!” Qiao Lanyue nodded gently. “But our son isn’t wrong either. Can’t you two just talk things through?”

“Did you see the way he acted? How can we have a proper conversation?”

“Hold on,” Qiao Lanyue’s lips parted in surprise. She had just checked and found that the card really did have ten million in it.

“Where did our son get that money?” she asked in astonishment. “I don’t remember any connections with another family.”

…

Li Yu grew more and more restless in his room, so he simply went out, intending to take a drive.

He had barely descended the stairs when he received a call from Chen Chengde.

“My young friend, I’ve been discharged from the hospital. Would you like to come over for some tea?” Chen Chengde’s voice was robust and cheerful on the other end.

Out of the hospital so soon?

Li Yu was surprised. Hadn’t Chen just suffered a punch from him last time, breaking three ribs and leaving him bedridden? How had he recovered so quickly?

“Send me your location, I’ll come.” Li Yu agreed, since there were no leads from the Anbei Group, he could only see if Elder Chen had any clues.

After all, Chen Chengde’s spiritual plant had been stolen, and he would surely spare no effort in investigating. It was a matter that weighed heavily on Li Yu’s mind as well—someone had targeted Huang Xiu in secret, and not rooting them out would make him uneasy. There’s no sense in guarding against a thief day after day; if it could be resolved quickly, so much the better.

Chen Chengde said, “No need, my granddaughter happens to be coming over; I’ll have her swing by and you can ride with her.”

Relationships… they grow from such comings and goings. Besides, getting acquainted early—Chen Chengde was most certain of Li Yu’s potential. If he could establish a connection before Li Yu’s rise to glory, it would be a worthwhile investment no matter how you looked at it.

Chen Chengde’s mind was abuzz with calculations.

Li Yu didn’t think much of it.

Chen Jingfu arrived quickly, evidently nearby on business. The two headed straight to the location Chen Chengde had sent.

It was a private shop.

“You’ve recovered so quickly!” Li Yu exclaimed upon seeing Chen Chengde. “What miraculous medicine did you use?”

He had expected to see an elderly man wrapped in bandages, but Chen Chengde was lively, leaping and bounding, showing no sign of injury.

“Haha, you jest, young friend!” Chen Chengde poured a cup of tea and pushed it over. “I am a martial artist; my recovery ability is naturally better.”

The two sat face to face, while Chen Jingfu brewed tea on the side.

Li Yu hadn’t expected that Chen Chengde’s main purpose was really just to drink tea and chat about various things.

For instance, thanking Li Yu for agreeing to help out during the martial arts school’s contest for shares.

Or marveling at how heroes emerge from youth, mentioning that recently many martial artists from other provinces had arrived, apparently intending to intervene in the province’s martial arts school affairs.

“Don’t worry, Elder Chen. I will do my utmost to assist!” Li Yu responded without hesitation.

Chen Jingfu had helped him so much last time; now that the other party needed support, Li Yu would not delay.

Hearing this, Chen Chengde’s worries eased.

He knew Li Yu’s strength—having experienced it firsthand—and with such a person willing to help, even if the martial arts school opened its combat section this year, it would be secure!

They chatted about this and that for quite a while.

“I need to use the restroom,” Li Yu said helplessly.

Unconsciously, he had drunk a lot of water. Looking closely, his cup was still full, and Chen Jingfu’s hand had just withdrawn from the teapot.

No wonder the tea seemed endless!

…

Li Yu shook his head and walked out.

He quickly took care of his business and returned down the corridor. At the corner, he suddenly collided with someone.

“Sorry, sorry.”

The person lowered the brim of his baseball cap, obscuring his face, muttered an apology, and tried to leave.

“Wait!” Li Yu frowned, reaching out to grasp the person’s wrist. “You’re free to leave, but my belongings should leave with me!”

“What do you mean?” The face beneath the cap was that of a young man. He frowned and tried to pull away, but his wrist was held as if in an iron clamp, immobile.

Moreover, the grip was tightening, and soon his wrist began to crack ominously.

He’d run into a hard target! Only a master of internal force could exert such strength; the young man’s sweat poured cold with pain.

“What do I mean?” Li Yu said with a smile.

His perception was sharp; he had sensed someone at the corner long before, but hadn’t expected the person to time it so precisely, deliberately colliding with him.

And now his pocket was empty—clearly, the thief had come prepared.

“I’ll return it…” the young man gritted his teeth. If he resisted any longer, his wrist would be ruined. His skills depended on his hands; if injured, the lingering effects would be disastrous.

He glared fiercely at the youth in front of him and slowly reached into his pocket.

“What are you doing here? Hurry up, we’re leaving!”

A buzz-cut youth emerged from the corner, tall at over six feet, with broad hands. He addressed the cap-wearing youth, glancing at Li Yu without concern, and placed a hand on his companion’s shoulder to usher him past Li Yu.

“I haven’t said you can leave yet!” Li Yu frowned, blocking the cap-wearing youth with his right arm.

This buzz-cut youth was clearly trying to intervene—otherwise, upon seeing the tense atmosphere, he would have at least asked what was going on, not simply tried to take his friend away.

“Iron Brother?”

The cap-wearing youth looked to the buzz-cut man. This was his partner, the leader named Iron Jingshan, whose strength was remarkable—already at the peak of internal force at a young age, just one step from entering the ranks of true masters.

If Iron Jingshan was willing to stand up for him, he wouldn’t have to return what he’d taken.

His gaze burned as he looked at Iron Jingshan.

In the band of thieves, one of their axioms was: What I gained by my own skill—why should I give it back?