Chapter 45: After New Year

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Sigua’s wife placed the teacup on the table in front of Xu Ning.

Xu Ning did not refuse the tea either, as he immediately took a few gulps.

“Old Feng, it is my fault that you were beaten up.”

Xu Ning knew well that when Pan Du came to call for him, he was the reason that Pan Du was so furious.

And once Pan Du saw Feng Sigua blocking his path, he deliberately took action.

“Master, you are too kind.”

Feng Sigua quickly said, “I was only doing my own job at the time. How could it be your fault? It was just that Pan Du was just too cruel and vicious.”

.

Xu Ning did not sense any underlying dissatisfaction in Feng Sigua’s tone.

Feng Sigua might have felt unjust from being beaten up, but he did not attribute the fault to Xu Ning, instead he attributed it to Pan Du.

“And, master, you have avenged me.”

Feng Sigua felt a little warm in his heart. “You have beaten up Pan Du for me, so I don’t feel any grievances, instead I feel quite happy.”

Feng Sigua often thought back to that moment.

Master Xu Ning went to beat up another Black Armored Guard just for his sake, and as a humble servant, he had never experienced this kind of treatment before in the guard station.

Although he was a low ranked official, Feng Sigua still had his dignity, but he needed to put aside his honor when facing reality.

But when someone finally stood up and protected his dignity, Feng Sigua felt truly respected.

Xu Ning smiled softly when Feng Sigua said this.

“Once you go back to the guard station, just try to avoid Pan Du.”

Xu Ning said, “That guy beat you up for no reason. So obviously, he has no morals, and I can’t protect you all the time.”

“But Old Feng, don’t worry, if Pan Du dares to make a move on you again, I won’t stand by and let it happen.”

Xu Ning sounded trustworthy.

Currently, Xu Ning was clearly an outcast among the Black Armored Guards in the Maple Lane Black Armored Guards Post. When one’s own interests were in danger, it was necessary to use extreme methods.

As long as he didn’t actively seek trouble, with Qu Dayou behind his back, Chen Ren and the others would not dare to make a move.

“Thank you, sir.”

As of this moment, Feng Sigua was totally reliant on Xu Ning.

This was not simply because Xu Ning had shown him respect, but it was also because Feng Sigua saw the potential in Xu Ning.

Xu Ning was only 17 years old.

And even then, he was easily able to defeat Pan Du.

Camp Site Three had just been established, and the position of lieutenant was still vacant. Xu Ning definitely had the opportunity to take on this position. If that happened, Sigua’s identity and status would also improve.

Feng Sigua felt this would take five years at most.

Xu Ning was sitting by the fire stove, talking to Feng Sigua, and feeling the warmth of the flame.

Ever since Xu Ning had been promoted to the inner enrichment realm, he could resist the winter cold even without clothing, but his body’s natural instincts still made him crave for warmth.

After chatting for 15 minutes or so, Xu Ning did not intend to stay any longer.

Xu Ning did not want to disturb Feng Sigua and his wife.

Xu Ning got up but before leaving, he took out a 100-tael note and stuffed it in Feng Sigua’s hand.

Feng Sigua looked at the silver note in his hand. This amount of money made his heart beat faster, as this was almost equivalent to his yearly salary.

When Sigua’s wife saw this, her eyes lit up.

“Master, what is this…”

Feng Sigua was still a little confused.

“Keep it.”

Xu Ning patted Feng Sigua on the shoulder.

Feng Sigua was taken aback, but he quickly declined, “Master, no need, no need.”

Feng Sigua put the silver note back into Xu Ning’s hand.

He knew that Xu Ning’s monthly salary was only 50 taels. Even with subsidies, his income was only around 200 taels. Although it was a lot of money for him, for Xu Ning, a newcomer who was under the pressure of their assessments, this money could be used to buy medicinal material.

If Feng Sigua continued to follow under Xu Ning as Xu Ning’s status improved, Feng Sigua would earn more money in the future.

However, in his estimation, that was something 3-5 years in the future.

“I understand your intentions.”

Xu Ning said, “But you followed my orders and did things meticulously and thoughtfully, which saved me a lot of trouble. I also wanted to thank you. In the future, there will be more things that need to be dealt with at the guard station. When you help me with favors, you will inevitably have to spend money.”

“So just keep it.”

Xu Ning stuffed the silver note into Feng Sigua’s hands.

“Then… then thank you sir.”

Feng Sigua felt that meeting Xu Ning was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Feng Sigua and his wife accompanied Xu Ning and walked him outside the residential area before bidding farewell.

The 100-tael note was placed on the table, and Feng Sigua and his wife just stared at it.

Although Feng Sigua earned a dozen taels of silver a month, the prices in the county city were high. After deducting their living expenses and the cost of their children’s education in martial arts, they did not have much savings left.

100 taels was a lot of money for them.

“Hey, who said I wasn’t receiving any benefits from Master Xu?”

Feng Sigua asked rhetorically.

Sigua’s wife did not dare to complain anymore, “I was wrong, I was wrong.”

Seeing this, Feng Sigua felt happy, and he put away the 100-tael note.

“You…”

Sigua’s wife was a little anxious. She wanted to save the money.

“Where are you putting this?”

Feng Sigua looked annoyed. “Think about it, what did Master Xu say just now? He said he will ask me to do more errands in the future! Using this money to help Master Xu is the best option!”

Sigua’s wife also realized this. “You are right, you are right…”

…

In the midst of the festive and warm atmosphere, the New Year celebration was over.

The Black Armored Guards had six days of vacation, but they still had their work shifts.

However, the Maple Lane Guard Station was being lazy as always, so they did not arrange any work shifts.

The first day after the New Year’s break, Xu Ning went to the guard station.

What made him confused was that none of the Black Armored Guards came to the guard station, not even Chen Ren.

The flowers and plants in the yard were wilting because they had not been carefully taken care of for a long time.

Xu Ning didn’t care about this. He only had to focus on his own tasks.

Other than patrolling with the city guards every day, dealing with disputes in Maple Lane, and completing the chores assigned by the higher ups, Xu Ning had nothing else to do.

The people from Dayuan Trading Company didn’t contact him either.

Xu Ning lived like this one day after another. Finally, after five to six days, Chen Ren came back.

When Xu Ning saw Chen Ren, he maintained composure on the outside. It seemed like the feud between the two was over.

But Xu Ning knew that this was all temporary.

According to Qu Dayou, they were about to go against Dayuan Trading Company and were preparing to reduce the power of Dayuan Trading Company.

Their opponents would never give up so easily, so when the time came, the Black Armored Guards would be in turmoil again.

The peace on the surface now was like the calm before the storm.

It was time to get off work.

Xu Ning left the study and said goodbye to Feng Sigua.

Feng Sigua came back on duty two days ago, which made Xu Ning’s job a lot easier.

Xu Ning asked Feng Sigua to handle some official documents and some more cumbersome matters.

Feng Sigua processed the documents and gave them to Xu Ning.

Xu Ning also noticed a change at the guard station.

When he and Chen Ren were together, the guards in the guard station would deliberately stay away from them.

But privately, these city guards seemed to be more enthusiastic towards him.

Xu Ning was well aware of the reason.

The dispute between him and Chen Ren had spread throughout the guard station.

He had Qu Dayou backing him, but these city guards had no one backing them.

They didn’t want to be hated by Chen Ren for being too close to him.

After all, Chen Ren was still the lieutenant of the Maple Lane Guard Station, the most powerful person here.

However, because Xu Ning was willing to stand up for his subordinates, everyone felt that Xu Ning was upright and trustworthy, so they all wanted to get acquainted with Xu Ning.

After leaving the guard station, Xu Ning did not go back to the camp immediately, instead he went to a roadside stall, ready to eat wontons.

Kangyun County was the commercial center of several nearby counties. There were a lot of people coming and going. Even at night, there were many travelers, which in turn created many food vendors.

Last year, Xu Ning happened to eat a bowl of wontons here, and he felt that the wontons made by the stall owner were similar to those made by Xu Lian, so he visited here often.

Xu Ning finally arrived at the stall.

The stall owners were a young couple. Before opening the stall, the two prepared the wontons together, and at night, the wife was responsible for cooking the wontons, and the husband was responsible for serving the bowls and cleaning the tables. They worked together harmoniously.

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