eurekapd Chapter 226: A Difficult Choice
Chapter 226: A Difficult Choice
Li Renyi's gaze darted back and forth between Zhou Wenjian and Uncle Zhang, his face full of struggle and hesitation. Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he slowly recounted the whole story.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenjian's brows furrowed deeply, and he said with great concern.
"This is a truly thorny problem. The Marquis's authority is not something we can easily contend with."
Just as everyone was frowning and caught in a dilemma over this matter, a deafening noise suddenly came from inside the store.
"Oh no, something's happened!" Fang Xiaoxiao's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she shouted in a panic.
Upon hearing this, everyone turned pale and hurriedly rushed back into the shop. There they found a group of vicious-looking, burly thugs causing chaos with impunity.
Armed with sticks, they smashed the tables and chairs in the store to pieces, while arrogantly shouting that they would collect exorbitant protection fees.
Upon seeing this, Long Jinyan was enraged, his eyes seemed to spit fire, and he roared loudly.
"You lawless scoundrels, how dare you cause trouble here!"
However, these thugs were not intimidated by Long Jinyan's anger at all; on the contrary, they became even more emboldened and arrogant.
They brandished their sticks, approaching step by step, hurling insults and profanities at each other.
Just when the two sides were deadlocked and the situation was about to get out of control, Pei Yan stepped forward.
He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his expression calm and composed, and his voice steady and powerful.
"Everyone, calm down and let's talk this out. Why make such a fuss and cause such a big scene?"
Seeing Pei Yan's extraordinary aura, the thugs couldn't help but feel a little scared, but they still pretended to be unreasonable and showed no intention of backing down.
Fang Xiaoxiao appeared remarkably calm at this moment, and she spoke with neither arrogance nor servility.
"Brothers, we're just running a small business and really can't afford to pay you that much. But to show our sincerity, I can give you some specially developed and highly effective medicines, which are quite valuable on the market."
The thugs exchanged glances, their faces showing hesitation.
After a brief moment of deliberation, they finally agreed to Fang Xiaoxiao's suggestion and left, grumbling and cursing, with the medicine in hand.
After this thrilling ordeal, everyone was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
"These successive troubles are no accident; it seems someone is deliberately targeting us behind the scenes."
He Jinnian frowned, his eyes revealing deep worry.
Fang Xiaoxiao nodded thoughtfully, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
"Who could it be? Could it really be the Marquis's residence?"
Li Renyi's heart tightened, and he hurriedly retorted.
"It shouldn't be the case. The Marquis's family has always acted with integrity and honesty. They wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics."
Night falls and the stars are shining.
Li Renyi lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
The responsibility of his family weighed heavily on his heart like a mountain, while his devotion to love burned like a blazing flame within him.
He was caught in a deep pain and dilemma, unsure how to find a way out of this difficult choice.
Meanwhile, in Fang Xiaoxiao's room, candlelight flickered.
She sat by the window, gazing at the night outside, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
She knew perfectly well that in order to live a peaceful and tranquil life, she had to bravely face and solve these numerous problems before her.
In the days that followed, everyone acted with increasing caution, as if walking on thin ice. However, the trouble did not stop there.
One day, Fang Xiaoxiao, full of anticipation, took a batch of newly developed special medicines to the largest pharmacy in the city, hoping to sell them and increase the shop's income.
As she walked into the pharmacy, before she could even begin to introduce her medicines, the pharmacy owner glanced at her sideways and said with a look of utter contempt.
"Where did this little brat come from, daring to sell medicine here? Get out of here, don't delay my business."
Fang Xiaoxiao was not deterred by her boss's attitude; she calmly replied.
"Boss, don't rush to send me away. Why don't you take a look at my medicine? Its effects will definitely exceed your expectations."
The pharmacy owner sneered and said disdainfully.
"Hmph, you? What good stuff could you possibly have? Don't waste my time here."
Fang Xiaoxiao remained undeterred and patiently explained.
"Boss, my medicine has been carefully formulated and tested many times. It has significant effects on various common ailments."
The pharmacy owner ignored her explanation and waved his hand impatiently.
"Alright, alright, stop arguing and let's go."
Just as Fang Xiaoxiao was about to turn away in frustration, an elderly man dressed in fine clothes and with an extraordinary demeanor slowly walked into the pharmacy.
"What kind of medicine is this? Let me take a look."
The old man's voice was steady and powerful.
Upon seeing this, the pharmacy owner immediately put on a fawning smile and bowed and scraped as he spoke.
"Oh, Mr. Liu, what brings you here in person? This medicine is nothing special, so please don't bother."
Ignoring the pharmacy owner's attempts to stop him, Mr. Liu took the medicine directly from Fang Xiaoxiao's hand and examined it carefully.
A moment later, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he said, "This medicine is good, young lady. How much more do you have? I'll take it all."
Fang Xiao was overjoyed and was about to answer when the pharmacy owner jumped out and said urgently.
“Mr. Liu, don’t be fooled by her. This medicine is really no good. Please don’t buy it.”
Master Liu's face darkened, and he spoke sternly.
"How can you, boss, be so short-sighted in business? I'm definitely buying this medicine."
Fang Xiaoxiao finally succeeded in selling the medicine, which was a huge slap in the face to the pharmacy owner.
The pharmacy owner's face turned very ugly, but he dared not lash out in front of Master Liu.
Mr. Liu paid the money and left satisfied with the medicine.
Fang Xiaoxiao was also happy to return to the store, but she felt that things were going too smoothly, as if everything had been arranged.
Back at Lingxi Pavilion, Fang Xiaoxiao recounted her day's experiences to everyone.
Li Renyi frowned and said.
"This matter may not be so simple; the appearance of this Master Liu is too coincidental."
He Jinnian echoed this sentiment.
"Yes, I always feel like there's a pair of eyes watching us."
Just as everyone was discussing the matter, trouble came knocking again.
It turned out that after the group of thugs took the medicine home, it not only had no effect, but their condition worsened. So they brought their men back to the store to cause trouble.