CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: ARRANGEMENTS

Chen Shouyi rubbed his temples, somewhat troubled, and said, "So, it seems there might be someone from the organization among the martial artists in Hedong City."

"I’m not sure about that, but their identities are quite secretive. If they aren’t exposed, no one will know they are hiding their true identities," Bai Xiaoling said after a brief silence.

That made sense. After all, it was a terrorist organization that couldn’t be exposed to the light. Once their identities were revealed, it would mean death.

"By the way, who is the missing famous martial artist?" Chen Shouyi suddenly remembered to ask.

"It’s Director Fang Shengjie from the Martial Arts Notary and Discipline Inspection Bureau!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shouyi couldn’t help but be taken aback and put down his coffee.

So it was him.

Back then, Fang Shengjie had high hopes for him, hoping to recruit him into the Martial Arts Notary and Discipline Inspection Bureau, but he ultimately declined. He didn’t expect that the missing martial artist would be him.

"You know him?" Bai Xiaoling noticed a change in Chen Shouyi’s expression and asked with concern.

"I’ve met him a few times, so I guess you could say I know him!" Chen Shouyi shook his head and finished his coffee in one gulp.

Bai Xiaoling hesitated for a moment as she looked at the handsome and charming Chen Shouyi, then gritted her teeth and said:

"You’re in considerable danger now. Most of the missing people, besides Director Fang, are young martial artists. I suggest you stay out of sight for a while."

...

Across the street from the neighborhood, Chen Shouyi’s family’s small restaurant was located here, but this was his first time visiting.

The restaurant wasn’t large, about forty to fifty square meters, but the decor was quite nice, with a vintage dark brown style. It looked much better than the old restaurants in Dongning. The shop was empty, with only one chubby person having a meal.

Of course, it was already afternoon and well past the usual mealtime.

"Why are you here?" Mrs. Chen called out as soon as she saw Chen Shouyi.

"I came to check things out. Mom, how’s business these days?" Chen Shouyi asked.

"The restaurant has only just opened a few days ago, so there’s no way for business to be booming yet. Nowadays, it’s not even enough to cover the rent, but once repeat customers increase, it will gradually get better," Mrs. Chen said.

Just then, Chen Dawei also walked out from the kitchen: "Have you eaten yet?"

"Dad, I ate earlier. Why not hire a chef?" Chen Shouyi asked.

"For such a small restaurant, I can handle it myself. Why hire a chef?" Chen Dawei said.

Chen Shouyi was speechless. It wasn’t that he was complaining about his father, but to be honest, his dad’s cooking skills weren’t great. In Dongning City, they managed with low prices, and business was alright. However, in a metropolis like Hedong, there was no competitiveness.

But Chen Shouyi didn’t persuade them further. The family had enough money and didn’t have to worry about living expenses, especially with him there.

"Mom, Dad, have you ever thought about traveling? You’ve been working hard all your life, you should take some time to see the world." Chen Shouyi subtly suggested.

"Travel? Why spend that money? It’s exhausting and not fun at all," Mrs. Chen, accustomed to frugality, instinctively refused. But halfway through the sentence, she sensed something was off and quickly whispered, "Wait, did something happen?"

Having gone through a cult incident before, she was now quite sensitive to such matters. As soon as Chen Shouyi mentioned it, she sharply sensed something was wrong.

"Recently, the security in Hedong is a bit chaotic. There’s an underground organization causing havoc. As a martial artist, I’m naturally not afraid and can’t leave easily, but I worry some people might target martial artists’ families, which could implicate you and Xing Yue," Chen Shouyi said nonchalantly.

Father Chen and Mrs. Chen exchanged a worried glance.

...

Under Chen Shouyi’s persuasion, his parents acted quickly. By that afternoon, they hurriedly left with Chen Xingyue, and he personally saw them off at the train station.

"Are you really deciding to stay in Hedong City?" On the way back, Bai Xiaoling looked at Chen Shouyi through the rearview mirror as he rested his eyes with a calm expression, and couldn’t help but ask.

Chen Shouyi opened his eyes, flicked his fingers, producing a crisp sound, and said lightly, "I’m not in the habit of fleeing at the first sign of trouble like a lost dog. Let them come if they want to!"

He didn’t know how strong he was now, only that he was very strong, likely stronger than an ordinary big martial artist.

With this level of strength, running away would make him feel ashamed.

With confidence in his abilities, he felt a mix of excitement and impatience at the prospect of confrontation.

...

After having dinner outside, Chen Shouyi returned to his residential building.

He stepped into the elevator, and as the doors began to close, a clear voice echoed:

"Wait!"

Chen Shouyi quickly pressed the open button, and soon a young girl rushed in, bringing a refreshing fragrance with her. "Thank you!"

Seeing that the girl hadn’t pressed a floor button, Chen Shouyi glanced at her, asking, "Which floor?"

The girl had a bit of baby fat and fair skin, wearing a brown floral jacket over a white T-shirt with a cartoon rabbit, and a plaid pleated skirt, looking quite youthful and adorable.

The girl glanced at Chen Shouyi, her cheeks slightly reddening, and softly said, "I’m on the fifth floor too!"

Chen Shouyi found it a coincidence and laughed, "Then we’re neighbors. My name is Chen Shouyi, and I just moved in recently."

"I’m Song Tingting," the girl mustered the courage to say shyly, gazing at Chen Shouyi.

She had bright and moist eyes, as if brimming with autumn water.

"I think you look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?" Chen Shouyi asked. As soon as he finished speaking, he realized his pick-up line was somewhat cliché, but he truly found her familiar.

To his surprise, the girl nodded immediately, shyly saying, "We met during morning exercises."

"Oh!" Chen Shouyi, who had a good memory, recalled it quickly upon her reminder. "You were the one in the pink tracksuit?"

"Yes, your skills were impressive. Are you a Martial Artist Apprentice?" Song Tingting said, feeling her heart race, palms sweaty.

Chen Shouyi smiled and replied, "Something like that."

The fifth floor arrived quickly. Chen Shouyi stepped out of the elevator, took out his keys, and was about to open his door when he noticed the girl lived right next door.

At that moment, Song Tingting also looked at Chen Shouyi, and when their eyes met, she quickly diverted her gaze, her face blushing like a ripe persimmon.

Not overthinking it, Chen Shouyi walked inside.

Feeling the emptiness of the house, he let out a faint sigh.

He entered his room, turned on the computer, and logged into the Explorer Network. He found that his exploration task had been reviewed, and there was a digital certificate for the small island’s gold mine, proving it was his discovery.

Next, he checked his bank account, finding the money already deposited.

With over 3.5 million in savings, he closed the webpage.

The efficiency was indeed quite impressive.

However, the gold mine wouldn’t yield results anytime soon.

...

In the following days, everything remained calm. Each day, Chen Shouyi was either practicing his sword skills or on his way to practice, leading a remarkably routine life.

During these days, he found a better place to train his swordsmanship.

It was an abandoned factory nearby, pending demolition.

The factory was large, spanning several dozen acres, so even when he exerted himself fully, the sound wouldn’t reach the outside.