The crescent moon hung high.

Elm leaves rustled in the night breeze.

Xiangzi stepped out from the front yard, his heart a tangle of emotions.

At Harmony Rickshaw Yard, the position of lead puller wasn’t exactly prestigious, but compared to an ordinary guard in the east building, it was a step up.

The pay alone made that clear: an ordinary guard earned ten silver dollars a month, while a lead puller pulled in a full twenty.

The chance to earn more as a lead puller naturally thrilled Xiangzi.

But it shouldn’t have been for the second-class yard.

This is a hot potato.

Xiangzi understood exactly why Fourth Master Liu had this idea.

It was nothing less than wanting him to uncover what was wrong with the mine route.

Xiangzi knew the risks involved.

The mine route was a big deal—anyone daring to meddle in it couldn’t be a pushover.

By taking the lead puller position, he was sitting on a volcano.

But as a man under another’s roof, what other path did he have?

In a sense, the moment Fourth Master Liu handed him the mine route ledger, his road back was cut off.

The ledger was both a token of trust and a shackle.

In South City, who didn’t know Fourth Master Liu’s nickname, “Smiling Tiger”?

As the old folks said, “No name is given wrongly, and no nickname is called in error.”

If Xiangzi had refused tonight, defying Fourth Master’s face, he’d likely lose even his guard post.

Oh well, it’s a promotion, isn’t it?

Besides, the lead puller’s pay wasn’t bad—enough for a vial of vitality tonic each month!

Xiangzi forced a bitter smile, consoling himself with that thought.

After he left, Fourth Master Liu stared at the numbers on the paper, his eyes frosting over.

“Hu Girl, what do you make of this?”

Girl Hu’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “If Xiangzi’s right, there’s not a single clean backside in the second-class yard!”

Fourth Master caught her meaning, a shadow creeping into his sunken eyes.

The mine route was the lifeblood of Harmony Rickshaw Yard, which was why he’d put his most capable adopted son, Liu Hu, in charge.

Girl Hu was right—if there was a problem with the mine route, no one could escape blame, not even his most trusted adopted son!

Girl Hu glanced at her father, noting it was the first time in years she’d seen him like this.

Her dark face broke into a grin. “Old man, we’ve got Xiangzi. Maybe this big lug can dig up something.”

Fourth Master nodded faintly, his sunken eyes unreadable.

Making Xiangzi the lead puller of the second-class yard wasn’t a whim.

First, he trusted Xiangzi—one of the few in the yard who’d outright refused Ma Liu Rickshaw Yard’s fifty silver dollar bribe.

Second, Xiangzi was an outsider, untouched by the mine route. Having spent months in the second-class yard, he was chummy with Wen San and the others, making it easier to sniff out information.

Most importantly, throwing Xiangzi into the mix would, at the very least, stir the grass and spook the snake, or shake the mountain to scare the tiger.

But this had to be handled carefully—one misstep could rouse the viper’s nest and invite backlash.

A cold smile curved Fourth Master’s lips. Some people are just venomous snakes you can’t tame.

He was eager to see who had the gall to pull this off.

Even Girl Hu, his own daughter, couldn’t guess the ruthless decision this old man, who’d dominated South City for decades, had made.

On the third morning, as dawn broke with a pale sky, the second-class yard was in chaos.

With “Master Hu” watching this month, the pullers didn’t dare slack, rising on time.

But today was different—Liu Hu stopped everyone, ordering them to wait in the yard.

Dressed in black short robes, Liu Hu stood with hands behind his back.

Jin Fugui approached, noting his expression, and cautiously said, “Master Hu, this is unusual. Are we not working today?”

Liu Hu didn’t even glance up, his voice low. “Fourth Master’s coming soon.”

Jin Fugui’s heart sank. Fourth Master Liu? He hasn’t come to this yard in ages!

Not just Jin Fugui—every second-class puller was stunned by the news.

Fourth Master’s authority was absolute in the yard.

Thinking of the mine route issues over the past two years, they grew uneasy.

Fourth Master arrived, flanked by Liu Tang.

Behind Liu Tang were several stern-faced guards.

The tall, imposing guards made the short, wiry Fourth Master seem even more commanding.

But when Liu Hu saw his nominal adopted brother Liu Tang, a trace of gloom flickered in his eyes.

“Greetings, Fourth Master!”

Amid the chorus of salutations, Fourth Master smiled and waved. “It’s been a while since I visited. Had some time this morning to check on you all. You’ve all worked hard.”

“No, no, it’s our duty to serve you,” came the replies.

Fourth Master’s smile was warm as he chatted idly with a few familiar pullers about trivial matters.

This confused the yard—did Fourth Master make a big show just to chat?

Suddenly, his smile faded, and he spoke loudly, “Thanks to you all, the mine route’s been running smoother. I’m here today to announce a small matter.”

The yard fell silent.

No one was fool enough to think Fourth Master’s “small matter” was trifling.

Clearing his throat, he continued, “The second-class yard’s lacked a lead puller, leaving all the chores to Liu Hu. It’s been tough on him.”

“I’ve chosen a new lead puller to lighten his load.”

At the word “lead puller,” everyone’s hearts jolted, their eyes unconsciously drifting to Jin Fugui.

After all, they’d long treated him as the future lead puller.

But Jin Fugui’s expression was odd.

And Liu Hu, standing beside him, looked downright menacing.

A new lead puller? Liu Hu hadn’t heard a word of this.

For years, since he’d taken charge of the mine route, Fourth Master had never meddled in the second-class yard.

Yet now, he was announcing a new lead puller in front of everyone?

Fourth Master’s face lit up with a genial smile. “You all know this new lead puller.”

The crowd stirred—an old face?

But when they saw who stepped out from behind Fourth Master, their eyes widened in shock.

No one had expected him!

In the morning light, a tall, lean young man stepped forward.

His gentle smile carried a hint of boyish innocence.

“This new lead puller is Xiangzi!”

Fourth Master patted Xiangzi’s shoulder, smiling at the crowd. “From now on, help him out with the mine route.”

Xiangzi’s smile held as he clasped his fists. “Thanks for your past support. I’ll need your help going forward.”

Jin Fugui’s face was dark as ink.

Liu Hu stayed silent, head slightly bowed.