Chapter 328 - 330: We Are Law-Abiding
An Ning didn’t stop Du San and Du from being so helpful, letting them clean up the trash outside.
It had to be said, with this group’s help, the work got done much faster.
After Du and his men finished their work, they left quietly without saying a single word.
An Ning glanced over but said nothing either.
An Ning decided to stay and observe for a few more days.
Over the past few days, Du or Du San would bring some people over every morning and evening. They helped unload goods in the morning and clean up trash in the evening.
They would show up, get to work, and leave as soon as they were finished. They never said a word, and they even brought their own water to drink.
On the evening five days later, An Ning stopped Du, who was leading the men, and invited him into the shop’s back courtyard.
Du was both anxious and fearful. His heart pounded as he followed An Ning, constantly replaying the last few days in his mind. ’I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?’
"Sit."
"Yes!"
With a quick "Yes!", Du perched on the very edge of the chair, his posture so rigid he might as well have been in an Iron Horse Stance.
An Ning sat opposite him, picked up a cup of tea, and looked at Du. "Sit properly."
"Yes!"
The same Du who was so imposing in front of his men shot back into his seat, this time sitting down squarely.
However, he placed both hands on his knees and didn’t move an inch, not even daring to let his eyes wander as he waited for An Ning to speak.
"I’m very curious. Who on earth got to you and scared you this badly?"
An Ning took a sip of tea, waiting for Du’s answer. ’I honestly have no idea.’
She had guessed someone might go warn Du and his crew, but she never expected it to be this effective.
A drop of sweat trickled down Du’s forehead. His throat bobbed as he spoke two words: "The higher-ups."
An Ning paused for a moment, then nodded, not pressing him further.
"Second Brother, the box."
An Ning called out, and An Guoming emerged from behind a door, carrying a small box.
The familiar box made the now-seated Du leap to his feet, his hands trembling in the air in terror.
"No, no, please, don’t be angry! We can talk about this!"
"Sit down. What’s the panic?"
An Ning looked at the frightened Du and said with a note of confusion, "The way you’re acting, you’d think I was the boss around here."
"Heh heh... If you want the spot, it’s all yours. I’m retired. For real. We’ve actually been talking about it lately."
Du’s words piqued An Ning’s interest.
"So you’re really going straight? Quitting for good?"
"I wouldn’t call it ’going straight,’ you give us too much credit. We were just a disorganized mob. We’ve seen the error of our ways and decided to walk the straight and narrow."
Du’s words made An Ning chuckle. She took the box from An Guoming, set it on the table, and slid it across with one hand.
"Sit. Hear me out."
Du, across the table, looked like he was about to jump up in fear again, but An Ning stopped him.
The pressure in An Ning’s gaze was like a physical weight on Du’s shoulders, pinning him down so he couldn’t stand, making it hard to even breathe.
Du was a trained fighter himself. While he didn’t have anything as miraculous as Internal Energy, he could still break a few bricks with one hand without much effort.
’But this incredible power of An Ning’s... which school could she possibly be from?’
All these thoughts flashed through Du’s mind, but he didn’t dare get distracted, because An Ning had started to speak.
"You brought this box over on our opening day. I didn’t look inside then, but after I did, I’ve been looking for an opportunity to return it to you."
"I waited a few days because I needed to confirm a few things."
An Ning rested a hand on the box, her tone suddenly growing serious. "You are law-abiding, and we are even more so."
"Take the money back. Use it to help your men find a new line of work."
"As for what to do... my second brother has some experience. If you’re willing, he can show you a path."
Having said her piece, An Ning stood up. Beside her, An Guoming waited for Du to respond.
Du, of course, nodded emphatically. As a local boss himself, he could recognize the sincerity in An Ning’s words.
He stood up respectfully, bowed deeply to An Ning, and said, "I’m sorry."
An Ning waved her hand dismissively and offered a well-known proverb.
"I hope you find that a prodigal’s return is more precious than gold. May starting over bring you a bright future."
"I’ll leave you two to talk."
An Ning left. An Guoming and Du sat back down and continued their conversation.
The conversation lasted two hours.
Two hours later, Du left the shop looking utterly satisfied.
An Ning emerged from another room and met An Guoming’s triumphant gaze. "So, Second Brother, did you take them on?"
"Half and half. Let’s call it a partnership."
An Guoming walked over to An Ning. "After I take you home tomorrow, I have to go on a trip. I’m not sure how long I’ll be, but I’ll definitely be back for your college entrance exams."
"When are the college entrance exams?"
An Guoming stared at An Ning in disbelief at her question.
"Heh, just kidding. I know when they are."
An Guoming chuckled and tapped her on the forehead. "It’s a good thing you’re smart. Otherwise, I’d be telling you not to waste your time."
The siblings talked for a while. It turned out An Guoming planned to partner with Du and his men to start a trucking team.
It would be similar to the transport teams of the day, a sort of prototype for the logistics companies of the future.
After they finished their discussion, they each went to get some rest.
Early the next morning, An Ning and An Guoming spoke with Liu Yiyi, leaving her in complete charge of the shop. The two of them then left without a single worry.
The one most reluctant to see An Ning leave was little Tangtang.
During her week-plus stay, An Ning had exercised with Tangtang every day, even teaching her some simple kung fu moves that were perfect for a child.
Before getting into the truck, An Ning leaned in and whispered something in Tangtang’s ear.
Tangtang’s eyes immediately flew wide, and her voice rose in pitch. "Really?"
"For real. Pinky swear."
"Pinky swear, no take-backs for a hundred years!"
Tangtang happily linked pinkies with An Ning, then watched her get into the truck and waved goodbye.
Liu Yiyi, standing beside Tangtang, asked curiously, "What did you two talk about?"
"It’s a secret."
Tangtang’s proud little expression made Liu Yiyi smile gracefully, her heart filling with even more gratitude toward An Ning.
With An Ning around, Tangtang had really opened up a lot.
The distant truck drove farther and farther away. Inside, An Ning drowsily fell asleep.
When they arrived home, An Guoming had to wake her.
Once home, the two of them split up—one was eager to check on her crops, the other was in a hurry to pack for his trip.
Lin Cuihua also suddenly became busy, preparing some food for An Guoming to take on the road.
After arriving home, An Ning had a bowl of noodles and then went out to check on her crops.
Once she reached the fields, An Ning’s spiritual power comfortably seeped out, constantly interacting with and extending through the crops along her path.
They seemed to be communicating, singing, dancing.
The joy from her spiritual power made An Ning skip and hop with delight.
"What’s got you so happy? Find some money?"
The sudden voice made An Ning’s heart jump.