Chapter 521: Pure and Gentle Feng's Bitterness

Feng Daiku wanted to become the local deity of the Soda Kiln.

This wasn't a new development. In Prolix State, local deities often changed hands in both established and new territories, depending on who had the means to take control.

Li Banfeng currently held the territory of Ye Songqiao, along with Ba Shanzhu's new territory, and could acquire Bei Wushuang's territory at any time. All three of these territories had been seized by Li Banfeng.

Now, Feng Daiku wanted to seize the Soda Kiln territory but had proactively consulted Li Banfeng, which perplexed him. It seemed as though this action didn't require anyone else's permission.

Feng Daiku explained, "The Soda Kiln territory is unlike ordinary places. Its local deity is named Shixingong, a Heavenly Engineer. Here, he not only oversees a hundred-mile radius but also guards the Inner State entrance, which is the pool we just saw. Therefore, this territory is off-limits to most people; otherwise, it would anger influential figures in Prolix State."

"Who are these influential figures you mentioned?"

Feng Daiku replied, "The Peddler is one, and Shixingong's master is another."

Li Banfeng had heard from Old Yao that the Soda Kiln was originally Grandfather Train's territory. After Grandfather Train ascended to a higher realm, he distributed his territories among his disciples, which suggested that Shixingong was also one of Grandfather Train's disciples.

Feng Daiku continued, "I am not someone who doesn't know when to advance or retreat. If Shixingong could defend the Inner State entrance, I would never try to seize this territory. But as you can see, young master Li, Inner State and Outer State are about to wage war here, yet the local deity is nowhere to be found. Allowing this incompetent person to hold office while doing nothing will surely bring disaster to the Soda Kiln, and the entire Prolix State will be implicated."

Her words made sense. A war was imminent, and the local deity was still absent, which was indeed unacceptable.

Li Banfeng asked, "Then, Miss Feng, if you were to become the local deity, how would you handle the Inner State entrance?"

Feng Daiku replied, "For Prolix State, we must strictly guard secrets to prevent malicious individuals from causing trouble here. For Inner State, we must defend rigorously, absolutely not allowing them to set foot in Prolix State."

Li Banfeng admired Feng Daiku's attitude and expressed his own: "Since Miss Feng has the means, please proceed. If anyone asks, I will truthfully convey your intentions."

Feng Daiku understood Li Banfeng's meaning. After a thankful smile, her figure vanished. She needed to prepare for seizing the Soda Kiln.

Li Banfeng and Ma Wu strolled through the factory. Although it was his first time there, Li Banfeng was not unfamiliar with the layout of the complex. He could clearly distinguish between the workshops, warehouses, and coal bunkers.

As they walked and talked, Ma Wu said, "Old Seven, I don't think Luo Lijun will necessarily succeed. Outer State has stripped the Inner State people to bones, and Inner State has taken more than fifty Outer State people to their graves as companions. At this point, it seems a war is inevitable."

Li Banfeng stopped, looked around, and quietly asked, "Old Five, do you really think the war between Inner State and Outer State is about that carp?"

Ma Wu was surprised. "Inner State people died here. Isn't that a big deal?"

As a native of Prolix State, Ma Wu had deeply ingrained preconceptions about Inner State people.

Li Banfeng genuinely didn't think it was a big deal. "Can't Inner State people die? Is this matter really as significant as it seems? Haven't you already made Luo Lijun obedient? Do you think Inner State people are that special?"

Ma Wu recalled the whole process. Dealing with an Inner State person was indeed unusual. "Actually, at first, I didn't want to touch her. I was genuinely a bit scared."

Li Banfeng chuckled, "What were you afraid of? Her appearance, or her height?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "Her height wasn't anything to be afraid of; she wasn't much bigger than a swallow. I actually quite liked her appearance."

Li Banfeng thought about Luo Lijun's appearance and couldn't help but shiver.

Ma Wu continued, "I was actually more afraid of her identity, after all, she was from Inner State. But Miss Feng kept encouraging me, saying the more afraid I was, the less I should spare her. Miss Feng was right; I really shouldn't have spared her. When it came to the fight, the more scared I was, the stronger my fighting spirit became. The more aggressive she was, the harder I struck. Being able to subdue someone who scared me made me feel completely reborn."

Li Banfeng pondered the entire process and couldn't help but shiver again. "So, you've advanced?"

Ma Wu nodded. "This battle was incredibly significant for me. I need to rest these next two days and also thoroughly consider this conflict. However, Inner State people genuinely care about the lives of their kin. Outer State killed this carp and made it live like a skeleton. With such provocation, Inner State definitely won't tolerate it."

"What good is provocation? If Inner State couldn't stand it, they would have resurrected that carp long ago."

"Resurrection?" Ma Wu was startled. "Inner State has that ability?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "As long as the soul can be retrieved, Inner State has the means to bring people back from the dead. Currently, this carp's soul is still within its bones. Not only has Inner State not resurrected it, but they've also allowed it to continue living in this grotesque state. Do you really think Inner State cares about this fish?"

Ma Wu understood a bit more this time. "So, the war between Inner State and Outer State has nothing to do with this carp at all?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "It's not entirely unrelated. It's like a fuse and dynamite. The fuse produces a noticeable spark and quite a commotion, but it's not the dynamite itself. There has long been dynamite between Outer State and Inner State. Inner State has always wanted an opportunity to wage war against Outer State. Now that they have this carp as a fuse, they will naturally exploit it to ignite the dynamite."

Ma Wu pondered for a moment. "Since war is unavoidable, we should plan our next steps. If they truly start fighting, who should we help?"

Li Banfeng looked at Ma Wu, speechless for a long time.

This was Prolix State's custom: when faced with a situation, the first thought was always about which side to join.

"Old Five, if we help Inner State, they will wage war against Outer State without hesitation and then make us the vanguard. If we help Outer State, they will do everything possible to contain the war within Prolix State to minimize their own casualties. In Prolix State, I am the renowned Li Qi. In Outer State, I am a mediator who can be sold off at any time. Either we become a suicide squad or a human shield. That is our value in the eyes of Outer State and Inner State."

This time, Ma Wu understood Li Banfeng's meaning. "Your idea is for us to just watch?"

"Exactly, just watch. As long as we don't act, they won't fight in the short term, because they don't know when Prolix State will enter the battlefield, nor which side Prolix State will join. This is the same situation as Feng Daiku wanting to be the local deity. I won't help her succeed, but she's worried I might ruin things, so she has to consult me."

Ma Wu was a smart person after all. Breaking free from Prolix State's ingrained way of thinking, he quickly grasped the crux of the situation. However, he also began to worry about Li Banfeng's predicament. "Old Seven, I couldn't reach you for an entire night before. What happened then?"

Li Banfeng said, "I was sold out by Outer State and encountered Green Blossom."

Ma Wu was alarmed. "Let's stop being this mediator. You're alone in Outer State; sooner or later, they'll scheme against you again."

Return to Prolix State and no longer be a mediator?

"We still need to be this mediator. There are some habits they absolutely must change," Li Banfeng said, taking out five Golden Yuan Pills and handing them to Ma Wu. "You should go back to Greenwater City and rest well. Advancement is crucial. Once your body recovers, slowly take the pills. Don't be greedy and rush it."

Five Golden Yuan Pills!

Ma Wu's eyes widened. "Such excellent pills! Old Seven, keep some for yourself. I can't accept so many."

"Don't be polite, these were originally prepared for you." Feng Daiku, with a gentle smile, placed four spiritual artifacts before Shixingong: a plane, a chisel, an axe, and a saw—all woodworking tools.

Shixingong kept his head down, neither reaching out nor refusing them.

Feng Daiku bit her lip, appearing somewhat nervous, and cautiously asked, "If you feel these aren't enough, I can give you more, but you need to tell me a precise number. How many more magical artifacts do you want?"

Shixingong looked up at Feng Daiku. "This territory was given to me by my master; I cannot hand it over to someone else."

Feng Daiku extended her right hand, her slender fingers gently caressing each of the four spiritual artifacts. "If you could defend this territory, then naturally you shouldn't give it to anyone else. But now, your territory is about to become a battlefield for Inner State and Outer State. You can barely even save your own life, so what good is clinging to this territory?"

Shixingong knew that Feng Daiku had negotiated with Luo Lijun. "Weren't you discussing not fighting in Prolix State?"

Feng Daiku tapped the axe and smiled faintly. "If the Soda Kiln were my territory, I naturally wouldn't let Inner State and Outer State wage war here. But if the Soda Kiln has nothing to do with me, why would I bother with such a trivial matter?"

Shixingong lowered his head and remained silent. He knew that if Inner State and Outer State fought at the Soda Kiln, his position as local deity would surely be over.

However, if he were to simply hand over the territory, he felt unwilling, as it was, after all, a legitimate territory.

Feng Daiku put down the axe and picked up the plane. "What I'm giving you are all good things. Take a careful look first. Besides these spiritual artifacts, I will also give you a territory. I have a new territory with quite a few strange creatures, and nearly twenty percent of its land has already been cultivated by pioneers. If you go to that territory, you can still maintain your status, and the annual popular appeal you receive won't be significantly less. What has the Soda Kiln become now? Workers can't find factories, and farmers have only a few acres of land. If things continue like this, it will eventually turn into barren land. This isn't your fault. The Soda Kiln's foundation is weak. You study machines every day, hoping to revitalize the Soda Kiln, but the people here aren't ambitious; no one thinks about building factories or doing business. What is there to cling to in a place like this? Instead of fretting here, you might as well go to the new territory and enjoy some peace and quiet. Don't you agree?"

Shixingong looked up and asked, "Since you think this place isn't good, why do you still want this territory?"

Feng Daiku picked up the chisel and tested it on a stone. Without Feng Daiku exerting any force, the chisel effortlessly pierced through the stone. "You might not believe it, but I want to change my reputation. I don't want people to think of 'belt' whenever they mention me. Even thinking of orange-flavored soda would be much better than 'belt'."

Shixingong sneered, "You would care about that?"

"You don't believe me?" Feng Daiku smiled, then suddenly picked up the saw and placed it against Shixingong's neck.

Shixingong was startled, and a piece of chainmail extended from his collar, protecting his neck.

Feng Daiku sawed the chainmail twice. "I've said all the pleasant things, but you still don't believe me. Now, I have to say something unpleasant. The Inner State entrance at the Soda Kiln was originally very hidden, but now people in Prolix State know about it, Outer State people know about it, and even the Light Pursuit Teams from Ravsha know about it. How do you propose we deal with this?"

"This isn't information I leaked!" Shixingong moved to attack Feng Daiku but found that his chainmail had been sawed through by the saw.

What Feng Daiku gave him was indeed good quality. "Dare you say this wasn't leaked by you? Even I've heard rumors that if you're given a spiritual artifact, you can go and look at the Inner State entrance. Some people don't even need to give you an artifact. Just a small favor is enough for you to grant passage. Isn't that true?"

"Nonsense!" Shixingong was furious, and two more layers of iron armor grew on his neck, but Feng Daiku sawed through both of them with the saw.

"Whether it's nonsense, you know in your heart!" Feng Daiku retracted the saw, lightly touching its teeth. "The Peddler even inquired about this matter a few days ago. How about we confront him directly and see if I'm wronging you?"

Shixingong was no longer as angry and turned to look at the spiritual artifacts on the table.

After a long pause, Shixingong spoke, "Four pieces aren't enough. I want ten, all of this top quality."

Feng Daiku shook her head. "Ten is too difficult. Such good items are one in a million. I can give you two more at most."

"Two is too few, that's non-negotiable—"

An hour later, Feng Daiku emerged from the abandoned factory holding two deeds. Shixingong, with another deed, went to the new territory alone.

The matter was thus settled. Li Banfeng marveled at Feng Daiku's tactics and was also surprised by Shixingong's weakness.

"He gave up a legitimate territory without even fighting?"

Feng Daiku smiled, a hint of shyness on her face. "To be honest, Young Master Li, please don't mock me. I've been eyeing the Soda Kiln territory for many years. If I hadn't seen through Shixingong's character, I wouldn't have easily made a move on this territory."

"After acquiring the Soda Kiln, what do you plan to use it for?" Li Banfeng wasn't entirely sure of Feng Daiku's motivation.

"To gather popular appeal and accumulate cultivation!" Feng Daiku answered very directly.

"You want to abandon Belt Ridge?"

Feng Daiku shook her head. "I will certainly not abandon Belt Ridge, but that territory is too small, and the joy cultivators find it difficult to reproduce, so the popular appeal has always been somewhat lacking. To improve my cultivation, I need to find another territory and manage both simultaneously."

"The popular appeal here isn't that strong." After walking around the Soda Kiln, Li Banfeng roughly estimated the population. The popular appeal here was far less than that of Belt Ridge.

Feng Daiku said confidently, "When you and Wulang started out, didn't you also choose a rotten place like Lanyang Village?"

Li Banfeng disagreed with this. "Lanyang Village is a good place! It's rich in resources and its people are simple and honest!"

Feng Daiku smiled. "Naturally good places won't be left for me, but I can turn this into a good place. As long as I find capable people to manage it, the Soda Kiln might not lose to Black Stone Slope."

Li Banfeng blinked. "The capable person you're referring to wouldn't happen to be Ma Wu, would it?"

"Wulang alone certainly won't be enough. Young Master Li, you and Junyang are like brothers, and the Soda Kiln is strategically important. You would surely be willing to lend me a hand."

Looking at Feng Daiku's clear and sweet smile, it was truly difficult to associate her with the term "old schemer."

From the moment she came to find Ma Wu this time, every step had been meticulously calculated.

Ma Wu's situation couldn't be ignored, nor could the Inner State entrance. Feng Daiku had correctly anticipated that Li Qi would help her manage the Soda Kiln.

Li Qi and Ma Wu had experience managing Seven Autumn City, Yellow Earth Bridge, and Ye Songqiao; adding the Soda Kiln would be no problem for them.

However, Feng Daiku's calculations were reasonable. Initially, because Ma Wu saved Feng Daiku's life, she gave him a love-cultivation talent. By now, that favor had been repaid, leaving them even.

Afterward, Ma Wu sought Feng Daiku's help several times, and she always provided assistance. This had fully accounted for the friendship between them.

But one couldn't always rely on friendship in business. Feng Daiku's help to Ma Wu this time was indeed for profit, but that profit was also truly deserved by Feng Daiku.

Li Banfeng agreed on the spot. "Once Old Five completes his advancement and rests for a few days, he can come to the Soda Kiln to check on the business."

Feng Daiku nodded. "That's what I was thinking too. I'll first have people dismantle all the abandoned factories in the city to clear space, which will also make it easier for you two to work."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Miss Feng, please keep these factories for a while longer; I still have a use for them. For the next few days, Miss Feng, please familiarize yourself with the territory. I also have something to ask of you."

"Please speak, Young Master Li!"

"I'd like to know approximately when this factory complex was built."

It seemed like a small matter, but it put Feng Daiku in a difficult position.

Prolix State had no custom of recording history, so anything related to dates was difficult to verify.

"I'll try to find out. If I can't, please don't blame me, Young Master Li."

Li Banfeng said, "Miss Feng, you don't need to worry. Regardless of whether you find the information or not, I will offer a token of my gratitude."

After Feng Daiku left, Li Banfeng took out his projector and recorded images of several surrounding factories.

On the night Li Banfeng fought Chu Zikai, the projector had recorded images of the Centipede Workshop and the hidden space it occupied.

Back home, Li Banfeng compared the images of Ruirong Textile Factory's hidden space with these factories and found a striking resemblance between them.

His wife, who understood engineering, observed more closely than Li Banfeng. "My dear, these two factories were built from the same mold. Your servant could not possibly be mistaken."

Li Banfeng naturally trusted his wife's judgment. After a moment, she added, "My dear, don't discard the machines from the Soda Kiln. Some of the engineering techniques on these machines are quite exquisite."

"No matter how exquisite, surely these machines are outdated by now?"

"Not at all outdated, my dear! This kind of engineering technique is still rare in Prolix State!"

His wife was not mistaken. Some of the machines had been improved by Shixingong, and their engineering techniques far surpassed the active equipment in most factories.

Li Banfeng generally inquired about the purpose of these machines and began to ponder his next steps.

His wife picked up Teacher Song's lecture notes and continued to study knowledge about dark matter and dark energy.

After studying all day, flames rose within the phonograph's casing, and a puff of steam suddenly erupted from its horn.

Li Banfeng was startled. "My dear, what's wrong?"

"Nothing much," his wife replied testily.

The knowledge of dark matter was indeed interesting, and his wife liked it very much, but the fragrance emanating from the lecture notes made her unable to suppress her annoyance.

Li Banfeng asked, "My precious wife, what are you upset about?"

His wife retorted, "Who wrote this stuff?"

Li Banfeng composed himself and replied, "It's my revered teacher from Outer State."

"Revered teacher?" In the phonograph's thoughts, the image of a white-haired old man appeared.

She sniffed the lecture notes again. This was clearly not the scent of an old man.

The phonograph grew angry, picked up a record, placed it on the turntable, and started playing a tune.

"Feigning fierceness, feigning toughness, why must one feign fierceness in life?"

This tune was meant to mock Li Banfeng, but unexpectedly, he loved it.

He grabbed a feather duster and, accompanied by his wife's song, began to dance joyfully. His wife gnashed her teeth and exclaimed, "Madman, you're driving me crazy!"

A puff of steam scalded him, leaving Li Banfeng's cheeks flushed. He went out the door and continued his factory investigation.

The phonograph continued to read the lecture notes. Upon reaching the math section, she couldn't help but sigh, "The mathematics of Outer State is too difficult."

The Portable Abode thought for a moment and muttered, "Room six, no, not room six, room eight, it seems to be room eight..."

The phonograph asked, "Old man, what about room eight?"

"There's someone in room eight, a calculation cultivator. Their level isn't low."

Hearing this, the phonograph floated through the air towards room eight.

Hong Ying put down her rouge and said, "Xiaowan, wait a moment. I'll go with you. I have a feeling that place is a bit dangerous."

The two arrived at room eight together. The phonograph asked, "Friend, I have a math problem I'd like to consult you about."

After a long wait, there was a response from the empty room eight. The two heard a middle-aged man's voice say, "What's the problem? Can you show it to me?"

The phonograph selected a problem from the lecture notes, wrote it on a piece of paper, and placed it on the floor.

The white paper floated up from the floor and hovered in the room for a moment. The person inside seemed to be reading the problem.

Two minutes later, the person inside responded, "I can do this problem. What's in it for me after I solve it?"

The phonograph asked, "What reward do you want?"

After a moment of silence, the voice from inside said, "I'll also pose a problem for you to solve. If you can't solve it, then one of you two will be chosen for me to kill. Do you think that's acceptable?"

Hong Ying drew her sword from her waist and pointed it at the room. "Come out and try it!"

A wave of killing intent emanated from the room.

Hong Ying's hair fluttered, and her imposing aura flared, completely dispersing the killing intent.

A sigh came from inside the room. "If you can't play, then forget it. I won't help you solve the problem either."

The phonograph agreed. "I accept this wager. You solve the problem first. After you've solved it, you can pose your problem. If we can't answer it, we'll be dealt with as you said."

Feng Daiku had found some information. "The factories in this territory were not built at the same time. Some were earlier, some later, with decades separating them. The completion date of each factory is no longer verifiable. The earliest factory should be the one at the Inner State entrance. Its construction date was over a hundred years ago, but precisely how much more than a hundred years, that couldn't be traced."

Over a hundred years ago.

According to the information collected by the lightbulb, Ruirong Textile Factory was completed in the early last century, which also put its construction over a hundred years ago.

Most of the factories at the Soda Kiln had a layout largely consistent with that of Ruirong Textile Factory. Was there some connection here?

Seeing Li Banfeng deep in thought, Feng Daiku felt somewhat guilty. "Young Master Li, I didn't handle this matter properly. If I find out any more information in the future, I will inform you immediately."

Li Banfeng waved his hand repeatedly. "This is enough. I have already contacted my subordinates to open the first factory as soon as possible."

Feng Daiku was delighted but also knew the difficulties involved. "Building a factory and buying machines will probably take a lot of time, won't it?"

Li Banfeng unfolded a map. "First, we'll find an old factory building to renovate. This immediate area definitely won't do; it's too close to the Inner State entrance. We need to choose a more distant location. There are quite a few good machines around here that I've marked. We'll also need to figure out how to move them out."

Feng Daiku's face lit up with surprise. "Can these machines still be used?"

"Yes, they can. With some repairs, they're excellent machines. Having existing equipment will be much faster than purchasing new ones."

Li Banfeng chose an old factory building in town. Despite Feng Daiku's seemingly delicate appearance, her strength was considerable. She moved over a dozen pieces of equipment, each weighing several tons. A local deity so impatient for a factory, Li Banfeng had never seen before.

After moving the equipment, the two sat together at a roadside stall, drinking soda. Feng Daiku constantly gazed at the factory, hoping it could open tomorrow.

Li Banfeng reminded her, "Even if the factory opens, making the Soda Kiln prosperous won't happen overnight, let alone transforming it into a city at Black Stone Slope's level."

Feng Daiku nodded. "I know it's not easy, but I built up Belt Ridge little by little. I believe this place will definitely be no worse than Black Stone Slope in the future."

The soda vendor approached the two and said, "I heard you just mention Black Stone Slope. You might not know, but back then, we were even more prosperous than Black Stone Slope. Do you know why our place is called the Soda Kiln?"

Li Banfeng pretended not to know and cooperatively asked, "Isn't it because the soda is delicious?"

The vendor shook his head. "No, it's not. It's because the first batch of steam engines in Prolix State were produced here—"

At the Soda Kiln, almost every soda stall owner enjoyed recounting this history.

Xiao Chuanzi and his team would arrive soon, and the remaining matters would be left for them to handle.

Li Banfeng prepared to return to Greenwater City first to inquire about Special Envoy Xu Shouming. The Inner State entrance here would naturally be handed over to Feng Daiku. "If there's any news about Luo Lijun, please inform me as soon as possible, Miss Feng."

Feng Daiku nodded. "Young Master Li, I heard Wulang say that you had some conflict with Greenwater Bow. When you get to Greenwater City, try to avoid Longmen Road, opposite Peace Building."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Is there anything special about that road?"

Feng Daiku said, "That's Green Blossom's doorstep. Green Blossom often wanders around that area, and many people have suffered at his hands. Young Master Li, please be extremely careful."

Such important information, only telling me now.

Li Banfeng looked at the factory, feeling fortunate that he had acted quickly and that he had a good wife who could discern good machines.

That night, Li Banfeng returned to his Portable Abode and saw his wife studying Green Blossom's begging bowl.

"My precious wife, how's the research coming along?"

"I believe I've mastered three-tenths of Greenwater Bow's techniques."

Li Banfeng was delighted. He stepped forward and hugged the phonograph, asking, "How did you learn that?"

The phonograph chuckled. "What your revered teacher wrote is indeed good, and our Western abacus at home is quite useful."

A Western abacus?

Li Banfeng was puzzled. "Where did that come from?"

Hong Ying said, "In Room Eight. You should go talk to him."

Li Banfeng went to Room Eight and found no one inside.

Activating his Spirit Sound Insight ability, Li Banfeng faintly heard someone sobbing.

"Who's there?" Li Banfeng asked.

The man responded, "Don't say anything more. I won't do anything else for you!"

"I asked who you are?"

"I am a scholar! I am Prolix State's most outstanding mathematical researcher! You have no right to insult me. I should be treated with the courtesy and respect due to a scholar!"

Li Banfeng curiously asked, "What happened?"

The scholar's tone was filled with resentment. "Today, the mistress of this place and her friend asked me to help solve a math problem. I proposed a condition: if I successfully solved it, then I would pose a problem for them to solve. If they failed to solve it, then one of them would have to pay with their life!"

Hearing this, Li Banfeng's ears twitched.

He was using the sound to pinpoint the scholar's location. He realized this scholar was very dangerous, and dangerous things shouldn't be kept at home.

"What happened next?" Li Banfeng prompted him to continue.

The scholar said, "The problem I posed was 'What is three plus six?'"

Li Banfeng was startled. "Why did you pose such a simple problem?"

The scholar replied, "That was the limit. The mistress's friend, the woman who looks like a long spear, she actively asked to solve my problem, but she said she wasn't very good at addition above ten!"

Li Banfeng was astonished. "Because she wasn't good at numbers above ten, you gave her a problem within ten?"

After two sobs, the scholar cried, "I didn't want to pose such a problem either, but if I didn't, she would hit me! She hit me to kill! Why did she hit people? I'm telling you, I won't do anything for you anymore! This is an insult to me, an insult to academia—"

Hong Ying pushed open the door and entered Room Eight. The scholar's crying immediately stopped.

"Solve these problems. I'll come back in half an hour to pick them up." Hong Ying placed a stack of white papers on the table.

"Alright," the scholar agreed very readily.

Returning to the main room, Li Banfeng looked at the begging bowl, and an unusual light shone in his eyes.

The phonograph beside him asked, "My precious husband, what's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Li Banfeng wiped the begging bowl and smiled. "Tomorrow, I'm visiting a friend's house."