Outer City, Noon.
"Little brother, why are you back today?"
Seeing Jiang Ning appear at the courtyard gate, Jiang Li looked surprised.
"I was a bit worried, so I came back to check on things," Jiang Ning replied.
"What's there to worry about?" Jiang Li grinned. "Everything's been fine these days. Yesterday, Xu Yunfeng came by and said there's new progress in the case. That matter has nothing to do with me anymore."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded slightly.
The case being settled meant the incident was over.
Thinking of this, he felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Shen Congyun.
If it weren't for Shen Congyun stepping in, how could the Cao family have backed down so easily?
Just then, a soft, childish voice came from the main house.
"Uncle!"
"Little Doubao!" Jiang Ning's face immediately lit up with a smile.
Hearing Jiang Ning's call, Little Doubao immediately spread her arms and toddled toward him. "Uncle, hug!"
Jiang Ning crouched down and scooped up the little girl as she rushed into his arms.
"Uncle, Doubao missed you so much!" Little Doubao said happily, rubbing her chubby cheeks against Jiang Ning's chin.
Jiang Ning couldn't help but laugh. "I missed you too, Little Doubao. That's why I came back."
"Yay!!"
Jiang Li watched the scene with a smile on his face.
"Little brother, are you staying for lunch? Or are you heading back to the martial hall?"
Jiang Ning said, "I'll eat at home."
"Great!" Jiang Li nodded. "I'll have your sister-in-law prepare something special. We'll slaughter that old hen!"
"No need!" Jiang Ning quickly stopped him. "Just something simple will do. I've been eating rich food every day at the martial hall, and I'm tired of it. Besides, Little Doubao and Yiming are still growing. If we kill the hen, where will they get their eggs?"
Jiang Li said, "Don't worry about that! According to a colleague I met yesterday, my injury compensation will be paid soon. Once that happens, we'll have money again!"
Little Doubao, her cheek pressed against Jiang Ning's shoulder, chimed in, "Uncle, Doubao wants to eat chicken legs!"
"You little rascal!" Jiang Ning tapped her nose playfully.
Jiang Li turned and headed toward the kitchen.
An hour later.
"Little brother, the chicken soup is here!" Jiang Li carried the soup, walking quickly toward Jiang Ning.
"Let me!" Jiang Ning quickly stood up and hurried over to take the large bowl of soup from Jiang Li.
Then he said, "Big brother, your hand isn't fully healed yet. Don't do heavy work like this! Go sit down. I'll help sister-in-law bring out the dishes."
Jiang Li grinned. "Carrying a bowl of soup isn't heavy work!"
As he spoke, he obediently sat down at the table.
Jiang Ning placed the bowl of soup on the table.
"Phew"
He blew on his slightly reddened fingers, then wiped them on his clothes.
The burning sensation in his fingers eased a bit.
"Uncle, let me blow on them too!" Little Doubao, sitting on her chair and swinging her legs, offered.
Jiang Li chuckled. "Looks like your fist training isn't complete yet! Your hands haven't developed thick calluses."
Jiang Ning smiled. "Big brother, I'll go help bring out the rest of the dishes. Make sure Little Doubao doesn't fall."
"Uncle, don't worry! Doubao isn't that clumsy!" Little Doubao sniffled and pouted.
A moment later.
"Let's eat!" Liu Wanwan set down the last dish, and then asked, "Should we have some wine?"
Hearing this, Jiang Li's eyes lit up. "Wife, do we still have wine at home?"
Liu Wanwan said, "Since Ning is back, I just went to Sister Ge next door and bought a pound of wine."
Jiang Li looked at Jiang Ning. "Little brother, shall we have some wine?"
"Sure," Jiang Ning agreed.
Jiang Li was overjoyed and quickly turned to Liu Wanwan. "Please bring the wine, wife!"
Liu Wanwan rolled her eyes at Jiang Li and headed out the door.
At this moment, Jiang Li said happily, "Little brother, you're my lucky star! It's been so long since I've had wine. I've been craving it for days! Today, thanks to you, I can finally satisfy my craving."
"Daddy, don't drink too much," Little Doubao said in her sweet, childish voice.
"Alright, I'll listen to Little Doubao," Jiang Li said with a laugh.
Little Doubao giggled and swung her short legs happily.
Jiang Ning sat nearby. "Is it because Big Brother doesn't have money to buy wine any more?"
Jiang Li scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "That's part of it, but mainly it's because your sister-in-law is strict and doesn't give me money to buy wine."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning understood.
Earlier, Jiang Li had borrowed a hundred taels of silver to help Jiang Ning enroll in Canglang Martial Hall. Later, he somehow managed to get another twenty taels and entrusted someone to give it to Jiang Ning.
Now, without his salary and with the Cao family targeting him, the compensation for his injury hadn't been paid, leaving the family in a tight spot.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ning sighed inwardly.
For his big brother's sake, he needed to find a way to make some money soon.
Just then, a voice called from outside.
"Brother Li"
"Brother Li"
"It's Yang Zong!" Jiang Li looked surprised, then stood up. "Little brother, stay here. I'll go see what's going on."
"I'll come with you," Jiang Ning said, standing up as well.
The two walked out of the house and saw two men standing at the courtyard gate.
One was a young man, no older than twenty, wearing a constable's uniform with a long sword hanging at his waist.
The other was an older man, around forty, with some wrinkles on his face. He wore a chief constable's uniform and also had a long sword at his waist.
"Chief Feng!" Recognizing the two, Jiang Li strode over.
"No need to be so formal," Chief Feng said with a wave.
Jiang Ning observed the two men. Soon, he noticed Chief Feng's gaze shifting from Jiang Li to him.
When Chief Feng saw Jiang Ning, his eyes gleamed.
"Jiang Li, is this your younger brother?"
Jiang Li slapped his forehead. "My bad, I forgot to introduce you."
He gestured toward Jiang Ning. "Chief Feng is right. This is my younger brother, Jiang Ning."
Then he turned to Jiang Ning and pointed at Chief Feng. "Little brother, this is Chief Feng, my superior."
Jiang Ning cupped his hands in respect. "Greetings, Chief Feng."
Chief Feng quickly waved his hands. "No need for such formalities! I'm just a small official trying to make a living. I don't deserve to be called 'Chief' by you, young man."
"Young man, with Deputy Tower Master Shen's favor, you're destined for great things. A small place like Luoshui County won't be able to contain a dragon like you."
"The title 'Chief' is too much for me. It makes me sweat just hearing it."
As Chief Feng spoke these words, Jiang Li looked at him in astonishment, then glanced at Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning: "..."
Seeing the sudden silence, Jiang Li quickly spoke up.
"Chief Feng, since it's lunchtime, why don't you join us?"
Chief Feng smiled. "I didn't realize your family eats so late. If I'd known, I would've come later so as not to disturb your lunch with young Jiang Ning."
Jiang Li shook his head repeatedly. "It's no trouble at all! It's just an extra pair of chopsticks. How could it be a disturbance?"
Then, feeling a bit awkward, he added, "Chief Feng, you can just call me Jiang Li like before."
Chief Feng chuckled. "You've worked under me for many years. Calling you by your name feels too distant. Calling you 'Brother Li' is better. It shows our closer relationship."
"That way, if anyone dares to disrespect you because of your injury, I can stand up for you."
Jiang Li said, "Thank you for your care, Chief Feng."
Chief Feng smiled. "It's only right!"
Then he added, "As for lunch, there's no need. I already ate before coming. I'm here today because I have some business."
"Seeing young Jiang Ning here is quite a coincidence." As he said this, Chief Feng's gaze returned to Jiang Ning, his face showing a friendly expression.
Jiang Li glanced at Jiang Ning and Chief Feng, then said, "Since Chief Feng has already eaten, how about some wine? My wife just bought some today. We can chat over a drink."
"Sure," Chief Feng agreed.
Soon, the four of them entered the main house.
After sitting down, Liu Wanwan brought out the wine and placed it on the table. Then she picked up Little Doubao.
"You all eat. I'll take Little Doubao inside."
Then she added, "Yiming, take some food and eat at the table."
At this moment, Little Doubao pouted as she looked at the chicken leg in her bowl, her eyes glistening with tears.
Jiang Ning said, "Sister-in-law, there's no need for that. Sit down and eat with us."
Hearing this, Jiang Li glanced at Chief Feng.
Having worked under Chief Feng for many years, he knew that Chief Feng had a habit of disliking eating at the same table as women. He was quite patriarchal.
The last time Chief Feng came to their house for a meal, Liu Wanwan had chosen to eat separately after learning of this.
Now, with Jiang Ning speaking up, a flash of displeasure crossed Chief Feng's eyes.
But he quickly smiled and said, "Young Jiang Ning is right. Let's eat together! This little one looks like she's about to cry from hunger."
"And sister-in-law, sit down and eat with us too!"
"There's no need for so many rules at home. Let's just eat comfortably!"
Hearing this, Jiang Li was surprised.
He had expected Chief Feng to show displeasure, but instead, the man had instantly changed his expression and even agreed with Jiang Ning's suggestion.
"My little brother's face is something!" Jiang Li thought to himself.
He now understood that Chief Feng's friendly demeanor was entirely due to Jiang Ning.
Otherwise, why would Chief Feng, who had never shown such kindness to him before, suddenly treat him so warmly and even call him "Brother Li"?
In the past, even when Jiang Li had performed meritorious deeds, Chief Feng had never been this friendly.
Let alone calling him "Brother Li."
Moreover, after Jiang Li was injured, Chief Feng largely ignored him, as if the incident had never happened.
The compensation that should have been paid had been delayed.
When Jiang Li's family was arrested a few days ago, Chief Feng hadn't shown up.
But today, everything was different.
"My little brother has grown up. He can protect the family now. I can finally rest easy!" Jiang Li felt a sense of relief.
At this moment, Liu Wanwan looked at Jiang Li.
Jiang Li smiled and reassured her.
"Wife, sit down and eat with us."
"Alright," Liu Wanwan nodded.
She placed Little Doubao back on her chair and sat down beside her.
Then, Jiang Ning picked up the large chicken leg from his bowl and placed it in Little Doubao's bowl.
"Thank you, Uncle!!" Little Doubao giggled, showing her white teeth.
Then, with great effort, she picked up another chicken leg, her trembling hands showing how much strength she was using.
"Uncle, you have one too!"
"Alright!" Jiang Ning held out his bowl and accepted the chicken leg from Little Doubao. Then he smiled and ruffled her hair.
Watching this scene at the table, Liu Wanwan and Jiang Li both smiled warmly.
Chief Feng also chuckled happily.
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