Although everyone had objections to Qingzi's arrival, they dared not say anything. They simply ignored it.

Because of Qingzi, Lin Chuan sent Zhao Zhonghai back home and then left Dragon Spring Village with Qingzi.

On the way back.

Lin Chuan and Qingzi remained silent.

"Mr. Lin Chuan, do you really reject Japanese people this much?" Qingzi finally spoke.

"It's not that I reject Japanese people," Lin Chuan smiled. "It's that the Japanese have always rejected us."

"Actually, Japanese people do not reject you," Qingzi looked out the window and said, "Real Japanese people actually like Chinese people a lot, because Chinese people are hardworking and diligent, and Japan's economy heavily relies on China. This makes Japanese people deeply understand the importance of maintaining good relations with your country. Chinese people like to travel to Japan, which stimulates our country's economic development, not only in tourism but also boosts the domestic economy significantly."

Lin Chuan smiled and said, "You're half right. Economically, you respect us. However, on issues of nationality, you continuously reject and even discriminate against us."

"No," Qingzi shook her head.

"Alright, let's not argue about such issues," Lin Chuan smiled. "I can't represent my country, and you can't represent yours. I can only represent myself, and you can only represent yourself. We are friends now, good friends, right?"

"Yes!" Qingzi nodded, her face blushing slightly.

"Then that's settled," Lin Chuan revealed a slight smile.

"Mr. Lin Chuan, you are the first person to treat me as a friend," Qingzi's face was tinged with a blush.

"Is that so?" Lin Chuan was startled, then smiled: "Don't you have any friends?"

"No," Qingzi shook her head and said, "I am just a tool trained by my master. I just need to complete my tasks on time, and that's all. As for the rest—family, friends, love..."

Lin Chuan looked at Qingzi in astonishment and said, "Qingzi, you really are a pitiful girl."

"Actually, this is also quite good," Qingzi smiled. "At least my world isn't complicated, or rather, I'm accustomed to this kind of life."

Upon returning to Jiangbei City, Lin Chuan dropped Qingzi off at Haiqing Pool. He then returned to Changlin Factory himself.

The temperature gradually warmed, and the pedestrians on the road shed their thick cotton and down jackets, switching to light, form-fitting coats. The car entered Changlin Factory. After a winter, Uncle Liu's bicycle repair stall was out again.

Uncle Liu, with a smoking pipe in his mouth, was tapping his legs under the sun, eyes closed, with a radio beside him broadcasting bursts of opera.

"Uncle, is it opening day today?" Lin Chuan parked the car and jumped out.

"Yes," Uncle Liu opened his eyes and said, "You young man are making a fortune now."

"Oh, look at you," Lin Chuan walked over, quickly handing Uncle Liu a Furongwang cigarette, and laughed, "Earning a bit more money means making a fortune, then aren't those big bosses all incredibly wealthy?"

"Haha..." Uncle Liu laughed: "You boy, you can't speak. But you're good-hearted, knowing where you came from, making money and still looking after the people from your hometown. Yes, good child."

Uncle Liu had experienced the Korean War, and although he retired, he later formed the factory's Guards. He persevered until he was old. His life was indeed legendary.

After chatting with the old man for a while, Lin Chuan drove back home.

It happened that Nuo Xiaoxi was home for the weekend.

Nuo Xiaoxi was busy in the kitchen, and as she moved in and out, Lin Chuan noticed that her mood seemed a bit off.

"Xiaoxi, what's wrong?" Lin Chuan quickly grabbed Nuo Xiaoxi's arm.

Nuo Xiaoxi's eyes were a bit red, she bit her red lips, glanced at Lin Chuan, and tears started rolling down.

"What's wrong?" Lin Chuan asked urgently, "Did something happen?"

"Brother Lin!" Nuo Xiaoxi threw herself into Lin Chuan's arms.

"What exactly happened?" Lin Chuan asked urgently.

"I...I..." Nuo Xiaoxi sobbed uncontrollably, burying herself in Lin Chuan's arms and crying incessantly.

Though Lin Chuan was anxious, there was nothing he could do but continue to comfort the girl, saying, "Don't cry, just tell me anything. Has someone been bullying you?"

"Yes!" Nuo Xiaoxi nodded.

"Who?" Lin Chuan demanded.

"Fat Tiger," Nuo Xiaoxi bit her red lips and said, "Fat Tiger has been spreading rumors in school, saying that I've been kept by a rich man."

"Why would he say that?" Nuo Xiaoxi asked.

"Because he saw me wearing Chanel clothes and using the latest Apple phone," Nuo Xiaoxi said tearfully, "he said my family has no money, so how could I afford such expensive clothes and such a good phone. Now many people in the school are saying I am being kept by someone. I am so angry, but... but I can't argue with them."

"What about the teachers?" Lin Chuan asked.

"The teachers don't care," Nuo Xiaoxi replied tearfully, "Today, a teacher even talked to me, asking if I was really being kept by someone."

"That's outrageous," Lin Chuan burst out angrily, "It's totally excessive."

"Brother Lin, I don't want to go to school anymore," Nuo Xiaoxi said through gritted teeth.

"That won't do," Lin Chuan shook his head and said, "You not only have to go to school, but you also need to perform well in the college entrance exams and aim for the best university, to give them a surprise. Also, I'll handle this matter, you don't worry about it."

"Oh," Nuo Xiaoxi obediently agreed.

This matter must be dealt with, and dealt with properly. Otherwise, it would greatly affect Nuo Xiaoxi. It took quite an effort to calm Nuo Xiaoxi's emotions.

The next day, Lin Chuan found Zhou Kai.

"Brother Chuan," Zhou Kai, donning fresh clothes, looked spirited.

"Kai," Lin Chuan looked at him and said, "Help me check on someone."

"Who?" Zhou Kai's expression immediately turned serious as he quickly stubbed out his cigarette and listened intently to what Lin Chuan would say next.

"Jiangbei City No.1 Middle School, someone called Fat Tiger," Lin Chuan replied.

"School?" Zhou Kai laughed suddenly, "I thought it was something serious. Just this matter, no problem, I'll check immediately."

Jiangbei City No.1 Middle School, a key school in Jiangbei City, produces several students for Peking University and Tsinghua University each year. Every year, the school gets two recommended spots that allow direct admission without the college entrance exam. For ordinary people, this is unimaginable.

However, even though it's a key school in Jiangbei City, the school is still considered a target for local gangs or rogue hoodlums. There are always some gangs recruiting juniors in the school and charging management fees or protection fees. Almost every school has this type of issue.

That day, on a weekend.

Guan Hu was hanging around Jiangbei City No.1 Middle School with a few people. This guy is now the school bully there. Currently in his senior year, his father, a junior official, pulled some strings to barely get his son into this key school, hoping his son would strive to get into a good university.

Unfortunately, Guan Hu was bound to disappoint his father. This guy joined a gang as soon as he started freshman year and got into fights every now and then. Later, many at the school became afraid of him. Willing to pay management fees. He felt very proud, having breezed through three years like this.

In his senior year, he accidentally met Nuo Xiaoxi and became very obsessed with her. Unfortunately, Nuo Xiaoxi never showed any interest in him.

Guan Hu knew Nuo Xiaoxi came from a poor family, so he naturally didn't charge her protection fees. Moreover, he warned that if anyone dared to pursue Nuo Xiaoxi, he would have a problem with them.

But, after the New Year and school resumed, he was surprised to find Nuo Xiaoxi wearing a Chanel down jacket and using the latest Apple phone. This astonished him, and when he confronted Nuo Xiaoxi, she said it was a gift from her brother. This infuriated him, and he started spreading rumors that Nuo Xiaoxi was being kept by someone.

Later, the rumor spread increasingly wider, and eventually, everyone in their senior year knew about it. Nuo Xiaoxi couldn't take it anymore and confronted Guan Hu, who then audaciously accused Nuo Xiaoxi of being kept by someone. Nuo Xiaoxi burst into tears on the spot.

......

Saturday night.

Lin Chuan and Zhou Kai along with others dined together, taking the rare opportunity to gather and naturally had a drink.

"To drinking," Zhou Kai raised his glass.

Lu Dapao and others laughed and said, "Here's to our business getting better and more prosperous."

"Alright," Lin Chuan nodded.

Setting down his glass, Zhou Kai said with a laugh, "Brother Chuan, what's the deal with that Fat Tiger you're looking for?"

"This kid dares to bully Xiaoxi," Lin Chuan sneered, "He definitely needs a good lesson."

"He bullied Xiaoxi?!" Zhou Kai was startled, and cursed, "Damn it, is he tired of living? Tomorrow I'll take people to deal with this guy."

"No need," Lin Chuan shook his head, "I'll handle this, no need for big trouble over such a small matter."

"That Fat Tiger is one of Brother Dong's people from Western City District," Zhou Kai smiled, "This Brother Dong isn't really anyone significant, just a martial arts instructor who opened a dojo in Western City District. Because he has connections with the police, he acts like a bully there. This guy is much easier to deal with compared to Mr. Hu and Feng Taibao. It's just that since Western City District mostly has schools and the economy is so-so, not many want to get involved. So this Brother Dong is having the time of his life."

"Brother Dong?" Lin Chuan scoffed, "No matter who he is, if he dares to bully Xiaoxi, I'll make him kneel down and sing Conquest!"

"Brother Chuan, do you want me to take care of this?" Zhou Kai asked.

"No need, I'll do it," Lin Chuan smiled.

"Alright," Zhou Kai nodded, "If you need any help, just let me know."

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