How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 109 The Wushan Incident (6)

The mere mention of "General Guo" was enough to cause an uproar, and now that Guo Zixing was going to personally take over the matter, they were overjoyed.

They're not stupid; they'd been aware of the mine's situation for a while. Li Dachuan's impetuousness led to the accident. If it weren't for today's arrangements, they would have been looking for a way out themselves.

"Young Master Guo, you flatter me. I will have to rely on your help in the future."

"That's right, that's right. Please take good care of me, Young Master Guo."

Once the key was unlocked, everyone became shrewd and chattered around Guo Zixing, asking after his well-being and completely forgetting that Boss Fan was still resting on the couch.

Wang glared at him resentfully, but was pulled back by Boss Fan with a smile.

"Bring that child over here so I can take another look."

Wang knew immediately who he was talking about, and she didn't want to stay here and watch these group leaders fawning over Guo Zixing.

"Make way." Wang squeezed past them. The group of people who had just realized what was happening looked at each other, feeling a little embarrassed, but they quickly went to comfort Boss Fan.

Guo Zixing shook his head, bid farewell to Boss Fan, and realized that it was no longer appropriate for him to stay there.

"I guess this is a successful first step," Qingru said, still quite pleased.

"I suppose so." Guo Zixing was smug, but he had other plans in mind.

"Let's go check on how Seventh Master is recovering. It would be best if we could get his help with the rest of the things."

If he can successfully recruit these 10,000 people to his cause, or even just half of them, he will be a force to be reckoned with once he goes out into the world.

Thinking this, Guo Zixing quickened his pace.

Inside the main room, everyone surrounded Boss Fan to greet him. Boss Fan, unusually, showed no impatience and reassured everyone one by one.

"Boss Fan, I'm kowtowing to you."

As soon as Li Xiaoshan entered, he knelt down with a thud and kowtowed three times.

"Good boy, get up quickly, no need for so much formality." Boss Fan hurriedly scooped him up. Li Xiaoshan's forehead was bleeding from the bump, and his swollen eyes didn't even blink.

"You saved my life, you're like my second parents. From now on, if you say the word, I'll do whatever you say. Even if you ask me to go through fire and water, I, Li Xiaoshan, wouldn't be a hero if I even flinch." He thumped his chest loudly, as if to show his determination.

Boss Fan couldn't help but chuckle. "Fine, I don't need you to repay me. But doesn't your uncle feed you? You're so hungry you're just skin and bones."

Li Xiaoshan burst into tears, startling Boss Fan.

Mrs. Wang scolded, "Why didn't you keep your voice down? You scared the child."

“No…it wasn’t Boss Fan…it scared me…” Li Xiaoshan choked out, “It was me…waaaah…” As he spoke, he burst into tears again, his wailing so loud that it was unbearable for everyone to watch.

Zhuang Qianfan sighed, "Xiaoshan is a good kid, but unfortunately he met the wrong person. Li Dachuan, as the team leader, gave half of his money to his mother and the other half to Suiyuanlou. But his father is a fool. He gambled away the money his brother gave his mother for retirement, and when he lost, he beat his wife. Eventually, his wife couldn't take it anymore and ran away, leaving Xiaoshan alone. Li's mother couldn't bear it, so she took Xiaoshan in to raise him. But that fool squandered all the money Li Dachuan sent back every month. When he couldn't get money, he would beat and kick his grandmother and grandson. By the time Li Dachuan received the news, Li's mother was already lying on her bed, barely breathing. Li Dachuan was so angry that he broke his brother's leg, and then took Xiaoshan in to live with him. He borrowed money to pay for his mother's medical treatment, but Li's mother's illness worsened, and the amount of money she needed was considerable. This is also why Li Dachuan took the risk of emptying the coal mine. Later..."

As everyone knows, those who heard about Li Dachuan's family affairs were all filled with unease.

"Is Old Lady Li still alive?" Wang asked.

"I haven't been back for half a month. Maybe I'm still taking my medicine."

Li Xiaoshan cried his heart out, sobbing uncontrollably.

Wang hugged him tenderly, saying, "Don't cry, don't cry, everything will be alright. Auntie will call a doctor for your grandma, don't worry."

"Thank... thank you, Auntie." Li Xiaoshan leaned against Wang Shi's chest, crying even louder, unable to stop.

Seeing this, the group decided not to linger and took their leave.

After everyone left, Wang looked at Boss Fan.

Mr. Fan looked at Mrs. Wang with understanding and said, "You decide what to do. I'll do whatever you say."

Overjoyed, Wang said to Li Xiaoshan, "Child, I want to become your godparent. Do you want to?"

Li Xiaoshan was stunned for a moment, and then burst into tears, hiccuping.

"Pfft," Wang laughed, "You silly child, you want to recognize your aunt as your godmother, are you going to accept it or not?"

Li Xiaoshan looked at Wang Shi, then at Boss Fan, and suddenly knelt down and kowtowed three times, saying, "Godmother, Godfather."

"Yes," both Mrs. Wang and Boss Fan replied at the same time. After all these years, they finally have a child. Even if it's a godchild, it's better than having none at all.

Wang happily coaxed her newly adopted godson to sleep before returning home.

"Oh, I just had Xiaoshan call me godmother several times. So this is what it feels like to be someone's mother. Hehe, it's great." Wang Shi told Boss Fan with great enthusiasm.

Boss Fan took Wang's hand and said, "Whatever makes you happy."

"That's right, hey, let me tell you... what are you doing?" Wang asked, seeing Boss Fan getting dressed, looking like he was about to go out.

"I need to resolve everything before I can feel at ease. I don't want anyone to ruin Young Master Guo's plans and destroy the situation in Wushan."

Upon hearing him say that, Wang Shi understood immediately, "You're going to find that bitch?"

"The last time."

Upon hearing this, Wang didn't say anything more, only instructing, "Be careful."

Arriving at Suiyuanlou again, Boss Fan stood downstairs, his gaze filled with a touch of emotion.

"Boss Fan? It's a rare sight indeed." Tao Zhi'er swayed over, having just seen off a regular customer when she spotted Boss Fan standing in the corner.

"Li Dachuan is dead."

Tao Zhi'er was stunned for a moment, "So what if he's dead?"

"He spent half of his wages on you."

Tao Zhi'er turned around and looked at him in surprise, somewhat incredulous. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, and she finally sneered, "Oh dear, so many people have poured all their wages into this, what is he? Ha, does Boss Fan think I'm his widow? Sigh, even a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness, so I'll reluctantly shed a tear for him."

Boss Fan stared at her for a few moments, then finally let go of her and went into the building.

Tao Zhi'er stood there, her face filled with a look of despair, until another man touched her waist and she finally came to her senses.

"Oh, is our Peach Blossom thinking about her lover? Is she thinking about her brother's...?"

"Get out!" Tao Zhi shouted, shoving the man away.

"Slap, slap!" The man slapped Tao Zhi'er across the face without any politeness. "Damn it, I came here to have fun, not to cause trouble. A prostitute is putting on airs. Bah, you lowlife."

The man kicked it a few more times before leaving.

Peach Blossom curled up on the ground, unable to cry, her eyes dry and devoid of emotion.

"Ah...oh," came an ambiguous moan from the third sister's room. Boss Fan approached step by step without changing his expression.

With a creak, the door was pushed open, and Boss Fan coldly watched the lewd scene before him: two men and a woman entangled on the bed.

"What? Are you interested too?" Third Sister looked at Boss Fan, her eyes gleaming, and struck an even more alluring pose, moaning softly.

"I just came to ask you something."

"Hmm...then I will definitely tell you everything I know." The third sister's hand was soft and boneless as she hooked her fingers, her eyes and brows exuding charm.

"What happened to Wang's body? Was it you, my mother, or my brother?"

"This happened so many years ago, and you're only asking me about it now?"

"Once we've found out the truth, we can make a clean break."

The third sister suddenly stood up and pushed the man off her; she sensed danger in his voice.

"What if I don't tell you?"

Boss Fan did not answer, his sharp gaze fixed on Third Sister's beautiful body.

"Hmph," the third sister chuckled, picked up her clothes and put them on. "Boss Fan, this matter is so important to you, so what do you want me to give you in return?"

As she spoke, the third sister boldly straddled Boss Fan's lap. This surprised and delighted her. Even when her mother, Old Lady Fan, pushed her into Boss Fan's bed, she had never been able to get close to him. But today, she could sit on his lap with ease, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction in conquering a powerful man.

With a glint in her eyes, Third Sister put her arm around Boss Fan's neck and whispered sweet nothings, "Master Fan, let me serve you."

"Who poisoned me?"

"Bang!" The door was violently kicked open. "Adulterers!"

It turned out that the boss of the Third Mine had stormed in, his eyes blazing with anger and a hint of excitement. "Boss Fan, I respect you as my boss, and you actually dared to mess with my wife?"

"I went there willingly," the third sister said, moving even closer to the front.

The owner of the Third Mine grabbed an axe and swung it at Boss Fan's head, but Boss Fan kicked him away, stood up abruptly, and held Third Sister tightly in his arms.

The third sister looked on with adoration, oblivious to the fact that she had just exposed herself, and followed Boss Fan's gaze with longing.

"Ah!" the Third Mine Boss shouted through gritted teeth, swinging his axe to strike again. Boss Fan dodged and grabbed Third Sister, throwing her towards the axe tip.

"Ugh..." Caught off guard, Third Sister groaned as the sharp axe pierced her flesh. Only then did she realize, "You're going to kill me?"

Boss Fan remained expressionless. "Why not?"

"Haha," the third sister laughed angrily, "Boss Fan, you're really ruthless." Her eyes were almost bleeding. "Go for it! What are you waiting for? He's playing with your wife and then trying to kill me to silence me. Aren't you scared to go for it?"

The mine owner swallowed hard. He didn't really mean to kill anyone; he just wanted to make a big scene so he could extort money from Boss Fan.

He was aware of his third sister's provocation, but he was already in this predicament, unable to back down or advance.

Despite his reluctance, the mine owner launched another attack, but Boss Fan deflected it with a few moves, seized the axe, and killed the mine owner with two blows.

The third sister watched her husband die before her eyes, showing no grief whatsoever. Instead, she stared at Boss Fan with a frenzy, "You look down on me that much? I'm young and beautiful, how am I inferior to Wang Shi?"

"Loyal and kind. She doesn't have to be young and beautiful. She is my wife who has been through thick and thin with me, and I would never betray her."

The third sister smiled sadly, the wound on her back twitching; the axe blow must have injured her spine. Sensing her life slipping away, the third sister wasn't particularly afraid.

"Alright, then let me be kind this once. A dying man's words are kind. Come here and I'll tell you who poisoned Wang Shi."

After hesitating for a moment, Boss Fan ultimately decided not to go over. "Forget it, I don't want to know anymore."

"No, you need to know. Come here and I'll tell you."

"Farewell."

"Come back, come back! Come back and I'll tell you! Come back..." Third Sister shouted frantically, but Boss Fan had already gone downstairs.

"Haha..." The third sister laughed and cried at the same time, blood flowed all over the ground, and strange flowers bloomed under her body. Not far away was her husband who died with his eyes wide open.

"Third sister, we've been with you for so long, it must have been hard for us. Goodbye."

The third sister looked up and saw that the two young men had taken her money and jewelry, put on their clothes, and run away.

"No, come back, all of you come back here."

Unfortunately, no matter how much she called out, the two men wouldn't turn around.

The two young men hadn't run far before they were robbed clean by idle people, their efforts all for nothing.

A sudden downpour began, washing over the dark streets.

Taozhi witnessed all of this, and after things quieted down, she slowly walked towards her third sister's room.

Along the way, she encountered several brightly lit rooms where unsuspecting men and women were still enjoying themselves immensely. Taozhi stepped onto the floor that she knew so well every day.

Taozhi remained expressionless as she watched her third sister and her husband lying on the ground.

“Peach Blossom, come here, I have a secret to tell you.”

Tao Zhi'er's eyes flickered, and she looked at her with great interest.