Ye Shen woke up in the morning to the ringing noises of Meilan's watch. She subsequently jumped out of the bed after reading the message.
"Are you okay?" Ye Shen inquired with a croaky voice.
"Yes." Meilan replied, still reading the message. "It's Grandpa Wang. He said; he needed some help with some patients at the clinic. I'm so sorry, Ye Shen, I have to go."
Ye Shen appreciated her honesty by showing him the message which seemed to be very urgent.
"It's fine… I can go to the Bailong Gym by myself. I will go to the clinic once I'm done with the contract."
Meilan smiled, and give a quick peck on his cheek. She strode out of the bedroom after washing her face. At this moment, Ye Shen really wanted to kiss her lips, but he also didn't want to harbor any romantic feeling that would hurt him in the end.
After which, Ye Shen opted to get up, have a shower, and dressed up in his jeans and black jacket outfit. A few minutes later, they met in the living room. Meilan was a bit reluctant to part with him. Nevertheless, Ye Shen was a grown-up man, she had to let him do his own things.
"Alright, take care, and don't run into trouble, I mean it!" Meilan caressed his cheek gently.
"I know, I know…" Ye Shen tapped her shoulder a few times. "Let's get going then."
"En!"
Afterward, they went in different directions. Since the apartment building was quite close to the gym, Ye Shen opted to go there on foot whilst familiarizing himself with the neighborhood.
A short walk later, he stumbled on a street vendor, he was so old yet still energetic as he was shaping the steamed buns and putting them into the bamboo baskets.
He trotted lightly toward the vendor, he was so cheerful just like a toddler who found his favourite food. He didn't expect that his favourite food would be here of all places in the universe.
"Boss man, give me two!"
The vendor looked at him with a bright smile. "For take away?"
"Yes please."
Within a minute, the vendor wrapped up two steamed buns agily.
"It'd be ten dollars," said the vendor, handing him the plastic bag.
Ye Shen subsequently gave him the money and said. "Here you go."
Afterward, he went his way while munching on the fresh steamed bun with gusto. It was very soft yet very juicy inside.
"Mmhh! Nothing beats fresh, juicy buns after a night out!"
Alas, his happy morning vibe didn't last long. Just as he was a few dozen meters away from the vendor, a loud commotion happened behind him. Two thugs were picking the old man.
"Hey, old man! It's time to pay up!"
"Where's the protection money, take it out! Quick!" The second guy shook the cart violently.
The old man was quivering, holding his cart together. "I paid the protection money last week! And now you asked me again?!"
"You dare to talk back to me?!" The first thug threw the baskets, scattering them with arrogance. "We need the money right now!"
"Alright! Alright! I will pay! Please, don't break my cart. Here, take it all! And go away!"
"Haha!" The first thug laughed mockingly. "That's what I'm talking about! Let's go!"
Ye Shen was irked to see two mortals who bullied the weak when their whole being is just flesh and bones. If it happened in the Nine Heaven Continent, Ye Shen would snap their neck without batting an eye.
However, there's so many people around. If he fights in the public space, things would get ugly pretty soon when footage of him beating up street thugs circulated on the internet. On top of that, he promised to Meilan that he would stay out of trouble.
Once the thugs disappeared in the corner, Ye Shen walked over, he placed one hundred dollar bill on the cart and left without a word.
"What is this?" The old man was flummoxed, his eyes glazed upon meeting the kind figure.
"Just take it… I will make sure they would never bully you again."
"No, no. Don't do anything stupid! They are from the Six Hundred Swords Gang. They would kill anyone who stood in their way!"
"Not immediately, of course!" Ye Shen replied reassuringly.
"But, why would you help me? You are still young, and money is hard to come by. You must have earned it the hard way. Please, take it back."
"It's okay, old man. Besides, your steamed buns are the best that I have ever tasted. Think it is my investment in your business. I'll be back here tomorrow."
The old man was speechless upon seeing the tall, long haired young man gradually blended in with the crowd. He couldn't believe himself that there's still a kind soul in this wicked world.
Before long, the Bailong Gym was in his sight. At this morning, however, the media and news channel had surrounded the Bailong Gym's from all entrance.
Ye Shen, having the ability to jump a five story building in a single leap opted to avoid them, entering the gym through the second floor's windows which led him into Bai Ning's private office.
"Oh, hello there, Lady Bai Ning!"
She almost jumped out of her seat as Ye Shen suddenly appeared without a noise.
"Ye Shen! What the hell are you doing! There's a literal door that you can use!"
Ye Shen smiled wryly, climbing down from windowsill. "I'm sorry. There's so many media downstairs, if you haven't check them already."
Bai Ning massaged her nose bridge, annoyed by those hungry shark.
"They were here for you, Ye Shen. Tang San must have sent them to put pressure on you. The more famous you are, the more fighters who wants to fight you. Making you think that Tang San is the only person that you could rely on."
"Isn't that the very reason why you rushed the contract?" Ye Shen smiled impishly.
"Indeed… But please don't take me wrong. I did this to protect you from his evil plan. For Tang San, fighters are nothing but tools, cash cows who are ready to be milked till the very last drop!"
"That's good to know." Ye Shen quipped.
Bai Ning subsequently produced the contractual paperwork from the drawer and offered it to Ye Shen.
"Now, the contract is ready. Please read carefully before you sign. Make sure you understand every clause."
****