Chapter 11: The Liu Family

"Master, there's not much beef left. A lot of regulars reserved it yesterday—there's nothing extra." The voice from the kitchen was indifferent, but if you listened closely, you could catch a note of mockery and disdain.

The speaker was Luo Cheng, Willow's apprentice, who had been under his tutelage for three years. At first, Luo Cheng had been a diligent and eager young man, reliable, hardworking, and eager to learn. Willow and his wife were kind and patient, forgiving his mistakes and even the occasional laziness, teaching him attentively. They regarded him as a successor, imparting all their knowledge, raising him as half a son—no less than if he were their own flesh and blood.

Yet Luo Cheng had not lived up to their trust and affection. Their wholehearted devotion was met not with gratitude, but with entitlement, and now, a growing ambition. In his second year with the family, having figured out the Willow couple's gentle dispositions, his true colors began to show. He slacked off, cut corners, substituted inferior goods, and even tried to get his hands on their money. Whenever Wanshun visited, he would sneer and contradict the Willows in front of everyone, making things difficult for Wanshun and acting as if the shop were his, even to the point of usurping authority, like a cuckoo in another bird's nest.

Wanshun could not be bothered with him, ignoring his antics and, because of him, visiting less and less. In the past two years, she came only two or three times a year, never ate, and left after exchanging a few words with the Willows. The Willows felt sorry for her, but could not bring themselves to scold a boy they treated like a son, always advising him gently. Their repeated tolerance only emboldened Luo Cheng further, making him more presumptuous, convinced they would never do anything about him. This time was no different.

Wanshun let out a cold laugh. She was not the same fool who once swallowed every insult.

Taking a deep breath, she slapped her hands on the table and shot to her feet.

The Willows, startled by her sudden movement, asked, "What is it, girl?"

Wanshun shook her head and sighed. "This is terrible."

Everyone was baffled.

Wanshun turned and dashed outside, raising her voice in a dramatic yell. "Disaster! We've been robbed! Such a big shop—and not a scrap of meat left! A heartless villain has stolen everything. Imagine—can't even eat beef in a place like this. Absolutely shameless! With crimes like this, he'll rot in jail forever!"

Everyone was stunned.

Luo Cheng stormed out, pointing an accusing finger at her. "Are you saying I stole the meat?"

Wanshun lazily arched an eyebrow. "Oh, so you're upset?"

"You little brat!" Blue veins stood out on Luo Cheng's forehead, and he looked ready to strike.

Wanshun slowly clenched her fist. If he wanted a fight, so be it. She had only beaten him once in her previous life, and it hadn't been enough to vent her anger.

In her last life, it was this same summer, during the school holidays, that Willow's only son, Willow Cai, drowned while swimming in the river. The Willows couldn't accept the truth and drifted through their days in a daze, leading to repeated mishaps at the shop. Ultimately, a customer died from food poisoning, and they ended up in prison. Within half a year, they died of depression.

Luo Cheng had immediately washed his hands of the matter, even trampling over the Willows as he distanced himself, then disappeared without a trace. Years later, she encountered him again in prison—reserved for serious offenders. He clearly was no good. Because of what happened to the Willows, Wanshun had given him a vicious beating, but in hindsight, it was far too lenient.

This time, she had come to the Willows' shop intending to change their fate, to repay their kindness, and to deal with a wretch like Luo Cheng. The sooner such a backstabber landed behind bars, the better for everyone.

"Ahem..." Willow rubbed his nose and coughed lightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he tried to diffuse the situation. "Luo, the girl is just joking. No need to get so worked up—you're a grown man, show some tolerance. Girl, our shop hasn't been robbed, and there's plenty of meat. Eat your fill."

Wanshun gave Luo Cheng a long, meaningful look. "Is there really enough?"

Luo Cheng's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened, and he ground his teeth in frustration.

He Fang, seeing Luo Cheng put in his place, felt a strange satisfaction. It was their own soft-heartedness that had allowed him to grow so cunning and selfish. Wanshun had been so quiet these past two years, but today, her playful spirit returned, and that reassured He Fang.

"All right, all right, Luo Cheng, go do your work. Wanshun, sit down—husband, what are you waiting for? Go boil some noodles—Wanshun is hungry."

Willow hurried into the kitchen, smiling.

He Fang pulled Wanshun down to sit, lovingly smoothing her wind-tousled hair.

"Drink some soda. There's more if you finish that—kids like you all love it, and we've got plenty of flavors. That rascal Cai can drink three bottles in one go. It's been a while since you last came—you've lost weight, haven't you been eating well?"

She sighed inwardly. She knew Wanshun stayed away because of Luo Cheng. That boy hadn't always been like this.

They'd tried teaching, they'd tried scolding—nothing worked. Neither of them could harden their hearts enough to kick him out. Blood or not, it made no difference—they just didn't know what to do.

Wanshun smiled, unconcerned about the traitor. "Delicious."

He Fang happily fetched her another bottle. "Drink as much as you like. We have plenty."

Wanshun accepted and asked, "Where's Cai?"

Speak of the devil.

"Mom, I'm dying of thirst—give me a soda!"

Willow Cai, the couple's son, thirteen years old—at that age when everyone finds you a nuisance. Wild as a colt, always running outside, never home unless hungry. The moment he walked in, he shouted for his mother, his voice as loud and distinct as hers.

Wanshun looked up to see a skinny, dark-skinned boy dart inside. Both parents were plump and fair, but their son was thin as a monkey, never gaining weight no matter how much he ate. If not for the resemblance, with features carved from the same mold as Willow, there would have been endless family strife.

He wore nothing but shorts, his skin so dark it gleamed with oil. If he went out at night and kept his mouth shut, no one would see him at all.

The Willows always raised their son with a loose hand—as long as he came home on time for three meals, they let him be.

"Rascal, you're home early today," his mother teased.

The boy ignored her nagging and, spotting Wanshun, his large, bright eyes lit up.

He rushed over, exclaiming, "Sister Shun, you're here! How come you took so long?"

He reached to sling an arm around her neck. Wanshun tilted her head and kicked out with her foot, sending him down onto a bench in bewilderment.

It took him two seconds to react. "Whoa, Sister Shun, since when are you so badass? Teach me! I want to learn and sweep the world!"

His mother promptly smacked him. "How many times have I told you—no nonsense, behave yourself!"

The boy paid no mind to her slap and sidled up to Wanshun. "Sister Shun, Ermazi from the next street snatched my girl—help me get revenge. With your moves, you could beat him to a pulp!"

Wanshun's mouth twitched. Clearly, he'd been watching too many gangster movies. Still barely grown, and already claiming to have a girlfriend?