The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

In the past, when I went to visit Lou Xiao'e, I always brought food from here. Now I'm even a little tired of it and don't have any particular requirements for the dishes.

Xie Quancai added two more dishes.

Finally, Gao Yue added a soup, and that concluded her order.

Everyone enjoyed the meal, especially Xie Quancai.

He praised the dish from the very first course until the last course was cleared away, his face still bearing a satisfied smile.

"If you like it, Master, please come often."

Seeing that his master was happy, Yang Ping said, "The boss knows my father, so he won't charge us."

He said it frankly.

Xie Quancai had indeed treated him well; inviting his master to Fengzeyuan for a few meals was nothing special.

"That won't do."

Xie Quancai quickly waved his hand, "Even if your father has done someone a favor, we can't be too inconsiderate."

If this happens too often, it will only annoy people, and eventually they won't even let you in the door, which would be embarrassing.

Xie Quancai finally realized that Yang Ping was serious, but still shook his head and refused.

He put down his teacup, his voice carrying the admonition of an elder: "Yang Ping, one should know how to be content."

Now that the owner of Fengzeyuan has secured his benefits, he should know when to stop.

"Alright, Master."

Yang Ping twitched the corners of her mouth, revealing a helpless smile.

Some things are better left unsaid, so it's best to leave them vague for now.

After the matter was settled, Lü Shuitian rode his bicycle to take Xie Quancai home, while Yang Ping accompanied Gao Yue home.

As he reached the alley entrance, watching the two figures disappear into the distance, a familiar, dull ache crept into his temples once more.

Just as she was planning to find a hotel to rest, Gao Yue shook her head before she could even speak.

"This time... I'm afraid it won't work."

"Alright."

Yang Ping suppressed his disappointment and said nothing more, only silently seeing her to the door.

As the door gently closed, he turned the car around and disappeared back into the night, heading back to Fengzeyuan.

He needed to ask Yao Fengze for a sum of money—the cost of supporting the assassins was high. Although his business there had brought in some income, earning him twenty or thirty thousand a month, it would still take some time to raise a million.

He couldn't wait any longer; he had to extend everyone's lifespan by five years first. How to refine them later could be discussed later.

In a short while, the plaque of Fengzeyuan appeared under the lamplight.

Yang Ping went straight to Yao Fengze's study, but the moment she pushed open the door, she bumped into a face she never expected.

His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately turned to the side to back away, intending to avoid it for the time being and come back later.

But the man had already looked up and called out to him:

"Yang Ping".

Their steps had to stop.

Yang Ping composed himself, a perfectly measured expression of respect appearing on his face, and called out:

"Uncle Lou."

The person sitting upright before me is Lou Bancheng.

Xu Damao had met him on the day of his blind date, and his image had appeared on television a few times afterward, so he remembered him.

"Come and sit down."

Lou Bancheng raised his hand in a gesture of greeting, his voice calm and unwavering.

Yang Ping calmly took his seat.

The chair was right next to him, so he went straight over and sat down without any formalities.

"Yang Ping, you've got guts."

Lou Bancheng spoke, his voice low but heavy, "While he was entangled with the announcer at the factory, he was also trying to seduce my daughter."

Although others haven't seen Lou Xiao'e these past few days, they've already figured out everything that's going on around their daughter.

The young man in front of her was the one her daughter had fallen for.

What angered him even more was that this man was also having an ambiguous relationship with the girl at the radio station.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Yang Ping's face.

He had anticipated this scene, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

Fortunately, it wasn't two girls who bumped into each other; it was just this "future father-in-law."

.

"Uncle Lou,"

He steadied his voice and said, "I didn't initially intend for Xiao'e and me to go this far."

Seeing that she was in trouble, he asked Uncle Yao for help.

Later, she often felt bored and would occasionally come over to sit for a while, but unexpectedly... it gradually turned into what it is today.

After he finished speaking, he paused, then added:

"But rest assured, I will never let Xiao'e suffer any injustice."

I will treat her well.

The attitude is clear and unambiguous.

Even in front of Lou Bancheng, he had no intention of backing down.

"What about the announcer?"

Lou Bancheng stared at him.

"I won't let go either."

Yang Ping answered decisively.

Lou Bancheng remained silent for a moment.

In the capitalist world, rules are often not so rigid.

Even though it's said to be monogamous nowadays, it's not impossible for a truly capable person to take care of one or two more.

The key is to smooth things over and avoid making things awkward.

"It's good that you know what's going on."

Lou Bancheng finally said, "If this isn't handled well, don't blame me for turning against you."

"Don't worry."

Yang Ping responded.

He always had some experience in how to get along with women.

When the time is right, he plans to make things clear so that the two women can accept each other's existence.

Lou Bancheng nodded slightly.

He then turned to Yao Fengze and sincerely thanked him.

"Mr. Yao, my daughter has been well taken care of by you these past few days. I will come to bother you again in a few days regarding other matters."

"If Mr. Lou is in trouble, he might as well ask Mr. Yang Ping. Perhaps he can find a way to resolve it."

Yao Fengze spoke up.

He trusted Yang Ping implicitly and knew that the man was resourceful and even had the ability to foresee future developments.

While he himself couldn't help Lou Bancheng with this, Yang Ping might be able to.

"Oh?"

Lou Bancheng's face showed a hint of surprise upon hearing this.

He couldn't help but take a closer look at Yang Ping.

Originally, they thought he was just a young man with outstanding fitter skills who was also greedy and lustful. They never expected that he would be able to handle his current predicament.

After a moment's thought, Lou Bancheng decided to ask, just to see if Yao Fengze had misjudged him.

"Yang Ping, do you know what problems the Lou family is currently facing?"

Lou Bancheng didn't try to hide anything and asked directly.

He really wanted to see why Yao Fengze valued this young man so much, and what brilliant solutions he could come up with.

"The pressure from above, coupled with the risks of the future, is too great to face directly at present, so we can only take a temporary break."

Yang Ping replied.

The Lou family's current predicament stems from the pressure from above and the looming crisis.

The only solution is to leave Beijing and seek new opportunities in Hong Kong.

He knew the answer almost without having to think about it.

"Oh?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Lou Bancheng's eyes; he hadn't expected Yang Ping to hit the nail on the head.

Lou Bancheng knew that the higher-ups had been putting increasing pressure on the Lou family lately.

He came to see Yao Fengze today ostensibly to discuss ways to resolve the predicament, but in reality, he wanted to take the opportunity to see his daughter, Lou Xiao'e.

The current troubles are just a pretext.

"What are the future trends?"

Lou Bancheng repeated the word, his brows furrowed slightly.

He didn't understand the big picture, but the pressure from all sides was truly weighing on his shoulders.

"The so-called general trend is the power that ordinary people gather together."

Yang Ping put it bluntly, "Your Lou family is well-off and has mountains of gold and silver. It's inevitable that people will be watching and eyeing you. There's no escaping it."

Yang Ping himself came from a working-class background with a clean social standing and a modest family fortune. In addition, he had good relationships and a solid foundation in the factory, so there was nothing to worry about.

Lou Bancheng was different—his identity as a capitalist was inherently sensitive, and he also controlled a vast family business. If the situation changed, countless people would want to pounce on him and tear off a piece of his flesh.

Even without Xu Damao, Li Damao and Zhou Damao would have emerged to target the Lou family in the future.

There's no escaping this situation.

Lou Bancheng's expression gradually darkened as he listened.

This was precisely what he worried about day and night.

Over the years, he has handed over many businesses, but some people still feel it's not enough.

If one day the situation becomes uncontrollable, the Lou family may really be in trouble.

"Then... how should we avoid it?"

He asked in a low voice.

"Before things get too turbulent, let's pack our things and head to Hong Kong."

Yang Ping said calmly, "There's plenty of room there; I can always start over."

As Lou Xiao'e's father, Yang Ping also hoped that her family could be safe and sound.

As for Xiao'e—she will have to leave sooner or later.

Staying here is just as dangerous, so it's better to settle down in Hong Kong first and wait until things calm down.

Lou Bancheng remained silent for a long time.

He had considered this path.

But the Lou family still has roots here, and the foundation they've built up over decades isn't something they can just give up so easily.

Uncle Lou, some things are destined to be untaken, so let them remain here.

Leaving sooner means finding peace of mind sooner.

Yang Ping's voice was very calm.

There are no major troubles ahead yet, so if the Lou family wanted to leave, they wouldn't need to be in such a hurry.

With ample time, one can naturally bring more items.

But if we delay any longer, we will eventually have to give up what we were reluctant to part with – one cannot carry everything on one's shoulders.

Lou Bancheng listened, then suddenly froze.

In that instant, it was as if something had awakened him.

What doesn't belong to you is futile no matter how tightly you hold on.

Instead of living in constant fear and anxiety, it's better to let go early and find peace of mind.

"Mr. Yang, I understand."

He solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute, his tone becoming more respectful, and even his form of address changed.

Without saying another word, Lou Bancheng turned and left, his footsteps quickly disappearing outside the door.

Yang Ping watched him leave, and was about to turn back to ask Yao Fengze to get the money, when she heard Yao Fengze speak first:

"Sir, I've saved up 180,000 over the years, but I don't need it right now. Please take it all."

He had already guessed Yang Ping's purpose.

After saying that, Yao Fengze walked to the iron box in the corner of the room, unlocked it, and took out a cloth bag from inside.

The bag was loosened, revealing neatly stacked thick piles of large black ten-yuan banknotes inside.

"become."

Yang Ping didn't refuse and casually put the money into his pocket.

Adding the 200,000 I got from Yan Hancheng, and the 5,000 from **, I now have a total of 385,000.

We're almost halfway to that million goal.

"Fengze, if you need the money urgently, come to me anytime to get it back."

Yang Ping said.

"No need, Mr. Yang."

There's enough money in the shop for working capital, and I've kept some for myself.

Yao Fengze smiled and shook his head.

Lou Bancheng's businesses were deeply entrenched, making it impossible for him to withdraw entirely. He could only allocate a portion of his idle funds to Yang Ping.

"Okay, I understand."

Yang Ping nodded and said nothing more.

Having achieved his goal, he did not linger and turned to leave.

On the way back to the courtyard house, Yang Ping pondered that he should go and find Lou Xiao'e the next day.

He could tell that Lou Bancheng was determined to leave and would definitely take his daughter with him when he set off, meaning that their time was running out.

He harbored some lingering feelings for this woman from the Lou family, but if she could leave this place and live a peaceful life, that would be a better ending.

If she insists on staying, those who are secretly watching might use her to blackmail her father.

Even if he has many capable men under his command, it's hard to guarantee her safety.

He could manage to deal with people, but he didn't know he had the ability to go against the tide.

Lost in thought, Yang Ping had already returned to the gate of the compound.

He had just pushed his bicycle into the courtyard when he bumped into Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li, a young couple, coming out of the house.

"Wife, call him Brother Yang."

Yan Jiecheng tugged at Yu Li's sleeve and introduced her.

Although he was a few years older than Yang Ping, Yang Ping was much more capable, hence the address "brother".

They called out willingly.

"Brother Yang."

Yu Li was a little shy. She took a half step back behind Yan Jiecheng and called out softly.

Yang Ping responded with a faint "yes".

Yu Li was indeed quite presentable, but she was already someone else's wife, and he had no intention of disturbing her life.

He didn't say anything more and pushed the cart straight to the backyard.

……

The next day at dusk, after work.