The old man turned around, patted his head, and said, "Look at my memory — I almost forgot."
Then he pulled a pouch of money from his body and handed it to Huzi. "This isn't a small amount; spend it sparingly."
With that, he swaggered off like he owned the place. When he reached the door, he suddenly sped up, running faster than a rabbit.
At that speed, I couldn't shake the feeling there was some kind of scheme going on.
As soon as the old man left, I hurried over to Huzi and asked, "How much living money did the master leave us?"
Huzi counted the money, sighed, and said, "Young master, this won't last long. I'm afraid we'll starve before the year is up."
"How much exactly?" I asked.
"Eight hundred and sixty-seven yuan and thirty-five cents," Huzi replied.
"What? Why such an odd amount? Did the old man beg on the street for this money? And with this, he expects me to make ten million in a year?" I was utterly frustrated. The old man was so stingy — leaving us mere hundreds for a whole year, and forbidding me from earning by any other means. It felt like he wanted to starve me out.
Over the years, many people came to this courtyard to seek my master's help, but most were from Yanbei city.
Yanbei is a first-tier metropolis, and many knew my master lived here, so they came looking for him.
But over the years, most visitors were told off and sent away by Huzi under my master's orders. So fewer and fewer came, until the courtyard was almost deserted.
So that impossible ten million yuan in a year felt like nothing more than a dream.
Anything is possible in dreams.
What surprised me, however, was that three days after the master left, someone showed up at the courtyard.
A father and daughter.
Huzi said they arrived in a Rolls-Royce — clearly wealthy.
Hearing this perked me up. I hadn't expected any big business to come so soon after my master's departure, so I immediately told Huzi to welcome them in.
When they entered, I noticed right away that this father and daughter were unusual — especially the father.
A dark mist hovered over his head, his brow was shadowed, and a sinister energy gathered in the area between his eyebrows. His fate palace was shrouded in ominous qi — clearly he was going through a streak of bad luck.
After eight years of training under my master, I could tell a lot about a person just by one glance.
I sat calmly in the living room as Huzi brought them in. Following my master's example, I maintained a composed demeanor. Since they came seeking help — and bringing money — I couldn't just let them walk all over me.
Huzi respectfully said, "Young master, this gentleman is here to see you."
I nodded and looked at the father and daughter.
The girl looked familiar — like I'd seen her somewhere before, but I couldn't recall exactly where.
She caught my attention — about my age, delicate features, fair skin, pretty. She wore a simple floral dress, her hair tied in a ponytail, standing obediently beside her father.
The man glanced at me politely. "Hello, I'm Zhang Yucheng, chairman of Yanbei Julong Group. I came on a friend's recommendation to see Master Li. Is he here?"
"Sorry, my master is on a long trip. He said he won't be back for a year," I replied.
"This is our young master Wu Jie, the family head's only direct disciple. Before he left, the family head said any matters can be handled by young master here," Huzi added.
When Zhang Yucheng heard my master wasn't home but that I could help, his expression brightened. He said, "As the saying goes, a famous teacher produces outstanding disciples. Since Wu Jie is Master Li's disciple, you must be reliable. I have a bit of trouble on my hands. I hope young master can help."
As soon as he finished, I asked, "Mr. Zhang, you're from Yanbei city? All your business is based in Yanbei?"
Zhang Yucheng smiled, "Yes, all in Yanbei. I'm an old Yanbei local. Over the years, I've built some assets and made some success."
I nodded and said, "Sorry, Mr. Zhang, I can't help with your issue. Huzi, please see them out."
Huzi and Zhang both froze at my words. Zhang's pretty daughter glanced at me, frowning slightly.
Huzi kept winking at me as if to say, "We're starving here, and you're turning away business?"
"No, Young Master Wu, why? We can pay anything — name your price. I'm not short of money," Zhang pleaded.
"This isn't about money. I really can't help you. Please leave," I said firmly, casting a glance at Huzi.
Huzi sighed helplessly and began ushering them out.
Zhang Yucheng grew impatient and said, "Young Master Wu, my daughter Yaoyao is your classmate at Yanbei No. 1 High School. Please, for the sake of classmates, help us."
At this, I looked again at the girl and thought, no wonder she seemed familiar — we went to the same school.
She was indeed pretty — probably a school beauty. But these years, I'd been closely monitored by my master, always training with him, so I hadn't paid attention to distractions like that. Not knowing her was normal.
"Which class are you in?" I asked the girl out of curiosity.
"Grade 3, Class 6," she replied, cheeks blushing slightly.
Class 6 in Grade 3 is no joke — Yanbei No. 1 High School is the best in the city, and Class 6 is the top class. Students there generally get into prestigious universities. Unlike me, a slacker barely allowed to stay in school.
Zhang Yucheng tried to leverage his daughter's connection, thinking I'd surely agree.
But I just waved my hand and said, "See them out."
"Please leave, Mr. Zhang," Huzi began guiding them outside.
Zhang Yucheng glanced at me with reluctance, sighed, and left with his daughter.
After they left, Huzi came back and said, "Young master, we're so poor, and you're still turning away business. How are we supposed to survive?"
"Uncle Huzi, when master left, he specifically told me the first job can't be in Yanbei city. Did you forget?"