Chapter 110 (2/2)

However, Yu Xiaocao had turned around to face Shopkeeper Zhang, who was picking himself up from the ground, ”Shopkeeper Zhang, we're going to take my older brother back home. Do you have any problems with that?”

”Ah…usually, if the apprentice leaves the store before finis.h.i.+ng their training, a penalty fee needs to be paid…” Shopkeeper Zhang secretly shot a glance at the dark clouds near the horizon as he stood up with great effort. He barely managed to steady his weak legs as he patted himself on the chest.

When Third Young Master Zhou heard the news, he had hurriedly rushed over from the docks. He dismounted from his horse when he got there and broke through the crowd. He came just in time to hear Shopkeeper Zhang's shameless comment, so he coldly snorted and said, ”Surnamed Zhang! We haven't even settled your debt from injuring someone, so how do you have the face to ask for a penalty fee?! How about this, let's go to the county magistrate's office and settle things there?”

Everyone in town knew that Zhenxiu Restaurant's business had been roaring hot. After all, there was a three month wait to reserve a private room there. In addition, with the imperial merchant Zhou Family behind the young master, how could Shopkeeper Zhang not know the status of this youth in front of him?

”Third Young Master Zhou, what sort of relations.h.i.+p do you have with Yu Hang?” From Zhang Dongming's perspective, one was the son of a prosperous, rich family, and the other was the son of a poor fisherman. There was not much in common between the two. However, judging from the tone of Third Young Master Zhou's voice, why did it sound like he was on the side of the Yu Family?

Zhou Zixu casually brushed off some dust from his clothes as he inquired about Yu Hang's current condition. In addition, he learned the whole story of what had happened, including all of the details. Only then did he slant a sidelong glance at Shopkeeper Zhang, who he had coldly ignored the whole time. He stated solemnly, ”This young girl, Miss Yu, is someone I consider to be my younger sister! Whoever wants to bully my younger sister is telling me that they don't want to have a good relations.h.i.+p with me, Third Young Master Zhou!”

Yu Xiaocao rolled her eyes inwardly, 'Surnamed Zhou ah, when did this girl become your younger sister? At most, we are only a couple of business a.s.sociates, okay?'

Zhou Zixu seemed to be able to sense her inner thoughts and turned around to look at her rea.s.suringly before he turned back to faintly smile at Shopkeeper Zhang. For a split second, it seemed like the small and frail looking figure of a young man had suddenly become tall and lofty.

In order for Shopkeeper Zhang to be able to conduct business as easily as a fish swimming in water, he naturally had a good sense of who he could offend and who he had treat carefully. Although Third Young Master Zhou was young in age, the patriarch of the Zhou Family regarded him highly. It was obvious that this young man's future would be bright in the future.

Furthermore, Third Young Master Zhou had a close relations.h.i.+p with the son of County Magistrate Wu, and he was in the wrong in this situation. If they really did bring this to the county magistrate's office, Shopkeeper Zhang was afraid that the one who would lose would still be him...

Zhang Dongming immediately showed off his acting skills by 'changing expressions to fit the situation'. A large smile crossed his face as he said cloyingly, ”I really didn't have the eyes to tell the difference between trash and treasure. Since Third Young Master Zhou is helping us settle our differences, this dumb one will return the apprentices.h.i.+p contract back to the Yu Family in consideration for Third Young Master Zhou's reputation…”

After seeing the extent of Yu Hang's injuries, Third Young Master Zhou was angered and aggrieved at how vicious Shopkeeper Zhang was to the young boy. He cut off Shopkeeper Zhang's flattery short and frostily replied, ”Shopkeeper Zhang, there is no need to do this out of concern for my reputation. We can find out who is truly at fault at the magistrate's office! Simo, please go to the county magistrate's office to report a case, tell them that the Zhang Ji Carpentry Shop's shopkeeper had seriously hurt someone while drunk…”

”Wait a moment, wait a moment!” Although it was a chilly spring day, Shopkeeper Zhang suddenly felt cold sweat dripping down his bruised forehead. He immediately bowed deeply and repeatedly pleaded, ”Young Master Zhou, tell me what needs to be done and this lowly one will immediately obey!”

Third Young Master Zhou glanced back at the silent and taciturn Xiaocao and quietly asked, ”Xiaocao, how do you want to handle this Shopkeeper Zhang…”

”Shopkeeper Zhang violently beat up my older brother and caused injuries serious enough that he almost died. In addition, he also caused severe psychological damage to him. We'll waive the psychological fees. As for the fees for medications, nursing, disability, and nutrition...he needs to pay for all of these to repent for his mistake. Furthermore, Shopkeeper Zhang falsely accused my older brother of stealing from him and damaged his reputation. He must sincerely apologize to my brother in front of everyone here!”

Zhou Zixu watched as the tiny figure in front of him, with her hands clasped behind her back, pretended to have the demeanor of an adult. Everything she said had made sense, and it only made him feel that she was an adorable little girl. He couldn't help but soften his gaze towards her and reveal a warm and gentle smile on his face.

”Did you hear all of that? Medication fees, nursing costs...all of it. Given our status as fellow townspeople, I'll cut a deal with you. Pay out a hundred taels as a courtesy okay? That won't be considered too expensive, right?” Third Young Master Zhou was as gentle as a spring day towards his friends, but towards his enemies, he was as severe and ruthless as the cold winter day.

Originally he had wanted to extort the man for around three hundred to five hundred taels, but he was afraid that Xiaocao and her family would then be slandered as blackmailers. So he modified his request to a more reasonable one hundred taels as compensation for Yu Hang's injuries.

Shopkeeper Zhang obviously couldn't say anything at this point. His heart dripped blood at the thought of the terms but he still kept a smile on his face as he nodded furiously, ”Not too much, not too much! Young Master Zhou's terms are very fair, very very fair!”

Third Young Master Zhou took the banknote worth a hundred taels from Shopkeeper Zhang's hands and then turned to face Yu Hang, who was lying in the donkey cart. He hinted, ”The compensation has been paid in full, so quickly apologize now! We still need to go back to the medicine hall to check on his condition again!”

Shopkeeper Zhang really didn't want to apologize to his poor and humble apprentice. However, if he didn't do it, it was likely that he'd be brought to the county magistrate's office——in that case, then he'd really lose his face and reputation. After considering the facts, he decided to a.s.sume an air of sincerity and figuratively pinched his nose as he apologized to Yu Hang.