Chapter 5 (1/2)
Chapter 5 - Pressing to Pay Debts
Tang Chu walked forward and guided Gu Hai along the way. There was no further obstacle along the way. After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Tang Chu and Gu Hai appeared in the outskirts of Tang Chu's hometown —— Autumn Leaf Town!
Autumn Leaf Town was actually quite small. This size didn't refer to the land area, but rather the population. A small town could only add up to around ten thousand or so together. Moreover, owing to the Black Fiend Mountain Range nearby, the mountainous terrain was not really good for farming, therefore, most of the people here depended on hunting and picking herbs for sustenance!
As it was late in the afternoon, along with the fact that the mountains were dangerous, there weren't anyone who would go to the mountain to hunt or pick herbs at this time. Therefore, most of the residents of this small town had returned. As it was still a bit early to go to sleep, the small town was actually somewhat lively at this period of time.
Along the way, as Tang Chu walked through the small town, the people all looked at Tang Chu and greeted him enthusiastically, enquiring about the day's harvest. Tang Chu also responded enthusiastically.
As for Gu Hai following behind Tang Chu, they also greeted him warmly without asking for Gu Hai's origins. In this small town, there would often be visitors coming and going, and there was nothing strange about it.
Tang Chu led Gu Hai through several bends in the small town until they walked to a more remote area where there were a few shabby houses. Tang Chu skillfully opened the door to a house and waited for Gu Hai to enter before closing the door. After which he went further into the house, while at the same time shouting loudly: ”Mother, I am back.”
Gu Hai followed behind Tang Chu into the room and saw a middle-aged woman wearing plain clothes lying in bed with eyes slightly open as if she had just woken up.
The middle-aged woman had a pale face, a thin body, and sunken eyes. At a glance, one would know that she had contracted a serious illness, and moreover, had been suffering from malnutrition for a long time.
”Madam, I'm indebted to Tang Chu's invitation. This Gu would be disturbing you in your residence for the night. If there is any inconvenience, please do not blame.” Gu Hai spoke softly to the middle-aged woman lying down on the bed.
”Mother, this is Uncle Gu, I met him in the mountains. Uncle Gu didn't have any place to go, so I just brought him home!” Tang Chu said softly to his mother while pointing to Gu Hai, ”Uncle Gu is really fierce. With a few words, he was able to deceive the people of Black Wind Camp into leaving!”
”Cough cough, this humble self's health is not suitable and cannot get up to greet Mister Gu, so also request Mister Gu not to blame!” The middle-aged woman half-leaned on the bed with the a.s.sistance of Tang Chu and apologetically said to Gu Hai, ”Moreover, Mister Gu's words are too serious, there is nothing inconvenient about it. Mister Gu has saved my Chu'er, this humble self is unable to return the favor. Why only stay one night? Mister Gu, you are welcome to live here as long as you wish, I only request Mister Gu to not despise this shabby little place of ours!”
”Thank you very much, Madam, this Gu thanks you for your hospitality.” Gu Hai cupped his hands in a greeting to express his grat.i.tude.
”Chu'er, go to the western room and tidy it up for Mister Gu, then take him over there to stay.” The middle-aged woman instructed, ”Mister Gu, please help yourself, forgive this humble self for being unable to entertain Mister.”
”Madam is being polite. Then Gu will not disturb Madam. Madam, please rest early.” Gu Hai, after speaking, followed Tang Chu outside of the room. Tang Chu, after coming out, closed the door so that his mother could rest even better.
”Bang…...Open the door, Tang Chu, I know you're at home, hurry up and open the door for this father!” Gu Hai and Tang Chu had barely moved away from the room when the sound of knocking coupled with a man's loud shouts came from the main entrance.
Tang Chu's complexion changed when he heard the voice, as if he had recalled some bad things. He remained standing blankly in his original place!
Gu Hai looking at the bitter expression on Tang Chu's face, asked curiously: ”Who is he?”
Tang Chu muttered, ”It is Yao Er from the town. When mother was seriously ill, I had borrowed money from him for mother's treatment at ten times the interest. He has already come here several times, but how could I have so much money to settle the debt?”
”Ten times? He is too greedy!” Gu Hai said with a cold smile. Imposing a usurious ten times interest and going to hara.s.s a pair of helpless mother and child, that Yao Er would do anything it seems!
”I had no other way, Mother was seriously ill, I had no choice but borrow the money but others wouldn't have that much money. Let alone ten times, even if it was a hundred times interest I would still borrow, but how can I pay back that much money right now?” Tang Chu revealed a bitter expression on his face. He could only depend on picking herbs every day to make a living, there was no way that he would be able to get so much money!
”Bang…….hurry up and open the door for this father, otherwise this father will kick down your door!” Yao Er shouted from outside.
Gu Hai sneered when he heard that, and said indifferently: ”Go, go open the door for him. I also want to see who the h.e.l.l he is..”
”f.u.c.k, only after this father got angry you opened the door!” After Tang Chu opened the door, a wretched looking young man was preparing to enter the door while swearing out loudly.
”Stop! Who allowed you to enter?” Gu Hai snorted coldly, ”Who gave you the authority to trespa.s.s into private residence? If you don't have any basis, then I judge you guilty!”