I Am Your Natural Enemy

It’s only been the last twenty years that we’ve got electricity installed, bridges built, and signal towers erected, allowing the younger generation to venture out more.

You don’t know, back in the day, I personally went to bring Master Ye over to our unit.

Since Master Ye came, things around here have been much more peaceful.

If you make a trip on behalf of Master Ye, it would be more appropriate than others going, as their village has quite a good impression of Fuyu Mountain.

You guys share a bit of history.

In the past, it wasn’t even necessary to send back a customer once a year; sometimes not even one in two years.

This year, there’s a lot happening, with two guests passing away outside, and both need Master Ye to send them back.

Their custom is to return to the ancestral land to be buried before the year-end celebrations begin, just to ensure nothing happens.

Otherwise, not returning even if you pass away away from home is considered a fate worse than death itself.”

”Alright, I’ll make a trip soon to get things done quickly.”

After hearing from the curator, Wen Yan decided not to delay and planned to finish the matter promptly.

He left the hospital, and when he was almost home, he seemed to catch a glimpse of Chen Tao’s figure.

He also saw a man in his thirties beside Chen Tao, who looked familiar upon closer reflection. From what he remembered, this man was recently captured by the Scorching Sun Department.

He got out of the car and followed them.

As he approached, he saw the man standing beside Chen Tao, pointing to a small building ahead that looked like a factory.

”Master Chen, this is the place I chose. Have a look at whether it’s suitable to open a bathhouse.”

Wen Yan heard this sentence and started questioning whether this person was serious.

In Nanwu County, where summer lasts nine months a year and is both hot and humid, opening a proper bathhouse in a small town like Virtue City — is that a case of having too much money and wanting to create jobs, losing money just for fun?

”Actually, just looking at this place, it isn’t bad, but I advise you not to open it in the north of Virtue City.”

Chen Tao glanced back, holding the compass, only to take a look at the seemingly inconspicuous hanging ornament on the streetlight, feeling that even if the place looked good, it wasn’t suitable.

Turning back, he saw Wen Yan approaching.

Chen Tao quickly put away the compass and hastened to greet him.

”Brother Wen, what a coincidence to meet you here.”

”I live nearby, what are you guys up to?”

”Just casually looking around for a livelihood. I’ll probably be staying in Nanwu County for the next few years,” Chen Tao replied as he quickly pulled over the big and tall man.

”This is a young brother of mine, Liu Chong. I wanted to take him as my apprentice before, but unfortunately, he’s not interested, so we don’t have the mentor-apprentice bond.

This time he helped me out and got into some trouble, so he was just released today.”

Chen Tao introduced Liu Chong to Wen Yan and immediately said to Liu Chong.

”You got released quickly, thanks entirely to Brother Wen speaking up for you.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Chong quickly took out some cigarettes.

After exchanging pleasantries for a bit, Wen Yan laughed and said.

”It wasn’t much related to me. Purely his issues weren’t significant, and the problem itself was minor.

Are you guys planning to open a bathhouse in Virtue City?”

”I’ve got this idea,” Chen Tao followed up: ”I’ve worked at bathhouses for many years, and I feel uncomfortable settling down. A person truly fears suddenly having nothing to do, which leads to discomfort and unease.”

”Uh...” Wen Yan was at a loss of words, realizing there was no point in advising him. Now it seemed that Chen Tao didn’t expect to make money at all, leaving nothing else to say.

Well, if Virtue City had a bathhouse, he could go for a soak, get his back scrubbed, and enjoy a sauna when he was free.

After chatting for a while, Wen Yan brought up the real issue.

”Master Chen, is Big Sister Ye’s situation resolved?”

”It’s stabilized, no real big issues for now. I’ll resolve it thoroughly slowly, as it’s not something that can be settled overnight.”

”That’s good, I appreciate your help, Master Chen.”

Wen Yan didn’t drag on chatting with Chen Tao. After he left, Chen Tao took Liu Chong, caught a vehicle, and headed south.

”Master Chen, do we really need to change places? This was the best place I chose, given price, location, and structure, all being suitable.”

”It’s not suitable here; it’s better to head towards the river, there will surely be a suitable place. Spending more money is fine.”

”Because of that old friend just now?”

”Not exactly, you think I don’t want to open a shop close to his house? I do.

Being here to open a shop, besides doing something for myself, is to have a reason for frequent meetings.

I just took in an apprentice, as you know, his situation is a bit special, wanting to manage in Nanwu County in the future.

Whoever’s face you might not consider, first consider his face.

Building good relationships is always the right thing to do.

However, the location you chose is truly not suitable.”

”Okay, I understand,” Liu Chong didn’t question further and continued to select a place in Southern Virtue City.

Chen Tao, too, pondered deeply. The ghost Ren Yubao, aside from being a ghost, was almost perfectly meeting his requirements in every other way.

His trouble is precisely because of the ghostly aspect, making the future path seem challenging.

Coincidentally, Ren Yubao is a native of Virtue City, with his family here, so staying in Virtue City is quite reasonable.

Originally, Ren Yubao was supposed to leave with Chen Tao, but Chen Tao, thinking about Ren Yubao’s future development, was prepared to move to Virtue City.

The good places for ghosts now, apart from Guanzhong County, are Nanwu County.