Xiushui Town.
Jin Fu was busy in the back kitchen preparing the ingredients needed for the evening.
Ever since Hei Yunzi was eradicated, Xiushui Town and its surroundings have returned to their former tranquility.
The wealthy families who once fled have also returned.
The town has become bustling once again.
Even this small restaurant has started to get busy.
Yet despite this, the income was still only enough for Jin Fu to barely make ends meet.
Thinking of this, Jin Fu, who had just kneaded a large vat of dough and was letting it rise, couldn’t help but sigh.
Whenever he had free time, Jin Fu would think about the origin of his name.
His father had wracked his brains to give him this name, entrusting infinite hope.
Coupled with their family surname, it seemed to brim with luck.
But contrary to that, their family had lived extremely tough lives for three generations.
His grandfather worked hard all his life and never even had a full meal, and his father became overworked and ill from running the small restaurant, passing away early.
Now in his generation, although they weren’t starving, dreaming of rising to prominence and starting a family on the basis of this small restaurant was destined to be unrealistic.
After lamenting for a moment, Jin Fu got up to prepare the noodles for the evening.
Just then, the curtain was lifted, and a cold wind blew in.
A ragged-looking middle-aged man came in from outside.
His padded jacket was so worn that it looked like a beggar’s, with oil stains thick enough to reflect light.
Seeing this man, Jin Fu couldn’t help but feel a little helpless.
"Old Yang, why are you here again?"
The man didn’t answer but fumbled in his pocket for a while before finally pulling out a silver sand grain covered in grime.
"A pot of Shattered Glass."
Shattered Glass was a kind of wine, named for its turbid and intense nature that made it feel like swallowing broken glass as it burnt down the throat.
This wine was also the cheapest sold at the small restaurant.
This man was indeed Old Yang.
He used to order four dishes for every meal and drink a pot of Lotus White, then sit down and drink slowly.
But now he couldn’t even afford more of the Shattered Glass.
Seeing this, Jin Fu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Since Hei Yunzi was eradicated by the heroes of Azure Dragon Temple, the man who was friendly with Old Yang’s wife never appeared again.
As time went by, Old Yang’s wife couldn’t stand the poverty and ran away with someone else.
Leaving Old Yang alone at home, muddled, either drinking or en route to drink every day.
"Old Yang, stop drinking, buy a padded jacket with that money. It’s already past New Year, but still far from spring, you’ll freeze to death this way," Jin Fu advised kindly.
But Old Yang didn’t listen; he reached out his hand indifferently and said, "Shattered Glass."
A few regular drinkers in the restaurant couldn’t help but laugh at the scene.
"Xiaojinzi, don’t bother, Old Yang wants to get drunk and see his wife!"
"Old Yang, where’d you get the money? Heard you sold roof tiles; if it snows, you won’t need to go out to see it."
Amidst the mocking remarks, Old Yang’s expression remained numb as if he didn’t hear.
Seeing this, Jin Fu could only shake his head helplessly, accept the silver sand grain, and filled a pot with Shattered Glass from the wine vat.
"Here, have a salted duck egg too; drinking such strong wine on an empty stomach can be dangerous," Jin Fu said.
Old Yang didn’t thank him, immediately gulped down a large mouthful of wine, and then staggered out.
"Hey, where are you going? Have it here," Jin Fu, looking worried, stepped around the counter intending to stop him.
Just then, the curtain was lifted again, and someone came in.
"Shopkeeper, a bowl of noodles, please."
The voice was clear and pleasant.
Jin Fu felt the voice sounded familiar; he looked up and was stunned.
Not just him, the men teasing Old Yang also fell silent, not daring to speak again.
A tall and elegant young man entered, looking about twenty or so. His clothes weren’t overly luxurious but were very clean and tidy.
He was handsome, especially his eyes, which shone like stars.
Such a graceful and intriguing person was rare for the town’s people, naturally making them curious and unsure.
Could he be a noble young man from a wealthy clan?
Jin Fu reacted quickly and promptly agreed.
"Sure, have a seat, sir."
He diligently wiped the tables and chairs again.
Zhao Ya sat down, his gaze swept across the faces in the restaurant.
Hmm, not much has changed, still the same people as when he pretended to be a Traveling Doctor last time.
Except for Old Yang.
Zhao Ya had a deep impression of this man, who drank in the restaurant while his wife was with someone else.
He didn’t expect to see him fallen to this state in a few days.
But it’s only natural since his wife’s lover, one of Hei Yunzi’s men, had been killed by him.
Zhao Ya didn’t dislike Old Yang, but he wasn’t fond of him either, so he just glanced past him.
However, to Zhao Ya, a casual glance was a huge shock to Old Yang, almost causing him to stumble.