"Little Wang, coming to help so early!"
The head chef enthusiastically tossed an apple to Wang Li.
Normally, Wang Li would catch it with precision, for he was a赊刀人 (she dao ren - a seller of knives who trusts future payment).
But this time, Wang Li's reaction was a beat too slow, and the apple squarely hit his head.
Seeing this, the head chef quickly stepped forward to check, "Oh dear, are you alright?"
Wang Li seemed unfazed by the pain. He bent down, picked up the apple, and asked, "What do I need to do today? Is it still cutting carrots like before?"
The head chef patted Wang Li's shoulder, "Let's skip it today. You're out of sorts, kid. It would be bad if you cut yourself."
Wang Li grew anxious, "No, I need to help!"
"Why are you... so jumpy today? Is something bothering you?" the head chef asked with concern.
Wang Li rubbed the apple in his hands and said after a moment of hesitation, "My mother is gravely ill."
"This..."
The head chef's face immediately filled with sympathy. He comforted him, "Ah, no wonder you were distracted. Your mother being seriously ill means you should go back to see her. However, the times are not peaceful lately. If you rashly leave Rongcheng, you might be in danger."
Wang Li sighed, seemingly composing himself.
After a while, he smiled, "It's okay. My brother will take care of her. I heard the Chairman will be back today. Once the Chairman returns, all problems will surely be solved. I'll go back to visit my old mother then."
"Yes, that's the spirit!" the head chef beamed. "Once the Chairman returns, we won't have to worry anymore!"
Wang Li went to his workstation, picked up a cleaver, and selected a carrot from the basket.
He gradually let go of his smile, a hint of struggle in his eyes.
Soon, he made up his mind and brought the knife down.
*Thump!*
The carrot was cut in half.
...
At lunchtime, members of the Folk Research Society began arriving at the cafeteria.
The cafeteria meals were free, and the head chef was specially hired by the Lin family. The dishes were delicious, even better than what they cooked at home.
Therefore, almost no one in the Folk Research Society chose to cook for themselves.
Zhao Yiyao packed two meals from the cafeteria and brought them to Wang Ji'wang's office.
Wang Ji'wang was overwhelmed with various tasks and was already in a frenzy. Seeing Zhao Yiyao arrive, he didn't have time to greet her. He merely nodded at her and continued talking to someone on the phone.
Zhao Yiyao opened the lunch boxes and ate by herself.
By the time she was almost finished, Wang Ji'wang ended his call and jogged over, quickly unboxing his meal, and taking several large gulps with his spoon.
"Pfft! Cough cough cough!"
As expected, he choked.
Zhao Yiyao quickly handed Wang Ji'wang water and helped pat his back to help him breathe.
Wang Ji'wang, his face flushed red from choking, finally managed to recover.
"Damn it... it's all those prestigious sects, they've angered me to death!"
"What happened again?"
"There have been more casualties in Dongyue. A suona player and a coffin carrier died."
"They've gone too far!" Zhao Yiyao couldn't help but think of her family in the northeast.
Wang Ji'wang rubbed his temples. He hadn't slept for two nights.
He then glanced at the clock on the wall for a few seconds and said, "It should be about an hour more until Old Yan gets back."
Hurry back, Old Yan. Everyone is waiting for you.
Zhao Yiyao wiped her mouth and stood up, "I'll take people to pick up Zitong."
When Yan Shouyi returned, Lin Zitong naturally had to be present. Moreover, his return marked the time when the folk sects would confront the prestigious sects head-on, and Lin Zitong would play a crucial role in it.
Just then, the two suddenly heard a commotion outside!
Their expressions changed, and they hurried to push the door open.
Several members of the Folk Research Society ran over in a hurry, shouting from tens of meters away:
"Vice Chairman, those people are here!"
Without a doubt, Wang Ji'wang knew who was coming.
Weren't they the ones who, under the guise of prestigious sects, were doing shameful deeds?!
Wang Ji'wang had been expecting this day. He took a deep breath and methodically issued orders:
"Except for those guarding key points, the dungeon, and the lotus pond, everyone else assemble at the main gate!"
"Send someone to notify Senior Yan Qiu!"
"Everyone, don't panic, don't lose your formation. Follow me to meet those so-called prestigious sects!"
Wang Ji'wang's organizational skills were undeniable, and the members quickly calmed down and began to act.
As Wang Ji'wang walked out, he sent a text message to Yan Shouyi informing him of the situation.
This day was crucial. If handled well, the relationship between the two factions could be eased.
But if handled poorly... for the next few years, no one would have an easy time.
...
Outside the main gate of the Folk Research Society.
The prestigious sects had leveraged their connections to temporarily seal off the entire West Lake scenic area, allowing no one entry.
Ordinary people would not know that something major was happening at Rongcheng's West Lake today.
Over four hundred people were gathered at the main entrance. Knowing that there was a maze formation ahead, they did not rashly enter, only shouting from outside.
"The demon Yan Shouyi exterminated the entire Emei sect; heaven and earth will not tolerate him!"
"We are disciples of the prestigious sects, acting under the mandate of heaven, here to eliminate demons and uphold righteousness!"
"If you know what's good for you, quickly disable the formation and let us in. Although you are descendants of folk sects, you don't have to become accomplices of Yan Shouyi! Giving up resistance now is the wise choice!"
Some of the arrivals wore Taoist robes, while others wore kasayas, but without exception, they all came with fierce intentions.
After a short while, dozens of people suddenly emerged from the main entrance of the Folk Research Society.
Their figures shifted from blurry to clear, a phenomenon that occurred when emerging from a formation.
Leading them was Wang Ji'wang, accompanied by He Xiping, Zhao Yiyao, Weng Qianxiang, Old Jin, the Ma siblings...
And dozens of members of the Folk Research Society.
"Please remain calm!"
Wang Ji'wang, aiming to buy time, first identified himself:
"I am Wang Ji'wang, the Vice Chairman of the Folk Research Society. You have come here today. For what purpose?"
From the side of the prestigious sects, someone sneered, "Heh, you know very well why we are here. Don't play innocent with us!"
The more than four hundred people chattered and cursed incessantly, the scene momentarily losing control.
Wang Ji'wang squinted his eyes and said loudly:
"Is this the demeanor of prestigious sects? Why do I see a mob?! You've brought so many people, with whom am I supposed to converse?"
Nearly three minutes after his words, the disciples of the prestigious sects finally quieted down.
After some discussion, they nominated three spokesmen.
Master Henghua, a revered monk from Guangde Temple; Tang Zhongxue, an elder of the Red Robe Sect; and Hong Sifang, the sect leader of the崂山 (Lao Shan) Formation Sect.
As sects like Longhu Mountain, Wudang Mountain, and Maoshan chose to remain silent this time, the main forces present were mostly from third and fourth-tier sects. Among them, the most influential was Hong Sifang, the sect leader of the Lao Shan Formation Sect, although he was considered an outsider within Lao Shan, so Yuan Jianxin had no control over him.
These figures, whom Wang Ji'wang had never heard of before, were now openly leading the charge against the Folk Research Society. If not for the sheer numbers of the opposing side, Wang Ji'wang would have hardly bothered to glance at them.