"Okay."
Liu Shishi pulled Jiang Li along, to change her into a few clean outfits.
Su Yang, meanwhile, had people send the items to the Yangwei Hao, asking the people on the ship to receive them on his behalf.
...
Half an hour later.
Liu Shishi returned with Jiang Li.
Su Yang's eyes lit up. Dressed in new clothes, Jiang Li was the picture of a budding beauty.
Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her large eyes seemed to speak, captivating and charming. The dimples that appeared when she smiled made her even more beautiful.
Her long, dark eyelashes added a touch of liveliness. With a delicate nose and red lips, she was bound to drive countless men wild when she grew up.
"Let's go, we'll take a car to find your mom."
Su Yang hailed a taxi. He was away from home, and his Lamborghini and Koenigsegg were not with him.
"Big brother, you're not from around here, are you?"
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
"Big brother, you're so rich. If you were from here, you'd definitely drive if you were taking a few beautiful sisters shopping!"
"Hahaha, you little clever thing!"
In the car, Su Yang and Liu Shishi were all amused by Jiang Li.
She was young, but seemed to understand everything.
No wonder they say that children from poor families mature early.
"By the way, is your mother the only family you have left?"
"Mhm, I've never met my dad. Mom said he ran away after losing money gambling."
"Alas, gambling has ruined so many families!" Liu Shishi sighed, patting Jiang Li's little head.
...
About an hour later.
The car rumbled into a small village, the ground riddled with potholes.
Dilapidated thatched huts lined the roadside, with old folks and children sitting at their doorways, their eyes vacant and lifeless.
The taxi driver grumbled, "Boss, what are you doing in this slum? The water and air here stink, and there's not even a decent place to stand."
"I'm here to see an old acquaintance. Stop here!"
Su Yang handed the driver some bills and asked him to wait at the village entrance. Led by Jiang Li, he entered a dilapidated and dim thatched hut.
"Cough, cough, is that Li'er back?"
From the bed, a gaunt woman called out.
"Mom, it's me, I'm back, and I've brought big brother and big sister."
The woman struggled to turn her head to look at Su Yang and the others. "You've all suffered. My humble abode is simple, please make yourselves at home."
"There's no need to be polite. We're just bringing the little girl back."
"Eh, Li'er, where did you get those clothes?"
The woman saw the clothes her daughter was wearing. Just by the fabric, she knew they were expensive.
"Did you steal something?"
"Mom, I didn't steal. Big brother and big sister bought them for me."
"You, you. Didn't I teach you not to take other people's things without permission?"
The woman sighed, a mix of helplessness and heartache.
Su Yang stepped forward. "I bought them for her. You don't need to be nervous. I won't harm her."
"This... alright. I, a foolish woman, have judged a gentleman with a petty mind. Sir, you have an extraordinary bearing, how could you harbor ill intentions towards a little girl!"
"You shouldn't speak for now. Let me examine your illness."
Su Yang extended a finger and placed it on the woman's wrist.
A moment later, he shook his head with a sigh.
Terminal illness!
And it was advanced.
Every movement caused the woman excruciating pain, and her breathing was shallow.
In this condition, she wouldn't make it through the day.
Even if Su Yang wanted to save her, it was beyond his power.
"You don't need to try. I know my condition."
The woman coughed incessantly, hiding the fresh blood in her hand from her daughter.
"After I'm gone, Li'er will be entrusted to you. She has no other relatives in this world. Please take care of her. When she grows up, she will repay your kindness!"
Su Yang nodded. "I want to adopt her as my daughter. I will treat her well, just like my own. But she said she needs your consent."
"Li'er, you will follow big brother from now on. Mom has to go."
The woman tried to reach out and stroke her daughter, but her hand fell back down mid-air.
Her head tilted, and her breath ceased.
"Mom..."
Jiang Li held the woman and sobbed uncontrollably. She knew her mother was gone and would never see her again.
Su Yang closed his eyes. Parting with life and death was always sad.
He had accumulated over two hundred years of lifespan now, and he would witness such scenes frequently in the future.
Jiang Li cried for a long time before finally letting go of her mother's body.
Su Yang walked outside, knocked on a wooden plank, and held out more than a dozen bills.
Instantly, a crowd of villagers gathered.
Su Yang pointed to the woman on the bed, and the villagers nodded.
"Go on!"
The villagers took the money, divided it, and then carried the woman's body up the mountain.
"Big brother, are we leaving right away?"
"Yes, time is tight, and big brother has many things to do. We'll have plenty of time later. I'll bring you back to pay respects to your mother."
"Okay, alright!"
Jiang Li wiped her tears and watched until the villagers carrying her mother up the mountain disappeared from sight before she finally left.
Fortunately, the driver hadn't left, otherwise, Su Yang and his group would have had to walk half a day back to the dock.
"Qingcheng Dock!"
Qingcheng Dock.
Countless people were gathered on the shore, a noisy commotion, and sounds of fighting.
The soldiers from the Qingcheng Security Bureau were on duty but dared not intervene.
This was because Young Master Tang Ye of the Tang family was present, along with a large group of young masters and ladies.
Tang Ye had just returned from overseas and happened to encounter the Yangwei Hao. He stood by the shore, watching as his subordinates attempted to seize the Yangwei Hao.
"You bunch of cheap women, get out of the way!"
Tang Ye pointed at the female mercenaries on the ship. With these women around, it was difficult for his men to board.
"Get lost!"
The female mercenaries didn't know Tang Ye's identity, and even if they did, they wouldn't be afraid, for they were assassins.
"If you dare to come up again, we'll order a cannon strike!"
On the side of the Yangwei Hao, several cannons emerged, aiming at Tang Ye and his group on the shore.
Indeed, when the cannons appeared, many were intimidated.
Tang Ye glanced at the Security Bureau personnel and immediately thought of a plan.
"Director Zhang, are you just going to stand by and watch?"
Zhang Dafu's face turned green. He had heard about the formidable power of this ship, and its owner was Su Yang.
As a district director, he really didn't want to get involved.
However, Tang Ye was the young master of the Tang family, and the Tang family was the overlord of Qingcheng.
Zhang Dafu said softly, "Young Master Tang, they haven't committed any crimes. It's difficult for me to act!"
"That's simple. Look at their clothing and appearance. Don't they resemble people from Sangguo?"
Tang Ye pointed at the female mercenaries on the Yangwei Hao. Their appearance, skin tone, and clothing were very similar to Sangguo women.
"There are quite a few people from Sangguo traveling in Longguo. I can't just arrest them without reason, can I?"
"Director Zhang, just say that there have been spies causing trouble recently and ask them to disembark to cooperate with the investigation. I'll handle the rest."
After speaking, Tang Ye secretly slipped a check to Zhang Dafu.
"Alright, it shall be as Young Master Tang wishes!"
Taking money makes one beholden.
Zhang Dafu waved his hand, signaling the Security Bureau personnel to relay the message.
"Those on the ship, come down immediately!"
The female mercenaries, seeing the Qingcheng officials calling out, curiously asked, "What is it?"