Chapter 85: The Four Seas Are Clear and the Emperor Is Filial, Offering the Cup of Longevity Each Morning After Court

This question seemed to be one Wei Dong was also asking himself.

All he wanted from reuniting with his parents was to change his disability, to alter the fate of poverty and destitution. But as long as he could seize the weak point of this era and make it through the initial stage of capital accumulation, wealth would come flooding in; what he really had to watch out for was not capsizing midway.

After all, he knew he wasn’t that good at swimming.

That’s why he was determined to stick with You Qili, to see the boundless scenery of this world.

But now, wasn’t this fellow locked up for a bit too long?

Wei Dong was beginning to waver and doubt. Even these so-called “Dark Eight Sects,” the feudal remnants that were born to be targeted and suppressed, wanted to cling to him?

Could it be that he should become the boss himself?

Shen Cuiyue picked up some more food for Wei Dong and refilled his tea. “The dragon soars in the sky, the rat burrows underground; we have our own ways of survival. The elders in our family weathered campaign after campaign, and even if some fell, the family’s foundation remained intact. But this time, I don’t know what happened—our roots were suddenly dug up, some were caught, some fled, and only the three of us are left. Sometimes I wonder if this way of life has vanished for good.”

Wei Dong didn’t respond. He didn’t have much social experience, but even he knew that darkness and gray areas could never be completely wiped out.

This time, they just happened to run into a violent storm and deserved to be washed away.

So his eyes were devoid of emotion.

Shen Cuiyue picked up more food for her younger brother. “Believe it or not, when things go wrong in the underworld, the simplest way is to hide in a wealthy household—women become concubines, men become bodyguards. Even if you’re not good-looking or strong, cooking, cleaning, or tending livestock is the only way to avoid the authorities. Because, as you can see today, the moment we show our faces, we’re exposed. We can’t hide our eating, clothing, or travel.”

Wei Dong caught her drift. “Wow, you’re good at guilt-tripping. So, after laying low, you say goodbye once you find your people?”

His third sister was clearly unfamiliar with English. “Goodbye? I’ll have to bow, of course. Some people go to wealthy households just to avoid trouble, but you saved my life—for that, my life belongs to you. I’ll never leave, even if it means dying here... As for my two brothers, they only hope to learn a craft under your roof and turn their lives around—that’s their fortune.”

The younger one, who had been quietly listening while eating, immediately put down his chopsticks, got up, and knelt to kowtow. “Big brother, as long as you treat Third Sister well, I’ll work for you like an ox or horse for the rest of my life, without complaint even in death!”

The older one, always a bit slower, followed suit and knelt down, steady and unhurried. “Same goes for me.”

Shen Cuiyue’s face was expressionless as she also knelt, holding up her tea. “With this cup, I sever my ties to the Shen family. From now on, I belong to you.”

Wei Dong thought the cup was for him and was about to play along when the girl threw back her head and drank it herself!

Well then, the entire ceremony was self-directed—he hadn’t participated at all. They were so practiced, it didn’t even seem worth figuring out if it was real.

He waved it off. “That’s it? Get up and eat. If it gets cold, it won’t taste as good.”

Shen Cuiyue nodded, but then, without hesitation, she pulled out a hairpin from her coiled hair and stabbed it through the back of her left hand!

The silver hairpin looked ordinary but was sharp and went straight through, blood tinging the tip as it emerged from her palm.

Her two brothers craned their necks to look, gritting their teeth but not standing up.

Shen Cuiyue calmly turned her hand to show Wei Dong. “Now all I have left to offer is this body. You may demand whatever you wish; I will never have a divided heart.”

Frankly, if she’d chosen a different spot, Wei Dong might have been more shocked; but the palm? Child’s play.

For a long time, Wei Dong’s nightmares were of his own left hand gushing blood at the wrist, his right hand missing four fingers—this was nothing.

He was startled for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. Instead of considering what he could demand of her, he leaned in. “Don’t pull it out yet. It’ll be simple at the hospital. Was that hairpin sterilized? Damn, couldn’t you have waited until after we finished eating for this drama? Now we’ve only had a few bites and have to head to the hospital...”

He got up, opened the private room door, and called out, “Pack it up! Any takeout boxes? Bring a few! Bill, please!”

He turned back, urging them, “Get up, who are you putting on this show for? Can’t even eat in peace.”

The three siblings hadn’t expected this reaction at all. They looked at each other and, surprisingly, smiled.

For the first time since they’d met, Shen Cuiyue broke into a genuine smile. “You want me to leave the pin in? That means you care. Shi Tou was right—you’re a real man.”

Wei Dong could almost see the three of them suddenly energized, lively and animated.

The younger one brought over tea, fawning. “Big brother, my respect to you. I want to learn to drive from you. There were cars at the docks, but our elders said that was a laborer’s job and wouldn’t allow it. Watching you drive today was impressive! Call me Shi Tou. My brother’s Mao Er. What should we call you?”

Wei Dong’s hesitation at lunch was because he thought the kids might still have a chance to live honestly.

He patted the boy’s head. “If you listen to me and become good people, I’ll never guard against you. But if I ever have doubts, you’ll have to go your own way. I’ve never tried to control anyone—just be good people.”

All three immediately cupped their fists in acknowledgment, and Third Sister finally gasped from the pain.

After her show of ruthlessness, on the way to the hospital she broke into a sweat from the pain, though she tried to keep her steps brisk.

The city center was so small that the hospital was just around the corner from the restaurant—walking was quicker than fetching the car, and taxis were nowhere in sight.

Wei Dong hated to waste the good dishes—over forty yuan, after all.

He tossed a hundred to Shi Tou for the bill, had Mao Er help pack the food, and set off for the hospital with Shen Cuiyue.

She still didn’t complain about the pain, and tried to keep her tone light. “The first time was Mao Er’s doing, but Shi Tou usually takes charge. That time, Shi Tou said you weren’t ordinary. When you acted, you showed no mercy. The second time, you advised him to take our business to the school, so we survived the winter, and Mao Er didn’t have to risk exposure.”

Wei Dong kept her distracted with conversation. “So, you can manage on your own—why stick with me?”

Shen Cuiyue shook her head. “I can’t show my face at the docks, and without them, where could we live or work? The authorities would find us rootless and cause trouble. You saved me, so I waited for you.”

They were already at the hospital, and Wei Dong laughed. “What charisma do I have to make you trust me like this?”

Shen Cuiyue nodded. “We three siblings all agreed—you have good presence, so you must be good.”

Wei Dong led them skillfully to the emergency room. “You can read faces, too?”

It was a joke.

Shen Cuiyue replied, “Of course, it’s basic. You learn to read intentions at the door, and never hesitate to speak. If a father asks about his son, he wants his son to prosper; if a son asks about his father, he’s worried for him; if a wife asks about her husband, her joy depends on her children; if she complains, it’s her husband who’s troubled. Scholars ask about their prospects, merchants about their current affairs...”

Her recitation, over a hundred words, was simple yet captured the essence of human nature.

Officials tended to think long-term, businessmen cared only about immediate gains, a wife’s happiness depended on her children’s favor, and any complaints stemmed from her husband’s troubles.

Wei Dong, who’d never received such training, fell silent, deeply shaken.

At sixty, he realized that if one could truly master and apply this, life’s detours would be fewer.

No wonder the second generation found their paths so easily.

At the ER, the doctor was surprised by the wound and hurried to treat it. The nurse tried to comfort them. “No need to be so impulsive when couples argue. Now you’re both a little regretful, right? Good thing it wasn’t more serious.”

Shen Cuiyue thanked her sweetly, her demeanor radiating the gentle remorse of a young wife.

Wei Dong, standing behind her, noticed even the doctor was more attentive and gentle; the whole procedure went smoothly.

When they came out, the two brothers were already waiting in the corridor with the food, and had even brought a small bottle of liquor. They grinned ingratiatingly. “Third Sister can drink, we’ll keep her company and just sniff it—we’re not allowed.”

Wei Dong still hadn’t realized how precious these two were.

He only thought, for children their age to be so sensible and obedient, how much hardship must they have endured?

He nodded. “Go back and eat with everyone at the restaurant. I need to see how the first day of business goes.”

In the cool evening air of late spring and early summer, they walked and chatted through the brightly lit city center.

It had a taste of family, of wife and children—a flavor Wei Dong, who’d never known a family meal, found himself longing for.

From Li Erfeng to Old Lady Shi, from Young Phoenix to the secretary, none had ever stirred such feelings in him.

Even Shen Cuiyue, with her skill and beauty, hadn’t expected to use such a direct move; she spoke honestly, “This is from the Heroic Brilliance Chapter, used in face reading. Anyone in the underworld must learn the basics—reading expressions, judging who’s a hero and who’s a coward. The next step is to master the secrets of the heart and skillfully echo others...”

Wei Dong listened to her long monologue—over eight hundred words—before he realized they had passed down this craft for generations, honing their skills like attending the university of life.

Yet he wasn’t impressed. “So now you’re reading my mind, skillfully echoing me, but stabbing yourself is what kind of trick?”

Shen Cuiyue was unfailingly obedient. “In Sichuan, the local brotherhoods don’t do this, but in the north, especially Tianjin, the unruly types do. Our family in eastern Shandong is close to that area, so we picked up the habit. Women might even scar their faces to show lifelong loyalty and never stray, but I was afraid you’d dislike that, so I hurt my hand instead—I don’t work with my hands anyway...”

She suddenly laughed, covering her mouth with her bandaged hand. “Brother, I think you’re older than me, but joking and laughing like this, I haven’t felt so happy since the trouble started.”

Wei Dong scoffed. “Still trying to flatter me, I see.”

Shen Cuiyue just laughed freely.

The two boys, carrying the food, hurried over, surprised. “What’s so funny?”

“Third Sister! It’s been ages since you laughed like this!”

Wei Dong remained unmoved. “Scripted, definitely scripted. You planned this together.”

Shen Cuiyue was laughing so hard, she squatted by the flower bed, wiping away tears.

Unaware of the effect he had, Wei Dong only felt a novel curiosity toward these professionals. “Enough acting. Let’s get going—I’m busy.”

Shen Cuiyue quickly stumbled after him.