Chapter 52

"You're welcome, Yaoyao. Order whatever you like." On the battlefield, she was ruthless and decisive, the undisputed number one assassin in the country—Moon Goddess Linglong. Yet now, she was gentle as water. Anyone else who knew Linglong would hardly believe their eyes at such a sight.

"Brother-in-law, just now she called you the owner?" After taking her seat, Qin Xiaomeng's eyes flashed with confusion as she looked at Chu Tianhe.

What had happened at the charity gala had already left Qin Xiaomeng puzzled. She couldn't understand how her brother-in-law, who had resigned from the military and taken off his uniform, could still wield such intimidating power.

Could he have another identity?

"Owner?" Yang Huijuan echoed, immediately following up, "Tianhe, are you running some business? What kind of shop do you own?"

Both Yang Huijuan and Qin Xiaomeng were ordinary citizens, completely unaware of the Seven Great Halls of the world. Naturally, they assumed Chu Tianhe was involved in some trade, running a storefront of some kind.

Seeing their curiosity, Chu Tianhe smiled calmly and explained, "Oh, I used to run a traditional Chinese acupuncture clinic. Linglong was one of my employees."

"Where was your shop?" Yang Huijuan pressed on, "How was the business?"

Faced with Yang Huijuan's relentless questions, Chu Tianhe was helpless. He glanced at Linglong.

"The business was decent," Linglong immediately chimed in, smiling, "On good months, we could earn twenty or thirty thousand. But since Tianhe returned to Jiangzhou, we transferred ownership of the clinic."

"You're not running it anymore?" Yang Huijuan said regretfully, then turned her gaze to Chu Tianhe, urging, "Tianhe, if you have those acupuncture skills, you should keep at it. It's much better than working for a company."

"Listen to Auntie. Open another clinic here in Jiangzhou. I'll fund it for you—let's set it up in the Rich Merchants' District, where there are plenty of wealthy people. Business will surely be good."

Yang Huijuan was a practical woman, still holding traditional views. Hearing that Chu Tianhe possessed such skills, she didn't want him to let them go to waste.

"Auntie, Tianhe..." Linglong hurried to smooth things over. Chu Tianhe was the Lord of the Pantheon—if he really went back to acupuncture work, wouldn't people laugh themselves silly if word got out?

But before Linglong could finish, Chu Tianhe waved his hand to interrupt, smiling, "Alright, I'll listen to Auntie. But there's no need for you to fund it. Linglong has some money—she can invest instead."

Chu Tianhe knew Yang Huijuan didn't have much, and whatever little she had was her life's savings. He couldn't let her spend it.

"Is that...really okay?" Yang Huijuan was taken aback, her gaze turning to Linglong. At the same time, Qin Xiaomeng's beautiful eyes glimmered as she too looked at Linglong.

"Brother-in-law, you and Miss Linglong seem very close. Starting a business is no small matter—at least two hundred thousand, I'd say!"

Qin Xiaomeng felt a pang of jealousy. Linglong rivaled her in looks and figure, and over the years, Linglong had spent much time with Chu Tianhe, surely deepening their bond.

Though Qin Xiaomeng trusted Chu Tianhe's character—he would never do anything to betray her sister—Linglong's dinner invitation and offer to invest in a new clinic made her uneasy.

"Miss Qin, you misunderstand," Linglong replied with a faint smile, about to explain when suddenly a burst of angry shouting erupted outside the restaurant.

"Chu Tianhe, you little nobody! How dare you eat in a place like this?"

"Get out here, now!"

"Tonight, I'm going to cripple you, you bastard!"