chapter 3 Tao Yuan Dwelling 8

Han Tang and Usan Le had a quick breakfast at a roadside stall and hurried back to work.

Upon entering the restaurant, Han Tang went to the front desk to pick up the delivery order. Unexpectedly, he ran into Fatty Zhou on the way. Han Tang didn't say a word, he went straight to the front desk.

Fatty Zhou, with his face full of fat, sneered and said in a strange tone, "You despicable brat. You're back to work so soon. It seems I was too lenient yesterday."

Seeing Han Tang ignore him, Fatty Zhou continued, "I forgot, you're not just a despicable brat, you're also penniless. If you don’t work, you’ll have no food to eat. If you don’t work, you’ll have no money to pay the school fees and will be forced to drop out of school."

Han Tang still didn't pay him any attention.

Fatty Zhou, looking at Han Tang's tall and handsome figure, felt a surge of jealousy. He thought angrily, "Damn it, why the hell do I have to look like this? You're so attractive to women. Today, I'll make you realize that even if you're handsome, you'll still have to follow my orders. Watch me make you suffer."

Fatty Zhou asked the front desk attendant, Vita Sun, "What's the farthest order today?"

Vita Sun replied, "Currently, the farthest order is No. 8, Tao Yuan Dwelling, which is about 30 kilometres from here."

"Assign this order to him, let him deliver it," Fatty Zhou pointed at Han Tang.

Nobody liked taking such long-distance orders. Vita Sun hesitated and said, "But this order isn't in Han Tang's assigned area."

Fatty Zhou's face turned stern, "I'm the manager. I make the decisions. Let him deliver it."

Vita Sun reluctantly nodded, knowing Han Tang had offended Fatty Zhou.

Fatty Zhou arrogantly said to Han Tang, "Kid, do you now understand the difference in our status? I'm the manager, you're just a stinking labourer. I can play with you however I want. You can't even say no."

Han Tang lifted his head and gave Fatty Zhou a cold look. Han Tang's gaze sent a shiver down Fatty Zhou's spine, filling him with an inexplicable fear.

He was just a labourer, why should I be afraid of him? Fatty Zhou seemed to have lost his dignity and shouted to supervisor Stan Zhang, "Come over here."

Stan Zhang hurried over, asking, "Manager, what's your instruction?"

Fatty Zhou pointed at Han Tang and said, "Get his electric bike checked, have him deliver the meals on a bicycle today."

Making Han Tang cover thirty kilometres on a bicycle was practically pushing him to his limits. Several employees nearby showed traces of sympathy, but none dared to say anything, afraid of stirring up trouble.

"Alright, I'll handle it immediately," Stan Zhang, a sycophant of Fatty Zhou, complied readily.

Vita Sun felt great sympathy for Han Tang and couldn't help but say, "Manager, the distance is too far. If he rides a bicycle, it'll take too long. By the time he gets there, the food will be cold. The customer will complain."

"If the customer complains, we'll deduct it from his pay," Fatty Zhou said unreasonably.

Han Tang could barely contain his anger. The veins on his forehead twitched, almost wanting to pummel Fatty Zhou right then and there, letting out his pent-up rage.

But he couldn't. He thought of his mother, who was struggling to borrow money for his school fees, and his sister dropping out of school early to work. Han Tang's clenched fists slowly relaxed. For school fees, he had to endure.

Seeing Han Tang on the verge of exploding, Fatty Zhou became nervous for a moment. At that moment, he felt a hint of danger.

However, as Han Tang eased his grip, Fatty Zhou became arrogant again, taunting, "Little shrimp, poor guy, feeling uncomfortable, huh? But you can't do anything. You'll have to endure. I'm the manager, you're just a stinking labourer. You'll have to let me trample on you. If you have the ability, be the boss yourself. Once you're the boss, I'll let you trample on me as much as you want."

Watching Han Tang leave the restaurant with the packed food, Fatty Zhou felt a slight sense of satisfaction. But he was still dissatisfied. He wanted to find a reason to fire Han Tang, make him leave, and let everyone in the restaurant know the consequences of offending him.

Han Tang pedalled his bicycle swiftly, venting his anger on the bike. He kept telling himself, he must become stronger, he must make scum like Fatty Zhou pay.

Tao Yuan Dwelling was situated in the suburbs of the city, close to the seaside, about thirty kilometers from the city center. It's a well-known upscale residential area in Jiangnan City.

In the past, Han Tang would have been exhausted from biking, and the customer would likely be dissatisfied. One complaint and the trip would have been in vain.

But Han Tang was not the same as before. After having practiced the Xuantian Method, his body was incredibly strong. He pedalled like he was flying. Drivers passing by kept giving him surprised looks, doubting if their speedometers were malfunctioning.

In less than half an hour, Han Tang arrived at No. 8, Tao Yuan Dwelling, a four-story villa with its own courtyard, lavishly decorated.

Han Tang entered the villa, and the door was open. He lightly knocked a few times but no one came out. Carrying the food box, he slowly walked inside. In one of the guest rooms, he saw an old man in traditional Chinese clothing sitting on the sofa, sipping tea and reading a newspaper.

Han Tang stood at the doorway and said, "Sir, I'm from Li's Secret Imperial Cuisine, did you order a delivery?”

The old man looked up at Han Tang, and in a very kind manner, said, "Yes, yes, I did."

Han Tang walked into the room and asked, "Sir, where would you like me to put it?"

The old man said, "Young man, sit down. The housekeeper will be back soon."

Han Tang hesitated and said, "But I'm in a hurry..."

The old man smiled, "Don't rush, have a seat, have a cup of tea, and chat with me for a while. I understand that delivery boys like you are always in a rush. I'll have my housekeeper compensate you for any delay."

The old man poured Han Tang a cup of tea. "Unfortunately, this morning the maid had a traffic accident while buying groceries. The bodyguard had to take her to the hospital. The housekeeper went to pick up the doctor to come and see me, and they've been gone for a while. They should be back soon."

The old man's kind conversation and demeanour reminded Han Tang of his deceased grandfather Ming Tang. It made Han Tang feel quite fond of him.

Han Tang couldn't leave without receiving payment, so he sat down. After a long bike ride, he was a bit thirsty. The tea the old man served was just right in temperature. Han Tang tilted his head and drank the tea in one gulp.

"Sir, your tea is really fragrant and refreshing."

Han Tang didn't know much about tea, but he could tell that the tea the old man served left a pleasant aftertaste.

The old man was about to pour Han Tang another cup, but Han Tang quickly took the teapot from him, filled the old man's cup, and then poured himself another. He said, "Sir, is there something with your health?"

In traditional Chinese medicine, observation, inquiry, listening, and pulse-taking are essential diagnostic methods. Han Tang had already grasped the old man's condition through observation, but he wanted to confirm it through conversation.

The old man said, "I have congenital heart disease, the kind that's not suitable for surgery. Doctors from all over the world have examined me, but there isn't a good solution. I can only rely on medication and intravenous therapy to maintain it, and the condition worsens every year. A few days ago, Barry Sun from Rejuvenation Medical Hall came to see me. He gave me acupuncture, and it felt somewhat better. However, he also said that my condition can only be alleviated, but could not be cured."

As the old man spoke, he suddenly experienced pain, clutching his chest and leaning backwards.