Wei Shi Lan gave Xia Xia a grin that made it obvious he was plotting something in his mind. His grin, however, was very frightening to poor little Xia Xia. She saw Wei Shi Lan as some dangerous beast about to take advantage of her situation.
"Xia Xia, we are going to start a business."
Xia Xia looked at him with a little confusion.
"A business?"
She remained confused even after repeating it. She shook her head and spoke.
"Senior Brother Lan doesn't know this, but the only business people care enough to spend money on is the fish business. Lake Valley sells and buys fish — that is why there are so many fishers here. Don't you get it?"
Shi Lan smiled and folded his hands. He radiated so much confidence that it was almost blinding. But even with that brilliance, Xia Xia couldn't ignore his bruised eyes, which made his face look quite ugly.
'Senior Brother Lan would have been a complete man if not for his face. But let's not judge by his face. Senior Brother Lan is a well-spoken man, like Lady Chen's scholar son.'
"Don't worry, Xia Xia. This business will help the women fishers of the village feel more relieved and will boost their trade. All we need is one customer to trust us, and soon we will be making a lot of money. We will repay your father's debt and earn even more for your family."
Xia Xia sat in front of Wei Shi Lan, thinking about this business he was talking about. What could it be… what could help the women fishers do their work better?
'If there's such a thing, then maybe Senior Brother Lan can truly help.'
At the same time, a small worry lingered in her mind. After all, she had only brought Shi Lan in for a meal so he could regain strength and continue his journey. He had already eaten, and now he was going to such lengths to help her and her family.
'Senior Brother Lan is truly a good and kind person, I'm glad I didn't misread him.' Xia Xia thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Wei Shi Lan was thinking about something else entirely.
'This will kill a hundred birds with one stone. I can use this opportunity to fish out targets like Chang'e with a unique constitution that allows the sustenance of a large amount of yin Qi and cultivate them all…'
There were many of this constitution in the Mortal Realm. Granted, they were mostly Mortal-grade, and to a Profound Realm cultivator they were useless. But now that Wei Shi Lan didn't even have a cultivation base, they would be very instrumental in increasing the speed of his cultivation. He could slowly conquer Lake Valley, bringing it under his wing before setting out to the rest of the world.
This place was a good starting point for him.
A place where he would grow his fangs and sharpen his blade before setting out to conquer nine thousand goddesses and achieve true immortality.
At that moment, Xia Xia's mother entered. She seemed to have been busy in the other room before. She gently spoke to Xia Xia.
"Xia'er, get ready. Let's go to the Medicine Hall. I will speak with the Hall Leader, and we can sell a few herbs to Madam Rende on our way back."
She then turned to Wei Shi Lan and bowed politely.
"We are sorry for bothering you like this. I'm sorry, but we may not be able to afford to feed an extra mouth, and the medicine needed to nurse you back to health will cost us more than we can afford right now. I'm sorry… this is a bad time, which is why I have to ask you to leave."
Immediately, Xia Xia lunged between her mother and Wei Shi Lan and spread her arms, blocking her mother.
"No! No! I refuse."
Chang'e frowned seriously at Xia Xia.
Wei Shi Lan stood up and slowly limped forward. He smiled kindly.
"It's fine. I understand your condition. I wish to leave so I won't be a burden, but I can't leave without paying for the meal."
Chang'e looked at Shi Lan, slightly confused.
"Paying for the meal… you don't need to—"
"Senior Brother Shi Lan has a business that will make us plenty of money to pay off Father's debt! Don't send him away! He wants to help us!" Xia Xia shouted so loudly she looked as though she might burst into tears.
Chang'e's eyes stayed on her daughter for a moment before shifting to Shi Lan.
"Care to explain yourself, sir?"
Shi Lan only smiled like a gentleman.
"Like I said, I only intend to pay for the meal."
He maintained eye contact with Chang'e so steadily that she was the one who tried to hide her face. His gaze gently dominated her in a way that made her body tingle, slowly growing sensitive.
Her voice dropped as she responded.
"Brother Shi Lan doesn't need to trouble himself with such things…"
Wei Shi Lan stepped closer, gently shifting Xia Xia aside. He stood mere inches from Chang'e, his eyes holding hers and his smile ever gentle. Even with his bruised and strange-looking face, the strength of his gaze somehow made her sensitive.
Shi Lan was a very experienced man, having charmed one thousand goddesses and even thousands of profound mortals, spirits, and heavenly and star maidens. Charming Chang'e with his eyes alone was the easiest thing for him.
'I'm sure her cave must be soaking wet right now… dripping at the entrance. Hmm, perhaps finding some of her curtains will help me with some cultivation.'
He couldn't wait until he could lay Chang'e down and cultivate with her. Besides, he wasn't even sure if she had cultivated before, so he would have to improvise something.
"It has never been my virtue to leave debts unpaid. I repay my debts tenfold."
His words sent a sensation through her body, and beneath her fabric — though she did not realize it — her peaks slowly pressed against her clothes. Wei Shi Lan caught a glimpse before she quickly stepped away and said,
"Okay then, Brother Shi Lan. But I will still see what I can do about it."
She stepped back further.
"Come, Xia'er. Let's go."
Xia Xia followed her mother, though not without throwing a tantrum.
"I hate the way the Hall Leader looks at you whenever we go to him for favors! I hate it! I hate it!"
Wei Shi Lan stood there, watching Chang'e and Xia Xia walk out of the house.
Then he turned toward Chang'e's room and slowly made his way inside.