OFTLHFRO C53

Chapter 53: Known, Not Close

Seeing the shop lock pried open, Luo Mingchen’s mind buzzed. He immediately carried Huo Xinyue inside to check.

The interior was a mess, everything rummaged through—especially the barrels; it was as if they’d nearly peeled the floor up.

“…”

The stone mill and such were still there, the firewood hadn’t been taken, and even the overturned wooden barrels could be washed and reused.

Only then did Luo remember he’d never left anything here anyway; the soaking soybeans were all in the space, and the milk tea was brewed and sold the same day.

Had those people come to steal milk tea? Or tofu?

Complex feelings churning, Luo began tidying up.

He couldn’t think of anyone he’d offended…

Could it have been that ridiculous mother-daughter pair?

But did they have the guts?

And judging from the scene, the rummaging was likely done by a man; the yard’s footprints were a jumble.

Once cleaned, Luo set the tofu on the counter, baffled.

When Huo returned from delivering tofu, he found Luo looking at him with deep confusion. “What is it?”

“The shop was turned over by someone.”

Huo glanced at the broken lock. “Was the stone mill taken, or the firewood?”

Still wound tight, Luo couldn’t help but laugh at that.

“Or maybe the wooden barrels were stolen?”

“You’re awful!” Luo chuckled.

“Was there anything else in the shop?” Huo asked plainly.

“Not really.”

When Luo had laughed enough, he said, “But someone came to ransack the place. We can’t just ignore it, right? Maybe we should keep a dog? Anyone who sneaks in at night gets bitten to death.”

After a brief silence, Huo asked, “What if the dog is stolen?”

“…”

Fair point—the dog would be worth more than anything else here.

So they shelved it for now.

Whoever it was hadn’t found what they wanted; they probably wouldn’t return and would try something else. They could observe more carefully and see who it was.

Only, once it got busy, Luo forgot all about it.

Around two or three in the afternoon, things slowed.

Slumped in a chair, Luo asked, “Any leads?”

Huo took a sip of water and poured Luo a cup. “You’re asking me?”

They stared at each other—empty-handed.

Though Huo looked idle, he was quite busy—caring for Yueyue, taking money and making change, watching for line-cutters, and noting what customers wanted.

Luo drank and enjoyed Yueyue’s little back-patting service when someone asked, “Is milk tea sold here?”

“Yes.”

Luo stood quickly and locked eyes with Wang Chen.

To be honest, if not for the resemblance to his own face, Luo might not have recognized him. He looked thinner than before, even more timid—like any small stir would frighten him half to death.

Wang Chen was also startled to see Luo. “Is this your shop?”

“It is,” Luo said. “What milk tea would you like?”

“Um… how much for one pot? No add-ins.”

“That depends on your pot’s size.”

He eyed the pot in Wang Chen’s hand. “This one would be twenty wen.”

Wang Chen frowned and whispered, “Could I pay ten first?”

“Ten buys half a pot.”

Then Luo recalled the Wang family coming to repay money and added, “Your family isn’t well-off to begin with. No need to buy this. If you have money, it’s better to buy pork.”

“I…”

Before he could finish, an impatient voice cut in: “You’re this slow even buying a pot of milk tea? My friends came all the way over and are waiting at home. Pay up, now.”

Luo looked at the man in blue and frowned.

Wang Chen flinched at his voice. “I only have ten wen. A pot is twenty.”

“Can’t you ask for credit? Do I need to teach you?”

The man looked at Luo, and seeing his face, blinked in surprise. “Are you twins?”

Luo couldn’t force a smile. He said evenly, “No.”

Wang Chen, unsettled by the attention on Luo, said, “For old times’ sake, put it on credit?”

“You know each other?” Chen Ziqi asked, surprised.

Luo was about to speak when Huo came to his side. “We don’t.”

Seeing Wang Chen about to say more, Huo asked coolly, “Do you know my spouse’s name?”

“…”

He really didn’t.

“If you don’t know, how does that count as ‘knowing’? At most, you’ve seen him. We don’t do credit. No money, no sale.”

Hearing this, the scholar who had just reached the door hesitated, lowered his head, and quietly left.

Luo noticed the scholar but didn’t call him back when he walked away.

Chen Ziqi scowled. “We’re just short of cash temporarily.”

“And we’re temporarily not selling,” Huo said, sharp as a blade.

When another customer came to buy tofu, Chen shot Wang Chen a look of disdain. “Don’t you have ten wen? Then buy ten wen’s worth first. Useless trash—can’t even pull together twenty wen. And you think I’d marry you? Bah!”

After the tongue-lashing, Wang Chen said nothing, just lowered his head and took it—all of which made Luo furious yet helpless.

Finishing his scolding, Chen cast Luo one last glance, snorted, and left.

When he was gone, and after selling a few blocks of tofu, Luo took Wang Chen’s pot. Seeing the bruises on his arm, he frowned. “And you still won’t leave?”

“Ziqi isn’t like this normally,” Wang Chen murmured. “It’s just the exams are near, and he’s irritable.”

Seeing he preferred comforting lies, Luo shut his mouth and—silently—wished him well.

He filled half the pot and watched Wang Chen leave. Then he turned to Huo and said, “If it were me, I’d twist that guy’s head off.”

He wasn’t claiming to be noble—but he wasn’t beneath anyone either. If someone dared bully him, he’d fight back even if it cost his life.

“You’re not him,” Huo said.

Luo paused. True—he would never become someone with no self-respect like Wang Chen.

And Huo wasn’t Chen Ziqi.

Thinking that, Luo’s mood lifted. “I think I saw that painter-scholar from before—he peeked in and left.”

“If he left, no need to mind him,” Huo said.

“Okay.”

Luo leaned back comfortably again.

When the academy let out, a crowd flooded in, and the couple got busy again.

By day’s end, Luo had planned to go into the space and harvest vegetables—but had to postpone. Half the add-ins remained and needed restocking too.

“If business is still heavy in a couple of days, shall we hire a temp to help sell milk tea?”

That way he’d have time for other things. The malt was already sprouted—at least get the maltose made.