OFTLHFRO C88

Chapter 88 Mutation

With Wen Liuyun helping out, Luo Mingchen had more time to write the proposal.

Once refined, he had Huo Yan copy it neatly and handed it to Old Master Ming.

Old Master Ming was a little surprised to receive it; after reading, he said he would inform the Third Prince, but that the back-and-forth would take time, and asked them to wait patiently.

It was only a trial anyway, so Luo Mingchen quickly put it out of mind.

A few days later, while at home harvesting vegetables, the little restaurant owner’s son came running to say a group was smashing up their shop.

“Huh?”

Completely puzzled, Luo Mingchen asked, “Who’s so shameless?”

Tilting her little head, Huo Xinyue asked, “Who’s shameless?”

The young lad almost laughed, but thinking of the aggressive newcomers, couldn’t smile and hurried on, “They look like hired thugs from a rich family.”

That made Luo Mingchen think of the examinees they’d met in the county. He started to rise, then remembered something. “It’s fine—Huo Yan’s at the shop.”

They were short on cups for milk tea, so Huo Yan was making cups there while he and Huo Xinyue harvested vegetables at home.

Seeing his calm, the boy gestured anxiously. “There’s a good dozen of them!”

“A small matter. I’ll take a look.”

He locked the door, scooped up Huo Xinyue, and headed to the shop.

The boy blinked. “Shouldn’t we go find the town head right now?”

“First catch them, then fetch the town head—so they don’t run,” said Luo Mingchen as he walked.

Sounded reasonable, but there were so many; even if Huo Yan was tall and strong, the three of them together couldn’t beat that many!

While he hesitated, the others were already far ahead; he hurried to catch up.

A crowd had gathered outside the shop, and by the time Luo Mingchen arrived with the child, Huo Yan had already floored the dozen men.

Squeezing through the onlookers, the boy froze.

That strong?

A dozen men with clubs—flattened just like that?

Unsurprised, Luo Mingchen asked Huo Yan, “Should we send them to the county yamen?”

Glancing at the wide-eyed little girl, Huo Yan said, “We can send them, or settle it privately.”

“For example, compensation?”

Smiling, Luo Mingchen looked at the groaning men on the ground.

Seeing him holding a child, one of them thought he’d be easier to bully and grabbed a fallen club to swing.

One kick sent him flying, startling the onlookers.

How strong did one have to be to boot a burly man that far—leaving him unable even to crawl up?

The others who’d thought to take a swing at Luo Mingchen: “…”

Perhaps it was fortunate they hadn’t moved.

Scanning the group, Luo Mingchen asked, “Who’s in charge here?”

Huo Yan looked toward the man he’d seen kicked farthest.

Following his gaze, Luo Mingchen arched a brow. “He still able to talk?”

Hearing that, Huo Yan went and hauled the man over.

He did haul him—the fellow was burly, but no match for Huo Yan, who just grabbed his belt and lifted.

The onlookers edged back.

This couple—neither was to be trifled with…

Tossing the man at their feet, Luo Mingchen asked, “Want to pay up or go to the yamen?”

Having been booted and cracked the back of his head, the man was woozy; he didn’t quite process the question.

“Huh?”

“Want another kick?” Luo Mingchen asked pleasantly.

The man flinched and shook his head quickly. “Spare me, sir…”

Passing the child to Huo Yan, Luo Mingchen held out his hand. “Money.”

Tearfully, the man said, “I’ve got none…”

“No money and you dare make trouble?”

Wen Liuyun, who hadn’t had a chance to act, said, “Judging by their clothes, likely from the Chen family.”

So it still had to do with him; if not for him, Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan wouldn’t have drawn this calamity.

“Easy enough to guess those young masters sent them.”

With nothing better to do, Luo Mingchen said, “Shall we tie them up and bring them to the Chen household?”

Alarmed, Wen said, “Boss Luo, the Chen family is very powerful in Yuelan County.”

Otherwise he wouldn’t have found it so hard to get work anywhere…

“Powerful—so above the law?” said Luo Mingchen. “These men came to make trouble; everyone saw it. Lots of witnesses.”

He eyed the un-smashed shopfront and decided the yamen was better; even if they paid, it wouldn’t be much, and it would waste spit.

Many in the crowd were hot-blooded youths; hearing him, a fair number were willing to testify.

Once they’d tied the dozen men, Huo Yan said, “Let’s ask Old Master Ming to help send them to the county yamen.”

That reminded Luo Mingchen of what Old Master Ming had said before—that they could come to him if needed.

Though they were in the right, delivering to the yamen would take time; better to tell Old Master Ming and have him find men to deliver them, and maybe win some peace afterward.

“Alright.”

With their daughter, they dragged the men to Old Master Ming’s residence.

When the door opened, the steward blinked at the bruised faces. “What brings you—?”

“They’re from the Chen family in Yuelan County,” said Luo Mingchen. “They caused trouble at our shop. Please ask Old Master Ming to send some men to take them to the county yamen.”

The steward had seen plenty and caught the implication. “I’ll inform the master.”

“Much obliged.”

“You’re too kind.”

Hearing the report, Old Master Ming agreed with a wry smile.

They truly took him at his word…

He’d told them to come if anything came up—and here they were.

After handing over the men, the couple took their daughter home.

Lately Huo Xiang had fallen in love with big octopus balls, and since Luo Mingchen had caught many, the house had them daily. Ming Yuanjing and the three young masters came to play every day as well.

Ever since turning that group over to Old Master Ming, no one else came to make trouble.

Another half month passed. The weather turned colder; frost gleamed in the mornings.

So, Luo Mingchen had no desire to get out of bed.

Thus the family had been forced to drink two or three days of Huo Yan’s white porridge, along with dark flatbreads and the white steamed buns Luo Mingchen made at night.

Huo Yuhui could have cooked, but had no time.

Recently the brothers had been practicing fundamentals longer than before—not just for fitness—and after training and breakfast, they headed to school.

Sleeping until daylight, Luo Mingchen still lazed after getting up.

With fine autumn rain pattering, Huo Yan touched his forehead as he nodded over his porridge. “A bit warm.”

“Really?”

He perked up slightly, then drooped again. “Feels like I’m about to hibernate.”

Exhausted to the bone, Huo Xiang said, “Little Daddy, but you’re a person, not a bear.”

“…”

“Daddy, should we fetch a doctor?” asked a worried Huo Yuhui.

Tearing a bit of bun to feed him, Huo Yan said, “Finish this and I’ll go for the doctor.”

In his current state, without reminders, he might have fallen asleep sitting up; better to feed him a little first.

After a few bites, seeing his eyes close and his body slump, Huo Yan frowned and carried him to the bedroom.

The sight paled Huo Xiang’s face. “Little Daddy!”

Huo Yuhui was anxious too, but gathered his sister up to go together, lest she slip on the wet ground.

Just out the door, he saw every raindrop in the courtyard suspended in midair, slowly merging into a huge water sphere, and he froze.

This… probably wasn’t the time to bring a doctor, was it?