C9 You Said It Was Free!

Lee Yanran, seemingly fearful that Bai Piao wouldn't show up, hurriedly took Wang Shiqi by the arm and left the restaurant. Once they were gone, Bai Piao made his way to the shopkeeper, where he found Doggie settling the bill.

"Young Master Bai, how could I possibly take your money?" the shopkeeper protested, visibly shocked but trying to appear resigned.

The Bai family's young master actually paying for a meal?

"Doggie, let's get the bill sorted!" Bai Piao urged, confused as to why Doggie was taking so long without actually paying.

Doggie, noticing Bai Piao's approach, quickly pulled him aside and whispered urgently, "Young master, we don't have enough money!"

"What?!" Bai Piao was taken aback, questioning his hearing.

He was a rich second generation; how could he not afford a meal?

"Young master, the old master has always been tight with your allowance, fearing you'd squander it. You only get 1,000 copper coins a month," Doggie explained.

"And how much was our meal?" Bai Piao asked, a chill settling in his heart. His life wasn't as carefree as he had thought.

"Fifty silver coins, which is the same as fifty thousand copper coins," Doggie said quietly.

Bai Piao felt a cold wave of realization. He was broke.

Holding his forehead, overwhelmed, Bai Piao knew he still had to resolve the situation with the shopkeeper.

"Shopkeeper, since you've said you won't take the money, I won't pay for this meal. I'll come back to you tomorrow!" Bai Piao declared.

"Doggie, let's go!"

The shopkeeper watched, dumbfounded, as Bai Piao and Doggie quickly disappeared. It took him a while to snap out of his stupor.

"Astonishment point +5."

Bai Piao ran until he was sure no one was following him, then stopped to catch his breath.

This just wouldn't do.

He was a rich second generation; it was unthinkable for him to be penniless!

With only 1,000 copper coins for monthly expenses, he couldn't even afford a single dish on the table. His father was excessively miserly!

Yet, if he were aware that he was once considered worthless, perhaps he wouldn't feel so disheartened.

"Doggie, got any ideas for making some cash?"

Money isn't everything, but try getting by without it.

How's he supposed to eat if he's broke?

"Young Master Bai, in my opinion, there are two quick ways to rake in money."

"One is to auction off something valuable. The right items could fetch hundreds, even thousands of gold coins."

"The other is to just take the money!"

Doggie's suggestion took Bai Piao by surprise.

He had just taken down Zhang Koulai in the street, and yet, no one had called him out.

"Astonishment points +10, +8, +6."

"Astonishment points +6, +4."

While Bai Piao was mulling over what valuables to sell, he suddenly racked up a hefty sum of astonishment points.

He glanced around; nobody seemed to have paid him any mind.

In the Bai family's study.

"Are you certain you witnessed him strike Zhang Koulai?"

Bai Sheng scrutinized the informant before abruptly rising from his chair.

His son had defeated Zhang Koulai, an Eighth Layer Martial Cultivator?

He was well aware of his son's capabilities.

Previously, any lowly servant in the Bai household could have easily overpowered him.

"Sir, I saw it with my own eyes. It's the absolute truth."

Despite his incredulity, he reported back earnestly.