C60 Why Did He Have to Return What He Had Earned with His Own Ability?

Qiao Lanyue was well aware that bringing up this subject always led to arguments.

Their son was now an adult with his own set of values and principles, something they had emphasized during his upbringing. They never wanted their child to be a freeloader.

Yet, this very independence was both his potential triumph and downfall.

Caught between her son and her husband's conflict, Qiao Lanyue felt torn, unsure of whom to support.

The argument escalated until Lee Yu produced a bank card, causing Qiao Lanyue's brow to furrow—things were spiraling out of control.

"There's ten million yuan on this card, more than enough to cover everything I've cost you since childhood!" Lee Yu slid the bank card across to Lee Chengye, his voice icy. "From now on, you can follow your sunny path, and I'll tread my solitary bridge!"

"Son, what are you saying?" Qiao Lanyue interjected, standing between them, hoping to cool the heated exchange.

Her gaze lingered on the bank card. While it might be easy for the family to come up with ten million yuan, it was astonishing if Lee Yu had done so. She knew his character well enough to be sure that if he had brought out the card, it indeed contained the sum.

But where had this money come from? Who from the Lee family had given it to Lee Yu?

The conversation couldn't go on. After reminding her son to take care of himself and not skip meals, Qiao Lanyue left with Lee Chengye, ultimately taking the bank card with her.

"Why are you so upset with our son?" Qiao Lanyue asked from the passenger seat, her voice laced with frustration.

"What would he have done if I hadn't made him take a break from school?" Lee Chengye retorted, adjusting his tie. "Is that my fault?"

"You're not wrong," Qiao Lanyue acknowledged, her tone gentle. "But our son isn't wrong either. Can't you two just talk this out?"

"Do you really think he's in a state to talk it out?"

"Wait a second," Qiao Lanyue gasped, her lips parting in shock. She had just checked and discovered that there was indeed ten million yuan in the account.

"Where did this money come from, son?" Qiao Lanyue exclaimed, bewildered. "I don't recall any dealings with anyone."

...

Lee Yu's irritation was growing by the minute in his room. He decided to head out for a drive to clear his head.

But as soon as he descended the stairs, his phone rang with a call from Chen Chengde.

"My young friend, I've been discharged from the hospital. Would you care to join me for some tea?" Chen Chengde's voice boomed with vitality on the other end of the line.

Discharged already?

Lee Yu was taken aback. Wasn't it just recently that he had landed a punch on Chen, breaking three of his ribs? How had he recovered so quickly?

"Send me your location, and I'll be there," Lee Yu agreed, nodding. With no leads from Northern Group, his next step was to check in with Elder Chen.

Chen Chengde had surely spared no effort in investigating the theft of his spiritual plant.

It was a nagging issue for Lee Yu as well; the thought of someone targeting Huang Xiu in the shadows was unsettling. How could he be expected to guard against a thief indefinitely? The sooner the matter was resolved, the better.

"No need for that," Chen Chengde replied. "My granddaughter is also on her way. I'll have her swing by and pick you up. It'll be more convenient for you to ride with her."

Relationships are built over time.

Besides, becoming acquainted with Lee Yu, whose potential he was most confident in, would be advantageous. Establishing a connection before Lee Yu's inevitable rise to prominence was a no-brainer for Chen Chengde, who was already calculating the benefits.

Lee Yu didn't overthink it.

Chen Jingfu arrived promptly, likely having been nearby on business. They headed straight to the location Chen Chengde had sent.

It was a private shop.

"You've recovered remarkably fast!" Lee Yu exclaimed upon seeing Chen Chengde. "What's your secret? Some kind of miracle cure?"

He had expected to see an elderly man swathed in bandages, not the spry figure before him who showed no signs of his recent injuries.

"Ha, you're quite the joker, my friend!" Chen Chengde said with a chuckle as he poured a cup of tea and slid it across the table. "As a martial artist, it's only natural that I have a quicker recovery rate."

The two sat opposite each other, with Chen Jingfu tending to the tea at the side.

Lee Yu hadn't anticipated that Chen Chengde's primary intent was simply to enjoy some tea and engage in casual conversation. Topics ranged from expressing gratitude for Lee Yu's willingness to lend a hand in the martial arts school's upcoming quota battle to commenting on the influx of martial artists from other provinces looking to meddle in the local schools' affairs.

"Elder Chen, you needn't worry. I'll be there to support you when the time comes!" Lee Yu offered confidently, without a second thought.

After all, Chen Jingfu had been a significant help to him previously. If he was in need now, Lee Yu wouldn't hesitate to return the favor.

Chen Chengde's anxiety eased at Lee Yu's assurance. He was well aware of Lee Yu's capabilities, having experienced them firsthand. With such a strong ally ready to step in, the martial arts school's combat division was sure to be a success this year.

They continued to chat about this and that for quite some time.

"I've got to use the restroom," Lee Yu announced, a touch of resignation in his voice.

He had unwittingly consumed a great deal of water. Upon closer inspection, his cup was still brimming, and Chen Jingfu had only just retracted his hand from the teapot. That explained why the tea seemed endless!

Shaking his head, Lee Yu excused himself.

After a quick trip, he was heading back along the corridor when, at the turn of the corner, he collided with someone unexpectedly.

"My apologies, so sorry," the person mumbled, tipping his cap lower to obscure his face, and made to leave quickly.

"Hold on a moment!" Lee Yu called out, his brow furrowing as he grabbed the stranger's wrist. "You're free to go, but I believe you should leave my belongings with me."

"What are you implying?" asked the young man beneath the cap, irritation creasing his brow as he attempted to pull away. But his wrist might as well have been in a vise, unable to move in the slightest.

And to make matters worse, the grip was tightening. Soon, a series of cracking sounds began to emanate from his wrist.

He'd hit a snag!

The level of force being exerted was likely something only a master of Covert Power could muster. The young man in the duckbill cap was sweating bullets from the pain.

"What are you implying?" Lee Yu asked, his smile tinged with mischief.

His senses were sharp; he had been aware of someone lurking around the corner well in advance. However, he hadn't anticipated that this individual would time their collision with him so deliberately.

Now, his pockets were conspicuously empty—a clear sign of premeditation.

"I'll hand it over..." the young man in the cap said through clenched teeth. If the standoff persisted, he feared his wrist might be permanently damaged. His life's work had been honing his hand skills; an injury could leave lasting damage, a risk not worth taking.

He glared at the teenager before him and reluctantly reached into his pocket.

"Why are you here? Get moving, out the door!"

A young man with a buzz cut emerged from around the corner, towering at over 1.9 meters with broad palms. He addressed the cap-wearing youth dismissively, barely giving Lee Yu a second glance before attempting to shoulder past him.

"I didn't say you could leave," Lee Yu interjected, furrowing his brow and extending his right hand to block the path of the cap-wearing youth.

The buzz-cut young man was clearly trying to skew the situation in his friend's favor. Otherwise, he would have inquired about the tense atmosphere before attempting to whisk his companion away without further ado.

"Brother Tie?"

The youth in the duckbill cap turned his gaze to the buzz-cut man. This was Tia Jingshan, his comrade and leader. What mattered most was Tia Jingshan's exceptional strength; he had reached the Peak of Covert Power at a young age, just a hair's breadth away from the realm of a grandmaster.

If Tia Jingshan chose to advocate for him, then he wouldn't have to relinquish his gains.

His eyes burned with anticipation as he looked at Tia Jingshan.

After all, a maxim of the Thief Sect declared: 'Why should I return what I've earned through my own skill?'