Volume One: Qin Yang of the Northern Sea Chapter 0004: The Reason

A strange street, an unfamiliar environment. This was Bin City, with billboards advertising it all around, prompting a silent sigh in his heart.

Bin City’s economic development was remarkable, ranking among the nation’s pioneers. He had never been here before, and now that he had arrived, it was in a daze. Remembering the words of Old Master Ye’s children, he felt a heavy weight settle in his chest.

The old man held a lofty status in their hearts. When news spread that he had fainted, they all rushed over. Fortunately, Old Master Ye’s vital signs were good; otherwise, instead of being chased out, Qin Yang might have been sent straight to jail.

He had no right to blame them for their actions; after all, they were only concerned for the elder. Yet now another headache presented itself. Opening his wallet, he found only a single hundred-yuan bill and a few tens. With such scant funds, how could he survive in a place as economically advanced as Bin City?

He found a shop, bought a pack of cigarettes, and as he smoked, he suddenly heard shouts from a distance.

“Ah! Robbery!”

“Robbery!”

People around remained indifferent, showing no intention of helping. Frowning, he watched as the bag thief ran straight toward him. He stuck out his leg.

Thud!

The thief went sprawling face-first, quickly scrambling up, his eyes flashing with menace. Suddenly, he pulled out a dagger, provoking startled cries from the crowd as they retreated.

“Kid, you shouldn’t have meddled! I’ll kill you!”

With those words, the sharp knife lunged at Qin Yang. He let out a cold snort. In the past, he’d been no fighter, but now, not even ten thieves could best him.

With a sudden, fierce kick, he sent the thief flying. The man clutched his stomach, cold sweat beading on his forehead, eyes wide with fear—how could anyone possess such strength?

Qin Yang ignored him, yanked the black leather bag away, and barked, “Get lost.”

The thief, terrified by the roar, scrambled to his feet and fled, disappearing without a trace.

At that moment, the woman approached.

“How could you let him go? You should have taken him to the police—that’s the only way Bin City will have peace.” She wore a white dress, high heels, and oversized glasses. Her figure was graceful, possessing a certain classical beauty. Judging by her looks, she couldn’t be older than thirty.

Especially when she spoke, her cheeks puffed up adorably.

Su Ying, a senior manager, was currently employed at Yaoyao Beautification Company, a cosmetics firm with great promise. The company was in an expansion phase, and it wasn’t impossible that she’d someday head a branch on her own.

More importantly, she was classmates—and good friends—with the company president, holding a substantial share in the business.

After graduating from university, she’d started her own venture, and after five years of struggle, had finally put down roots in this vast city.

“Hey, I’m talking to you!” she said, displeased as she looked at the fair-skinned young man before her. She was clearly used to dealing with lecherous types. At first, she’d thought he was different, but it turned out he was just like the rest.

“Miss, first, I’m not a policeman, so catching thieves gets me no reward. Second, my name isn’t ‘hey.’ Third, I just got your bag back for you. You’re very beautiful, but if you can’t even manage a simple ‘thank you,’ you’re nothing special in my eyes.”

“You…” Su Ying was so angry that her chest heaved with rage, making Qin Yang’s eyes widen in admiration.

Snatching back her bag, she gritted her teeth. “Thank you,” she spat, then strode away in her heels.

The lingering scent of her perfume hung in the air, and his face took on an expression of utter contentment.

Su Ying felt that leaving like this was ungracious—after all, he’d retrieved her bag, and inside was an important contract, crucial to a project. She turned to glance at Qin Yang, who still looked intoxicated by the fragrance, and felt herself on the verge of collapse.

With a stamp of her foot, she hurried off, muttering, “Scoundrel, shameless.”

Ah!

Hearing her muttered words, Qin Yang snapped out of his reverie. Rubbing his nose, he looked helpless.

Alas, my self-control still isn’t strong enough.

Gurgle! Gurgle!

His stomach growled with hunger. It seemed he’d better find a noodle shop to settle his hunger first.

He entered a noodle shop and began eating ravenously.

Ten minutes later.

The shop owner was at a loss for words, utterly numb. He had never seen anyone eat so much—ten bowls, no less.

After finishing, Qin Yang sought out a park. With nowhere else to go, he found a secluded spot and began to cultivate.

At this moment, in Villa No. 6 of the Provincial Party Compound—

Bang!

“Outrageous! Who told you to drive Qin out? Who was it?” Ye Tian, who had fainted earlier, now awakened with a thunderous outburst. What’s more, he felt better than ever before—even the old injuries from his days in the army had fully healed.

All the important members of the Ye family were present. Whether in business, politics, or the military, the family wielded formidable influence.

To ordinary people, the Ye family was a colossus—one of the top clans, even in the capital.

The eldest, Ye Ze, wanted to speak, but was kicked aside. As a former soldier, he didn’t mind a little pain, but he was puzzled. Even if he had driven Qin Yang away, why was the old man so furious?

“Sigh, I’m getting old, useless. You’re all so busy, hardly ever home. I finally found someone to chat with, and you chased him out. Do you know, my days with Qin were the happiest I’ve had in decades.”

At that moment, an old man walked in. Everyone made way respectfully, greeting him as “Mr. Baili.”

Baili Song had gone out early that morning, and upon returning, heard the old man had fainted, giving him quite a scare. He rushed over, and before even crossing the threshold, heard Ye Tian’s voice from within.

He was astonished—the voice was strong and vibrant, full of vital energy.

He knew Old Ye’s medical condition inside and out. What had happened?

Ye Tian saw the old fellow staring at him and felt uneasy. “Hey, old man, what are you staring at me for?”

“Mr. Baili, did my father have some hidden ailment?” Ye Ze asked. Aside from a few of them, none of the younger generation had truly made their mark; they still needed Ye Tian to hold down the fort.

So they were all very concerned about his health.

“Old Ye, did your family have any distinguished guests today?”

“Distinguished guests?”

His confusion deepened at Baili Song’s question. He glanced at his disappointing descendants and barked, “Did we have any guests today?”

“Mr. Baili, no one came.”

“No one? That can’t be. If not, how could your old man’s health improve so dramatically? His vitality has steadily recovered, his lifeforce is surging—doesn’t he feel ten years younger?”

“Ten? I feel at least twenty years younger!” Ye Tian said, shaking his head as he sat in his chair. “It’s all thanks to that Qin kid. He said he’d treat me, I fainted, and when I awoke, I was like this.”

“And where is this Qin now?” Baili Song asked.

“These unfilial brats drove him out,” Ye Tian replied.

Everyone was dumbfounded by Baili Song’s words. According to him, Ye Tian’s health had never been better—all thanks to Qin Yang.

But now Qin Yang had been driven away by them. Their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Ye Tian glared at them and roared, “Damn it, what are you waiting for? Get out there and find him! I brought Qin to Bin City myself. He doesn’t know a soul here—if anything happens, I’ll beat you all within an inch of your lives!”