Chp 25: Shameless Grandpa.

After giving instructions to her subordinates, she returned to the elder.

He was interested in seeing the homeless camp, making it as if he was going to sightsee. It was no wonder though. For a young lady who seemed to be from a rich, reputable family, to mingle with the homeless… One would think it was weird.

However, he thought it was interesting.

Perhaps she was taking in valuable experience? The experience of living with the homeless could open up her mind to the hardship of common people… That could be counted as a noble reason! No matter what, there ought to be some reasons why she had stayed there for a week.

As they walked over there, he asked;

“There must be a reason why you stay there, is there?”

“W-well… I just feel safe there… Without ID…”

“I see, I see… makes sense.”

The elder kept his mouth shut, admiring this witty girl.

She already subdued so many thugs as her goons, so could she not find a good place to stay? No way. Normal people would be repulsed at the thought of living with the homeless, even for a night. She was still young, but… He thought of those noble characters in ancient times, who went way out of their comfort zone, finding out what hardship people were facing. They were bound to achieve greatness in the future!

Great kings, wise emperors…

Yun Zhi, carrying the pillow and blanket, led the way.

As he followed her, the elder’s steps were light, his mood merry.

‘This elder… seems to misunderstand something… Should I… Well, why bother?’

She knew something was up, but didn’t bother correcting it.

Actually, the truth was simpler than expected. It was already a bit comfortable, so she just… couldn’t be bothered. Changing place?

Too troublesome!

Noble reason?

What noble reason!

Laziness!

She was just too lazy to care…

Ah, comfort zone…

Why go all the way into the vile city?

Who knows what predator lurked in the darkness there!

Plus, those traffic jams…

You can’t eat those!

“Ah yes, little Yun, when we arrive, just say I’m your relative… You’re my grandniece. Met you several times at family reunions. Came here to search for you after the secret about your vile uncle was out. I’m the closest, so… Call me Grandpa Fang, and make it natural,”

Haa? Her face twitched. It was all out of the blue. This elder even prepared a background story for his arrival, surprising her. And this story…

What a pro!

This way, they wouldn’t hold back, not a tiny weeny bit!

It seemed he made himself her relative for various reasons. One reason could be to make them let down their guard. Who wouldn’t blabber all the details if she introduced him as her relative, right? More so, one who cared enough to search for her ‘remains’.

“Eh elder… calling you grandpa? Why, I wouldn’t dare…”

“What wouldn’t dare? Think about it, would I mind much, if I'm detaining a stranger…”

“Grandpa Fang! Look, we’re already near!”

The word ‘detain’ was the magic word.

Hearing such a word, she let go of any ego she had, gladly calling him grandpa! And while doing so, she seemed natural, as if she had done so often… Truly a pro.

Well, whatever!

I didn’t lie much, anyway!

Hearing her addressing him as such, he hummed in joy.

Ah, having such a genius as a granddaughter… Who wouldn’t jump in joy? Even if it was just an act, he still felt blessed. Fate had allowed them to meet, so there’s no way he would just let her be, nope!

Shameless? Who cares!

I got a genius grandniece now!

When they arrived, the elder was visibly surprised.

Surprisingly so, since the camp was clean and well-organized. He could also see branches and leaves used as camouflage. The trashes were gathered into two spots, to be either buried or burned at night. If one was to see it outside the forest, there would be no sign whatsoever, not even one trash around.

As Yun Zhi explained, he understood more.

In the morning, unneeded tents were wrapped into their most compact form, then placed behind the bushes to further hide them. Unless one went into the forest close enough, they wouldn’t notice it. The place was not big, but enough for thirty-odd people. As he heard how disciplined they were in managing the place, he grew more interested in this… Old Li, the leader of the homeless.

He was able to make the process as simple as possible, making the homeless ashamed if they failed to do so. Since there was barely anyone at camp during the day, there was no need for so many tents out. There were only a few well-hidden ones available, seemingly used for everyone to rest for a short while.

It was afternoon.

As fortune made it so, Old Li had just returned from collecting trash cans. It was a bit hot today so he had returned early. Seeing Yun Zhi with the elder, he was curious, wondering who he was…

Before he could say anything, she greeted him;

“Uncle Li— meet my relative, Grandpa Fang… He came here to find me,”

“Ah? Relative? That’s great news! Congrats, little Yun!”

“Ah haha, it’s great, yeah… yeah,”

Relative? Yun Zhi didn’t want this fossil, really.

This shameless grandpa... W-well, he was kind enough to give her the blanket and pillow… but still!

However, thinking how she might trouble the uncles and aunties here if she was stubborn, she agreed. Also, if they knew their camp was revealed to a ranking government official, it might make them worry, so she guessed this arrangement had its merit. The elder wouldn’t be so petty as to abolish the camp, right?

Well, as long as he was satisfied…

Anyway, the real reason was, she didn’t want any detention.

Being detained would render her existence naked to the authority, all details recorded… Photograph and such. That would be a serious disadvantage for her future missions. She might get an ID for that, true… but it was a hundred times better if she could get an ID using a more incognito way.

Meanwhile, Elder Fang greeted uncle Li with much joy, taking his hands with glittering, watery eyes;

“You must be my grandniece’s savior! I got the horror when I knew that traitor threw her into the lake! You can’t imagine how glad I was… Huhu… thank you, thank you… hu hu,”

“E-elder… It was all a coincidence… It wasn’t actually me. It was Fatty Qian who fished her out of the lake… I only, helped a bit,”

“So there’s another savior! This old man would like to thank both of you, from the bottom of my heart!”

It was quite a drama.

Elder Fang showed his joy in knowing Yun Zhi’s survival, without restraint. As old Li witnessed this, tears emerged from his eyes… He was worried the whole week, about what would happen to little Yun in the future.

Having a rich family could either be a blessing, or a curse. If the family had no mercy or love towards each other, what else could it be but a curse? They would use all kinds of vile methods to get rid of one another. Considering her age, appearance, and wit, he felt that being homeless would be a waste of her potential. Her future should not be like this! Thus…

He was thinking of asking for some help, but he couldn’t even help himself, so how?

And, as it turned out, her relative came by!

And it was someone trustworthy too. To shed so much tears and snort… to be so glad that she survived that treachery… He could feel his sincerity, his love for his grandniece!

So the rich weren’t fully corrupted at all!

This elder…

Yes, if it’s him…

The Heavens have eyes!

To not abandon this young girl completely…

Little Yun still has some luck!

“Elder… Fatty Qian went out to work, so…”

“Ah, a shame… I guess it can only be next time… But, Mr. Li, was it? What elder, you can just call me old Fang,”

“What? How could I… you’re my senior… I wouldn’t dare, Elder Fang…”

“What Elder Fang! My grandniece called you uncle, you saved her life, provided for her… We’re like a family already… Ah, I didn’t bring any gift… you must forgive this old man,”

What a sweet talker!

Yun Zhi’s horizon got expanded. As it turned out, this shameless grandpa had it in him… To sweet talk others, even using the cliché “We’re like a family already” line… She felt nauseated, holding onto a tree to bear with it. It was old-fashioned, but towards old Li, it was still effective. He was all giddy.

She wondered how this elder got this ‘sweet talk’ skill?

Well, considering he was a government official, he could very well pick this skill up here and there. As she was wondering, it seemed the two had hit it off. Three other uncles also joined the conversation, and the elder welcomed them with joy.

Dang, these old-timers…

They’re acting like it’s the family’s new year reunion…

They conversed so naturally, with much laughter… as if they were old army buddies, united after years of separation. As they did, Yun Zhi could hear the details… The elder was confirming the information he received from her earlier, bit by bit.

So that’s why he got his rank…

At first glance, he seemed like a naïve elder…

It seemed, no matter how much he already trusted someone, the habit of a pro still remained. He continued to match the details. The start where she got fished out of the lake, the incident with the thugs, and her daily routine in the camp… The routine seemed to establish her character, to see if it matched what he had seen and heard. Hearing so, Yun Zhi heaved a sigh of relief. Some old people could be tricked, some just refused to be tricked.

She didn’t lie to him because she knew he was the latter.

Well, not all the truth.

The finer details, no need to tell, right?

After a good thirty minutes of conversing, the elder went into the more serious issue;

“Old comrades, Little Yun… I’m taking her home. You all alright with that?”

“Ah, it’s only natural…”

“Right. Such a young girl shouldn’t be here…”

“Yeah, we could even barely fend for ourselves…”

They didn’t show it, but they were actually reluctant.

Yun Zhi had brought much joy and happiness to the camp, where only older people resided, people who had distanced themselves from normal society. Seeing her carefree behavior, they felt as if life still had something to look forward to each day. She was not their daughter, but…

She was their joy.

Every morning, having a simple meal with that adorable, witty girl…

Truly a joy they hadn’t felt for years.

Though just for a short while, they were truly grateful…

The talk had turned a bit heavy, knowing this might be the final goodbye.

However, the joyfulness of the elder turned the whole mood bright again;

“Ah ha ha, I won’t separate her from all her saviors… She’s free to come here anytime. I’ll just rent a place for her to stay nearby, since her family is rather… unstable for now. You guys catch me?”

“Ah, of course, elder… Old Fang! We understand!”

“I’ll let her be ready for today. I’ll pick her up this evening… hm?”

Seeing Yun Zhi waving for him, the elder excused himself.

As he got away from them and got to her, she asked in a hushed tone;

“What’s the meaning of this, elder?”

“Grandpa, it’s grandpa… Where’s your manner? Hish,”

“Eh, fine… grandpa. What’s with you making the decision all by yourself? Shouldn’t you ask me first?”

“You mean you leaving this place?”

“What else!”

She was actually irritated.

He decided that she had to move, without even consulting her. If this was not disrespecting her, what was? Still, the elder defended his decision;

“Little Yun, you’re a Murim person. And you’re also young. You don’t belong here. Don’t worry about the rent, I’ll pay for you,”

“Grandpa Fang, I’m not worrying about that…”

“Don’t make a fuss. I’ll help you apply for an ID… I guarantee it’ll be done in a week,”

“Apply… ID,”

This made her almost agree. The ID was crucial on this planet. In this modern society, having no ID was like having no rights. There were too many disadvantages. Only people in deep rural areas, who had no need to venture out to cities or towns, had no ID.

It would be too much work to deal with the black market, not to mention the risks involved. Knowing this could be a heaven-sent opportunity, she added another condition, a request;

“Fine, but only… if you help me out with something,”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Do you know… someone named Fang Shen? A bike-gang leader, around eighteen?”

“Fang Shen… Shen-er, where did you hear about him?”

“Ah, well… I told you already, that I want to subdue the thugs in the area, right?”

She explained her mission, in an acceptable way.

She still remembered her big sister’s teaching, that to remodel yourself, one of the ways would be to lead the roughnecks. It would hone leadership, and at the same time, do a favor to society. As for Fang Shen, she had heard about him from her goons, so she had him as the target for ‘remodeling’ for days now.

Her explanation was simple and concise, so the elder did not question much.

Soon, he explained who Fang Shen was;

“He’s the Fang clan’s second young master. You can say I’m his granduncle… He got some issues in the clan, so now he’s being rebellious… We ignored him since he’s being selfish. Right, since you’re now my grandniece… You two should consider yourselves relative.”

“Seriously? What a coincidence…”

A serious coincidence!

For some reason, the mission and side mission coincide. Coincidence? Bullshit… It must be the work of that jerk uncle immortal. He had everything calculated… As she thought about it, the elder responded as well;

“Right. Had it been a while ago, I would detain you for suspicion of… targeting a Fang family member,”

“G-grandpa… You wouldn’t detain your own cute grandniece, would you… hehe?”

“Hmph, as grandniece, shouldn’t you listen to your elder? Don’t be like him! Messing around, causing troubles,”

“F-fine… That place must be nice, though.”

“Hmph, you think this grandpa is stingy? I’ll let you see!”

Yun Zhi agreed with her new living arrangement. She also asked him to help her with the ID and with any legal issues in the future. The elder agreed. In exchange, she must allow him to check on her at least once a week, anywhere would be fine. If she was going to do anything big, she must consult him first. Hearing so, she said;

“Thinking about it, I might do something big this week… so,”

“What? Not some chaos right? Out with it!”

“W-well, it’s about the bike gang…”

Listening to her explanation, the elder’s eyes opened up, wider and wider.

As she did, a notification appeared by her side.

[Side Mission 1: Persuade the Elder]

OBJECTIVE:

Persuade the elder to keep your secret, be an ally.

ALLY: 1/1

STATUS: Accomplished.

RATING: Excellent - AAA

REWARD: Two Mystery Gifts + Bonus.

=== Chp 25 End ===