I Will Never Submit to Miss Grim Reaper - Chapter 343
Chapter 343: Why So Downcast, Little Girl?
“Leaving?”
In the small garden outside the café, after listening to Zhao Ming’s explanation for her visit, I instinctively asked, “So suddenly?”
Originally, this young lady had planned to invite us to a nearby high-end restaurant to discuss matters over a leisurely meal.
However, I declined, citing “too busy with work” as the reason, and suggested that if there was something important, we could talk in the small garden near the café. After all, there were tables, chairs, and a small pavilion to sit in.
Zhao Ming, the eldest daughter of the Zhao family in Shenzhen City, is the sole heir of the Zhao family—a typical wealthy family’s beautiful young lady.
We had previously investigated the Zhao family, discovering that they are somewhat like an “ancient clan.” Long ago, Shenzhen City wasn’t as peaceful as it is now. In those days, people were very poor and had to rely on each other to survive and develop.
Gradually, people with the same surname formed a cohesive group, established various rules, and eventually gained control over the surrounding area. This control extended to the entire Nanqi District and Honor District and began spreading throughout Shenzhen City.
I don’t fully understand the history of power struggles, but the impression I got of the Zhao family was rather “chaotic.” They had both black and white elements—leaning towards the underworld but not entirely criminal. They held some influence in Shenzhen City but couldn’t directly control it.
Ye Yuqing, following higher directives, planned extensive reforms in Shenzhen City, especially in the Nanqi District, establishing a commercial street, developing the Mianyun District, and collaborating with Tongmeng Network. This involved Su Yunjin and the powerful forces led by his uncle, which impacted the Zhao family’s interests. Consequently, they covertly targeted our café.
Given this context, our relationship with the Zhao family was somewhat adversarial. Although Zhao Ming wasn’t deeply involved in her family’s affairs, her visit was suspicious, so I chose to address the issue near the café.
However, I didn’t expect her to get straight to the point: the Zhao family was preparing to move abroad. She expressed their apologies to us and wanted to give us a parting gift.
“Yes, I’m preparing to go to South America. There are many of the world’s top boxers there.”
Today, Zhao Ming was wearing a very simple summer outfit paired with shorts. The gap between her shorts and top clearly showed her well-defined abs. Even as she sat across from us, the way she placed her hands on the table exuded a sense of strength, giving the impression that she could knock someone out with a single punch.
“Our family has already discussed it internally. Next year, I will go abroad with my father to receive education there and pursue a career as a boxer.”
Under my gaze, Zhao Ming sighed, “Shenzhen City has developed, it no longer needs us old folks.”
I twitched my mouth, “You talk as if you’re very old…”
“Almost thirty.”
“Then I’m almost forty.”
“Look at yourself, do you believe what you’re saying?”
Raising an eyebrow, Zhao Ming then waved her hand dismissively, “Alright, enough joking. The second thing is that the family wants me to come over and formally apologize on behalf of the Zhao family. What happened with those guys before was really because they were reckless and messed up. We sincerely apologize for that.”
Apologize?
I recalled the scenes of those thugs causing trouble at the café. Well, to be fair, such things happen quite often. In a big world, there are always people with twisted personalities or driven by greed to do inexplicable things. It’s nothing new.
Not to mention, there are people in real life who come in, eat, and then complain about stomachaches, demanding compensation and apologies. The insults from people online are much worse than this.
“No problem.”
Sitting next to me, Xiao Mo crossed her arms. “Such trivial matters shouldn’t warrant a special visit to discuss with us.”
“I really feel apologetic about it,” Zhao Ming replied, looking more embarrassed.
“At that time, there was a big argument within the family. The main issue was that Mayor Ye disregarded our opinions and pushed ahead with construction, wanting to teach this young mayor a lesson. You just got caught in the crossfire…”
“I said it’s no problem,” I reiterated.
Xiao Mo chimed in, “If Nuo’er is unhappy, I’ll handle any issue for her, even if it means going against the entire world.”
Stop saying such terrifying things like “going against the entire world” all the time!
I shot an annoyed glance at Xiao Mo.
“Ah… I believe in your strength,” Zhao Ming replied, looking very respectful towards Xiao Mo. Who knows what Xiao Mo did to her before. “So… do you accept our, oh no, my apology?”
“This isn’t about accepting or not accepting an apology. We didn’t take it to heart at all, or rather, it’s not significant enough for us to care,” Xiao Mo said coldly.
“Is that all? If that’s it, then we know. You can leave now.”
“There’s one last thing, regarding the token of apology I mentioned earlier,” Zhao Ming said, quickly taking out a small golden figure from her shoulder bag.
“This is a symbol of absolute authority within our Zhao family. There are only two of these—one with me and the other with the head elder. I hope you can place it in your café, is that okay?”
Huh?
I carefully examined the small golden figure.
It was a shiny gold figure, with a vague humanoid shape, reminiscent of the “Venus de Milo” with its pose.
Is this… pure gold? If it’s pure gold, why is Zhao Ming so eager to give it to us, using such humble language like “I hope you can place it in your café”? Xiao Mo, what exactly did you do to her back then? My curiosity is only growing…
“It doesn’t match our café’s theme,” Xiao Mo said with just a glance at the small gold figure, shaking her head slightly.
“There’s no need to place it there.”
“Please let me finish… It is pure gold, and there’s a stamp at the bottom,” Zhao Ming flipped the base of the gold figure over.
“Like this, it’s a seal of authority. Within the Zhao family, it’s a symbol of absolute power. In the Nanqi District and Honor District, there are other big families besides ours. Mayor Ye’s aggressive reforms will certainly face many challenges in the future. Moreover, when the elders and I go abroad next year, the Zhao family might face some turmoil. If you encounter any trouble, this will definitely be very useful.”
“……”
Seeing Xiao Mo’s silence, Zhao Ming quickly added, “I know your background is very powerful, but like you just said, if you have to mobilize your backing for every little issue, wouldn’t that be overkill? You should keep this. Since I’m going abroad, it’s not of much use to me. If any trouble arises, as long as it’s from the underworld, showing this will make them recognize it. Just having it displayed in the shop can have a deterrent effect.”
Wow, is this… a family heirloom? Or is it something akin to the ancient emperor’s imperial seal? With the imperial seal, I hold dominion over the world!
As long as we place this thing in the shop, it can suppress those who cause trouble nearby? It sounds pretty good when you put it that way. Although Xiao Mo can handle those miscellaneous matters usually, it’s quite convenient to be able to avoid them before they even happen. What’s the catch, though?
“You can put this on the windowsill, or next to the fish tank, wherever the camera can see,” Zhao placed the small gold figure on the table and handed it to me.
“No one in the Nanqi District or the Honor District underworld would dare to touch this.”
No one dares to touch? You watch too many dramas, Miss.
Thieves don’t care about someone’s background, as long as they have the opportunity, they will definitely steal it.
Xiao Mo remained silent for a few seconds again. “What do you want?”
“Thank you, thank you… Phew… I thought you would refuse,” Zhao breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Xiao Mo didn’t seem to have any obvious intention to refuse.
Seeing Xiao Mo finally without any clear refusal, Zhao Ming looked visibly relieved. “Actually, I don’t have any major demands. The battle with you before inspired me a lot. People in my family say I’m foolish and incapable of taking over the family business. Anyway, I have no interest in those trivial matters. Only boxing, becoming stronger, is what drives me to live.”
Zhao looked cautiously at Xiao Mo’s eyes. “Since you asked, let me be direct. Apart from the issues you pointed out earlier, which direction should I focus on in practical combat? Or if I were to face an adult male, besides targeting his vital points, how can I defeat an opponent of the same weight class? This is my… a small request, hoping to receive your guidance again.”
“Sister,” I was somewhat incredulous. “You’re giving us the family heirloom just to get advice from Xiao Mo?”
“There’s also an element of apology, but getting guidance is the most important thing to me,” Zhao smiled.
“Kitty, perhaps you can’t understand the desires of people like us. I don’t know if you’ve ever read a novel about the day when the god who created the universe came to Earth. Scientists, biologists, physicists, and scholars from all walks of life on Earth had countless questions to ask this deity. The god told the scientists, ‘I can answer all your questions, including the model of the entire universe, but our conversation will only be known to you and me. And when you learn all the answers, you will all die’.”
“The result was… almost all scientists, physicists, and astronomers rushed into the realm of the main god, obtaining answers that they might not have solved in their lifetime, and then sacrificing their lives, like fireworks.”
“I started learning boxing when I was very, very young. Until now, there are hardly any people in this small world who can teach me, until I met her…”
Zhao gestured towards Xiao Mo with her eyes, then looked at the small gold figure on the table. “Even if it means leaving the Zhao family, as long as I can make progress in the field of boxing, I won’t hesitate for a moment.”
Wow, is this… a boxing fanatic? My eyes widened, and the cat ears on my head involuntarily tilted back, while the cat tail under my skirt continued to sway.
“Although I don’t agree with your position in the Zhao family, I do admire your courage.”
After a brief silence, Xiao Mo stood up from her chair and walked towards the beach below the small garden where the cafe was located.
“Come on, Nuo’er, you go back to the cafe first. I’ll come find you later.”
“What about mine?” I subconsciously stood up too. “Xiao Mo, you don’t acknowledge my courage?”
The Xiao Mo in front stopped in her tracks, seemingly surprised that I would say that.
“Nuo’er, I already prepared your portion.”
She remained silent for almost ten seconds this time, then turned to the side and said:
“When we go on a trip, I’ll show you what battle is like.”
“……”
……