Niu Erbao ignored her, broke free from Zhang Guifang's hand, and ran away without looking back.
"You unfilial son, come back here!" Zhang Guifang chased after him angrily, but she couldn't catch up. She could only stand there, pointing at Niu Erbao's back and cursing, "You idiot, you'll regret this sooner or later! Xu Kuo, that jinx, will get his comeuppance sooner or later!"
The next day, the market was bustling with people.
At Xu Kuo's stall, several large basins were filled with lively, fresh fish, attracting countless customers to stop and watch.
"This fish is so fresh! How much is it per pound?"
"Give me two large ones!"
"I want one too! I want one too!"
People rushed to buy the goods, afraid that they would miss out if they were too late.
Xu Kuo was busy as a bee, collecting money, weighing fish, and giving change with practiced ease. Jiang Xiuying helped out from the side, her face beaming with a happy smile.
In just one morning, several large basins of fish were sold out. Xu Kuo counted the thick wad of banknotes in his hand, his heart filled with joy.
As the sun began to set, the hustle and bustle of the market gradually subsided, and Xu Kuo's fish stall was now empty.
The surrounding vendors, seeing Xu Kuo making a fortune, were all green with envy.
"What incredible luck this kid has!" someone muttered sourly, their eyes constantly glancing at Xu Kuo.
A burly man pushed through the crowd, walked to Xu Kuo's stall, and slammed his hand on the table, making the empty fish basin vibrate.
"Hey kid, where did you get this fish?" the man asked gruffly, his tone laced with arrogance.
Xu Kuo raised his eyes and glanced at the other man indifferently. This man was burly and thick-waisted, with a face full of fierce flesh. He was obviously not a good person.
But he used the system's pills and wasn't afraid of such a reckless person at all.
"I raised them myself," Xu Kuo replied casually, continuing to tidy up his stall.
"Raised?" The man clearly didn't believe it, his eyes wide like saucers. "You're talking nonsense! These days, who has the ability to raise so many fish? And raise them so fat?"
Believe it or not, if you don't believe it, get lost.
Seeing Xu Kuo's unyielding attitude and the large number of stalls he had, the man dared not make any rash moves and had to restrain his aggression.
"How did you raise it? Teach me!" The man leaned forward, his tone tinged with a hint of probing and greed.
He was already calculating in his mind: if he could learn this fish-raising method, he could become rich!
Xu Kuo stopped what he was doing, looked up, and his eyes were as cold as knives: "Why should I tell you?"
The man was provoked by Xu Kuo's cold gaze, and his anger flared up. His fat twitched as he said, "Kid, don't be stubborn! You need to know the rules in this market!"
"Rules?" Xu Kuo sneered, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "What rules? All I know is that whoever has the ability makes the money!"
He turned around, ignoring the man, and loudly ordered, "Erbao, Xiuya, pack your things, let's go!"
The man was thoroughly enraged by Xu Kuo's dismissive attitude. He grabbed Xu Kuo's shoulder and said, "Kid, do you believe I'll make sure you can't sell a single fish from now on?"
Xu Kuo sneered, his eyes showing no fear. He slowly turned around, staring into the man's eyes, and asked, word by word, "Why don't you try?"
The man trembled with rage, yet dared not actually lay a hand on him. After all, Yi Guanlin's warning was still ringing in his ears, and he didn't want to lose his stall.
"Fine! Fine! Fine!" The man gritted his teeth and said "fine" three times in a row, his eyes as venomous as a snake's. "Kid, you just wait! This isn't over!"
After saying that, he angrily flicked his sleeve, turned around, and stormed off.
Xu Kuo shrugged nonchalantly, pocketed the last sum of money, and strode away from the market with Jiang Xiuying and Niu Erbao.
"Master, how much did we earn today?" Niu Erbao asked excitedly, his eyes shining.
“Quite a lot.” Xu Kuo pulled out half of the stack of banknotes and handed it to Niu Erbao. “Erbao, this is yours. Take it.”
Niu Erbao stared dumbfounded at the thick wad of cash in his hand. He had never seen so much money in his entire life! His hands trembled with excitement, and he stammered, "Master...this...this is too much..."
“This is what you deserve.” Xu Kuo patted Niu Erbao on the shoulder with a gentle smile.
Niu Erbao clutched the money, his eyes reddening. His gratitude towards Xu Kuo was beyond words. He secretly vowed to work diligently under Xu Kuo's guidance and repay his kindness.
As soon as Niu Erbao entered the house, he heard Zhang Guifang's shrill voice: "You brat, where have you been running off to again? You're never home!"
"Mom, I..." Niu Erbao was about to explain when Zhang Guifang launched into a tirade of abuse.
"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'you unfilial son?' Do you even have any respect for your mother? Huh? Have you grown wings and want to fly away?" Zhang Guifang put her hands on her hips, spitting as she spoke.
"Didn't you hear me tell you not to associate with that bastard Xu Kuo?"
Niu Erbao was thoroughly scolded and felt extremely aggrieved. He suddenly slammed the money in his hand onto the table with a loud "bang," startling Zhang Guifang.
"Where...where did you get so much money?" Zhang Guifang stared wide-eyed at the stack of banknotes on the table, her voice trembling.
"I made money raising fish with my master!" Niu Erbao shouted, his voice carrying a hint of grievance and pride.
Zhang Guifang was stunned; she simply couldn't believe her ears. Xu Kuo, whom she had always looked down upon, could actually earn so much money?
"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!" Zhang Guifang muttered to herself, still refusing to believe it.
"If you hadn't argued with Master back then, this money should have been split 50/50 with him!" Niu Erbao glared at Zhang Guifang and angrily rebuked, "Now look what's happened, we only get 20%!"
Niu Erbao said this only to make Zhang Guifang understand her mistake and not to do anything to offend Xu Kuo again.
Zhang Guifang was struck by Niu Erbao's words with a sharp pain in her heart. She regretted it deeply, to the point of despair! She never imagined that Xu Kuo actually possessed such great abilities!
"No! We can't just let this money go!" Zhang Guifang slammed her hand on the table, a glint of madness flashing in her eyes. "That jinx Xu Kuo must have cheated us! Why should he take so much money?"
The more she thought about it, the angrier and more unwilling she became. Suddenly, she rushed out the door and headed straight for Xu Kuo's house.
"Mom! Where are you going?" Niu Erbao was anxious and wanted to chase after her to stop her, but after only two steps, he cried out "Ouch!" and bumped into the door frame.
"Ouch..." Niu Erbao winced in pain, limping as he leaned against the doorframe, watching Zhang Guifang's retreating figure. He stamped his feet in frustration, but there was nothing he could do. With his injured legs, he couldn't catch up!
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