Chapter 173: Small Girl Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

“What else do you want?” Ye Mo turned to Qiang Wei. His spirit sense detected something different about her face, but he couldn’t pinpoint it.

Qiang Wei saw Ye Mo’s impassive expression and was instantly enraged. Her left leg shot out at Ye Mo with lightning speed, aiming to knock him down and teach him a lesson.

Seeing her leg about to connect and Ye Mo making no move, Qiang Wei felt a surge of relief. She seemed to have overestimated this doctor; he hadn’t even begun to react, much less counterattack. She wondered how Mo Ping’s people could be so incompetent. Someone like this could walk in unnoticed.

But the next moment, her face froze. Excruciating pain shot through her leg; she heard the sickening crack of bone. Not only had Ye Mo counterattacked, but he hadn’t held back.

If Qiang Wei hadn’t been so careless, she wouldn’t have had her leg broken in one move. Now, she could only sit on the ground, seething with rage, and watch Ye Mo leave.

…

Ye Mo was worried his Silver Heart Grass would wither if left too long in his storage ring, so he hurried back to Luo Cang to plant it.

Leaving Qing Shui Wan, he considered taking a plane, perhaps even incognito. Then, a woman in her forties, carrying a five- or six-year-old girl, rushed past, followed by a ten-year-old boy. The woman looked distraught, as if fleeing something. Seeing Ye Mo, she quickly avoided him; she was probably being chased—it happened often enough that Ye Mo barely noticed.

But soon, he knew why. Several men stopped the woman. Ye Mo recognized one—a bodyguard from last night’s meeting, standing behind Jiao Bianyi.

These men stopped the woman and reached for the little girl.

Ye Mo smiled, still thinking about plane tickets. He waved to the bodyguard, saying, “Hey you, in the grey shirt, come here.”

Only the bodyguard in the grey shirt obeyed. The surrounding onlookers shook their heads; this young man was courting death. That was a man from Western Sands; he dared to summon them.

As expected, the man in grey turned sharply. His lackeys surrounded Ye Mo.

“It’s you…” The grey-shirted man got only two words out before his face changed. He quickly bowed. “Predecessor Mo, I didn’t know it was you.”

Ye Mo knew he would recognize him, so he said coldly, “Help me buy a ticket to Beijing.” He could go to Beijing first, then connect to Luo Cang.

Ye Mo produced his identification and some money.

The grey-shirted man respectfully took the ID but refused the money. “I’ll do it immediately. I have plenty of money; no need for yours, Predecessor. I’m Lin Long, a subordinate of Master Jiao of Western Sands.”

Ye Mo nodded casually. “I know you’re Jiao Bianyi’s bodyguard. No need for ‘Predecessor.’ I’ll be waiting at that western restaurant; be quick.”

Lin Long respectfully replied, “Yes, Brother Mo. I’ll be going now.” Then, Lin Long and his men quickly left, not even bothering to apprehend the middle-aged woman.

Lin Long’s lackeys were shocked, and the onlookers’ perception of Ye Mo shifted dramatically. Someone who could intimidate Western Sands must be incredibly dangerous. Soon, everyone avoided Ye Mo’s gaze and left.

The woman, seeing the thugs gone, didn’t linger. Without thanking Ye Mo, she took her children and ran.

Ye Mo watched them go. He’d had Lin Long buy a ticket because he lacked a passport, but he also intended to help the woman. He didn’t know who was right or wrong; he didn’t care, but he doubted Western Sands was up to anything good.

Ye Mo entered the western restaurant and sat by the window. He ordered and ate, figuring getting a ticket in Hong Kong would be easy and quick.

The restaurant was sparsely populated initially, but more and more people arrived until it was full.

Ye Mo ate, considering how long Lin Long would take. He thought about the woman and the little girl. Suddenly, he found the little girl familiar, as if he’d seen her somewhere before. He shook his head; he rarely forgot a face.

“Excuse me, friend. I’ve asked my girlfriend to meet me here. This is where we met last time. Could I have your seat? This is a check to show my gratitude,” a well-dressed young man said politely.

Ye Mo scanned the full restaurant and frowned. Giving up his seat meant he'd have nowhere to sit. More importantly, he hadn't finished eating. Though the young man was polite, Ye Mo disliked his presumption. His girlfriend was important, but so was his meal and his ticket.

“You should have reserved a seat if your girlfriend’s meeting was so important. Can’t you see I’m eating?” Ye Mo said, displeased.

The young man became even more polite. “I’m sorry; I didn’t know I could invite her today. How about I pay for your meal?”

“That’s not the problem, but you’ll have to wait until I’m finished. About an hour,” Ye Mo estimated, allowing time for Lin Long.

The young man's face fell. Most people would give up their seat after that; some would even offer good wishes. But this man was stubborn.

Seeing the young man’s desperation, Ye Mo sighed, about to stand and offer his seat. He was nearly finished anyway; waiting outside for Lin Long wouldn't be a problem.

At that moment, the young man's phone rang. He answered, “Quick, bring Ms. Bing here, to the Poland Street western restaurant. Yes, yes…”

Ye Mo’s eyes widened. He finally recognized the little girl. He’d seen her in a picture at Yun Bing’s house. Was she Yun Bing’s daughter? Why was she in Hong Kong? He’d never heard Yun Bing mention her past. He hadn’t expected to see her daughter here. Now that he looked closer, she did resemble Yun Bing.

“Excuse me, friend. My friend’s almost here. How much do you want for your seat? Name your price,” the young man, finally losing his patience, said.

Ye Mo’s thoughts were interrupted again, and his annoyance grew. He was ready to give up his seat, but had been interrupted twice. He told the waiter, “Another steak, please.”

“You…” The young man finally snapped.

He’d been polite, and Ye Mo’s rudeness was unexpected.

“I’ll say this once: move aside now. I don’t want to make a scene,” the young man said, his politeness gone, now issuing a threat.

Ye Mo was least afraid of threats. The Song family had threatened him, and he'd killed three of their direct lineage. Nan Qing had threatened him, and Qian Longtou was now dead. Now, another threat.

“Get lost,” Ye Mo said, finally angry. This man implied he was wrong not to give up his seat.

“You… Fine. You’re brave. Let’s see how long that lasts,” the young man picked up his phone, seemingly to call for backup.

“Gu Yi, where do I sit?” Before Ye Mo could respond, a melodious voice echoed.

The woman who arrived was in her twenties, with delicate brows, long eyelashes, and very fair skin. But what struck Ye Mo most was her voice—somewhat like Tan Fei’s, crisp and pleasant.

“Ms. Bing, you’re here. We’ll sit here. I’ll make this man move. This is where we first met,” the young man, about to rage, now smiled.

Seeing the seat was occupied, Ms. Bing said casually, “Let’s find another seat then. I’m short on time.”

The young man, worried, approached Ye Mo again, wanting to warn him without appearing rude in front of Ms. Bing.