Chapter 423 - Ke Hanying
Meanwhile, on Yi Bing's side, he was secretly following the local tyrant Ke Hanying while observing his behavior. Ke Hanying can be considered a lone wolf. Although he is quite famous in their town as a local tyrant, but in fact he's operating behind the scenes. He doesn't like to show his face in the public. He is avoiding the limelight.
But, he is still famous because, although he was called a local tyrant, but in fact it is more in a joking way, since what he's famous for is of his kindness and generosity. Ke Hanying's businesses are all successful, and he is rich – one of the reasons why he is called a local tyrant. But, he always spends more of his wealth on charities – mostly, the orphanages. Every time he goes out to eat lunch or dinner in the restaurants, he would always treat the beggars in the streets with a meal. Unfortunately, he rarely comes out.
One of the other things that made him famous is his sense of justice. One day, a young master passed by a beggar old man and the old man suddenly coughed because he was sick. The second young master was enraged because he felt offended and feared that the old man is ill and he would get infected of his disease. So, he had his guards beat him up. It was his misfortune to meet Ke Hanying, and more unfortunate because Ke Hanying not only heard him hurl insults at the old man out of anger and to humiliate him, but he was also seen ordering his guards to beat the old man.
Ke Hanying was livid with rage. He actually was on his way to bring medicine and food to the old man. He invited the old man to live with him, but the old man refused, so he decided to bring him food and medicine, as well as clothing. He didn't expect to see the old man to be beaten up. What's more unfortunate is that the old man died because of it.
Because Ke Hanying hates attention on him, he doesn't bring his guards with him. But, even though he didn't bring even just one guard with him, but he managed to defeat the three guards of the young master, and even beaten the said young master. Of course, Ke Hanying sustained injuries. But, he ignored the pain and the blood seeping out of his wounds and mourned for the death of the old man.
The people also have noticed that there was a fight, only to find out that someone has died, and it was an innocent old man. Ke Hanying wanted the young master and his three guards to be jailed for killing the old man. But, the official of the Anhu at that time was timid and is very scared of the young master's family. Meanwhile, Ke Hanying is just a nouveau riche and has no backing of anyone wealthy or famous. So, he ignored Ke Hanying and acted deaf and dumb. He didn't expect for Ke Hanying's move.
Ke Hanying gave all of his wealth to anyone who would help him jail the young master and his three guards. Now, who would dare ignore him? Even the young master's family lusted after Ke Hanying's wealth. Humans would die for money. So, the young master, after 'sacrificed' by his family, was put in a jail along with his guards.
Everyone thought that it would end just there. They didn't expect that Ke Hanying, who had just lost his wealth, would suddenly rise again. He actually has more businesses! Just how rich is he?! They all envied him, but also wanted to befriend him. After that case, Ke Hanying's fame rose and he gained many friends. Then, they found out that Ke Hanying has another favor: to impeach the corrupt official.
In just a blink of an eye, the official disappeared and was replaced by a new one. The new official feared Ke Hanying and wanted to hug his thigh, but Ke Hanying only told him to be impartial and do his job right. The official was relieved and, in fact, very happy, so he performed better than his predecessor. The citizens of Anhu naturally benefited and the quality of their life became better.
Meanwhile, the person who is behind all these returned behind the scenes again. No one dared to belittle and insult the beggars again and even feed them when they pass by them. They give their old clothes to them, and for the beggar children, they would bring them the old toys of their children who have already grown up. Now that the citizens improved, naturally, the whole town will also improve.
Now, many people move to Anhu, even if they are from Anchuan. Actually, because they are from Anchuan, they wanted to move to Anhu. After all, although Ke Hanying is a local tyrant, but he is kind and is upright, unlike the vile and cruel as well as dishonest Pei family who you could count in your hand one those who are innately kind, and can be considered kind.
Yi Bing naturally is curious about Ke Hanying. Not only to find clues from him, but also at his whole person. A nouveau riche who is can spend all of his wealth that is his backing in this world just for one nameless beggar. No one would do that, except if he is a saint. But, Ke Hanying is obviously a human.
Also – "He is from Anhu, but Pei Tinghe is in Anchuan. Has he met Pei Tinghe?" he muttered. The answer is probably 'yes', or else why would Ke Hanying insult Pei Tinghe in Pei Tinghe's funeral?
Ke Hanying naturally isn't the mayor of his town. But, it was the mayor that was invited to Pei Tinghe's funeral. However, Ke Hanying insisted to attend the funeral in the mayor's stead. He heard this from Du Lubo's friend who, probably after what happened last night that made them have an interaction with Ke Hanying, asked some people about Ke Hanying to know Ke Hanying more. Du Lubo's friend told this to Du Lubo, and Yi Bing overheard it with his sharp ears, catching the name of Ke Hanying.
Meanwhile, the mayor probably thought that Pei Tinghe is an acquaintance of Ke Hanying so he let him attend on his stead. It's just a funeral, after all, and the Anhu mayor isn't that familiar with Anchuan or the Pei family.
"What's the relationship between Ke Hanying and Pei Tinghe?" Yi Bing muttered.
Pei Tinghe, a young master of a wealthy and influential family and Ke Hanying, a nouveau rich whose background isn't known. These two shouldn't have any connection with each other. Their lives shouldn't intersect.
"But – " he muttered when he remembered the first crush of Pei Tinghe whom 'Pei Ru' mentioned last night.
Suddenly, he realized something. They assumed that since she was the first crush of Pei Tinghe, then she must live in Anchuan Town. But, the conversation he heard between Du Lubo and his friend earlier at lunch made him connect Pei Tinghe's first crush to Ke Hanying.
Pei Tinghe's first crush isn't necessarily from Anchuan. She can be from Anhu, and she's the reason why Ke Hanying went to Anchuan to attend Pei Tinghe's funeral. This girl is the link between Pei Tinghe and Ke Hanying!
Then, what is this girl's relation to Ke Hanying? An admirer? But, isn't Ke Hanying too late to settle his accounts with Pei Tinghe? Pei Tinghe is already dead. Also, shouldn't it be the girl whom he should see first rather than Pei Tinghe? Or, they have already met? But, why is it only Ke Hanying who is attending Pei Tinghe's funeral? Where is she? Does the girl have some difficulties that's why she couldn't attend the funeral so she sent Ke Hanying on her behalf? Or…
"Was she already dead?" Yi Bing's brows knitted as he continued to follow Ke Hanying.
It wasn't a long walk and Yi Bing already saw the wide river. So, Ke Hanying wanted to go to the riverbank. Didn't he hear last night that going near the water is also forbidden? But, if he is an idiot, then no one would stop him from him seeking his death.
Yi Bing sat on the bench on the roadside and watched Ke Hanying from afar. He also looked at the fog above the river. But, as he observed from the people passing by, they don't seem to notice the fog. They only gossiped after they saw Ke Hanying sitting on the river bank alone.
"Why is he there? Doesn't he know it is dangerous?" one of them asked.
"Look at him. He doesn't look like here so he must not know the rules." Someone answered.
"Then, does he have no one to tell him about this?" another one asked.
"Obviously. Or else, why would he hang out there?" someone asked back. "Should we tell him?" he added.
"Don't. I'm afraid to go near the water. Also, he might not stay there for a long time or that someone would pass by and tell him." Someone pulled his friend away.
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