SES Chapter 168 Part 1

Chapter 168

The train pulled into the station, and Cao Yanhua slung his backpack over his shoulders and strode off the platform in high spirits.

The night before, a small “incident” had taken place inside the carriage. A habitual train pickpocket had been working his way from the front cars toward the back, bold as brass, carrying a tote bag as cover. Inside were more than a dozen wallets he’d lifted along the way.

Unfortunately for him, he ran straight into Master Cao from Jiefangbei.

That was like showing off a hatchet in front of the master carpenter.

Who was Cao Yanhua? A top-tier expert. From more than ten steps away, he could already smell the thief on him. Then he took a closer look at the man’s expression, movements, roaming eyes, and alert scanning pattern—

Damn. It was practically straight out of Cao’s own professional thief training manual.

Let me show you what a true industry god looks like.

Cao Yanhua remained outwardly calm and waited. When the man’s hand slipped diagonally into the inner pocket of his jacket, Cao tightened his arm and clamped him down.

The man tried to yank his hand back. It wouldn’t move. His face went white.

Cao Yanhua bulged his eyes and snapped, “What’s your problem? Why are you feeling me up? Sexual harassment?!”

That move was brilliant.

If he’d shouted “Thief,” people might not have dared to get involved. But shout “harassment,” and half the carriage got excited and swarmed over. Three layers inside, three layers outside—packed so tightly even a fly couldn’t escape.

Seeing the crowd had gathered, Cao decided it was time to add fuel to the fire.

While “struggling” with the man, he accidentally-on-purpose flipped the tote bag upside down.

Wallets spilled everywhere.

For one or two seconds, there was dead silence.

Then someone screamed, “That’s my wallet! Thief!”

…

The train police arrived. The thief was hauled away.

For the first time in his life, Cao Yanhua walked beside the police, tall and proud, helping explain the situation. The train broadcast a lost-and-found announcement, and one by one, the victims came up to reclaim their wallets, thanking Cao nonstop. An elderly couple even grabbed his hands and insisted on upgrading his seat to a sleeper berth.

Cao Yanhua’s heart was as sweet as honey. After pretending to refuse a bit, he happily accepted.

Lying in the sleeper berth, he even had a wonderful dream.

—The train had been renamed just for him: “Yanhua Express.”
—His photo was posted in every carriage, with a huge red honorary flower pinned to his chest.

—At a grand awards ceremony, the host Bai Yansong held a microphone and spoke passionately:
“Now, let’s welcome the top vote-getter among the Top Ten People Who Moved China—Cao Yanhua!”

To lights and thunderous applause, he walked on stage.

Host: “Many viewers have written in, wanting to know what kind of job such a hero has in real life. What gave you the courage to stand up to such a vicious thief?”

Cao Yanhua: “I am an actor—more precisely, a martial arts actor.”

The audience gasped.

Host: “Strangely, the public seems never to have seen your work…”

Cao Yanhua: “I just graduated from my training. My master, Mu Dai, is a highly respected elder…”

The camera cut to Mu Dai in the audience—silver-haired, eyes crinkled with happy wrinkles, tears of pride shining.

“My master told me that unless you’ve reached true mastery, you have no right to claim you know kung fu. I’ve kept that in my heart.”

Host: “Then it seems you’ve truly come into your own. Will we have the chance to see your work in the future?”

Cao Yanhua: “Of course. I’ve just finished collaborating with big brother Jackie Chan on a film called Police Story: I’m From Jiefangbei. It will be out soon…”

…

What a pity.

The train arrived at its destination.

Cao Yanhua craned his neck and stood on his tiptoes in the crowd of people picking up passengers. Finally, he spotted Mu Dai and waved his arm high.

Energized, he followed her out. “Little Master, where’s Brother Luo?”

Mu Dai stopped walking. “Cao Fatty, I came to pick you up because I wanted to tell you something first.”

Tell him what? Why so serious?

“Luo Ren hasn’t been in a great mental state these past couple of days. You need to take care of his mood. Say as little as possible. And if you do talk, only say cheerful things.”

Cao Yanhua was puzzled. “What’s wrong with Brother Luo?”

“Nothing.”

But Cao felt something was off. Only then did he notice Mu Dai didn’t look great either—depressed.

Once in the car, the pressure inside felt lower than outside. Luo Ren didn’t speak. Mu Dai didn’t talk either. The car sped along the provincial highway. This area had many Yi communities—different scenery and customs from Lijiang: a sharply cut river, endless mountain ridges, and terraced fields stacked layer upon layer.

Cao Yanhua couldn’t stand not talking. Clearly, Little Master and Brother Luo had argued. It was his duty to liven up the atmosphere.

Besides, he wanted to casually brag about last night.

“Little Master, I just messaged Brother Sansan. Long-distance buses are slower than trains, but he said he can still arrive late tonight.”

“Mm.”

“He also said my mountain chicken did okay, just likes to squawk too much. Little Master, what do you think I should name it?”

“It needs a name?”

“Of course! It’s a pet.”

“Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken.”