C10 Internal Martial Arts Expert Liu Xu One

Upon witnessing the scene, Liu Xu's frustration dissipated, and he let out a resigned sigh, waving his hand dismissively, "Alright, just be more careful from now on."

Having said that, he glanced up to see customers entering the shop, decided not to belabor the point, and adjusted his clothes before heading inside.

"So, he works at this pet shop..."

The woman's gaze lingered on Liu Xu as he walked into the store, her eyes dancing with curiosity and her cheeks suddenly tinged with a shy blush.

She self-consciously touched her face, looking around with a guilty air. Noticing no one was watching her, she stole another glance at the pet shop, her expression growing increasingly radiant.

Unaware of the woman's reactions, Liu Xu walked back into the store and, not finding Hsu Xiaoyue, promptly approached the customer to assist him.

"What can I help you find today, sir?" Liu Xu appraised the man, noting his burly frame and stern demeanor, which prompted him to take a closer look.

"I'm not here to buy anything," the man barked, scanning the area. "Where's Hsu Xiaoyue? Get her out here; I need to speak with her!"

Liu Xu's brow furrowed, sensing trouble. He responded, "Boss Xu just stepped out; she might not be back for a bit. Maybe you could come back later..."

Before he could finish, Hsu Xiaoyue's voice rang out from outside.

"Liu Xu! Come out and help me with these!"

She had apparently just left a nearby fast-food joint, her arms laden with takeout containers, gasping for breath on the steps.

Liu Xu rolled his eyes and, with a look of resignation, went to relieve her of the bags, whispering, "There's a guy inside asking for you by name. Watch yourself."

With that, he led the way back into the shop, bags in tow.

Hsu Xiaoyue, momentarily taken aback, quickly followed him inside. Upon spotting the imposing figure in the store, her previously easygoing demeanor vanished. "Boss Ma?"

"Hsu Xiaoyue, you haven't forgotten what you promised me, have you?"

The muscular man's voice carried a hint of menace, "Time is running short. What's your decision?"

The burly man's scoff had already drawn the eyes of everyone in the pet shop. As Liu Xu entered, bag in hand, the shop girls swiftly ushered him aside.

Their anxious and conflicted looks left Liu Xu baffled, prompting him to ask Huang Ziqi, "Tell me, isn't that guy some kind of thug?"

His suspicion grew as he watched Hsu Xiaoyue escort the muscular man into the adjacent VIP room. "I'm going to check this out," he declared.

Huang Ziqi hastily tugged at him, "Oh, please, don't stir up more trouble. It's not what you're thinking."

"Then what is it?" Liu Xu retorted with an eye roll.

Huang Ziqi, still uncertain, finally bit the bullet and filled him in, "That man is here to pressure Ms. Yue to vacate the premises... The pet shop was struggling for a while, on the brink of shutting down. Ms. Yue reluctantly decided to put it up for transfer. But then things picked up, and we managed to scrape by, balancing the books, so she chose to keep at it. You might not be aware, but we've been barely breaking even."

"That intimidating guy is Ma Dazhuang, owner of an auto repair shop. He spotted the transfer sign and inquired about it. But once business improved and Ms. Yue reconsidered selling, he wouldn't let it go and has been hounding her ever since."

"Exactly. He's got his eye on our prime location, looking to lowball Ms. Yue when she was strapped for cash. The offer he made was way too low."

Hearing this, the shop girls all wore looks of indignation, and Liu Xu quickly grasped the gravity of the situation.