Demons Beside You

After leaving the fitness center, Chen Zhao went to Rufford’s house to treat his injuries and check his recovery.

Rufford was fully cooperative towards Chen Zhao’s treatment.

Chen Zhao estimated that Rufford would fully recover in at most a week.

Of course, he also had to come here everyday.

With Chen Zhao’s help, Rufford’s leg injuries healed at a remarkable pace.

He had already met up with Bord and they had a preliminary discussion.

While they had yet to sign any contract, they had already reached some initial agreements.

Then, Chen Zhao went to Ethan’s motel.

Ethan was furious about Chen Zhao’s dine and dash, but Chen Zhao had a great reason. He only came here to ask if there was a new client and ate lunch since he was already here.

However, Ethan’s place was really too boring. Chen Zhao went home after half an hour.

He rarely had any free time in the morning. When he reached home, he saw Bant’s small truck parked on the other side of the road.

Bant and Mary were helping a young man to alight from the vehicle.

“Bant, Mary.” Chen Zhao walked up and greeted them. Then, he looked at the young man. “You must be Ken.”

Mary approached Chen Zhao and gave him a hug, after which she said to Ken, “Ken, this is Chen, the one who saved you from the fire.”

“Thank you, buddy.” Ken was still having difficulty walking at the moment and his voice was somewhat hoarse.

Nevertheless, Chen Zhao still bent down and hugged Ken.

“How are you?”

“I’ve been in the hospital for so long. My respiratory tract was scalded and I need to rest for some time.”

Ken’s injuries were still fine. At least he was much luckier than those who had died in the fire.

Because of his respiratory tract damage, he could not eat any food. He had been on glucose recently and so he was very weak.

“I’m a doctor too. If you feel unwell, you can find me anytime, or perhaps call me.”

“Chen, have you eaten already? Come to my house,” Mary said enthusiastically.

“Maybe not. You’ve just fetched Ken home and surely you need to take care of him. I wouldn’t trouble you further. Also, I don’t have a fixed working time and I might need to go out soon.”

“Alright then.”

“I’ll go back first. See you.”

People in America like the idea that distance produces beauty.

Even if two people are very close, they would still leave each other some personal space.

Returning home, Chen Zhao realized that Walter was not around. He took out his phone and called Fali.

“Fali, did you bring Walter with you?”

“You weren’t around last night and didn’t even come back in the morning. I’m too worried to leave Walter alone at home, so I brought him to my work place.”

“Alright. Remember not to tell others about it.”

“I know.”

Ding dong.

Chen Zhao was about to say something else when the doorbell rang.

“Someone’s at the door. I’ll hang up now.” After Chen Zhao hung up, he opened the front door.

Outside the door was a white-haired old man with a goatee and a fir walking stick in his hand. His clothes were neatly groomed and he looked like an old English gentleman.

“Hi. You’re looking for?”

“I’m Trede Pemton, owner of the winery.” The white-haired old man nodded gently and extended his hand.

“Hi, I’m Chen Zhao.” Chen Zhao shook Trede’s hand.

“I know you, young man. You saved my people.”

“Please come in.”

Chen Zhao invited Trede into his house and Trede sat down. “What would you like to drink? Tea or coffee?”

“Tea. Thanks.”

Chen Zhao made a cup of tea and put it in front of Trede. “Mr. Trede, how may I help you?”

“I’m here just to thank you. You’re a great man.” Trede took out a check and put it in front of Chen Zhao.

Chen Zhao was momentarily stunned before he shook his head. “Sorry, but I can’t take it.”

“Why?”

“It doesn’t belong to me,” Chen Zhao answered.

“It’s rightfully yours.”

Chen Zhao still shook his head. If he had saved a few patients with his medical skills instead, he would not have rejected the check, because that was his job. It was only reasonable for him to take his pay.

However, saving those people from the fire was not his usual job. In fact, Chen Zhao had charged into the burning building with some selfish intent.

First of all, Walter had already charged into the building. When he went in, Carrie followed him.

Chen Zhao therefore felt that he was at least safe.

Moreover, Chen Zhao had actually already benefited from his deed, namely the second perfect crystal.

Thus, he did not want to get paid again. It was his own principle.

The number on the check was indeed alluring, but Chen Zhao still did not want to take it.

In fact, Chen Zhao was but an ordinary human with three principles: don’t ask for trouble, don’t leave anyone in the lurch, and don’t commit evil.

If the first and second principles had a clash, he would follow the second principle first, while if the first and the third had a clash, he would follow the third one.

For example, treating the perverted old man in Caprice’s prison was a huge trouble.

Therefore, Chen Zhao followed the third principle first. Treating that old man was in fact equivalent to committing evil.

Of course, Chen Zhao still decided to treat him so that he would remain in jail for longer.

Chen Zhao would never reject any money he should take, but he would not take what he should not.

“Mr. Trede, please don’t put me in a difficult position.”

“Err... Fine. Kid, if you need anything, call me anytime.”

“Sure. By the way, can I ask if the land beside the lake on the edge of the town is private or owned by the town?”

“Huh? That barren land? It belongs to the town. Do you want to develop it into a farm, or perhaps live there? I don’t think you can turn it into a farm, because the soil quality there is average. More importantly, in the Mexican-American War 170 years ago, that was a main battlefield. Large amounts of gunpowder seeped into the soil, so the land is no longer suitable for agriculture.”

“I’m planning to build a house there. Of course, it’s only a preliminary idea and I don’t have a detailed plan yet.”

“If you want to build a house, you need to pay for the land, the house, and build a path to the main road that’s at least three kilometers. You need at least 150 thousand dollars just for an ordinary road.”

“How much does that piece of land cost?”

“Are you sure you’re going to buy it?”

“I need to know the cost first.”

“I’m not too sure, but I can ask for you,” Trede said.

“That’s great. Thank you, Mr. Trede.”

“I should be the one to thank you. Right, I should leave now. Bye,” Trede said, standing up.

“Aren’t you going to stay for a bit longer?”

“Nope. If I keep staying here, you’ll probably feel more uncomfortable. Ha...”

Trede was indeed an astute man. He could tell that Chen Zhao was somewhat uneasy in his presence.

Chen Zhao sent Trede to the door when his phone rang again. After Trede waved his hand and left, Chen Zhao picked up the call. “Ethan, what’s up?”

“New client for you.”