VESSEL - Extinction Countdown 980: Vile Elders Devouring Kin

Ye Shisan hailed two cars, bought clothes for his stepfather He Dali and mother Li Fang, and brought the six to Shisan Bakery.

He Qiang stepped out, barely hiding his disappointment. “Damn! This shabby bakery? I thought it’d be bigger!”

He Dali glared at him. “Quiet, kid! Shisan’s got a big shot backing him!”

He meant Lin Changrong. The bakery might be modest, but it came from a tycoon. No shop could equal a rich man’s life. Patience would pay.

He Qiang nodded, but his face stayed sour, stewing.

Li Fang grinned wide. “Our Shisan’s done well! Such a nice bakery. Business must be good, right?”

Ye Shisan shrugged. “It’s okay. Not great, but better than most. I’m fine with it.”

He Qiang cut in. “Bro, you saved Lin Changrong’s life! Should’ve asked for another shop. One each for us!”

His red eyes lingered on You Long’er’s legs as she got out.

Ye Shisan ignored him, turning to You Long’er. “Take Mom and Dad inside to sit. I’ll rent them a place nearby. Crowding the shop won’t work.”

Vanilla, ever sweet, led the old couple in, but He Qiang grumbled. “Bro, we’re family! We should stay together to look after Mom and Dad. Why waste money on rent?”

Ye Shisan glanced at him. Twenty years later, he still recalled ten-year-old He Qiang pouring scalding water on his back for fun. “Money’s earned. Life’s mine. I need space.”

He Qiang didn’t get “space.” Why slave at a bakery when Lin Changrong could’ve paid millions? This guy’s crazy. How’s he so lucky?

Biting back his anger, He Qiang smiled. “Bro, family doesn’t talk ‘space.’ Fine, rent a place—two bedrooms. Mom and Dad need care. They’re weak, need supplements… Oh, lend me some cash. I’m old enough to start a business, get a wife…”

Like a buzzing fly, He Qiang circled Ye Shisan, fishing for money.

Ye Shisan paid the drivers and pulled He Qiang outside. “They’re over sixty. I’ve accepted them, so I’ll provide. You’re their son too. We split costs half and half.”

“Bro, you—”

“I’m paying now. I’ll keep receipts. Pay me back when you work. I’m no fool, He Qiang. Don’t try me.”

Ye Shisan went inside, offering He Dali and Li Fang snacks. The old beggars, unaware, praised his success. Compared to their rented shack, the bakery’s downtown look was grand.

After chores, Ye Shisan left You Long’er in charge and went to find a rental.

Li Fang grabbed You Long’er, asking endless questions, thinking she was Ye Shisan’s girlfriend. Vanilla, playing along, called herself his “adopted niece.”

He Qiang whispered to He Dali, twisting Ye Shisan’s words. He Dali exploded, slamming the table. “Shisan’s gone too far! Without us for seven years, he’d be nothing! Half this shop’s ours!”

Li Fang tugged him. “What’s wrong?”

“A-Qiang, tell your mom what Shisan said! I’m mad! Ungrateful kid!”

“Bro said we split Mom and Dad’s costs, and the bakery’s not ours. Wants ‘space.’ Thinks we’re mooching!”

Li Fang fumed. “What? I’m his mother! I birthed him, raised him. He can’t do this! I’ll talk to him!”

He Dali cursed. “Talk? This brat doesn’t see us as parents! I say we take the shop. What’s he gonna do, hit us? Heaven’ll curse him!”

He Dali smashed his glass, shards scattering.

Since begging, He Dali and Li Fang’s tempers had worsened. On the subway, they’d spit, curse, or smear filth on stingy folks, earning the name “vile elders” among beggars.

He Qiang, seeing their anger, smirked. With these two, the shop—and maybe You Long’er—would be his. Heh heh…

His leering eyes roamed You Long’er, lost in dirty thoughts.

Vanilla hid behind You Long’er, scared by the trio.

You Long’er had seen odd types, but these lowlifes were new. As Ye Shisan’s parents, she couldn’t argue.

She and Vanilla watched helplessly as the three rummaged, hunting the deed to pressure Ye Shisan.

Vanilla sobbed. She’d cleaned this shop and couldn’t bear its ruin.

As chaos grew, a police siren sounded. A firm, clear voice snapped, “Who are you? Why are you trashing this shop?”

You Long’er and Vanilla relaxed.

Yi Qing had arrived.

In her crisp uniform, Yi Qing stood striking, commanding yet charming. He Dali and Li Fang paled, speechless. Cops terrified them on the subway, and now one stood here.

But one twisted mind stirred.

He Qiang gaped at Yi Qing—mature, bold, enchanting. Compared to You Long’er’s fire, Yi Qing’s poise and curves won. Vanilla was cute, but not his type.

This one-eyed beauty fueled his lewd fixation.

His eyes bulged, drool dripping.

Then, Ye Shisan returned. “What’s going on? What’s everyone doing?”

Yi Qing turned, showing a document. “Ye Shisan, this is an arrest warrant. Come with me.”