"Tao Jie, let's not talk about this anymore, cough cough."
Tao's mother waved a hand at Tao Jie, replying with a pained expression.
"But!" Tao Jie was full of worry, his heart aching as he looked at his mother's suffering.
Listening to their conversation, Song Qiao immediately realized there must be some hidden secret.
He couldn't help but cast a questioning glance at Jiang Rou beside him.
Sigh.
Jiang Rou let out a deep sigh upon hearing this.
She looked down at her Shimu with a pained expression before explaining to Song Qiao.
"Shimu's illness is strange; many hospitals couldn't diagnose it."
"There's no talk of treatment."
"A while ago, some people came from Dongying, saying they could guarantee a cure."
"With conditions?" Song Qiao raised an eyebrow, sensing the matter was not simple.
Jiang Rou nodded slightly. "They proposed that Tao Jie work for them."
"Not only that, but they also wanted to borrow the influence his Shifu had accumulated."
"In short, the implication is that the Tao family must follow their lead from now on."
"Shimu is unwilling, which has led to her condition relapsing and even worsening."
Tao's mother contracted a strange illness, and just then, a group of people arrived claiming they could cure it.
Such a coincidence was bound to make Song Qiao suspicious.
He felt something was wrong.
"I roughly understand."
Perhaps feeling that Song Qiao had already helped her family too much, Tao's mother did not wish to trouble him further.
She forced herself to stand up despite her fatigue, offering Song Qiao a weak smile.
"Mr. Song, you don't need to worry about me. I know my own body best."
"After Tao Jie's father passed away, I have indeed felt I was not up to the task."
"But it's alright; it will get better slowly."
"No matter how hard it gets for our Tao family, we will not work for those Dongying people!"
As she spoke, Tao's mother's face showed no sign of weakness, but rather, a resolute determination.
Hahahaha.
But at this moment, a burst of laughter echoed from the courtyard.
The sound was laced with playful mockery, making one feel uncomfortable.
"I really didn't expect this, Da Sao. At your age, you're still so chaste."
"I truly envy my deceased elder brother for being able to marry a woman like you."
Elder brother?
Tao Fan had a brother?
As he spoke, the man walked towards the kitchen entrance, following the sound of his voice.
Song Qiao looked up at him and noticed there was no resemblance between him and Tao Fan.
Perhaps sensing Song Qiao's confusion, Jiang Rou leaned in and whispered an explanation.
"This fellow is Li Bin. He was a brother who worked with my Shifu back in the day."
"He also commanded the largest faction among my Shifu's former subordinates."
"His character was generally alright in the past, but who knew he would reveal his true colors after my Shifu died and completely fall out with the Tao family."
While Jiang Rou was explaining these relationships to Song Qiao, Tao's mother was trembling with anger.
She raised her trembling finger and pointed it at Li Bin standing at the doorway, scolding him.
"You have no right to call Tao Fan elder brother! If he were alive, he would never acknowledge you as a brother again!"
"Tao Jie, see the guest out!"
Tao Jie's gaze towards Li Bin was also filled with anger.
He stepped forward, staring fiercely at Li Bin, and said coldly.
"Leave immediately. Our Tao family does not welcome you!"
Hmph!
Li Bin glanced at Tao Jie with disdain, clearly not taking him seriously.
He turned his attention directly to Tao's mother, his tone laced with sarcasm.
"Do you really think this is some esteemed place?"
"If I weren't trying to get a clear answer, I wouldn't even come here even if you begged me!"
"I've come to ask if you've considered my proposal."
Tao's mother shook her head firmly. "Our Tao family will absolutely not support your actions."
"I advise you to give up on this idea as soon as possible!"
Seeing the mother and son refuse him outright, Li Bin did not seem rushed.
He walked to the stove, lifted the lid of the pot, and peered inside. He then looked at Tao's mother and clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk tsk, although the meal is a bit better than a couple of days ago."
"But is it too stingy to serve this as hospitality?"
"Don't worry, as long as you agree to my terms, the Tao family's predicament will be resolved immediately!"
"Not only that, but our two families will still be as close as one family. Why must you be so stubborn?"
Hearing Li Bin's shameless words, Tao Jie could no longer contain himself and shouted at him.
"Enough! You're colluding with those people from Dongying, and now you want to drag our Tao family down with you?"
"I'm telling you, it's absolutely impossible!"
"I'll repeat myself, get out of our Tao family now!"
Li Bin turned around and sized up Tao Jie from head to toe.
He couldn't help but shake his head and say.
"I thought that although you weren't mature, you would at least be as clear-sighted as your father."
"I didn't expect you to be so short-sighted and foolish!"
"Don't you understand the principle that people live for profit yet?"
"What's the difference between Huaguo people and Dongying people? Dongying people can cure your mother's illness! Can Huaguo people?"
Saying this, Li Bin walked to the door and patted Tao Jie's shoulder.
Although Tao Jie immediately pushed his hand away, Li Bin was not annoyed.
His tone became slightly gentler, and he looked at Tao Jie with amusement, smiling.
"How about it, my filial son? You should persuade your mother too."
"If your mother's illness continues to drag on, no one can guarantee what will happen."
"Your father just died, and you don't want to see your mother suffer any more misfortune, do you?"
Tao Jie's eyes widened with rage at Li Bin's words.
It was as if an endless inferno was raging within his eyes.
He gritted his teeth and roared, word by word.
"Li Bin! Get out of here immediately!"
While Tao Jie was pushing Li Bin to make him leave.
Song Qiao suddenly thought of something from their conversation.
Colluding with Dongying.
Thinking back, there were Dongying warriors in the previous Shanshui team.
Now Li Bin was also colluding with Dongying. Was there a conspiracy being orchestrated from Dongying?
Or did Li Bin perhaps have some connection with the Guo family?
As Song Qiao was pondering these matters, Li Bin's patience had been completely worn out by the Tao family's mother and son.
He snorted coldly, looking at the mother and son, and berated them.
"Utterly foolish! Since that's the case, I don't need to consider our past acquaintance anymore."
With that, Li Bin turned towards the door and continued.
"Bank Manager Wang, you can come in!"
"Seize the Tao family's house directly and use it to pay off the debt!"