Soon, the fat man in luxurious clothes with a big belly let out a low grunt, then shouted:

　　“If anyone bids higher than me, I’ll let him have her! If not, this little girl is mine today.”

　　One hundred taels of silver!

　　Those who had been bidding just now all fell silent.

　　One hundred taels of silver had already exceeded their psychological limit.

　　In their eyes, this young girl wasn’t worth that much money.

　　“Thank you all, thank you for letting me win.”

　　The fat man in luxurious clothes smiled and cupped his hands to those around him, his chubby face full of pride.

　　“From now on, you’ll follow me.”

　　Then, he looked at the girl kneeling on the ground.

　　“I bid two hundred taels!”

　　At that moment, a frivolous voice rang out.

　　The crowd parted, and a slender, sickly-looking young man in fine clothes with a light, swaggering step walked in.

　　His lecherous gaze fell on the girl.

　　“Fang Jian?”

　　William Grant recognized this youth, ruined by wine and women.

　　The youth was the son of the Fang family head in Qingfeng Town.

　　At only fifteen, he had already ruined many good girls, infamous throughout Qingfeng Town.

　　If not for his complicated background, he would have been beaten to death long ago.

　　“With your cowardly look, can you really come up with two hundred taels of silver?”

　　The fat man with the big belly looked John Foster up and down with disdain.

　　He didn’t notice that after John Foster appeared, most people around wore wary expressions.

　　“You’re not from Qingfeng Town, are you?”

　　John Foster glanced at the fat man and said coldly.

　　“Hmph! I’m a well-traveled merchant from out of town. Don’t think I can’t tell—though you’re dressed in fine robes, who knows where you stole them from? Just by looking at you, I know you’re a pauper, the kind who wouldn’t look like a prince even in dragon robes. You probably can’t even come up with five taels of silver, can you?”

　　The fat man looked at John Foster with contempt, as if to say, “I see right through you, so you’d better get lost.”

　　“Pfft!”

　　William Grant couldn’t help but laugh. Most of the people around blushed, wanting to laugh but not daring to because of John Foster.

　　“Fatty, you… are dead.”

　　John Foster glared at William Grant, then looked at the fat man, taking a deep breath.

　　“You useless lot, what are you standing there for? Get over here and beat this fat man to death for me! Don’t you know who I am? In Qingfeng Town, I’m the real boss!”

　　The fat man was still stunned when John Foster suddenly shouted.

　　“Yes, young master!”

　　Three burly youths about the same age as John Foster stepped forward and surrounded the fat man.

　　John Foster? He’s John Foster?!

　　The fat man was dumbfounded.

　　Although he had only been in Qingfeng Town for a few days, he had heard of some local celebrities, including the Fang family head’s son, ‘John Foster’.

　　He was a notorious bully in Qingfeng Town, relying on his family’s power to oppress men and women alike. Few dared to provoke him.

　　“So… so it’s Young Master Fang. I was blind and didn’t recognize you. Please forgive me, Young Master Fang. I’ll let you have this woman…”

　　The fat man’s expression changed; all his previous arrogance vanished. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his tone became humble and respectful.

　　“Too late. Beat him for me!”

　　John Foster snorted coldly and ordered.

　　“Spare me, Young Master Fang… spare me…”

　　The three burly youths, clearly having completed body training, immediately attacked, beating the fat man until he rolled on the ground, screaming and begging for mercy.

　　The onlookers had already stepped back a few paces, watching from afar, afraid of getting caught up in the Fang family’s affairs.

　　John Foster acted as if he didn’t hear the fat man’s pleas.

　　“Pretty girl, come home with me. I’ll give you two hundred taels and make sure your mother gets a grand burial. From now on, just follow me, and I’ll treat you well.”

　　John Foster looked at the kneeling girl, his face full of lust, reaching out to grab her hand…

　　The girl hurriedly stood up. Perhaps because she had been kneeling too long, her legs trembled slightly from poor circulation.

　　“Young Master Fang, this young master has already spent ten taels of silver to buy me. My life now belongs to him.”

　　The girl hid behind William Grant, her voice trembling.

　　“Ten taels? Didn’t you hear me bid two hundred just now?”

　　John Foster’s face darkened, feeling he’d been played.

　　“I never asked anyone to bid. Whoever was willing to be the first to help bury my mother, I would follow.”

　　The girl’s voice was full of stubbornness.

　　“Not bad, not bad, you’ve got backbone. I like that. But even if you want to follow him, he might not dare let you. Kid, am I right?”

　　John Foster looked at William Grant, his eyes flashing coldly, clearly threatening him.

　　Although William Grant recognized John Foster, John Foster didn’t know William Grant.

　　“Young master, save me…”

　　The girl grabbed William Grant’s sleeve, as if clutching a lifeline, and pleaded softly.

　　She had long heard of John Foster’s notorious reputation in Qingfeng Town. Deeply afraid of him, she would rather die than become his maid.

　　“Don’t worry.”

　　William Grant patted the back of the girl’s hand and smiled.