LAVW – Chapter 148 Only Providing the Formula

The arrival of the police car caused a bout of chaos.

The production crew had received no prior notice at all and initially thought someone was trying to cause trouble and disrupt the filming schedule.

Once they learned that the police were merely looking for a member of the crew, everyone finally relaxed.

Still, Shi Qian counted as an important actor this season, so the crew notified Merlin first before bringing her over.

“Ma’am, you are illegally keeping a tiger in a residential area. Someone has reported you.”

Merlin gripped the leash nervously and tried to explain. “I thought regulations here weren’t that strict. Laws aren’t exactly the same everywhere.”

“My tiger has legal documentation, all procedures were followed, and Qian hasn’t caused any disturbance to others.”

“Could you have the affected person contact me directly?” Merlin didn’t even know who was trying to pick a fight.

Shi Qian was puzzled as well.

He rarely went out, and up to now he hadn’t frightened anyone.

The neighbors knew about Shi Qian, but they didn’t react much—just complimented Merlin and Deanna, who hadn’t moved away at the time, with a casual “cool,” and reminded them to keep an eye on him. They weren’t close, but not hostile either.

And there were gangs around here. Compared to real firearms and the frequent armed clashes, a fierce animal like a tiger didn’t even really count as a “weapon.”

As for illegality? Plenty of people around here were breaking the law.

After some mental preparation, Merlin stiffened her attitude. “Qian is still a cub. Keeping him in a place he’s more accustomed to is legal.”

“Don’t quibble with us, ma’am.”

The police were even tougher now. One of them hooked a hand on his belt and warned Merlin coldly, “Please cooperate with our investigation. We’ll first take photos to inspect your living environment, and we’ll also collect statements from your neighbors. This could take the entire afternoon.”

“We’re working,” Merlin said, unwilling to cooperate.

Facing several grown men alone, following them like this was not something that put her at ease.

With that, the hard standoff sparked instantly, tempers flaring.

Guan Yunfei hesitated for a second, glanced at the little tiger with a solemn expression, then stepped forward.

He stood beside Merlin. “No need to resist so strongly. I’ll go with you and take them over.”

Merlin was about to say something when Guan Yunfei’s voice rang out again as he turned around, “Ride in my car.”

Out of sight, he shot Merlin a meaningful look.

Realizing he had a plan, Merlin fell silent and got into the car.

Shi Qian got in as well, squatting on the second row of seats.

He looked at Guan Yunfei, who turned back to glance at him. “Roar.”

Thanks.

Shi Qian thought of Jack. If his guess was right, as another dangerous creature, Jack would surely have an even more legitimate place.

Even if Jack didn’t, Guan Yunfei would probably have other ways. After all, he was a branch leader in a chaotic network of gangs—someone with “authority.”

Shi Qian was right. Guan Yunfei directly brought them to an abandoned park.

The old park wasn’t very large, but it had all been renovated and enclosed with wire fencing. There were also several “rooms” completely sealed off with wire mesh.

Shi Qian obediently went into one of them, acting extremely familiar with the place.

The police could only try to bluff based on the evidence. “This isn’t where a tiger lives.”

Merlin said, “This is exactly where Qian lives.”

“Then please prove it. There’s nothing inside.”

“You should have the person who reported this submit evidence,” Guan Yunfei spoke up righteously. Meanwhile, more people gradually gathered behind him—members of the Hong Gang branch, living in a small area outside the park.

Most were clearly Asian with yellow skin, but small flags from the main gang hung in the corners of the buildings. Every year, Guan Yunfei paid a protection fee to the higher-ups.

That money was paying off now. The police had Merlin sign some papers, then left.

Watching them go, Merlin finally relaxed and thanked Guan Yunfei sincerely. “Thank you so much!”

She even imitated a Blonde, mixing English and Chinese to express her heartfelt gratitude. “Three-ke-you, boss.”

Guan Yunfei: “…You’re welcome.”

“For the next week, bring him here to practice a set of Tiger Fist—the one Blonde taught you.”

Guan Yunfei’s gaze fell on Shi Qian. Clearly, the “him” referred to Shi Qian as well.

Merlin didn’t agree right away. Instead, as if negotiating, she repeated it to Shi Qian.

Shi Qian nodded.

Blonde laughed. “Merlin, you spoil this tiger way too much—discussing everything so nicely. He can’t even understand you.”

Merlin replied, “Of course I have to discuss it. Qian usually nods anyway, so I know there won’t be a problem.”

Shi Qian: That’s because you’re not being unreasonable!

Merlin believed she could meet Guan Yunfei’s request and said, “Your condition is fine. But if something like this happens again, can I borrow this place? I don’t know who reported me, and I can’t find such a suitable location for now.”

“No problem.”

Both sides were satisfied with the cooperation—but the one who suffered was… Shi Qian.

Shi Qian sighed and comforted himself: the capable do more work.

As for Tiger Fist, no one understood it better than he did.

And just like that, at such a young age, Shi Qian started working two jobs.

After two days of trying, Merlin realized Guan Yunfei could also help watch over Shi Qian. Busy with life, she handed Shi Qian over to him and drove off by herself.

She didn’t say what she was going out to do, but Shi Qian knew—Merlin’s credit cards were all unusable now, and she’d received repayment notices.

At the moment, they had Shi Qian’s acting fees, royalties from photo shoots, and Merlin’s own savings from part-time jobs.

Shi Qian earned quite a bit, but it was still far from enough to cover the repayments. Merlin had to figure out how to make up the shortfall—and beyond that, there were living expenses for one woman and one tiger after Deanna’s house lease expired, as well as the next round of debt.

If she wanted to go out and earn money, she couldn’t bring Shi Qian with her.

As she left, Merlin felt deeply guilty.

Sitting in the car, she sighed. “So this is what it feels like for a young single mom to leave her child at home and go out to work hard—so complicated and bittersweet.”

Merlin had once auditioned for a similar role. Thinking back now, her performance back then had been an absolute mess.

Rubbing her chest, Merlin floored the accelerator and drove toward a luxury-brand complex.

Her latest news was that Luxury Street was also recruiting “actors,” with pay tied to high commissions.

Merlin busied herself with interviews, imitating the haughty expressions of the people she’d seen before, and unexpectedly landed the job smoothly.

The supervisor praised her. “Oh, baby, you act so convincingly—better than those Hollywood Best Actress winners. If you looked at me like that, I’d definitely end up spite-buying ten bags!”

Merlin, with mixed emotions: “…Thank you.”

Had her acting really improved?

No more thinking—time to work and make money.

Once the beauty left, Shi Qian was surrounded by rough men like Guan Yunfei.

Family was family, but the gang’s core members were all young and strong. Standing together, they actually looked quite imposing, full of that underworld swagger.

Everyone crowded around, waiting to watch Shi Qian perform.

Those with good comprehension could gain something from it—someone had even felt that they broke through a bottleneck yesterday and became stronger.

As a result, the family members were squeezed to the back, and a whole ring of burly men surrounded Shi Qian.

Even Guan Yunfei started to worry about the tiger getting agitated. He spoke up to keep things under control: “Spread out a bit—don’t all crowd together.”

Shi Qian chimed in, “Roar—”

Exactly. There’s no air circulation.

In the past, Shi Qian didn’t really react to being watched by people—he even rather liked it. But ever since turning into a tiger, he didn’t enjoy it as much; it always felt a bit uncomfortable.

The environment he found most comfortable was that foreign icy plain where he had once encountered wolves.

After the crowd spread out a little, Shi Qian began seriously demonstrating true “tiger” boxing.

All the skills he had learned at the Sword Sect gave him an exceptionally solid grasp of “tendons, meridians, skin and flesh,” “power generation,” “borrowing force,” and “dissolving force.” So he could see past the surface—he knew that what others needed wasn’t fixed moves, but to extract from his movements the techniques and methods they themselves needed to master.

As a little tiger, Shi Qian wasn’t bulky, but his build had already reached the initial stage of thick arms, firm waist, and powerful limbs—only lacking full growth.

His movements were forceful and fierce. When he leapt, he carried a fully imposing, ferocious momentum.

With his tiger eyes wide open, once he became serious, he revealed the bearing and intimidating presence that a large apex predator should have.

Without a sound, the people nearby began backing farther and farther away, without even needing Guan Yunfei to remind them.

Blonde was screaming inside his head: Damn, damn, damn—this is still that oversized chubby cat?!

Merlin didn’t secretly swap in another one to box for them, did she?

If Merlin could hear his thoughts, the beauty would roll at least two white eyes.

What a joke. Her Qian had always been brave—full of a sense of security, okay?

Shi Qian only demonstrated for two or three minutes. Then he walked over to Guan Yunfei and told him, “Roar roar.”

Wrap it up.

Then he lifted a paw toward Guan Yunfei.

Guan Yunfei pulled the towel from around his neck and wiped the paws of this finicky tiger.

As he wiped, he muttered inwardly: He’s really picked up a bunch of bad habits from that foreign little girl.

Looking at Shi Qian, he spoke with a stirred heart: “Qian, how about following me from now on? I guarantee I’ll make you more manly. Look, you even have a Chinese name.”

Shi Qian: …

What kind of manliness?

Shi Qian’s tiger pupils trembled.

You’re not planning to make me go hunt on my own, are you?

The little tiger decisively shook his head. “Roar roar.”

Impossible. I, Shi Qian, only have one poop-scooping officer.

One per world.

Besides, what’s wrong with sticking with a beauty—other than being poor? And that poverty is because of me anyway.

After things wrapped up, Shi Qian found a spot to lie down and started thinking about making money as well.

What else could he do to earn?

The movie he shot before looked like a flop, and Morbis Kingdom hadn’t aired yet. With no fame, there was no way for him to make big money in the short term.

The photo-shoot work from before could be continued, but it wouldn’t bring in much either.

Most absurd of all: because gold prices were so low at the moment, Shi Qian did the math— even if he emptied his entire stash, it still wouldn’t be enough to repay the circus’s massive debt.

In the end, he could only pin his hopes on cheating the system. Shi Qian looked at the [Learning Motivation Halo] in his inventory and fell into a dilemma that could make a tiger lose fur.

Help, what could a tiger even teach?

Teach tiger boxing? But that wouldn’t make money either.

As Shi Qian sank into thought, more and more people began sneaking glances at him, secretly watching the tiger.

Guan Yunfei was thinking too—he had just gained something himself. Had he known watching a tiger would be this effective, he’d have gotten one to try long ago.

But then he thought again—only this little tiger, who liked to imitate and loved to perform, could pull this off. So he dropped all the hypotheticals and focused fully on studying martial arts.

Firearms were great, but his gang was poor. Cold, traditional skills were actually more profitable.

Guan Yunfei’s main job was martial arts director. His side job was—underground fighting.

Shi Qian stayed at the Hong Gang’s old park until very late, finally waiting for Merlin to come pick him up.

It was already a bit late, and Shi Qian had eaten over there.

Merlin’s face showed anxious joy, with a hint of fatigue.

Under the dim night lights, she pounced over like a big butterfly.

Merlin hugged the little tiger tightly. “Qian, I’m sorry—I came so late. I’m really sorry.”

Shi Qian nuzzled into her neck. “Ao.”

It’s okay. I know you went to work hard to earn money.

Watching the intimacy between the woman and the tiger, Guan Yunfei swallowed the words he had been brewing for a long time, rubbing his nose and keeping them to himself.

It felt like once he spoke, it’d be like snatching someone else’s kid.

Although he thought raising a tiger so delicately wasn’t good, the tiger was happy, and the one pampering him was willing. Guan Yunfei realized he’d been meddling too much before.

“Thank you so much.” Merlin took out the small gift she had prepared and gave it to Guan Yunfei to thank him for taking care of the little tiger.

“You’re welcome. When I’m around, you can leave him with me. If I’m not, the empty iron-mesh enclosure over there can be used too.”

That would mean locking Shi Qian up, in case others couldn’t control the situation.

Merlin thanked him again, then drove home with Shi Qian.

On the way back, Merlin excitedly shared the good news: “Oh my god, you have no idea how much I made today! Luxury goods are insanely profitable.”

“If I work harder, I might even be able to earn enough to cover the first installment of interest myself.”

“And my acting’s improved so much—so many people praised my performance today.”

All she needed to do was stir up customers’ emotions and make them consume on impulse, and Merlin could get her commission.

As for offending people later on, Merlin—who felt a huge difference between her face with and without makeup—thought it wasn’t something to worry about yet. Solving the immediate predicament came first.

Shi Qian only listened seriously to the first half.

He was very surprised—so there was actually a way to repay only the interest.

He’d been slacking off as an animal for too long and had forgotten.

In the first world, there was no need to borrow at all—he just followed Long Ye around picking up opportunities. In the second world, after Chen Niu took over the black market, he was never poor again, and Shi Qian never experienced owing money.

So what was there to be anxious about? Shi Qian tilted in the passenger seat and yawned lazily.

He’d been thinking about making money all day and hadn’t even slept in the morning.

Just then, Merlin’s stomach growled.

Shi Qian, who was already prepared to flop flat, reacted—Merlin still hadn’t eaten at this hour.

That damned conscience twitched. Shi Qian flicked his tail. Fine, fine—he’d get that clever little brain of his working again.

Better to pay off the money early, or Merlin would starve into a bag of bones.

He preferred beautiful women with a bit of flesh.

When they got home, Merlin finally made herself dinner.

Shi Qian stayed by her side, watching her cook, and helped hold down a kitchen rack that was about to topple.

“Oh, thank you, Qian, my thoughtful baby!” Merlin praised him first, then gently pushed the little tiger back. “But you shed, darling. Stay away from my food.”

Shi Qian: “Roar—”

It’s getting hot.

What’s wrong with changing into a thinner coat of fur?

Merlin couldn’t understand and just laughed. “You watch me cook every day—are you trying to become a chef? Hurry and let that mysterious sorcerer teach you, so I won’t have to cook myself. I hear Chinese food is amazing.”

Shi Qian: Chinese food is definitely amazing.

At the same time, his little brain started turning.

It seemed he hadn’t seen, in places like Hollywood, the Chinese street-food stalls that later swept the nation and even went global!

Jianbing guozi, saucy flatbreads, wolf-tooth potatoes, grilled cold noodles…

Food—delicious and low-cost—would definitely make money. And he could rope in Guan Yunfei’s whole crew to set up stalls.

Merlin had even delivered the opportunity right to his feet.

Shi Qian looked up. “Roar roar.”

Tomorrow, I’ll make your wish come true!

But sorry—the mysterious Eastern sorcerer only provides the recipe.

You’ll still have to do the cooking yourself.