“Hand over the money, hurry up!” The robber’s voice was sharp with panic. Their plan had been to create chaos and quickly snatch the money, but this little girl, as if prescient, had shouted “Robbers!” the moment they lunged. This had startled everyone, sending them fleeing instead of closing in. Otherwise, the money would have been theirs long ago. They had never seen so much money in their lives! The gang had agreed: this score would ensure they were well-fed and clothed for the rest of their lives, perhaps even allowing them to marry a wife with a gold basin for washing hands. But this girl hadn’t followed the script. Not only had she pushed people aside, but she possessed an uncanny fighting skill, knocking down several of his brothers in mere seconds. If his quick reflexes hadn’t allowed him to seize the old man, they would all be in deep trouble.
Xu Ying looked at the money bag in her hand, then at Uncle Xu, torn.
“Yingying, you can’t give them the money!” Uncle Xu trembled all over, but his resolve remained unbroken. “This money is life-saving for our county! If you give it to these people, what will happen to our county’s people?” Tears streamed down his face as he spoke, but he stood firm, refusing to surrender the funds to these villains.
“Shut the hell up!” The robber, seeing Uncle Xu’s defiance, lost his composure. Any further delay and the police would arrive, dooming them all. “Hurry up and take out the money, little girl. One more second, and your uncle will truly be dead!” The man pressed the knife harder against Uncle Xu’s neck. As blood seeped from the wound, Uncle Xu’s eyes widened, and he accepted his fate. “Yingying, don’t blame Third Uncle. Go back with the money and take care of your Third Aunt and your cousin for me.”
“Wait a minute, I’ll give you the money,” Xu Ying said. Uncle Xu’s eyes widened, tears of profound emotion welling up. “Yingying, Third Uncle isn’t worth that much money!”
“Hurry up and hand over the money!” The robber’s eyes gleamed with avarice. Such a large sum would guarantee a future free of worries.
Xu Ying walked towards the man, the money bag extended. The robber, aware of Xu Ying’s fighting prowess, remained on high alert. “Don’t try to play any tricks, or I’ll kill him!” he threatened. Little did he know, he was already surrounded by the police.
The moment Xu Ying threw the money, the man, his eyes alight with triumph, pushed Uncle Xu away and reached for the bag. Simultaneously, Xu Ying swiftly pulled Uncle Xu behind her with one hand, then raised her foot, striking the man’s wrist. With a lightning-fast motion, she snatched the money bag back.
“Damn bitch, you’re playing with me!” the man roared, enraged. Before he could react further, the police moved in, swiftly subduing him.
Uncle Xu stared at his niece, shock written all over his face. He hadn’t known she possessed such incredible skills! Oh my god, she was so powerful! From that moment on, Uncle Xu transformed into a fervent admirer, gazing at his niece with unwavering awe. “Yingying, what else do you have that Third Uncle doesn’t know about?” He couldn’t even fathom that his niece was a genius, capable of everything. He was already planning how to boast about her to the rest of the family.
The two continued their journey, boarding the next train to promote their products.
Meanwhile, Xujia Village was a hive of activity. People from all the surrounding villages flocked to Xujia, those skilled in tailoring heading to the clothing workshop, and those with a knack for cooking flocking to the braised duck and fried food production area. As the venerable head of Xujia Village, Father Xu orchestrated the bustling work with impressive order. Mother Xu and Sister-in-law Xu were equally busy, dividing the new recruits into groups, establishing teams, selecting leaders, and initiating the work.
“Is everything ready?” Dong Wenzhong asked, his voice laced with apprehension.
Chen Yanran’s face radiated confidence. “We’ve already prepared it. There are so many people in the village right now that no one will notice us. As long as these things are destroyed, the factory won’t be able to deliver the goods. There will be no liquidated damages at that time. What’s more, Captain Xu, as the person in charge of managing the village, will be held fully responsible for anything that happens. This workshop is built by Xu Ying, and it’s her Xu family who will manage it. By then, the entire Xu family will be finished.” Chen Yanran couldn’t suppress the gleeful smile that stretched across her face at the thought of the entire Xu family being imprisoned. The joy in her eyes was unrestrained.
Dong Wenzhong, too, looked excited. The thought of the Xu family’s downfall extinguished most of the anger in his heart. The Xu family had prevented him from returning to the city—that was truly despicable and shameless! If Xu Ying had only followed him, been obedient, and helped him return to the city, he wouldn’t have treated her like this. Dong Wenzhong felt an inexplicable thrill at the thought of Xu Ying, who had soared to a height he could not reach, being utterly ruined.
“See you tonight,” Dong Wenzhong said, bidding Chen Yanran farewell and returning happily to his residence. As he arrived home, he saw Xu Qingqing standing at the door. Dong Wenzhong’s good mood evaporated instantly. “Why are you here?”
“Why can’t I come?” Xu Qingqing retorted, her tone sharp. “As your fiancée, of course I can come and go as I please! Dong Wenzhong, my mother said the marriage can’t proceed without two hundred yuan. So, you can do whatever you want.” She was issuing a clear threat. Her mother had recently been speaking ill of Dong Wenzhong at home. Now that he was stuck in the countryside, he was nothing—no work, no money, no prospects. If she remained in this village, her married life would be a struggle. After encountering the textile factory secretary, Xu Qingqing’s heart had grown restless. Now, looking at Dong Wenzhong, she felt only impatience.
Dong Wenzhong, not one to be easily swayed, immediately countered, “If you can’t get married, then don’t get married.”
Xu Qingqing’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Dong Wenzhong, what do you mean? My parents have even arranged a house for you, but you’re not even willing to pay 200 yuan as a betrothal gift?”
Dong Wenzhong raised his eyes, utterly devoid of shame. “Your parents are welcome to rent it themselves. Anyway, I don’t have any money. Do you want to accept this marriage or not?”
“Dong Wenzhong, you bastard!” Xu Qingqing shrieked, tears springing to her eyes.
Dong Wenzhong merely shrugged and walked into the yard, confident that Xu Qingqing would not dare to break off the engagement; after all, it would severely damage a woman’s reputation. Xu Qingqing finally ran away, sobbing.
That evening, the moon vanished, leaving only an oppressive darkness, accompanied by the dry, rustling sound of dead branches tossed by the wind. Several villagers from Lijia Village walked stealthily towards Xujia Village, carrying various tools.
The man leading the group, Brother Shengzi, looked nervous, his palms slick with sweat. He turned to the man beside him and whispered, “Brother Shengzi, are we really going to burn Captain Xu’s house? What if someone loses their life? I’ll be arrested if I commit arson!”
Shengzi, a village ruffian in his thirties or forties, still without a wife, snorted coldly. “What are you afraid of? I’ll be responsible for anything that happens!” The man, whose identity was still unknown, had promised Shengzi a wife if the Xu family’s house was burned down. And not just any wife—the girl was said to be decent and young. The thought of her sent a blush spreading across Shengzi’s body, a heated desire that quickened his pace. He, Lao Li, would soon be married man.