As the men began to drag Fan Yue out, she struggled, saying, “Master Qian, I only borrowed five taels. How did it become fifty? You must be mistaken. Let me go!”
Master Qian’s mouth twisted in a cunning smile. “Five taels was seven days ago. Now it’s fifty taels. Didn’t you promise to repay after burying your parents? It’s been seven days, and I haven’t seen a single tael. Come with me quietly to avoid physical punishment.”
Those few people obediently let go of Fan Yue.
“
“You useless ones, quickly take her down.”
“Master, take who?”
Qian Laoye said viciously: “Take both of them. Did you hear me? Hurry up.” He pushed the subordinate closest to him.
Those people obediently rushed towards Shan Xiaoya. Shan Xiaoya quietly told Fan Yue to go inside first. Fan Yue looked at the rushing thugs, then looked at the confident Shan Xiaoya. Shan Xiaoya nodded at her, and she had no choice but to retreat into the house. One of them saw Fan Yue entering and tried to grab her. Shan Xiaoya took a swift step, blocking him, and kicked him in the head. The man fell without a sound.
Qian Laoye, seeing this, became furious and roared: “Hurry up and attack! What am I keeping you for? Are you afraid of a woman? Attack now!”
Hearing this, the men looked at each other and simultaneously attacked Shan Xiaoya. Shan Xiaoya nimbly dodged them. In just a few moments, she kicked one in the chest, sending him flying and groaning on the ground. She then punched another in the eye, causing him to crouch down. She kicked another in his sensitive area, who fell down in pain. The remaining two, seeing their companions’ fate, didn’t dare advance and gestured at Shan Xiaoya. She quickly delivered two kicks, one to each, instantly dropping them.
Qian Laoye had brought six subordinates, and now three were down. He was no longer as arrogant, his momentum significantly diminished. Pointing at Shan Xiaoya, he asked: “You… what do you want?”
Shan Xiaoya brushed the dust off her clothes, coldly saying: “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that? What do you want?”
“I… I’m here to collect the money.”
“How much?”
“Fifty taels.” He extended and waved his hand. “Fifty taels, do you have it?” He then realized something was wrong and quickly withdrew his hand.
Shan Xiaoya extended her hand to Qian Laoye. “Let me see the IOU.”
Qian Laoye fumbled in his clothes and pulled out a piece of paper. He glanced at it and handed it to Shan Xiaoya. “This is Fan Yue’s IOU. Look carefully. Repaying debt is natural. If she pays the money, I’ll leave immediately and won’t trouble her. But if there’s no money to repay, we’ll have to take her. The IOU clearly states that if the money isn’t repaid within seven days, she’ll be taken as collateral. Today is the seventh day…”
Qian Laoye tried to continue, but Shan Xiaoya coldly looked at him. Intimidated by her gaze, he swallowed his words.
Shan Xiaoya told Qian Laoye: “Wait here. I’ll get the money.” She entered the room. Fan Yue immediately grabbed her hand: “Sister, please leave! Qian Laoye is not someone we can provoke. This happened because of me. Don’t get involved. Please go!”
Shan Xiaoya smiled, patting Fan Yue’s hand: “Don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”
“She took out five silver ingots from a black bag, showing them to Fan Yue, who stood stunned, having never seen so much silver before, especially in such a situation.
As soon as Shan Xiaoya stepped out, she threw the silver at Qian Laoye. ‘Is this enough?’
Qian Laoye was shocked, quickly picking up the silver. ‘Enough, enough. More than enough.’
Shan Xiaoya tore the IOU in front of him, turning it into snowflakes, coldly saying: ‘Now leave quickly, or do you need me to see you out?’
The six men on the ground quickly got up, nursing their injuries, and left shamefacedly. Qian Laoye followed, clutching the silver.
Just as they were about to exit, Shan Xiaoya called: ‘Stop!’
They all froze, looking at her nervously.
‘Will you come looking for Fan Yue again?’
Qian Laoye immediately responded: ‘No! No! Since the money is repaid, we won’t trouble Fan Yue.’ He signaled his men to leave quickly.
Shan Xiaoya suddenly stood in front of Qian Laoye. ‘Master Qian, Fan Yue’s debt is repaid. Now, there’s another account to settle.’
Qian Laoye looked confused. ‘Account? What account?’
‘How about the slap you gave Fan Yue?’
Qian Laoye looked puzzled, scratching his head. Shan Xiaoya continued: ‘I won’t ask for much. Forty-five taels for medical expenses.’ She extended her hand.
Qian Laoye protested: ‘What? Forty-five taels for a slap? That’s too expensive!’
‘Looks like you don’t want to pay,’ Shan Xiaoya said.”
Qian Laoye was about to thank her when she unexpectedly added: “If you don’t pay, I’ll beat you up, and then you won’t need to pay.”
Qian Laoye stammered: “I just slapped her once. Why would you beat me up? Those are interest charges. Didn’t you only lend her five taels, but now you’re demanding fifty taels? Of course I want to learn from you. Speak up, will you pay the silver or take a beating?”
As he spoke, he began rolling up his sleeves.
Dan Xiaoya stretched out her fist and waved it in front of Old Master Qian’s eyes. “Made up your mind? Will you give me silver or take a punch?” Old Master Qian’s eye muscles twitched, his gaze filled with fear. Covering the silver in his chest for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and reluctantly said, “I admit defeat today, I’ll give you the silver.” He unwillingly and slowly pulled out the silver from his chest and handed it to Dan Xiaoya. Dan Xiaoya took the silver, cheerfully waving her hand. “Slow down, no need to see you off.” Old Master Qian sighed in distress, acknowledging his bad luck, and left with his people in embarrassment.
Fan Yue saw them leave and walked out of the house, kneeling before Dan Xiaoya. “Thank you, sister, for saving my life.”
Dan Xiaoya hurriedly helped her up, saying, “Take these silver pieces.” She placed the forty-five taels of silver in Fan Yue’s hand. Fan Yue hastily tried to return the silver. “I haven’t repaid your life-saving grace, how can I accept your money? I can’t accept it.”
“Take it, just take it. Why so much fuss? If you don’t accept, I’ll get angry.” Fan Yue looked conflicted at the silver. “This…” Dan Xiaoya again placed the silver in Fan Yue’s hand. “Stop hesitating. I have things to do and must go. Consider this silver as a gift to my sister. From now on, this is my home, and I might need you to support me someday.” Fan Yue gratefully accepted the silver. “From now on, you are my real sister, and this is your home.”
Dan Xiaoya saw Fan Yue’s tears about to overflow, blinked, patted her shoulder, and said, “I have something to do, I’ll go first.” She went inside, picked up her bundle, and left the small courtyard. Dan Xiaoya walked along the street, muttering, “If I find that guy, I’ll make him understand the consequences of provoking me…”
Before she could finish her mutterings, she saw a man in a white robe approaching – none other than her previous adversary. Dan Xiaoya lowered her head slightly, embarrassed, and sideways glanced at Zhao Yeqing, her gaze following his figure. Only after he passed did she raise her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief, following him…
Shan Xiaoya admired it on her hand for a long time, thinking it was truly beautiful. She was reluctant to take it off. Shan Xiaoya finally decided not to exchange it for silver and keep it for herself. Her current attire was plain, so wearing such an eye-catching bracelet would attract attention. She reached out to remove the bracelet, but to her surprise, it seemed to be stuck to her wrist. She hurt her wrist trying to remove it, but it showed no sign of coming off.
