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.”
