Chapter 77: I Have Returned!

Page (1/3)

Hmm?

Ling Qiu narrowed his eyes.

From the looks of it...

Could it be that this middle-aged woman before him had actually laid hands on Uncle Ling?

While he pondered, the woman glanced impatiently at Ling Qiu. "Our old man doesn't have any relatives. Nephew? You say so and that's it?"

The term "old man" could mean father in some regions, or refer to one's husband in others.

This woman...

Was she Uncle Ling's wife?

Ling Qiu's brows drew together.

It was clear... this woman was quite shrewish...

He could easily imagine how wretched Uncle Ling's life must be now.

"What are you standing there for? I told you, our old man doesn't have any nephews. Out, out!"

The middle-aged woman drove Ling Qiu out impatiently.

Just then, a voice rang out from inside, "Oh? Your family has a relative? Fine, let him in! Let's see if he has money to pay the debt!"

Debt?

Ling Qiu hesitated a moment, but didn't waver. He stepped around the woman and entered the house.

Inside, he saw several men in the living room, dressed in flashy, vulgar attire.

"What debt are you talking about?"

Ling Qiu asked directly.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand!"

One of the men slapped a loan slip on the table, pointing at Ling Jianguo. "His son lost money gambling with us. Now, with interest, it's two hundred and fifty thousand!"

Ling Jianguo's son?

Ling Qiu frowned slightly.

To his knowledge, Uncle Ling didn't have a son.

Moreover... he couldn't have one.

When he was young, he suffered an injury for the sake of his granduncle, which left him unable to father children.

It must be that when his wife married him, she brought a son with her.

"Hey! Brothers, we don't know this kid at all! How could he be our relative? You've definitely got the wrong house!"

The middle-aged woman hurriedly shoved Ling Qiu. "Kid, get out of here, this..."

"Wait!"

The leader of the debt collectors strode over and grabbed Ling Qiu by the arm. "Kid, don’t try to run. We heard what you said. You’re this old man’s nephew. Family owes, family pays. We remember your face now, you..."

Bang!

Without warning, Ling Qiu lifted his leg and kicked.

Page (2/3)

He sent the man sprawling to the floor!

"Ow!"

The man cried out in pain, clutching his stomach and kneeling on the ground!

Ling Qiu loathed people laying hands on him. That kick was already quite restrained.

"I’ll pay the two hundred and fifty thousand for him."

Ling Qiu swiftly dialed Xu Wanxi. "Transfer two hundred and fifty thousand to my account. Right now."

After hanging up, Ling Qiu said coldly, "I’ll contact you tomorrow and bring the money myself. Now, get out."

The group exchanged stunned glances.

Then the leader cursed, "You idiots, what are you waiting for?! Just talk, look at the way he’s dressed—does he really think he can pay two hundred and fifty thousand?! He dared lay hands on me! Hit him!"

Ling Qiu shook his head lightly. As the group rushed at him, he kicked each one down, sending them all to their knees, clutching their stomachs in agony.

Ling Qiu glanced sideways at Ling Jianguo, who was kneeling on the floor, dazed. Frowning, he stepped forward and examined the blood-red slap mark on his face. "Who hit you?"

Ling Qiu then turned a cold gaze on the men.

They shuddered, shrinking back.

With just a single exchange, they realized... none of them were a match for Ling Qiu.

"Not talking?"

Ling Qiu’s expression cooled. He walked up and slapped each one across the face, making their noses bleed.

"Ah, we’re being beaten! No... it wasn’t us... it was her..."

The leader, clutching his face, pointed aggrievedly at the middle-aged woman.

Hmm?

That slap... was from Ling Jianguo’s wife?

Ling Qiu was momentarily stunned.

Ling Jianguo looked at Ling Qiu, grinning foolishly. "The wife hit me, haha, the wife hit me..."

Ling Qiu: ...

So it was true, as rumored—Uncle Ling had suffered some mental damage. At least, it appeared that way.

"So what if I hit him!"

The middle-aged woman put her hands on her hips, baring her teeth. "This old fool is useless. Your uncle is a fraud! I married him because he had this house! Now we need money, I wanted to mortgage it, but when I looked up the deed, turns out his name isn’t on it!"

...Honestly, it was all a bit messy.

Even Ling Qiu couldn’t quite figure out what was going on.

"Are you still not leaving?"

With so many people around, it was inconvenient to talk. Ling Qiu glared at the debt collectors.

The leader couldn't straighten up from the pain, clutching his face. "...Brother... we’re just working for someone... your uncle’s son owes us money... the money..."

"I said, tomorrow I’ll bring it myself!"

Page (3/3)

"Brother, don’t joke..."

"I’m in no mood for jokes."

Ling Qiu couldn’t be bothered to explain. He strode forward, towering over them with a cold voice. "Either you leave now, or I throw you out the window."

For some reason, everyone felt an oppressive fear in Ling Qiu’s words!

"...Let’s go!"

Knowing they were no match for him, the debt collectors retreated in embarrassment.

Bang.

The door slammed shut.

Ling Qiu turned to the middle-aged woman, his gaze icy.

She felt a chill under his stare. "You... you... why are you looking at me like that?! This old fool is useless..."

Truth be told...

Ling Qiu couldn’t stomach seeing Uncle Ling abused, even if the abuser was his wife.

However...

They were husband and wife, after all. Ultimately, this was Uncle Ling’s family matter.

Ling Qiu slowly approached, considering how best to deal with this repulsive woman.

"Xiao Fen, drop the act..."

Just then, Uncle Ling spoke.

His voice was calm and steady, with not a hint of madness!

Hmm???

Ling Qiu was stunned, staring at Ling Jianguo.

Ling Jianguo slowly stood up.

The woman called Xiao Fen’s expression suddenly changed. She rushed to support him. "Old man! What nonsense are you saying?! ...Last time you nearly lost your life, how can you..."

"No, don’t worry."

Ling Jianguo waved her off, his gaze at Ling Qiu filled with endless warmth. "Young Master Qiu... is not an outsider."

"He... is the Young Master Qiu you always mention?"

The woman gaped, turning to Ling Qiu anew.

Ling Qiu stood there, astonished, staring at the couple.

This...

What was really going on here?