Chapter 15: Taking Care of It Together

“Sister-in-law, Zhang Wenqing has been dead for years. Why are you still clinging to him?” Zhang Er, the second brother, narrowed his eyes and leaned in with a sly grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Two years ago, when Zhang Wenqing died, Zhang Biao seized his assets and tried to take over Chen Ya as well, but she was fiercely unyielding, preferring death to submission.

At that time, Zhang Biao dared not act recklessly because Zhang Wenqing still had many loyal followers. But over time, those ties weakened. Now that Zhang Biao was powerful, he had become increasingly brazen.

“Zhang Biao was the one who killed Wenqing. Zhang Er, Wenqing treated you well when he was alive—how can you treat him like this?” Chen Ya’s delicate face grew icy, her glare sharp with anger.

“Sister-in-law, like you said, the elder brother is dead. People forget once they’re gone!” Zhang Er wore a shameless expression and suddenly stepped forward, reaching out to grab Chen Ya. “Stop wasting words. Come with us quickly—don’t keep Brother Biao waiting!”

“What are you trying to do?” Chen Ya’s face darkened as she hurriedly stepped back.

“Don’t do anything rash, or we’ll call the police!” shouted a staff member from Wuhu Restaurant who rushed out, glaring furiously at Zhang Er and Liu Xiaowu.

Liu Xiaowu sneered coldly, then suddenly pulled out a watermelon knife from his pocket. With a sharp smack, he slammed it onto the table, glaring menacingly at everyone.

“If anyone wants to die, come see me!” he roared fiercely.

“When Brother Biao handles things, who dares to meddle and live?” Liu Xiaowu’s booming voice frightened the restaurant staff into retreat.

Zhang Biao was the undisputed tyrant of Qingshan Town, ruthless and unscrupulous in his methods.

Ordinary people like them could never afford to offend him.

Just as Chen Ya was about to be dragged away, a voice rang out.

“Liu Xiaowu, you’ve really gone backwards in life—bullying a woman now?” Chen Dabao suddenly appeared and slapped Zhang Er’s hand away.

“Brother Dabao?” Chen Ya was stunned, unsure how to respond. She hadn’t expected that when no one from her hotel dared to help, an outsider would step in.

“Chen, don’t be afraid. I’m here. No one’s going to hurt you!” Chen Dabao smiled faintly, his face full of confidence.

In this world, when the road is unfair, someone has to stand up.

“Chen the fool, you don’t want to live, do you?” Liu Xiaowu glared at Chen Dabao with hostile intent.

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“Well, well, what a rarity! A big fool daring to interfere with Brother Biao’s business!” Zhao Er’s face darkened as he stepped forward and slapped Chen Dabao across the face.

“Smack!”

“Ah!”

A sharp crack echoed, but it was Zhao Er who ended up on the receiving end. Before his slap could land, Chen Dabao’s hand struck first, delivering a fierce blow.

Zhao Er screamed in pain and fell hard to the ground.

“Chen the fool, have you finally lost your mind?” Liu Xiaowu was shocked. Since Chen Dabao became ‘the fool,’ he had been timid and meek—afraid to even confront others, let alone fight.

A few months ago, Liu Xiaowu had played a cruel prank on Chen Dabao, stealing his clothes while he swam in the river and forcing him to run home naked in broad daylight.

Back then, Chen Dabao wouldn’t dare retaliate. Now, the fact that he fought back meant he was no longer foolish.

“Liu Xiaowu, you three get lost, or don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Chen Dabao’s face grew cold as he ignored Liu Xiaowu’s question.

Some questions didn’t need answers.

“Chen the fool, you still want to act tough?” Liu Xiaowu snarled and glanced at the men beside him. They were Zhang Biao’s men, and in Qingshan Town, few dared oppose them.

A big fool daring to stir trouble under their noses? That would be a laughingstock.

Liu Xiaowu brandished the watermelon knife, and one of the men pulled out a switchblade. The two lunged left and right toward Chen Dabao.

“Brother Dabao, watch out!” Chen Ya shouted, grabbing a nearby chair and rushing to help.

“Reckless fools!” Chen Dabao sneered, stepping forward and kicking the man on the side hard in the stomach. The man screamed and was sent flying, landing on the ground and even spitting up bile.

Liu Xiaowu was startled, his hand trembling as Chen Dabao grabbed his wrist before he could react.

“What do you think you’re doing, Chen Dabao?” Liu Xiaowu struggled, but couldn’t free himself, and shouted fiercely.

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“Doing? I’m doing this to you!” Chen Dabao roared, recalling Liu Xiaowu’s past humiliations. He swung both hands in swift succession, slapping Liu Xiaowu’s face hard.

Quickly, Liu Xiaowu was dazed, bloodied and staggered.

“Get lost, Liu Xiaowu!” Chen Dabao finished with a strong kick that sent him flying out the door. Liu Xiaowu rolled several times before finally stopping.

“Chen Dabao, just you wait! This isn’t over!” Liu Xiaowu clutched his bleeding face, spat out a threat, then fled in shame. Soon, he drove away.

“Brother Dabao, thanks for your help today. But those three are Zhang Biao’s men—he’s a petty man who never forgets a grudge. You have to be careful!” Chen Ya’s eyes flickered with a strange emotion as she looked at Chen Dabao more tenderly.

“Chen, fighting injustice is my duty. If they come again, just call me!” Chen Dabao was so intimidated by Chen Ya’s gentle gaze that he fled in embarrassment.

“Such a sincere boy!” Chen Ya laughed softly, radiant as a blooming flower.

Chen Dabao pocketed five hundred yuan, paid fifty for expenses, then bought a bag of rice and two pounds of meat before happily returning to Peach Blossom Village.

“We have to get our money back—can’t let those bastards get away with it!”

Though the five hundred yuan would ease life for a few days, it was far from enough to buy rare herbs needed for cultivation.

Since ancient times, cultivation depended on wealth, land, and method—wealth being foremost. Without money, there was no hope of cultivation.

As Chen Dabao rode his bicycle, he thought this over. Upon entering the village, he saw Xiao Lian, the village chief’s daughter-in-law, carrying a basket of vegetables, returning from the back of the village.

Suddenly, Xiao Lian twisted her ankle and cried out, falling to the ground with a pained expression on her fair face.

“Xiao Lian, are you alright?” Chen Dabao quickly stopped his bike and ran over to help her up. His hands touched soft, warm skin—her waist was slender indeed.

“Dabao, I twisted my ankle!” Xiao Lian’s pretty face showed a pitiful look.