NFBE Chapter 183 Unfair
Chapter 183 Unfair
Qian Laoshui gritted his teeth and glanced thoughtfully at a room on the second floor of the gambling den with its door tightly closed.
"Keep going! I don't believe it! She's at your mercy. Once it's over, I'll just take her back."
A single, casual remark determined what would happen to Li Yuemei next.
As she was being led upstairs, she had no idea what nightmarish torment was about to be endured.
……
After an unknown amount of time, Li Yuemei, looking dazed, staggered down from the second floor.
She felt utterly hopeless, staring blankly at Qian Laoshui, who was shouting something by the gambling table, lost in thought.
Qian Laoshui slammed his hand on the table, cursed, and led Li Yuemei out of the gambling den.
He cursed and swore the whole way, he was furious.
There was a general store ahead. Li Yuemei didn't pay attention to her footing and tripped over the peddler's basket, spilling the goods all over the ground.
"Hey! How do you walk?!"
The peddler pointed at Li Yuemei, his tone quite unfriendly.
Li Yuemei quickly squatted down, repeatedly apologizing to the man, and helped him pick up his things.
Qian Laoshui stood to the side, trembling with rage, and cursed loudly:
"Can't you even walk properly anymore? Are you blind?"
Damn it, I shouldn't have brought that bitch out today; we've just gotten ourselves into all this bad luck.
Li Yuemei silently picked up her things without saying a word.
After tidying up, the two continued walking towards home.
The peddler behind him counted his goods over and over again, wondering why he was missing a packet of arsenic no matter how many times he counted.
……
Ye Xiaoxiao encountered He Jing before she even left the town.
A look of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Ah Jing, what brings you here?"
We agreed that I would go home early today and he wouldn't need to pick me up.
He Jing came over and naturally took the things from Ye Xiaoxiao's hands, holding them in his right hand. Then, he reached out his left hand, took Ye Xiaoxiao's hand, and intertwined their fingers.
He explained, "I heard that the road back to the village has been rather dangerous lately, so I came to pick you up."
"Not peaceful?" Ye Xiaoxiao frowned, waiting for He Jing to continue.
"Yes. I heard that a group of bandits recently escaped to this area. Don't be afraid, I will protect you."
He Jing lowered his eyes, comforting the person beside him, tightening his grip on her fingers, as if to reassure Ye Xiaoxiao.
Ye Xiaoxiao was naturally at ease. With the man beside her, she had nothing to fear. Besides, she knew a little martial arts, so she wasn't worried about her own safety.
What she's worried about now is that the fleeing bandits must be vicious and ruthless, and if food becomes scarce, they might target the nearby villages.
The two walked quickly, perhaps having heard about the bandits. When they returned to the village, they found that every house was tightly shut and the whole village was quiet.
After dinner, the village chief gathered all the able-bodied men in the village.
He arranged for everyone to take turns patrolling the village at night, and to sound the alarm immediately if they spotted anyone suspicious.
He Jing was among the first to take night patrols. Ye Xiaoxiao was very worried about him, so she gave He Jing some poison for self-defense.
"Ah Jing, be careful. We're waiting for you to come home safely."
She handed the things in her hand to He Jing, a relaxed and reassuring smile playing on her lips, her long eyelashes concealing the worry in her eyes.
He Jing stuffed the item in his hand into his pocket, his usual short knife tucked into his waistband, and patted Ye Xiaoxiao's head, his voice clear and crisp:
"Don't worry, I will definitely come back safely. Be a good girl and wait for me at home."
The others in the courtyard also stared at He Jing with concern.
Mother He was very worried and said with concern, "A-Jing, all I want is for you to be safe and sound."
He Wuyang knew that bandits were terrifying, and tears welled up in her eyes as she wished nothing would happen to her elder brother.
"Big brother, I'm going too! I'm all grown up now, I can protect my family." He Wuyou clenched his fists, his little face showing a firm and resolute expression, his eyes shining brightly.
Lu Shi'an, who was standing to the side, nodded, his eyes also revealing a sense of courage and fearlessness, and chimed in, "Yes! We'll go too! We can also protect our families."
He Jing's eyes darkened, and he said sternly, "This is utter nonsense! Neither of you are allowed to go anywhere, not even your mother, sister-in-law, or younger sister!"
They all need your protection at home, understand? Doing what you should do is true courage!
He Wuyou and Lu Shi'an exchanged a glance, then looked at He Jing, and the two nodded solemnly.
My brother is right; doing what one ought to do is true courage.
With their older brother away, they are the only two men in the family. Right now, all they need to do is stay home and protect their family!
After exchanging glances with the people in the courtyard, He Jing turned and left, his tall figure gradually blending into the night as he walked away.