Yuchuan and Xuanyi returned home, where Nian Jiaojiao and others were discussing their newly purchased house.
Upon hearing Yuchuan's description of the house, Nian Jiaojiao wished she could move into the new home immediately.
However, this was obviously unrealistic, as moving, cleaning, and furnishing were not matters of a day or two.
“Actually, we don’t need to make such a big fuss about moving. Since we’re not selling our current place, we only need to bring our everyday essentials to the new house. We can buy the rest later,” Nian Jiaojiao suggested.
Yet, her proposal was met with unanimous disapproval from everyone.
Yuchuan: “That would be too wasteful. Although we have some money left, it’s all meant for Wife to study. Not only are there expenses for tuition, stationery, and books, but now that Wife has classmates, some social interactions are unavoidable.”
Nan Qing: “Seconded.”
Xuanyi: “Seconded.”
Xing Yun: “Me too!”
Nian Jiaojiao: “…”
What a family of housekeepers…
Oh no, housekeepers! httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
“Nian Dabao! Nian Dabao, where are you! Get out here!”
A loud and irate female voice echoed through the Nian family’s courtyard.
Fang Fang, leading her entire family, wielding wooden sticks and shovels, with a face full of fury, began calling out for someone.
Upon seeing Nian Jiaojiao emerge, the other party immediately launched into a barrage of accusatory questions:
“Speak! Where did you hide Qingqing?”
Nian Jiaojiao did not answer directly:
“Do you know the crime of trespassing?”
Fang Fang forcefully slammed her hoe onto the ground, placing her hands on the handle and said:
“Don’t give me that nonsense! Speak! Where is Qingqing?”
Nian Jiaojiao sneered:
“How would I know where Bai Qingqing is? What does it have to do with me?”
“Don’t play dumb! The ox cart driver told me that you brought a man out of Qinghe Village before!”
As she spoke, Fang Fang’s face contorted, the red blood vessels in her eyes becoming more prominent. Her hand gripping the hoe revealed bulging veins:
“No wonder I couldn’t find her for so long, it turns out it was you, Nian Dabao! You hid her!”
Nian Jiaojiao inwardly gave a wry smile.
She knew that Bai Qingqing was a hot potato, and now trouble had come knocking.
However, her gaze immediately became resolute.
She had to bear the consequences of her choices.
“Since the ox cart driver told you that Bai Qingqing got off the cart in Shanshui Town, I don’t know where he went after that.”
Nian Jiaojiao’s answer did not calm Fang Fang. Of course, she knew what had happened, but she believed it was all Nian Jiaojiao’s fault!
Therefore, she continued to question, “Who knows if you met with Qingqing later? Also, what right do you have to abduct Bai Qingqing? If it weren’t for you, I would have married Qingqing already. It’s all your doing, you scoundrel!”
Nian Jiaojiao would not be polite to someone who always blamed others. She coldly sneered:
“You can’t even keep an eye on your own fiancé and instead blame others. You need to understand that your fiancé forcibly got into the carriage I had hired. I haven’t even charged him for the ride yet!”
As she spoke, Nian Jiaojiao suddenly extended her right palm, flicking it up and down, before continuing:
“Oh, right. Since you have a betrothal, you can pay his debt. Including this carriage fare, Bai Qingqing owes me 15 taels and 30 wen. I’ll round it down for you, just return me 15 taels of silver.”
Fang Fang’s eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing her words.
I haven’t even gotten married yet, the groom ran away, and I’m still expected to pay money?
Thinking about how she had spent most of her savings to marry Bai Qingqing, Fang Fang’s eyes reddened further. Enraged and losing all reason, she immediately raised her hoe and lunged forward.
“I’ll fight you to the death!”
After such a long period of high-intensity training, Nian Jiaojiao’s agility was naturally no match for Fang Fang.
With a nimble dodge, she easily evaded Fang Fang’s attack.
As the commotion on Nian Jiaojiao’s side grew louder, the villagers noticed the disturbance and gradually gathered at Nian Jiaojiao’s doorway. Seeing Fang Fang and her entourage armed with “weapons,” a busybody couldn’t help but shout:
“What are you guys up to again?”
Others were also murmuring.
“What’s going on this year? One thing after another.”
“Alas! You can’t say it’s this year; it’s been happening for the past few months since the New Year.”
“Bad luck, bad luck.”
“Indeed…”
There were always minor frictions in the village, but usually, it was just over trivial matters. It was unlike these past few months, with deaths and fights.
The major incidents that had occurred in these few months were enough to match the village’s events over several previous years.
It was no wonder everyone felt unlucky.
Meanwhile, Nian Jiaojiao, seeing someone asking, called out loudly:
“Auntie, someone is trying to rob us, please help call the authorities!”
Fang Fang, who was still chasing Nian Jiaojiao, stumbled, falling flat on her face.
Seeing Fang Fang’s ignominious fall, Nian Jiaojiao burst into laughter:
“Hahaha, now your face is even flatter!”
Fang Fang struggled to get up, but she didn’t have time to pay attention to Nian Jiaojiao’s mockery. She anxiously turned to the crowd at the entrance and shouted:
“Don’t call the authorities! Don’t call the authorities! It’s all this Nian Dabao spouting nonsense!”
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head inwardly.
Truly foolish and unaware of it.
Qinghe Village was so far from Shanshui Town; who would take the trouble and expense of hiring an ox cart to report a crime?
Just as she was thinking this, a woman stepped out from the crowd and said righteously:
“Nian Dabao! Stop bullying my friend!”
The female protagonist, Nian Zhenzhen, walked in with an air of righteousness, her head held high.
She helped Fang Fang up and declared with righteous indignation:
“Nian Dabao, I am truly ashamed to be related to you! I heard about your situation. Even if you really don’t know where Bai Qingqing went, you contributed to his escape!”
“Therefore, you must either find the person or offer a sincere apology!”
Nian Jiaojiao felt a bit speechless hearing their similar words.
As expected of someone from the same faction as the female protagonist, their thought processes were so alike!
Nian Jiaojiao crossed her arms, lifting her somewhat slender chin, and asked:
“Who are you? Are you in a position to make demands?”
“If you don’t comply, I’ll ask the village elder to preside over the matter.”
Upon hearing the other party’s words, Nian Jiaojiao made a “please go ahead” gesture, causing Nian Zhenzhen to huff:
“Hmph! You ungrateful wretch!”
Before long, the group, accompanied by a crowd of onlookers, arrived at the village elder’s house.
The village elder’s heart sank upon seeing Fang Fang, Nian Jiaojiao, and the others.
They were all troublemakers!
“Village elder, please judge this matter!”
As soon as Fang Fang saw the village elder, she began to pour out her grievances. The village elder found the situation rather tricky after listening. It was difficult to determine who was right and who was wrong; it was merely a matter of perspective.
“Village elder, you must help me! My fiancé is gone, and my betrothal gifts are lost!”