Six burly thugs, each carrying a long watermelon knife and a baseball bat, blocked the entrance to the hall menacingly.
"Brother Biao, we've got an extra beauty this time," one of the younger thugs said, looking at Yu He.
"Nonsense, I'm not blind!" The man called Brother Biao spat, "I'm here to collect money today, having women is useless!"
His gaze roamed over Yu He unscrupulously. She was truly beautiful, her skin so tender it seemed it could be squeezed to yield water.
But no matter how pretty she was, it was useless. He was here during the New Year to collect a debt, and he was ordered to do so. If he failed, no one would have a good year!
"Old hag, did you hear me? Stop wasting time, have you prepared the money?"
A bearded man said, attempting to poke Mrs. Yu with his baseball bat.
Yu He stepped forward, shielding Mrs. Yu behind her, and kicked the baseball bat away. "Don't point that thing at her!"
The bearded man hadn't expected Yu He to be so audacious. He fumbled, dropping the baseball bat. The remaining thugs immediately drew their knives and clubs, surrounding Yu He, and a gleaming watermelon knife was pressed against her throat.
Seeing the cold glint of the watermelon knife, Mrs. Yu hurriedly said, "Let her go, this has nothing to do with her."
Brother Biao noticed Yu He's boldness. Even with a knife at her throat, she remained composed, her expression undisturbed. He couldn't help but regard her with a little more respect.
But letting her go was out of the question!
"Where's the money?!" Brother Biao demanded.
"Show me the IOU first," Yu He said.
Her fingers, hanging naturally at her side, twitched slightly, and a silver needle appeared at her fingertip.
Mrs. Yu sensed her intention and tightly gripped Yu He's arm, signaling her not to act rashly.
Brother Biao produced an IOU. The loan was for 3 million, with interest of 2 million. The borrower's ID information belonged to Mrs. Yu, but the signature was not hers. However, the fingerprint was hers.
Upon seeing this, Mrs. Yu understood. Ye Zisu had used her ID to borrow the money and had pressed her fingerprint while she was asleep!
"Don't touch them!" At this moment, Qiao Wei rushed in angrily, carrying a cleaver, followed by Qiao Qiao with a spatula.
As soon as Qiao Wei entered, he saw the knife at Yu He's throat. His anger halved, and fearing they would hurt someone, he quickly pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket.
"Don't touch them, I have money here!" He threw the money to Brother Biao.
Brother Biao caught it, weighed it, and threw it back at Qiao Wei, "I want five million, you damn beggar! If you don't have money, don't play the hero, get lost!"
Money scattered across the floor. Veins bulged on Qiao Wei's forehead. It was better to die with honor than live in shame. He gripped the cleaver and swung it at Brother Biao.
This place was remote, and the police were useless. He wouldn't be blamed for fighting for his life.
"Ah!" Qiao Qiao screamed as a thug grabbed her by the neck.
"If you dare move again, I'll strangle her!"
Qiao Wei immediately stopped, his eyes turning crimson with anger, the cleaver held in front of him.
Yu He: "..."
Are you here specifically to deliver yourselves on a platter?
The already tense atmosphere had now become even more precarious.
Previously, with only her grandmother present, Yu He could have acted decisively. Now, with Qiao Qiao to worry about, it was difficult. Qiao Wei could fight, but facing six of them alone, he would be overwhelmed.
It had to be a plan.
"Brother Wei, don't be impulsive."
Yu He retracted the silver needle from her fingertip, pulled a bank card from her pocket, placed it against the blade, pushed it away, and then handed the card to Brother Biao. "Give me the IOU. This card has five million in it."
Brother Biao glanced at the bank card but didn't take it. "How do I know if this card really has five million? I want cash!"
Yu He: "You can check!"
"It takes at least an hour's drive to get to town from here. Two hours round trip. By the time we get back, you'll have long since disappeared!" said one of the thugs with a sharp mouth and monkey-like face.
Yu He: "..."
"Can't you send just one person and the rest wait here?" Qiao Qiao couldn't help but say.
"No, none of us have a driver's license except Brother Biao."
Oh well, at this point, you're worried about following the law?
"What do you want?" Yu He looked at Brother Biao coldly.
With so many excuses, it was clear they just wanted to make things difficult.
"The deadline has passed, and you haven't prepared five million in cash. I'll have to take something from her to report back."
Brother Biao pointed the watermelon knife at Mrs. Yu, its sharp blade glinting menacingly.
"You!" Qiao Wei tightened his grip on the cleaver.
Yu He's gaze deepened. "So, you're here today, and collecting debt is just an excuse. Killing is your real purpose?"
"Stop the damn nonsense and hand over the old hag!" Brother Biao roared.
With a swing of his watermelon knife, the standoff turned into a direct confrontation.
Just then, "Bang—" a large hole suddenly appeared in the roof beams, and a black figure leaped down, quickly subduing Brother Biao.
Immediately after, a group of bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses rushed in from outside, quickly taking down the remaining thugs.
Yu He shielded Mrs. Yu and moved aside. Qiao Qiao, now released, was protected by Qiao Wei behind him, holding the cleaver defensively and warily eyeing the suddenly appearing bodyguards.
"Miss Yu, we apologize, we are late." The leading bodyguard approached Yu He, removed his sunglasses, and respectfully addressed her.
Yu He found the man familiar; he had been seen with Qin Beiting before.
She nodded and looked at the subdued thugs. "Take them away and find out who instigated this."
"Yes."
The thugs were removed, and the living room finally quieted down. Qiao Qiao and her brother helped tidy up the living room, while Yu He helped the shaken Mrs. Yu back to her room to rest.
The room was also in disarray. Yu He cleared the items from the bed, let her grandmother lie down, and then went to find some ginseng, boiled water, and brought it in for her grandmother to drink.
Mrs. Yu recovered somewhat and said, "I'm alright now, you can go back."
"You're coming back with me," Yu He said. Seeing Mrs. Yu about to speak, she interrupted, "Hear me out first. I'm planning to open a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in the capital, and I need your help."
Mrs. Yu's mouth opened, and the words "I'm not going" were instantly stuck in her throat.
Yu He understood her grandmother. If she had simply asked her to come to the capital, she would have refused. But if she said she needed her, she would find it hard to refuse.
Mrs. Yu did not agree and asked, "You still haven't given up?"
Yu He nodded. "Mm."
"Silly child, why are you so stubborn?" Mrs. Yu sighed helplessly.
This child had been raised by her with tears and snot. Their bond was undeniable. If Yu He were simply opening a TCM clinic, she would go. But if it were for revenge...
"I'm not going!" Mrs. Yu sat up and said sternly, "Forget all this. Stay with the Ye family and be their young lady! Don't get involved anymore. You have no connection with the Qin family anymore!"