CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: YOUR DAD IS RIGHT HERE

"Huh? Why?" Ma Weiwei was unwilling.

That was a large sum of money, enough for her to spend for several months.

Xu Jiaying was also unwilling, but she was smart and got straight to the point, "Sister You, did something happen?"

Half a month ago, a mysterious person suddenly gave the three of them a large amount of money, asking them to teach Bai Xiaotang a lesson at school. However, You Le was not used to hitting girls for no reason, so the mysterious person changed the request to borrowing money from Bai Xiaotang under various pretexts, promising that the money they "borrowed" would be theirs to keep, and they would be given more money in installments, the worse Bai Xiaotang’s situation, the more they would earn.

This kind of easy job that pays well was naturally better than hustling outside school.

But now, You Le suddenly wanted to back out, leaving the two of them puzzled.

You Le thought of Ji Ning’s eyes which seemed to see through her, this gave her a sense of unknown fear for the first time, but she couldn’t let them know, so she scolded with a straight face: "Do you still want your arm to hurt mysteriously?"

"Huh?" Xu Jiaying reflexively covered her arm that had been throbbing with pain earlier, paused for a moment, quickly understood You Le’s implication, and was immediately touched, calling out, "Sister You..."

You Le pushed away the face that was moving closer, kicked at the pebble by the roadside in annoyance.

What was that girl’s background?

Why was she appearing around Bai Xiaotang?

"Sister You, are we just going to give up like this?" Ma Weiwei was somewhat unwilling.

You Le kicked her, "Do you want money or your life?"

The kick wasn’t light, Ma Weiwei almost fell to the ground, rubbing her thigh, she said aggrievedly, "All three of us together, are we still afraid of losing to that fake tomboy? Besides, Sister You, you’re an S-Class physique, undefeated around here... uh..."

Before she could finish, Xu Jiaying covered her mouth, "When was Sister You ever wrong?"

Ma Weiwei sheepishly shut her mouth, aside from being tough, You Le was also smart, otherwise the local hooligans wouldn’t all acknowledge You Le as their boss.

You Le’s face was displeased, pursing her lips as she walked a short distance, suddenly turned back to warn the always thoughtless Ma Weiwei, "Don’t provoke Bai Xiaotang anymore in the future."

Ma Weiwei quickly nodded in agreement.

Unbeknownst to Bai Xiaotang, a hidden threat by her side was quickly resolved by Ji Ning.

***

Ming Garden Apartment.

Ji Ning stood yawning by the dishwasher in the kitchen, stuffing in bowls and chopsticks.

In the living room, there was Bai Xiaotang and Ye Tong’s carefree laughter.

It was time again for the two to watch soap operas every day, and the show was one related to her.

A war romance drama called "Bloodstained Chaos."

Ji Ning had watched two episodes with them yesterday to understand how this era depicted her, nearly wanting to go find the graves of her three little brothers overnight.

The story of this drama was so absurd, not to mention how her personality was messed up, but the key issue was that the drama kept having her fall in love with a man.

And this man’s name, she hadn’t even heard of in the chaos.

To avoid self-torture, she resolutely refused the enthusiastic invitation of the two and chose to take up the chore of washing dishes after meals.

"Ding-dong..."

The video phone at the entrance rang, it was from the security booth at the gate.

Ye Tong finished the call, ran to the kitchen, and clasped her hands, "Sister Ning, please help me pick up the package at the entrance of the community."

These days, Ji Ning had learned many skills exclusive to this era, like picking up packages, ordering takeout, calling for a ride...

Picking up a package wasn’t troublesome, but it required going to the security booth at the community gate to get it.

This was quite a "trouble" for the duo engrossed in watching dramas.

Ji Ning glanced at her with deep meaning.

Ye Tong immediately understood, "Sister Ning, I’ll make you supper tonight."

"Alright."

After sticking the last bowl in the dishwasher, Ji Ning picked up her coat, changed shoes, and went out.

Bai Xiaotang’s building, No. 8, was in the middle of the community, it took about 15 minutes to walk to any gate’s security booth.

Ji Ning didn’t want to go back and watch the melodramatic drama, so after getting the package, she leisurely strolled around the community.

The community had a great environment, not only with fountains but also a small garden with a lake.

There were a few koi in the lake, and many people would come to feed the fish while taking a walk at night.

Ji Ning didn’t like crowds, carrying the package bag in one hand, she bypassed the small garden where most people were gathered, and took another more secluded path.

There were fewer streetlights here, and fewer people came at night for a walk.

Ji Ning took a deep breath of the fresh air, lazily strolling around.

The air in the chaotic times was filled with dust, smoke, and radioactive substances, it couldn’t compare to now.

Ji Ning was very satisfied with the current peaceful life, there was a strange sense of solace.

Suddenly, her footsteps halted.

Then, an arrogant voice came from the grove not far ahead.

"Kid, I advise you to be sensible, hand over the elevator access card."

Ji Ning looked up, vaguely seeing several figures punching and kicking someone on the ground.

She wasn’t a benevolent person, in the chaotic times such bullying was too common, she just paused her steps for a moment, prepared to take a detour.

"Filthy brat, I’ve had enough of your arrogance. With your fragile body, elder brother’s kick could break your bones, you’d better toe the line. Quickly hand over the access card to the top floor of Building 8, or don’t blame us for being rude!"

Ji Ning stopped her steps just as she was about to leave.

She turned her head, her dark pupils became deeper than the night sky, her eyes gradually revealing the figures in the grove.

The picture grew clearer.

She had seen the men beating up someone, but didn’t know them, she knew the one being beaten but wasn’t familiar with him.

The beaten person was Lin Yuanyang, the conceited brat who lived downstairs from Bai Xiaotang.

He usually didn’t bother Bai Xiaotang, Ji Ning had formally met him once when she first arrived.

"Filthy brat, will you hand over the card or not?"

One guy viciously discarded his cigarette and kicked Lin Yuanyang’s lower back, grinding his flesh, someone who didn’t know would have thought they had a father-killing feud.

Lin Yuanyang’s thin body curled on the ground, blood oozed from his mouth, his face filled with pain.

Even so, he stubbornly didn’t utter a sound.

This stubbornness brought even harsher beatings from the men.

Ji Ning pressed her lips, suddenly disappeared from where she stood, and subsequently, shrieks rang out one after another in the grove.

Just moments ago the arrogant men had now fallen to the ground, clutching their legs in pain, rolling around like a tumble dryer.

Their comrades rushed forward to encircle Ji Ning.

"You bitch... ah—"

A burst of pain, their legs were broken.

However hard they kicked, it hurt just as much now.

Ji Ning always hit where it hurt the most.

It wouldn’t heal without pain for at least one or two months.

"Don’t come closer! Do you know who my dad is?"

The last standing comrade backed away in fear, shouting with a blend of bluster and fear.

In return, Ji Ning chuckled, "Your dad, is right here."

Ji Ning’s smile widened, but her eyes were devoid of any emotion, she forcefully grabbed his collar, pulling him closer.

The man was choked and couldn’t breathe, his face turned red.

A low, cold voice sounded in his ear: "What are you planning to do on the top floor of Building 8?"