CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 24: LIN ERBAO WANTS TO CRY

Qin Yao looked at the circle of people around her, closed her eyes, and sighed before gesturing to Lin Erbao and Old Liu, as well as Mrs. Zhang, "Let’s step aside for a chat."

Old Liu and Mrs. Zhang exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement. They both understood that the third son’s wife was truly formidable, not afraid even of Lin Erbao; perhaps she had a solution.

Lin Erbao was terrified, but he couldn’t lose face as the boss in front of his men and nodded towards Qin Yao, following her aside for a private talk.

The four moved to the back of the house, away from the villagers’ prying eyes, and Qin Yao spoke first.

"Father, Mother, I called you here to help as witnesses."

Old Liu asked confusedly, "Witness to what?"

Qin Yao gave him a mysterious look, then turned to Lin Erbao, "For this money, I’m doing you a favor. Give me a number for how much should really be paid back."

"As for fifty taels, let me be clear, that is absolutely impossible!"

Qin Yao glanced down at the knife in her hand and the hoe Lin Erbao was tightly gripping.

She knew Lin Erbao had people above him. Although the money was lent under Lin Erbao’s name, it wasn’t actually his.

Half an hour ago, if Qin Yao had mentioned doing him a favor, Lin Erbao would’ve probably scoffed.

But now, he suddenly felt it might be worth considering.

Living a life in the underworld, where doesn’t one get wounded? What if one day he needs to call in Qin Yao’s favor?

With such skilled martial arts, maybe one day it would be a great help.

Lin Erbao weighed his options, while Qin Yao didn’t rush him, patiently waiting.

Old Liu and Mrs. Zhang stood by the wall, their hearts pounding, so tense they felt like they’d jump out.

The wait was excruciating, every second felt like a year, but in fact, it was just over ten seconds.

Lin Erbao exhaled a puff of turbid air, looked at Qin Yao helplessly, and said, "Miss Qin, what if I can’t find you in the future?"

Qin Yao’s mouth curled into a cold smile, without speaking.

Realizing he had no choice, Lin Erbao understood.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t get a single cent back, and perhaps he might lose his life here.

Lin Erbao wasn’t wrong; Qin Yao didn’t care about Liu Ji, life or death was irrelevant to her.

Her only concern was staying in Liu Family Village to be someone of identity, not fleeing.

That’s why she talked so much.

Of course, fifty taels wouldn’t make her give up this identity and home.

Negotiation, if possible, was preferred.

Lin Erbao took several deep breaths, his mind racing, doing a quick calculation and finally gave a number.

"Thirty-eight taels, this is the lowest, if even this can’t be paid, there’s no point in discussing further." Lin Erbao was fierce, this was his baseline.

Otherwise, he couldn’t report back to his superiors, which would lead to death.

Thinking about this, Lin Erbao felt like crying, encountering a tough one like Qin Yao in his career was truly bad luck!

"Alright, give me the IOU, you have paper and a pen, right? Rewrite a document confirming that Liu Ji’s debt with you is settled."

Lin Erbao felt relieved instantly, though he had paper and pen, he couldn’t write.

Qin Yao’s disdainful gaze swept over, and a furious Lin Erbao called his men to bring paper, ink, and seal, handing them all to Qin Yao.

Challenging, as if saying, if you can, write it.

Surprisingly, she could write.

There happened to be a chopping block nearby, and Qin Yao wrote on it. Although the handwriting wasn’t much better than Liu Ji’s scribbles, it was indeed writing.

With a few strokes, Qin Yao rewrote two copies of the debt settlement note, marked with Lin Erbao’s and Liu Ji’s names, since she and Liu Ji were legally married, she could sign on his behalf.

However, after finishing Lin Erbao’s, Qin Yao didn’t start hers.

Old Liu and Mrs. Zhang were ecstatic about Qin Yao’s righteousness, thinking Liu Ji was saved.

Just then, Qin Yao said, "Father, Mother, there’s one condition you need to guarantee before I sign this document."

Old Liu nodded repeatedly, thinking even the most excessive request from Qin Yao wouldn’t be unreasonable, and said amiably, "Speak."

Qin Yao said, "I can help repay Liu Ji’s debt, but from now on, his life is mine. In the future, I will have the say in this family, and you must stand by me, not oppose any decisions I make, or I won’t sign, let Liu Ji die outside!"

Their expressions changed, realizing they couldn’t not sign!

Old Liu sighed deeply, somewhat apologetically said to Qin Yao:

"Third daughter-in-law, I know the third is a scoundrel, marrying him is unfair to you, today you overlook the past and are willing to help clear his debt, I know you’re a good person."

"We naturally agree to your request, from now on you will have the say in this family. If after this the third doesn’t mend his ways and continues to be reckless, even if you beat him to death, we won’t blame you."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised by Old Liu’s open-mindedness.

"Alright, with your and Mother’s guarantee, I’m relieved."

Saying this, she signed the document, took out two twenty-tael silver ingots from her waist’s money bag, handed one to Lin Erbao, and with a bit of force, broke off a piece, then handed the bigger piece to Lin Erbao.

"Weigh it, see if it’s eighteen taels," Qin Yao weighed the small silver block in her hand and reminded.

Lin Erbao looked at the notched ingot, his eyes nearly popping out, swallowed hard, and took out a mini scale to weigh it.

"It’s still a little short."

"How much short?"

"Three maces."

Qin Yao repeated her previous action, breaking off another piece.

Things are harder to break when smaller, Qin Yao’s skill thoroughly impressed Lin Erbao.

"Miss Qin, please rest well, my men and I will come bother you again," Lin Erbao made a shallow bow to Qin Yao, accepted the money, called his bemused men and hurried away.

The villagers discussed, Lin Erbao left so fast?

Liu Bai and Liu Zhong looked at their father and stepmother, "The money’s repaid?"

The elders nodded, glanced at Qin Yao, the brothers couldn’t believe Qin Yao had so much money to repay the debt.

But now wasn’t the time to discuss this, Liu Ji was still lying there.

Just now Lin Erbao and his men were present, no one paid attention, but after they left, the whole family surrounded Liu Ji.

Liu Bai patted Liu Ji’s face, "Third brother, wake up, are you alright?"

The person didn’t wake, groaning from the pain of his face being slapped.

Qin Yao unlocked the main house’s door, turned and saw the Liu family crowd around Liu Ji, panicking.

"Just some surface wounds, carry him inside, we’ll get a doctor to check on him later."

She looked up at the curious villagers, politely ushering them away.

Thinking to herself, the courtyard wall needs to be built quickly, everyday giving everyone a show.