Chapter Forty-Three: The Little Schemes of Guoguo

Chapter Forty-Three: The Little Schemes of Guoguo

Ruan Qingshuang and Qiu Yan delivered Guoguo to school right on time. Qiu Yan insisted on waiting at the school until Guoguo was dismissed. Ruan Qingshuang, uneasy about matters at the shop, returned alone. Xu Yun understood that Qiu Yan was worried about the environment around the school—after all, yesterday Qin Wan’er had brought back a half-true, half-false rumor, and even if unreliable, it was enough to keep Qiu Yan cautious for several days.

Stepping into the medicinal restaurant, Ruan Qingshuang immediately spotted the bruised and battered men that Xu Yun had dealt with. She hurriedly called out to Qiangzi, “Xiao Qiang, what’s going on with these people?”

“Brother Yun’s recruits,” Qiangzi grinned, offering no further explanation. “Brother Yun is upstairs. You should ask him.”

Ruan Qingshuang quickly ascended the stairs. The group below, with their battered faces, were clearly street thugs. She worried that Xu Yun might have offended someone again. Yet, Xu Yun was upstairs, leisurely brewing tea and reading the paper.

The newspaper had been found in Wei Weiming’s Toyota Highlander, printed by some small press, filled with trivial gossip—stories about men being duped by women they met online, losing large sums of money, and the like.

“Xu Yun, what’s with those people downstairs?” Ruan Qingshuang didn’t even pause for a drink, anxiously inquiring.

Seeing her return, Xu Yun folded the newspaper. “Sister Shuang, they were the ones who beat up Brother Pang’s renovation workers yesterday. I just returned the favor.”

Ruan Qingshuang was astonished. “They’re the ones who attacked people yesterday? Why didn’t you call the police and have Wan’er arrest them?”

“No, no, Guoguo, that little reporting enthusiast, finally went to school. Let’s not trouble the police again.” Xu Yun quickly explained, “Even if Qin Wan’er brought people, it wouldn’t change what happened yesterday. It’s better I handle it myself—at least I can keep these guys as laborers.”

“But…” Ruan Qingshuang simply couldn’t think the way Xu Yun did.

Xu Yun waved his finger and pointed at three stacks of cash on the table. “Don’t overthink it. The money’s right here. Take it. I borrowed it from you yesterday; now I’m returning it.”

Ruan Qingshuang glanced at the thirty thousand yuan, then asked with concern, “Are the hospitalized workers alright? I don’t need the money right now. If you need it, keep it.”

Xu Yun smiled slightly. “The workers are fine. The money is enough now. No need. Take it. If I need more, I’ll ask.”

All the money had been found in Wei Weiming’s car—fifty thousand in total, neatly wrapped in newspaper. After leaving thirty thousand with Ruan Qingshuang, Xu Yun gave the remaining twenty thousand to Pang Gang.

At first, Pang Gang refused the money, as most hospital fees had already been paid. But in the end, Xu Yun’s persistence won, and Pang Gang accepted, though he didn’t keep any for himself. He added another thousand and gave each of the seven workers three thousand as a nutritional supplement.

Pang Gang took the money to the hospital. Qiangzi kept an eye on the group from the Knife-and-Axe Society downstairs. Xu Yun, enjoying the rare leisure, drank tea and read the paper alone upstairs. With the medicinal restaurant closed, Ruan Qingshuang had nothing else to do, so she gathered some clothes and went to wash them.

...

The Bilingual International School was undeniably opulent. Just looking at the students in Su Xiaoran’s class, one could see luxury brands like Burberry, Ralph Lauren, and Marc Jacobs everywhere.

Guoguo’s tutu was clearly not as expensive as her classmates’, but her temperament stood out, unexpectedly surpassing the other wealthy children. Within two recesses, she had become the leader among them.

Su Xiaoran experienced Guoguo’s strength on the first day. After a brief conversation, she sincerely felt that “cute” was no longer sufficient to describe this child—she was an extraordinary little demon…

“Teacher Su, can I call you ‘sister’?” Guoguo ran to Su Xiaoran’s desk after class, not shy at all.

“If you call Qin Wan’er ‘sister’ as well, then you can call me that,” Su Xiaoran replied, fond of Guoguo’s lively spirit. “But you can only do so outside of school.”

Guoguo looked surprised. “So Teacher Su knows Sister Wan’er?”

“Of course.” Su Xiaoran smiled. “More than just acquaintances—we were best friends in high school, sharing a bowl of instant noodles.”

Guoguo’s eyes sparkled, full of admiration. “You two are so close. Does that mean you’ll marry the same husband someday?”

“Uh…” Su Xiaoran’s brows knitted—what kind of question was that?

Guoguo, however, spoke earnestly. “Teacher Su, I want Sister Wan’er to be my little mom, and now she already lives with us.”

Su Xiaoran didn’t quite grasp the meaning. “Guoguo, you mean Qin Wan’er lives with you… all?”

“Yes, with me, my mom, my dad, and Sister Qiu Yan. My dad’s medicinal cuisine is really delicious! Teacher Su, you should try it sometime!”

Wait… Su Xiaoran felt bewildered.

How could Qin Wan’er live with such a large family? And to become Guoguo’s little mom… The more Su Xiaoran thought about it, the dizzier she felt. This family was far too complicated.

Guoguo rubbed her chin. “Since Teacher Su is good friends with Sister Wan’er, you could also be Guoguo’s little mom.”

“Ha… Well, I think I’ll just be Guoguo’s sister,” Su Xiaoran realized she was facing a little devil.

But Guoguo didn’t see it that way. If Su Xiaoran became her little mom, she’d be unstoppable in class—the boys flaunting their luxury brands wouldn’t dare show off in front of her; they’d all fall in line.

“But Guoguo still thinks it’s better if you’re my little mom.” Guoguo was persistent. “Actually, my dad is a really great person.”

A gentle melody played, and Su Xiaoran felt relieved—the class bell had rung, freeing her from the dilemma. “Guoguo, hurry to class. One more period and it’s time to go home.”

Watching Guoguo skip away, Su Xiaoran exhaled deeply. She had to call Qin Wan’er and find out what was going on! How could such a cute little girl have such a messy family?

Ever since Qin Wan’er was promoted to instructor at the police station, life had indeed become much easier. She no longer had to worry about trivial matters, nor did she need to rush out for routine calls.

Her main responsibilities were to allocate and summarize tasks assigned by the bureau and report daily work. Aside from frequent meetings, everything else was manageable.

Su Xiaoran’s call brightened Qin Wan’er’s mood. “Teacher Su, what made you think of me so suddenly?”

“If you don’t miss me, am I not allowed to miss you?” Su Xiaoran snorted. “Comrade Qin Wan’er, I have to issue you a serious warning. You need to pay attention to your lifestyle—you now seem to be destroying families. I must solemnly advise you: know your limits!”

Qin Wan’er wanted to knock some sense into Su Xiaoran. “What are you talking about? My lifestyle is problematic? Did a door hit your head?”

“Hey, would I say something without evidence?” Su Xiaoran replied sternly. “Guoguo says you’re living with her parents. Are you denying it?”

“Damn!” Qin Wan’er, though not the gentle type, was rarely so easily angered. “You believe everything a child says? Su Xiaoran, are you an idiot?”

Su Xiaoran snorted. “You’re the idiot. Children don’t lie.”

“Guoguo was picked up by Sister Qingshuang, you didn’t know? What kind of teacher are you?” Qin Wan’er couldn’t hold back, revealing Guoguo’s background outright.

She then explained to Su Xiaoran everything about Ruan Qingshuang and Guoguo’s situation, including the troubles at the medicinal restaurant, leaving nothing hidden.

But Qin Wan’er didn’t mention her interest in the mysterious Xu Yun as the reason for moving into the medicinal restaurant. She simply said she wanted to protect Ruan Qingshuang and Guoguo.

Listening, Su Xiaoran’s eyes glistened with tears. She felt compassion for Guoguo and deep admiration for Ruan Qingshuang, but she also became intensely curious about Xu Yun. Previously, she saw him as an irresponsible father with a second-hand car, never imagining he would help Ruan Qingshuang and Guoguo so selflessly, like a modern-day Lei Feng.

Alas, those who don’t understand Xu Yun will never truly understand him. Selfless? Impossible. Guoguo had promised her godfather to help him win over her mother!

...

The renovation at the medicinal restaurant was progressing rapidly. While Ruan Qingshuang was upstairs doing laundry, Xu Yun came down.

He nudged Wei Weiming, sprawled like a pile of mud. “Still haven’t called reinforcements? Damn, I’m getting impatient!”

Wei Weiming wanted nothing more than to bite the arrogant bastard before him. “My phone was taken by your people!”

“Brother Yun, do you really want him to call for reinforcements?” Qiangzi walked over with Wei Weiming’s phone. “Fan Nanjie isn’t like Wang Shunxi; he’s young but ruthless. If he really calls for help, and Fan Nanjie brings hundreds, we’ll be in trouble…”

After the thrill of beating people passed, Qiangzi realized the danger of provoking Fan Nanjie.

“So what do you suggest?” Xu Yun squinted, already having an idea.

Qiangzi hesitated, unable to come up with a solution. Should they just wait for Fan Nanjie’s revenge? With his vicious methods, he wouldn’t simply smash the shop like the Four Wolves Gang—he’d target people.

Seeing Qiangzi’s conflicted expression, Wei Weiming sneered. “Now you know fear, but it’s too late… My cousin…”

Bang!

Xu Yun had no interest in listening further. He grabbed Wei Weiming’s face and slammed his head against the wall. Wei Weiming’s vision went black; everything faded away.

“In that case, I’ll strike first.” Xu Yun rubbed his chin. Qiu Yan was working to control the local thugs, so he might as well do her a favor and take down the Knife-and-Axe Society.

At least with these men under control, Guoguo and Qiu Yan would be safer, Ruan Qingshuang and the medicinal restaurant would have fewer troubles—why not?

“Brother Yun, what do you mean?” Qiangzi swallowed hard.

“Tonight, I’ll treat you to a bath. Come with me,” Xu Yun chuckled. “Let’s go to the Tropical Rainforest Bathhouse.”

Bathing in a bathhouse in summer?

Madness!

But why do so many bathhouses stay open in summer? The answer is simple: a sign for lamb, but selling dog meat.