As she spoke, Jian Xiu glanced at the scar-faced man’s knife wound with a half-smile.

Looking at his pale complexion, she even suspected that if she didn’t let him go soon, he might die from excessive blood loss.

Hearing that it would cost seventy taels, the scar-faced man wanted to resist. But just as Jian Xiu had observed, he knew that if he didn’t stop the bleeding soon, money would no longer be the issue.

Gritting his teeth, he turned and scolded his subordinates, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and give the lady the money!”

“Yes, yes, Brother Dao, hold on a moment!”

Saying that, they fumbled around and quickly handed over the silver to Jian Xiu.

Only after receiving the silver did Jian Xiu finally let them go.

Watching the group leave, Sister-in-law Qian Hongmei trembled as she asked, “Jian Xiu, do you think they’ll come back for revenge?”

“Do you think they dare?” Jian Xiu asked in return.

Hearing this, Qian Hongmei was stunned.

That’s right. Judging by their reaction just now, they seemed more afraid of Jian Xiu coming after them than anything else.

“This world is a place where the strong prey on the weak. If you’re weak, others will naturally bully you. But if you’re strong, they’ll fear you instead. Sometimes, it all comes down to who is more ruthless.”

Jian Xiu wasn’t just saying this for Qian Hongmei—she also wanted her elder brother, Jian Ming, to hear it.

Only by becoming strong could one truly protect their family.

How could Jian Ming not understand Jian Xiu’s words?

As if suddenly realizing something, he asked, “You know martial arts?”

“You saw it yourself, didn’t you?”

“When did you learn it?”

“When I had no one to protect me. When I desperately wanted to survive, I did everything I could to learn, because only by learning could I continue to live.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

They all knew how Jian Xiu had lived in the old house.

Especially Zhang Zixuan—no one knew how guilty he felt after hearing her words.

Ever since he became paralyzed, he had never been able to protect her again.

“Jian Xiu, what if I train in martial arts with you?” Jian Ming suddenly asked.

His words shocked everyone.

Even Jian Xiu widened her eyes in surprise, not understanding why he suddenly said that.

Only Zhang Zixuan seemed to understand Jian Ming’s feelings.

If not for his crippled legs, he might have made the same choice.

“Brother, let’s wait until you recover first.”

As she spoke, Jian Xiu handed all the silver to Qian Hongmei.

“Take this money. Use it to nourish their bodies, and for the children too. Once they’re healthy, everything becomes possible.”

“Yes, yes! Only with good health can everything else be possible,” Qian Hongmei agreed.

She didn’t take all the money, though.

She only accepted thirty taels, pushing the rest back to Jian Xiu.

“This is enough for us. We borrowed some money over the years, so we’ll pay it back and get some household necessities. The rest should stay with you—you’ve just separated from the family, and you’ll need silver.”

“This money was yours to begin with. If I take it back, what’s the point? Besides, didn’t I just tell you? I don’t lack silver now, so don’t worry. If you have enough for now, why not send Bao’er to school?”

“Send him to school?” Qian Hongmei’s eyes widened in shock.

She had never even considered such an option.

“Yes! Didn’t I tell you? You can dig for bamboo shoots in the back mountain. I can’t guarantee anything for next year, but this year, you can still make some money. The same goes for those plantains…”

Jian Xiu then explained in detail how to dry plantains and bamboo shoots.

Seeing Qian Hongmei deep in thought, she knew her words had sunk in.

Whether in this world or in the apocalypse, education was always the best path forward.

As Jian Xiu prepared to leave, Zhang Xuemei suddenly called out, “Jian Xiu!”

Jian Xiu turned around with a puzzled look. “What’s wrong?”

“The wild boar meat…”

“I already told you, take it. It’s yours.”

“I know, but—”

Before she could finish, an angry voice from inside the house interrupted her.

“Hurry up and get inside! Do you think they’ll share their silver with you?”

Although the person didn’t mention names, it was obvious they were telling Zhang Xuemei to stop talking and take the meat inside, implying that Jian Xiu had silver now and wouldn’t share it with them.

Hearing this, both Zhang Xuemei and Jian Fuyin looked at Jian Xiu awkwardly.

Jian Xiu shook her head helplessly and said, “Go on inside. If you ever need help, just come find me in Zhangjia Village—I live at the end of the village now.”

“Mm, I know. My mother told me. Thank you for the meat, Sister Jian Xiu.”

“Alright, go on.”

---

On the way back, Jian Xiu could feel Zhang Zixuan’s gaze lingering on her.

“The kids are asleep. If you have something to ask, just ask.”

“You’re really skilled in martial arts?”

“I’m better than you think,” Jian Xiu said frankly.

“The way you moved today—your speed, precision… that’s not simple.”

Hearing this, Jian Xiu raised an eyebrow with interest. “You could tell?”

“Don’t forget, I used to work in security escorts. Naturally, I understand martial arts to some extent. But compared to you…”

At this, Zhang Zixuan showed a trace of self-reproach.

“No need to admire me. I was just born with it.”

Zhang Zixuan: “…” Was his wife always this arrogant?

Actually, after saying it, Jian Xiu was stunned herself. She couldn’t believe those words had come out of her own mouth.

“Xiu Xiu! Xiu Xiu!”

Just as she was about to say something else, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

“What’s up?”

“I was bored, so I did a scan. And guess what? I found something really interesting. Want to know?”

“What the heck? Did you use my points for that scan?”

“Of course not! I wouldn’t use your points without permission.”