Chapter 33: Qin Xiaoyun Survives Because of One Sentence

“You’re awake?”

Zhang Wenliang finally realized he had no idea where he was.

Panicked, he looked around. In the dim light, two men were staring at him intently.

“Who… who are you? What do you want?”

“What do we want? Don’t you know what you’ve done?”

Zhang Wenliang was completely flustered. Truth be told, he didn’t even know why the teacher always sent him to fetch money from that person.

He had just been following orders, and every time, the teacher gave him a small reward.

So, wisely, he never asked questions.

Lu Yu watched Zhang Wenliang’s face twist and turn with emotion, then sneered and stubbed out his cigarette on the table.

“Alright, start talking. Why were you there? Who sent you?”

Of course, Zhang Wenliang wasn’t about to answer that directly.

“Old man, you go out. Let me handle this.”

Old Cai cast a sympathetic glance at Zhang Wenliang before stepping out and lighting a cigarette.

As the screams of agony rang out from inside, he sighed, I told you to cooperate.

Now look at you.

After a long while, Lu Yu wiped his hands. “He confessed. Useless though. Lock him up for now.”

“What about that kid? Any luck?”

Lu Yu looked troubled. “He came back alive, but he’s talking nonsense.”

“Lucky he didn’t die while he was out there. We checked—there was a tiger nearby, but it didn’t eat him.”

The old man walked away in his worn cloth shoes, shuffle shuffle. “Don’t come to me again unless it’s urgent. I’m enjoying life.”

Lu Yu: “……”

Zhang Wenliang had no idea how long he’d been locked up. He only knew that lately, his luck had been terrible.

Meanwhile, the Zhang family was in complete chaos. They’d reported him missing to the police, but there was no trace of him.

Su Nianzhi, on the other hand, was so thrilled at home she nearly lit fireworks.

But her joy lasted only a couple of days before word spread in the village: Zhang Wenliang had been found—on Hǔtóu Mountain behind the village—and he was a complete wreck.

Sun Daniu cried so hard she couldn’t even get up.

The entire Sun family was in an uproar.

When Su Nianzhi heard the news, she frowned. At first, she’d suspected Zhang Wenliang’s teacher might be some kind of spy.

But now that Zhang Wenliang was back alive… maybe she’d guessed wrong?

Was it a case of criminals turning on each other?

Not impossible.

Still, as long as Zhang Wenliang had rotten luck, she was happy.

—

Meanwhile, at the military hospital.

A tall man lay heavily bandaged—only his eyes visible.

His military uniform hung loosely on his body.

“Captain, is Comrade Qin Xiaoyun out of danger?”

Tang Sheng sighed. “Why are you here? Didn’t the doctor tell you to rest more?”

Su Shuangquan, bandaged and unruly, shrugged. “I’m not dying. Just overwrapped.”

“Behave. There’s a hole in your head—you have the nerve to joke? If it weren’t for Comrade Qin Xiaoyun’s timely rescue, your life would’ve been lost to those spies. Go, go, don’t be an eyesore.”

Su Shuangquan took a deep breath. When I’m useful, I’m your sweetheart; when I’m not, you want me gone.

He hadn’t expected Qin Xiaoyun to be the one who saved him—and nearly died doing it.

“Fine, I’ll go. Call me when he wakes up.”

Tang Sheng sighed helplessly.

Looking at the man in the hospital bed, barely alive, he thought: This Comrade Qin from the Southwest Military Region has earned a major credit. A promotion to company commander is guaranteed—he might even get a second-class merit medal.

Well deserved too. With skills like his, it was only a matter of time.

Qin Xiaoyun, groggy and in pain, could still feel the bullet that had hit him square in the chest.

In his mind, he kept replaying that one sentence from the little girl:

“Qin Xiaoyun, come back safe.”

It was that thought that kept him alive.

He still had something to say to her.

—

Su Nianzhi had no idea she’d become someone else’s reason to live.

She was at home, mediating a family conflict.

“Ma, I really am just going to Guangzhou to make money. I’ll be back in a few years.”

For the first time, Wang Guifang grabbed a stick and started swinging it at Su Zhewǔ.

“You’ve always been smart—don’t you know what times we’re living in? Guangzhou? You got capital? You got skills?”

Su Zhewǔ stayed silent.

After dinner, he had casually announced that he planned to go to Guangzhou—likely leaving next month.

Wang Guifang naturally refused.

But to her surprise, the usually slippery Su Zhewǔ was stubborn this time.

So angry, she chased him with a stick.

“Ma, I swear I’m going to make big money. One of my buddies has a way in. If I make money, I’ll get Big Brother a wife and support you and Dad in old age.”

“Bullshit. I birthed you, don’t think I don’t know you. Is this about that ginseng incident?”

“Ma, no. Didn’t I return the ginseng last time?”

Su Zhewǔ didn’t tell her that Boss Dan had been the one to buy the ginseng, and when he tried to return it, they refused. He had to bear the loss himself.

So no matter what, he had to go to Guangzhou.

“I don’t care. I forbid it.”

And so, the family quarrel ended in a stalemate.

Later, Su Nianzhi sat rubbing medicine on Su Zhewǔ’s bruises.

“Second Brother, is this because of me?”

“Don’t say nonsense. A real man wants to see the world. I just want to venture out.”

Su Nianzhi’s eyes lowered.

She knew it was because of her.

And that Second Brother was likely being forced into it.

The next day, she secretly followed her brother to the nearby town.

She watched as he entered a courtyard.

A long while later, he left.

She walked up and kicked the door open.

The people inside hadn’t even reacted yet when a beautiful young girl, full of menace, stormed in.

Su Nianzhi glanced at the middle-aged man inside and frowned slightly.

Their eyes met—crack—sparks flew.

Dan Junxiong gave a polite smile. “Comrade, let’s talk this out. No need for violence.”

Su Nianzhi didn’t bother with small talk and marched forward.

“Was it you who forced Su Zhewǔ to go to Guangzhou?”

Dan Junxiong paused, then looked up. “You’re his sister? Or…?”

He couldn’t help but doubt it. Wasn’t his sister supposed to be sickly?

But this young lady was not only good-looking, she radiated killing intent. The fierce aura between her brows wasn’t something ordinary people had.

Su Nianzhi’s tone was icy. “I’m only asking: Did you force Su Zhewǔ?”

Dan Junxiong was surprised, but he was worldly. “Yes and no. He wants to get rich. I need people. It’s a win-win.”

Su Nianzhi felt rage rising in her chest.

“He’s not going.”

“Oh? Just because you say so?”

“You’re welcome to test me.”

A few men stepped forward. “Little sister, you should go home and do embroidery.”

Su Nianzhi glanced at the man beside her—and kicked him.

He went flying.

Dan Junxiong’s eyes showed a flicker of surprise.

“Let’s talk peacefully. We’re all just trying to make money—no need for drama.”

He really did admire Su Zhewǔ.

The kid was smart and capable. All he lacked was a chance.

And Dan had a bit of a soft spot for talent.