Chapter 37 The End

Who doesn’t like gifts? And Ji Tangtang didn’t just give a gift—she spoke so politely and graciously, every sentence expressing gratitude, making him feel deeply respected. Dai Wanchun’s heart felt as if he’d eaten several spoonfuls of sugar; his face was creased with a smile.

“Miss, just leave your clothes here for now! I’ll finish the wedding outfits first, then help you alter these. Don’t worry—I, Uncle Dai, will make sure not to waste your fabric and will make your clothes look good while saving material.”

Looking at Ji Tangtang, he felt a pang of regret like one would for a young family member. She was beautiful, capable, and articulate—but her intended husband, though handsome, was disabled…

Ji Tangtang, unaware of his private regret, went along with his words. “Thank you, Uncle Dai. Could you estimate how much it will cost to alter these clothes?”

Dai Wanchun waved his hand. “Money isn’t urgent. We’ll discuss payment after the alterations. Your fabric is good—I’ll see if I can make use of the leftover scraps.”

Ji Tangtang remembered Liu Xuemei mentioning that he was an old tailor from before the Liberation, very skilled. That made her more eager to see how he would handle the clothes.

After leaving the tailor shop, Ji Tangtang glanced at her watch. It was almost noon, so she went to the state-run restaurant to pick up a few dishes and carried a bag of pastries to the police station.

Meanwhile, Fang Juan was anxiously waiting at the agreed-upon location for Zhou Qiang and the others. She had sneaked out today and needed to return quickly. They had agreed on a 50/50 split once the job was done… Even if Ji Tangtang bought a watch, she probably still had plenty of money. Getting ten or twenty units from her would still be a significant sum.

Her life at home was already difficult, and after yesterday’s events, her family disliked her even more. She had to think about herself. Biting her lip, she hurried toward the direction the men had left.

Finally, she saw Zhou Jie and Feng Bing returning. Excitement flashed in her eyes as she ran up to them. “Was it done?”

After returning home last night, she had been beaten again. She absolutely hated Ji Tangtang. If it weren’t for her, how could she have been beaten so badly? Thinking that Ji Tangtang had been violated by three men today, her heart raced with excitement.

She didn’t notice anything wrong with the two men. “How much money did you get in total?”

“Oh, right, she had a watch too. Forgot to tell you earlier. Did you get it? You can sell it on the black market; I can take a smaller cut later.”

“Fine,” Zhou Jie said, eyes burning with hatred. “Come with us.”

“Where? Can’t we just talk here?” Fang Juan finally felt a little off and instinctively tried to run. But before she could, Zhou Jie grabbed her.

“What are you doing?” Fang Juan screamed, trying to call for help, but Feng Bing stuffed a rag into her mouth, silencing her.

Zhou Jie dragged her, twisting and turning, until they reached a stone cave they often used. When they were young, they had heard elders say it was a place where ancient people “shed their skin” to rejuvenate. One had to stay inside for seven days and nights without eating or drinking. Survive, and one would become young again; fail, and one would die. They had been terrified as children and never dared go in.

Later, they realized the story was just a scare tactic. In reality, several families’ wives had used the cave to commit suicide with medicine. People believed the cave was cursed and dangerous, so they kept their children away. Growing up, Zhou Jie and the others were no longer afraid, and because it was secluded, the cave became their secret base.

Zhou Jie dragged Fang Juan to the deepest part of the cave, while Feng Bing fetched candles hidden there and lit them. Their commotion scared the cave’s mice into a frenzy. Fang Juan nearly fainted from fright, crying softly and pleading with her eyes.

Ignoring her pleas, Feng Bing slapped her twice. “Bitch, how dare you scheme against us?”

Fang Juan shook her head frantically, muffled sounds escaping. “That heroine is so powerful! You told us to rob her—wasn’t that sending us straight to hell?”

Feng Bing pulled off his belt, tying her hands and feet, then yanked the rag from her mouth. Fang Juan hurried to explain. “Big Brother, I really didn’t scheme against you! Please believe me! I don’t even understand what you’re talking about—what happened?”

“Bitch, you dare play innocent!” Feng Bing slapped her twice more. “That female demon kicked our big brother’s family jewels to waste—clearly a martial artist. And you, from the same village, didn’t know how strong she was? Didn’t know she practiced martial arts?”

Fang Juan’s head buzzed. She seemed to understand every word individually, yet couldn’t piece them together. What was he saying? Who kicked their leader’s family jewels? Ji Tangtang? Impossible!

“Stop pretending! If you dare scheme against us, you should’ve anticipated the consequences.” Zhou Jie kicked her a few times, still unsatisfied, and spat in her face.

“Now because of you, that female demon hates us. Tell us—what should we do to stop her from causing trouble?”

The stench made Fang Juan gag. She shook her head frantically. “Impossible! I grew up with her! I know her! She couldn’t have practiced martial arts!”

“Brother Qiang is still lying on the ground, life uncertain. You think we’re joking? If we don’t make the demon woman calm down, both of us will become eunuchs!”

Zhou Jie pulled down his pants and pressed against her face. “Either let us take our turn on you so the female demon vents her anger and leaves us alone, or think of a way to stop her from punishing us!”

Fang Juan struggled backward, panicking. “Don’t fall into her trap! This… this is her scheme to turn you against me. If you actually do anything to me, you’ll be doing exactly what she wants—she’ll report you afterward…”

“Even if she reports, I’m not becoming a eunuch,” Zhou Jie growled, refusing to relent.

…Meanwhile, the unconscious Zhou Qiang on the cave floor was finally discovered by passersby and sent to the hospital.