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Chapter Seventy-Six: Did Zhang Qiu Also Go to the Red-Light District?
"Damn it, you're messing with me!" Big Gold Chain felt humiliated upon hearing Zhang Qiu's words, and a surge of anger rose uncontrollably within him.
"Then let's fight again," Zhang Qiu retorted without backing down. Anyone who came to this street for solicitation probably wasn't someone formidable.
Big Gold Chain snorted coldly but hesitated. This young man looked ordinary, yet his strength seemed even greater than his own. Where did this person come from? It was unfortunate that he had lost all his money today and had to come to such a place to relieve his needs. Yet even soliciting was going poorly; not only had he encountered a prostitute who refused to take clients, but he also faced this kid who made him lose face.
Being provoked like this, if a fight broke out, he would likely be at a disadvantage. Calling someone over would be disgraceful; coming to such a shabby place for solicitation and then being forced to call for help by a kid would be even more humiliating than getting beaten up.
Zhang Qiu stared intently at Big Gold Chain, who returned the glare. Just as it seemed they were about to fight again, a Black Stocking Woman rushed between them, pulling Zhang Qiu aside and whispering, "Listen to me, don't fight. I'll handle this." After saying that, she leaned close to Big Gold Chain and flirtatiously said, "How about we go next door instead?"
Her words provided an escape for Big Gold Chain. He looked at her with obvious reluctance and waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it, I’m not in the mood anymore." He didn’t forget to throw a warning at Zhang Qiu: "I'll let you off this time; don’t be too arrogant, young man." With that, he turned and left in a hurry.
"Is there really such a thing?" Zhang Qiu watched as Big Gold Chain walked away without leaving him a chance to respond, marveling at how peculiar it all was.
"Just let it go," the Black Stocking Woman advised as she approached. "This is how people in our line of work are."
Zhang Qiu nodded. It was nothing; anger was just temporary, and once Big Gold Chain left, his irritation faded as well.
Liu Xinru cried as she rushed into the Black Stocking Woman's embrace. "Sister, please don’t do this anymore! I’ve grown up; I can earn money and take care of myself—and I can take care of you too."
"Silly child, don’t worry about me," the Black Stocking Woman said with a happy smile, radiating maternal warmth in the sunlight.
Liu Xinru shouted, "Sister!"
The Black Stocking Woman covered Liu Xinru's mouth with her hand, gently shaking her head before turning to get some tea leaves for Zhang Qiu.
"Here, take this bag of tea and hurry home to sleep," the Black Stocking Woman said, stuffing a plastic bag into Zhang Qiu's hands. Zhang Qiu no longer hesitated and quickly thanked her.
Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue walked out of the house, while the Black Stocking Woman and Liu Xinru accompanied them to the roadside, watching them leave before returning. The Black Stocking Woman sighed and asked, "Sister, do you really like that boy?"
"Yes, sister, I like him."
"But he has someone he loves."
"Still, I like him. I've never met a boy like him before."
"Are you sure this isn't just curiosity?"
"No, I believe it's not."
"…"
"Sister, I'm certain he's the one."
"Alright, I understand." The Black Stocking Woman sighed; her sister had grown up. She would let her do as she wished. She just hoped that her silly sister wouldn't get hurt too badly.
On the way back, Zhang Qiu asked Jiang Xue, "Xue'er, why were you willing to go in for a while?" Zhang Qiu had been curious since Jiang Xue agreed to enter, and now she finally had the chance to ask.
Jiang Xue smiled proudly and replied, "Because I wanted to see what they were really up to and whether that girl named Liu Xinru likes you. It seems she does; aren't you happy?"
"No, no."
"Tch, then why are you staring at her?" Jiang Xue said, lowering her head to look at her own chest. Liu Xinru's was indeed larger than hers.
Zhang Qiu grabbed Jiang Xue's hand and leaned in with a smile, "I like you." Then she reached out her hand.
Jiang Xue jumped back in fright and scolded, "Didn't the doctor tell you not to do that!"
Zhang Qiu looked at Jiang Xue innocently, "I didn't mean that. What are you thinking, pervert?"
"You!" Jiang Xue pouted in anger and grabbed Zhang Qiu's waist, ready to pinch her. Zhang Qiu pulled Jiang Xue into her embrace and laughed, "No more teasing. Let's go home. Are you tired?"
Jiang Xue nodded and asked, "What about you?"
Zhang Qiu replied, "I'm tired too."
"Then let's hurry up and go."
"Okay." Zhang Qiu took Jiang Xue's hand and walked forward. As they walked, Jiang Xue said, "That pair of sisters seems quite pitiful, huh?"
"What? Overflowing with sympathy now?"
Jiang Xue turned her head to look into Zhang Qiu's eyes and asked, "Don't you think so?"
"I think they're pitiful too, but there's nothing I can do. There are too many people suffering in this world."
Jiang Xue lowered her head and said, "If only there were a way for people to live freely according to their own wishes."
"There will be such a way. Before that comes, I will do my best to help you live freely," Zhang Qiu replied.
Jiang Xue said nothing and gently kissed Zhang Qiu's hand.
Zhang Qiu gazed into the distance, where only a few particularly bright stars could be seen, and a full moon wandered through the sea of clouds, its light somewhat bleak. Standing at the doorstep, Zhang Qiu suddenly stopped. Jiang Xue looked at Zhang Qiu and asked, "Why don't you come in?"
Zhang Qiu pointed to the bandage on her head and smiled wryly, "Look at my injury; I’m afraid it will scare them." She recalled how her mother fainted when she was hurt last time.
"Then I'll go in first to check if Uncle and Aunt are asleep."
"Okay."
Jiang Xue gently pushed open the door and cautiously entered the yard. Turning back to Zhang Qiu, she said, "Come in; Uncle and Aunt have their lights off, so they should be asleep."
Zhang Qiu felt a weight lift from her heart and quietly stepped into the yard. She turned back to lock the door and entered the house with Jiang Xue. She sighed, "It feels like sneaking into my own home."
Jiang Xue turned around and threw herself onto Zhang Qiu, playfully scolding, "You need to be more careful in the future. Do you know how much I worry about you?"
"I will be careful. This time it was because they bullied you. I acted impulsively and let my guard down..." Zhang Qiu glanced at her reflection in the mirror, where her head was wrapped in bandages, and couldn't finish her sentence.
"Why are you so good to me?" Jiang Xue buried her face in Zhang Qiu's embrace, tears welling up in her eyes.
Zhang Qiu comforted her, "Alright, alright. You stab people for me, and I get my head broken for you. Together we make quite the pair."
"Ha!" Zhang Qiu's words made the tearful Jiang Xue laugh. Jiang Xue wiped her eyes, held Zhang Qiu's face, and said seriously, "Really, no matter what happens in the future, just keep this in mind."
Zhang Qiu nodded and replied, "I promise you."
In another room, Zhang Zhi Hua said to the woman lying beside him, "The kids have gone inside."
He Mei smiled and said, "They came back quite early."
"Of course, they still have school tomorrow, so they must be early."
"Fortunately, we turned off the lights early too. If they knew we weren't asleep, it would be so awkward for them."
"You think too much."
...
In Beilan County's Blue Rose Entertainment City, the lobby on the first floor was bustling with people, with young and beautiful girls coming in and out. Under the flashing neon lights, people swayed to the heavy music rhythm, their bodies intertwining. In an office on the second floor, there was no sound of the commotion outside. A strong man sat on the sofa, smoking a Chinese cigarette and exhaling clouds of smoke. He squinted his eyes as a burly man with a buzz cut stood nervously in front of him.
"Brother Tiger, you called for me. What’s up?"
The man known as Brother Tiger blew out a smoke ring and said, "Mao Tong, can you change your gambling habits? I heard you've lost almost all the money you earned today?"
"Yes." The stout Mao Tong felt like a chicken standing in front of an eagle, wanting to shrink into a ball.
"Let's put that aside for now. I need you to handle something."
"Brother Tiger, what's going on?" Mao Tong looked up at Brother Tiger.
"I'm looking into someone."
Mao Tong's face fell as he looked at Brother Tiger. "Looking into someone? Brother Tiger, if you don't even know the person, how can I find out anything? Don't worry, I'll definitely work on my bad habits from now on, just don't make it hard for me."
Brother Tiger shot a fierce glare at Mao Tong. "I'm not making it hard for you; I'm helping you!"
Mao Tong remained silent, staring at Brother Tiger. Brother Tiger slowly continued, "The person I want you to look into is a student. I can't go investigate personally. If you handle this well, you'll be rewarded."
"Thank you, Brother Tiger. I'll do it." With such an easy job that pays, it would be foolish not to take it. Besides, who would dare disobey Brother Tiger's orders?
Brother Tiger stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray with force and twisted it a few times. He then handed over a piece of paper from the table and said, "This is the person."
Mao Tong took the A4 paper and was instantly stunned; it clearly stated 'Beiluan County First High School Senior Year Eighteen Classes, Zhang Qiu.' The scene from that night flashed in Mao Tong's mind. "Who exactly are you?" "Beilan County First High School Senior Year Eighteen Classes, Zhang Qiu."
"What kind of expression is that?" Brother Tiger, being an experienced veteran, immediately noticed something unusual about Mao Tong.
"Brother Tiger, I... I've seen this person before." Mao Tong instinctively wanted to hide this fact but realized it was better not to conceal it; if Brother Tiger wanted to know, he would find out anyway.
"Oh?" Brother Tiger became interested. "What happened?"
"Brother Tiger, I ran into him tonight and almost got into a fight. This person is..." Mao Tong had a vague feeling that this Zhang Qiu was definitely not as simple as he thought. Someone who could attract Brother Tiger's attention couldn't possibly be an ordinary high school student.
"First tell me what happened, where did you run into him, and why did you almost fight?" Brother Tiger didn't reveal who Zhang Qiu was but instead bombarded Mao Tong with a series of questions.
"I, I met him at the Old County Hospital in the South," Mao Tong said, feeling guilty. He didn't want anyone to know he had been to such a low-class place, but he couldn't hide it any longer.
As soon as Mao Tong spoke, Brother Tiger's expression darkened. He snorted coldly and said, "You went to Sister Hua's Red-Light District?"
"Yes." Mao Tong looked anxiously at Brother Tiger, rubbing his hands nervously against the hem of his shirt.
"You ran out of money gambling and went to that kind of place, right?"
"Yes."
"Shameful!" Brother Tiger picked up the ashtray and threw it at Mao Tong. Mao Tong didn't dare to dodge and took the hit directly.
After venting his anger, Brother Tiger leaned back on the sofa, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "So according to you, Zhang Qiu also went to the Red-Light District?"
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