C11

"Xixue, it's terrible, something major has happened!"

As the sun set on the Soong household, Soong Qian frantically pounded on Soong Xixue's door, gasping for breath.

"What's wrong?"

After a moment, Soong Xixue emerged, her face etched with concern. She had spent the entire day preoccupied with Xiao Ming's family issues. Despite their agreement to a sham marriage, he was technically her husband, and they were her in-laws by name.

Moreover, even if they were strangers, could anyone stand by while an orphan and a widow were harassed?

If she had stood her ground from the start, things might have been simpler, but now...

Remembering Xiao Ming's naive vow to purchase the land within three days, not to mention the fortune he'd spent on those worthless peaches, Soong Xixue was seething with frustration.

How on earth did he ever get into college?

"What do you mean 'what else'? Your in-laws are in trouble, serious trouble..."

Soong Qian managed to say between breaths, his face a portrait of shock.

At his words, Soong Xixue's face turned pale.

Could it be that Wang Dabiao was causing problems again?

Or something had happened to Xiao Ming's mother?

The old lady's health was already failing, and this stress could be the last straw.

With no time to ask for details, she grabbed a jacket and dashed out the door.

Arriving at Xiao Ming's place, her heart lurched.

People were gathered around the front and back of the house, a sight usually reserved for weddings or funerals in the village.

But as Soong Xixue hastened to break through the crowd, she froze.

"Oh my, Auntie Tang, I always said your Ming was destined for great things. Look at all he's managed to acquire in just one day!"

"Indeed, he's a genuine university graduate. He couldn't possibly be dim-witted."

"Absolutely! And just look, he's brought home a brand new four-wheeler in a single day. We barely have a few in the whole village."

Surrounded by villagers, Tang Qing appeared overwhelmed yet beamed with pride.

A shiny new four-wheeler was parked at the doorstep, surrounded by a mountain of various household goods.

"Hey, Xiao family sister, where's your eldest nephew? He actually bought a whole truckload of peaches and came back with all this stuff."

"Ah, that's what Xiaoxiao told me, but I'm not too clear on the details," Tang Qing admitted with a touch of hesitation.

Just a short while ago, Chen Xiaoxiao had returned with a load of items in her newly purchased farm four-wheeler, catching Tang Qing completely off guard.

Wasn't she supposed to be out buying peaches? Why did she come back with so much more?

Chen Xiaoxiao explained that these purchases were made with the profits from the peach sales, and there was still plenty of money left over. She mentioned that she'd be able to settle up with Wang Dabiao in a few days. Xiao Ming had been delayed by some matters on the road but would be returning shortly.

Tang Qing was puzzled, but before he could delve deeper, the neighbors had already gathered around the house. Even those who usually kept to themselves were now heaping praise on Xiao Ming, affectionately calling him 'big sister.'

Though somewhat in the dark, Tang Qing had a general idea of what was happening and welcomed everyone with a warm smile.

"This is what you call a crisis?"

Elsewhere, in a deserted corner, Soong Xixue confronted Soong Qian, who had hurried over, her voice laced with irritation.

"Ah, isn't this a major issue? I told you, Xiao Ming is sharp-witted. The husband Dad picked for you isn't too shabby, is he?" Soong Qian replied, clearly pleased, "Go check on your mother-in-law, make sure she's not overexerting herself. And find out where Xiao Ming has gone..."

"You go if you're so concerned."

Soong Xixue cut him off sharply and stormed off, leaving Soong Qian standing there, bewildered.

"Women, truly enigmatic beings," he sighed.

Perched in a nearby tree, Xiao Ming watched Soong Xixue's departing figure, puzzled by her reaction.

Actually, Xiao Ming had returned with Chen Xiaoxiao, but he had anticipated the commotion at the house and chose to get off early to avoid the fuss. Naturally, he had another reason for doing so.

"Hopefully, I'm just being paranoid."

From his vantage point in the tree, Xiao Ming's gaze swept the area. It didn't take long for him to spot a shadowy figure stealthily making an exit—it was Wang Dabiao.

In town today, Elder Zhao had shelled out a hundred thousand yuan for a truckload of peaches. The sum was more than enough to clear the land debt, with a tidy sum to spare.

Yet, upon his return, Xiao Ming remained unaware of the transaction. He was certain that Wang Dabiao wouldn't back down without a fight.

Xiao Ming could brush it off, but with his mother still around and their future in the village, not to mention the unexpected addition of a wife and father-in-law, he couldn't afford to leave loose ends. The situation needed to be resolved in a way that would either win them over or ensure they harbored no ill will.

Contemplating his approach, Xiao Ming watched Wang Dabiao's retreating figure and murmured, "I hope you make the smart choice, for your sake. Don't test my patience."

Meanwhile, Soong Xixue stormed home, her mood as dark as the clouds before a storm. Soong Qian was a non-stop chatterbox, lavishing Xiao Ming with praise at every turn.

In a single day, a truck of peaches had been traded for a shiny new four-wheeler and a pile of goods. To Soong Qian, it was nothing short of miraculous.

Exasperated, Soong Xixue huffed, "Enough, Dad. Think about it. How could a truck of peaches fetch that much? He's definitely got something else up his sleeve."

"You may have a point," Soong Qian conceded, scratching his head. "But with the Xiao family's situation, no friends or relatives to speak of, how did he pull it off?"

"Who knows? For all we know, the police might be knocking on his door any minute," Soong Xixue retorted, her tone laced with irritation. Secretly, she was just as intrigued by the mystery, even considering the possibility of illegal dealings. But then she remembered Xiao Ming's frail condition – hardly the makings of a criminal mastermind.

"I've always said that son-in-law of ours has potential," Soong Qian dismissed the concerns, continuing, "No need for wild guesses. Just ask him when he gets back."

"He's none of my concern. If you're so curious, you ask him."

Their conversation ended as they arrived home, and Soong Xixue made a beeline for her room. In her eyes, the marriage was a sham; whatever Xiao Ming did was of no consequence to her.

As Soong Xixue closed the door behind her, she suddenly froze in place.

The table was laden with a variety of snacks and desserts, clearly purchased from the town, and at the center sat a peach, anchoring a card beneath it.

The sight of these items quelled the inexplicable rage that had been simmering within her.

After a brief pause, Soong Xixue picked up the card, her eyes brightening at the sight.

The calligraphy sprawled across the card was bold and carried an old-world elegance, strikingly beautiful. Yet, as her gaze fell upon the words written, her expression turned icy.

"I won't be back tonight. Don't wait for me."

"Don't wait for me? As if I would."

With a flick of her wrist, Soong Xixue scrunched the note into a ball and tossed it dismissively into the corner.