Wen Qiu wiped away her tears, coughed a few times, and said weakly, "Tomorrow, take this money back to Meilin."
Hearing this, Tu Xiaoyue grew anxious. "Mom, even if his death isn't entirely her fault, she still bears some responsibility. Since she sent the money, why should we give it back?"
It wasn't that she was greedy for the money. It was just that the family was in a difficult situation now. Her mother's illness was getting worse, and they needed money for treatment.
"Yue'Er, our family may not be scholars, but we have our integrity. How can we just take one hundred thousand from someone for no reason? We can't accept this money."
Wen Qiu shook her head, her attitude firm. Although she was a woman from the countryside, she was clear about who to thank and who to blame.
"I know, Mom."
Tu Xiaoyue pouted as she replied. In truth, she didn't want the money either, but circumstances had forced her hand.
But with her mother's firm stance, she couldn't argue, lest she make her angry.
DING...
Mother and daughter ate the rest of their meal in silence, each lost in thought. Suddenly, Tu Xiaoyue's phone chimed with a new message.
She glanced at it, then fell into deep thought, as if making a decision. After another look at Wen Qiu, she stood up. "Mom, I have to take care of something. I'll be right back."
"Yue'Er, finish your food first. What's so urgent?"
"It's nothing. I won't be long."
Tu Xiaoyue bolted out the door and ran off in a specific direction.
'Where's Sis rushing off to in such a hurry?'
Hiding in the shadows, Tu Xiao'an was puzzled. After a moment's thought, he quietly tailed her.
Evening had passed. Outside, the streets were illuminated by rows of streetlights.
Beneath a streetlight, a man and a woman stood talking. A venomous Silver White Snake silently slithered closer. The light illuminated the snake's markings, making them look magnificent.
'Why did Sis rush out here just to meet some guy?' Tu Xiao'an thought to himself. 'Could it be she has a crush?'
When Tu Xiao'an got a clear look at the man under the streetlight, his expression changed abruptly. 'Lei Ao?'
Then, he grew puzzled. 'Why would Sis meet with someone like Lei Ao?'
They were all from the same area; everyone knew everyone. This Lei Ao was what you'd call a local tyrant in Bai Town. He had some influence, ran a casino, and was a loan shark. Most people didn't dare to cross him.
'A loan shark?' The realization struck Tu Xiao'an. 'Is Sis trying to borrow money from Lei Ao?'
The two were talking, and every last word of their conversation reached Tu Xiao'an's ears.
"Xiaoyue, my dear, you're finally here. You really kept your big brother waiting." Lei Ao's eyes were fixed on Tu Xiaoyue, as if they were steel nails that couldn't be pulled out.
His eyes swept her up and down, a faint glint in them.
"Sorry, Brother Lei. I was eating, so I'm a little late," Tu Xiaoyue replied, her expression a bit unnatural.
Lei Ao laughed. "Xiaoyue, my dear, a girl really changes by the time she's eighteen. You've gotten more and more radiant."
Tu Xiaoyue was four years older than Tu Xiao'an, making her just twenty-two this year—the prime of her youth. Although the Tu Family wasn't well-off, they were blessed with good genes. Both son and daughter were exceptionally good-looking.
While Tu Xiaoyue wasn't what you'd call a great beauty, she had delicate features and the kind of face that grows on you.
"Brother Lei, you said before that if I borrowed money from you, there'd be no interest?"
She asked nervously.
Lei Ao said with a grin, "If other people borrow from me, of course there's interest. But when you, my dear Xiaoyue, borrow from your big brother, what's the need for interest? We're practically family. Of course I have to look out for you."
As he spoke, Lei Ao took a step forward, reaching out a hand to place on Tu Xiaoyue's shoulder.
Tu Xiaoyue's expression flickered, and she quickly took a step back. "Brother Lei, since I'm borrowing from you, I'll definitely pay interest. I was just wondering if the rate could be a little lower."
She knew Lei Ao was a loan shark with exorbitant interest rates. But she needed money for her mother's treatment now, and for the life of her, she couldn't think of any other way to get it. Her only option was to take the desperate risk of borrowing from a loan shark.
"Xiaoyue, my dear, what are you saying? Your big brother said no interest, so there's no interest. Why be so formal with me?"
Lei Ao took another step as he spoke, moving even closer, his expression lecherous.
His actions made Tu Xiaoyue's heart race with anxiety. Lei Ao had a bad reputation; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a local thug. If she hadn't been completely out of options, she would never have associated with someone like him.
This was like playing with fire.
"No, I have to pay interest. Otherwise, I think I'll just forget it. I need to think about whether I should even borrow the money."
No matter how naive Tu Xiaoyue was, she could see Lei Ao had bad intentions. Timidly, she chose to give up.
"My dear, if you need the money, what's there to think about? If you want to pay interest, your big brother is happy to take it. You can just calculate it however you see fit."
Lei Ao saw she was getting wary and immediately put on the facade of a kind-hearted man. "My dear, the only reason I said no interest is because I know things are tough for you right now. Your brother just passed away, and your mother at home isn't well—and everything costs money. We're all locals here, neighbors. If I can help, I'll help. I don't mean anything else by it."
"You're not afraid I'm trying to set a trap for you, are you?"
Lei Ao's attitude suddenly became incredibly sincere.
Hearing this, Tu Xiaoyue bit her lip. At this point, she had no other choice but to borrow money. "I only need to borrow fifty thousand. I promise I'll pay you back as soon as I can."
"No problem, no problem. Pay it back whenever you have the money, my dear."
A cunning glint flashed in Lei Ao's eyes. 'She took the bait.'
"Then, Brother Lei, when can you give me the money? I can write you an IOU."
Lei Ao said, "Right now."
"Really?" Tu Xiaoyue's eyes lit up. If so, she could take her mother to a major hospital for treatment tomorrow.
Once her mom was better, she could go back to work without worrying.
"But if you want the money tonight, my dear, you'll have to come home with me to get it," Lei Ao said casually. "It's late. It's not like I'd be carrying that much cash on me, right?"
Hearing this, Tu Xiaoyue froze. The skin on her face seemed to tighten, and her lips pressed into a thin line.
"What's wrong, my dear? Don't you trust me?" Lei Ao asked, his brow furrowing.
After all, Tu Xiaoyue was the one asking for a favor. She quickly shook her head. "No, no."
"Then come with me."
With that, Lei Ao turned and began to lead the way, a greedy smirk flashing across his lips.
Over the years, Lei Ao had used his loan-sharking tactics to trick countless decent women. This routine never failed.
Tu Xiaoyue followed nervously behind Lei Ao, her heart hanging in suspense. 'We're all locals, after all,' she thought. 'He probably won't try anything funny.'
Just then, a Silver White Snake slithered out from the shadows. It raised its head, its cold Snake Pupils fixed on Lei Ao as it watched the man and woman up ahead.
'That bastard Lei Ao. To think he'd dare to target my—Tu Xiao'an's—sister. Does he really think the Tu Family is a pushover?'
'It looks like Sis was truly desperate to borrow money from someone like him. Isn't that like a lamb walking into a tiger's den?'
'That was close, so close. It's a good thing I thought something was off and decided to follow her.'
'Lei Ao, you'd better behave yourself. Otherwise, you're just asking to die.'