Chapter 18: Just Taking Two People? You Seriously Underestimate Me

“Zhou Lang, you can’t just ignore me—I still carry your child in my womb.” Placing Zhou Qi’s hand on her belly, Wang Xiuyun looked at him with pitiful eyes.

Feeling the heartbeat beneath his palm, he softened a little.

“Alright, you go home first. Tomorrow I’ll come to back you up.”

If it weren’t for the child, he wouldn’t care about Wang Xiuyun at all. But given the circumstances, he had no other choice.

“Thank you, Zhou Lang. I knew you were good to me.”

She stepped forward, hugging Zhou Qi and lightly kissing him near his mouth.

Zhou Qi, with a hint of disgust, pushed her hand away.

“Go back early. Don’t raise suspicion.”

“Mm.”

Wang Xiuyun didn’t notice his gesture; she happily returned home. With Zhou Qi’s protection, she believed Zhao Ang wouldn’t dare harm her.

“Sis, are we really not telling Father about this?”

Back home, Wang Chengfeng still felt uneasy.

Owing Zhao Ang so much silver, how could just the two of them ever repay it?

“What good would telling him do? Don’t worry, tomorrow Young Master Zhou will settle this for us.”

“Young Master Zhou? The legitimate grandson of the Duke of Dingguo, Zhou Qi?”

Upon confirmation, Wang Chengfeng’s eyes lit up instantly. The Duke of Dingguo was nearly as powerful as the Prince of Zhen Nan. With Zhou Qi backing them, he finally felt reassured.

“Alright, go to sleep now.”

Wang Xiuyun yawned after speaking. Since becoming pregnant, she had grown increasingly drowsy.

Hearing his sister’s words, Wang Chengfeng’s heavy heart finally eased.

The two of them slept soundly through the night, but Zhou Qi was so anxious at the Duke of Dingguo’s residence that he lost a few strands of hair.

“Master, if you ask me, why don’t we bring some guards tomorrow and just throw that Zhao Ang out?”

“As long as we don’t acknowledge the debt, what can Zhao Ang do to us?”

His attendant offered the suggestion, and after some thought, Zhou Qi had no better plan.

The next day, he arrived at the Minister’s residence with several guards.

“Zhou... Young Master, what’s wrong with your eyes?”

Seeing the dark circles under Zhou Qi’s eyes, Wang Xiuyun immediately expressed concern.

“Nothing. Where’s Zhao Ang?”

“He hasn’t come yet. Maybe he won’t show up!”

Wang Chengfeng stepped forward hopefully.

Zhao Ang had never made them repay the debt before; maybe yesterday was just a scare.

If he had to say, his sister also stubbornly stood up to Zhao Ang; perhaps if she appeased him a bit, Zhao Ang wouldn’t bother them.

What Wang Chengfeng didn’t know was that Wang Xiuyun had already begged Zhao Ang—such humiliating matters she wouldn’t share with him.

He still thought Wang Xiuyun was as stubborn as before, sacrificing herself for pride.

“Good, better if he doesn’t come.”

Zhou Qi sat in the main seat and had a servant pour him a cup of tea to revive himself.

“Master, the heir is here.”

Soon, the servant who had been sent to watch hurried in.

“How many people did he bring?”

Zhou Qi quickly put down his teacup.

“Only two,” the servant replied sheepishly, holding up two fingers. “An ugly woman and a blind old man!”

“Huh?”

Zhou Qi was puzzled and double-checked: “Are you sure it was only two?”

“I saw it with my own eyes. No lie.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qi laughed.

Heaven was truly on his side—Zhao Ang was so arrogant he only brought two people.

That meant he could easily manipulate them and snatch the IOU; the silver wouldn’t be repaid at all!

Wang Xiuyun also smiled faintly.

“A good-for-nothing is still a good-for-nothing; he doesn’t even know to bring more men when collecting debts.”

“Go, bring them in.”

Zhou Qi relaxed a bit in his seat as Zhao Ang entered the Minister’s residence.

Seeing Zhou Qi seated in the main position with Wang Xiuyun beside him, Zhao Ang could only lament the original owner’s blindness.

He hadn’t known whose child Wang Xiuyun was carrying, but now it was clear.

Such an obvious adulterer—anyone could guess the child belonged to Zhou Qi.

But that was none of his business. Shaking the IOU, Zhao Ang looked at Wang Xiuyun.

“Wang Xiuyun, pay back the money!”

“Pay back what? I don’t owe you anything!”

Wang Xiuyun straightened her neck defiantly, as she and Zhou Qi had agreed.

“Exactly. Zhao Ang, don’t think you can slander us just because you’re the heir. We won’t sign over your money.”

Wang Chengfeng joined in, more confident.

“If you don’t acknowledge the debt, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Zhao Ang didn’t expect them to repay willingly. He put away the IOU and looked at Liu Yu.

Rolling up her sleeves, Liu Yu strode decisively toward Zhou Qi and the others.

“Zhao Ang, are you out of your mind?”

“You bring only an ugly woman and a blind old man, thinking you can intimidate us?”

“Today, I’ll show you why the flowers bloom so red!”

With that, he kicked his chair aside and lunged at Zhao Ang.

The principle of “capture the leader first” was timeless.

But... what was this? How could someone just grab a grown man like that?

Indeed, before Zhou Qi could even move far, Liu Yu raised her hand.

She intercepted him midair and effortlessly lifted him up.

“You ugly woman! Put me down! Put me down now!”

Zhou Qi struggled desperately, like a fish on a chopping board, wriggling from side to side in a comical manner.

“Pfft.”

Zhao Ang couldn’t help but laugh. It was true: strength prevails over skill!

Liu Yu easily hoisted the martial artist up.

The blind old man nearby perked up to listen, while Wang Xiuyun grew anxious.

“What are you all standing there for? Go save your master!”

She scolded the attendants, who quickly sprang into action.

Liu Yu returned to Zhao Ang’s side, holding him with one hand and locking his throat with the other.

“Wait. If you move again, I’ll break his neck.”

Zhao Ang barked at the attendants, who immediately froze, exchanging nervous glances.

Liu Yu was straightforward; she tightened her grip slightly in tandem with Zhao Ang’s movements.

Zhou Qi’s face flushed bright red, his eyes rolling back—he was clearly struggling for breath.

“Liu Yu, ease up!”

Seeing this, Zhao Ang quickly shouted; Liu Yu was too harsh.

“Okay.”

Liu Yu loosened her grip a bit, though she hadn’t really been exerting much force.

“Cough… you… all step back!”

Gasping for the precious air, Zhou Qi yelled at them.

He was young and didn’t want to die!

“Yes, Master.”

The attendants retreated, though their eyes remained fixed on Liu Yu.

They feared she might crush Zhou Qi’s throat; if that happened, they were doomed!

“Zhao Ang, let Zhou Lang go!”

Seeing Zhou Qi in such distress, Wang Xiuyun’s eyes welled with tears.

She instinctively begged Zhao Ang, while Wang Chengfeng was stunned.

“What? Zhou Lang? Sis, aren’t you calling the wrong person?”

Seeing Wang Chengfeng’s reaction, Wang Xiuyun hadn’t told him about her relationship with Zhou Qi.

After all, such sordid matters were probably too embarrassing to share.