“No, if I lose the house, I’ll have nowhere to live. And although this house is small, it’s still worth several hundred taels. I only owe you ten taels; you can’t take my house!”
Cao Li was a little impatient. “When did I say I wanted your house? I just want you to mortgage it and use the money to repay me!”
He Daquan anxiously said, “No!”
He had also seen clearly that these wealthy people loved to go back on their word, and that they would certainly demand even more money from him later.
“No?” Cao Li said contemptuously, “I heard you bought this house after making a small fortune. Whether the source of that money is legitimate, you know in your heart. Before the gambling house closes tonight, send ten taels of silver to the gambling house; otherwise, tomorrow you will have to repay one hundred taels!”
After saying this, he had people take the things that were moved out.
One hundred taels!
Old Lady Chen’s eyes went black, and she was about to faint.
He Daquan quickly said, “Mother, you can’t faint! Ten taels of silver, it’s only ten taels! Help me think of a way!”
Judging by the gambling house’s appetite, tomorrow night, they would probably want his house.
Old Lady Chen’s breathing became rapid, her face full of despair. “How can I think of a way? I have no way! If they dare to come again, I will hang myself here!”
After saying this, she went back into the house.
Her jewelry, the work of a lifetime, was gone just like that.
How could she have given birth to such a spendthrift!
He Daquan had no way, so he closed the door and went in one direction to raise money.
Song Chuman took the opportunity to educate Song Chuhuai: “Brother, did you see? In the future, when you have money, don't gamble. Look at the He family; although it was self-inflicted, it’s also too tragic.”
Song Chuhuai nodded. “Older Sister, rest assured; I will listen to you.”
Song Chuman smiled in satisfaction. “Good.”
After saying this, she looked at He Xiaoshuang, seeing her lost in thought, she raised her eyebrows and asked, “Cousin, do you feel sorry for them?”
He Xiaoshuang shook her head. “No, I hate them. They deserve it. I was just thinking, Mother will certainly be very pleased to know about their encounter today.”
Song Chuman nodded. “They deserve it. I'm relieved that you think so.”
After a while, everyone finished their noodles. Song Chuman paid and prepared to leave.
Just as she got up, she saw a disheveled girl running towards her.
People were still following her, shouting:
“Stop, don’t run!”
“Whoever helps me catch my daughter, I will give them money.”
“My daughter wants to elope with a man, and we don’t agree, so she ran away from home. We finally found her.”
“Everyone, please help me stop her.”
…
For a time, more and more people followed the girl, mostly onlookers.
The girl was getting closer and closer to Song Chuman. Seeing that she could hide behind Song Chuman’s back basket, and her strength was almost exhausted, she didn’t think much and hid behind it.
However, she thought that those people behind her hadn’t discovered her; in fact, those people watched her hide and quickly came to stand opposite Song Chuman.
Song Chuman and her siblings were taken aback by this sight.
He Xiaoshuang saw the large formation opposite them and couldn't help but lean closer to Song Chuman, nervously saying, “Cousin, are… are we in big trouble?”
Song Chuman glanced at the person hiding behind the back basket. Seeing her face, she was stunned. This person's face… why does it feel so familiar?
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