Chapter 111: I Am the Fifth
Chapter 111: I Am the Fifth
The car drove to the western suburbs of Shanghai. It then arrived at the gate of a villa in a village. The villa was three stories high, had a European style, and boasted a front yard and a backyard. It looked grand and luxurious. On the third-floor open balcony stood two young men wearing white shirts. They were looking around vigilantly, giving off the vibe of bodyguards standing watch at a big shot’s home, just like in the movies.
Just as Mu Chuntao and Fan Rui’s car stopped at the gate, the gate opened. A young man on each side pushed the bright red doors. Behind the gate was another driveway. On both sides of the road, every few steps stood a young man wearing a white shirt and a tie. Each one stood straight and looked alert.
Mu Chuntao drove in first.
Tang Qing felt somewhat nervous and said, “Miss Mu, are these people… hired actors?”
Mu Chuntao smiled and said, “These are all greeters from Brother Fan’s restaurant. Brother Zian asked him to get some people to make a scene, and these greeters were perfect.”
“This is too much trouble. You’re helping like this, I really don’t know how to thank you.” Tang Qing felt genuinely uneasy inside.
“Don’t be polite. You helped Brother Zian raise Xiaomei for so long. He remembers your kindness, so it’s only right for him to do a little something for you,” Mu Chuntao said.
In the time it took to say these two sentences, the car reached the end of the courtyard. Ahead was a garage, but Mu Chuntao didn’t drive in. She stopped the car right in front of the garage and got out.
Fan Rui also stopped the Maybach S800.
Li Zian said, “This villa is my residence in Shanghai. I only stay here about one month a year. So, Auntie, please treat this place as your own home. If you come to Shanghai again in the future, feel free to stay here as long as you want.”
Tian Cuihua’s face lit up with a huge smile. “How could I impose like that? If Qingzi stays here, then I wouldn’t mind coming. But if Qingzi doesn’t stay here, how could I possibly come?”
This woman was actually a bit clever. Earlier in the car, she had asked Li Zian what his relationship with Tang Qing was, and Li Zian hadn’t answered. Now, by saying this, she was trying to fish for information from Li Zian.
Li Zian wanted her to speak up. He smiled and said, “Auntie, Tang Qing lives here. Why would you feel embarrassed to come stay? You could even say this is your home, no problem.”
“Oh my, this…” Tian Cuihua turned her gaze to Tang Qing.
Tang Qing’s face turned red, looking very shy.
Li Qiang couldn’t hold back any longer and said coldly, “Tang Qing is my wife. What do you mean by that?”
If it were about anything else, given the power “Brother Zian” had shown along the way, he could have swallowed his teeth even if they were broken and mixed with blood. But his wife, whom he spent 660,000 to get, was right in front of him getting flirtatious with this guy. He really couldn’t take it.
Li Zian just said lightly, “Let’s go inside to talk.”
He turned and walked into the villa.
Li Qiang hesitated for a moment, but then gritted his teeth and followed Li Zian into the villa.
“Brother Qiang.” Li Jun caught up with Li Qiang’s pace, tugged his arm, and lowered his voice. “This guy is really sneaky. I’m afraid he might have an ambush.”
“What’s there to be afraid of? Before I came, I told my buddy here that if I don’t return, he’ll definitely report it.” Li Qiang said, intentionally speaking very loudly.
Though they were both acting, the effect was worlds apart.
Li Zian just smiled and didn’t say anything.
Tang Qing followed Li Zian into the villa’s living room. Li Qiang, Li Jun, and Tian Cuihua also went in. Mu Chuntao and Fan Rui came in last. Before entering, Fan Rui turned back and instructed, “Everyone, stay sharp.”
“Yes!” The large group of greeters roared with vigor.
Inside the living room, Li Zian said, “Auntie, you two fellow villagers, please sit.”
Tian Cuihua sat in a single-seat sofa, but Li Qiang and Li Jun did not sit. They watched Li Zian warily and also scanned every corner of the living room, as if checking for any ambush.
Li Zian ignored the two Li brothers. He sat on the sofa and said another sentence, “Qingzi, go make some tea.”
“Mm.” Tang Qing went.
She didn’t know where the water dispenser and tea leaves were, but since Li Zian told her to make tea, she had to go find them herself.
Fan Rui followed her; he knew where they were.
Mu Chuntao sat down beside Li Zian, very close to him.
Li Zian said, “This fellow villager, what did you ask me just now?”
Li Qiang suppressed the anger in his heart. “Qingzi is my wife. I’m asking you, what is your relationship with Qingzi?”
Li Zian smiled. “You say Qingzi is your wife. Do you have a marriage certificate?”
“I came this time to take her back to get the marriage certificate. But you, what is your relationship with her?” Li Qiang’s patience had reached its limit. If they were in his hometown, he would probably have grabbed a knife to attack someone.
Li Zian said faintly, “She is my woman.”
“What did you say?” Li Qiang’s emotions instantly exploded. “Say that again!”
Li Zian chuckled. “Was what I said unclear, or are you hard of hearing?”
“You!” Li Qiang clenched his fist.
Mu Chuntao raised both hands and clapped twice.
A large group of young men in white shirts rushed in from the door. Some held golf clubs, some held baseball bats, some held kitchen knives, some held watermelon knives—full of Korean drama gang style.
“Brother, calm down, calm down.” Li Jun quickly grabbed Li Qiang’s arm.
Actually, Li Jun didn’t need to persuade him; Li Qiang had already calmed down on his own, and his fist relaxed.
Though being publicly cuckolded was a huge humiliation, it was better than getting cut by a knife, right?
“Mom, what should we do about this?” Li Qiang didn’t dare vent his anger at Li Zian, but handling Tian Cuihua was no problem for him.
“I…” Tian Cuihua also didn’t know what to do. Before coming, how could she have expected such a situation?
At that moment, Tang Qing came over with three cups of brewed tea. She placed one cup in front of Li Zian, then placed one each in front of Mu Chuntao and Tian Cuihua. Only Li Qiang and Li Jun had no tea.
After placing the tea, she stood beside the sofa. Although she tried hard to remain calm, she still looked a bit nervous.
Li Zian reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the sofa. At the same time, he said, “Sit beside me.”
“Oh.” Tang Qing responded blankly and sat beside Li Zian. As she sat down, Li Zian let go of her hand, then moved his arm over her shoulder and wrapped it around her fragrant shoulder.
This wasn’t in the script either. Her shoulder stiffened slightly, and a blush spread across her cheeks.
Li Zian didn’t notice these details. His gaze remained fixed on Li Qiang.
You say Tang Qing is your wife? Now I’m putting my arm around your wife’s shoulder right in front of you. What are you going to do about it?
Li Qiang’s lungs were about to explode from anger.
“Brother, calm down, calm down.” Li Jun kept reminding him from the side.
Li Qiang took a deep breath. After suppressing his anger, he spoke to Tang Qing in a sinister tone, “Qingzi, what do you mean by this?”
Tang Qing said, “I should be asking you what you mean. When did I ever agree to marry you?”
Li Qiang said angrily, “Since ancient times, marriage matters have been decided by parents. Your mother accepted my 660,000 bride price, so you have to come back with me to get married!”
Tang Qing looked at Tian Cuihua. “Mom, why didn’t you even ask me before deciding I should marry him? You clearly know what kind of person he is, and I don’t like him at all. How is what you’re doing any different from selling your daughter?”
Tian Cuihua’s eyes shifted, feeling guilty inside. But in a blink, she became forceful again. “I raised you. Was it easy raising you to be this big? When you were in college, your dad and I worked day and night to find jobs, just to scrape together your tuition. Now your wings have hardened, you can earn money, and you’re going to ignore me and your dad?”
After speaking, she even lifted the back of her hand to wipe the corner of her eye, but there were no tears at all.
On Tang Qing’s side, she was almost crying, her eyes glistening with tears. “You should speak with a conscience. Haven’t I taken care of you? More than half of the money I earned was sent back to you. When my brother got into trouble, that money was also borrowed by me. All these years, I haven’t even bought myself one decent piece of clothing. How can you say I haven’t taken care of you?”
Tian Cuihua’s lips moved rapidly. “That little bit of money isn’t enough. How much does it cost for your brother to go to high school? He’s about to take the college entrance exam, and that will cost another huge sum. He’s a boy; in a few years he’ll need to get married, and how much will that cost? Since you can help the family, you must help! What’s wrong with Qiangzi? He’s offering 660,000 as bride price!”
Tang Qing was about to say something more, but Li Zian pressed her shoulder, so she closed her mouth again.
Li Zian lifted his hand. His other hand, however, rose again and rested on Mu Chuntao’s fragrant shoulder.
Mu Chuntao’s reaction was much more natural than Tang Qing’s. A smile even appeared on her face.
She knew that when Li Zian held Tang Qing, it was fake, but holding her was real.
Tian Cuihua was dumbfounded. Didn’t he say Qingzi was his woman? Why was he holding another woman right in front of her, his mother-in-law?
Li Qiang was also confused and couldn’t understand what was happening.
Li Zian said calmly, “After all that talk, it’s just about the 660,000 bride price money. Butler Fan.”
“Coming.” Fan Rui quickly walked over carrying a large plastic bag. He placed the bag on the coffee table and then retreated behind the sofa.
The plastic bag was transparent, and at a glance, one could see stacks of banknotes tied with paper bands.
“This… what does this mean?” Tian Cuihua smiled, stood up, and reached for the plastic bag.
Li Zian lifted one foot and placed it on the plastic bag. With his other hand, he lifted his arm again and wrapped it around Tang Qing’s shoulder. With his left and right arms embracing women, he looked very pleased.
Tian Cuihua gave an awkward laugh. “It’s not for me? Then who is it for?”
Li Zian said, “I have many women. Your daughter is my woman kept outside. What number were you again?”
He deliberately turned his face to look at Tang Qing as he asked.
Tang Qing’s face reddened, looking very shy. “The fifth.”
Mu Chuntao said a line, “I am the second.”
This line was her own addition; it counted as stealing the scene.
Li Zian released the two women’s fragrant shoulders and stood up. He said coldly, “Li Qiang, right? Here is 660,000. Take it. It’s all yours, not a cent less. Qingzi is my woman. If you dare bother her again, I’ll feed you to the sharks.”
Li Qiang’s lips moved, but the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of the large group of gang-style young men standing just inside the door. Any thought of saying something tough to save a little face sank like a stone.
A wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are against him. Especially when there were so many “wise men” on the other side.