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The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(3)

 Chapter 3: Xiao Cheng is Back


Bai Lu weakly spoke, "He said he'll be home tonight."


Li Shuixian immediately stopped what she was doing.


Xiao Cheng's infamous reputation was known far and wide, and the mere mention of his name made everyone shiver.


Fear aside, the main thing was, with Xiao Cheng's return, she would have money flowing into her pocket again.


The money Xiao Cheng gave to Bai Lu for household expenses was far more than just twenty yuan; Li Shuixian couldn't afford to lose that.


Li Shuixian quickly resumed her smiling face. "Oh! Look at my memory, I almost forgot that you still have money with me. See if there's anything else you need, let's make up for it together."


Saying this, she even grabbed a large plastic bag to help pack the items.


This plastic bag had only become popular in the town last week and was considered quite valuable. Li Shuixian looked visibly pained.


Pretending not to notice, Bai Lu stuffed another bag of longevity buns and a few packs of seasoned melon seeds.


Li Shuixian's fake smile was becoming harder to maintain. She lifted the bag and said, "Lulu, the bag is full now, and we can't fit anything more. Come back tomorrow."


The rain outside had stopped.


Despite that, Bai Lu lingered, and Li Shuixian, impatient, pulled out an old umbrella from the corner and handed it to her.


Instead of taking it, Bai Lu seemed to recall something. She went back into the store, picked two of the newest and most expensive umbrellas, and then contentedly said to Li Shuixian, "Alright, you can give me the change now."


"Change? What change do you still need?" Li Shuixian's voice suddenly rose.


It was sharp enough to pierce eardrums, causing those who had planned to enter the store to turn away. Some lingered nearby, curious if this shop was a scam targeting a naive girl.


Trembling, Bai Lu, wearing a pitiful and helpless expression like a delicate flower, timidly said, "Xiao Cheng will be back tonight. If he sees the things in the bag adding up to less than 150 yuan, and I don't have money on me, he might come to settle the account. He had that idea last time."


Li Shuixian, struck where it hurt, turned crimson. Simultaneously, she felt a sense of dread.


When others settle accounts, it's one thing; when Xiao Cheng does it, it's like wrecking the store. No one dares to confront him.


To get so much from Li Shuixian, along with a hundred yuan, entirely depended on Xiao Cheng's notorious reputation.


As Bai Lu walked home carrying the goods, she remembered Li Shuixian bargaining and finally producing a hundred yuan. The look of cutting flesh with that money came to mind, making Bai Lu burst into laughter.


She felt a sense of relief.


Li Shuixian was too shrewd. To collect debts, you had to take it step by step.


The first battle went well, but the items were a bit too much and heavy. Her slender body lacked strength, and she became exhausted after walking a short distance. Bai Lu had to stop at the end of the alley, sitting on a small stone pillar by the roadside.


Might as well have a wife cake.


The wife cake had a crispy outer layer and a tender inner part, adorned with tiny white sesame seeds. Layers of flaky crust enclosed a sweet, honey-like softness.


Just as she was halfway through it, footsteps approached.


The bag placed beside the stone pillar disappeared.


When leaving, Bai Lu specifically asked for an extra bag because it was inconvenient to carry too much. The bag that got snatched contained all the snacks!


Moreover, with no pockets in her clothes, the hundred yuan was hidden in the wife cake's paper wrapper!


Bai Lu rushed out with a burst of anger.


The dark figure ahead quickly closed the distance.


A figure similar in height to Bai Lu but with limbs that were significantly thicker, possessing much better endurance. Holding the large bag, the person maintained a considerable speed.


Clearly well-nourished.


Perhaps not expecting Bai Lu to catch up, he looked back while running. The familiar face of a 14-year-old, filled with arrogance and provocation, was recognizable even when reduced to ashes.


The younger brother, five years her junior!


"Bai Chaojie, stop for me!"


Not only did Bai Chaojie not stop, he ran even faster. "You have money that you don't bring home for Li Shuixian. I'll go back and tell Mom and Dad, let them beat you to death!"


In a family that favored sons over daughters, from childhood to adulthood, Bai Lu was always neglected. White Chaojie enjoyed all the good things, be it in terms of food, clothing, or other needs. Whatever White Chaojie wanted, "Bai Lu" had to provide; whatever "Bai Lu" wanted, nobody cared.


Bai Chaojie's demands were considered reasonable, and reporting to their parents was a common occurrence. Their parents never distinguished between right and wrong; "Bai Lu" was often scolded, and such incidents were frequent.


"Leave the things behind," Bai Lu cared less about him reporting to their parents; she was only concerned about the hundred yuan.


"Keep running, and I'll make Xiao Cheng beat you up tonight!"


Even facing the threat of Xiao Cheng, Bai Chaojie wasn't afraid. He deliberately slowed down, waiting for Bai Lu to catch up before accelerating again, taunting her, "If you dare, let him come and beat me!"


The marriage between "Bai Lu" and Xiao Cheng was a scheme, with Xiao Cheng rarely coming home.


And he wouldn't stand up for Bai Lu.


Even Bai Chaojie understood this logic. How could Bai Lu not? But with her lack of regular physical activity, her burst of energy lasted only a minute. She couldn't run any longer.


She could only use bluff and bluster, continuing to threaten, "Xiao Cheng is my husband. If he doesn't help me, who will? If you don't return my things, I'll have him come and beat you tonight."


"I'm so scared~"


"Call him to beat me up!"


Bai Chaojie mocked and turned into a narrow alley.


Bai Lu, exhausted, stopped and pounded her legs, breathing heavily. Suddenly, a loud "bang" echoed.


A dark figure flew out of the alley, crashing into the wall. Accompanied by countless wall vibrations, it slid down like a dead dog, lying on the ground.


As if stepping on a dead dog, the man walked out of the shadow. His foot pressed down on the back of the fallen figure, slowly moving toward the back of the head. When he pressed down, the figure emitted a pig-like scream, pleading continuously. The foot, showing mercy, shifted to the wrist lying on the ground.


A forceful crush.


A crisp sound.


Bai Lu heard the sound of the wrist bone breaking, her scalp tingling. Unconsciously, she swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and her whole body shivered as if in shock.


Raising her eyes, she saw a face bathed in the faint golden glow of the setting sun, a cigarette tucked behind his ear. He lifted his head slightly, the smoke and face freezing in her direction.


Sharp and angular contours, a high nose bridge, thick eyebrows like swords, a cold and sharp set of features, handsome and three-dimensional. Even the plain hairstyle couldn't hide his extraordinary beauty. His deep eyes resembled an endless universe, reflecting fragments of cold light that captivated the soul.


His thin, vermilion lips were nonchalantly curved, with a touch of mocking smile.


He wore a black shirt with rolled-up sleeves, revealing well-defined muscles. Long and powerful legs were hidden beneath black pants.


A sturdy and robust physique, a soul that seemed untouchable, all enveloped in darkness.

   

  

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