That was exactly what Qian Dayong was thinking; he really didn't want to pay that amount.

However, being a man, he was too proud to say it out loud.

Cui Ruhua became his mouthpiece, saying, "Why should we pay for a few lousy books?"

This woman's repeated disdain for these books made Fu Man'er unhappy.

"If you don't pay for the book you damaged, who will?"

"Hurry up and give me the money, or else, should I report to the authorities or go to the garrison to ask this deputy commander for the money?"

Either of these methods would have been a complete humiliation for Qian Dayong.

No, I can't waste this money.

“This…” He hesitated for a moment, not knowing the woman’s name, “This is the boss.”

“We didn’t bring that much silver with us. How about this, we’ll go back and get the money for you.”

"Really?" Fu Man'er was a little skeptical.

"Of course it's true. We didn't know it was so expensive here, so we didn't have that much money on us."

“Our family lives in town too. We’ll go back and get the money for you. It won’t take long.”

Qian Dayong spoke these words with utmost sincerity, his face practically screaming "Trust me!"

"Give me a damn thing, I won't give you any."

"Qian Dayong, you've got some nerve, daring to give away my money."

Although Qian Dayong's position as deputy commander was a minor official post, his salary was not high, so he was not worried about food and drink.

The wealthy family was Cui Ruhua's maternal family; their money, including Qian Dayong's salary, was all controlled by Cui Ruhua.

"Ru Hua!" Qian Dayong growled impatiently, giving Cui Ru Hua a look that seemed to convey his meaning.

But the thought of giving away that money made Cui Ruhua's heart ache, and she didn't pay any attention to such things.

"I don't care, you're not allowed to give this money away, or I'll never forgive you."

With her hands on her hips, Cui Ruhua was about to start arguing with Qian Dayong again.

Qian Dayong was too lazy to waste words with her and turned to Fu Man'er.

"We'll go back and get the money now, we'll be right back." With that, he pulled Cui Ruhua and started to walk outside.

With just one look from Fu Man'er, the shopkeeper and his assistant stepped in front of them.

Do you think I'm stupid, or do you think you're stupid?

Fu Man'er walked slowly towards them with her hands behind her back.

"You can take the money, but leave one person behind."

The girl said this last sentence sternly, adding that the customers of their Fu Kee restaurant were all scholars or young ladies from wealthy families.

Basically, there are no troublemakers like this, but there are quite a few in the Xu family's restaurant.

Having seen so much of this, Fu Man'er became wary.

It seems the woman manages the money in this couple, so...

“This lady seems to be visiting our Fu Kee for the first time, so how about this?”

"Madam, you can stay at our Fu Ji and take your time. As for this... this deputy commander, you can go home and get the money."

Qian Dayong's face darkened upon hearing this. "You little brat, you don't trust us?"

"Tch." Fu Man'er chuckled, looking at Qian Dayong as if he were a fool.

Why should I believe you?

It's ridiculous. In broad daylight, this man is starting to talk nonsense.

"You!" Qian Dayong didn't know what to say, and was both angry and ashamed.

He wanted to renege on the debt, but Fu Man'er's public remark made him feel very embarrassed.

"Please."

Fu Man'er gestured for him to enter and then gave instructions to the waiter beside her.

"Have our friends on the street help follow the deputy commander. If he takes the money and can't find our Fu Kee, that would be terrible."

That last sentence was deliberately said to Qian Dayong, his eyes blatantly filled with mockery.

"Pah! I'm leaving! You dare try to stop me?"

Cui Ruhua refused to believe it. In Lan Town, in front of Qian Dayong, was there anyone who could stop her?

She really did run into him today. Cui Ruhua had just taken a step when she saw a figure flash past her.

She immediately felt a chill on her neck, and then she was completely paralyzed.

Qian Dayong has some rudimentary skills; Fu Man'er's movements were so fast that he almost couldn't see them clearly.

"What's the rush, madam? Since you're already here at my shady inn, just stay here for a while."

"By the way, Deputy Commander, take some extra money home with you, in case your wife is happy later."

"You're tearing up this book and ripping that book again. If you say you're going home to get money again, I won't allow it."

Fu Man'er smiled at Qian Dayong, her smile sweet and charming, but her words were frightening.

He didn't know where to get the 450 or 460 taels of silver, and if he damaged the book, that would be terrible.

Qian Dayong is a man who cares about his reputation, but he is also a man who knows how to adapt to changing circumstances.

He knew that with his skills, he was no match for the girl in front of him, and that if things got out of hand, it wouldn't be good for him.

He'll just have to accept this loss. He's still the deputy commander of Lan Town, so he has plenty of ways to make things difficult for Fu Ji.

"Young lady, you're still young. If you're so unforgiving, you'll suffer a great loss in the future."

"Don't forget, I am the official, and you are the commoner."

Before leaving, he still said one last thing, hoping that the girl would come to her senses in time and that he would forgive her for what she had done.

Fu Man'er suddenly burst out laughing, her silvery voice echoing in Qian Dayong's ears as if she had told a joke.

"I know, I know, you're an official, a high-ranking one."

"So, sir, may I ask if you may go back and collect your money now?"

"The shop is about to close. If you delay our closing time, we'll have to pay the staff extra wages."

Qian Dayong had never seen such a foolish person before, and he angrily turned and left.

One day, he will make this little girl regret what she did today.

"Someone, bring a stool for the lady. Let her wait here for the deputy commander to return."

He had only taken two steps when he heard Fu Man'er's voice, and Qian Dayong immediately turned back.

"Hey, why are you back again?" Fu Man'er had just turned her head when she saw Qian Dayong walking over with a dark and serious face.

Qian Dayong didn't want to see her anymore and walked straight towards Cui Ruhua.

He almost forgot that he didn't know where the family's money was kept.

I haven't told Cui Ruhua yet that she absolutely must not touch the books here.

A single action could cost anywhere from tens to hundreds of taels of silver, which they couldn't afford.

Qian Dayong left after a while, his face looking even uglier as he left.

Cui Ruhua is a truly vicious woman; so many people were scratching and clawing at him.

If I hadn't dodged quickly, those two scratch marks on my neck might be on my face now.

Feeling ashamed, he walked out with his head down.

But when I passed by Fu Man'er, I could still feel that girl's ambiguous smile in her eyes.

In all honesty, Fu Man'er was just curious when Cui Ruhua was waving her Nine Yin White Bone Claw around.

Qian Dayong dodged left and right, as if he could predict where Cui Ruhua's hand would go every time.

Only the last stroke was when Cui Ruhua forcibly dragged him up and scratched him.

They said this man wasn't very good at martial arts, but it turns out he's actually quite skilled.

Little did Fu Man'er know that this matter required practice to master.

Qian Dayong drove away as soon as he left Fu Ji. After driving for a while, he remembered that Fu Man'er had told him to have his friends on the street follow him.

A friend on the street? Who is he?

Qian Dayong peered behind the carriage but didn't see anyone following him.

Could it be that the girl was just trying to scare him, and that no one was actually with him?

Since that's the case, he walked slowly, partly because he was still angry, and partly because he wanted Cui Ruhua to wait for him.

Unfortunately, he soon discovered that it wasn't that no one was following him, but rather that the people following him were unexpected.

The friends Fu Man'er mentioned on the street turned out to be groups of 35 beggars.

As soon as he slowed down, someone would come up to remind him. When he got home, all of these people simply waited for him at the door.

The neighbors kept asking him what was going on with these people.

Unable to explain further, Qian Dayong had no choice but to give up his dawdling and head to Fu Ji's place after finding the money.

When he got off the carriage, he looked around carefully, and the beggars suddenly disappeared, as if they had never been there at all.

Only after the shopkeeper had counted the money did Fu Man'er release Cui Ruhua.

Cui Ruhua was filled with resentment. Qian Dayong, not wanting to lose face any longer, forcefully pulled her outside.

The couple started arguing not far from the door.

Wow, this is going to be interesting.

Fu Man'er wasn't in a hurry to go home. She took a plate of melon seeds up to the second floor and sat by the window.

She ate sunflower seeds while watching the two argue, something she loved to do since she was a child—why not watch the excitement?