Chapter 122

Xia Qingtang said: "Whether there is a future or not depends on the person. I am not interested in the future, so for me, this is not a future."

"Don't you want to move up? I saw you write articles, learn foreign languages, and get a job in an office on your own, so I thought you were ambitious. But it turns out you don't want a future?" Xia Qinghai was a little surprised.

"You don't necessarily have to climb up the corporate ladder to achieve your future."

Xia Qinghai pondered this sentence and found it quite interesting. He said, "Anyway, this may not be true. I just heard it from others. Since your Chairman Qin didn't tell you, it is probably false. You don't have to take it to heart. If it is true, and you really don't want to go, the higher-ups won't force you to go. However, the new factory is definitely better than the old one. Look, their offices are all in newly built buildings."

Xia Qingtang said: "Anyway, thank you for telling me the news. I know what's going on now."

Xie Jinxuan also said: "Thank you, brother."

"Why are you being polite? We are all family." Xia Qinghai said, "Oh, by the way, during the Chinese New Year... I want to visit my brother-in-law's house to pay New Year's greetings. Is that appropriate?"

Xie Jinxuan immediately looked at Xia Qingtang. Xia Qinghai looked at their interaction and the smile in his eyes became even brighter.

Xia Qingtang said, "If you don't mind the trouble, go ahead. There are a lot of people visiting the Xie family to pay New Year's greetings. Usually they just sit for a while, drink a cup of tea, talk a few words and then leave. As long as you don't mind the trouble, you will definitely not cause any trouble to them."

"Okay, I'll go there on the sixth day of the New Year, is that okay? After I've been to my brother-in-law's parents' house, I also want to visit your house. Since I'm going there, I can't just give gifts to one family." Xia Qinghai said.

"Okay, then we won't go out on the morning of the sixth day. We'll wait for you at home." Xia Qingtang said, "But I won't necessarily invite you to have lunch."

"No need to eat. I have kids at home, and I don't stay out too long."

"That's fine."

"Okay, then see you on the sixth day." Xia Qinghai was very happy.

Xie Jinxuan said: "Then big brother, we will go back first."

"Okay, be careful on the road." Xia Qinghai walked them to the end of the path before turning back home.

At the Xia family, Zhao Meizhen was complaining non-stop about Xia Qingtang being a rude person. After marrying into a cadre family, she became ungrateful to her relatives and didn't bring any benefits home. As a mother, she had to obey her mood. It was really unfair.

Wu Jinfeng took her child and hid in the shack where Xia Qinghai used to live. She said she wanted to let the baby take a nap.

Xia Daming sat there, frowning: "Please stop saying such things. I think Qingtang is doing well. We finally have a family meal together, but you have to make a fuss to make the family unhappy?"

"That's right, Qingtang is obviously fine." Xia Qinghai walked in and said, "Mom, you don't take what I said seriously, right?"

"No, I didn't. I was just a little angry because of what you said about Qingtang being so rude..." Zhao Meizhen argued.

Xia Qinghai said: "Qingtang is not a decent person, who should I blame? I blame you, me, and my father. But that has already happened, there is no way to change it. But now it can be changed. Since you also know that her in-laws are powerful, have you ever thought about what if you really offend her and she asks her in-laws to torment you or get rid of my job?"

"What? She dares?" Zhao Meizhen was stunned.

"Why doesn't she dare? Didn't you see? My brother-in-law has to get my sister's consent for even the smallest things, which shows that my sister has a very high status in their family. Not to mention how big a leader my brother-in-law's grandfather is, just talk about my brother-in-law himself, he is a college student now, and he can be promoted one level after graduation. Such a young leading cadre, with an academic degree, there is no level he can't be promoted to in the future? Do you think Qingtang is still the Qingtang of the past? No, she has already flown to the branch, and that is a really high branch, which we can't reach in our lifetime. You know she is powerful now, can't you shut up and not offend her? Anyway, I still say that, even if I can't be a close relative of my brother-in-law, I will never be enemies with them. My brother-in-law will have a bright future in the future, and just for the sake of my baby, I will definitely support them both." Xia Qinghai said lightly.

Zhao Meizhen and Xia Daming were both stunned. They probably didn't expect their son to have such deep thoughts.

After a while, Zhao Meizhen said, "Qinghai, are you still going to ask Xie Jinxuan for help in the future?"

"Even if I didn't beg him, I couldn't make an enemy of such a capable person, right? Mom, are you really stupid?"

"I...how do you talk?"

"That's what I said. I said both good and bad things. If you offend your brother-in-law, don't let me get involved."

Zhao Meizhen quickly said, "How did I offend anyone? Didn't I do a good job today? I even held back from cursing."

"Today is indeed not bad. It's hard for you to endure until now." Xia Qinghai smiled and took out some money from his pocket and handed it over. "Mom and Dad, this is fifty yuan. Jinfeng and I give you holiday money. Don't treat yourselves badly on the street. Buy whatever you want."

Xia Daming said, "No need. Your mother and I both have salaries and we can't spend them all on a regular basis. Why would we need your money?"

"Why don't you want it? You have to take the money my son gave you! If you don't want it, I will!" Zhao Meizhen said, snatched the money and put it in her pocket, then said happily: "Qinghai, there are still vegetables at home, you can eat at home tonight?"

"No, the baby will wake up soon, and Jinfeng and I will go back." Xia Qinghai said, "You can go to our place for dinner tomorrow. Anyway, the aunt at home will be here until the twenty-eighth day of the lunar year."

"Okay, then I'll go eat. Anyway, I'll have someone to serve me." Zhao Meizhen said with a smile, "My son is really capable. He lives in a big house and has people to serve him. Even I benefit from it."

Xia Qinghai smiled and said, "Don't forget, these are all brought to me by Jin Feng. Jin Feng is the real hero."

Seeing her son hitting her again, Zhao Meizhen said unhappily, "Okay, okay, it's all because of your wife. You should kneel down and serve your wife all day long!"

On the other side, Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan were already on their way home.

Today's lunch was not unpleasant, so Xia Qingtang suggested going to the department store on the way back and buying some things to take home.

Although their family usually has no shortage of things and has always been purchasing daily necessities, the festival is approaching and even Xia Qingtang wants to buy some things for the family to have a more festive New Year.

Xie Jinxuan rode her bike to the outside of the department store, found a parking spot, locked her bike, and the two of them went in together.

Now basically all units are on holiday, the stores are full of people, there are many people standing in front of each counter, and the sales clerks are very busy.

Xie Jinxuan asked: "What do you want to buy?"

Xia Qingtang said, "Of course I have to buy some candy. I heard that the candy counter has several kinds of chocolate for sale this year, so I'll buy some of that too. As for the other things, I'll buy one bar of soap, one bar of soap, and one bag of vanishing cream, and that should be enough."

"You don't want to buy new clothes?"

"Aren't we already wearing new clothes? Why do we need to buy more?" Xia Qingtang pointed at herself and smiled. "Besides, we are not children anymore. We don't need to be so particular about wearing new clothes on New Year's Eve."

"There are a lot of new styles at the leather shoe counter this year. Even if you don't buy anything, you can still stop by and take a look."

"Okay." Xia Qingtang said, "I'll buy the necessities and go see it later."

They mixed in the crowd and went to the daily necessities counter first. Almost all the people here were lesbians. Everyone wanted to buy some balms and hair oils before the New Year so that they could dress themselves up.

Seeing that there were too many people, Xie Jinxuan stood aside and waited. Xia Qingtang followed a middle-aged aunt and squeezed in with great effort. After finally buying what she needed, she quickly squeezed out of the crowd, gasping for breath.

"There are really too many people. Next time, we have to buy tickets in advance and can't come a few days before the New Year." Xia Qingtang patted his chest.

Xie Jinxuan reached out to help her tidy up her bangs and said, "Your hair is all messed up."

"Yes, it's not easy. Let's go buy some candy." Xia Qingtang patted his clothes and continued walking forward while pulling Xie Jinxuan.

There were even more people at the candy counter, with men, women, young and old all crowded there. Because there were so many varieties, it was difficult for many people to choose, which slowed down the purchasing process.

Xie Jinxuan was worried that Xia Qingtang would be squeezed and uncomfortable again, so she said, "I know what kind of candy you like to eat. Why don't you stand over there where there's no one and wait for me, and I'll squeeze in and buy it by myself."

"Okay, let's buy the candies of the flavors we usually eat. If there is chocolate, buy a little of that too. Don't buy too much, it's expensive." Xia Qingtang said.

Xie Jinxuan nodded: "Okay, I understand, then you go over there and wait for me."

There was a corner over there where not many people were, so Xia Qingtang stood there and leisurely looked at the other people in the mall.

Although there were a lot of people and it was very crowded for shopping, she still liked the lively atmosphere.

It’s getting better year by year. In a few years, the stalls outside will be crowded with people.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile.

Not far away, someone was attracted by her charming smile and immediately walked over here.

"Hey, female comrade, what's your name?" A scoundrel-looking young man suddenly appeared in front of Xia Qingtang, scaring her.

Xia Qingtang knew this man. He was a famous gangster in the city. She had met him by chance in a hotel in the provincial capital before. In order to avoid trouble, she covered her face at that time. She didn't expect to meet this man here today.

There is no point in covering your face at this time, but Xia Qingtang is not panicked at all. After all, this is a department store, full of customers shopping, and there are many employees in the store. If something happens in such a place, just shout and the security guards will come to help.

The gangster in front of me had very short hair, a tanned face with acne scars, thick half eyebrows and thin eyes. He didn't look like a good person at all.

He was accompanied by several thugs, and two young women followed behind them. One of them was an old acquaintance of Xia Qingtang - Kong Liangjing.

Kong Liangjing obviously recognized Xia Qingtang, and she immediately said with a dark face: "Brother Dou, this person is a married woman, an old woman."

Brother Dou had been staring at Xia Qingtang with a smile on his face. Even if Xia Qingtang didn't reply to him, he still had a lewd smile on his face. But as soon as Kong Liangjing finished speaking, Brother Dou's face suddenly fell, and then he turned around abruptly, took two steps forward to Kong Liangjing, and slapped Kong Liangjing hard in the face.

This not only scared Kong Liangjing and the young woman next to her, but also the nearby customers, who all looked over here.

"Brother Dou? You...you hit me?" Kong Liangjing was stunned. She didn't even have time to react or cry out in pain. She was just shocked that she was hit.

"What's wrong with me hitting you? You're just a dog I raised, do you really think of yourself as a human being? Do you have the right to interrupt me when I'm talking?" Brother Dou sneered, then gently patted the other half of Kong Liangjing's face with the back of his palm.

These actions must not be painful, but they are extremely insulting.

It was only at this moment that Kong Liangjing suddenly reacted. Her eyes quickly filled with tears, and her entire face instantly turned red: "Brother Dou..."

"Shut up! If you don't shut up, do you want to get slapped a few more times?" Brother Dou clicked his tongue impatiently.

Kong Liangjing quickly closed her mouth, then looked at Dou Ge in fear and nodded, indicating that she absolutely dared not speak again.

"That's the way it should be. As a dog, you should act like a dog. You should do whatever your master tells you to do. If you make your master happy, he will naturally reward you with good food and drink. If you disobey and make your master unhappy, then... it's hard to say." Brother Dou stretched out a scarred hand and patted Kong Liangjing's head as if he was stroking a puppy.

Kong Liangjing nodded vigorously in fear, and Dou Ge smiled: "That's good, I'll reward you with a good meal when we get back later!"

After saying that, he turned around and walked back to Xia Qingtang, then continued to put on a lewd smile and asked, "Comrade, what is your name?"

Xia Qingtang said calmly: "I don't want to tell you."

The customers who came to buy things also knew that a dispute had occurred here, but no one dared to mess with these thugs, so a few people stood in the distance and watched what was happening here for a while, and then basically all dispersed.

Dou Ge looked at Xia Qingtang's pretty face, which was white and rosy, and he was not angry at all. He smiled and said, "Why don't you want to tell me? Are you afraid that your lover at home will be unhappy?"

"That's not the case. My lover won't be unhappy about such things, but I will be unhappy." Xia Qingtang was still cold and indifferent.

After marrying Xie Jinxuan, Xia Qingtang lived a life without worries about food and clothing. Although the living conditions of this era were not as good as those in the 1990s, Xia Qingtang never went hungry again. She had a full meal every day and often took nutritious foods such as milk and eggs. As a result, she is now plumper and fairer than before. In addition, she always wears good clothes and is full of confidence, so her temperament is very outstanding and she is more beautiful and charming than before.

Brother Dou felt even happier when he saw Xia Qingtang's rosy mouth opening and closing as she rejected him.

He said, "So you just don't like talking to me?"

"Yes."

"If you talk like that, aren't you afraid that I'll get angry and beat you up too?"

"What are you afraid of? There are so many people here, and my lover is next to us. You can't run away as long as I shout." Xia Qingtang said.

"Oh, your lover is here? He really wants to leave you here alone. You are such a precious little thing, you should be kept well by your side, otherwise, you will be snatched away by someone if you are not careful." Dou Ge's eyes began to become obscene, and his eyes changed from looking at your face to looking at your lower body. "Your waist is so thin, it makes me feel sorry for you. Doesn't your lover usually let you have enough food?"

Wearing such thick winter clothes, Xia Qingtang felt that everyone looked bloated, and it was unclear how she could say that she had a thin waist.

Xia Qingtang was too lazy to talk to him anymore. She looked around and happened to see a mall employee carrying a large box passing by. She shouted, "Hello, comrade from the mall! Please come over and help me!"

The employee was a middle-aged woman in her forties. When she heard someone calling her, she immediately responded, "Okay, okay, wait a moment, I'll be right over."

Dou Ge was amused: "Oh, you still know how to ask for help? But these people are afraid of me, it's useless to call anyone."

Xia Qingtang still didn't talk to her. When the female comrade who was carrying the boxes squeezed over, she immediately said, "Hello, comrade. I suddenly feel a little uncomfortable. I wonder if you can take me out for a while. I want to get some fresh air."

When she heard that Xia Qingtang was not feeling well, the female comrade immediately said, "Okay, okay, then follow me now and I'll take you out. There are too many people these days, so it's no wonder you're not feeling well. It's really crowded. Come on, little comrade, follow me and let's go."

Xia Qingtang put his hand on the female comrade's shoulder and planned to walk out with her, but was stopped by Brother Dou and a few thugs.

The female comrade had just seen these people, but she pretended not to see them. She probably wanted to take Xia Qingtang away without making any noise.

Seeing this, the female comrade said, "Comrades, what's the matter? Do you need me for something? Wait a moment. This young comrade is not feeling well. I will take her to a place with fewer people to catch her breath. After I give the box to my colleague, I will come to help you."

Dou Ge laughed: "Are you playing dumb with me?"

The female comrade was really playing dumb. She smiled and said, "Comrade, what are you talking about? Don't you have something to talk to me about?"

"I do have something to talk to you about, but I'm telling you, don't meddle in other people's business."

"Why don't I understand? I'm an employee here and I'm here to work. What do you mean by meddling in other people's business?" The female comrade didn't seem to be afraid at all and kept talking with a smile.

Brother Dou said, "I like the woman behind you, and I want to talk to her. Please don't interfere, or I will be rude to you."

The female comrade immediately said, "Oh, what are you doing? Security department! Security department! Where are the people? Someone is beating people here! Security department, come quickly!"

The mall was busiest a few days before the Chinese New Year, and the security department was well staffed. I heard the female comrade shouting, and soon I saw two men in their thirties squeezed over here: "Who wants to hit someone?"

Xia Qingtang stood behind the female comrade and was protected by her tightly.

At this time, Xie Jinxuan, who was squeezed in front of the candy counter, also noticed something was wrong here. He saw those thugs at a glance and immediately understood what was going on.

But he did not panic. After all, there were too many people and the security people had also gone there, so he bought some candy and chocolate first, and then followed the crowd that was buying good things to walk out.

When Dou Ge saw that only two people from the security department came, he immediately sneered and said, "Only two people came. Do you still want to do something to me?"

The female comrade said, "We are not just two people here. Am I not a human being? We have people at every counter here. I don't believe that the four of you can beat the people in our mall. If you don't want to spend the New Year in the police station, I advise you to go home honestly."

"I'm here to buy something." Brother Dou sneered.

"Then go buy something. This place doesn't have a counter and doesn't sell anything. What are you doing standing here?"

The comrade from the security department also echoed: "That's right, you can't buy anything here, go buy whatever you want, don't stay here."

"Okay, you're pretty awesome! What's your name?" Brother Dou looked at the female comrade provocatively.

The female comrade raised her chin and said loudly: "My name is Lin Xiaolan, if you have any questions, just come to me."

Brother Dou looked at Xia Qingtang with a fierce look again, then turned around and left with his men.

After they walked over there, the female comrade turned around to face Xia Qingtang, and then said with a smile: "My young comrade, are you feeling better now? If you are still not feeling well, I will take you to our resting place to have a drink of water and rest for a while."

"I'm much better now, Comrade Lin, thank you so much." Xia Qingtang thanked him sincerely.

"Qingtang." Xie Jinxuan squeezed over from the other end, "Is someone causing trouble for you?"

"It has been resolved by Comrade Lin." Xia Qingtang said.

Xie Jinxuan immediately thanked him: "Comrade Lin, thank you, and thank you to these two comrades as well."

Lin Xiaolan said: "It's as it should be. It's the New Year, and there are many people in the store, and there are many bad guys. You all have to protect yourself and your pockets."

With so many people jostling for position, there must be a lot of thieves.

"Yes, we will. Thank you, Comrade Lin."

"You're welcome. I'll go first." Lin Xiaolan carried the big box and left with the two comrades from the security department.

Xia Qingtang said: "Have you bought the things?"

"I've bought it."

"Then let's go back now. I saw those hooligans going upstairs. If we leave now, we won't run into them." Xia Qingtang said, "However, Kong Liangjing is with them, so she will probably tell them who I am."

Xie Jinxuan said: "It doesn't matter, I'll know once I know. Are they going to come to our compound to cause trouble?"

"Then they definitely don't have the courage." Xia Qingtang grabbed Xie Jinxuan, and the two of them squeezed out of the store and went home with the things.

After the Little New Year, Grandpa Xie also took a holiday and stayed at home. Aunt Liu started frying tofu cakes, and Xia Qingtang also borrowed her pot of oil and prepared fried food for the New Year with her.

In addition to the usual fried foods, she also made spiced rice crusts with leftover rice, which she put in an empty biscuit box after cooling down. She can eat them as snacks these days.

After frying food all day, Xia Qingtang smelled delicious. When she got home with the fried food, she went to the bathhouse to take a bath.

Xie Jinxuan was not at home in the afternoon. Guan Jueming called him over to help and he would not be back until before dinner.

Xia Qingtang came back from a bath and was drying her hair in the yard. Her neighbor greeted her with a smile and said, "Xia, do you want to buy some winter bamboo shoots? Go out the back door, there's an old man from the countryside selling them. I just came back and bought a few, they're so fresh, they're so juicy when you peel them, I plan to use them to make soup."

"Really? Is it still there?"

"It should still be there. When I bought it, he still had some left. After all, the price was high, so many people just asked and didn't pay for it. It must not be sold out now. If you want to buy it, go now and you will definitely get it."

"Thank you, sister. I'll go now." Xia Qingtang immediately turned around and went back to the house, took a cloth bag and some money, and hurried out.

She usually doesn't go out the back door, but today when she went out the back door, she found that this area was very lively.

Not only do many children like to play here, but walking a little further ahead is a good place to set up stalls, and many people are selling things here.

Xia Qingtang first found the old man selling winter bamboo shoots that the neighbor mentioned. Upon asking, he found out that there were indeed some left. The price was indeed high, but winter bamboo shoots were not easy to dig in this season, so it was normal that they were a bit more expensive.

She said, “I want all the rest.”

She bought all the remaining winter bamboo shoots, paid for them and put them all in a cloth bag, but there wasn't much, so she peeled them at home and could only eat two meals at most.

The old man smiled and put away the bamboo basket: "I can go home now."

"Will you come to sell it again in the future?" Xia Qingtang asked.

"If I can dig more, I will come again the day after tomorrow. After that, I won't come again. It's New Year's Day and I won't go out." The old man smiled simply.

"Then I'll come to see you the day after tomorrow afternoon." Xia Qingtang also laughed. She really liked eating bamboo shoots.

After the old man left, Xia Qingtang walked around the other stalls. They were all selling common things, some selling mountain products, some selling home-grown vegetables, some selling children's shoes, and some selling common snacks like candied haws, sugar-roasted chestnuts, and roasted sweet potatoes.

Seeing that the wutacai sold by one of the aunties was very fresh, Xia Qingtang bought a few pounds of it, and then bought two roasted sweet potatoes. Then she walked to the other end and saw many children and adults gathered around a small table. She went over to take a look out of curiosity and found that they were making sugar figures.

She had seen this thing when she was a child, but never saw it again afterwards. She didn't expect it to appear again now.

Children are most interested in this thing. The sugar figures are both beautiful and delicious. Although buying one is not cheap, it can make children happy for a long time, so parents are still willing to spend the money.

After Xia Qingtang asked the price, he also wanted to buy one.

The old man at the stall asked her what kind she wanted, and she answered without hesitation: "I want a puppy."

"Okay, wait a moment, there are five more in front. I'll give them to you when they're ready."

Xia Qingtang nodded, paid the money and stood aside waiting.

When they were young, one time before the Chinese New Year, Zhao Meizhen took her and Xia Qinghai to the market. The market was very lively at that time, with all kinds of things for sale. They also came across a small stall making candy figures, and many children gathered there.

Xia Qingtang was still young at that time, and she couldn't even walk when she saw the sugar figures, but she didn't dare to ask for them, for fear that her mother would beat her.

But Xia Qinghai asked for it. He said, "Mom, I want a candy figurine. I want the Monkey King!"

The Monkey King’s was bigger and more expensive, but Zhao Meizhen agreed immediately and paid on the spot to buy a candy figure for Xia Qinghai.

Xia Qingtang was watching from the side and was so envious that she mustered up the courage to ask Zhao Meizhen for a candy figurine. Although she was so young, she was already very sensible. She didn't want those big candy figurines, she only wanted a puppy one, because puppies and kittens were very cheap.

But Zhao Meizhen responded by slapping her hard on the back, followed by endless abuse: "Are you going to die? I've already done you a great favor by giving you enough food, and you still dare to ask for a candy man? Look at yourself, do you deserve to eat candy?"

It had been many, many years since this happened, and Xia Qingtang even thought that he had forgotten it long ago. But when he saw the candy figurine stall, he unexpectedly recalled it.

She has no shortage of sweets now. There are several kinds of candies and several different kinds of chocolates at home. Each one is very sweet, but the only worry is that she can't eat them all.

She no longer craves sugar figures like this, but she still wants to buy a puppy to make up for her regret back then.

Just as she lowered her eyes and thought, a disgusting voice suddenly sounded in front of her: "Hey, isn't this the little comrade from that day? What a coincidence, we meet again!"

Xia Qingtang was stunned. He looked up and saw Brother Dou and those thugs standing in front of him.

They were still dressed the same as last time, but each of them had a cigarette in their hands and their expressions looked even more vulgar.

Xia Qingtang immediately moved aside. There were children here, and if there was any conflict, she didn't want the children to be affected.

Brother Dou didn't let her move. He stretched out his hand to stop her, and said with a smile: "What are you doing? Still want to run? Although this is your residence today, it is so far away that even if you call the security department, no one will be there!"

Xia Qingtang said: "You are not waiting here for me, are you?"

"No, we just happened to pass by here, and thought of you living here, my beautiful lady, so we came to see you. I didn't expect to meet you here. Don't you think we are destined to be together?" Brother Dou said, "Don't look so disgusted, right? We are just talking, and I won't do anything to you."

"I don't want to talk to you." Xia Qingtang said lightly, with no expression on her face.

Brother Dou didn't like her expression. He stared into Xia Qingtang's eyes and asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Why should I be afraid of you? We're in public here, and everyone around us lives with us. If you do anything to me, they will all help me."

"You're thinking too much. Who would help others these days? Everyone will run away when they see us. If you don't believe me, just try it." Brother Dou looked very confident.

Xia Qingtang was a little confused, so she said, "Do you know who I am?"

"I know. That little bitch Kong Liangjing told me. Your name is Xia Qingtang. Your mother's family works in a cotton mill. You played with her brother before, and then you married into the provincial party committee compound."

"She didn't tell you anything else?" Xia Qingtang asked.

"Something else, what something else?"

"It's just what kind of family my husband's family is."

Dou Ge was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud: "It doesn't matter what kind of family your in-laws belong to. We barefoot people are not afraid of those who wear shoes. No matter what kind of family you belong to, can you go against us?"

Xia Qingtang nodded: "It seems that you are really amazing."

Seeing that she was still calm, Dou Ge immediately said, "No...are you really not afraid? Even if we tease you right now, you won't be afraid?"

"I'm not afraid." Xia Qingtang looked over there and happened to run into an enthusiastic neighbor of Xie Xiaoshuang. She immediately shouted, "Comrade Xiao Liu, please go to my in-laws' house and tell them that I'm being harassed by gangsters!"

Comrade Xiao Liu turned his head and saw Xia Qingtang surrounded by several thugs. He was horrified and ran towards the back door.

Brother Dou was so angry that he laughed: "No, do you really think it will work? Even if your lover comes out now, I can deal with your lover as well. You don't know how many people I have under my command, right? Since you went to call for help, I can't show weakness. Xiao Si, you go back and call for help too, call everyone over here! I want to see today who dares to go against me, Brother Dou!"

All the children near the candy figurine stall were dragged away by their parents. Even those without their parents were frightened and hid aside.

The old man who was setting up the stall was not afraid. He calmly made all the sugar figures on hand, and then sat there leisurely.

When Xia Qingtang saw a thug really turn around and run, she said, "I don't know how many people you have, but I advise you to leave now. My husband's family will be here soon. I'm not kidding you. When they get here, you will definitely spend the New Year in jail."

Grandpa Xie is resting at home today. When Comrade Xiao Liu brings the letter back, Grandpa Xie might bring people out personally. It will be a lively place then, and none of these people will be able to escape.

As for whether Xia Qingtang was afraid or not, she was not afraid. She couldn't win in a fight, but she could still fight to the death with Brother Dou and save her life temporarily.

No matter who you are fighting with, no matter how many people are on the other side, grabbing one of them tightly, poking their eyes and stepping on them can save your life. Xia Qingtang learned all this from Xie Jinxuan.

While she was staring at Dou Ge's movements, she recalled in her mind the moves that Xie Jinxuan had taught her.

Brother Dou and the gangsters around him laughed together: "What's wrong with your in-laws? Could it be that your in-laws are the governor? Unless the governor comes, who can ordinary cadres do anything to us? I'm not bragging to you, in this city, Kong Liangjing's parents used to bow to me when they saw me!"

Xia Qingtang didn't say anything, but just looked at the other person with pity in his eyes.

Brother Dou has been around for a long time, so he is certainly not a fool. As soon as he saw Xia Qingtang's eyes, he suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.

"Damn it! Could it really be the governor's family?" Brother Dou stared at Xia Qingtang, his eyes filled with surprise and doubt, without any trace of his previous arrogance.

Xia Qingtang smiled gently: "Guess what kind of family do you think someone with my looks should marry into?"

"Brother Dou, this woman must be trying to scare people!"

"That's right, Brother Dou, if it's true, why didn't Kong Liangjing tell us?"

Xia Qingtang said: "You don't think Kong Liangjing is an honest and trustworthy person, do you? Do you dare to believe what she said?"

"Damn it! Kong Liangjing fooled me! She told me before that this woman married an ordinary clerk!" Brother Dou's face changed drastically and whispered, "Get out of here!"

"What's wrong?" Leng Feng suddenly rushed over on his bicycle. He braked suddenly and stopped beside Xia Qingtang and the others. Then he looked at Xia Qingtang very unhappily and said, "What trouble have you caused again?"

Xia Qingtang was so angry that he laughed: "Comrade Leng, are you blind? Can't you see that I'm being entangled by gangsters? Am I the one causing trouble?"

Of course, in Leng Feng's eyes, as long as Xia Qingtang looks like this, she is causing trouble.

Leng Feng glanced coldly at Dou Ge and the others, his brows furrowed so tightly that he could strangle a mosquito to death. It was a pity that there were no small flying insects in this season, otherwise he would have been able to display his magical powers.

"What do you guys want to do?" Leng Feng shouted.

Brother Dou saw that Leng Feng was tall and had a resolute look in his eyes. He knew he was a martial artist. He immediately smiled and said, "Misunderstanding, buddy, it's really a misunderstanding. I know Comrade Xia. I just came here to say hello. We don't want to do anything. We are going back now."

"Really?" Leng Feng asked.

Xia Qingtang rolled his eyes: "How can this be true? Ask the vendors next to you, what did these people just say?"

"But he knows your last name, doesn't that mean he really knows you?" Leng Feng said.

The old man who was making candy figurines nearby said, "Young man, this woman came to buy candy figurines from me. As soon as she paid, these hooligans came over and surrounded her, refusing to let her leave. She just called an acquaintance to go back and inform her in-laws, and the hooligans also called someone back to call people, saying they wanted to see who dared to go against him, Brother Dou."

Leng Feng's expression changed slightly: "So you are Dou Wu?"

"Hey, buddy, let's talk nicely. I'm Dou Wu, but I didn't do anything to this female comrade. I just said a few words to her. If you don't believe me, ask her if I didn't do anything." Brother Dou started to panic.

Leng Feng said, "If you just wanted to say a few words, why did you ask someone to go back and call for help? What do you want to do by calling someone over?"

"What else can you do? Of course, you have to deal with me and then my in-laws." Xia Qingtang said.

Leng Feng glanced at Xia Qingtang, then continued to look at Brother Dou: "Then don't leave. I'll wait here. I want to see how many people you can call over. I also want to see if there is really no one who dares to go against you, Brother Dou."

Xia Qingtang immediately said, "That's right, Comrade Leng, you are a policeman, you should quickly arrest all the bad guys and don't let any of them escape."

Leng Feng glared at Xia Qingtang again. Seeing that the situation was not good, Brother Dou wanted to run away, but he didn't expect Leng Feng to suddenly attack without even turning his head.

Xia Qingtang was startled. She didn't expect Leng Feng to be so skilled and particularly agile.