Jiang Yan's dark eyes flickered across Lin Jianxue's beautiful face.

He stood up lazily, half a head taller than Lin Jianxue.

With a bit of scrutiny and a bit of amusement.

Then he reached out and took the stack of brand new "Great Unity" notes.

He took the money and handed it to a skinny young man with a shaved head behind him without even looking at it.

"Hmm."

Jiang Yan pulled the corner of his mouth, revealing a slightly rogue smile.

"Isn't it just being a bodyguard for a little girl for half a month?"

"I picked it up."

Lin Jianxue breathed a sigh of relief, and the faint smile at the corner of her lips finally seemed more real.

"Thank you."

Jiang Yan waved his hand nonchalantly.

"You're welcome."

He drawled lazily.

"Brother Yan's production, guaranteed to complete the mission."

Lin Jianxue hummed softly.

"Then I'll take my leave."

After saying that, she slung over her washed-out canvas bag, turned around calmly and walked away from this dark "black street" step by step under the undisguised and inquiring gazes of the gang of hooligans in the alley.

Lin Jianxue's slender figure disappeared at the entrance of the alley.

The little brother named Xiao Etou came over and asked curiously.

"Brother Yan, then let's go find trouble with Jiang Erniu now?"

Jiang Yan's gaze was still on the spot where Lin Jianxue had disappeared, a barely perceptible hint of deep thought flashing through his eyes.

He withdrew his gaze and lazily sat back on the worn bamboo lounge chair, making a creaking groan.

"What's the rush?"

He didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, and his voice was as casual as usual.

"Go and ask around first."

"What does that little girl named Fu Qingqing look like and how old is she?"

"What does your family do for a living? How many people are there? Where do you live in the village?"

"I've found out everything, go quickly."

*

Lin Jianxue hurried back to the educated youth dormitory.

Before she could push open the creaking wooden door, a suppressed cry of a little girl was heard.

Thin and weak, with fear and helplessness.

"I don't……"

"I didn't steal anything..."

"I'm not a thief..."

It’s Fu Qingqing’s voice!

Lin Jianxue's heart tightened.

Then, a sarcastic female voice sounded, full of gloating.

"You're an outsider, sneaking into Lin Zhiqing's house. If you're not a thief, what are you?"

"You still dare to quibble!"

It’s Liu Liwen!

Another female voice echoed, "That's right! She looks shifty to me!"

"Sister Liwen, let's go to the brigade headquarters and report that a thief has broken into the educated youth dormitory!"

"Yes! Let her squat under the fence!"

Lin Jianxue's face turned cold instantly.

She flung the door open and strode in.

In the room, Liu Liwen, Wang Hongxia, Zhang Cuicui and others were surrounding Fu Qingqing proudly.

The fifteen-year-old girl was cornered by them, her face pale with fear, tears falling like beads from a broken string, her thin shoulders shaking constantly.

Seeing Fu Qingqing's expression, Lin Jianxue felt furious.

She quickly stepped forward and pushed away Liu Liwen who was standing in front of her.

"Get out of here!"

Then she bent down, pulled Fu Qingqing up from the ground, and protected her behind her.

Lin Jianxue turned her head, and her cold eyes shot at Liu Liwen like a knife.

"Liu Liwen, are you sick?"

"You've lived this long, bullying a little kid? Are you a living dog?"

Liu Liwen was pushed by her and staggered and almost fell.

After stabilizing her body, when she saw that it was Lin Jianxue, she did not restrain herself at all, but became even more proud, as if she had caught some huge handle.

She crossed her arms, raised her chin high, and spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Hey, Lin Jianxue, you're finally back!"

"You're back just in time. I helped you catch a thief!"

Liu Liwen pointed at Fu Qingqing and deliberately raised her voice.

"She's hiding in your house, what else is she trying to do if not steal something?"

"Tell me, how should you thank me?"

Lin Jianxue looked at her coldly, as if she was looking at a clown.

"She's my friend."

"I let her live in my dormitory and take care of her for the time being."

Lin Jianxue's words were clear and distinct.

"What's it to you?"

"Your friend?"

Liu Liwen sneered exaggeratedly as if she had heard a huge joke.

"Lin Jianxue, stop playing dumb here!"

"How come I didn't know? When did we allow outsiders to live in our educated youth dormitory?"

She turned her gaze to Fu Qingqing with undisguised malice.

"This little girl, if I remember correctly, her last name is Fu, right?"

"Isn't she the younger sister of... Fu Zhewei?"

Liu Liwen drew out her tone, a look of contempt on her face.

"A relegated household from Kyoto!"

"Children of the five black categories!"

"Why should she live in our glorious dormitory for educated youth?"

"Lin Jianxue, you're not trying to shield a class enemy, are you?!"