Chapter Thirty-Two: Fighting in the Alley
Qin Zhining hadn't expected Qin Xiaoxiao to be such a combative person. Seeing her face full of excitement, as if saying "I'm not afraid of fighting," Qin Zhining couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile. She turned around, picked up her bundle, and quickly walked out of the inn.
The market was still bustling with people. Peddlers carrying their wares walked around shouting as they went, and women surrounded the stalls selling printed fabrics. The air was filled with the aroma of sweet cakes and baked goods.
Qin Zhining rubbed her half-empty stomach and pulled Qin Xiaoxiao toward the street corner, saying, "Let's eat two bowls of wontons first, fill our stomachs, and then go earn money."
After a busy morning, the two hadn't even had a hot meal. When they spotted a wonton stall at the alley entrance, they went straight there.
This stall is run by a middle-aged couple.
The water in the iron pot was bubbling away, the stove was spotless, and the wooden basin for kneading dough and the earthenware basin for holding minced meat were gleaming like new, giving one a sense of reassurance.
Qin Zhining led Qin Xiaoxiao to sit on a bench by the side and called out to the inner room, "Auntie, two bowls of wontons, with extra chili and scallions."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a tall, sturdy woman came out carrying a copper kettle, a kind smile on her face. “Girl, one bowl is enough for both of you.”
Her gaze swept over Qin Zhining's thin shoulders and Qin Xiaoxiao's petite body, and she kindly explained, "My family's wontons are served in large, rough porcelain bowls, stuffed full of meat filling. One bowl is more than enough for you two little girls."
Qin Zhining looked up and smiled at her, then pointed to Qin Xiaoxiao beside her, "My sister has a big appetite, and I'm also craving your wontons. Auntie, please give me two bowls."
Seeing her insistence and slightly embarrassed look, the proprietress found it adorable and quickly waved her hand with a smile, "Okay, okay, I'll cook it for you right away."
There are apricots and plums in that bamboo basket over there, they grew on our own tree, you can eat them while we wait.” As she spoke, she turned and went to the stove, the copper kettle in her hand making a soft gurgling sound as it sloshed about.
Qin Zhining secretly admired the proprietress's business acumen and her ability to retain customers with small favors, which made her feel more favorably toward her.
She picked up a plum, wiped it, and was about to hand it to Qin Xiaoxiao when she caught a glimpse of five men in short-sleeved shirts with open blouses staring at them from across the street at the mutton soup stall. Their eyes were full of ill intent.
She took a bite of plum without making a sound, and said in a very low voice, "Xiaoxiao, don't turn around, there are five thugs in front of the mutton soup stall on your right."
Judging from their appearance, they're the same ones who've been secretly following us; they're definitely after us. After we finish our wontons, we'll lure them into that alley ahead, and then you can deal with them however you want."
Qin Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up again in an instant. She pretended to reach out to take the plum from Qin Zhining's hand, and quickly glanced at the mutton soup stall out of the corner of her eye.
Sure enough, those people were peeking out furtively, whispering to each other from time to time.
She made two soft "Aba aba" sounds and then gestured with her hands as if she were twisting her arm, which made Qin Zhining chuckle softly.
A short while later, the proprietress brought over two bowls of wontons.
The aroma of meat wafted through the air, and the wontons in the bowl were plump and floating in the clear broth. The chili peppers sprinkled on top were bright red, and the scallions were a delightful green.
Qin Zhining picked up her chopsticks and took a bite. The delicious broth spread in her mouth, the meat filling was chewy, and the dough was soft and elastic. She couldn't help but speed up her eating.
Qin Xiaoxiao ate in a hurry, not even bothering to wipe the soup stains from the corners of her mouth, and the two bowls of wontons were gone in no time.
Both of them ate until their noses were sweating and their faces were flushed.
After paying ten coins, Qin Zhining thanked the proprietress, picked up her bundle and carried her basket, and deliberately slowed her pace as she walked into the deep alley ahead.
She could feel the footsteps following behind her, their steps hurried and disordered.
Qin Zhining curled her lips into a cold smile, but didn't stop walking.
She had noticed this alley when she passed by earlier. From the outside, it looked no different from other alleys, but as she walked in, it gradually narrowed, ending at a brick wall, making it a true dead end.
Few people come here on weekdays, so it's perfect for "solving" problems.
The five thugs behind them were overjoyed to see the two of them heading straight into the alley, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.
The scarred man, who was in the lead, patted his accomplice on the shoulder and lowered his voice, "See? They really are two silly girls. This makes things easier. We've got the twenty-five taels of silver that Granny Liu's husband gave us."
Another tall, thin man rubbed his hands together, his eyes lecherously scanning Qin Zhining's retreating figure. "Not only can we get money, but these two girls are also pretty. After we're done, we can also..."
Before he could finish speaking, Scarface glared at him. "Let's get down to business first. Granny Liu's husband said we have to make sure they can't go back to the Qin residence. If anything goes wrong, none of us will get away with it."
The tall, thin man pursed his lips and said nothing more. The others quickened their pace and followed him inside.
Qin Zhining and Qin Xiaoxiao walked to the brick wall at the end of the alley, deliberately stopped and turned around.
Five thugs blocked the alley entrance, completely sealing off the only way out.
Scarface crossed his arms and sneered at the two girls, "You little brats, you know how to pick a spot, saving us the trouble of dragging you here."
Qin Zhining raised an eyebrow, her tone calm, "Were you sent by Consort An from the Qin County Magistrate's residence?"
Scarface was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting her to point it out so directly, then sneered, "Since you know, then behave yourself, so we don't have to hurt you."
The thugs behind him joined in the commotion, rolling up their sleeves and crowding forward, revealing the tattoos on their arms and looking menacing.
Qin Xiaoxiao couldn't hold back any longer. Before Qin Zhining could speak, she suddenly rushed forward two steps.
She looked petite, but her movements were surprisingly fast. Before the tall, thin man in front could react, she grabbed his wrist and twisted it downwards using his strength.
With a sharp "crack," accompanied by the tall, thin man's scream, his arm was twisted behind his back.
Scarface and his men were stunned, clearly not expecting this unassuming little girl to be so skilled in combat.
Qin Zhining stood still, coldly watching them. "I advise you to leave now while you still can."
"You brat, still dare to talk back!"
Scarface snapped out of his daze and, enraged, threw a punch at Qin Zhining.
He fights in the streets year-round; his punches are heavy and fast, and ordinary people simply can't dodge them.
But Qin Zhining gently turned her body to the side, nimbly avoiding his fist, and at the same time stretched out her foot to gently trip him behind the knee.
Scarface lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud, getting a mouthful of mud.
Seeing their accomplice suffer repeated losses, the other three thugs didn't hesitate and rushed forward together.
Qin Xiaoxiao pushed the tall, thin man in her hand to the side, and he bumped right into a thug.
She seized the opportunity to pounce on him, grabbed the thug by the hair, and slammed him hard against the wall. The thug immediately saw stars and collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
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