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In the evening, Zhang Qiu suggested leaving, but the Black Stocking Woman insisted on keeping him there, grabbing his arm and saying, "Stay here for dinner. Xinru is back, and I've prepared a lot of dishes. You can't leave."
"I'll definitely come another time. The situation is special today; Jiang Xue and I haven't been home in a long time, and we're having dinner with our family tonight."
"Alright then." The Black Stocking Woman's voice sounded slightly disappointed as she glanced back at her sister. She couldn't press the issue; Zhang Qiu's reason was hard to refuse.
The Black Stocking Woman and Liu Xinru saw Zhang Qiu and the others to the door, waving goodbye. After walking a considerable distance, Zhang Qiu turned back and could still see the figures of the Black Stocking Woman and her sister. He waved again, and Liu Xinru immediately responded.
When Zhang Qiu and the others arrived home, the large iron lock hanging on the door had already been removed. Zhang Qiu pushed open the door and saw his mother's electric vehicle parked in the yard. He called out, "Mom, I'm back."
"Zhang Qiu?" He Mei came out from the kitchen area, and upon seeing Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue, a glimmer of light flashed in her eyes. She quickly took off her apron and said, "I went to buy groceries; you all wait at home."
Jiang Xue and Lucia stepped forward to greet her. Zhang Qiu introduced Lucia to his mother, who warmly took Jiang Xue's and Lucia's hands as they entered the house, smiling, "You all stay at home; Auntie will go buy groceries. We'll have hot pot for dinner tonight."
"Mom, you stay home; we'll go buy them." Zhang Qiu insisted, pushing He Mei onto the sofa. He smiled at Jiang Xue and Lucia, saying, "Let's go; we need to head out again."
He Mei repeatedly insisted that guests shouldn't go shopping, but she couldn't win against Zhang Qiu and the others. The three of them walked to a nearby market, attracting quite a few curious glances. Regulars at the market immediately recognized Zhang Qiu as the one who had saved the Black Stocking Woman before. One vendor said to another uncle nearby, "Look, that's him—the guy who saved that girl. Now he has two beautiful ladies with him, plus a foreign girl."
The uncle quickly interrupted him: "Enough with that nonsense."
"What nonsense? You don't believe me? I saw it with my own eyes."
"That's not what I meant; I meant you shouldn't talk recklessly. Do you know who that is? He's the leader of Hall Society. If he hears you say that, you'll be in trouble." The uncle hurriedly gestured for him to be quiet. His nephew attended Beiluan No. 1 High School and graduated this year; he had personally pointed out Zhang Qiu in his graduation photo. The uncle remembered it clearly—there was no mistake.
The man quickly shut up, looking terrified as he watched Zhang Qiu and the others approaching. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Wow, so he's really the president of Hall Society! Thankfully he didn't hear those words; otherwise, he would have been in real trouble.
Zhang Qiu noticed that the vendor ahead was looking at him strangely. He instinctively walked over to the meat stall and asked, "Uncle, do you have lamb rolls for hot pot?"
"The guy is asking if you have meat rolls," said another uncle beside him as he nudged him. It took him a moment to realize what was being asked before he quickly replied that they did have some. Turning around, he pulled out a large stack from the freezer while cautiously watching Zhang Qiu and asked, "How many do you want?"
"Get four boxes."
The person took out four boxes packed in bags and handed them to Zhang Qiu. Zhang Qiu received them with both hands while offering money, smiling as he said, "Thank you."
The vendor trembled as he accepted the money and gave change, finally wiping the sweat from his forehead. Zhang Qiu and the others were happy with their meat purchase and did not notice these details.
After buying the meat, Zhang Qiu, Jiang Xue, and Lucia went around to buy vegetables and seasonings. The vendor wiped the beads of sweat from his brow and said to a nearby uncle, "Are you sure you didn't mistake him?"
"Absolutely sure, no mistake," the uncle insisted that it was indeed Zhang Qiu. "Think about it, if it were an ordinary person, would they have two beautiful women with them, one of whom is a foreign girl? Is that possible?"
"You're right." The vendor thought about it and agreed, looking at Zhang Qiu's back with a puzzled expression. Could it be that even gangsters are this friendly?
Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue's appearance wouldn't normally attract attention, but with Lucia accompanying them, everything became unusual. A foreign beauty appearing in town would draw everyone's focus wherever she went, especially in a bustling market like this. Among the crowd was a thug who attempted to flirt but was beaten up by his companions, who scolded him, "Are you crazy? Can't you see who that girl is with? That's Brother Qiu from the Hall Society!"
Zhang Qiu, Jiang Xue, and Lucia returned home carrying heavy bags and unexpectedly found their father standing in the yard. "Dad, when did you come back?" Zhang Qiu asked.
"I just arrived tonight. I heard from your mom that you were back. Is this your foreign friend? Welcome!" Zhang Zhi Hua looked at Lucia, finishing his welcome with a strong local dialect.
Lucia smiled and thanked him while greeting Zhang Zhi Hua. He Mei came out of the house and said with a smile, "Come inside to chat; it's air-conditioned in there. It's so hot out here."
He Mei walked over to take the vegetables while Zhang Qiu, Jiang Xue, and Lucia pushed the elderly couple into the house. The three of them headed straight for the kitchen with their heavy bags. Hot pot is more convenient than other meals; all you need to do is boil water and wash the ingredients before eating. The three of them divided their tasks clearly; Lucia washed vegetables while saying, "I want to learn how to make hot pot so that when I return to America, I can invite my friends over for dinner."
Zhang Qiu was pouring lamb rolls from a plastic container onto a plate when his phone suddenly rang loudly from his pocket. Jiang Xue took what was in Zhang Qiu's hands and said, "Go wash your hands and answer the phone."
Zhang Qiu hurried to the sink to wash his hands without drying them before pulling out his phone, worried that something urgent had come up. Looking at the caller ID on his phone, he couldn't help but feel puzzled. After answering, he asked, "Sister, calling at night—what's up?"
"Yes, there is indeed something."
Hearing Liu Fangfei's serious tone on the other end of the line—so unlike her usual self—Zhang Qiu immediately asked, "Sister, quickly tell me what happened; I'll definitely help you."
"This is something I really need your help with."
"Sister, what's going on?" Zhang Qiu anxiously gripped his phone, sensing that something serious had happened; otherwise, Liu Fangfei wouldn't be acting this way. Jiang Xue, who was nearby, heard Zhang Qiu's urgent tone and moved closer to listen. Upon hearing Liu Fangfei's voice, she tugged at Zhang Qiu's arm and said, "Put it on speaker."
Zhang Qiu pressed the speaker button and waited anxiously; every second felt like an eternity. He couldn't imagine what could make Liu Fangfei so anxious; after all, she was the daughter of a high-ranking official from the Province. Could it be... a terrifying thought crossed his mind. The Zhao Family's downfall might not be an isolated incident, and its repercussions could domino into a larger crisis. Was Liu Fangfei's father involved as well?
"Zhang Qiu, are you familiar with people in the capital..." Liu Fangfei's first words shocked Zhang Qiu. Could it really be as he suspected? Zhang Qiu immediately replied, "Yes, sister, what exactly happened?"
"Did you hire someone to deal with Jin Hao Group?" Liu Fangfei's second statement eased Zhang Qiu's heart slightly. Was she looking for him regarding Jin Hao Group? That shouldn't be the case; what connection could they have? Moreover, Liu Fangfei knew his personality well.
"Yes," Zhang Qiu admitted candidly.
"Zhang Qiu, can you not take action against Jin Hao Group?"
"That's impossible!" Zhang Qiu firmly refused, even though Liu Fangfei's voice and tone conveyed her difficulty.
"Zhang Qiu, please don't rush to reject me; let me finish."
"Sister," Zhang Qiu clutched his phone tightly, waiting for Liu Fangfei's next words.
"Jin Hao Group is the leading enterprise in the city, and the city is one of the top two in H Province. If you act against Jin Hao Group, it will affect the overall planning and long-term development of H Province. This will impact not just one family but millions of families. Therefore, my father entrusted me to plead with you not to act against Jin Hao Group. He initially wanted to talk to you personally, but I thought it would be better if I spoke with you."
"Sister," Zhang Qiu shouted, then calmed down for a moment before saying, "You're forcing me. Lu Bin has a deep-seated grudge against me; I can't just let it go." Zhang Qiu found himself in a dilemma: on one hand was his hatred for Lu Bin, and on the other was his sister who had helped him multiple times. It was truly difficult to decide.
"Zhang Qiu, I understand that. I've spoken to my father about this too. So I propose a compromise; what do you think?"
"What compromise?"
"You don't act against Jin Hao Group, and Lu Jinhao will have his son return home and hand him over to you for handling. As long as you don't harm his life, how you punish him is up to you."
"Okay, I agree!" Zhang Qiu immediately responded.
"Zhang Qiu, have you really thought this through?" Liu Fangfei, surprised by Zhang Qiu's decisiveness, said softly, "Actually, even if you are resolute against me, I can understand."
"I don't want to put you in a difficult position." Liu Fangfei had helped her before, and now that she needed help, Zhang Qiu couldn't just ignore it. Fortunately, Liu Fangfei proposed a compromise. Her goal had always been Lu Bin; as long as she could punish Lu Bin, she could leave Jin Hao Group alone.
"Zhang Qiu, thank you."
"Sister," Zhang Qiu replied, "please tell Uncle that I have no intention of interfering with their plans or anyone else's life. I just want the bad guys to receive the punishment they deserve. Within three days, I want to see Lu Bin. The sincerity I can understand only lasts for three days. With today's transportation being so developed, my request isn't unreasonable, right?"
"Not unreasonable at all. My father is in the room; I'll tell him right away."
Zhang Qiu heard the sound of footsteps on the floor through the phone, followed by a sudden silence. After a moment, Liu Fangfei said, "My father has no problem with it and wants me to thank you. Zhang Qiu, I also thank you."
"You're welcome. You are my sister and always will be."
The atmosphere became somewhat subtle for a moment. Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "Sister, I just got home today and am cooking with Xue'er. I'll chat with you later and come to hang out."
"Okay." Liu Fangfei let out a long sigh of relief on the other end of the line.
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