Chapter 083: Collecting a Debt

Xianglan shook her head resolutely. "This is really something you can't interfere with!"

Zhao Feng took a deep breath. "Sister Xianglan, just tell me what happened!"

"I..." Xianglan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, inhaling deeply. "Alright, then." She composed herself. "My husband Liang Jun and I are from Yunchuan. We came to Huai’an County to work. Who could have expected disaster to strike? My husband passed away. Now, it's just me and Nannan, the two of us." Xianglan sobbed softly. "My husband died in an accident. He was on the construction site when there was a problem with the safety ropes. The responsibility lies with the site."

Xianglan continued, "But after my husband died, I couldn't get any compensation, nor his wages."

Zhao Feng drew in a deep breath, finally understanding how it all happened.

As it turned out, Xianglan’s husband suffered an accident due to negligence on the part of the construction site. The site should be held responsible. Yet now, Xianglan and her daughter couldn’t get any compensation. It was infuriating.

Zhao Feng patted Xianglan's shoulder. "Alright, I understand now. I promise I'll help you with this!"

Xianglan shook her head. "Xiao Feng, I appreciate your kindness, but they're too powerful. You can't help me."

Zhao Feng shook his head. "Don't worry, tomorrow I'll go with you to the site!"

"This..."

"It's settled. Let's get some sleep."

"Alright."

Xianglan couldn't explain it, but Zhao Feng seemed to possess some kind of magic; his words inspired confidence. She wiped her tears and walked into her room.

Zhao Feng glanced toward the mountain behind the house, then entered his room as well.

The night passed without incident.

Morning arrived swiftly.

Zhao Feng stretched lazily; his biological clock was precise, waking him promptly at half past six.

He brushed his teeth, washed, and went downstairs.

Xianglan was already waiting, dressed in a faded blue garment—the best she had left.

"Xiao Feng, aren't you eating?" Chen Lan, who was mopping the floor, asked.

Zhao Feng shook his head. "No, I want to go to the county and have spicy soup."

"Alright then."

Zhao Feng and Xianglan left the house, walking down the narrow path.

At that moment, the muddy road was under construction. Soon, vehicles would be able to pass!

The two walked along the path.

"Ugh!" Zhao Feng spat lightly. "No car, such a nuisance! Ever since Li Ping left, I’ve had to walk everywhere."

Xianglan chuckled. "Xiao Feng, once I get the compensation, I'll buy you a car. Consider it thanks for taking us in all this time."

Zhao Feng rolled his eyes. "No need for gratitude. Don't say that again."

"Alright," Xianglan replied quietly.

As they talked, they reached the end of the dirt road. By then, they'd walked three kilometers.

They arrived at the town. Zhao Feng took out his phone and opened the ride-sharing app.

Then, the two of them waited quietly.

The phone rang.

Zhao Feng checked the caller—it was an unfamiliar number.

He frowned. "Who could it be?" He answered.

"Hello? Who is this?" Zhao Feng asked.

A woman’s voice came from the other end.

"Are you Zhao Feng?"

"Yes, I am. Who’s calling?"

There was a soft laugh. "I’m Liu Li from Meisheng Real Estate."

"Oh!" Zhao Feng slapped his forehead. "Sorry, I forgot about that!"

"No problem," Liu Li replied. "Are you available now?"

Zhao Feng thought for a moment. "Not really. I'm headed to the Ninth Construction Site. How about we meet in the afternoon?"

Liu Li sounded surprised. "What a coincidence!"

Zhao Feng blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I'm also going to the Ninth Construction Site."

Zhao Feng was astonished. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Alright, then I'll see you at the site."

"Good."

After hanging up, Zhao Feng looked at Xianglan. "Sister Xianglan, are you hungry?"

Xianglan touched her stomach. "A little."

"Alright, let’s have breakfast first."

"Okay."

They entered a breakfast shop.

Zhao Feng found a table and sat down, Xianglan sitting opposite him.

He ordered some food and began to wait.

After a while, the owner brought over steamed buns and fried dough sticks.

Suddenly, the owner paused, staring intently at Xianglan.

Xianglan was surprised. "Long time no see, boss."

"Hmph!" The owner snorted coldly. "When are you going to pay me the five hundred for the breakfasts you owe?"

Xianglan became more embarrassed, reaching up to touch her hair. "Boss, just give me a little more—"

"Can't do it!" the owner said coldly. "I only gave you food because I felt sorry for you at the time."

Xianglan bowed her head in shame. "Just give me a little more time, please."

The owner shook his head firmly.

He glanced at Zhao Feng, surprised.

"Heh," he sneered. "Is this your new catch? Not bad, a young, rich kid."

The owner continued, "I've always said, with your looks, you don't need to live so hard."

Xianglan’s face darkened. "What are you implying?"

The owner shrugged. "I've made myself clear. Here's a suggestion: I wouldn't mind if you were with me."

"Screw you!" Xianglan stood abruptly, grabbing the bowl of spicy soup and splashing it right in the owner's face.

"Ah!"

"Ouch!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

The owner clutched his face, howling in pain.

"Hmph!" Xianglan snorted coldly.

After a while, the owner glared fiercely at Xianglan. "You’re asking for trouble!"

He was furious, lunging at her.

He was about to grab her by the neck when—

Suddenly, a foot shot out.

"Bang!"

The foot landed squarely on the owner’s backside, sending him sprawling face-first to the floor.

Zhao Feng stood calmly.

He walked over to the owner, looking at him coldly.

"Disrespectful words deserve punishment!"

The owner scrambled up, cursing. "Who the hell are you?"

"The one teaching you a lesson!"

With that, Zhao Feng kicked him again.

This time, his foot landed right on the owner's face, leaving a clear shoe print.

The owner was stunned.

"What the—?"

The owner cursed. "Kid, you’re asking for trouble! Do you know who I'm connected with?"

"Oh?" Zhao Feng was intrigued. "Who are you connected with?"

"Hmph!" The owner said proudly, "I work with Brother Dahua!"

Zhao Feng paused.

"What, scared now?"

Seeing Zhao Feng’s reaction, the owner assumed he was frightened.

"Pfft!" Zhao Feng laughed. "You mean Liu Dahua?"

The owner nodded, puffed up. "Yes, Brother Dahua!"

Zhao Feng shook his head, grinning. "Then call Liu Dahua over. I’d like to see what he’ll do."

"You insolent fool! How dare you call Brother Dahua by name!"