"I know more than just this."
The driver stared at Xu Qiang's pale face and gave a soft snort.
"I also know that the reason you're so eager to marry off your sister is that the casino only gave you three days.
"And you, after taking all your sister's savings, didn't use the money to pay off your debts. Instead, you went gambling again.
"After there was no more money in Xu Lin's card, you colluded with your parents to marry her off and even asked for a sky - high bride price of 500,000 yuan.
"However, no one has come forward to offer the 500,000 yuan. I bet you're getting antsy by now.
"I've got another piece of news for you. The people from the casino will be here soon."
Xu Qiang panicked completely. His eyes were filled with horror. "You... you're lying. They gave me three days, and today is only the second day."
What an idiot.
It was obviously Qi Yu and the others who had informed the casino people.
But he couldn't say that directly.
The driver still looked at him contemptuously with a cold tone.
"Maybe they think a scumbag like you will definitely go back on your word, so they don't want to give you that much time."
Xu Qiang was so scared that he slumped to the ground, his face full of panic.
"No... it's impossible..."
At this time, the driver turned to Pei Jiangmu and the others.
"Two of you, are you going to visit your friend now?
"I can lead the way. I'm quite familiar with this area."
Pei Jiangmu gave him an almost imperceptible look of approval.
Then he took a step forward. Although his posture was lazy, it carried an overwhelming sense of oppression, forcing those onlookers to step back involuntarily.
"Then please help us out, big brother."
The driver called "big brother" felt his legs go weak and almost knelt down.
No way. Was he worthy of this title "big brother"?
The boss's older brother was Pei Jingdu!
He was flustered for a moment. When he walked forward, his first few steps were even a bit clumsy.
Pei Jiangmu didn't look at Xu Qiang on the ground anymore. He took Meng Ruochao's hand and followed the driver.
Only then did Meng Ruochao suddenly come to her senses. She whispered to Pei Jiangmu, "Hey, how does this driver know everything?"
Pei Jiangmu's steps paused slightly but quickly resumed.
"He's from around here, and he seems like a kind - hearted person. It's normal for him to know a lot."
A look of doubt flashed in Meng Ruochao's eyes. "But how does he know the casino people are coming soon?"
This time, Pei Jiangmu was quite good at making up lies.
"For locals like them, their networks are intricate. They all know each other, so it's normal for them to get the news in advance."
Meng Ruochao thought about it and found it reasonable, so she didn't think much more about it.
"Then we have to thank this big brother properly later. Otherwise, we'd be in for a lot of trouble."
After all, they were on someone else's turf. If there was really a conflict, she and Pei Jiangmu might end up at a disadvantage.
Moreover, Pei Jiangmu was still injured. She didn't want a conflict to happen.
Xu Qiang on the ground seemed really scared out of his wits. He could only watch helplessly as they walked towards the house.
His cronies looked at each other and didn't dare to step forward.
The villagers instinctively made way for them. Their eyes were filled with surprise and fear as they watched the three of them.
When they reached the gate of the small building's yard, they found that the gate was bolted from the inside.
The driver knocked on the door.
A timid middle - aged woman's voice came from inside. "Who... who is it?"
"Hello, auntie. We're Xu Lin's friends. We've come from the city to see her."
Meng Ruochao quickly spoke up, trying to make her voice as gentle as possible.
There was a moment of silence inside, followed by the sound of rustling footsteps. The gate was opened a crack.
A haggard - looking, panicked - eyed middle - aged woman poked her head out.
She was startled when she saw the driver. Then she looked at Meng Ruochao and Pei Jiangmu.
Finally, she warily glanced at the onlookers behind them and the ashen - faced Xu Qiang.
"Are you... really Xiao Lin's friends?"
The woman's voice trembled.
Meng Ruochao noticed that the woman looked somewhat similar to Xu Lin, so she should be Xu Lin's mother.
However, there was a large bruise on the left corner of her eye, and her hair was a bit messy.
"Yes, auntie. We couldn't get in touch with Xu Lin, so we were a bit worried and came to check on her.
"There's another friend named Ai Gao. She should have come here earlier."
Meng Ruochao explained and handed over the gifts in her hand. "Just a little token of our appreciation."
Seeing the gifts and the two people's extraordinary bearing, Mrs. Xu didn't think they were bad people. After hesitating for a moment, she opened the door.
"Come... come in quickly."
The yard was in a bit of a mess, obviously having experienced a commotion just now.
As soon as they entered the yard, Meng Ruochao heard faint cries and arguments coming from the house.
"Ai Gao!"
She immediately recognized one of the voices as Ai Gao's.
She exchanged a look with Pei Jiangmu and quickly walked towards the house.
The main room was in a complete mess.
Several stools were overturned, and pieces of broken teacups were all over the floor.
Xu Lin was sitting on a stool, covering her face and sobbing softly. Her eyes were as swollen as peaches.
Ai Gao was like an enraged lioness, loudly arguing with a middle - aged man who was squatting in the corner, smoking silently with a worried look on his face.
Next to the middle - aged man was a gaudily dressed middle - aged woman.
"Why?!" Why did you take all her money?
"Do you think it's easy for her to earn money? You've been making such excessive demands on her again and again.
"Do you know how Xu Lin lives on a daily basis? To build this small western - style building for you, she ate steamed buns for a whole year and ended up malnourished.
"Now that you've squeezed all her money out, you even want to sell your daughter.
"Xu Lin is a person! Not a commodity for you to exchange for money!"
Ai Gao was so angry that her face turned red, and her voice was hoarse.
"Oh, Miss Ai Gao, you can't put it like that..."
The gaudily dressed woman pouted.
"A man should marry when he's old enough, and a woman should marry when she's old enough. The families we've found for Xiao Lin are all wealthy.
"The family that offered the most is willing to give a bride price of 288,000 yuan! She'll be living a good life if she marries into that family..."
"Moreover, it's not finalized yet. We're just waiting for Xiao Lin to make up her own mind."
"Bullshit!"
Ai Gao swore directly.
"What letting Lin Lin make her own decision! You're just waiting for those families to offer more money and then pick the one that offers the most.
"Among the people you've found, which one is a normal person?
"Take the one who offered 288,000 yuan. He just got out of prison after serving three years for domestic violence."
"That... that's just rumors from outsiders..."
Mr. Xu mumbled in defense, but his voice lacked confidence.
"I don't care! You're not going to sell Lin Lin!"
Ai Gao quickly shielded the crying Xu Lin behind her, determined.
When she saw Meng Ruochao and Pei Jiangmu come in, Ai Gao seemed to see her backbone. Her eyes suddenly turned red.
"Chaolao, Xiao Pei, you're finally here!"
Xu Lin also looked up. When she saw Meng Ruochao, she cried even harder.
"Chaolao..."
Meng Ruochao's heart tightened instantly. She quickly walked over, supported Ai Gao, and looked at Xu's parents. Her tone also turned cold.
"Uncle and auntie, what's going on here? Arranged marriages are illegal!"