Chapter 5: A Friendly Way to Collect Debts

Legends of the local fox immortal and the yellow-skinned spirit are widespread.

Whenever something unexplainable happens, the locals attribute it to these sprites.

Hearing mention of the fox immortal, Gu Lao San also became fully alert.

Yesterday, the couple, suspecting that Gu Bapi had hidden money under the sand dune, lay awake with anxiety until deep into the night.

The two quickly agreed and decided to sneak out in the dead of night to investigate.

Gu Lao San and Liu Shi climbed over the wall into Gu Xixi's courtyard, feeling their way in the dark for a few steps.

Before they could find the sand pile, something strange happened.

They felt a chilly breeze brush past from behind, and both immediately got goosebumps, about to turn around.

But then a sudden sharp pain shot through the back of their necks…

By the time early-rising villagers woke them, dawn had already broken.

The couple blinked dazedly at each other before realizing they were hanging from a tree.

Recalling how they entered Gu Xixi's home, they had seen no one, heard no footsteps, yet in the blink of an eye both were completely unaware.

No matter how you think about it, this doesn't seem like something a person would do.

Moreover, after the man named Chen Fang appeared, Gu Xixi's temperament seemed to change completely.

Liu Shi exclaimed angrily, "The more I think about it, the more wrong it feels! Where in the world could there be such a lovely man?"

"In my view, that Chen-surnamed pretty boy is nothing but a fox spirit kept by Gu Xixi!"

Gu Lao San, however, shouted in a low voice, "Shut up!"

Liu Shi protested, "Something happened at her house, yet we didn't go to her—she came to us instead!"

"I insist on going out to confront her face to face and clear things up!"

Gu Lao San panicked, clapped a hand over Liu Shi's mouth, and barked, "How did I ever marry such a foolish woman!"

"Have you forgotten where we were tied up?!"

"If you go out now to confront her, that's tantamount to confessing without being beaten!"

Liu Shi blinked repeatedly, nodded, indicating she had settled down.

Only then did Gu Lao San release her, muttering, "This time we can only suffer a dumb loss."

"If this gets out, none of our family will be able to live in the village anymore!"

In the courtyard, Gu Xixi, as if on cue, brought up the very topic, her voice rising an octave: "Uncle Three, Aunt Three! I heard you got a fright—I came with Chen Fang to check on you!"

Liu Shi looked at Gu Lao San and said, "Old man, is this dead girl doing this on purpose?"

Gu Lao San fell back, covered his head with a blanket, and said, "Just let her go; we'll pretend we're not home."

However, since Gu Xixi had come all this way, she had no intention of leaving after being turned away at the door.

She exclaimed in surprise, "I heard that elderly people fear catching a cold the most. Could it be that you're ill?"

"Uncle Three! Aunt Three!! Are you!! okay!!!!"

Each utterance grew louder, and the neighbors gradually gathered.

Mu Nan Zhao stood there with half-lowered eyelids, still appearing unconcerned.

"Could they have died inside the house?"

Since she's putting on an act, he doesn't mind giving her a push.

Upon hearing "died inside the house," the enthusiastic neighbors rushed in, frightened.

"I remember that Lao San came back this morning and hasn't stepped outside since!"

"Right! Could he really be sick?"

"Then what are we waiting for? Hurry in and rescue them!"

Gu Xixi watched the crowd surge toward the main hall, coldly smiling inside.

"I told you to hide!"

But she insists that more people make things easier; today she wants the scene to be as big and chaotic as possible!

Just as someone pushed the door, it opened from inside, and Gu Lao San and Liu Shi stepped out, their faces ashen.

Gu Lao San forced a smile and asked, "What's going on?"

"We were sleeping soundly when we heard the commotion outside."

Seeing the couple unharmed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and chattered, explaining the situation.

Gu Xixi stepped forward with a relieved expression, saying, "As long as you're fine! I called Uncle Three and Aunt Three, but you didn't answer."

"I thought you two had fallen ill."

Liu Shi gritted her teeth, "That man of yours declared us dead—how could we not respond?!"

Gu Lao San furtively jabbed Liu Shi, then smiled at the crowd, "Thanks for your concern, everyone."

"It's all a misunderstanding; we're both fine—let's disperse, folks."

Gu Xixi spoke unhurriedly, "Aunt Liu mentioned yesterday wanting to rent out my land, which reminded me."

"The fields lying fallow are my fault; I ought to start cultivating them soon."

The village's number one prodigal daughter actually willing to farm?

The gossipy atmosphere caused those about to leave to slow their steps.

Seeing that Gu Xixi didn't bring up last night's incident, Gu Lao San genuinely relaxed.

"If you think this way, your father in the underworld would surely be pleased."

He wore a kind smile on his face, but his heart was full of contempt.

She's just a brat who's never managed farmland,

Does she even know how to farm? Can she endure that hardship?

For now I'll placate her in front of everyone; after a few days of her enthusiasm she'll surely be crying and shouting that she won't do it.

By then he'll still be clutching those thirty-two mu of land in his hand!

Gu Lao San's smile was still on his face when he heard Gu Xixi say:

So, Third Uncle, you ought to return those seven mu of my family's paddy fields that you've occupied.

Gu Lao San's expression froze.

Liu Shi could no longer restrain herself and jumped up, saying, "What's with the visit? You're clearly waiting for us here!"

You were actually pretending not to know before, and now you're eyeing a share of my family's wheat!

Gu Xixi chuckled, "Those seven mu of land you're using are all top-quality paddy fields."

Out of consideration for our family ties, I'll halve the rent—either three strings of cash or an equivalent amount of grain.

Gu Lao San held Liu Shi back, grinned at Gu Xixi, and revealed a smug smile.

Originally you left this land fallow; Third Uncle merely borrowed it to cultivate.

Since there was no oral agreement and no deed as proof, where does the talk of rent come from?

"Exactly, exactly, exactly!" Liu Shi burst into laughter, provocatively lifting her chin,

No matter whether you ask the villagers to judge or take it to the government office, it's useless!

The villagers had already been gossiping in private about Gu Lao San's land seizure.

In the past, only Gu Xixi, that fool, was completely uninterested and unaware of it.

Now everyone sees Gu Lao San openly acting like a rascal, and they feel a bit more sympathy for Gu Xixi, who has turned over a new leaf.

Someone quietly reminded Mu Nan Zhao, "Hey, you'd better say something to scare them!"

Mu Nan Zhao stood with his hands folded, looking ahead, "Not needed."

Gu Xixi and Gu Lao San exchanged glances, their expressions growing even more indifferent.

I have no rental contract, but I do have the deed to these seven mu of land.

As the landowner, I have the right to dispose of anything on the land.

Given the urgency of the farming season, if I don't collect the rent tomorrow, someone will come the day after to reclaim the land.

Gu Lao San and Liu Shi were instantly both shocked and angry.

You want to monopolize it? But the wheat seed and the labor are from my family!

"Don't worry." A smile appeared in Gu Xixi's eyes.

I don't want your stuff; I'll have people pull out all the immature wheat.

Third Uncle and Third Aunt can come and take it themselves then.

The wheat will be mature in half a month; pulling it out now would be like wasting half a year's work.

Liu Shi felt as if her heart were being cut by a knife, her whole body in turmoil. "I'll beat you to death, you little wretch!"