FID – Chapter 629

Chapter 629: The Lionness

Liu Zhiqiu pressed his lips together, already knowing what she was about to do.

The night before, Aunt Hong had already informed him about the investigation. In fact, he had known for a while. He and Xue Qinglian had uncovered quite a bit of information, and it wasn’t much different from what Aunt Hong had found.

However, considering their local ties and the other party’s family situation, and with the village chief from Duanqiao pleading for mercy, he hadn’t taken things to the extreme.

“I’ll do what needs to be done…”

“Brother Zhiqiu, your heart is kind. Even when people are bullying you, you still want to leave a way out, but such people cannot be tolerated,” Liu Muqiu stopped him from speaking further. 

If he handled it, it would damage his reputation. As long as the Liu family remains clean, that’s enough.

She looked at the family still causing a scene, and took two steps forward. “Your name is Yu Jiabao. You run a small liquor shop in the town, selling liquor stolen from the brewery, specifically the Xinghua Village wine. In just two months, you’ve earned over six hundred taels using these methods, and you’ve kept the money untouched in the town’s silver bank.”

The neighbors gathered at the door were stunned, and even the Liu family elders were shocked. Zhiqiu hadn’t mentioned any of this to them.

Grandma Liu’s face turned an even deeper shade of green. When the little child had rushed over crying earlier, she had almost softened.

They never expected it to be a scam!

The middle-aged man, still crying out, froze, his whole body shaking in disbelief as he looked at Liu Muqiu. He immediately denied it, “You’re lying! Our family is so poor that everyone in Duanqiao Village knows! How could I possibly open a small liquor shop? You’re spitting false accusations, this is slander!”

“To keep it hidden, the small liquor shop was rented under your wife’s family name. The contract clearly states this; just ask the property owner and you’ll know. Denying it won’t work. Now you’ve brought your whole family here to cause a scene, crying about poverty, but it’s just to continue staying at the brewery and using the wine formula. There’s one ingredient that you can’t find anywhere else.”

The man’s face began to turn pale, and he stopped his cries. His entire family was also stunned into silence by Liu Muqiu’s words, their expressions changing as well.

“Our Liu family is kind-hearted. Knowing the things you’ve done, we still left you some room and only kicked you out of the distillery. But you, ungrateful, still want to continue harming others. Since that’s the case, don’t blame us for not being merciful. As for anything our Liu family has given you, you’ve taken enough, so now you’ll return it all. If even a single cent is missing, we’ll meet at the yamen!”

Liu Muqiu spoke these words without harshness, but every sentence carried a chilling undertone. 

“Think carefully about the consequences. Theft and fraud may not be the gravest of crimes, but they’re enough to keep you in prison for two to three years. Once you get to the yamen, those silver coins will still have to be returned!”

Hearing Liu Muqiu reveal everything and threaten them with the government, the entire family couldn’t hold back any longer.

The middle-aged woman, who had previously been crying, suddenly changed expression. Her eyes turned red with anger as she rushed toward Liu Muqiu, reaching out to scratch her.

“You venomous woman! You’re forcing us into a dead-end! I’ll fight you to the end!”

Liu Zhiqiu’s eyes darkened sharply. He quickly stepped in, pulling the woman behind him and blocking her attack, pushing her aside. “Tch, no more pretending, huh? Since you want to tear the mask off, then let’s meet in court!”

The woman screeched and lunged at Liu Zhiqiu, immediately leaving a long scratch on the back of his raised hand.

Liu Muqiu, who had been quietly standing behind the man, immediately rushed forward when she saw what happened. She raised her hand and scratched the woman’s face.

The woman was caught off guard and was struck across the face.

In an instant, Wei Hong arrived and quickly restrained the woman, preventing her from retaliating. However, Liu Muqiu didn’t stop. Her hands kept moving, scratching the woman wherever there was exposed skin, her movements frantic and wild.

The Liu family elders stood frozen in place, unable to regain their senses for quite some time.

The girl before them was like an enraged lionness, completely unrecognizable from the usual delicate and gentle demeanor she often displayed.

Liu Zhiqiu was stunned for a moment before pulling the girl back. “Enough.”

“How dare she scratch you!” Liu Muqiu, her eyes bloodshot, pointed at the helpless woman, still struggling to break free and rush forward.

Liu Zhiqiu sighed. “…” He simply wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her still as she kicked and flailed.

The girl, still unable to vent her anger, shouted at the woman, “We’re pushing you into a corner? Hah! Just because you’re poor, that gives you the right to steal from others? My Brother Zhiqiu is already burdened with huge debts! Should he, like you, plot against a winery? Should he worry every day? Don’t blame the heavens or the earth. Just because you’re poor doesn’t mean you’re right! Your character is flawed, the root of it is rotten! I’m telling you, I’m going to report you to the authorities and throw you all in jail! When you get out, I’ll make sure you stay poor for the rest of your lives!”

The family was continuously changing colors, and even the woman, who had been trying to throw a tantrum, finally slumped down, deflated.

Now that the women of the Liu family had already made their intentions clear, it was obvious they were determined to take them to court. How could they keep causing a scene?

If they kept this up, there would really be no room for negotiation left!

In the hall, Grandma Liu had regained her senses and quietly asked Liu Zhiqiu, “Zhiqiu, is Muqiu possessed?”

“It seems like it, Grandpa, Grandma. I’ll take her to Qinglian’s place to get some medicine.”

“…”

Before leaving, he glanced at the family still trying to plot their way out, struggling and helping each other up. “Return the money, or we’ll meet at the yamen. I’m giving you half a day to do so. Aunt Hong, throw them out!”

“What ‘meet at the yamen’? It’s a certainty we’ll meet there! They’ll return the money whether they want to or not!” Liu Muqiu continued to shout, “Do you think we, the Liu family, are easy to bully? You think you can pick on us just because we’re kind? Have you never seen a bad person before?!”

Liu Zhiqiu quickly covered the girl’s mouth with one hand, speeding up as he headed toward the back courtyard.

If they stayed here any longer, who knew what else she might say that would further ruin her elders’ impression of her?

Naturally, he didn’t take her to Xue Qinglian for medicine, but instead brought her to his own room in the inner courtyard.

Without the people who had been provoking her around, the girl quickly calmed down. She smoothed her disheveled hair, not even glancing at Liu Zhiqiu, and turned to leave quickly. “Brother Zhiqiu, I’m a bit tired. I’ll go back to my room and rest for a while.”

“Do you realize how embarrassing that was?”

The girl stumbled at the door and almost ran out of the inner courtyard in a hurry.

After her figure disappeared, Liu Zhiqiu slowly sat down on a bench, then leaned forward and placed his hand on his forehead, bursting into wild laughter.

Damn it, she’s too adorable!

Back in her room in the inner courtyard, Liu Muqiu slammed the door shut behind her with a loud bang. She leaned against it, frantically twisting her fingers in distress.

How embarrassing!

So embarrassing!

She lost control—what would her grandparents think of her?

What would Zhiqiu think of her?

It was over. No one would believe she was ever weak again!

She had planned to be the villain, but not this kind of villain!

How was she going to fix this now?

After a while, from a distance, through the door, she could still faintly hear the sound of laughter coming from the outer courtyard.

Liu Muqiu collapsed onto the bed in despair. 

What kind of persona was she supposed to play from now on?