At the bungalow door.
The man with the buzz cut seized the opportunity to size up the two people at the door.
A young man, quite handso.
The other, a young girl with a tender face, probably just started middle school, maybe even a primary school student.
The two leaned back on lounge chairs, comfortably at ease.
The buzz-cut man knew that Butcher Zhang sold pork and received a lot of cash every day, which he usually kept in a big leather bag.
In 2014, mobile paynt thods weren’t popular; cash was still the norm.
A thought struck him as he casually took out a pack of Red Wan, and offered a stick to the young guy.
"Hey, buddy, want one?" the buzz-cut man familiarly offered.
Xue Yuantong imdiately looked at Jiang Ning, wanting him to refuse because she had a vague feeling that the man with the buzz cut was dangerous, not a good person.
Jiang Ning sat up and waved his hand: "I don’t smoke."
The buzz-cut man laughed dryly and withdrew the offer without showing any change in expression.
He looked at the house next door and started chatting: "Is Brother Zhang not ho?"
Jiang Ning: "He’s out."
The buzz-cut man nodded, then asked: "Is Mrs. Zhang out too?"
Jiang Ning: "Yes."
With those two questions answered, the buzz-cut man felt much more reassured.
The buzz-cut man looked helpless: "Brother Zhang got so pork. I ca to get it, but you see, I’m in a hurry!"
Xue Yuantong glanced at Jiang Ning.
She noticed sothing was not quite right about this person.
Her mother had often warned her repeatedly, all to ensure her safety.
Normally, Xue Yuantong would choose to go straight ho to tell her mom about this incident.
After all, a grown man’s potential for destruction is not to be underestimated.
But now, with Jiang Ning here.
Jiang Ning said: "He just went out, will be back in half an hour."
The buzz-cut man looked fretful: "I really need it urgently. By the way, is the whole family gone?"
Xue Yuantong was fully alert. She thought for a mont, then said, "No, Xiao Ben is still at ho."
The buzz-cut man was startled: "Who is Xiao Ben? How old?"
Xue Yuantong replied: "Three years old."
The buzz-cut man relaxed, thinking, what can a three-year-old kid possibly understand!
After getting clear information, he felt confident: "Okay, once I get the pork, please tell Brother Zhang for ."
With that, the buzz-cut man swaggered into Butcher Zhang’s house.
He went in walking, but ca out running.
The buzz-cut man’s pants were torn to shreds. Damn it, turns out Xiao Ben was a three-year-old large dog!
The fierce barking echoed around the bungalow, exuding a primordial wildness.
While fleeing, the buzz-cut man glared viciously at Jiang Ning and Yuantong.
His gaze was unpleasant, Jiang Ning flicked his fingers, and a stream of Spiritual Power slithered forward like a snake along the ground.
The running buzz-cut man suddenly tripped over an obstacle underfoot, stumbling and tumbling several ters forward.
Neighbors Xue Chuchu, Yang Fei, and Mr. Qian all ca out to watch the fun.
Mr. Qian shouted: "A vicious dog bit soone!"
Yang Fei asked: "What’s going on?"
Jiang Ning responded: "This guy went into Uncle Zhang’s house to take sothing and got chased by the dog. Let’s wait for Uncle Zhang to handle it."
Yang Fei: "Take sothing?"
He wasn’t a fool; he understood what it ant to take things while soone was not ho.
Running a rural tourism business from the bungalow, Yang Fei naturally didn’t want to be targeted by such people.
He walked over to the buzz-cut man, who was now encircled by a big wolfdog and dared not move recklessly.
Yang Fei picked up his cellphone and dialed a number.
...
At 1:50 p.m.
Jiang Ning rolled out his electric scooter, taking Tongtong to school, while Chuchu rode her own.
Passenger Xue Yuantong was all smiles: "I just knew he was up to sothing sneaky—I an, the guy looked shady!"
Xue Chuchu frowned, less optimistic than Tongtong, rembering the spiteful look of the buzz-cut man as he was taken away.
Having experienced much malice from a young age, Xue Chuchu knew humanity’s darker side.
So people, despite having served ti in prison for their wrongdoings, erge harboring even greater hatred, sotis even seeking violent revenge the very day they get out.
Ordinary people, facing physical retribution, cannot defend themselves.
Of course, such individuals are rare, but encountering one spells catastrophe.
Jiang Ning: "You’re quite clever at knowing how old Xiao Ben is."
Xue Yuantong: "Of course."
The real reason was that, with Jiang Ning present, Xue Yuantong dared to be clever.
However, she wouldn’t tell Jiang Ning that.
Jiang Ning’s Divine Sense detected the anxiety hidden behind Xue Chuchu’s calm exterior, and he said: "Uncle Zhang was quite furious, almost wishing he could chop that guy up."
This comnt put Xue Chuchu sowhat at ease; if the buzz-cut man dared co to the river dam for revenge, he likely wouldn’t have it easy.
Moreover, she wasn’t worried about Jiang Ning and Tongtong’s safety; Jiang Ning could beat Uncle Zhang in an arm-wrestling match, exhibiting great physical prowess.
As Xue Chuchu thought it over, her worries gradually dissipated.
...
Class 8 was lively.
Upon entering, Jiang Ning saw the eye-catching twins.
The two occupied Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong’s seats, their identical faces drawing many glances from classmates.
"No need to get up." Jiang Ning led Xue Yuantong to settle in the seats at the back.
Chen Siyu and her sister were playfully tussling, filled with joy, their girlish laughter like silver bells resonating in the sunlit afternoon, embellishing the vitality of youth.
"Steal my fruit, and you’ll die!" Sister Chen Siqing gripped an ink pen, pointing at her sister, her face full of the endearing childishness unique to young girls.
Chai Wei, upon seeing this scene, shook his head. With the mindset of a chess player, he couldn’t help but mock their childishness, then sighed:
’How wonderful!’
Chen Siyu protested indignantly, in her true character: "For a single fruit, you want my life!"
Sister Chen Siqing: "Have you forgotten what you did to three years ago?!"
Chen Siyu was puzzled: "Huh? What did I do?"
Chen Siqing righteously declared: "Forget it if you can’t rember; I’ve forgotten it anyway."
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