Chapter 64: Try Touching Her Again

Yao Jia thought for a moment, then took out her phone and opened the “Xingxing Eye” app.

Ever since Hao Lidan introduced her to this video doorbell made by Xingbei Technology, Yao Jia had been intrigued. During a visit to the Xingbei Technology store, she picked one up and installed it at her dormitory door.

She opened the app on her phone, and the video doorbell clearly recorded what had happened in the hallway earlier.

A group of suspicious-looking individuals, under the direction of a leader, were furiously banging on the door opposite hers. The leader, while his subordinates were busy, glanced around and even stared directly into the video doorbell.

The Xingxing Eye captured a clear close-up of his face, full of menacing features.

After banging on the door for a while without any response, they began splashing red paint and writing large characters on the walls and door.

Yao Jia finished watching the video and handed the phone to Meng Xingzhe, asking him to take a look. She casually asked, “Did any of us borrow money from loan sharks?”

Her gaze swept across the room, noticing Lu Fangfei’s face had turned ashen, her lips pale.

Everyone else also sensed something was off with Lu Fangfei and turned to look at her.

“Fangfei, was it… you who borrowed from loan sharks?” Hao Lidan asked.

Lu Fangfei, her face ghostly pale, tried to maintain her composure and said, “It was my sister. She took out a campus loan.”

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Seeing Lu Fangfei was about to collapse, Yao Jia suggested they all go inside to talk. The three from the opposite dorm, Lu Fangfei, Hao Lidan, and Chen Luoxi, came over to Yao Jia’s place. Chen Luoxi specifically asked Tang Minghui to take Shanshan out for a walk.

They all sat in the living room, trying to calm Lu Fangfei and come up with ideas.

Yao Jia asked what to do about the red paint in the hallway, whether they should clean it up. Everyone hesitated, looking at each other, saying, “Maybe we should clean it up? It’s kind of creepy and doesn’t look good.”

Among them, Meng Xingzhe appeared the calmest. He said, “Don’t touch it yet. Let’s document the scene first.”

Yao Jia picked up her phone, ready to go out and take pictures.

Meng Xingzhe placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back.

“Tian Tian will take the photos.”

Tian Huasheng immediately followed the boss’s orders and ran out to take pictures.

“What about me? Why are you holding me back?” Yao Jia asked.

Meng Xingzhe pulled her into the kitchen and asked, “If Lu Fangfei is really in trouble, do you plan to just offer her a few comforting words, or will you help her deeply, like you did for Chen Luoxi and Hao Lidan?”

Yao Jia blinked and said, “If I can help, of course, I’ll do my best.”

“Why?” Meng Xingzhe asked.

Yao Jia thought for a moment and said, “I hadn’t really thought about it before. But now that I think about it, maybe it’s because I believe that when I need help, others will help me in the same way I helped them.”

Meng Xingzhe looked at her. The sunset’s glow streamed through the window, casting golden light on her upturned face.

Her cheeks were soft and delicate, as flawless as fine porcelain untouched by dust. Her clear, bright eyes looked at him, each blink seeming to ripple through his heart.

She looked like a beautiful angel in the sunset.

Meng Xingzhe forcibly pulled his thoughts back from the captivating girl before him, nodded, and said, “Alright.” After steadying himself, he added, “Then call your little friend. We might need her.”

Yao Jia responded with an “Oh” and called Ling Xiaoxin.

Ling Xiaoxin had just finished work and promised to come over immediately.

After arranging the meeting, Yao Jia paused.

Why was she following Meng Xingzhe’s instructions so readily, without even questioning them first?

Yao Jia boiled a pot of hot water and made tea for everyone. As they drank tea, they waited for Ling Xiaoxin and Lu Fangfang to arrive. Tong Yumo sat in the living room for a while, then mentioned she had cramps and needed to lie down in her room.

Hearing the words “cramps,” Yao Jia couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Tong Yumo noticed and pouted, “It’s true!”

Then she turned and went back to her room, seemingly displeased.

No matter how Yao Jia looked at her usual demeanor, she found it hard to reconcile with the fierce image she had seen the previous day. It felt like a dream… but waking up was still quite touching.

Lu Fangfang arrived quickly. As she walked through the hallway and saw the red paint on the walls, she broke down in tears and rushed into the room, collapsing into Lu Fangfei’s arms on the sofa.

Shortly after, Ling Xiaoxin arrived.

This time, as she entered, Yao Jia instinctively glanced behind her, noticing there was no shadow of Bei Luonan following.

“Is your computer completely fixed? Why didn’t Little Bei come with you?” Yao Jia asked as Ling Xiaoxin changed into slippers at the door.

Ling Xiaoxin blushed slightly and said, “He’s on a business trip.”

Yao Jia looked impressed, “Wow, fixing computers has taken him out of town. His repair skills must be unbeatable in the industry.”

Meng Xingzhe leaned lazily against the wall, watching her, at a loss for words at her obliviousness.

Ling Xiaoxin entered the room, and Tian Huasheng and Hao Lidan greeted her warmly.

They introduced her to Lu Fangfei, “This is Little Lawyer Ling.”

Tian Huasheng said, “Little Lawyer Ling just helped me win a real estate lawsuit, allowing me to reclaim the house that was taken over by villains!”

Hao Lidan added, “Little Lawyer Ling is helping me with my divorce case, and the prospects are looking very promising!”

Yao Jia chimed in, “Yes, Lu Fangfei, if you’re facing any issues, you can talk to us. My childhood friend is a lawyer. She might be able to help you through legal channels!”

A glimmer of hope ignited in Lu Fangfei’s eyes. When she shook hands with Ling Xiaoxin, it was as if she was grabbing onto a lifeline, “I’m counting on you, Little Lawyer Ling!”

Ling Xiaoxin blushed, modestly saying, “I don’t deserve such praise. I managed to win the case thanks to Teacher Meng’s guidance!”

She turned respectfully to greet Meng Xingzhe.

Yao Jia: “…”

Chen Luoxi smiled gently and said, “Fangfei, just tell Yao Jia and the others what’s going on. From what I see, their place is like a think tank and help center. My problems, Xiao Tian’s, and Lidan’s were all solved here!”

Lu Fangfei and Lu Fangfang clasped each other’s hands, exchanging a glance that bolstered their courage.

Just as they were about to speak, the sound of footsteps and chattering voices came from outside the entrance.

Then, there was a knock at the door.

Yao Jia went to open it and found neighbors from upstairs and downstairs, people she often saw in the elevator.

There were the elderly couple with the Little Bichon dog, and the elderly Mr. Li and Mrs. Wu, whose home had also been invaded by ants. Leading them was the upstairs Wi-Fi Freeloading Auntie, the culprit behind the ant infestation in the entire unit.

As soon as Yao Jia opened the door, the Wi-Fi Freeloading Auntie started complaining, “What’s going on with you renters? You were so noisy last night, it disrupted my child’s thesis work. I complained to the management, and you kept it up for ages! Today it’s even worse, with gangsters splashing paint! Why do you attract such unsavory people? Whoever owes money to loan sharks should just move out, okay? You’re ruining the neighborhood!”

The other neighbors chimed in, pushing a young man from the property management to the front, saying, “Manager Zhang, you need to handle this. We can’t pay our management fees for nothing, right? If these gangsters come back to cause trouble, it’s one thing if they hurt us old folks, but what if they harm our children?”

Everyone joined in, voicing their concerns.

Manager Zhang, feeling dizzy, urged everyone to calm down, repeating, “Please, everyone, calm down.”

Lu Fangfei stepped forward and bowed apologetically to the neighbors.

The neighbors pointed at her, accusing, “So you’re the one who took out the high-interest loan? What were you thinking? What have you done?”

Chaos erupted again, with shouting and commotion all around.

Yao Jia felt as if a cacophony of chirping and buzzing surrounded her, like a duel between a chicken farm and a duck farm using noise as their weapon.

She took a deep breath and shouted, “Dear neighbors, please, let’s hear from those involved about what really happened, shall we?”

Though the neighbors were a bit gossipy, they were reasonable people. The elderly couple with the Bichon Frise spoke up first, “Let’s hear what the young lady has to say. It won’t hurt to listen.”

With someone taking the lead, the others followed suit.

Manager Zhang then led everyone to a different location, moving the two dormitory groups and the neighbors to the property management’s reception room.

Yao Jia’s dormitory was right by the entrance of the community, and the reception room was on the first floor of that building.

Once everyone found a seat, the Wi-Fi freeloading auntie from upstairs spoke up, “Alright, tell us what’s going on. Don’t say we’re not fair or kind enough to listen to you.”

Lu Fangfei patted her sister’s hand, comforting her to stay calm, then began to speak with a pale face.

As she spoke, her voice choked with emotion.

She revealed the shameful family situation that had left scars on her heart, laying it bare for everyone to hear.

She told the neighbors about being born into a family that favored boys over girls, and how she had worked her way through college on her own.

She admitted that after graduating, she secured a position as an HR specialist at a large company, earning a salary envied by her peers. But no matter how hard she worked or how frugal she was, she couldn’t withstand her family’s constant demands.

Choking back tears, she explained that since she started working, her mother had stopped working altogether, living off her earnings. Her father, though earning money, never gave a cent to her or her sister, openly declaring that all money was reserved for their brother.

She said her sister had been accepted into college with excellent grades, but the family refused to let her attend, insisting she work to support their brother’s education, future house, marriage, and even his children.

At this painful point, Lu Fangfei broke down in tears, “I didn’t want my sister to ruin her future, so I gritted my teeth and decided to support her. Later, my sister also worked part-time, but college expenses now are much higher than when I was in school. Her tuition and living costs are too high to cover with just part-time work, so I had to contribute as well. Every month, I have to send money home, support my sister, and sustain myself. It’s really hard. I haven’t dared to buy a single piece of clothing over two hundred yuan in two years.”

Lu Fangfei wiped her tears, paused to collect herself, and continued, “Originally, my sister considered applying for a student loan for disadvantaged students, but my father’s income disqualified us. This past year, my family has been demanding money more aggressively. My mother said she wanted to send my brother to a talent show and demanded 300,000 yuan from me. I couldn’t provide it, so she kept pressuring me to borrow it. Around this time, my sister’s tuition increased. Seeing me under such pressure, she didn’t tell me and tried to find a solution herself. But what could she do? She ended up borrowing from a campus loan.”

The Wi-Fi freeloading auntie from upstairs, who had been fuming, started to empathize, her eyes reddening.

When Lu Fangfei mentioned Lu Fangfang borrowing from a campus loan, she exclaimed, “Oh no! That’s something you should never touch! My child told me that none of their classmates who borrowed from those loans could pay them back!”

Lu Fangfang nodded heavily and continued, “A classmate knew I was always short on money and introduced me to a campus loan. I initially borrowed seven thousand yuan, but only received four thousand. The lending company claimed the difference was for fees. Yet, they required me to repay based on the full seven thousand, in twelve installments of fifteen hundred each. During midterms and finals, I couldn’t work and missed payments. The interest compounded, and now they claim I owe over a hundred thousand, demanding immediate repayment!”

The neighbors gasped in shock.

“I can’t repay it, so they contacted my sister. I never intended to burden her, but now I’ve caused her so much trouble!” Lu Fangfang cried, apologizing to Lu Fangfei.

Despite her maturity, life showed no mercy. The neighbors, moved by her tears, found their eyes welling up.

“They kept calling my sister and me, over and over. Blocking numbers didn’t help; they just used new ones. They ambushed us at the community gate, dragged us into a small dark room for two hours, and slapped us, demanding repayment. They threatened to send fake nude photos of us to my sister’s company and my school, claiming no one would care if they were real or not. They even threatened to make us take real nude photos if we didn’t pay! They said reporting to the police was useless, that debt must be repaid, and if we dared report, they’d ruin us!”

Yao Jia felt a chill down her spine, wondering why girls always seemed so vulnerable in society.

The Wi-Fi freeloading auntie upstairs cursed angrily, “What scum, what thugs!”

The elderly couple with the Bichon Frise were equally outraged, “People like that should be jailed!”

“No matter how biased your family is, they should help you repay the debt. Look at the situation you’re in!” another neighbor chimed in.

Hearing this, Lu Fangfei was overcome with sorrow, unable to speak through her sobs.

Her tears moved the group of elderly neighbors.

The Wi-Fi freeloading auntie quickly said, “Oh dear, don’t cry like this, or you’ll faint. Such poor kids, just a bit older than my own daughter, but I’ve spoiled her rotten. You two are too pitiful, too pitiful!”

Yao Jia thought for a moment and messaged Tong Yumo, asking for the video she recorded yesterday.

Soon, Tong Yumo sent the video.

Yao Jia showed it to the neighbors, saying, “This is their mother. Yesterday, the commotion was because she came demanding money, not caring about her daughters’ well-being, only wanting money for her son!”

In the video, a shrewish woman was seen yelling, demanding her younger daughter drop out to work, forbidding the older one from giving her sister money, insisting they both support their brother.

Lu Fangfang, tears streaming, said, “Because of our mother, my sister doesn’t even dare to date. When we were home, my sister told me a handsome colleague invited her to dinner, and she was interested. But our mother overheard and interrogated her, demanding to know his name, age, and family background, insisting my sister ask him for money and a house. My sister said they weren’t even close, so why make demands? But our mother was obsessed, convinced my sister was dating him and hiding it. She pressured my sister to ask him for money! Because of our mother, my sister stifled her feelings, telling me with a family like ours, she didn’t deserve to date!” Lu Fangfang sobbed, heartbroken for her sister.

Yao Jia felt a pang of sadness at her tears. She noticed Tian Huasheng and Hao Lidan glancing at Meng Xingzhe.

Confused, she looked over and realized, from his furrowed brow, that the man Lu Fangfang mentioned was Meng Xingzhe.

Her heart tightened, filled with a swirl of emotions she couldn’t quite identify.

The neighbors were now all outraged, voicing their indignation:

“How can such people be parents?”

“Is she really their mother? She seems more like a stepmother!”

“You poor kids!”

Several empathetic women had tears in their eyes.

The Wi-Fi freeloading auntie upstairs openly wept, “Oh, you poor children, Auntie’s heart aches for you!”

In the property management reception room, tears glistened everywhere.

Yao Jia’s eyes grew warm too. Ling Xiaoxin was already crying, blowing her nose repeatedly, quickly going through a pack of tissues.

“What can be done? Can’t they be stopped? This is outrageous! How can they act so brazenly in a law-abiding society? It’s infuriating!”

The elderly man with the Bichon Frise said, filled with righteous anger.

Just then, Lu Fangfei’s phone rang. As she answered, her tear-stained face turned deathly pale.

The Wi-Fi Freeloading Auntie upstairs directly told Lu Fangfei, “Put it on speaker, let us hear what those thugs are saying!”

With trembling hands, Lu Fangfei switched to speaker mode.

From the phone came a rough and menacing voice, “Lu Fangfei, did you see the friendly reminder in the hallway? Come on, come out now. We’re downstairs, let’s discuss when and how you and your sister will pay back the money. If you pretend to be dead and don’t come down, we’ll come up directly.”

Everyone listened to the call and looked out the window of the property management reception room, where they saw those people.

There were more than a dozen of them, all burly, holding sticks and batons, exuding a fierce aura. They looked like gangsters ready to take lives if they couldn’t get their money.

The Wi-Fi Freeloading Auntie was furious and said to Manager Zhang from the property management, “Manager Zhang, how do you manage the community environment? How did these people just walk in? You’re so negligent, refund my property fee immediately!”

After venting at the property management, she turned to Lu Fangfei and the others, “Wait, I’m calling for help in the neighborhood group! I can’t believe it, after all these years of socialism, these thugs still dare to act so lawlessly!”

Lu Fangfei, pale-faced, pulled Lu Fangfang along and said, “Hiding isn’t a solution, we have to face this eventually. Let’s go out!”

Yao Jia wanted to applaud Lu Fangfei. No matter how scared and fragile she looked, she was a girl with responsibility.

She followed the Lu sisters outside.

As soon as she moved, Meng Xingzhe immediately followed. He instructed the others to stay inside and wait to see what happened. He also reminded the Lu sisters not to be too afraid and to try to resolve the matter civilly if possible.

As soon as they appeared, the dozen or so debt collectors surrounded them, brandishing their sticks and batons menacingly.

While they were talking, Yao Jia thought she heard a dog barking.

Someone was speaking crudely, using threats and taunts to pressure Lu Fangfei and Lu Fangfang to repay the debt quickly.

The Lu sisters were trembling all over, saying that tens of thousands were too much, and they didn’t owe that much.

The leader, a thug with a scarred face, immediately changed his expression. He raised his hand and slapped Lu Fangfei’s face with the back of his hand repeatedly, “What did you just say? I didn’t hear it clearly. Come on, I’ll lend you some courage, say it again!”

Yao Jia watched as Lu Fangfei stood there, not daring to move, taking the abuse. Furious, she rushed over and pushed the man away, “If you want to talk, talk properly. Keep your hands to yourself!”

The man with the fleshy face turned his head to look at Yao Jia.

He smiled, a wicked and sinister smile. Suddenly, his expression changed to one of extreme malice, and he pushed Yao Jia on the shoulder.

“Who the hell do you think you are? What’s this got to do with you? Are you even old enough to meddle in other people’s business?”

Before he could finish speaking, he received a heavy kick to the stomach.

“Try touching her again!” Meng Xingzhe’s cold voice rang out.

The man with the fleshy face bent over, clutching his stomach, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He looked up at the person who kicked him, unable to speak for a long time.

Two people quickly came up to support him from either side.

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Meng Xingzhe was furious the moment the man’s hand pushed Yao Jia’s shoulder.

He wrapped his arm around Yao Jia’s shoulder, helping her steady herself, then kicked the man who pushed her in the stomach. To hell with resolving things civilly; anyone who touched her would face his wrath!

“You want to know who she is? Let me tell you, she’s my sister. Try touching her again!”

Yao Jia leaned against Meng Xingzhe, his arm around her shoulder.

Suddenly, she could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears, like thunder. Her face felt hot. What was happening? Was she scared? No, she wasn’t scared at all next to him.

So why was her heart racing?

At this moment, the scar-faced thug, sweating profusely, straightened up and waved his hand, telling his men, “Get him!”

The men rushed forward with their sticks and batons. The Lu sisters screamed, their voices filled with terror.

All the weapons were aimed at Meng Xingzhe. He wanted to push Yao Jia to a safe place, but it was too late.

So he held Yao Jia tightly with one arm, kicking anyone who came close and knocking down anyone who swung a stick at him.

His movements were swift and decisive, protecting Yao Jia completely. He would rather block a hit with his own arm than let Yao Jia get hurt.

Yao Jia, pressed against Meng Xingzhe, felt her heart beating like a rapid drumbeat.

She realized the person beside her was a true man, full of strength and determination. She thought he was incredibly heroic and handsome.

But no matter how strong he was, he was still just one person, and he had to protect her. Soon, the gangsters’ sticks began to land on him.

Tian Huasheng rushed out with a chair, joining the fight.

At this moment, Yao Jia clearly heard the barking of a dog, louder and louder. It wasn’t her imagination.

She looked and saw one of the debt collectors leading a large dog toward them. Yao Jia didn’t recognize the breed, only that it was so fierce it made her nervous just looking at it.

The scar-faced leader waved his hand and said, “Release the dog, take him down!”

The person holding the dog let go. The dog charged at Yao Jia and Meng Xingzhe, barking fiercely.

Yao Jia felt the hand on her shoulder tighten suddenly.

She turned to look at Meng Xingzhe, whose face had gone pale.

She immediately stepped forward, standing in front of Meng Xingzhe. She picked up a stick from the ground, one that had been dropped when Meng Xingzhe kicked someone earlier.

He had protected her, so now it was her turn to protect him!

She held her breath, staring at the fierce dog as it bounded closer, drool flying.

The dog was almost upon them. She steeled herself, thinking she’d just get a rabies shot if needed, and swung the stick to fend off the dog.

In the next second, her vision blurred, and she spun around.

Meng Xingzhe pulled her behind him.

He kicked the charging dog with all his might.

The dog was knocked off course, landing on the ground, too scared to move.

Yao Jia rushed to Meng Xingzhe’s side, seeing his chest heaving, his breaths heavy and labored.

His face was devoid of color.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you afraid of dogs?”

He looked down at her, his face pale, his breathing uneven.

He said to her, “But I think I’m more afraid of it biting you.”

— Translator’s Notes —

• campus loan: In China, ‘campus loans’ refer to predatory, high-interest lending schemes specifically targeting university students, often with deceptive terms that lead to escalating debt, harassment, and legal issues.