He Fang was startled by Zhou Ba's words!
Zhao Shanhe, standing beside her, chuckled.
Zhou Ba's ability to handle Hong Zi Tou's loan sharking business back then wasn't due to his fighting prowess or bravery, but his intelligence.
And at this moment, Zhou Ba was showcasing his intelligence to the fullest.
To save his own life, he not only gave up on He Fang's money but also offered to compensate her. Truly a master of cunning!
"Zhou Ba, you don't need to be so clever. Your debt with Aunt He will be settled tonight!"
Jiang Wuming said coldly.
"Young Master Jiang, we were blind and offended Aunt He. This is our compensation. If you find it insufficient, just name your price!"
Zhou Ba panicked when Jiang Wuming rejected him, assuming he was unsatisfied. Gritting his teeth, he decided to bleed himself dry.
"The money matters are concluded. Now, I have one question for you. Tell me honestly what you know!"
Jiang Wuming frowned.
"You... you say,"
Zhou Ba was stunned for a moment, then realizing Jiang Wuming wasn't short of money, he nodded repeatedly.
"Ten years ago, someone in your circle lent money to a man named Mu Tiejun. Mu Tiejun couldn't repay the loan, so the loan sharks took his daughter. Do you know about this?" Jiang Wuming asked.
Huh?
Hearing Jiang Wuming mention it again, He Fang snapped out of her shock. She hadn't expected Jiang Wuming to bring up her ex-husband's affairs.
Dongfang Xiaoyao's body trembled slightly.
She knew that everything Jiang Wuming was doing tonight, besides helping He Fang solve her problems, was also to help her dispel the nightmares in her heart!
And the greatest trauma in her nightmares was being sold to loan sharks by her own father ten years ago!
"Young Master Jiang, I know about this. Back then, it caused quite a stir in our circle. Although those loan sharks were petty thugs with small capital, mainly preying on salary earners, they all ended up dead! The police even questioned me about it!"
Although Zhou Ba didn't know why Jiang Wuming was asking about this, he still truthfully told him what he knew.
"Are you sure that the loan sharks who lent money to Mu Tiejun, including the person in charge behind the scenes, are all dead?" Jiang Wuming confirmed.
"Young Master Jiang, I'm sure! Not just me, but many of my subordinates know about this!" Zhou Ba nodded firmly.
"Yes... Yes, Young Master Jiang, my boss is telling the truth. Those guys were reckless back then, almost breaking our circle's rules. We were planning to deal with them, but then they met their end!"
Brother Shan hesitated for a moment before also revealing what he knew.
"Alright, get out."
Hearing Zhou Ba and Brother Shan's words again, Jiang Wuming understood the matter was likely true and said no more.
"Yes... Yes!"
The word "get out," which was originally meant as an insult, sounded like celestial music to Zhou Ba and Brother Shan.
They trembled with excitement, got up, and fled as if their lives depended on it, as though they had narrowly escaped death itself!
Watching Zhou Ba and the others flee in terror, He Fang wore a strange expression.
Initially, she hadn't believed that Jiang Wuming and Dongfang Xiaoyao could help her resolve the predicament she was facing.
Later, whether it was Dongfang Xiaoyao subduing Brother Shan and his men in the villa or Jiang Wuming asking Dongfang Xiaoyao to transfer money to He Fang, it all felt surreal to He Fang.
This feeling reached its peak when Zhou Ba and his group knelt before Jiang Wuming and offered to compensate He Fang!
And now, even though He Fang had regained her senses, she still felt that everything that had happened tonight was unbelievable, too far removed from her life, and had even overturned her perception of the world!
"Mr. Zhao, thank you for your trouble tonight."
After Zhou Ba and the others left, Jiang Wuming expressed his gratitude to Zhao Shanhe.
"Young Master Jiang, you are too kind. I didn't do anything,"
Zhao Shanhe replied politely, then hesitated before asking, "Young Master Jiang, how many days will you be in Nanguang? Would you have time for me to treat you to a meal?"
"Certainly, how about tomorrow night? You can pick the place and send me a message." Jiang Wuming accepted Zhao Shanhe's invitation.
"Okay!"
Zhao Shanhe nodded excitedly and then, without further ado, bid farewell to Jiang Wuming and the other two.
"Xiao Rou, why don't you and your boyfriend stay the night? Also, are you hungry? I can order some late-night snacks?"
After Zhao Shanhe left, He Fang said to Jiang Wuming and Dongfang Xiaoyao.
Although Dongfang Xiaoyao hadn't told her about her relationship with Jiang Wuming, she had already concluded that Jiang Wuming was Dongfang Xiaoyao's boyfriend.
Otherwise, why would Jiang Wuming do all this for Dongfang Xiaoyao?
Swish!
Hearing the words "boyfriend," Dongfang Xiaoyao's face changed. A blush instantly spread across her face, which was usually as cold as ice!
Shyness.
This was the first time she had shown such an expression since she was taken away by the Heavenly Dragon Daoist!
"Xiaoyao and I have other matters to attend to, so we won't be staying."
Jiang Wuming noticed Dongfang Xiaoyao's shyness and found it amusing. Without explaining to He Fang, he declined her invitation and added,
"Tomorrow, Xiaoyao will transfer the money to your account. Also, please note down Zhao Shanhe's phone number from earlier. If you encounter any particularly difficult situations in the future, you can call him for help."
"Okay... Okay!"
He Fang nodded subconsciously, then hesitated before asking again, "You really aren't staying? The rooms have good soundproofing..."
"???"
This time, even Jiang Wuming was a little baffled.
Meanwhile, Dongfang Xiaoyao's face had turned as red as an apple. To cover her embarrassment, she walked ahead without even saying goodbye to He Fang.
"We're leaving. You go inside. Remember, treat Gao Yue well, and don't repeat the past."
Jiang Wuming waved to He Fang and followed Dongfang Xiaoyao.
"Xiao... Xiaoyao, come home often when you have time!"
Looking at Jiang Wuming and Dongfang Xiaoyao's retreating figures, He Fang felt a mix of emotions and couldn't help but call out.
There was no response.
Dongfang Xiaoyao waved her hand without looking back, and the blush on her face disappeared.
When Dongfang Xiaoyao fought in the dark world, she was decisive, ruthless, and iron-willed. All the members of the Battle Dragon Hall, including Xing Tian and Qin Xiaozhi, feared her.
But only Jiang Wuming knew that Dongfang Xiaoyao's coldness and ruthlessness were merely a result of her unfortunate childhood.
Deep down, she yearned for family affection and warmth more than anyone.
Similarly, deep down, she had a piece of pure land!
He Fang's last words had touched that piece of pure land in Dongfang Xiaoyao's heart!
"Xiaoyao, you look quite cute when you're shy."
Jiang Wuming noticed Dongfang Xiaoyao's change and teased her with a smile to lighten the mood.
"Brother Wuming, thank you."
This time, Dongfang Xiaoyao didn't blush. Instead, she stopped abruptly, gazed at Jiang Wuming, and spoke softly.
At this moment, she didn't realize that she had become accustomed to calling Jiang Wuming "Brother Wuming."
"Silly girl, why are you being so formal with me?"
Jiang Wuming gave a wry smile and then said, "Xiaoyao, the nightmares you had in your childhood were because you were weak and at the mercy of others.
But you are different now. You are very powerful. Those bad people who seemed like demons to you back then are like mere ants before you!
When you were weak, the world was full of demons; when you are strong, the world is full of smiles.
So, you don't need to fear the nightmares of the past anymore. Face them, and let them dissipate on their own."
"Okay."
Dongfang Xiaoyao nodded gently.
If there are demons in the heart, slay the demons.
Tonight, with Jiang Wuming's help, the girl slew the first demon in her heart!
...