"Get away from me!" Li Dashu shoved Lang Yue aside.
He was strong, and Lang Yue, losing her balance, stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Lang Yue!" Director Huang was truly enraged this time. He grabbed Li Dashu by an arm, executed a grappling move, and pinned him to the ground. "How dare you lay a hand on someone I cherish so much!"
Lang Yue froze for a moment.
Li Dashu cried out in pain, and Sister Li rushed forward, "Let him go! Let him go!"
She rained blows and kicks upon Director Huang. Lang Yue's waist ached terribly, but she still had to prop herself up and break up the fight.
The son in Sister Li's arms also started to cry. She unceremoniously shoved him into Xiao Jinzi's arms. "Look after your brother!" she yelled, then lunged forward again.
The scene descended into chaos.
When the film crew heard what happened, the thought of their director being wronged was unbearable!
So, they all came running, with Da Zhuang being the fastest. "Second Uncle! Wait for me!"
After this group barged in, they completely filled the small tent. Li Dashu was still pinned to the ground, his limbs held down so he couldn't move. Even with Sister Li's wailing and tantrums, she couldn't get close.
Director Huang quickly went to check on Lang Yue. "Did you… did you hurt yourself anywhere?"
Lang Yue shook her head and looked up at him apologetically. "I'm sorry. I… I feel so ashamed."
It was her failure to protect them. They had helped the village so much; they shouldn't be treated like this!
As the village chief, Lang Yue felt nothing but shame and guilt.
"What are you talking about! These two scoundrels aren't your children, nor did you grow them in the fields. What's there to be ashamed of!"
Director Huang spoke with sincerity. Lang Yue gazed at him with her clear eyes, a helpless smile touching her lips.
She looked back and saw Xiao Jinzi mechanically soothing the child she held.
So young, yet her actions in coaxing the baby were skilled. Lang Yue's heart ached watching her, and she went over to take the child. "Xiao Jinzi, let me have him."
Xiao Jinzi didn't say a word. She lowered her head, returning to her former state.
Just then, the tent flap was lifted.
Xiao Yi entered.
Upon seeing him, everyone quieted down, waiting for Yi Shen to speak.
Director Huang didn't want him involved and signaled for him to leave with his eyes. Xiao Yi shook his head, signaling that it was fine.
He was still wearing his hat and mask. Yan Zhi walked beside him, feeling an urge to beat Li Dashu again, to see if he'd missed any spots and to add a few more blows.
Xiao Yi walked up to Li Dashu. "How much did you want just now?"
Everyone: "..."
Yan Zhi's fists clenched in anger.
Li Dashu, pinned to the ground, couldn't turn his head, but his attitude remained defiant. "Five hundred thousand! Not a penny less!"
Xiao Yi readily agreed. "No problem."
Li Dashu's eyes widened, and he remained stunned for a long time.
Sister Li's face flushed with excitement. This was five hundred thousand! She never imagined it would be so easy to get!
"Brother Yi!" Xiao Shuai anxiously exclaimed, "Why are you giving money to this scoundrel!"
Lang Yue also quickly said, "No, this is blackmail! As village chief, I will never agree!"
Sister Li immediately spat. "He's willing to give it, so what does it matter if you agree or not? I'm warning you, this is our family's business, and it has nothing to do with you!"
Xiao Yi didn't explain. Instead, he continued, "I can give you the money, but I want to adopt Xiao Jinzi."
Everyone suddenly understood. So it was for Xiao Jinzi!
They could all understand the film emperor's actions. It was because this child was too pitiful and suffered too much. If she continued to be with these parents, who knew if she could live to adulthood safely?
Sister Li paused. "You want my daughter?"
Xiao Yi nodded. "This five hundred thousand is a 'thank you gift' or 'hardship fee'… call it whatever you want. As long as you take the money, you will have no further relationship with her. If you agree, I will arrange for a lawyer to handle the paperwork immediately."
Li Dashu struggled to break free from his restraints and said impatiently, "No need for paperwork, you can take her now!"
He already had one son at home and never wanted to waste money on this mute girl. Now, someone wanted to take her away and give him a large sum of money. Only an idiot would refuse!
Sister Li hesitated, however. She turned to look at her daughter. Xiao Jinzi seemed to understand something, and her bright, clear eyes fixed on her without blinking.
The guilt was only momentary. Sister Li was quickly blinded by the impending five hundred thousand. "Take her away. Keeping her here only angers me!"
She snatched her son back from Lang Yue with annoyance and then turned, smiling as she kissed his little face a few times. "Son, we'll have money soon! Mom will buy you whatever you want to eat!" Su Dan Novel Network.
No one noticed as the little girl's eyes gradually lost their light.
Lang Yue was furious. "Xiao Jinzi is your daughter!"
How could these two listen? They urged Xiao Yi to give them the money, afraid he would change his mind.
"No need to rush. Once the relevant procedures are completed, I won't shortchange you a single cent."
He had no patience for people like them. After finishing this matter, he left.
Yan Zhi pointed at the two. "I warn you, once you take the money and sign, Xiao Jinzi will have nothing to do with you anymore! Her future life will also have nothing to do with you!"
Li Dashu waved his hand impatiently. "That child is yours now. We have five hundred thousand, why would we bother with her?"
Sister Li was also overjoyed, constantly urging Yan Zhi, "Give us the money first!"
Seeing the expressions on these two faces, there was truly no hope.
Xiao Yi's efficiency was remarkable. A lawyer arrived with the rescue team that same day.
After signing a series of agreements, he needed to submit applications to the relevant departments. Li Dashu and his wife, to show their "sincerity," generously allowed them to take their daughter away immediately.
Their eagerness suggested that Xiao Jinzi was a burden from birth.
The helicopter that arrived to pick up Xiao Yi was not sent by Lian Jun, but by the Xiao family.
Xiao family bodyguards, wearing the Xiao family's falcon crest, stepped forward. "Fourth Young Master, the Master requests your return."
"Wait here. I need to go in and pack some things."
The bodyguards suddenly blocked him. "The Master has ordered you to leave immediately."
Xiao Yi stood his ground, his dark eyes narrowing, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "I don't want to cause a scene here." He looked up at them. "And neither do you, I imagine."
They remained silent for a moment before stepping back slightly. "Ten minutes."
This was their greatest concession.
Xiao Yi re-entered the tent. Xia Weiliang was still asleep.
He didn't disturb her, just sat by the bed and watched her for a full ten minutes. It wasn't until someone came to urge him that he finally got up to leave.
Aside from his film emperor status, he was still a member of the Xiao family. His grandfather might allow him to make a name in the entertainment industry, but he would never permit such a risky endeavor, as it was a grave transgression.
Xiao Yi feared nothing else, except that his grandfather might vent his anger on someone who didn't deserve it.
He could sacrifice anything, gamble anything, but not her.
Before leaving, he did something unprecedented: he asked Yan Zhi to stay behind.