Chapter Twenty-One: Still Indebted to Him

“President, what do you think Miss Shangguan is doing here?” Mo Yi was driving, with Huangpu Shenqing seated in the back.

He had heard that Miss Shangguan had arrived in Lingnan, so they had come as soon as possible.

“Just focus on your driving.”

Why ask so many questions? Ranran must have come to try and persuade them, but he was worried about her, afraid those people might be unreasonable and try to bully her.

“Yes, President. Up ahead seems to be Lingnan Villa.”

“Hurry up. Navigate to the nearest guesthouse.”

“Yes, sir.”

When Huangpu Shenqing and Mo Yi arrived at the guesthouse, they found a large group of people gathered, apparently in the middle of a heated discussion.

At the front of the crowd stood two women.

As soon as Huangpu Shenqing saw Shangguan Ranran, he immediately got out of the car.

“What are you saying? You want us to leave? On what grounds?” Ye Xin questioned sharply.

These people had seemed reasonable a moment ago; now, they were acting utterly unreasonable.

“Because this is our land. If we tell you to leave, you leave. What’s with all the talk?” Da Xiong said arrogantly, taking the lead.

“Sir, perhaps you found some fault in what we discussed earlier? We can sit down and negotiate. We have no intention of driving our guests away. Or do you wish to isolate your land from the world entirely?” Shangguan Ranran noted that this man seemed to be the leader among them, so she addressed him directly.

“We don’t want to negotiate. Wherever you came from, go back there.”

“That’s right, just leave already. We’re not selling the land.”

“Yes, leave! Hurry up!”

“May I ask what you mean by this? I believe the terms I offered are exceedingly generous. Earlier you said you’d consider them—why change your mind so suddenly?” There was an imposing air to Shangguan Ranran, her refined features exuding a solemn dignity that set her apart.

The crowd was instantly silenced, looking to Da Xiong for guidance.

Incensed, Da Xiong shouted, “I told you to get lost! If you don’t, don’t blame me for what happens next!”

“You dare? Miss Shangguan asked me to—”

“Why do you insist on obstructing us, sir? Is it that you can’t bear to see others prosper? Or have you found a better deal elsewhere?”

“Damn woman, I—” Da Xiong, whose secret was laid bare, flew into a rage and raised his fist to strike.

“Miss—!”

With a loud thud, Da Xiong was kicked aside.

“Ow, my back—!”

Everything happened in a flash.

Huangpu Shenqing, seeing someone trying to harm Shangguan Ranran, had rushed over and delivered a powerful kick to Da Xiong without hesitation or mercy.

“Da… Da Xiong!”

“How dare you hit someone?”

“Quick, go get the village chief!” The crowd hurried to help Da Xiong up.

He had been kicked in the lower back, and it felt nearly broken. Lifting his shirt, he saw a large bruise blooming across his waist.

“Are you alright?” Huangpu Shenqing took hold of Shangguan Ranran, giving her a once-over.

Mo Yi followed closely behind, inwardly mourning for those foolish enough to provoke Miss Shangguan.

“What brings you here?” Ranran asked. Coincidence? She didn’t believe it.

“Miss Shangguan, we’re just here… here on an inspection,” Mo Yi answered with a forced smile.

“Is that so? The Huangpu Group truly has a wide reach.”

“Not at all, not at all—” Inside, Mo Yi was crying. Why was the president looking at him that way? It terrified him.

“What’s going on here?” The village chief hurried over, having heard the commotion.

“Chief, they hit Da Xiong and are trying to seize our land!”

“What nonsense! Was it not your side who acted first? We were only defending ourselves. Besides, you’re the ones trying to drive us away. Everyone here saw it,” Ye Xin retorted.

Ye Xin was standing at the front. If Young Master Huangpu hadn’t arrived in time, Miss Shangguan might have been struck. She was itching for a fight herself.

“Is what they say true?” The village chief looked around at the bystanders.

“It was Da Xiong who started it. They’re not lying.”

“Yes, we all saw them try to force these people out as soon as they arrived.”

“That’s right, Chief. Frankly, I don’t want to farm anymore. It’s hot, exhausting, and the pay is low.”

“Me neither. Last time, my husband fainted in the fields.”

“I’d rather work in a factory and have money for my old age.”

“Me too, me too,” others echoed.

Those gathered around Da Xiong were beginning to waver. Truth be told, they’d found the proposal quite tempting when they heard it that afternoon.

Seeing the mood shift, Da Xiong realized things were turning against him. If they agreed, who would pay him off? Was he going to suffer that kick for nothing?

“What are you saying? Do you believe her so easily? There’s no such thing as a free lunch!”

“I give you my word: everything I’ve promised, I can deliver. Should anyone from my company fail to honor these terms in the future, you’re welcome to come directly to me—Shangguan Ranran at Shangguan Group.”

She spoke each word with conviction, her manner inspiring trust and making people all the more willing to believe her.

“I also own land in the southern part of Lingnan where you can continue to farm, and the rent will be just twenty percent of your harvest. That way, you sell the land but keep your livelihood—what could be better? But if anyone tries to cause trouble again, the consequences will be far more severe than a single kick.”

Huangpu Shenqing’s commanding presence made everyone lower their heads in deference, his cold glance at Da Xiong and the others reducing them to mere ants.

Shangguan Ranran couldn’t help but frown. In the end, it seemed she still owed him.