I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 190: Stealing a Partner

The night passed quietly in awkward silence.

Xiaoman didn't sleep well that night.

The main reason was that Fang Niangzi next to him was too unrestrained; she didn't care about her image at all when she slept.

Not only did she snore incessantly, but she also kept fidgeting, especially with her small, fair hands, which would occasionally reach out and touch Xiaoman's body.

Xiaoman was inwardly groaning, but she couldn't disturb Fang Xiaoxiao's rest because of it.

And so, Xiaoman remained in a state of semi-consciousness throughout the entire night, unable to sleep well.

As the first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the window into the room, Fang Xiaoxiao slowly woke up. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and turned to look at Xiaoman beside her.

Her expression was slightly surprised, "Hey, Xiaoman, why do you have two bags under your eyes!"

Xiaoman shook her head helplessly, "No, I just woke up a few times."

Fang Xiaoxiao looked completely puzzled, "???"

She was about to press for an explanation when there was an urgent knock on the door.

Outside the door, Old Zhang was pounding anxiously on the lattice window and wooden door in front of him.

He went to the sugar factory that had been built earlier this morning to check on the situation, but he never expected to encounter such a distressing thing.

A group of menacing-looking people came to the factory gate to collect protection money.

These people are extremely cruel. Once they arrive, they start beating people without saying a word, without any reason whatsoever.

Even though Old Zhang told these people that this was Fang Niangzi's factory, they not only didn't stop, but became even more arrogant, claiming that they were going to beat up her people.

Old Zhang covered his swollen cheek, his voice filled with anxiety and anger, "Wife, get up quickly! Something terrible has happened! Someone is causing trouble at the factory and has injured several of our workers!"

make trouble!

These two words were like a thunderclap, instantly waking Fang Xiaoxiao from her dazed state.

Her expression changed drastically, her eyes revealing anxiety and anger. She quickly got up and dressed.

"This is outrageous!" Fang Xiaoxiao muttered as she quickly put on her clothes, "These people are completely lawless!"

Her movements were swift and decisive, her face showing deep worry as she hurried towards the door.

Xiaoman quickly got up and followed Fang Xiaoxiao outside to see what was going on.

Open the door.

Then you see old Zhang, his face bruised and swollen, his body hunched over.

When Old Zhang saw the shopkeeper, the backbone of the family, he immediately started crying and wailing.

"Waaah, shopkeeper, you must avenge this old man! These bastards went too far."

"They not only beat this old man, but they also insulted you, shopkeeper!"

"What do you think you are, innkeeper? They even complained that your tongue was too rough when you licked their toes, and you even threatened to strip you naked and throw you out on the street..."

"..."

Hearing what Old Zhang said next, Fang Xiaoxiao felt something was off.

Even if someone is collecting protection money, they shouldn't say things like that.

After all, we're all just trying to make a living, and earning money isn't easy. There's no need to resort to such despicable tactics.

Looking at Old Zhang, he asked in a questioning tone.

"Oh...is everything you said true?"

"Heaven and earth bear witness, everything the old man in the shopkeeper said is absolutely true. If there is even a single lie, may you pray that I fall down when I go out!"

"..."

I'm utterly speechless.

Goodness, this old Zhang is really good at making oaths. It seems that things aren't as exaggerated as he said.

The idea that those people wanted to strip him naked is pure nonsense.

This is the thought.

Fang Xiaoxiao's expression remained gentle as she looked at Old Zhang in front of her.

Old Zhang felt inexplicably uneasy under her gaze, but he couldn't admit that he had just told some lies.

Actually, that group of people did hit someone, but the person they hit was him.

As for the insults directed at Fang Xiaoxiao, they were all made up on the spot.

His goal was simple: he wanted the shopkeeper to stand up for him and teach those people a lesson.

Fang Xiaoxiao did not expose his lie to his face, but instead turned around and looked at the graceful Xiaoman heroine who was walking towards her.

"I'm sorry, I have some things to take care of at the factory, so I probably can't go out for a walk with you."

"Xiaoman, why don't you go out for a stroll? Here's a hundred taels of silver notes. Take it and buy whatever you want."

Xiaoman looked at the silver note in her hand and quickly shook her head.

"No, I can't take your money."

"I appreciate your kind offer, but you should take it back!"

Fang Xiaoxiao shook her head with a smile on her face.

"Just call me Xiao Xiao, no need to be so formal. We're both women, it's only right that we help each other."

"Besides, you are my savior. This little bit of money is nothing. Take it quickly, or I won't feel at ease."

She did this for three reasons.

One reason was to repay a debt of gratitude, since this person had saved her life.

Secondly, last night, during their conversation, they learned about Xiaoman's tragic background: she had been in mourning at a young age, lost her mother at childhood, was abducted by a slave trader, and almost suffered the same humiliation as her previous master.

It can be described as extremely tragic.

Thirdly, he naturally wanted to keep her by his side as a personal bodyguard.

However, she couldn't possibly tell Xiaoman everything on her mind.

Otherwise, they would definitely refuse her outright, and might even dislike her.

I pondered this over and over again.

Fang Xiaoxiao came up with a very reasonable reason, one that she couldn't refuse.

She first put the silver note into her bosom, and then said.

"Xiaoman, I want to discuss something with you."

"Yes, shopkeeper, please don't be so polite. Just say what you need to say."

"Old Zhang said he encountered a group of people demanding protection money at the factory. I don't have anyone with any special skills around me. Why don't you come with me?"

"no problem."

Xiaoman patted her ample breasts.

Seeing that she had agreed, Fang Xiaoxiao followed up.

"However, I don't like owing favors to others. Since you're willing to help me, Xiaoman, I'll give you one hundred taels, the market price for hiring a bodyguard."

"You can't refuse, otherwise I'll have no choice but to take Old Zhang to face those villains!"

"..."

Her words left Xiaoman, who had originally intended to politely decline her offer, momentarily speechless.

After all, they've already said that, so it wouldn't be really appropriate to say no now.

This is the thought.

Xiaoman could only sigh and nod in agreement.

"Alright then, but I'll only take twenty taels, no more."

"Otherwise, I would rather tell the young master the reasons and let him make the decision."

That's all for the sake of talking about it.

Fang Xiaoxiao had no choice but to nod in agreement.

There's nothing else to it, she just doesn't want Pei Yan to know that she's trying to steal him away.

……

Along the way, Fang Xiaoxiao's mood grew heavier and heavier. She secretly vowed to make these troublemakers pay the price and give her buddies an explanation.