Chapter Forty-One: Secretary Xiu'e Is No Easy Character

"Don't move, or my hand might shake."
Liansheng lifted his head and glanced at the two bodyguards beside Young Master Rui, rolled his eyes, and displayed his signature honest, goofy smile.
"You're precious, prideful, a rare gem. What are we? Just country folks who don't even have wives, not even fit to be called a broken tile. If you get involved with us, aren't you the one losing out?" Liansheng let his gaze fall onto Young Master Rui’s face.
Young Master Rui’s throat felt dry. He hadn’t expected that, just looking for a bit of fun to pass the time, he’d encounter someone so tough.
"This is a misunderstanding, brother. We can talk it out," Young Master Rui said, but his smile was tinged with darkness.
"Misunderstanding?"
Liansheng grinned, revealing yellowed, less-than-clean teeth. "Just now, from what you said, I hit your man, hugged your woman, and if I don't follow you, you’ll break my arms and legs, wasn’t that it?"
"I was just joking. No need to take it seriously, right?" Young Master Rui laughed awkwardly, patting the smoky-makeup woman sitting on his lap. "If you like her, she’s yours. My offer still stands. I, Young Master Rui, appreciate your character. Ask around if you don't believe me—have I ever invited anyone so many times to follow me?"
"Heh, glad it’s just a misunderstanding. I thought you were really going to do me in." Liansheng propped the old hunting rifle on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Young Master Rui, for your high regard, but I have to guard the 'Ghost King’s Cave' for the village. Looks like I can’t follow you, but if you ever want a friend, you’re always welcome to visit Yutou Village."
He rattled off the pleasantries smoothly.
If not for that jab just now, those around Young Master Rui would have laughed him to scorn, but now, no one dared.
Whether or not there were bullets in that hunting rifle, would you risk it?
He’s the rock, you’re the egg—why crack yourself against him for no reason?
Young Master Rui furrowed his brow.
Then suddenly smiled. "Alright, I like friends like you."
Zhang Xiu’e clambered up with Shanxiu, startled to see Liansheng sitting at the front of a group of young men, hunting rifle slung over his shoulder.
"What are you doing? Why’d you bring that thing out? It can’t even shoot anymore; it’s not even as useful as a fire poker."
Seeing Zhang Xiu’e approach, Liansheng hurriedly stood up from his low stool, stowed the rifle, and laughed sheepishly. "Secretary Xiu’e, I was just joking with our outside friends."
A broken gun?
Hearing the pretty woman’s words, Young Master Rui’s men breathed a sigh of relief.
Only Young Master Rui, when he turned his head and saw Zhang Xiu’e, couldn’t help but have his eyes light up. This woman had something about her—neither too thin nor too fat, with the allure of a peony.
"Joke, my foot. Next time you try to scare someone, use a butcher’s knife—you won’t lose out if things get real. A busted old gun is useless. You bunch of legal ignoramuses, don’t you know it’s illegal to carry firearms? What, you planning on going to jail?"
Zhang Xiu’e scolded as she walked over, then turned to the tourists, smiling apologetically. "Everyone, don’t worry. This is just a prop gun. No bullets, the barrel’s rusted shut, completely harmless."
Maybe the gun wasn’t dangerous, but what about that butcher’s knife?
Listening to Secretary Xiu’e, it seemed they’d rather take their chances with the hunting rifle. If she started waving a butcher’s knife, there’d be real blood.
"Sorry, truly sorry. I’m Zhang Xiu’e, village secretary of Yutou Village. May I ask which of you is Young Master Rui?"
Zhang Xiu’e glanced at the pale, shadow-eyed young man sitting opposite Liansheng, and smiled as she spoke.

Shanxiu behind her covered her mouth to hide her laughter. She’d come along, worried that Zhang Xiu’e might get bullied, but now, hearing this, she realized their Secretary Xiu’e was no pushover herself.
"I am!"
Young Master Rui sized up Zhang Xiu’e, his playful smile returning. He realized Liansheng wasn’t the boss here—just a local tough, all brawn, no brains. But it surprised him to find the village secretary was a woman, and such a young, attractive one at that.
Things just got more interesting.
"So you’re Young Master Rui? I heard you got attacked in our village. Are you alright?" Zhang Xiu’e walked over, her face full of concern.
Real or not, she played the part well.
Before Young Master Rui could reply, Zhang Xiu’e blinked and went on, "These country bumpkins don’t know any better, offending someone like you. Please, don’t take it to heart. I see you look fine, though?"
"…"
Young Master Rui couldn’t help but laugh. These Yutou villagers were interesting—each bolder than the last.
"Who said I got attacked?" Young Master Rui tilted his head, looking at Zhang Xiu’e.
Zhang Xiu’e hesitated, as if she hadn’t heard right. "Didn’t you call and report that you’d been attacked in Yutou Village?"
"I told someone to call the police—maybe my men didn’t explain clearly. The one who got attacked wasn’t me, but my friend!" Young Master Rui pointed to Hou Qiwen, indicating he was the one.
Zhang Xiu’e let out a sigh of relief and smiled sweetly. "You scared me! I thought someone as distinguished as you had gotten hurt in our backwater village. If that happened, I really couldn’t bear the responsibility."
Then she turned to Liansheng, frowned, and asked, "What did he do? Why’d you hit him? Haven’t I always told you—harmony brings wealth. Since everyone’s come to Yutou Village, they’re our friends. If there’s a misunderstanding, talk it out. I’m sure everyone understands how tough things are for us."
Liansheng scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. "This kid said he’s Zhang Kang’s nephew, and started bossing me around. I lost my temper."
Zhang Xiu’e blinked, as if she hadn’t heard right, and asked again, "Whose nephew did he say he was?"
"Zhang Kang from Qiangyuan Company!" Liansheng explained.
When Zhang Xiu’e heard that, her eyes widened and she rolled up her sleeves, cursing, "So why are you all just standing here? Why haven’t you broken his legs yet?"
"…"
Young Master Rui and his crew were all dumbfounded. This woman was the boss of Yutou Village?
Liansheng gave a signal to the other villagers. "What are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear Secretary Xiu’e? Give him another beating!"
Hou Qiwen was so scared he nearly wet himself.
"Don’t hit me, please, I beg you! I’ll stop acting tough!"
He fell to his knees, pleading.
Zhang Xiu’e watched as the villagers pummeled Zhang Kang’s nephew and frowned. "Don’t really kill him, but make sure to break his legs!"
"Understood!" Liansheng nodded obediently.
Young Master Rui stood there, feeling embarrassed. Was this woman really the village secretary? How could she be so domineering?
"Young Master Rui, this has nothing to do with you—it’s a private matter for Yutou Village," Zhang Xiu’e said, smiling his way.
Young Master Rui rubbed his nose. "But you’re beating up my man, aren’t you?"

"Your man?"
Zhang Xiu’e paused, pretending to think it over, then shrugged helplessly. "Sorry, but even if he’s your man, it makes no difference here. Whoever he belongs to, it won’t work. This man… Yutou Village is beating him up, and that’s that!"
Beating him up, just like that?
Hard to believe, after Young Master Rui himself had called the police, the village boss still dared to stand before him and say this. Did she really not know who he was?
Or was Yutou Village just that fearless?
Suddenly, Young Master Rui felt he might not have brought enough people today—after all, this was their turf.
"Secretary Xiu’e, you really can’t judge a book by its cover!" Young Master Rui smiled at her and nodded. "Fine, today I’ll let you have your way. But you should know, people of mine aren’t so easily beaten up."
"I know."
Zhang Xiu’e smiled. "As long as you’re fine and haven’t been hurt, Yutou Village can take responsibility!"
Pfft!
Young Master Rui laughed, gazing at her with growing malice. "But what if your people beat me up too?"
Zhang Xiu’e put on a helpless face. "If we did, well, then we did—what can we do? It’s already done."
She was telling Young Master Rui, don’t try to pull rank with me. We haven’t beaten you up yet, but if we did, there’s nothing you could do about it.
So domineering—rough people from a rough place, Yutou Village really was a den of local toughs.
Not just the villagers—even the educated, out-of-town female secretary had been ‘localised’ by them.
Bold, through and through.
"Good, good. I, Young Master Rui, have seen it all today." Young Master Rui smiled, his gaze growing colder.
Zhang Xiu’e smiled politely. "You’re so well-traveled, there’s nothing you haven’t seen."
"Let’s hope you and Yutou Village can stay this bold forever!" Young Master Rui stretched lazily.
He called to his men, "Call again, see where our people are. I refuse to believe there isn’t a single authority in this country, no place for justice!"
Someone behind him took out a phone, making a call to who-knows-who.
Zhang Xiu’e frowned secretly. Liansheng’s people had started the fight, but this Young Master Rui was no pushover—one phone call and Qian Youwang from the county was already on his way.
She had no other choice but to brace herself and face it. Liansheng and his men were from Yutou Village and worked for the village—they represented all the villagers.
Besides, the one who got beaten up brought it on himself, boasting about being Zhang Kang’s nephew.
Even Zhang Xiu’e felt he deserved the beating.
"Two of you, go down to the village and let everyone know—stop whatever you’re doing. No matter who comes from outside, surround them and don’t let anyone up the mountain!"
After giving the order, Zhang Xiu’e turned to Young Master Rui with a polite gesture and a smile. "Young Master Rui, you don’t look like you’re interested in exploring the Ghost King’s Cave. Why don’t we head down and have a seat? Let’s not disturb the other tourists. After all, whoever you’ve called won’t be able to get up here!"