Chapter 39 Zhang Xiaoman's Dilemma

Words : 1297 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Before he even saw the face, just by smelling the scent of the other person, Xia Liu sensed trouble—it was Zhang Xiaoman who had been spying on him! "Why is it you?" Xia Liu asked seriously. "What does it matter that it's me? Let me tell you, Xia Liu, I saw everything between you and Zhang Qing, mmm mmm mmm..." Before Zhang Xiaoman could finish speaking, Xia Liu covered her mouth and knocked her out with a chop of his hand, hoisting her over his shoulder and walking toward the beach. When they arrived at the seaside, Xia Liu found some vines to tie Zhang Xiaoman up before throwing her into the water, of course, in the shallow area. About three minutes later, Zhang Xiaoman woke up: "Ah! Xia Liu, what are you doing?" "What, scared?" Xia Liu said, gazing at her. "I'm not scared. When I get back, I'll tell the whole village about your affair with Zhang Qing!" Zhang Xiaoman looked at Xia Liu with disdain. Although she was terrified during the peeping, she had finally found a chance to bring down Xia Liu, which was more important than anything else. "Oh? Since you've said so much, do you think I would let you leave?" A sinister smile spread across Xia Liu's face as he tugged on the vine in his hand, tightening the bonds around Zhang Xiaoman's body. "Ugh ugh ugh... Are you going to kill me? Aren't you afraid of going to prison?" To be honest, Zhang Xiaoman was very frightened; she was trying to intimidate Xia Liu into backing off. But she had miscalculated; Xia Liu was never intimidated by threats. Those who dared to threaten him either knelt or died. "The sea is so deep, who would know if you went swimming and got carried away by the water." "You're a demon!" Zhang Xiaoman could no longer hold herself back, tears streaming down her face. She was genuinely scared. If she had known it would come to this, she wouldn't have exposed herself so quickly. "Actually, even if you did spread the word, it wouldn't affect me and Zhang Qing, because the people in the village won't believe you or your family!" Xia Liu spoke the truth; Zhang Tie had long since become an outcast in the village, and no one wanted to deal with him, much less believe such an unbelievable story. Zhang Xiaoman fell silent; she understood that what Xia Liu said was true. Even if she knew the truth, who would believe her? She sobbed softly, knowing Xia Liu wouldn't let her go and that perhaps she would die soon. "Xia Liu, after I die, can you spare my family? My mom was just bewitched, and my dad is essentially a good man." "What else?" Xia Liu asked, puzzled. "And take good care of my cousin; I've hurt her too much these past years. I hope she can be spared from harm in the future." Zhang Xiaoman said, crying. "Don't worry about that; Xiaoxue won't get hurt at all under my care. But I don't understand—why have you always been dissatisfied with Xiaoxue?" If Zhang Xiaoman genuinely cared about Zhang Xiaoxue, Xia Liu couldn't understand why she was saying this now. At this point, Zhang Xiaoman was silent for a while before she slowly began to explain: "My cousin went to university, and even though she didn't graduate, she still has education. If she stays in the village forever, she'll just end up marrying a farmer." "I've lived in the village for so many years and know the hardship of staying in the countryside. I don't want my cousin to be stuck in the village for her whole life. She's so beautiful; if she went to work in a big city, she could definitely find a good boyfriend." In the end, Zhang Xiaoman lowered her head and murmured softly, "That way, she won't have to live a hard life anymore..." Xia Liu fell silent, mostly from shock. If Zhang Xiaoman was sincere, then she truly had others' interests at heart. Although her methods were extreme and could cause lifelong resentment, she had still gone through with it, which was commendable for its courage. After a long pause, Xia Liu waved his hand, and the vines binding Zhang Xiaoman fell away. The sense of relief made Zhang Xiaoman baffled as she looked at Xia Liu with suspicion. "Don't look at me like that, because of your concern, your life has returned to your hands." Xia Liu did not want to make any other explanations. Having such a cousin like Zhang Xiaoxue was indeed a mix of joy and sorrow. "Uh... you're not going to kill me?" Zhang Xiaoman looked at Xia Liu in surprise. "Why would I kill you? I don't want to go to jail," said Xia Liu, spreading his hands. This girl, inexperienced as she was, would believe anything, which was pitiful. Zhang Xiaoman had initially wanted to blame Xia Liu, but after sharing her secret, she no longer had the inclination to get angry with him. "Seriously, what is your relationship with your cousin after all?" "It's complicated, definitely not what you're thinking," he replied. "Have you slept with your cousin?" "..." "No response means there is something, right?" "No, what on earth are you filling your head with at such a young age?" Xia Liu got impatient, but knowing Zhang Xiaoman's hard times, he couldn't get angry looking at her innocent, delicate face. "Alright then, what about Zhang Qing?" Zhang Xiaoman was relentless. If Xia Liu were in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with her cousin, and he also had complications with Zhang Qing, that would be a mess. "You should just forget about this," Xia Liu said somewhat helplessly. If Zhang Xiaoman had not revealed her troubles to him, he might have been merciless, but now, damn it. "I can forget it, but you have to promise me one thing," Zhang Xiaoman said cheerfully, her eyes darting around. "Speak." "The villagers are ostracizing my parents. I want to ask for your help to get everyone to stop doing that. My parents know they were wrong," Zhang Xiaoman confided her deepest wish, as no child wants their parents to be ostracized by those around them. "This matter depends on your parents' attitudes, do you understand?" Xia Liu could change his own attitude but couldn't change others' mindsets. The person who tied the bell must be the one to untie it. "I understand, thank you," Zhang Xiaoman nodded naively, then she suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "Oh, and if my parents do reform, could you give them a chance to earn money like the rest of the villagers?" "This..." Xia Liu really needed to ponder this. After all, he wasn't a saint, so the decision would have to wait and see the villagers' reactions to Zhang Tie and Mo Li. "I understand." Seeing Xia Liu hesitate, Zhang Xiaoman suddenly lowered her head, then stepped in front of him and slowly squatted down. "Hey, hey, what are you doing with my zipper? Wait, don't!" Xia Liu quickly stepped back, fearing that Zhang Xiaoman's surprise attack would ruin his reputation for life. With her attempt falling through, Zhang Xiaoman stood there with her big watery eyes wide open. In fact, she had hoped to atone in this way, to earn Xia Liu's mercy and forgiveness for herself and her parents—what did it matter if she lost herself in the process. But unexpectedly, Xia Liu backed away, leaving her at a loss for a moment.

Chapter 39 Zhang Xiaoman's Dilemma

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