Power and Wealth

Morning.

Around eleven.

In the study of the quadrangle courtyard, Dong Xuebing sat there watching a movie, completely ignoring the presence of Fang Wenping outside. He had no intention of paying attention to her.

After eating, he didn't wash the dishes.

He even asked me to cook lunch.

Why don't you go and die?

You've gotten used to this bad habit of yours.

Dong Xuebing had eaten quite a lot in the morning anyway, so he didn't plan to leave the room. He intended to watch movies until the afternoon. If that didn't work out, he could take another nap in the afternoon. He didn't want to communicate with Fang Wenping anymore. She was too infuriating. Her mindset was too domineering, making it impossible to communicate. Dong Xuebing wanted her clothes to dry quickly so he could kick Fang Wenping out sooner. He couldn't stand it anymore. Even his famously lazy wife, Xie Huilan, wasn't as picky as Fang Wenping. She made Dong Xuebing speechless. It would be fine even if they were relatives, but they weren't at all. They were hardly acquainted and had almost fought every time they met. That was roughly the extent of their relationship. She was even shameless enough to think so.

The movie was still playing.

Dong Xuebing hummed along as he watched, having seen through Fang Wenping's true colors. Even after washing her clothes and feeding her water, Dong Xuebing felt like he had gone mad. He decided not to bother with her anymore. Love was out of the question.

Soft-heartedness.

It's not possible anymore.

Dong Xuebing didn't want to deal with Fang Wenping, so she came looking for him instead.

Without warning, the study door creaked open from the outside, startling Dong Xuebing, who turned his head to look.

"What's up?" Dong Xuebing was annoyed.

Fang Wenping said coldly, "I'm hungry, so make some food."

Dong Xuebing replied neither warmly nor coldly, "Do you see me paying attention to you? If you're hungry, make it yourself."

"I don't know how to cook. Buy some vegetables. Let's have something light for lunch," said Fang Wenping, tightening the towel wrapped around her voluptuous body as she extended her hand.

"I already told you I'm not going to do anything," Dong Xuebing replied impatiently.

Fang Wenping looked at him coldly.

But Dong Xuebing didn't look at her and continued watching the movie. He lit a cigarette and took a few puffs, firmly drawing the line with Fang Wenping.

One second.

Two seconds.

Fang Wenping spoke again, "Where's the bathroom?"

"Go out and turn right. It's in the alley," Dong Xuebing replied irritably.

"Outside?" Fang Wenping frowned. "Don't you have a toilet in your courtyard?"

Dong Xuebing was speechless. "What era do you think it is? Nowadays, in quadrangle courtyards, there are no more outhouses like before. That's a thing of the past. Outhouses used to be outside, usually inconspicuously situated in the southwest corner. They were all pit latrines, so in the past, some people called "honey bucket men" would come to empty them. At that time, human waste could even be sold for money. But after liberation, they gradually underwent renovations. Almost all the outhouses in quadrangle courtyards were demolished because of the dense population. They were turned into houses that could be lived in, such as the area next to the southern room of Dong Xuebing's house, which was probably where the outhouse used to be. But now they're all gone. What era is it? Where are there still honey bucket men? Even if quadrangle courtyards have outhouses nowadays, they're probably individually built. Usually, the bathrooms are at the ends of the alleys, one at the mouth and one at the tail. It's also very convenient."

The door closed.

And Fang Wenping left.

Dong Xuebing suddenly came to his senses and slapped his forehead. He hurriedly followed out and said, "Wait, wait." After that, he went back to the room, took out his largest shirt, and handed it to her. "Put it on." Fang Wenping didn't have any clothes on inside, just wrapped in a towel, which wasn't tightly wrapped, making it a bit revealing. Dong Xuebing wasn't worried about her being cold; he was worried about her going dressed like that. If the neighbors or friends saw her, they might get the wrong idea. So he found a shirt for her to wear.

Fang Wenping took it and tried to put it on. However, she couldn't fit into it just like in the morning. Dong Xuebing's shirts were mostly slim-fit and too tight for Fang Wenping. The buttons on the chest couldn't be fastened, making it even tighter. However, at least it covered her shoulders. Fang Wenping unbuttoned the shirt and draped it over herself before walking out.

Dong Xuebing glanced at her from behind, ignored her, and returned to the study to continue watching his movie, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Five minutes passed.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Dong Xuebing frowned, thinking it was Fang Wenping again. He thought, "Even if you go out, you can't lock the door. Why knock on it? Are you deliberately trying to annoy me?" With that, he turned off the movie and went out angrily. But when he opened the door, it wasn't Fang Wenping standing outside; it was the neighbor, Aunt Ci.

Dong Xuebing was surprised. "Aunt Ci, what's wrong?"

Aunt Ci was very anxious. "Just now, I saw a woman coming out of your house wrapped in a towel. Is she your friend?"

Dong Xuebing hesitated and made up a story. "Yes, she's an elder relative."

Aunt Ci hurriedly said, "Your relative is surrounded. You should go and see."

"What do you mean surrounded?" Dong Xuebing asked in surprise. "Where is she? What happened?"

"In the alley near the west entrance, near the restaurant. A few drunk men seemed to want to harass her, and she got into an argument with them. I saw her coming out of your house, so I thought she might be your aunt or something. I hurried back to tell you. I wanted to intervene, but they were all big guys, and I couldn't do anything." Aunt Ci explained.

Dong Xuebing's face darkened. "I see."

Aunt Ci continued quickly, "Don't worry. I'll call the police, and then I'll gather some people. Your aunt shouldn't suffer."

Dong Xuebing immediately said, "There's no need, Aunt Ci. I'll go."

"Don't be polite with Aunt Ci." Aunt Ci was very enthusiastic. "I know all the neighbors here. We will come over if you shout."

"Thank you, but it's not necessary. I'll go there now, and there's no need to call the police." Dong Xuebing said, walking towards the west entrance.

A hundred meters away.

Dong Xuebing could already hear cursing. When he focused, he saw four or five men surrounding Fang Wenping and shouting at her. There was another person next to them who seemed to be with them, but he didn't seem too drunk. He was the only one trying to persuade the others. Fang Wenping wasn't weak either. She wasn't afraid, standing there boldly and shouting louder than those men. However, there were four or five of them, and each one was overpowering her with their words, leaving Fang Wenping in a passive position.

"Old lady is quite bold," a man said.

Another person said, "Isn't she just a prostitute? What's so bold about her?"

The sober man hurriedly interjected, "Old Zhang, Old Sun, let's forget it."

"Forget what?" Old Sun's face flushed, his voice thick. "Dressed like that, if she's not a prostitute, then what is she? She even asked us about the price. She's pretending to be innocent with us."

The man said, "Come with us. How much for a night?"

Dong Xuebing immediately understood. Fang Wenping was too beautiful, with a great figure, and she went out wearing only a towel. Several drunk men mistook her for a prostitute. After all, most people living in the alleys of Beijing were outsiders, and many houses were rented out. It wasn't uncommon for prostitutes to live in some of them, so these men were too eager to surround Fang Wenping.

Fang Wenping was surrounded by them and looked very petite. Many people around were watching and gossiping, enjoying the spectacle.

Normally, Dong Xuebing and Fang Wenping had a bad relationship, and he should have been eager to see her embarrassed. However, for some reason, Dong Xuebing suddenly felt very annoyed. Watching them harass Fang Wenping, he felt anger surging in his head. Even if this woman was a bit of a troublemaker, she was staying in my house today. She is my guest. Seeing how Fang Ran and Fang Shuiling looked, he might become relatives with Fang Wenping. What kind of meaning was it if even the woman who walked out of my house dared to be cursed at?

I'm giving you face.

I can curse her, but do you have the right to curse her?

Aunt Ci followed behind, "Xiao Dong, let's call the police and let the police handle it."

But Dong Xuebing waved his hand without looking back, staring at them. He strode up and didn't even curse or say a word. He kicked one of the middle-aged men nearest to him, and with a dull thud, the man flew out.

"Ah!"

"Brother Zhang!"

"Old Zhang!"

He fell heavily to the ground.

Old Zhang screamed in pain, seeming to have broken his waist.

Aunt Ci behind him was dumbfounded, and some neighbors who knew Dong Xuebing also stared wide-eyed. Damn, it's on now.

But this was Dong Xuebing's way of doing things.

"Damn it."

"You bastard."

"What the hell are you doing?"

Several other men saw the situation and rushed over.

Fang Wenping frowned but didn't say anything.

"Xiao Dong, be careful," an elderly neighbor finally realized that Dong Xuebing knew this woman and hurriedly reminded him. After all, there were several people on the other side.

But Dong Xuebing didn't care about these people. If his combat power were still being suppressed by them, Dong Xuebing wouldn't be able to live with himself. He couldn't afford to lose to these people.

Ah, what am I doing now?

Getting angry for his woman.

No, it shouldn't be called his woman. At most, it's called being angry for a woman.