NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21: Caught In The Act (3)
Just as the two young men walked to Duan Yixin's house while rubbing their sore bodies, Chi Junheng came with the village chief and the village elders.
Seeing the two of them walking while groaning in pain and hearing the commotion from inside the house, Tang Sanniu, Chi Junheng, and the village elders exchange glances. At this moment, they saw the same confused expression on each other's faces.
When Chi Junheng pushed open the low wooden gate, Chi Xiyou dragged an unconscious man out. Behind him, three of his friends grabbed two men and escorted them out. Seeing this scene, everyone fell silent out of surprise.
As soon as the two gangsters saw the crowd, they struggled desperately, but Chi Xiyou punched them in the face and said, "If you dare to move again, I don't mind changing your face to look like him."
Looking at the gangster, who was unconscious with a face that was swollen like a pig, the two gangsters shuddered and stopped struggling. Seeing that they finally become obedient, Chi Xiyou turned to look at his father and others and greeted them, "Father, village chief, elders."
Looking at the blood on his hands and the bruises on his face, Chi Junhao asked with a hint of worry in his voice, "Dalang, what happened here? Who are they?"
Chi Xiyou threw the unconscious gangster on the ground and said, "These three people are gangsters from the Chen family's village. I saw Duan Sida, and he is their leader, but it seems that he ran away when we fought with these three people."
After speaking, he looked at his other two friends and asked, "Brothers, did you see Duan Sida? He ran away from the house not long ago."
The two friends nodded, and one of them said, "We fought with him for a while, but he still managed to escape from us."
The other one nodded and said, "No wonder his voice sounds familiar to me. It turns out he is Duan Sida."
After listening to their conversation, everyone realized that Duan Sida had brought three gangsters from the Chen family's village to kidnap his niece. The reason is also very clear because it is no secret in Yunshan Village that the Duan family accepted fifty tael silver from Master Chen in exchange for a bride.
When the villagers heard about this, they could only say that Duan Yixin was unlucky to have an uncle like Duan Sida. But now, seeing with their own eyes that Duan Sida dared to kidnap Duan Yixin and wanted to send her to Master Chen like a lowly concubine, everyone was angry, especially Tan Sanniu and Chi Junheng.
Although Duan Yixin and Tang Zizheng's marriage engagement has been terminated, Tan Sanniu is Grandpa Duan's best friend. After watching Duan Yixin growing up from a baby to a young lady and having always treated her like his granddaughter, Tan Sanniu was very angry and felt that he had failed Grandpa Duan's last wish, which was to protect Duan Yixin.
Tan Sanniu was so furious that his body trembled when he said, "Take these three people to the center of the village and tie them up. We will interrogate them publicly tomorrow morning. As for Duan Sida, I will report to the Yamen tomorrow. In the meantime, I will send someone to stop his family from escaping."
Chi Xiyou's friends hear this, accept the order, and then send the three gangsters to the center of the village, while some villagers go to Duan Sida's house to guard his wife and daughter, preventing them from running away.
After the gangster was taken away, Tan Sanniu looked at Chi Xiyou and asked, "Chi Dalang, where is Xin Niang?"
Tan Sanniu used to call Duan Yixin by her nickname. But after Duan Yixin and Tan Zizheng broke off their marriage engagement, Tan Sanniu could only call her politely like everyone else.
Chi Xiyou shook his head and said, "Xin Xin was not at home when I came in. With how smart she is, I believe she had already run away when she found out someone had broken into her home."
After listening to his answer, Chi Junheng thought for a while and said, "Dalang, go see if Xin Xin has come to our house."
Chi Xiyou's eyes lit up, and he said, "I will go right away."
Seeing him rushing home, Chi Junheng looked at Tan Sanniu and the elders and said, "Village chief, elders, it's getting late now. Everyone should go home early and rest. Thank you for your help today. Otherwise, I can't imagine how Xin Xin's reputation will be affected after this matter spreads out."
Tan Sanniu sighed and said, "Xin Niang's life is very hard. This is the least we can do for her. Early tomorrow morning, I will go to the Yamen and invite the Yamen's runner to interrogate and bring the gangsters to jail."
Chi Junheng clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, Village Chief."
After saying goodbye, Chi Junheng looked at the dilapidated thatched house for a while, sighed, and returned to his home. After waiting for a long time, Duan Yixin still didn't see anyone from the Chi family come back.
When she stood up and brushed off the dust from her clothes, Chi Xiyou saw her. He rushed over and asked breathlessly, "Xin Xin, are you alright?"
Duan Yixin was a little surprised when she saw the blood on Chi Xiyou's bruised face and hands. She nodded and said, "I'm fine, but you don't look fine."
Hearing her answer, Chi Xiyou breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I'm fine. This is the gangster's blood. The bruises will disappear in a few days."
Duan Yixin stared at him, knowing that he was injured because he went to her house to save her. She felt warm in her heart, smiled, and said sincerely, "Thank you. I owe your family so much that I don't know how to repay you and your family."