Xu Changnian felt a bad premonition rising in his chest. Liu Ermazi’s sudden appearance didn’t feel right. Of all times, why now? Right when he was about to pick up the hairpin—was that a coincidence? He showed up too precisely. Unless… he’d been following him all along. Xu Changnian immediately became alert.
“Brother Nian~”
“Oh wow, what sharp eyes you have. I just dropped my hairpin by accident and was about to look for it.”
“And you happened to pick it up! Quick, hand it over. I’ll definitely remember your kindness, brother.”
Liu Ermazi’s intent was clear—he was after the jade hairpin. Though he kept calling him ‘Brother Nian,’ his posture said he was ready to snatch it.
Xu Changnian wasn’t about to indulge him. He picked up the hairpin, turned on the spot, and stood up, dodging him perfectly—Liu Ermazi lunged and landed in the air.
“Scram.”
Xu Changnian didn’t believe a single word he said.
That broken-down household of his could own a jade hairpin?
Besides, the Information System already told him this belonged to a noble.
If Liu Ermazi could count as a noble, Xu Changnian might as well bash his head into tofu and die.
This bastard obviously saw the value in the hairpin and wanted to keep it for himself. No way Xu Changnian was letting that happen.
“Xu Changnian, what’s your deal? Let me tell you, that hairpin is a Liu family heirloom! My mom gave it to me on her deathbed!”
That jade hairpin, even if Liu Ermazi didn’t know exactly how precious it was, he could tell it was worth a lot. Greed sparked in his eyes.
Even with Xu Changnian clenching his fists, clearly ready to fight, Liu Ermazi refused to back down.
If he could take the hairpin to a pawnshop in the county, he’d get a fortune!
Even if it came down to a bloody fight, he’d do it just to get the hairpin.
“Your mom gave it to you? Have you already forgotten how your mom died?”
Hearing Liu Ermazi’s nonsense, Xu Changnian sneered. Did he think he didn’t know his background?
He’d already asked around the village. When Liu Ermazi was a kid, he literally pissed his own mother to death.
No one remembered the details clearly anymore, but apparently, it had to do with gambling outside.
Honestly, the fact that Liu Ermazi was still alive today—he really was a piece of work.
“Oh my dear mother! The only keepsake you left me!”
“This damned Xu scoundrel robbed me! He robbed me, everyone help judge this—”
Seeing Xu Changnian wouldn’t let go and knowing he couldn’t win in a fight, Liu Ermazi activated his passive skill—making a scene and throwing a tantrum.
He threw himself on the ground, rubbing his eyes and bawling.
Absolutely disgusting. He was enough to make anyone nauseous. Xu Changnian felt his stomach turn. Get faster updates on g.com.
This Liu Ermazi was like a piece of clingy plaster—harmless but unbelievably disgusting.
With all his yelling, a crowd quickly gathered. Even those who had been watching the acrobatics on stage now swarmed over to see what was going on.
Xu Changnian ignored the wailing Liu Ermazi on the ground and scanned the crowd. Soon, he locked eyes on the real target.
All Liu Ermazi’s hollering hadn’t just drawn in villagers—it had also drawn in the noble the system mentioned.
Xu Changnian smirked, glancing sideways at Liu Ermazi. You want the hairpin?
Fine.
Go ask my noble for it yourself.
…
“What’s going on here?”
“A couple of scoundrels from Qingshan Village—one’s Xu the scoundrel, the other’s Liu the rascal!”
“I was wondering who it was… turns out it’s those two bastards. Weren’t they once as close as brothers?”
“Brothers my ass!”
“Look at that jade hairpin in Xu the scoundrel’s hand. That jade is crystal clear!”
“Why are these two scum still alive?”
The onlookers quickly recognized them—two infamous troublemakers.
“With something like that in the house, how could their life not go well? They never listen to advice!”
Standing far away, Zhou Zhiyuan caught sight of Xu Changnian in the crowd and felt a deep pang of disappointment.
Still the same troublemaking scoundrel. He hadn’t changed at all. He was bound to bring disaster to the Xu family sooner or later.
Zhou Zhiyuan turned and left in disappointment.
Yun Niang was just too stubborn. She insisted on staying with the Xu family—what else could he do?
…
Facing the finger-pointing crowd, Xu Changnian ignored them all and walked ahead.
“Stop! Leave my hairpin!”
Seeing Xu Changnian ignoring him, Liu Ermazi panicked and lunged again.
Bang—
Xu Changnian wasn’t having it. He raised his leg and kicked him square in the chest.
The crowd gasped in unison. Xu the scoundrel really didn’t hold back.
All this just for a hairpin—and he kicked his Liu ‘brother’ like he wanted him dead.
“Miss! This is your hairpin. I found it in the grass. Returning it to its rightful owner.”
Xu Changnian held the hairpin out.
In front of him stood a fair-faced young noble dressed like a young master.
Behind her were two bodyguards—one was a towering hulk over 1.8 meters, muscular and intimidating; the other held a fan and looked scholarly.
Both of them had their arms full of various goods. Xu Changnian could already smell the delicious aroma.
“For me? How unexpected.”
Looking at Xu Changnian, Chu Xiangxiang’s eyes showed surprise and curiosity.
Just now, she thought he’d be like Liu Ermazi and try to keep the hairpin for himself.
If that had happened, her men would’ve stepped in and taught those greedy thieves a lesson.
But Xu Changnian’s behavior completely caught her off guard. Not only did he not try to pocket it, he handed it back himself.
“How did you know it was mine? Weren’t you afraid I might be lying too, just pretending for the money?”
Taking the hairpin, Chu Xiangxiang blinked her big bright eyes and asked curiously.
“Isn’t it obvious… Your grace and bearing among us commoners are like a crane standing among chickens—extraordinary! Only a noble like you could use a jade hairpin. Only someone like you deserves to wear one. The hairpin matches its owner—elegant and refined.”
Xu Changnian launched into a flurry of praise. Better to flatter her silly than say the truth.
Flattery always works—especially on rich young ladies.
Of course, he couldn’t say, ‘I have a system in my head and it told me everything.’
“Well said! Well said! You may be a smooth talker, but everything you said makes sense.”
Chu Xiangxiang’s face flushed with delight. She covered her mouth and giggled nonstop, visibly pleased.
But behind her, the two guards exchanged worried glances.
Is the young miss about to get charmed by this guy?
Big trouble~
If the county magistrate’s daughter fell for some countryside scoundrel, wouldn’t the magistrate flay them both alive?
“Hey wait a second, what did you just call me—miss? When did this young master become a ‘miss’?”