So that explained the crowd outside. Minzi had called them. Though a bit excessive, it was out of concern.
“I’m fine. You all can go back now,” Qin Junlan said.
The group hesitated, until Binbin stepped forward. “Boss, let us see sister-in-law first.”
“Why?”
“If she says you’re okay, we’ll feel better.”
Clearly, they wouldn’t leave until they saw her. Qin Junlan opened the door wider, but the door panel fell right off. It had been poorly repaired after Tiehu damaged it before.
That only made the group more excited. They volunteered to fix it and stepped inside. Seeing the broken bed boards, Binbin whispered, “Told you Boss couldn’t hold back. Look, the whole bed collapsed.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Qin Junlan was at a loss for words. This misunderstanding was getting out of hand.
Minzi looked worried. “Sister-in-law, Boss is still injured. Don’t let her get hurt again.”
The walls weren’t soundproof at all. Bai Lansheng, who had heard every word, kept her face stiff and expressionless.
The group was overly friendly, cheerfully greeting her despite her cold face. When she ignored them, they claimed she had “personality.”
Bai Lansheng watched as they fixed the door, replaced broken boards, brought in extra stools, and even changed out the water, saying someone in recovery shouldn’t be drinking leftovers.
The water bottle with the added “ingredient” was half full. They dumped it without hesitation. Bai Lansheng could only fume silently, unable to stop them.
In a short time, the room had been tidied and even furnished with a new small table.
Qin Junlan let them be and opened her photo album. “Minzi, take a look at this picture.”
Bai Lansheng’s eyes widened. She immediately grabbed Qin Junlan’s arm, her fingertips cold and stiff. “No. You can’t show them.”
Her expression was tense.
Qin Junlan told the others to leave. They all left reluctantly, winking as they passed. The last one even thoughtfully shut the door behind him.
Qin Junlan looked at Bai Lansheng. “Why can’t I show them?”
Because once the photo was out, it would start spreading, and she would eventually…
Bai Lansheng’s eyes turned red, her voice trembling. “Please don’t show them that picture. I’ll do anything you ask.”
Qin Junlan repeated, “Anything?”
She was genuinely tempted.
Bai Lansheng made up her mind, stood on her toes, and leaned in to kiss Qin Junlan. She couldn’t go back to that kind of life again.
The kiss caught Qin Junlan off guard. She instinctively pulled back. Bai Lansheng had her eyes closed and charged forward, accidentally biting Qin Junlan’s lip.
Qin Junlan touched the corner of her mouth. It was bleeding. “Are you trying to murder me with your teeth?”
Bai Lansheng pressed her lips together. She hadn’t expected her bold move to end like that.
Qin Junlan asked, “Why did you kiss me?”
Bai Lansheng answered, “Because I don’t want you to share my photo with anyone else.”
Qin Junlan looked at her. “Who said I was going to share it?”
Bai Lansheng froze. What did that even mean?
Qin Junlan showed her the photo she was planning to send. The person in the picture was Ke Nian.
“I’m sending them this one. I just remembered I still have some unfinished business with her. As for your photo, that one is part of my personal collection.”
Bai Lansheng’s face turned red instantly.
She muttered, “Why do you want to find her?”
Qin Junlan thought, Because I can’t stand her, but what she said was, “Not telling you. I don’t want you constantly thinking about it. By the way, I kissed you last time, and you kissed me back this time. So are we even now?”
Bai Lansheng hesitated, then nodded.
Qin Junlan smiled. “Great. But when I kissed you, you slapped me. How should we settle that score?”
Bai Lansheng said nervously, “You can slap me back.”
“Then close your eyes.”
Bai Lansheng squeezed her eyes shut. Because she couldn’t see, she imagined the slap would hurt. But the pain never came.
Qin Junlan found her trembling eyelashes amusing and reached out to gently pinch her soft cheeks.
“Now you’re scared? Stop looking so serious all the time. You’ve got a whole life ahead of you.”
When Qin Junlan walked out of the house, she found a group of people leaning against the wall, smirking inappropriately.
So that’s why it was so quiet outside. They had been eavesdropping.
Her gaze landed on someone behind them. Was that Old Wu?
Seeing her come out, Rock, who usually acted very serious, smacked Binbin on the head.
“I told you not to listen in, but you still did.”
Then he grinned and said to Qin Junlan, “Boss, don’t worry. I’ll take care of him.”
Tingzi, quick to act, grabbed Binbin by the ear and said, “Let me do it. I’m great at discipline.”
Everyone else followed along, smacking him from all directions. Binbin clutched his head in pain, groaning. They had all listened in together, but somehow he was the only one being blamed.
Qin Junlan said, “Alright, that’s enough.”
She handed them the photo and told them to keep watch at the port. No one should be allowed to slip away.
The group all responded at once. Dahai was the most organized, immediately dividing them into three tracking teams. Rock and Xiaoling formed one pair, Huamei and Dahai another, and the brothers Adong and Atao the third. Binbin and Minzi would serve as backup support.
No one objected. Even Binbin, the usual troublemaker, followed instructions quietly.
That surprised Qin Junlan. This group might look like they just drift through life, but they knew when to get serious. Dahai in particular caught on quickly. With proper guidance, he could become a valuable ally.
Unfortunately, that seriousness didn’t last long. As soon as the teams were assigned, Binbin grinned mischievously and pointed at the scratch on Qin Junlan’s lip.
“Boss, how was the kiss?”
“Leave.”
After chasing the group off, Qin Junlan turned to Old Wu.
He had been standing there quietly the whole time. Since he had not spoken and had not left, he clearly had something to say.
He handed her a small bottle.
“I heard you were injured. This medicine helps with healing.”
Qin Junlan replied, “It was just a cold. I’m feeling much better now.”
Old Wu said, “Take it anyway. You might need it later if anyone gets hurt.”
Only then did she accept it.
Old Wu added, “Now that you’ve met with Brother Su, that means you’ve joined his circle. Your position will be more secure, but people will also be more cautious around you. In a place like this, strength is what truly matters.”
Qin Junlan said, “Thanks for the advice.”
Old Wu replied, “I’m not advising you. I just came to bring some medicine.”
Qin Junlan watched him leave, thinking quietly to herself. Old Wu had come to give her a subtle warning. Conflict in this world was unavoidable, and she needed to be ready.
Being strong was the only way to survive. That truth applied anywhere. But there was one thing Old Wu didn’t understand. Qin Junlan didn’t just want to survive. Her goals were much bigger.
The original Qin Sisi had been a thug in District D. No matter how far she climbed, her job would remain the same. She would keep fighting every day. What would happen when she grew old and her body weakened?
Being a street thug didn’t come with retirement benefits.
Back inside the house, Bai Lansheng stood far from the bed. Qin Junlan didn’t know how much she had overheard, but she had no intention of hiding anything from her anyway.
She handed the medicine to Bai Lansheng for safekeeping.
Bai Lansheng looked at the bottle, confused. Medicine was valuable. Why would someone like Qin Junlan trust her with it?
Could this thug really trust her?
Qin Junlan asked, “You remember Yu Zhao, right?”
Of course Bai Lansheng remembered. That stubborn idiot who refused to give in.
“I meant to visit her yesterday,” Qin Junlan said. “But something came up. So we’ll go today. If there’s time afterward, we can walk around a bit.”
They ate breakfast on the road. It was food sent by Dahai and the others. Bai Lansheng, still upset about her drugged water being dumped, stayed quiet the entire way. Qin Junlan assumed she had no appetite.
When they arrived at the clinic, they had just walked in when Qin Junlan realized the little one behind her had disappeared.
“Don’t like the smell in here? That’s easy.”
She asked the nurse for two masks and gave one to Bai Lansheng. She was just recovering from the flu, and she didn’t want to risk passing it to Green-hair.
Bai Lansheng’s face was already small, and the mask made her look even more delicate.
She touched her cheek and only felt the mask. It wasn’t the smell that bothered her. It was the memories this place brought back.
The front desk nurse was indifferent at first, but Qin Junlan didn’t get angry. A few words from her had the nurse smiling warmly.
Not only did the nurse give them directions, but she also explained in detail how to find the room.
In the past, if the receptionist had shown that attitude, Qin Sisi would have slammed the counter and started yelling. She never knew how to talk nicely, let alone make someone’s attitude completely change.
Has this thug really changed?
Still confused, Bai Lansheng followed Qin Junlan to the door of Green-hair’s room.
The door was closed, but they could hear arguing inside.
Bai Lansheng recognized Green-hair’s voice. The other one was unfamiliar.
“So what if she paid your medical bills? If it weren’t for her, would you even be in the hospital? She used you as a human shield!”
“It’s not what you think,” Green-hair said.
“Wake up! Following around a drunken loser won’t get you anywhere.”
“Calm down, will you?”
“I don’t care how much she paid. I’ll cover your expenses. You are not allowed to use her money. Qin Sisi isn’t some naive fool. She’s using you.”
Bai Lansheng could tell that despite the shouting, the two inside probably had a close relationship. Green-hair was being gentle in her tone.
But what really caught her attention was that they were fighting over Qin Sisi.
Bai Lansheng had been puzzled by Qin Sisi’s recent behavior. Hearing her name now made her instinctively look at the woman beside her.
Being talked about like that must hurt. Bai Lansheng thought she would see disappointment or anger on Qin Sisi’s face. But there was nothing.
Qin Junlan looked completely calm.
When she noticed Bai Lansheng looking, she even gave a small smile.
The mask covered most of her face, but it couldn’t hide the clear, calm light in her eyes. Bai Lansheng quickly looked away.
As soon as she did, Qin Junlan opened the door to the room.
Green-hair was sitting on the bed, her collar gripped tightly by another woman. Faced with the aggressive posture, Green-hair could only tilt her head back, helpless and frustrated.
The woman had a large butterfly tattoo on her arm, directly facing the door.
She heard the door open but didn’t stop. Instead, she turned toward them with a glare, eyes full of hostility. The green butterfly on her arm spread its wings boldly, just like her attitude.
“Who the hell are you? Get out.”
“I’m the so-called sugar mama you were just talking about,” Qin Junlan said calmly.
She wondered if this was the person Minzi had said was taking care of Green-hair. They seemed more likely to start a fight than provide care.
Green-hair quickly waved her hands in panic. “Boss, she didn’t mean it like that…”
The woman realized who Qin Junlan was. Her voice, muffled by the mask, sounded weak, which only made the woman look down on her even more.
She interrupted and snapped, “I meant every word. Don’t think you can use Green-hair.”
Qin Junlan crossed her arms. So her name was Manman? That fierce attitude didn’t match the gentle name at all.
Unlike how she had handled the front desk earlier, Qin Junlan didn’t bother to be polite with Manman. She stirred the pot deliberately, as if afraid the fire wasn’t hot enough.
“But Green-hair wants to follow my orders. What can I do?”
Right after she said that, Manman let go of Green-hair and walked straight over. She threw a punch at Qin Junlan.
The fierce wind from the blow grazed Qin Junlan’s cheek and slammed into the door behind her. There was a loud crack, and the door now had a large hole in it.
Qin Junlan’s pupils contracted slightly.
That punch had some power behind it.
Manman blew on her knuckles proudly and said, “If you dare order Green-hair around again, that hole in the door will be your fate.”
After her threat, she waited for the look of fear she had expected to appear on Qin Junlan’s face. But when it didn’t, she looked disappointed. Seeing Qin Junlan standing completely still, she assumed she was paralyzed with fear and waved her fist again in front of her face.
“You better watch your pretty little face.”
“Manman!” Green-hair yanked out her IV needle and tried to get up.
Manman didn’t want to be stopped. She turned to leave but deliberately rammed her shoulder into Qin Junlan on her way out, wanting to vent a little more anger.
Qin Junlan smiled.
She could have dodged that punch earlier, easily. But Bai Lansheng had been right beside her, and those delicate feet of hers wouldn’t have survived a heavy stomp.
Getting mistaken for someone weak wasn’t new. In a world like this, it was survival of the fittest. The more well-behaved you acted, the easier you were to bully.
But Qin Junlan could eat anything except a loss.
She planted her feet firmly and absorbed Manman’s shoulder check. Then she used that momentum to shift and counter, catching Manman’s arm and twisting it into a hold.
Manman hadn’t expected to hit a brick wall. Her attempt to bump Qin Junlan was effortlessly turned against her, and now she was restrained.
She turned around in disbelief, only to see a mask.
Manman froze. She couldn’t see the woman’s expression.
The entire exchange happened in an instant. Only Bai Lansheng had seen it clearly. She lowered her head, trying to hide the shock in her eyes.
That thug had used psychic strength instinctively just now.
Green-hair had still been rushing forward to stop the fight, but now she stood stunned. The reversal was too fast. Just moments ago, Manman had been the one picking the fight, and now she was the one trapped?
Looking at how red Manman’s face had turned from trying to break free, it was obvious she had no way to resist.
Green-hair couldn’t help but say, “Boss, you’re amazing!”
Manman was furious. She had stood up for Green-hair, and now that idiot was praising someone else?
Green-hair said, “Boss, she’s still my childhood friend. Maybe go easy on her. Just a little beating is fine.”
Manman exploded. “You donkey-brained idiot! Damn it, Green-hair, just wait and see! I’ll rip that green hair right off your scalp! Screw you! You freaking—”
Qin Junlan frowned. She glanced at Bai Lansheng. That kind of foul language was not something a kid should be hearing.
While Manman continued cursing, Qin Junlan said to Bai Lansheng, “Wait for me here a moment.” Then she turned to Green-hair. “Keep an eye on her for me.”
Without another word, she dragged Manman out of the room.
Green-hair looked worried. “Boss…”
Qin Junlan replied, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back soon.”
Green-hair scratched her head. She was more worried about Manman, hoping the boss wouldn’t be too rough.
She turned to Bai Lansheng. “Sis—”
Bai Lansheng cut her off. “Shut up.”
Green-hair blinked. “Why are you being mean to me?”
“Don’t call me that,” Bai Lansheng snapped.
Green-hair scratched her head again. She had been in the hospital a few days now and hadn’t taken care of her hair. Her roots were growing out, looking like a patch of dry grass.
“She usually doesn’t talk like that. Don’t be mad at her, alright?”
Bai Lansheng was starting to lose her patience. She turned sharply and said, “Get back in bed.”
Green-hair was moved. “Are you worried about me?”
Bai Lansheng pushed down her emotions and said, “Want me to put your IV back in?”
Green-hair looked surprised. “You know how?”
“I do,” Bai Lansheng replied.
She smiled. It was a strange sort of smile. Her face was small and most of it was covered by the mask, so Green-hair didn’t notice anything off.
About ten minutes later, Qin Junlan returned—alone. Manman was nowhere to be seen.
Green-hair had gone back to her bed and was receiving her IV again, though her expression was gloomy. Bai Lansheng sat in a chair nearby.
Qin Junlan walked over and sat down beside her without hesitation.
When she did, Bai Lansheng shifted slightly, but in the end, she didn’t move away.