Linfengchun

Kapitel 12

When Shanglin saw the men's posture, he immediately understood—the extortionists and protection money collectors had arrived!

Sure enough, one of the boys, who looked like a slacker and definitely wasn't a good guy, squatted down in front of her and said, "Little sister, selling things!"

He casually picked up a grape-scented eraser and tossed it up and down, making the hearts of the onlookers rise and fall with it.

These guys are notorious hooligans at school.

Their parents don't care, and the school, bound by the nine-year compulsory education system, can't expel them since they haven't committed any serious offenses. Bullying classmates, extorting protection money, fighting, and swearing are all common occurrences at school. Shang Lin is very familiar with this kind of person—extremely familiar.

The Qiu Xia Lin of later generations was just like them. In fact, he was even worse.

Chicken-crowing and dog-stealing

Qiu Shanglin smiled sweetly, her smile pure and sweet: "Hello, big brother."

The thug was stunned for a moment.

Big brother? Look at my own height, and then look at Qiu Shanglin's tiny appearance, how could I not be a big brother!

He hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was too unmanly for a grown man like himself to bully a little girl.

He hesitated, but the others didn't. They all urged him, "Third brother, hurry up, take the money and leave. We agreed to go to the city today!"

The thug snapped out of his daze and hardened his heart: "Little sister, do you know this is our territory? If you set up a stall here, you need to pay us... protection money!"

Looking into the little girl's clear, innocent eyes, I couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. Setting up a street stall? Such a young girl… Damn it, what kind of mess is this? They're extorting protection money from a little brat! It's all Old Nine's fault. He had to brag to his city friends, saying they had immense influence at school and could get whatever money they wanted—and coincidentally, some higher-ups were coming down to inspect the school these past few days, and the head of the grade warned them to behave themselves for a few days, or they'd be sent home to 'recover.'

Although the school was like a prison, preventing the brothers from showing off their skills, prison also had its advantages. For example, it was easier to collect protection money or lunch money. Middle school kids were all honest, and no matter how much they extorted money, few dared to go home and tell on them.

He was just there to collect money from a little girl... He glanced back at his brothers' impatient faces, and Lao Jiu gestured to him, indicating that he should just take the money from the bag on the child's waist.

"Big brother, do you have a receipt?"

Everyone was taken aback. A receipt? What's that?

The third brother asked dumbfoundedly, "A receipt?"

Shang Lin smiled sweetly: "It's a receipt that proves you received my venue usage fee."

The group looked at each other, completely bewildered and unable to understand.

On behalf of everyone, Lao Jiu asked, "What about the venue usage fee?"

Shang Lin was getting impatient. These people were so stupid they could drive a pig crazy. They weren't even on the same level as Qiu Xia Lin in later generations! Back then, Qiu Xia Lin was a ruthless character who could punch tigers in the south and kick dragons in the north. He was the undisputed leader at school and almost monopolized the entire town as a hooligan.

His childhood brilliance, once channeled into crooked schemes, was unmatched. He was meticulous in his words and actions, ensuring no one could catch him red-handed... Of course, his cleverness ultimately fell victim to the keen observation of the 'state apparatus'.

Unlike these idiots, who don't even understand the venue usage fee, yet they have the nerve to show their faces here!

She scoffed. She understood perfectly well the principle that the enemy outnumbered and outmatched her, and that a direct confrontation was unwise. She had no intention of fighting back, nor did she aspire to be a heroine who vanquished the tyrant. If it wasn't them, it would be someone else. The more successful her business, the more envious people would become, and naturally, trouble would follow. She simply hadn't expected the trouble to come so quickly; she was unprepared.

While she was scheming in her mind, her smile became even sweeter and more innocent.

He gestured with his hands: "When we go to the market in the city to sell vegetables, someone collects a site usage and management fee, and then gives us a receipt, a piece of paper this big and wide, with the purpose and amount written on it and a big red stamp."

Upon hearing this, the group exclaimed, "Wow, there's something so novel here?"

Venue usage and management fee? Sounds like a good name.

Where can I find the receipt?

The group looked at each other, but Lao Jiu, quick-witted as ever, grabbed a student, pulled his schoolbag, and ignoring his trembling, pulled out his notebook, tore off a piece of paper, folded it several times, recreating the shape Shang Lin had described. He then picked up a pen, quickly wrote something, and handed it to Shang Lin:

"Take a look, isn't that right?"

Shang Lin took a look and thought, "Hey, it's actually quite decent, it's got some merit."

She suddenly looked at the tall, fair-skinned little boy in front of her with newfound respect—she didn't even realize that she was still considered a little boy by others!

He muttered to himself, "It's a pity there's no big red stamp."

The third brother grinned and said, "That's easy. My uncle can carve seals from radishes. I'll just ask him to carve one for us sometime!"

Upon hearing this, the onlookers exclaimed, "Well, no wonder he's so young and doesn't behave well; it turns out it's all due to family genetics!"

Shanglin kindly advised, "You should come up with a catchy name, such as the Five Tigers of Nanshan or the Thirteen Protectors. After you have the seal made, take it with you wherever you go. When you need it, just take it out and stamp it. That way, everyone will know your names very quickly."

Upon hearing this, the group thought it was a great idea!

The people Lao Jiu knew in the provincial capital always looked down on them, thinking they were just country bumpkins. But with the seal, everyone soon knew their name, and they no longer had to worry about being laughed at!

Choosing a name still requires careful consideration; the most pressing issue right now is...

Old Nine cautiously stared at Shang Lin: "Don't think that this will exempt you from paying management fees. You still have to pay what you're owed!"

Shang Lin smiled and said, "Of course, of course, principles must be followed. Big brother, how much should I pay?"

The third brother was stunned by her question. He looked back at his brothers, troubled. Yes, how much should she give? They had originally planned to give whatever they could—it was an emergency in the underworld, after all, there weren't many rules. But she had done them a huge favor, a great debt of gratitude. True men who made a living on the edge of the underworld believed in repaying kindness and avenging wrongs; turning their backs on someone would make them a laughingstock!

Old Nine was also a little hesitant. Even though he was the most quick-witted and resourceful among the group, he couldn't help but feel dizzy after Qiu Shanglin's roundabout and convoluted explanations.

Looking at her sweet, trusting smile, I had a vague feeling that something was wrong: we had clearly come here to extort money, so how did it become so righteous? Shouldn't the person being extorted cry and beg for mercy? Why was she so willing to hand it over, and even seemed so eager?

Without giving her time to think it over, the third brother made a decision on his own: "How about this, you give us two yuan, no, one yuan!"

The students watching gasped in amazement. One yuan was a considerable sum for most students. The best erasers only cost two mao (0.2 yuan), and patterned pencils were only five fen (0.05 yuan). Adding in the cost price, how could they possibly earn one yuan a day? They were too ruthless!

The best food at school only costs 50 cents a serving!

Although they felt indignant for Shanglin, no one dared to intervene, yet they were reluctant to leave, merely watching as several older children traded with a smaller one. No one considered what would happen if the deal fell through and the child was beaten—would they notify the teacher or parents? Watching a spectacle is human nature; gloating is an inherent human flaw. If Shanglin hadn't been reborn with the memories of twenty-seven years from her previous life and the interpersonal skills honed in a large company; if she hadn't understood the importance of self-preservation; if she had clung to the money so tightly, she would likely have suffered a crushing defeat today.

Regardless of her thoughts, the third brother scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "Isn't this a bit too much?"

He turned back to seek the support of his brothers, but they all avoided him.

Shang Lin's expression remained unchanged: "Big brother, is one yuan the cost for today, or is it included for all future expenses?"

The third brother was stunned again.

Before he could figure out what was going on, Shanglin took out two yuan from his bag and said, "How about this, I have two yuan here, consider it as two months' management fee, from now on my safety here will be the responsibility of you, big brother, and I will be under your protection, okay?"

Her watery eyes blinked rapidly, looking at the third brother with utter trust. This instantly stirred his protective instincts as a grown man, and he patted his chest, guaranteeing:

"No problem, from now on you'll be under our protection. If anyone dares to bully you, we won't let them get away with it!"

She smiled sweetly and nodded emphatically: "Yes, big brother is really amazing!"

The exchange of money for a written agreement seemed to signify a clean transaction, a promise that would ensure their safety for the next two months—Shang Lin's calculations were meticulously planned. Young thugs of this age are extremely concerned with their reputation; they absolutely cannot go back on their word, especially in front of so many people, with a written agreement in place. They have no fear of anyone reneging on their promises.

As for two months later... weren't we supposed to teach them how to make seals and receipts? This is physical evidence!

If you walk the dark path too often, you'll eventually encounter a ghost. Give them two months to openly and legitimately collect "protection money." With witnesses and physical evidence, I refuse to believe the students' parents and teachers are fools! When extortion is brought into the open, it's no longer extortion; it's called a "crime." In the past, it would have been enough to be classified as "counter-revolutionary" and "undermining national unity"!

I refuse to believe that police officers are all useless!

It wasn't that she was malicious; she just couldn't stand these young people not learning good things at such a young age. Thinking of Qiu Xia Lin's actions in later generations, and then looking at them, with their arrogant and unruly attitudes at such a young age, she wanted nothing more than to slap them a few times!

Since we can't get rid of them, let's find a way to make them show up and hand themselves over to the police. They're all still young, not quite at the level of criminals, but they're old enough to be properly 'educated' for a few days. Give them a chance; whether they can repent is up to them. Shanglin has never considered himself a savior capable of saving the world.

A bunch of rabble. The others are no threat. The ninth brother is a little clever, but he's not as quick-witted as Qiu Xialin. As for the third brother... he's not inherently bad, but he's been corrupted by them!

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel a little regretful. So I said seriously, "Big brother, I think you can definitely become a policeman in the future and catch bad guys!"

The third brother, who had happily accepted the money and was about to leave, was stunned upon hearing this.

police?

A policeman wearing a peaked cap, a smart uniform, and carrying a pistol, looking very imposing?

Own?

Suddenly, a disdainful snort came from behind them:

"Petty thieves and scoundrels dare to act as police officers!"

floral shirt

Hearing someone say they were petty thieves, Shanglin was a little curious and a little admiring. "Don't hit someone in the face, don't hurt someone's root," she thought to herself, though she didn't have the courage to say it out loud. "Who is this person who hit the nail on the head?"

A group of people looked in that direction at the same time.

A handsome, dashing, and righteous little brat stood there with his hands behind his back, looking rather disdainful. His face was gloomy.

Behind him stood a burly man with a shaved head, wearing a well-fitting floral shirt.

Everyone was immediately amazed, their eyes fixed on the burly man. In a small inland town, someone wearing a floral shirt was a rare sight.

The third brother and a few others largely agreed. After all, floral shirts were all the rage among the local thugs in the provincial capital; they'd become a symbol of fashion trendsetters! However, the floral shirts from Guangzhou were quite expensive, far beyond what their group of students could afford.

The ninth brother reacted the fastest. He was only momentarily blinded by the floral shirt before his attention returned to the child who had spoken up earlier!

He was about 1.56 meters tall, with a clean-cut side-parted hairstyle, and wore a crisp, wrinkle-free sky-blue shirt and suit pants. When he spoke, he looked down at people with his chin, making no attempt to hide his disdain and disgust. He immediately distinguished himself from the group of middle school students who were watching the spectacle—even kids from big cities weren't as arrogant as him, were they?

Lao Jiu suddenly had a strange feeling: he, and the woman standing behind him with a surprised look on her face, were the same kind of people, a different kind of people who were far removed from his group.

Strange things happen every year, especially with so many children. The ninth brother shook his head, shaking off the inexplicable sense of awe that arose in his mind. He silently stepped back two steps, letting the third brother, who was the most straightforward among his brothers, go first. However, he was met with a mocking smile from the boy who was standing still, which made him somewhat embarrassed and angry.

He urged his brothers, "Let's go, let's go."

I was quite disapproving of their drooling over the floral shirt. They really were a bunch of country bumpkins! He lived in the provincial capital, but because he was too naughty, his parents sent him back to a rural school for discipline. They claimed that the rural school was strict, but really it was just to prevent him from embarrassing himself and causing trouble, so they simply kept him far away, out of sight and out of mind.

The others also sensed the chill emanating from the man in the floral shirt and didn't want to confront him directly—his muscular physique and bulging biceps told them he was a trained fighter! As if on cue, they whispered their agreement: