Chapter 25: The Loan Shark's Arrival
The Bai family courtyard had been filled with the rare sound of peace that afternoon. The sun spilled warmth across the old wooden planks, and laughter floated from different corners. Bai Sung lay resting inside the modest wooden room he shared with his wife, Chu Sun. His daughter, Bai Xia, pretended to need help from Bai Xuan with her home work, while Bai Yang and Bai Xin chased each other around the well, their innocent giggles echoing across the quiet yard.
For once, the Bai household looked like a real family.
But that fragile peace shattered with a loud, bone-jarring BANG!
The courtyard gate swung open so violently that dust flew up into the air. Five men strode in—each one tall, broad, and dressed in black jackets that looked far too expensive for country folk. Their faces were rough and full of hostility. The smell of cheap smoke followed them, and the glint of gold rings flashed on their fingers. The man in front had a scar running from the corner of his mouth to his chin, the kind that made people avoid eye contact.
These were not ordinary men. These were loan sharks—the kind that collected debts with fists and blood.
The villagers nearby, hearing the noise, began to gather at the gate, whispering nervously.
Bai Lan froze the moment he saw them. His palms went cold. He knew these men. They were from the Red Tiger Casino—the place where he had secretly gone more than once to gamble and borrow money under another's name.
"Why... why are they here?" he muttered under his breath, his expression stiff.
The leader of the gang swaggered in like he owned the place. He was called Zhao Hu, a name that matched his wild, tiger-like presence. His cold eyes swept over the Bai courtyard, filled with disdain. One of his subordinates dragged a plastic chair from under the eaves and placed it in front of him. Zhao Hu sat down heavily, spreading his legs like a man claiming territory.
Madam Bai stepped forward nervously, wiping her hands on her apron. "K-kind sir... may I know who you're looking for in my courtyard?"
Zhao Hu let out a low snort and looked her up and down. "I won't talk to you, old woman. Go call Bai Sung out."
The crowd gasped.
Madam Bai's heart dropped. Trouble again. Every time her fourth son's name was mentioned, disaster followed. She regretted ever giving birth to that unlucky child. Meanwhile, Bai Lan secretly sighed in relief. If they were calling for Bai Sung, maybe his dirty secret would stay buried.
Moments later, Bai Sung came out with his wife, Chu Sun, still half-drowsy from his nap. "Yes, I'm Bai Sung. What's going on?"
Zhao Hu raised a brow. "Pinkie, is this the guy?"
One of his lackeys, a short man with a missing tooth, squinted and shook his head. "No, big brother. The man we lent money to was taller and bigger."
Zhao Hu nodded. "Mr. Bai Sung, a man claiming to be your brother-in-law took a loan from our casino."
The courtyard fell silent.
Everyone stared at Bai Sung in shock. Brother-in-law? That was impossible. Chu Sun had been raised by her grandmother since she was a baby—an orphan with no siblings.
Chu Sun spoke up quickly. "Sir, I'm an orphan. I have no brother."
Bai Ling, the third brother, added, "Yes, you've got the wrong person. My brother works at the factory all day. There's no way he'd go to a casino."
Zhao Hu frowned, irritated. "I don't care who took the loan. The paper says Bai Sung, so he's paying today. If not..." His tone darkened, "...you'll face the consequences."
He snapped his fingers. "Smash their house."
The subordinates took a step forward, ready to obey.
Madam Bai fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Please don't! We're poor people! There's nothing of value here—please, don't destroy our home!"
Zhao Hu ignored her pitiful cry, scanning the courtyard like a hawk, he had orders and he would carry them out. Then his eyes landed on Bai Ai, Bai Lan's daughter—a delicate young woman with rustic beauty and big plump breasts. His lips curled.
"If you don't pay," he said lazily, "I'll just take something else. Grab her."
Bai Ai froze, her face turning white.
Gu Yen rushed forward and stood protectively before her daughter. "What do you mean by this?! If you're here for money, take it from Bai Sung! Don't touch my daughter!"
The men didn't listen. They seized Bai Ai by the arm as she screamed and struggled. The villagers gasped, watching in horror.
Bai Lan panicked. "Bai Sung! It's your debt! Why don't you offer your own daughter instead of mine?"
Bai Lang quickly joined in, "Yes! Give them your daughter, Bai Xuan! She's about the same age!"
Gu Yen and Ye Fan followed, voices sharp and cruel. "Yes, give your own daughter!"
Bai Sung's face darkened as he stepped in front of Bai Xuan and Bai Xia. "I will not give any of my daughters."
Even Zhao Hu looked annoyed. "Tch. You talk too much. Fine, I'll just take this one." He slung his arm around Bai Ai's shoulder, making her cry out in fear.
"How much?" Bai Lang asked suddenly, his tone cunning.
Zhao Hu smirked. "One thousand yen."
The words hit like a thunderclap. One thousand yen—an amount that could feed a family for an entire year.
Before anyone could speak, the village chief pushed through the crowd. "One thousand yen isn't a small amount, Bai Sung. Are you sure you didn't borrow from them?"
"I didn't, Chief," Bai Sung replied firmly.
At that moment, Bai Gin muttered loudly, "No wonder they've had new clothes lately! Their father must've borrowed from the casino!"
SLAP!
Bai Ling's palm cracked across his daughter's face. "Shut your filthy mouth! Your uncle and I work side by side every day. If he borrowed money, you're accusing me too!"
Bai Gin held her cheek, eyes burning with hatred.
The village chief turned to Zhao Hu. "Sir, please release the girl. We'll handle this matter rationally."
Zhao Hu gave a dismissive snort but, seeing the chief's authority, waved a hand. "Let her go."
Bai Ai ran to her mother and collapsed, sobbing in terror.
Madam Bai seized the chance to act. She threw herself before the chief, clinging to his legs. "Village Chief! I've suffered enough for this unfilial son! Didn't he say he wanted to split from the family? Then let him do it! He's the one who caused this trouble—let him deal with it himself!"
The crowd murmured in agreement.
The chief looked at Bai Sung. "Do you truly wish to separate from your family in this time of crisis?"
Bai Sung sighed. His mother's coldness had already numbed him. "Since she wants it that way, I'll break off too."
From the side, Bai Xia's lips curved slightly. Finally— the time had come