Chapter 28 Justifiable Defense

“This money isn’t stolen! My husband earned it by selling…” Chen Miaoyi, seeing Xu Tong falsely accuse Xu Mo, immediately cried out in agitation.

Xu Mo didn’t want Chen Miaoyi to reveal anything about the soap, so he quickly raised his hand to stop her. “Miaoyi, don’t say another word!”

Chen Miaoyi instantly realized her mistake and hurriedly closed her mouth.

“Selling what? Are you going to say he sold your dowry again?” Xu Tong sneered loudly. “Who doesn’t know your dowry was sold off ages ago? How much longer do you think you can use that excuse?”

After speaking, Xu Tong gave a cold laugh and turned to address the neighbors gathered outside the courtyard gate. “Everyone, look—can they even explain where this money came from? I’m certain Xu Mo stole it!”

“That’s right! It must be stolen.”

“He’s right. This fellow already pawned his wife and his house, so now he’s resorted to theft!”

The hired thugs quickly chimed in.

“No, no, my husband didn’t steal any money, you can’t just say that!” Chen Miaoyi was sweating with anxiety.

Xu Mo hurriedly squeezed her hand and whispered, “Miaoyi, don’t panic! If we do, we’ll fall right into their trap.”

With Xu Tong and the thugs repeating their accusations, the crowd of neighbors, who had come to watch, gradually started to believe them.

A middle-aged woman squeezed in at the door and asked, “Hey, so how do you all think Xu Mo got this money?”

A man nearby replied, “Didn’t Mrs. Xu say just now? Xu Mo earned it.”

“Earned it? Ha! Only a fool would believe such nonsense!” an old woman immediately mocked.

Then the old woman started to analyze seriously. “Xu Mo gambled away all his family property—who in the Chicken Crow Alley doesn’t know about that?”

“Think about it, is Xu Mo the kind of person to make money? What skills does he have? Have you ever seen him earn even a single coin?”

The neighbors listened and began to shake their heads, their eyes full of agreement.

Someone soon added that Xu Mo had borrowed money from their family before and still hadn’t paid it back!

The old woman cast a contemptuous glance into the courtyard and declared, “If you ask me, Xu Mo must have gotten mixed up with some thieves or scoundrels while gambling!”

“And this money, who’s to say he didn’t steal it together with them?”

Her analysis seemed so plausible that the crowd accepted it as truth.

Xu Mo could only shake his head repeatedly, sighing quietly in resignation.

Yet he didn’t blame the neighbors; after all, the previous owner of this body had ruined his reputation.

Xu Tong, seeing public opinion completely turn to his side, planted his hands on his hips and pointed at Xu Mo, shouting righteously, “Xu Mo, you used to be a scholar—how could you sink to such disgraceful deeds? Can you answer to your parents, to your teacher?”

He then turned to the crowd outside the gate. “Neighbors and fellow townsfolk, I ask you to bear witness today!”

“Xu Mo has stolen money and brought shame upon us! Today, I, Xu Tong, will rid the people of this menace. I will tie up this thief and take him to the county office, pleading with the magistrate to punish him severely!”

“Good… good!”

The crowd outside the gate erupted, some even cheering enthusiastically.

Xu Mo couldn’t help but laugh inwardly—this fellow was quite the performer.

Xu Tong then signaled for two thugs to step forward and seize him.

“Miaoyi, step back,” Xu Mo warned urgently.

Chen Miaoyi sensed something was wrong and said anxiously, “Husband, what are you planning? Don’t do anything reckless!”

As she spoke, the two thugs approached Xu Mo.

One reached out to grab Xu Mo’s collar, but Xu Mo suddenly kicked out, landing a blow right in the man’s groin.

The thug fell to the ground, curled up, clutching himself in agony, his face pale and contorted with pain.

Before the other could react, Xu Mo swung his fist, striking the man squarely in the nose.

“Ow!”

The man howled, staggered backward several steps, and when he finally steadied himself, blood was streaming beneath his nose.

“Husband!” Chen Miaoyi covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide with terror.

Xu Mo had spent two consecutive college summers working at a boxing gym. Though he’d never formally trained in martial arts, he’d picked up plenty by observation.

Whenever he had free time, he’d ask the coach for tips or spar with others.

Xu Tong hadn’t expected Xu Mo to strike so quickly and decisively. He flew into a rage, yelling, “So, you commit crimes and dare to assault people!”

“You two—come with me! Beat this brat senseless!” Xu Tong directed the other two thugs while rolling up his sleeves.

Seeing the situation escalate, Xu Mo quickly pushed Chen Miaoyi into the house, preparing to fight it out.

“Stop! Everyone, stop!”

At that moment, a male voice sounded from outside the courtyard.

Xu Tong and his group turned to see Ning Yongqiang arriving.

“Ning Young Master?” Xu Tong was taken aback.

Ning Yongqiang strode into the courtyard, accompanied by several family servants.

“Mr. Xu, are you all right? Did they hurt you?” Ning Yongqiang asked with concern.

Xu Mo shook his head. “I’m fine. Young Master Ning, what brings you here?”

Ning Yongqiang replied, “Mr. Xu, I suddenly remembered today was the deadline for your debt, so I went to Changlong Gambling House to redeem your promissory note…”

“But when I got there, I learned Xu Tong had already brought people over, so I hurried here in case something happened!”

Xu Mo said, “Thank you, Young Master Ning. You arrived just in time!”

At this, Xu Tong spoke, “Young Master Ning, Xu Mo owes money to our Changlong Gambling House—not your concern, surely?”

Ning Yongqiang’s face darkened. “Xu Tong, let me make this clear. Mr. Xu is a good friend of mine; his business is my business. I will handle this, whether you like it or not!”

“You…”

Xu Tong was beside himself with rage, but knowing the Ning family’s wealth, he had no choice but to swallow his anger.

Ning Yongqiang took out two banknotes and declared loudly, “One hundred and thirty taels, is that all? Here it is—now hand over Mr. Xu’s promissory note!”

Xu Tong remained silent and motionless, clearly unwilling to hand it over.

“Did you hear me? Where’s the note? Hurry up!” Ning Yongqiang urged impatiently.

Reluctant to offend Ning Yongqiang, Xu Tong had no choice but to obediently produce the note.

As Ning Yongqiang was about to exchange the banknotes for the promissory note, Xu Mo stepped forward to block him.

“Thank you, Young Master Ning, for your kindness, but I have the money myself.” As he spoke, Xu Mo took out his own banknotes.

Ning Yongqiang was astonished. “Mr. Xu, how do you have so much money?”

This remark made Xu Tong suddenly realize something and he shouted, “Young Master Ning, he’s a thief! That money is stolen!”

Irritated, Xu Mo gave a cold laugh and asked, “Xu Tong, you keep accusing me of theft—do you have any evidence? If not, I’ll go to the magistrate right now and sue you for slander. Let’s see who ends up getting flogged!”

Ning Yongqiang immediately fixed his gaze on Xu Tong, demanding, “Yes, do you have any proof Mr. Xu stole money?”

Xu Tong had nothing—his accusations were pure guesswork and suspicion.

He was dumbstruck for a moment, then pointed at the two battered thugs. “Xu Mo, forget the theft for now! You injured my men—do you believe I won’t report you to the authorities?”

“Go ahead! Do it now! If you don’t go, you’re my grandson!” Xu Mo suddenly raised his voice, showing not the slightest fear.

Xu Tong was taken aback; he hadn’t expected Xu Mo to stand his ground.

Xu Mo gestured around the courtyard and spoke loudly, “Xu Tong, take a good look—whose home is this? You and your lot barged in, broke my door, and tried to harm me and my wife. I had no choice but to defend myself—this is rightful self-defense! Do you understand?”

Ning Yongqiang quickly chimed in, “Exactly! I can testify to that!”

In the next moment, Ning Yongqiang said to Xu Tong, “Xu Tong, you blatantly caused trouble in Mr. Xu’s home. He acted only out of necessity—who’s in the wrong is clear to everyone!”

“And you—how dare you even think of going to the magistrate? Are you addled in the head, or itching for a flogging?”

Xu Tong was so angry he trembled all over, unable to utter a word.

Though furious, Xu Tong knew one thing: with Ning Yongqiang backing Xu Mo, he could no longer make trouble for him.

Left with no choice, Xu Tong took Xu Mo’s one hundred and thirty taels and returned the promissory note.

“Xu Mo, don’t get cocky just yet. You’d better watch your back!”

With a final threat, Xu Tong led his four thugs away in defeat.