The strand was composed of twelve black pearls, each identical in size and with a smooth surface that emitted a dreamlike, ethereal glow under the light.
Women are fond of jewelry, and Song Xiaoru was no exception. She fell in love with the strand of black pearls immediately, especially since it was a gift from her brother.
"It's really beautiful, it must have cost quite a bit, right?" Song Xiaoru asked.
Song Xiaodong smiled as he placed the bracelet on Song Xiaoru's right wrist and said, "It's not worth much, a friend gave it to me." He knew his sister was frugal and would not wear it if she knew its real value.
"That's good then, I will accept this gift. As for the money, I'll save it for you. Over the years, I've also saved some money. We can put together a down payment so you can buy a house, which will make finding a wife easier. Nowadays, it's not easy to get married without owning a house."
Song Xiaodong looked around the home, feeling a pang of sadness, as everything was almost exactly as it had been before he left, with no new additions. All of Song Xiaoru's money had certainly been saved.
His eyes reddening, he said, "Sis, I'm back now, and I'll never let you suffer again. I'll make sure you live the most glorious life and become the happiest woman."
Song Xiaoru smiled with relief and said, "Now that you're back, I'm already happy, By the way, you haven't had dinner yet, right? Let me make you something to eat."
"Mmm," Song Xiaodong responded affirmatively.
The home had just two rooms, one served as a storage and kitchen, and the other was the bedroom, containing two small beds positioned north and south. Since their parents had died, the siblings had lived here together.
Song Xiaodong helped Song Xiaoru cook, watching his sister bustle around and chatting with her was unspeakably blissful.
After eating, the siblings washed up and sat on the edge of the bed talking. It had been more than five years since they last saw each other, and they had endless things to talk about until well past midnight, when they finally went to sleep.
The next morning, Song Xiaodong was awoken by noises outside. Throwing on a pair of large boxers, bare-chested and in slippers, he went out into the courtyard.
There were five people in the yard, including his sister, Song Xiaoru, yesterday's matchmaker Auntie Li, and a portly middle-aged man in a designer suit adorned with a gold watch and a chunky gold chain around his neck—a typical nouveau riche.
The other two men, standing behind the fat man, were probably his lackeys.
The fat man ogled Song Xiaoru, almost drooling.
Auntie Li, seeing Song Xiaodong come out, seemed a bit intimidated but still mustered the courage to say, "Xiaoru, Boss Sun specifically came to see you today to show his sincerity."
Boss Sun immediately nodded vigorously, puffed out his beer belly, and said, "Yes, yes, I've come with utmost sincerity."
Song Xiaodong, finding this Boss Sun intolerably repulsive, glared and stepped up beside Song Xiaoru, snapping, "Sincerity my ass, go where it's cool."
Boss Sun's face darkened, ready to blow up, but Auntie Li quickly whispered, "This is Song Xiaoru's brother, a real thorn."
Boss Sun's expression changed instantly, donning a smile as he said, "Ah, so you're the brother-in-law."
Song Xiaodong suddenly flared up and shouted, "Shut up, my sister would never marry a fat pig like you. Get out of here now, or I will throw you out myself."
Song Xiaoru quickly grabbed Song Xiaodong, whispering, "Xiaodong, don't be rash, everyone is from the same neighborhood and Auntie Li means well. Don't make her lose face."
Song Xiaodong snorted and said, "Sister, you are too soft-spoken. If she truly meant well, she would have introduced you to someone decent. This man is not even worthy to carry your shoes; how could she have the nerve to introduce him?"
Upon hearing this, Auntie Li was not pleased, especially with Boss Sun backing her, and she raised her voice, "Song Xiaoru, it's not right for your brother to say this. A wealthy man like Boss Sun has plenty of beautiful women throwing themselves at him. He just wants a good life, which is why I thought of you first among all the girls I know. That was me being nice to you, and yet your brother fails to recognize good intentions. That's truly uncalled for."
Auntie Li gave Song Xiaodong a sidelong glance and said, "Song Xiaodong, with your family's situation, if your sister doesn't marry well, how will you ever find a wife?"
At that moment, Boss Sun laughed and said, "This can be easily settled, Xiaoru. Just agree to marry me, and I'll take care of your little brother's wedding someday. I'll make sure he marries a beautiful girl."
"Shut your mouth. If you dare address me like that again, I'll hit you so hard you'll be picking up your teeth from the ground," Song Xiaodong glared and bellowed.
Boss Sun furrowed his brows, cocked his chin up, and said pridefully, "One million. Just agree to marry me, and I'll give him one million right away."
"Get lost!" Song Xiaodong couldn't bear to listen any longer. This was outright insulting to his sister, Song Xiaoru, his reverse scale; let alone hurting her, even insulting her was intolerable.
With a loud shout, Song Xiaodong effortlessly shrugged off Song Xiaoru's hand and, in a single bound, rushed to Boss Sun, reaching out and grabbing him by the collar.
Then, swinging his arm, he sent Boss Sun's hefty body, weighing over two hundred kilograms, flying out of the yard and crashing onto the path outside.
The two henchmen immediately rushed out and helped Boss Sun up.
"And you!" Song Xiaodong glared at Auntie Li.
Frightened, Auntie Li scrambled and fled.
Boss Sun, helped to his feet and grimacing in pain and embarrassment, suddenly shouted, "You two idiots, hit him, damn it. He dares hit Laozi; today I'll break his legs."
Everything happened so fast, Song Xiaoru barely had time to intervene. She rushed forward, grabbing Song Xiaodong's arm and urgently said, "Xiaodong, no more fighting!"
Song Xiaodong gave Song Xiaoru a slight smile, raised his foot, swayed it a couple of times, and the two rushing men were all kicked into the air by him.
These two upon flying out, toppled Boss Sun once more. At this point, he knew Song Xiaodong was not to be trifled with, and staying would only mean more losses. Cursing under his breath, he hurried away.
By now, quite a crowd had gathered at the gate. Song Xiaodong, holding his head high, declared loudly, "I, Song Xiaodong, am back. If anyone dares to bully my sister from now on..."
His fierce gaze swept around, "I'll fight them to the death!"