Seeing that the intimidation had taken effect, Gu Junming finally said, "I'll give you a chance to forgive you, take Zhao Xiuxia to the village. Let's consider this matter settled."

"Wh... what?" His mouth hung open in shock as he looked at him. "They want a young woman; my sister is too old, they won't want her..."

"Who really wants you to sell your sister? We're not traffickers!" Gu Junming gave him a kick. "It's just to scare her a bit. After bullying Sun Chan for so many years, are we going to let it slide? Don't worry, we'll bring her back afterward. You go out with the people; if your brothers ask, just say it's Sun Chan delivering someone over, and we'll be right behind to rescue."

"But... but my sister..."

Yan Kai grabbed his collar like a chick, "But what? Do you really want to end up in jail? I'd be happy to help you."

"No, I'm just tagging along, I've really done nothing!" Zhao Biao regretted it deeply; he hadn't gained a single penny, had been beaten like this, and still had to betray his sister!

"You have no other choice," Sun Chan spoke softly, yet every word made his heart jump. "You were going to sell me to Xiong'er Ridge; I am the witness. If you don't agree, I'll never let you go. Even if my reputation is destroyed, I'll make sure you go to jail, and all the Zhao Family as well!"

Gu Junming said indifferently, "You need to have a life to go to jail; hope his body can withstand our beating! If you die, it'll be seen as an act of heroism on our part."

Zhao Biao finally broke down, "No, I can't take the beating, I don't want to die!"

"So you need to be sensible. If you deliver her, not only won't you be to blame, but you'll also have merit." Yan Kai was skilled at ideological work. "Think about how many women at Xiong'er Ridge don't want to go there? You won't be short of bonuses either. You're contributing to the people."

Zhao Biao said hesitantly, "Are you really just teaching my sister a lesson?"

Sun Chan didn't answer, Yan Kai threw him to the ground. "If you understand, go tie up Zhao Xiuxia and throw her into the bag."

Zhao Biao rolled around on the ground several times, his bones nearly falling apart. He knew if he didn't agree today, he was dead. Human trafficking is a serious crime!

After all, Zhao Xiuxia is an old widow, what harm could come her way? Just deliver her and rescue her right back.

He hesitated as he looked at Sun Chan, "Niece, she might not be your real mother, but she's raised you for so many years. You can't let her down! What if she's beaten to death..."

"We're soldiers; we're not going to take lives," Yan Kai said.

Zhao Biao thought about it; the monks might run away, but the temple won't. Our trafficking is our fault, but if she's dead, it's on you!

He agreed right then, "I'll go get her now, but you absolutely can't harm my sister's life!"

"Less nonsense," Gu Junming kicked him down the slope. He grunted as he rolled down, fortunately, the terrain was soft, and he quickly got up and went with the bag.

Zhao Junming said, "Alright, you're done here; go back and rest."

"But that's my foster mother; what if something happens to her?" Although she hated Zhao Xiuxia, Sun Chan didn't want anything bad happening to her.

Gu Junming straightened his hat, "Don't worry. I said nothing will happen, and nothing will. Go back; wait for news tomorrow morning."

Sun Chan glanced at Gu Junming and slightly nodded.

Yan Kai looked at the two, smiled, and turned to leave.

Sun Chan took a deep breath, then turned and left; the dormitory was asleep.

Yang Liu was half-asleep and saw Sun Chan return late, curiously asked, "Where did you go?"

"Mm, had some things to do."

Yang Liu curiously asked, "So mysterious? Is it something good?"

Sun Chan's eyes sparkled, dimples appearing on her cheeks, "I'll tell you tomorrow."

Yang Liu thought Sun Chan had always been like a little lamb, gentle and kind, but why did her smile earlier seem so evil?

Sun Chan settled down and went to sleep, but Zhao Xiuxia was unlucky.

She was picking monkey head mushrooms, calculating how much she could sell them for, when suddenly a hand reached out from behind and squeezed her neck. Zhao Xiuxia exclaimed, but her opponent didn't stop, squeezing harder, and soon Zhao Xiuxia lost consciousness. Zhao Biao made sure she didn't resist, then took out the rope and towel from Zhao Xiuxia and tied her tightly.

Threw her into the sack.

"Sis, I'm forced to; don't blame me."

Yan Kai and Gu Junming stood nearby watching, not offering help; it was a family matter, how could they intervene?

Even if it came to a confrontation later, it would be Zhao Biao acting alone; no way to pin it on them.

The guy carried his sister on his shoulder, smiled at the two, "There really is a bonus, right?"

"You'll get it, go on. We have men following closely behind," Yan Kai assured.

Zhao Biao agreed and staggered out; having been beaten, he moved slowly, Yan Kai and Gu Junming followed at a leisurely pace.

"Sun Chan's idea is clever; the calculation is clear," Yan Kai said.

Gu Junming frowned slightly, dissatisfied with the summary, "She's not calculating; she's resisting."

Zhao Xiuxia woke halfway through, constantly struggling, crying out, but it was useless; her brother was obsessed with the bonus. He rationalized that apologizing to his sister afterward would be enough.

Zhao Xiuxia was nearing fifty; did someone really want her as a wife?

When he reached the gatehouse, he felt nervous, fearing they would stop him; but the guard had been informed, and he passed smoothly, relieved. How could he know it was all prearranged otherwise?

The other Zhao brothers all came over, seeing him alone, they naturally asked where Zhao Xiuxia was.

Zhao Biao had thought about it on the way and quickly said, "Sis is picking monkey head mushrooms over there, she asked us to go ahead because she alone isn't suited for Xiong'er Ridge. Is the vehicle ready?"

"Got it; we hired a coal truck, it's right ahead! Let's hurry up," Zhao Long said.

The others agreed; knowing Zhao Xiuxia's personality well—greedy and selfish—they imagined she'd seize any chance to pick mushrooms and wouldn't know when to stop. They were eager to earn two thousand yuan, so they wouldn't come back for a while.