Chapter 8: With Me Here, What’s There to Fear?

Liu Guifang fell to her knees at Wang Qiang’s feet with a “thump,” her withered hands clutching his strong calves. She cried out in despair.

“Get up! I’ve disliked him for a long time. Every time he sees me, he gives me the stink eye. What’s so great about your family that makes you so arrogant? Today, you’ll see my power! You dare glare at me?!”

Wang Qiang’s foot slowly moved across his back, giving him a moment to breathe. A sinister smile curled his lips before he bent his leg again and viciously kicked his good leg.

Moments later, agonizing howls rose one after another.

“Please, please, stop hitting me!”

The old widow was really clueless. As long as she didn’t agree to return the betrothal gifts, Wang Qiang wouldn’t stop. He would beat them until their family surrendered.

“Sister, please, spare my son! I agree, I agree on behalf of my daughter to break off the engagement and return the betrothal gifts.”

Liu Guifang couldn’t bear to watch her son being beaten to death. Kneeling, she crawled like a fawning dog to Wang Xianghe’s feet. She couldn’t afford to provoke the Wang family; she could only swallow this bitter pill for the sake of her family’s temporary peace.

“Qiangzi, that’s enough. Your aunt has spoken. We need to give her face, after all, she almost became your mother-in-law. As long as we get the money, we’ll leave.”

“Okay, Mom, I’ll listen to you.”

“Twenty yuan is enough. Let’s cut ties from now on.”

Ruan Xiaohai, on the side, propped himself up with his elbows, his face covered in dust and blood still dripping from his mouth. Using all his strength, he gritted his teeth and glared at the bullying mother and son, shouting word by word.

The hatred in his eyes was intense enough to devour them both.

This kid was incorrigible. Had he forgotten the humiliation of being trampled underfoot? He was still being stubborn. Let’s see if his mouth or my leg is harder.

A chilling smile played on Wang Qiang’s lips as he mocked Ruan Xiaohai’s defiance. “Today, I’ll grant you your wish. Go down and have a heartwarming reunion dinner with your short-lived father. What do you say?”

Lying on the ground, Liu Guifang’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the word “go down.” Her face turned ashen, and her body trembled uncontrollably. She shivered, raising her arms to embrace her dust-covered, blood-soaked son.

The Wang family had always been tyrannical and lawless in the village. Three years ago, when Li Daduzi was leading his ox past her house, the ox defecated in front of her door. The next day, the ox died unexpectedly in their own cowshed.

Villagers speculated about the ox’s death. Some even claimed to have seen Wang Xianghe acting suspiciously near Li Daduzi’s house in the dead of night.

Because of the Wang family’s unreasonable and domineering nature, everyone dared not speak out. Even if Li Daduzi knew the truth, he could only swallow his anger. He had to swallow this bitter pill and never dared to pass by the Wang family’s house again.

If the Li family swallowed their anger, what could she, the insignificant Ruan family, do? She dared not provoke them, she couldn’t afford to.

Seeing the Ruan mother and son trembling in fear at her few words, the mother and son exchanged a triumphant, unrestrained laugh.

Inside the house, Ruan Xiaotang, hearing the commotion, instinctively dragged her sickly body off the kang (heated bed). As soon as her feet touched the ground, a severe dizziness made her fall back onto the kang. Her pale hands gently massaged her temples. After a moment, her closed eyes slowly opened. Her light brown eyes flashed with a strong determination to regain her lost dignity.

She, Ruan Xiaotang, was no longer the docile, abused, and ever-smiling pushover. She would reclaim everything that was lost. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Ruan Xiaotang sneered maliciously. She raised a kitchen knife in her left hand, the silver blade flashing. With her right foot, she kicked open the dilapidated wooden door and strode out, shouting like a tough woman.

“Who’s so bold? Did the Yama King hire you? Are you a black or white impermanent? You want them to reunite in the underworld, huh? Don’t let the wind blow your pig tongue!”

Her commanding tone immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the courtyard, as well as the silent onlookers on the wall.

Contempt, fear, surprise, and astonishment—a mix of complex emotions filled the tense air.

Liu Guifang knew her daughter. If she dared to speak so defiantly, she must be furious. Her daughter might appear quiet and weak, but she was a stubborn person. Once she got stubborn, nothing could stop her.

Not wanting the situation to worsen, she rushed forward.

“Put down the knife! Listen to your mother! The Wang family is not someone we can provoke! Otherwise, your brother will be the first to suffer! Be good, put it down.”

Liu Guifang used her frail body to block the gleaming knife. She pulled down Ruan Xiaotang’s arm, trying to take the knife away, begging her daughter not to cause trouble. The fear in her eyes was as if she were surrounded by countless soul-devouring demons.

Ruan Xiaotang couldn’t stand it anymore. Her gaze fell on her brother, who was lying on the ground, gasping for breath. It was unbearable to watch. Her family was so cowardly that no one took them seriously. The meek are bullied, and the gentle are ridden. They could tolerate it, but she, Ruan Xiaotang, couldn’t.

“Oh, slut, you’re awake. Your body is so fragile. Don’t go whoring around, lest you get pregnant and ruin your reputation, then you’ll really stink up the house.”

Wang Xianghe, arms akimbo, yelled and lunged towards Ruan Xiaotang, completely ignoring her words.

Wang Qiang followed closely behind, scanning Ruan Xiaotang at the door with undisguised contempt. She was thin as a bamboo pole, flat-chested, and flat-bottomed. Such an unhealthy woman was unfit to bear children for the Wang family. She was unworthy.

Ruan Xiaotang suppressed the rising anger within her. She smiled harmlessly, her eyes fixed on the arrogant couple who thought they could do whatever they wanted.

She was not flustered; she remained calm and collected. She had nothing to fear.

She put a hand on Liu Guifang’s shoulder, silently comforting her: “It’s okay, I’ll handle it.”

Holding the knife in her left hand, she calmly walked towards them.