Chapter 51 Treatment

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Just tired from running. I just need to catch my breath.”

“Okay, okay. Then catch your breath, but go back inside once you’re better. The ground is quite cold.”

Ming Xiaojiang waved her hand to show she understood and lay there, trying to steady her breathing. She had just gotten comfortable when a gentle voice suddenly startled her, making her sit up in an instant with practiced ease.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

Fang Xian looked at Fourth Aunt Ming, whose face had turned pale and seemed on the verge of collapsing, and asked in a gentler tone than usual.

“No, there’s nothing here that needs your help.”

Ming Xiaojiang stood protectively beside her mother, her whole posture like a bristling cat, warily eyeing Fang Xian.

“Is that so… then I—”

Fang Xian hadn’t finished speaking when a sharp, angry voice interrupted him.

“Well, well, Ming Xiaojiang, already learned to seduce men at such a young age, huh?”

Ming Xiaojiang: “…”

Seriously? Speak of the devil. Who let this lunatic out?

Thinking of the most likely reason, Ming Xiaojiang cast an annoyed glance at Fang Xian.

Fang Xian: “…”
Is this… what they call collateral damage?

“Ming Hongdou, just because you don’t know how to behave doesn’t mean others are like you.”

“Did I strike a nerve? Is that why you’re so worked up?”

Fourth Aunt Ming became even more flustered. The more panicked she was, the more her thoughts scattered. Instinctively, she handed the dog over to Ming Xiaojiang and pulled her daughter behind her in a protective stance.

This subconscious act only infuriated Ming Hongdou further.

In her household, parental affection was always transactional, for the sake of benefit. When had she ever experienced true care?

“Fourth Aunt, I know your life has been hard since leaving the old house, and you don’t have time to discipline Xiaojiang—but you can’t let her just mess around with boys like this.”

“My… my Xiaojiang is a good girl… Ming Hongdou, don’t talk nonsense.”

“Nonsense? Where am I wrong? Aren’t you two standing here waiting for Comrade Fang?”

“We’re walking the dog! What’s it to you? Got nothing better to do than meddle in others’ business? Why don’t you manage your own mess? Your dad’s in prison, your sister married a fool. That’s karma for your family.”

“Ming Xiaojiang, shut your damn mouth!”

Clearly, Xiaojiang had hit a nerve. Ming Hongdou lunged forward, reaching for her hair.

“Mom, get up. I’ve waited a long time for this moment.”

She used to hold back—because if she fought back, her parents would suffer. But not anymore. They were no longer tied to the old house. Its hand could no longer reach them. It was payback time.

She shoved the struggling dog into her mother’s arms and launched herself like a firecracker.

She knew she wasn’t tall, but being small had its advantages. She ducked low and rammed her head into Ming Hongdou’s stomach.

Ming Hongdou toppled to the ground, cursing non-stop, spewing all kinds of vile language—so bad even Fang Xian frowned.

“Ming Xiaojiang, you little slut, ungrateful wretch, white-eyed wolf… your whole family’s shameless! Seducing men, sleeping around, and now hitting people? I’ll teach you a lesson—”

Smack.

Ming Xiaojiang slapped her hard across the face. Then again. And again. Several slaps in quick succession until Ming Hongdou’s face was swollen.

“Who’s the slut now? You framed my sister Le Yao, beat her up and threw her into Fu Wencheng’s room, then sent people to catch them in the act. Who’s the real lowlife? Your sister pretending to help me, just so she could marry me off to some department head’s idiot son for your family’s gain—who’s disgusting? You people from the old house are rotten to the core, and still act like you’re so high and mighty. Talking about my mom? You disrespectful fool—you think you can lecture me? You think you’re worthy?”

Ming Hongdou was stunned. She had never seen this fierce version of Xiaojiang. She was speechless—her mouth hurt too much to respond, face pale, eyes full of venom.

“What are you staring at? Not satisfied? Then come on. I’m not afraid of you.”

A gentle breeze blew through, ruffling Ming Xiaojiang’s messy hair, highlighting her fierce, unyielding posture as she defended her mother. She looked almost heroic.

Fang Xian watched this scene and felt a tickle in his throat. The urge to protect this fierce little firecracker of a girl swelled in his chest.

He walked up to her calmly, looked Ming Hongdou straight in the eye, and said clearly:

“Ming Hongdou, please stay away from me. I’m not interested in you, and I certainly don’t want to marry someone like you. This is your last warning. Next time, I’ll report you to the team leader to deal with it.”

“You…”

Fang Xian hadn’t cursed, but every word pierced Ming Hongdou like a knife.

But she brought it on herself.

Red-eyed and humiliated, Ming Hongdou ran off crying.

“Alright, you can leave now too.”

As soon as Ming Hongdou was gone, the strong and upright Ming Xiaojiang instantly deflated. But her little hand was still up, ready to claw Fang Xian’s face if he came any closer.

“Sorry. I saw you running so fast with Ming Teacher’s dog, I thought something was wrong and came over to ask. I didn’t notice Ming Hongdou had followed me. I caused trouble—I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You didn’t mean it.”

Fourth Aunt Ming helped her daughter up, saying it was fine, but her body stayed tense, still wary of Fang Xian.

Fang Xian wasn’t sure what had happened, but he knew he couldn’t help here—and might even scare them more. He gave a gentle nod to both of them and quietly walked away down the path.

“Thank goodness, he’s finally gone.”

“Yeah, scared me to death. I thought Ming Hongdou would barge inside. If she had seen…”

“Mom, what’s there to be scared of? Don’t you trust your daughter? If not me, at least trust Dogzi’s skills!”

“You little brat—don’t compare yourself to a dog!”

Fourth Aunt Ming laughed, gently patted her daughter’s head, and pulled her into a warm hug.

Smelling her mother’s familiar scent, Ming Xiaojiang felt completely at peace.

Ah, nothing beats the feeling of a mother’s love…

While that crisis was resolved, on the other side, Old Master He also slowly regained consciousness.

Ming Xiaoxue stood to the side holding a bowl of steamed egg custard, nervously silent.

“Old He? Old He, you’re awake?”

“What’s… what’s going on…?”

“Don’t talk, don’t talk. It’s okay now, take it easy.”

“Here, Uncle He, have some of this egg. Rest well, and we’ll talk after you’re feeling better.”

Old Master Meng took the egg custard from Ming Zhong, gave him a grateful smile, tried hard to ignore the delicious aroma, and began feeding his old friend spoonful by spoonful.