Chapter 14: Moving House

“I’m not afraid of anything, not even reporting to the authorities,” Yu Tingwan’s words rang out firmly in the dark night.

“What? You want to report us?”

Wouldn’t it be better for Yu Tingwan to just accept her fate quietly?

Madam Xu rushed forward. “If you dare harm my second son, I’ll skin you alive!”

But before she could reach Yu Tingwan, Li Lian, who was closest, blocked her path. Li Lian pushed her away and scolded, “If you want to go mad, do it back in your village! This isn’t your home!”

“How dare you act like this under our noses? Do you think the girls of Xilin Village are easy to bully?”

With those words, the villagers surrounded the Xu family, wielding whatever tools they could find in the yard.

Master Xu panicked, “Are you going to attack us?”

Being elderly, he was a light sleeper. He had awakened when Xu Fen had quietly left the kitchen, but hadn’t stopped him. Now he was frustrated with Xu Fen’s uselessness—he couldn’t even handle one woman.

The eldest Xu son looked gloomy as he protected his wife behind him, trying to lower his tone. “Tingwan, if you don’t want to marry, we won’t force you. I’ll have my second brother apologize to you. Let’s not dwell on this matter.”

Yu Tingwan retorted, “What if I castrate Xu Fen and then apologize? Would that work for you?”

The situation reached a standstill.

The village head observed Yu Tingwan. Her composure in the face of trouble was remarkable. Clasping his hands behind his back, he said, “It’s too dark to travel now, so let it be for tonight. Madam Wang, first thing tomorrow morning, the Xu family must leave.”

Madam Wang frowned, reluctant. Once they left, it would mean more work for her. But she dared not contradict the village head’s words.

The Xu family’s faces changed dramatically.

“No way! Our house is uninhabitable—where can we go?”

“In this freezing weather, aren’t you just sending us to our deaths?”

Li Lian refused to hear their wailing: “That’s your problem!”

Other villagers chimed in:

“If you came seeking refuge in hardship, that would be fine if you were honest. But you’re full of schemes.”

“Even if Madam Wang is willing to let you stay, we won’t agree. Such relatives—I wouldn’t want to associate with them for life.”

“Then just go die! Better than harming other girls!”

The village head turned to Yu Tingwan and spoke after careful consideration.

“Tingwan, this is ultimately a scandal.”

“I know you’ve been wronged. Though Xu Fen had evil intentions, nothing came of it. Now he’s injured like this; the authorities won’t intervene. Making this bigger won’t benefit you.”

“You know how your uncle has treated you these years—I needn’t remind you. You may not care about others’ gossip, but you must consider him and Yaozu. You’re a good child; I believe you wouldn’t make things difficult for them.”

“As outsiders, we can’t handle this well. How about this—let’s put it aside until your uncle returns? Whatever he decides to do with the Xu family, I won’t interfere.”

Yu Tingwan wasn’t surprised by the village head’s attempt to mediate. After all, it wasn’t his daughter who was harmed—he couldn’t truly empathize. How could an orphaned girl compare to a scholar?

She wasn’t foolish enough to directly oppose the village head who governed Xilin Village.

She lowered her head, appearing to be in thought.

Seeing her shift from aggression to potential compromise, the village head’s expression softened. “Is something troubling you?”

Yu Tingwan pressed her lips together. “I can no longer stay with the Hu family.”

“First it was the Dong family, then the Xu family—what’s next?”

Her concerns weren’t unreasonable. The village head was also disappointed with Madam Wang’s actions. Not only was Yu Tingwan uncomfortable, even he felt uneasy.

“This can be easily solved—stay at my house until your uncle returns.”

Though it meant another mouth to feed, when Hu Dazhu returned for Yu Tingwan, they wouldn’t have helped for nothing.

But Yu Tingwan didn’t agree. Once she left the Hu household, she had no intention of returning. Staying at the village head’s home meant dealing with his whole family, and coming and going would be inconvenient. She also didn’t want to owe any favors.

Seeing her hesitation, the village head said, “If you’re worried about being a burden, there’s an empty old house in the village. Though long neglected, it could be livable with some cleaning.”

That very night, Yu Tingwan moved into the old house.

Perhaps pitying her injured state and limping walk, villagers volunteered to help. Besides some firewood and a few pieces of clothing, along with fruits she had gathered from outside to stave off hunger, there wasn’t much to pack.

Though she had lived with the Hu family for years, she had left few traces behind.

Seeing this, Granny Fan remarked sarcastically: “One would think you lived in a woodshed.”

“Seems like Tingwan’s life at the Hu household wasn’t so good after all.”

Hearing this, Madam Wang nearly wanted to fight her.

This was the countryside—having a place to sleep was already generous enough.

In the darkness, Yu Tingwan couldn’t see the path clearly. Sensitive to cold, she just kept her head down and followed the others. With her injured leg, she walked slowly.

The old house was far and dilapidated, but lights were on next door—someone lived there.

“This is it.”

The village head unlocked the door, letting everyone in. Long uninhabited, the house was covered in cobwebs and dust. Though just one small room, Yu Tingwan was already grateful.

Since they were already there, the villagers didn’t rush to leave, efficiently helping to clean. The shaky window, rattling in the cold wind, was simply secured.

Granny Fan approached. “Tingwan, I have a nephew…”

Before she could continue, a plump woman interrupted. “Granny Fan, have some decency! Your nephew is mute, and you want to introduce him to Tingwan?”

Granny Fan snapped: “What’s wrong with being mute!”

If her nephew wasn’t mute, she wouldn’t even consider Yu Tingwan! She grabbed Yu Tingwan’s hand: “Child, I truly think you’d be suitable together.”

Yu Tingwan: …

Thanks?

Everyone perked up their ears, looking their way.

Granny Fan: “Being unable to speak has its advantages!”

Yu Tingwan sincerely asked, “What advantages?”

Granny Fan choked: …

Yu Tingwan helpfully answered for her: “When we have disagreements in the future, he won’t be able to argue with me.”

Granny Fan: “Exactly, exactly!”

Yu Tingwan forcefully pulled her hand back.

Granny Fan persisted: “I have another nephew.”

Plump woman: “Just be quiet!”

“Your other nephew is even worse. He’s mentally challenged at twenty-eight and still soils himself!”

“Last time when you were washing his underwear, he ran out naked right after!”

“I saw it! That thing was as thin as a needle!”

Country folks spoke without any reservations at all.

Though Yu Tingwan was inexperienced in intimate matters, she knew married couples engaged in intimate activities together. The Hu house was small—whenever Hu Dalang and Xiao Xu made noise in their room, it disturbed her rest.

Besides, there were many wild dogs in the countryside, and Yu Tingwan had seen male dogs mounting females…

Just thinking about it made her scalp tingle.

Wasn’t being thin good?

Otherwise, it would hurt too much—afterward, everyone would think he hadn’t even entered!

Yu Tingwan felt enlightened by this thought.

If she was going to find someone, she’d find someone thin!