As everyone knows, Zhao Hongqiang is notorious in the village for being a brute—big in size, loud in voice, and with a fiery temper. When it comes to fighting, he doesn’t discriminate between men and women.

The girls and women in the village are generally too afraid to speak to Zhao Hongqiang, fearing they might get beaten by him!

Last time, when Zhang Yunxi dared to threaten Zhao Hongqiang, everyone was shocked. But that was because Zhao Hongqiang had indeed done something terrible to his ex-wife. People thought it was just his guilt showing and didn’t believe Zhao Hongqiang would actually be afraid of this little educated youth. But today, Zhang Yunxi outright slapped Zhao Hongqiang!

Zhao Hongqiang wanted to hit her, but Zhang Yunxi scolded him instead.

Facing Zhao Hongqiang’s rage, she even stabbed at his insecurities without showing a hint of fear.

In the end, Zhao Hongqiang didn’t even manage to fight back. It was truly shocking.

The neighbors quickly spread the news throughout the village.

Zhang Yunxi hit Zhao Hongqiang.

Oh my heavens.

What a huge piece of news!

“Educated Youth Zhang is something else!”

“Educated Youth Zhang is really fierce!”

“Oh my, this Educated Youth Zhang is no ordinary person.”

“She’s really good to Zhao Mo.”

“Zhao Hongqiang is such a scoundrel. Educated Youth Zhang made Zhao Mo look so lively, and he still wants to ruin it.”

“Zhao Hongqiang is no good. Look at his stepson—he got beaten so badly he lost two teeth.”

…

Everyone was talking, and many criticized Zhao Hongqiang. His reputation in the village was terrible. He often caused trouble when drunk, and everyone was fed up with him.

Zhao Mo, holding Zhang Yunxi’s hand, hung her head low. “Auntie, I’m sorry. My dad, he…”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Why are you apologizing? He can’t do anything to us. Don’t be afraid. A man who only has a loud voice, is good for nothing else, and enjoys beating his wife and children is just trash. We don’t need to be afraid of trash.”

Talking badly about a father in front of a child is a very, very bad thing!!!

But Zhao Mo’s father is simply not human!

Therefore, Zhang Yunxi had no qualms about cursing Zhao Hongqiang and said seriously to Zhao Mo, “You’re still young. It’s normal to be afraid of people with loud voices. When you grow up, you won’t be anymore. We’re in the right. We have nothing to fear.”

“What if my dad sneaks up and hits you?”

If her aunt were to get beaten because of her, Zhao Mo would rather her aunt not care about her at all.

“I have a plan,” Zhang Yunxi smiled.

Zhao Hongqiang likes violence, doesn’t he?

Then she’ll…

Fight violence with violence!!!

“Today is your first day of school. Let’s be happy,” Zhang Yunxi said, making her smile before squatting down to tidy her hair. “From now on, we’ll practice running faster. If he tries to hit you, run to me. I’ll protect you.”

Zhao Mo stared into Zhang Yunxi’s eyes and nodded heavily.

When her aunt stood in front of her today, Zhao Mo also realized that her once-overbearing father didn’t seem so powerful after all.

“Zhao Mo!” Er Gouzi called out.

Zhao Mo frowned, “What?”

“How come you’re wearing new clothes? That’s so cool,” Er Gouzi approached, his big eyes examining her new outfit. Suddenly, he scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. “Zhao Mo, you… really look like a girl now.”

Zhao Mo rolled her eyes, “I am a girl.”

“But I always thought of you as a buddy. Usually, your clothes are dirtier and more worn-out than mine, and you’re always covered in mud from working…” Er Gouzi’s voice trailed off, and he awkwardly laughed. “New semester, new atmosphere. Let’s study hard and strive to be activists.”

Zhao Mo snorted.

The three of them arrived at the school together. In the center of a row of five single-story buildings was a wooden plaque that read, “Zhao Brigade Elementary School.”

It was the first day of school, and there were many people coming and going. Most of the children came by themselves since the adults had to work.

Zhang Yunxi walked Zhao Mo to the school.

Er Gouzi and Zhao Mo sat together as desk mates. He wanted to see her pencil case and notebook, and soon the two of them started arguing.

Zhang Yunxi didn’t intervene.

When a medium-built woman with braided hair walked in, Zhang Yunxi politely greeted her, “Good morning, teacher,” before heading off to work.

At the fields, Deng Damei quietly approached Zhang Yunxi and asked, “I heard you hit someone?”

“No,” Zhang Yunxi shook her head, then rubbed her lower back. “I’ve been bending over all day. My back is about to break.”

“I’m being serious. Did you hit Zhao Hongqiang?” Deng Damei pressed.

Zhang Yunxi nodded and added, “He’s not human.”

“Holy cow, you’ve got some guts! How could you be so bold? Aren’t you afraid he’ll hit you?”

“The great man once said, ‘We must eradicate all thoughts of weakness and incompetence within ourselves. Any view that overestimates the enemy’s strength and underestimates the people’s strength is wrong.’ I desire peace, but as long as Zhao Hongqiang refuses to abandon his unreasonable behavior, I will not relent! As youths of the new era, we must dare to struggle and dare to win!”

Zhang Yunxi faced the sun, her neck tilted upward, embodying the image of an enthusiastic young person.

Deng Damei was truly impressed and warned, “You’d better be careful these days. Zhao Hongqiang is very petty. We’re educated youths, and it’s easy for the locals to target us.”

“Even if Zhao Hongqiang is in the wrong, the fact that you dared to lay a hand on a local has already challenged their authority. There will definitely be people who support Zhao Hongqiang and target you.”

“For the next little while, wherever you go, make sure to take me or Xiaoxiao with you. That way, if someone tries to cause trouble, at least one of us can run back to inform the brigade leader.”

“You’re so kind. Thank you, Sister Damei.”

Zhang Yunxi blew her a kiss.

Deng Damei shuddered, “Oh my god, you’re so gross. I’m getting goosebumps.”

“Hahaha…” Zhang Yunxi laughed herself silly. She was too easy to tease.

“I’m heading to my plot. You keep working,” Deng Damei couldn’t handle her cheesiness and quickly made her escape.

Zhang Yunxi stood with one hand on her hip, feeling both amused and touched.

But since she dared to hit Zhao Hongqiang, she wasn’t afraid of him.

Bending over to continue pulling up peanuts, Zhang Yunxi saw Wu Donglin approaching, looking arrogant.

“I heard you hit someone. You’re really not afraid of death. Only someone as foolish as you would offend Zhao Hongqiang for the sake of a niece who’s not even closely related.”

“True, I’m not as weak as you. Even when my family is bullied, I wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing,” Zhang Yunxi smiled. “A coward like you, right?”

“Trying to provoke me won’t work. I won’t protect you. You’re on your own, and don’t come begging me for help,” Wu Donglin had heard about Zhao Hongqiang’s fighting prowess and was afraid Zhang Yunxi would come crying to him for assistance.

He still had to stay in Zhao Brigade for a while and didn’t want to offend the formidable Zhao Hongqiang for the sake of a suitor.

Zhang Yunxi was stunned.

She knew some people were shameless.

But she never expected someone to be this shameless.

“Not working hard? What are you all gathered here for?” Zhao Rencheng appeared in front of the two, his face cold and his voice stern.