Chapter 12: Sacrificing Beauty… Just for a Toilet?

Just as the cries for help ended, a loud bang echoed through the air—the door had been kicked open.

Jiang Zhi Ning quickly looked up to see a young man holding a hoe barging in.

Seizing the moment, she shoved the old man aside and dashed toward the young man. “Please help me, sir!”

The young man froze for two seconds when he saw her pale face. Then he turned to the old man, stunned. “Uncle Shen, what are you doing?!”

Panic briefly flashed in the old man’s eyes. He hadn’t expected to be caught.

Before he could speak, the commotion drew neighbors who came rushing over, staring at the scene in confusion.

“What’s going on here?”

Before Jiang Zhi Ning could respond, the old man suddenly played the victim and pointed at her. “This girl tried to seduce me!”

What?!

Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s a lie! You were the one trying to molest me!”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Everyone looked on in disbelief.

“That’s impossible! The old man’s already up there in age—how could he possibly bully a young girl like you?” one auntie scoffed.

“Exactly. You’re an outsider, and now you’re coming into our village to ruin his reputation? You’re despicable,” an old uncle said angrily.

Jiang Zhi Ning’s chest heaved in frustration, her face flushed red. “He’s the one who lured me to his house and grabbed me! Why would I seduce an old man? Because he’s wrinkled, ugly, and covered in age spots?!”

The old man shot back defiantly, “Because I have a toilet.”

Jiang Zhi Ning was dumbfounded. Only he could say something so shameless.

“She’s from the city. She didn’t want to use a pit latrine, so I kindly brought her home to use mine. But then she tried to seduce me to have it all to herself! When I scolded her, she started screaming.”

He sighed dramatically. “Young lady, how could you do something so shameless?”

Seeing him twist the truth so brazenly, Jiang Zhi Ning exploded. “I’m not crazy enough to kiss you for a toilet! I’m not even staying here long-term, and even if I were, I’d figure out how to build one myself! Why would I sacrifice my dignity for that?!”

“I believe the old man,” someone shouted. “This girl just wanted the toilet and tried to seduce him.”

“She probably wants his savings! He’s got a few hundred bucks tucked away. She’s just a gold digger!”

Just as Jiang Zhi Ning was about to lose it, Lin Chun Mei came rushing in and stood protectively in front of her. “My daughter would never do such a thing!”

Jiang Zhi Ning blinked in surprise at the unexpected support.

“So she’s your real daughter?” one woman sneered. “Your Shen An An was flirting with my son, and now your real daughter’s no better—trying to seduce even the old man.”

“Yeah, look at how she’s dressed! That neckline is way too low—so slutty.”

“Shut up! Don’t insult my daughter!” Lin Chun Mei shouted, eyes turning red.

“You’ve got the guts to do it but not to admit it? That old man’s one of the kindest people in the village. He wouldn’t lay a hand on a young girl. That shameless little vixen clearly isn’t a decent one.”

That was the final straw for Jiang Zhi Ning. She clenched her fists, enraged by the blind faith the villagers had in the old man. Just as she was about to let loose, Lin Chun Mei suddenly rushed to the side, grabbed a broom, and charged at the woman who had insulted Jiang Zhi Ning.

“My daughter is innocent! You can’t treat her like this!” Lin Chun Mei yelled as she swung the broom.

Jiang Zhi Ning gasped behind her hands. She hadn’t expected the seemingly fragile Lin Chun Mei to actually fight for her.

But the village women weren’t easy to deal with either. They quickly fought back, and chaos erupted.

The Shen family was known as a poor household in the village, and most people looked down on them. Lin Chun Mei had also been considered beautiful in her youth, which made her a target for gossip and jealousy among the women. So now, they attacked with no mercy.

Seeing Lin Chun Mei being beaten, Jiang Zhi Ning charged forward to join the fight.

Growing up in an orphanage, she’d been in plenty of fights. Now, she didn’t hold back. She yanked hair, scratched with her nails—no hesitation.

The village shrews didn’t expect her to fight so viciously and took a few hits before rallying.

The men just stood around watching, making no effort to stop the brawl.

Though Jiang Zhi Ning fought hard, she lacked stamina. After about ten minutes, she began to falter.

“You little tramp! How dare you hit me?! I’ll rip that slutty face of yours apart!” one woman snarled as she pounced.

Jiang Zhi Ning grabbed her wrists, but someone attacked from behind and slammed her to the ground. The woman landed on top of her, aiming long, filthy fingernails at her face.

Just as those nails were about to scratch her, a familiar voice shouted, “Stop!”

Jiang Zhi Ning turned her head and saw a tall, familiar figure.

Her eyes lit up. “Comrade Yu Zhou!”

Even though she looked disheveled, Jiang Zhi Ning didn’t care. After all, every time she met him, she was a mess.

The villagers were stunned by the sudden appearance of a soldier. The aunties froze in place.

Song Yu Zhou strode forward, eyes icy, and approached the woman pinning Jiang Zhi Ning down. “Let go of her.”

The woman was so intimidated by his sharp gaze that she quickly scrambled to her feet. “O-officer…”

Without saying a word, Song Yu Zhou helped Jiang Zhi Ning up, gently brushed the dirt off her skirt and picked bits of debris from her hair.

Grabbing his arm, Jiang Zhi Ning pointed at the villagers. “Comrade Yu Zhou, they bullied me!”