Chapter 4

In the yard, others could clearly hear the middle-aged woman’s words.

The children she mentioned were from the Xiao family in the county. Once landlords, the whole family had fallen into poverty and returned to their hometown in Lanshan Village. Over the years, misfortune had struck the Xiao family hard, and due to poverty and a lack of medical care, they gradually perished, leaving only the youngest, the still innocent Xiao He, and his biological mother, Xu.

No one knew Xu’s first name. She was pretty and had become the object of desire for many single men in the village after her husband died a few years prior. However, for reasons unknown, she suddenly moved in with the Sun family two years ago, becoming Sun Hong’s wife. Since then, she rarely ventured outside unless something happened to her son.

Thinking back to what he had seen, Zhang Zhi frowned and muttered, “Is Old Sun ever going to stop?”

After having his own child, Dabao, he became softer towards children. Old Sun was someone who cared about appearances and craved attention. Usually blunt and harsh, he had no mercy for the child. Whenever something went awry, he brought the child into it, and over time, the once-normal child had grown increasingly withdrawn. He barely spoke and had become so thin that it pained people to look at him.

Occasionally, villagers couldn’t bear it and offered him advice, but he would shoot back with a barrage of words, acting as though he were in the right.

Zhang Rui also frowned. He liked children. Before Tian Jiao was born, he had been fond of his eldest nephew. Now, though, he felt overshadowed by his niece. But since the child was not his to raise, he believed he had no right to intervene.

He pretended not to hear and patted his nephew’s chubby bottom, pulling the energetic boy, who had been clinging to his daughter, over to him. “Jiaojiao, I’ll hold him. You put away your notebook and pen, then take a shower and get ready for bed.”

Unexpectedly, Tian Jiao was lost in thought. When he touched her, she snapped back to reality. Her expression changed slightly, and her lovely little face scrunched up.

Her thoughts had been completely consumed by the mention of the steamed bread in the middle-aged woman’s speech.

Just earlier, she had given steamed corn bread to a little boy before finishing her meal. If that was the case, then the child wrongly accused of stealing was him.

However, this steamed corn bread came from the Zhang family. She hadn’t eaten it; she had given it to an outsider. This would certainly disappoint her grandmother and anger her grandfather, who never had much regard for her.

Tian Jiao had left the steamed bread behind because she didn’t want to take anything home. Li Mizhen nagged her daily that the second aunt shouldn’t leave anything behind. Did she really believe all food came from the flood?

While they spoke, Tian Jiao found she could no longer eat. Subconsciously, she had left the food for later. She had done this for the past two days, saving it for Zhang Rui to eat when he got home.

It was important to note that the family was poor, and most people struggled to get enough to eat. The Zhang family also faced hardship, so naturally, a young man in his twenties like Zhang Rui couldn’t fill his stomach adequately.

Tian Jiao hesitated, unsure whether to intervene.

The weight on her legs disappeared, but Dabao kept babbling nonstop, tugging at her clothes. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t get her attention.

She stood with the book in her hand, ready to head into the room when she heard the aunt say, “Honestly, that child is so pitiful, so thin. When I saw him just now, his hair was pulled out and bleeding. It was falling out in clumps, leaving bald patches that exposed his blood-red scalp.”

Tian Jiao couldn’t listen anymore. Her heart raced as she turned to Zhang Rui, pulling on his arm, feeling flustered. She called out weakly, “Dad.”

Zhang Rui, just then handing the child to his second brother, turned around, confused. “What’s wrong?”

Tian Jiao pressed her lips together, forcing a smile. Noticing her hands were empty, she didn’t say anything but simply pulled his hand and ran outside, saying, “Follow me.”

Zhang Rui, still puzzled by her behavior, instinctively followed.

Not to mention, her short legs moved quickly, and he had to speed up to keep pace.

He glanced at the little girl. Her fair face was pale, her lips pressed tightly together, and she looked anxious. Though Zhang Rui was confused, he didn’t push her for answers.

After only a few steps, Tian Jiao abruptly halted and awkwardly said, “Dad, where’s the boy?”

Zhang Rui recalled that his daughter had left a steamed bun for him two days ago, but today, she hadn’t. After some thought, he asked, “Is that steamed bun yours?”

Tian Jiao dropped her head, fidgeting with her fingers, and murmured, “It was mine. He looked so pitiful, so I gave it to him. I’m sorry.”

After she finished speaking, Zhang Rui lifted her onto his shoulders and rushed out. “You don’t need to apologize. It’s your food. Let’s go; Dad will take you there.”

Tian Jiao rested her head on his shoulder, her arms wrapped around his neck. The uneasiness in her heart faded with his words. She instinctively gazed at the horizon, where a white cloud in the sunless sky seemed to form a smiling face, causing her eyes to curve in delight. It was a comfort to know that her father in heaven cared for her just as much as her father on earth.

At the village entrance, there was an open area without shelter in front, leaving the space vacant. Being close to the village entrance and relatively secluded, it was a popular spot for people to gather and chat after dinner. This part of the village also offered a cool atmosphere at night, making conversations enjoyable.

Zhang Daogen was there, listening to the others talk. He remained mostly silent, never uttering a word. With a cigarette hanging from his mouth, he squinted his eyes, the smoke curling around him as he exhaled, finding comfort in the moment.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out. Zhang Daogen put away his cigarette and looked over to see that the conversation had ceased. Everyone was focused on Old Sun Hong and Xu, who was crying uncontrollably, unable to stop him.

Despite his tall and strong appearance, Sun Hong was a coward who bullied the elderly, the weak, women, and children, earning the village’s ridicule. At his feet lay a child curled up in pain.

Zhang Daogen couldn’t continue smoking, turned to his friend sitting nearby, and whispered, “What evil is he trying to do?” Zhao Dali nodded in agreement, saying, “That’s right. The child is so young.”

In this modern era, people’s attitudes towards such matters have softened. No one intentionally intervened, and many felt sympathy for the only orphan and widow left in the Xiao family.

Lanshan Village had been formed from the aftermath of early wars, encompassing various surnames, but Zhai was the most common. The Xiao family had once been landlords in the county, but that was long ago.

Sun Hong’s actions had earned the village’s sympathy for Xu and Xiao He. A few villagers sighed as they witnessed Sun Hong begin his tirade.

He wore a fierce expression, akin to that of a tiger, and as he stood in the center of the crowd, he occasionally kicked the child writhing in pain at his feet.

“This child is so dishonest. Who can give him extra steamed buns these days? If it were just a piece or two of sweet potato, I might believe it, but those steamed buns aren’t enough to feed his family,” Sun Hong exclaimed, his excitement evident as he scanned the crowd of onlookers. He puffed out his chest, pointing at the shrinking boy, declaring, “Look at what he has become now.”

“He didn’t steal it. Someone really gave it to him!” Xu cried from her position on the ground, clutching the child.

Annoyed, Sun Hong kicked her twice. “You only know how to protect him. If it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t have grown up this way. Get her away quickly.”

A thin woman in the crowd stepped forward, pulling Xu away. “Come on, the head of the family is doing this. Why are you interfering? You didn’t raise the child properly, and now you’re crying.”

Xu struggled, shaking her head and pleading, “No, Xiao He is really not a bad boy.”

Sun Hong’s mother glared and threatened Xu, “Do you want Sun Hong to support you?” 

Xu’s crying halted momentarily, as though her lifeline was threatened. Sun Hong’s mother quickly released her grip, causing the child to roll out from between them.

A muffled thud echoed, yet the child remained silent, as if muted. Xu’s eyes flickered with panic, but she didn’t resist being dragged away. Her gaze remained fixed on the boy.

It felt like a repeat of past events—no sound at all, as if he were an object rather than a person. She wrapped her arms around herself, stumbling along with a heart full of sadness and helplessness.

“Okay, Sun Hong, how old is this child?” someone finally spoke up, unable to bear the sight.

Sun Hong glared back, saying, “No matter his age, you can’t tolerate it. The great man said we must start from childhood. Look at this…” 

He crouched down, yanking on the scant hair left on the child’s scalp to force his face up, revealing a swollen mouth. “Look, this is the evidence. The steamed bun in his mouth is all food.”

Xiao He’s head spun from the blows, yet he remained silent, breathing heavily and rapidly as if he might collapse at any moment. He couldn’t swallow the steamed bun in his mouth, forcing him to keep it there, refusing to spit it out.

His large eyes, wide from pain, looked frightening, yet they gazed calmly at his tormentor without anger or resentment. Someone whispered, “It really is.”

“But you can’t claim he stole it. Whose family would have their steamed buns stolen these days?”

“The child is still so young, Lao Sun. Just let it go.”

The villagers could no longer endure the scene, and some attempted to push through the crowd to take the child away.

“If you don’t teach him a lesson now, do you really want him to become a thief in the future?” Sun Hong argued, seemingly righteous.

Most villagers, in their forties and fifties, struggled to respond to him. They were anxious and unsure how to counter his claims. “You can’t say that. What if someone truly gave it to him? I often feel sorry for this child and share my sweet potatoes with him.”

Sun Hong retorted, “Then will you give us steamed buns?”

The villagers fell silent. Steamed buns were pricier than sweet potatoes, which could be foraged from fields. They didn’t waste sweet potatoes but didn’t feel overly sympathetic about them. But steamed buns were different.

Suddenly, a clear child’s voice rang out, “I gave it to him! Don’t bully him!”

Sun Hong’s expression froze in place. 

It had been a long time, yet no one dared to admit any improvement in their situation. Everyone was struggling; if someone’s family was doing a little better, relatives would likely come to borrow money. Good fortune was something to be hoarded. Who would admit to doing well?

Narrowing his eyes in annoyance, Sun Hong noticed the child Zhang Rui had brought over, who glared at him, looking furious. “A little girl,” he muttered.

Zhang Rui stepped forward, frowning as he scolded, “What’s wrong with her? Didn’t she eat your food?”

Zhang Dagen was taken aback. He had eaten a melon but never expected to face his own family.

He looked at Zhang Rui and the girl with displeasure. The old woman had favored Zhang Rui and her by giving her steamed corn bread. Yet here she was, giving it away to a stranger. Did she think that was too much?

Since the child wasn’t his biological daughter, Zhang Dagen didn’t prioritize her at this moment. Although a bit reluctant about the scene before him, he felt numb. Hearing these words, he naturally felt unhappy. Even Li Mizhen, who arrived a moment later, was slightly displeased.

Tian Jiao hadn’t expected such a situation to arise from her good deed. She felt panicked, her gaze fixed on the curled-up form of the boy, seeming small and weak. Even from over ten meters away, she sensed the frailness of his life force.

Her heart ached, and her eyes reddened as she spoke in a tearful voice, “It was really me. My grandma didn’t finish the steamed bread she gave him at noon, so I put it in my pocket and gave it to him before dinner.”

Seeing this, Zhao Dali quickly interjected, “Look, Sun Hong, stop messing with other people’s kids. If anything happens, your wife will hold you accountable.”

Aunt Xiaoling, a relative of the village chief, added, “Right! How old is the child? He’s a boy. You should take good care of him; he’ll look after you in your old age.”

Sun Hong’s demeanor shifted, the bravado he had gathered deflating. He snorted in shame and annoyance but forced himself to maintain composure. “I know. I just worry he’ll go astray in the future. Wasn’t there a guy who stole a neighbor’s chicken and ended up like that?”

Internally, he cursed his luck, realizing that someone else had given the child food, ruining his chance to show off today.

“Zhang Rui, you truly cherish this girl you picked up,” Sun Hong said with a sour tone.

It seemed the Zhang family was doing well, even having extra steamed bread to give away.

Tian Jiao clenched her hands tightly, noticing Sun Hong walking towards her and instinctively shrinking back in fear.

Zhang Rui noticed her reaction and tightened his embrace, speaking calmly. “Of course I treasure my daughter. Even if I don’t eat, I have to ensure she’s full. And don’t come over here; you’re scaring my daughter.”

“What do you mean?” Sun Hong asked, his anger rising.

Zhang Zhi, coming from behind, yelled, “What’s the point? Don’t you realize how scary you look?”

The two brothers stood together against Sun Hong, who was alone. Seeing this, Sun Hong spat and angrily turned away.

Tian Jiao watched him closely, relaxing slightly as he turned his back. Although he looked fierce, he didn’t seem very brave. Whispering, she cursed, “Bad guy, I hope you fall on your head.”

“Puff.” Zhang Rui chuckled at the little girl’s words, touched. He smiled and gently patted her back. “Don’t be afraid. Daddy’s here. He can’t beat Daddy.”

Tian Jiao wiped away her tears from earlier fear, pursed her lips, and kissed him on the cheek. She then struggled to get down, saying softly, “Thank you, Dad. I want to go see him.”

Xiao He lay on the ground. The village chief, Zhao Jiangang, who hurried over, squatted beside him, checking his condition while nearby people reported what had just transpired.

Tian Jiao looked at her small, white hands, realizing they had no strength. Although she lacked spiritual power, she held hopes for her talents and abilities to be useful.

Zhang Rui smiled, touched by the kiss on his cheek. It felt sweet to be a father.

Just as they had taken a couple of steps, a sudden scream pierced the air, “Ah!”

Everyone was preoccupied with discussing the events that had unfolded, so when they heard the scream and turned around, they saw Sun Hong fall to the ground.

A young man rushed over to assess the situation and exclaimed, “My head hit a rock, and it’s bleeding!”

The crowd gasped in shock.

Zhang Rui’s eyelids flickered, glancing at his little girl, who looked guilty. This crow’s mouth…