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Chapter 13 – A Knife at Her Waist

“You damned girl, are you trying to rebel?”
Grandma Cheng saw that Cheng Yuanyue really had pulled out a knife, and grew so anxious she slapped her thigh.
“Your eldest brother will be the one to carry on the Cheng family’s incense in the future. You’re just a girl—one day you’ll marry into another family. How could you ever compare to your brother?”

“You can dote on my brother all you want, that’s none of my business. But don’t you dare think of selling me off again just to benefit him.”
Cheng Yuanyue glanced at a rooster pecking around the yard. She suddenly threw the kitchen knife—clean and sharp—straight at it.
The chicken was slaughtered on the spot, blood pooling on the ground.

“You, you…” Grandma Cheng almost fainted from anger when she saw this scene.
What kind of sin had she committed? The girl had only gone to the city for a single day, and now she came back wanting to revolt!

“Little sister, you wanted chicken, didn’t you? I’ll kill one for you, no need to be angry.”
Cheng Jiafu was the type who bullied the weak and feared the strong.
Before, the family had always bullied her while spoiling him. He had gone along with it, never once speaking up for her. Lazy, cowardly, and spineless.

Now, terrified, he quickly picked up the rooster she’d just killed and rushed outside to pluck its feathers—making sure to take the knife with him.

Shen Xiuying stared at her son’s quick escape, dumbfounded.
This… this…

She knew Ayuan was strong, but she hadn’t expected her strength to be this great—single-handedly wielding such control.

“You dare bring knives and weapons into the house? Looks like I’ve been too lenient on you. Today I’ll make sure to teach you a lesson—”
Grandma Cheng tried to regain the upper hand.

But Cheng Yuanyue pulled out a hatchet from behind her back.
“Grandma, what did I just say? If anyone dares lay a hand on me again, I’ll make the first cut on my brother.”

She strode toward Cheng Jiafu as she spoke.

Seeing her crazed look, Grandma Cheng didn’t dare move rashly.
“Put the knife down! You damned girl, what on earth did you learn in the city? You don’t want to get married? Fine—no one will force you. It’s late already, now go cook dinner. You want the whole family to starve?”

She had no idea what had happened in the city, but this girl was like a completely different person.

“I’m tired today. Whoever wants to cook can cook. Just call me when the food’s ready.”
Cheng Yuanyue tucked the hatchet into her waistband, yawned, and went back into her room.

Bang! She shut the door firmly and bolted it from inside, not giving their nagging another thought.

Seeing her so disobedient, Grandma Cheng glanced at Cheng Yuanfang, who was tending the fire in the kitchen, and barked for her to come over.
If she couldn’t discipline the elder sister, she could still discipline the younger.

But before the words settled, the door creaked open again.
Cheng Yuanyue walked out, smirking coldly.
“If you dare touch her, I’ll take it out on Cheng Jiafu. Don’t believe me? Try it.”

She was no longer the original Yuanyue, the girl who endured beatings and scolding in silence.
And she sure as hell wouldn’t let them bully her little sister.

Her words left Grandma Cheng so enraged she collapsed on the ground, wailing:
“Everyone come and see! Our family has raised an unfilial daughter! Just a few words of scolding, and now she wants to cut me down with a knife!”

“You think anyone can hear you crying inside the house? You’ll have to go shout outside—better yet, sit on the hill across the way. There, the sound will carry, and not just this village but the next one will hear you loud and clear.”
Cheng Yuanyue reached to haul her up.

The frail old woman barely weighed a hundred pounds. To Yuanyue, lifting her was as effortless as lifting a chicken or a duck.

Shen Xiuying stood frozen in shock.
This, this… she knew Ayuan was strong, but this strong? To lift an old woman with one hand?

Dangling in the air, Grandma Cheng forgot her wailing.
This damned girl really dared to do anything.

“Yuanyue, what are you doing? Put your grandma down right now! If you really toss her out, the whole village will laugh at us.” Shen Xiuying rushed forward in panic.

With a flick of her wrist, Yuanyue released her grip.
The old woman fell hard onto the ground.

Dusting off her hands, Yuanyue said flatly,
“Before, I respected you all, so I listened to you. But you never cared about my life or death, always trying to marry me off, no matter to whom. I won’t stand for it anymore. I warn you—don’t provoke me. If I really go mad, none of you will have peace.”

At her side, little sister Afang stared wide-eyed in awe.

Heavens, her big sister was incredible.
She dared to face down her brother with a knife, and even lifted Grandma with one hand!

Her eyes practically sparkled as she gazed at her sister.

Yuanyue flicked her forehead lightly.
“From now on, if anyone dares bully you, just say my name. I won’t let them get away with it.”

Afang nodded quickly, like a bobbing rattle drum.

Bang! Yuanyue shut her door again, locking it from inside, and promptly went to sleep.

The dog of a man had already worn her out in the morning, then the crowded bus ride had left her back aching. All she wanted now was a good, peaceful nap.

And after the chaos she’d just stirred up, neither her mother nor her grandmother dared to make trouble. She finally slept soundly for a while.

At dinner, Cheng Jiafu eyed her nervously but with forced flattery.
“Ayuan, I saved this chicken leg just for you. Try it.”

At once, Shen Xiuying and Grandma Cheng both shot him looks.
Grandma coughed repeatedly, clearly hinting that Yuanyue should leave the leg for her brother.

Before, the chicken legs and good meat always went to Jiafu, while Yuanyue and Afang only ever got scraps—the head, the feet.

But this time, Yuanyue took the drumstick without hesitation, and even gave another one to Afang.

Seeing the meat in her bowl, Afang froze, glancing nervously at her grandmother and parents, afraid to touch it.

“What are you looking at them for? Eat.” Yuanyue patted her head. “We’re family—of course we eat what we want. No need to watch their faces.”

Jiafu quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, right, right.”

Grandma could only glare daggers at Yuanyue ten times over.
Shen Xiuying forced a stiff laugh, not daring to say a word.

That night’s dinner was the quietest and most peaceful meal they’d ever had.

Sure enough, with this family, you had to go mad—only fear would keep them in line.

After eating her fill, Yuanyue didn’t lift a finger for chores. She simply took Afang back to their room.

Shen Xiuying and Grandma exchanged glances, but neither dared call her out to wash the dishes.

“Sis, tonight feels like a dream. You were amazing back there! Where did you learn all that? Grandma, Mom, even Big Brother are all afraid of you now.”

“Before, I was always obedient, but they kept trying to sell me off, never caring about my life. Since they don’t care, I don’t need to care either. Afang, from now on, I’ll protect you. No one will bully you again.”

“When I grow up, I’ll protect you, Sister.”

Yuanyue smiled.
“When I have money, I’ll take you to enroll in school tomorrow. How about that?”
On her way back, she had been thinking of how best to spend the hundred yuan she had—whether to invest or to save.

“But Mom and Dad won’t let me go. They said with my leg like this, it’d be lucky if someone wanted me in marriage. What’s the point of studying?”
Her leg had been injured in childhood and never properly treated, leaving her with a limp.

“You don’t need their permission. I have money. Tomorrow I’ll take you to sign up. Only education can change our fate. You must go to school.”

School had already started days ago, but with Cheng Jiafu’s trouble and no spare money at home, Afang’s enrollment had been delayed.