Chapter 15: The Battle Against the Beasts

Sheng’s second daughter-in-law, Cui Shi, recognized Sheng Chunxiang immediately. She jumped up with a shriek, grabbing a whip and lashing it toward her.

Perfect timing! This girl looked decent enough—she could be sold for 500 yuan!

“Don’t hit my Xiangbao!”

“Xiangxiang, run!”

Sheng Fugui and Min Yuanyang shouted in unison.

Meanwhile, their son and daughter trembled in fear, even falling to their knees in terror.

They had been beaten into submission before.

The original host’s elder brother and sister were twins. They were already born weak, and after birth, they suffered from malnutrition, which left them somewhat slow-witted.

After years of torment from the Sheng family, they looked as if their souls had been drained!

Seeing all of this, Sheng Chunxiang felt not only heartache but also overwhelming fury.

“You’re asking for death!”

In a flash, she appeared in front of the old woman and kicked her to the ground.

She grabbed the whip and lashed her in a rapid five-strike combo.

These people had gone too far, so she didn’t hold back in the slightest.

“Aaaahhh…”

“You wretched girl! How dare you hit me!”

“Ow… my leg… my face…”

Cui Shi writhed on the ground in pain, wailing miserably.

“Sheng Fugui! You dare let your daughter hit my mother? Are you tired of living?”

“Grab your weapons and get her!”

The old Sheng patriarch slammed the table and glared.

A worthless girl dared to rebel? Unthinkable!

His three sons and four grandsons all stood up, ready to grab weapons.

They had regretted letting that worthless girl escape all those years ago, allowing her to enjoy life outside while they suffered.

Now that she had returned, she wouldn’t be leaving again!

The money for her city house, the good job—everything belonged to the Sheng family!

But before they could act, Sheng Chunxiang’s whip seemed to have a mind of its own, striking them mercilessly.

“Crack!”

“Crack!”

“Crack!”

The sound of the whip slicing through the air echoed repeatedly, and one by one, the Sheng family members collapsed, screaming in pain.

It was their first time being beaten like this, and at first, they didn’t know how to react. Instead, they kept shouting indignantly.

“Sheng Chunxiang! I’m your second uncle! I’m your elder! How dare you act so unfilial? Aren’t you afraid of being condemned by others?!”

“Sheng Fugui! Stop her right now! Are you refusing to pay your debt?!”

“Min Yuanyang! If you don’t stop, I’ll add five thousand more to what you owe—I’ll make sure you can never pay it off in this lifetime!”

Sheng Fugui and his family were completely stunned as they watched Sheng Chunxiang fight back.

Was this really their Xiangbao?

She actually dared to beat these people?

It felt amazing.

For three years, they had lived like this—no, worse than this!

What they never even dared to dream of doing, their Xiangbao had done for them.

Could never pay it off?

Then so be it.

They had already lost the will to live—why should they care about repaying a debt?

Sheng Chunxiang caught a key piece of information and tossed some sticks to her family.

“Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Big Sister—come join me! These beasts deserve a beating!”

She had seen the memories of the original host, and there was plenty of proof of Sheng Fugui’s kindness to the second branch of the Sheng family.

When their house caught fire, Sheng Fugui gave them his brand-new table.

When they had no money for food, Sheng Fugui gave them his own rations.

When they had nothing to eat during the New Year, Sheng Fugui gave them his family’s only meat dish.

…

Too many instances to count.

Even though they weren’t blood-related, Sheng Fugui had always been soft-hearted and couldn’t bear to see his younger brother suffer.

The second branch of the Sheng family had taken advantage of his kindness, playing the victims until they completely controlled him.

Three years ago, when Sheng Chunxiang received a letter from the old Sheng patriarch asking her to go to the Forty-Nine Cities (Beijing) to claim an inheritance, the second branch even plotted against her.

If not for a kind-hearted neighbor, Granny Zhang, stepping in, the second branch might have stolen everything.

If that had happened, the old patriarch’s legacy would have been completely lost.

Sigh…

Some people are just born with an excessive kindness that can destroy an entire family.

Sheng Chunxiang had already made up her mind—if Sheng Fugui remained as soft-hearted as before, even if she took them to the city, she wouldn’t help them further.

Now was the test.

She had given them weapons—if they joined in beating these beasts, they still had hope.

Without hesitation, Sheng Fugui and his family grabbed the sticks and rushed forward.

“Sheng Fugui! How dare you?!”

“If you hit me, I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life as my family’s slave!”

“Ahhh! You beast—you’re really going all out!”

The second branch of the Sheng family tried to threaten them, but no matter what they said, they still got beaten.

Sheng Fugui’s eyes turned red with rage—each strike was filled with fury.

He hated them. He truly hated them.

He had poured his heart and soul into Sheng Fuqiang, yet his so-called brother had plotted against him, even against his children.

He hated himself for being blind—he had protected a group of beasts his whole life.

In times when they couldn’t even feed themselves, he had scraped together whatever he could for them.

And what did they do in return?

They had schemed against him so thoroughly that he had lost all hope in life.

He wanted to beat them to death!

If he had to die, he’d take them with him!

Sheng Fugui’s whole family had the same thought, but unfortunately, they were weak and malnourished. No matter how much they wanted to, they didn’t have the strength to kill.

Seeing this, the women who had been sitting at the table couldn’t stay put any longer.

“Sheng Chunxiang, how can you do this? Do you even have a conscience? We’re family!”

“Your family owes us money—they’re just working off their debt!”

“Stop right now, or I’ll call the police!”

The women continued chattering away.

So this was the girl who had stolen their good fortune and gone to the city to live a comfortable life?

How dare she come back and cause trouble! Who gave her the guts?!

At the same time, teenage boys rushed over to attack her, and even a few little brats waved their fists, ready to hit her.

If they could beat her to death, all the good things would belong to them!

Sheng Chunxiang shot them a cold glare, and with a single kick, she sent them all flying.

Pei Qingyuan had already found some rope. Without hesitation, he tied them up and tossed them aside.

“Ahhh… my Dabao!”

“My son!”

…

The three women panicked, their hearts aching as they rushed to check on their sons.

But Sheng Chunxiang didn’t let them off. With a flick of her whip, she struck each one down!

Pei Qingyuan followed up by tying them up and tossing them aside like garbage.

In just a matter of minutes, all twenty members of the old Sheng family, from the eldest to the youngest, were bound and gagged with their own stinky socks, kneeling on the ground.

The house that had been filled with their screams moments ago was now reduced to muffled sobs.

Sheng Chunxiang tossed the whip aside, then helped her own family up and sat them down on chairs.

“Have some water, take your time.”

Taking the opportunity, she poured each of them a large bowl of the spiritual spring water she had just bought.

They were utterly exhausted, drenched in cold sweat, and each downed the entire bowl in one go.

Sheng Chunxiang didn’t forget Pei Qingyuan either and handed him a bowl. “Qingyuan, thank you for your hard work.”

Hearing her call him “Qingyuan,” Pei Qingyuan’s heart bloomed with joy. “You’re welcome.”

He gulped down the water in big mouthfuls—so sweet, so refreshing! Anything from his wife was the best.

Sheng Chunxiang observed them closely but didn’t notice any immediate changes. Maybe it needed more time?

“Everyone worked hard. Let’s eat first, or the food will get cold.”

“Look at this big cake! I’ve never had one before. Let’s eat the dishes first, then the cake later.”

She picked up her chopsticks and started serving them food.

Braised chicken with mushrooms, stewed pork with vermicelli, red-braised pork, spicy shredded potatoes, cold cucumber salad, harvest-style ribs, and egg soup.

Six dishes and a soup.

Tsk tsk… even city folks couldn’t afford such a meal!

The Sheng family froze for a moment. They could eat?

But only for a few seconds—then they all started digging in.

They figured they had already stirred up trouble, and soon the police would come to arrest them. This might be their last meal.

If they were going to die, at least they’d die full! They wouldn’t drag down Xiangxiang with them.

With that thought, they gobbled up the food.

The meat—so delicious!

They had long forgotten what meat tasted like.

The egg soup—so rich and fragrant! Before, they could only smell it from afar. Now, they could drink it freely.

Watching them eat, Pei Qingyuan was reminded of his past life, a wave of sorrow washing over him.

No one could understand this feeling better than he did.

“Xiangxiang, they haven’t had proper food in a long time. Eating like this… won’t it be hard to digest?”

He knew the feeling all too well.

Sheng Chunxiang waved her hand. “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine. They’re tough.”

They had drunk the spiritual spring water, after all. While the effects weren’t immediately visible, their bodies would definitely improve.

She was curious—just how much could it improve?

Would her slow-witted older brother and sister recover to normal?