Chapter 39: A Righteous Roar

Wen Jianguo, having eaten too many biscuits, pedaled his bicycle with effort, his mouth running incessantly about family matters. One moment he was complaining about being bullied by his mother, who constantly criticized his slow work; the next, he was boasting about the envy he aroused in the villagers who knew he worked at the supply and marketing cooperative, and they kept asking him how he got the job.

When he heard about Ding Guihua and her daughter causing trouble and being beaten back by Cui Yulan, Wen Wan couldn’t help but laugh. It was a shame she hadn’t witnessed it firsthand. She knew that, given Liu Xiaoling’s envious nature, the better Wen Wan did, the more miserable Liu Xiaoling would become.

“Help…help…” As they neared the village, Wen Wan suddenly heard someone calling for help. She patted Wen Jianguo’s shoulder. “Big Brother, stop.”

“What’s wrong?” Wen Jianguo screeched to a halt, turning to ask, “Xiaowan, what is it?”

Wen Wan hopped off the bicycle, pricking up her ears. “Big Brother, did you hear someone calling for help?”

Wen Jianguo shook his head. He hadn’t heard anything. Perhaps Xiaowan had misheard.

Wen Wan held her breath, closed her eyes, and focused all her attention on her hearing. She picked up faint sounds carried on the wind.

There it was again. She ran towards the source of the sound, using all her might, fearing that even a few minutes’ delay could lead to irreversible consequences.

“Stop!” Having just crossed a field, Wen Wan saw a man with a ferocious expression tearing at a woman’s clothes. A surge of anger filled her. She picked up a piece of wood and swung it forcefully at the man.

With a “bang,” the man, unprepared for the girl’s strength, stumbled and fell to the ground. Wen Wan stepped forward with the stick, pulling the woman up. “Sister, are you alright?”

“I…I’m fine…” The rescued woman, He Fang, trembled as she fastened her buttons.

The fallen man stood up, pulling out a small knife and laughing lewdly. “Heh, another young girl. My luck’s really good; one prettier than the last.” He recognized Wen Wan as a high school student from the village and felt fortunate.

He Fang trembled with fear, tears streaming down her face. “Little sister, you…you run. I’ll stop him.” She tried to pull Wen Wan behind her, unwilling to endanger the girl. She was prepared to face the consequences herself, even if it meant dying with the villain.

“None of you are getting away.” Er Laizi, brandishing his knife, approached them menacingly. His crime had been discovered; he planned to satisfy himself and then eliminate them both to avoid being caught.

Recognizing the man as Er Laizi, Wen Wan cracked her neck, grabbed her stick, and charged forward without hesitation.

When the knife slashed towards her, Wen Wan quickly raised her stick and struck the man’s wrist.

“Ah…” The man dropped his knife and cried out in pain. His hand was broken.

Wen Wan kicked the knife away and struck the man’s legs with her stick. Er Laizi collapsed to his knees, clutching his wrist and sweating profusely.

“Wen Wan, please, spare me. I won’t say anything if you let me go,” Er Laizi begged, terrified by Wen Wan’s ruthless actions.

Wen Jianguo arrived, breathless, examining Wen Wan from head to toe. “Xiaowan, are you hurt?”

“Big Brother, I’m fine,” Wen Wan replied calmly. She was pleased to have found Er Laizi so easily.

Wen Jianguo, understanding the situation, angrily approached Er Laizi and kicked him twice, then spat in disgust.

“Wen Jianguo, it’s me, Er Laizi. Let me go, pretend you haven’t seen me,” Er Laizi pleaded, grabbing Wen Jianguo’s pants.

He Fang, witnessing this, tensed up, stepping back.

Wen Wan noticed He Fang’s fear and reassured her calmly and firmly, “Comrade, don’t be afraid. I’ll ensure your safety.” Then, turning to the kneeling Er Laizi, she said coldly, “Big Brother, tie him up and call the police.”

“Call the police…?” Wen Jianguo hesitated, pulling Wen Wan aside. “Xiaowan, do we really need to?”

“Of course,” Wen Wan nodded without hesitation. Seeing his hesitation, her face darkened. “Big Brother, are you protecting him?” If he dared to agree, she would deal with him too and cut off their brother-sister relationship.

“Xiaowan, what do you think of me?” Wen Jianguo’s face changed, his eyes blazing. “I’m worried about this comrade’s reputation.” Er Laizi’s words reminded him of the rumors that had slandered Wen Wan; luckily, she had met the responsible Zhou Haoting.

He Fang understood and bravely stepped forward. “I’m not afraid. He must be punished.” She bowed deeply to Wen Wan, silently adding, “Thank you. I’m sorry.” She had initially wrongly assumed that someone would protect the criminal.

Wen Wan smiled warmly. “Comrade, you’re welcome. When you see injustice, you must speak out. Young people like us must act.” Her clear voice, like a light, dispelled the darkness and calmed He Fang’s anxiety.

“Comrade, if you want to report it, we’ll go now; if not, I have other ways to deal with him,” Wen Wan said, slapping a tree trunk.

He Fang’s eyes widened as she saw the tree trunk, as thick as a baby’s arm, crack open. She was amazed by Wen Wan’s strength.

“Benefactor, we should trust the government, trust the Party, and report it,” He Fang said, her eyes red and fists clenched.

Wen Wan nodded. “Okay, as you say, let’s take him to the police station.” It was best to send Er Laizi to the police station to avoid any village cover-up.

Hearing this, Er Laizi struggled to his feet and stumbled towards the village exit, hoping to escape.

“He’s running!” He Fang cried, stamping her feet.

Wen Wan picked up a clod of earth, tossing it in her hand. “He won’t get away.”

Before the words left her mouth, the clod of earth struck Er Laizi, knocking him unconscious.