Chapter 38: A boomerang

Feeling the sickle whiz past his ear, even the domineering Chen Sheng’s eyes widened in fear.

Before he could react, a corn cob flew at him, hitting his face hard.

Chen Sheng felt a blow to the head, the world went black, with stars.

“Ah~, bitch, I’ll ki…”

Before he finished cursing, another corn cob hit his mouth.

He fell to the ground, his two protruding teeth stained red.

Qiao Jiangxin, carrying a heavy backpack, knelt on Chen Sheng’s stomach.

Chen Sheng’s breakfast surged up his throat and back down.

Qiao Jiangxin held a corn cob in each hand, swinging them like propellers, hitting Chen Sheng’s face.

“Aaaaaah~ I’ll kill you!”

Qiao Jiangxin didn’t hold back.

At first, Chen Sheng curled up, protecting his stomach.

Then, he protected his face.

A corn cob hit his finger, making him protect his finger and use his wrist to block.

“Aaah, stop, stop.”

“Bang bang bang~”

After five or six minutes, Qiao Jiangxin, panting, looked at the battered Chen Sheng and seemed to snap out of it.

She said in a panicked voice, “Aiyo, what did I do?  Did I… did I do this???”

Qiao Jiangxin looked around, relieved to see no one noticing.  “Oh no, did I have another episode?

My aunt said she’d introduce me to a wealthy family.  Is this it?”

She poked Chen Sheng with a corn cob, “Hey, are you still alive?  Make a sound if you’re dead~”

Seeing Chen Sheng silent, Qiao Jiangxin became more anxious, “Don’t die! I didn’t mean to. I can’t control myself.”

Qiao Jiangxin started to cry, “I lost control and killed four chickens, then two pigs. I almost ran over my uncle with a wheelbarrow.  Woo woo woo~

My uncle is in the hospital.  You mustn’t die!

My family is hiding my illness. If something happens to you, everyone will know I’m crazy!

Woo woo woo~

I was hoping to marry into a wealthy family to get treatment…”

Qiao Jiangxin cried, shaking Chen Sheng, “Wake up!  If you don’t die, I’ll be gentler next time. Woo woo woo, you’re so weak!

I haven’t even shown my true strength!”

After being violently shaken, Chen Sheng came to his senses.

He looked at Qiao Jiangxin in terror and slowly moved away.

“You’re crazy!”

Seeing he was alive, Qiao Jiangxin’s face lit up, but she was startled again, waving her hands, “No, no, I’m not…”

Her voice trailed off.

“I… I… this is treatable. I don’t have episodes every day, just every few days.”

She approached Chen Sheng, “I have good qualities. I’m capable, and I’m pretty! Many village aunties praised my looks, saying I’ll marry a rich man.”

Chen Sheng, supporting himself on the ground, shifted his weight back, “D-d-don’t come closer. I won’t marry you.  You’re crazy!”

Qiao Jiangxin’s lip trembled, “I can be cured. It’s not my fault.”

Chen Sheng ignored her, trying to leave. Qiao Jiangxin blocked him, “Don’t go! Even if you don’t want to marry me, you can’t tell anyone, or I won’t be able to marry!”

“You wish! You crazy woman, get lost!!” Chen Sheng, terrified, shouted hoarsely.

His bruised and swollen face, with blood-stained teeth, seemed to frighten Qiao Jiangxin.

Qiao Jiangxin’s voice softened, anxiously, “Please don’t tell anyone. I… I… I can compensate you.”

Chen Sheng eyed Qiao Jiangxin suspiciously, “You’re a country bumpkin. What can you compensate me with?

You plotted against me, and this isn’t over!”

Qiao Jiangxin seemed frightened, “Don’t you want a wife? I can compensate you with a wife, a high school student, beautiful, and you know her!”

Chen Sheng waved his hand, “Get out of the way!”

Qiao Jiangxin was resolute, “It’s true. Her name is Deng Xiangcui, from your town.”

Chen Sheng paused. He knew Deng Xiangcui, educated and beautiful, but also proud.

His mother had tried to arrange a marriage, but her parents rejected him, even scolding him for being a frog trying to eat a swan.

“You can get me Deng Xiangcui? If it’s true, I’ll forget about today. And I won’t tell anyone about your illness,” the furious Chen Sheng softened.

Qiao Jiangxin’s eyes flickered, “It depends on your ability, but even if you fail, you won’t lose. You can still extort money!”

Seeing Chen Sheng’s questioning look, Qiao Jiangxin said, “You don’t know, Deng Xiangcui’s sister-in-law is my aunt. 

My aunt introduced me to you. Have her collect the bride price, get a receipt, and pick up Deng Xiangcui. 

The elder sister-in-law is like a mother…”