Chapter 11: Caught Peeking

What? Could it be that Lian Yuqing got hit in the head and lost her mind? She actually told her to apologize.

He Jiabao was displeased, his face darkened. “Dongzi, what’s up with your wife?”

Lian Yuqing stared straight at He Jiabao. “You’re the village party secretary, right? Your family needs to give me an explanation for what happened today. If you insist on using your power to suppress an ordinary person like me, then I’ll have no choice but to ask the authorities above to step in.”

Having served as the village secretary for years, this was the first time He Jiabao was choked by a young girl like this—she even started off by putting a hat of authority on him.

He Xiaoshan snapped, “Lian Yuqing, you shameless thing!” She tried to rush up and hit her again, but her brother held her back.

Lian Yuqing remained calm. “This afternoon, He Xiaoshan charged at me without reason and stomped on my things.”

Her gaze was ice cold. “I suspect she’s mentally ill.”

“You’re the one who’s mentally ill!”

Lian Yuqing sneered and glanced at He Jiabao. “Secretary He, plenty of people saw what happened earlier and can testify for me. My aunt is a doctor, and I’ve been influenced since childhood. Your daughter clearly shows signs of a mental disorder.”

“So I suggest contacting a psychiatric hospital to have her evaluated. It’s better for everyone this way. After all, she’s running around outside all the time. Today it was just my stuff that got broken—who knows, next time it might be someone else’s radio or sewing machine.”

Wei Dong stepped forward. “Uncle He, what Qingqing says makes sense. It’s best to have someone take a look at her.”

Lian Yuqing was so convincing that He Chenggang started to wonder if his crazy little sister really might be mentally ill.

Clinging to Wei Dong’s arm, Lian Yuqing added with concern, “Dongzi, we should probably warn the other villagers to be careful. I’m healthy and it’s fine, but what if she ran into a pregnant woman or an elderly person? What then?”

As she spoke, she made to pull Wei Dong along to notify the villagers.

“Wait.” He Jiabao stopped them.

“Don’t worry, Secretary He. I swear I’ll only tell the truth—nothing but the truth.”

He Jiabao clenched his jaw. If she really spread the word, his daughter’s reputation would be ruined for life. “Dongzi’s wife, today’s matter was Xiaoshan’s fault. She’s been spoiled by her mother and me—she’s got a bad temper.”

“So… we’ll compensate for the stuff she broke.”

Lian Yuqing said, “And my injuries?”

“We’ll pay for those too!”

“Dad!” He Xiaoshan’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe her father was being so submissive toward Lian Yuqing. Ever since she was a kid, the villagers had always treated him with respect.

“Don’t let her fool you, she’s just a fox spirit!”

He Jiabao’s face darkened. “Chenggang, take your sister back to the house.”

He Xiaoshan had bitten Chenggang’s arm several times—deep marks were visible. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Chenggang carried his sister away, muttering to himself, Maybe she really is mentally ill…

As soon as they stepped out of the He family’s gate, Lian Yuqing let go of Wei Dong’s arm, a smug smile on her face. “Not bad acting just now~”

Wei Dong replied mildly, “Not as good as yours.”

“Well, of course. Do you even know who I am?”

The moon was full and bright tonight, lighting up her proud, smug face clearly. Wei Dong couldn’t help but chuckle—at this moment, she didn’t seem all that unbearable.

Feeling like she’d just won a war, Lian Yuqing strutted home and ordered Wei Dong to fetch water for her bath. Once she sank into the tub, surrounded by warm water, the scratch marks on her neck began to sting sharply, making her grimace.

Using the fragrant soap Wei Dong had later bought, she stepped out of the bathroom with a pleasant scent all over her body, her hair still dripping wet. Wei Dong came in to empty the tub.

Sitting on the edge of the bed drying her hair, Lian Yuqing realized she was hungry. She rubbed her belly, but there was nothing to eat in the room. She drank two cups of tea—no help.

She opened the door to look for Wei Dong and unexpectedly saw him taking a shower in the courtyard.

He was wearing only a pair of black shorts, his back to her. His broad shoulders and narrow waist were accentuated as he bent down to scoop water. The twin dimples on his lower back flickered in and out of view with his movements.

She had to admit—his body was perfect.

As he bent down, Wei Dong suddenly sensed he was being watched. He turned slightly and caught a glimpse of her standing at the door. With a smirk, he slammed the door shut and poured a full bucket of cold water over his head.

After wringing out his towel and turning off the tap, he walked back inside.

Someone was pretending to read a book. Wei Dong asked directly, “Were you peeking at me just now?”

Smack—she slammed the book onto the table, a trace of embarrassment flashing across her face. She snapped, “Who was looking at you? What’s there to see? I’m hungry and came to ask you for something to eat!”

He paused mid-towel swipe. “Wait here.”

He left the room.

Given how readily he agreed, Lian Yuqing decided not to press the issue.

Wei Dong quickly returned with a bowl containing a piece of cornbread and a small chunk of sausage. Before she could say anything, he spoke first: “Don’t act like some spoiled princess. You’re the one who threw a fit and refused dinner. This is all that’s left. If you won’t eat it, go hungry.”

Lian Yuqing rushed over, grabbed the food, and began eating. “Who said I’m picky? Stop being so prejudiced—so vulgar.”

Wasn’t she the one being picky? The only reason she was eating happily now was because she was starving. But knowing she’d throw a tantrum, Wei Dong kept that thought to himself.

The sausage had been kept warm by the stove, coated in glistening oil. It was delicious with the cornbread, and she quickly finished the entire bowl.

She rubbed her belly—still not full. Looking at him hopefully, she asked, “Got more?”

“Nope.” Cold and merciless.

Lian Yuqing muttered at his back, “So stingy. Don’t even let your wife eat her fill—how dare you get married.”

Wei Dong: “Hmph.”

Once the lights were off, Lian Yuqing deliberately scooted to the edge of the bed, dragging the entire blanket with her. When Wei Dong turned over, he tugged at it. “The blanket.”

“Can’t you get another one? Why do you have to fight over mine?” Her voice was bossy and irritated.

Wei Dong gave a whole new meaning to the word “fight.”

He half-sat, staring at her back for a while. She remained oblivious, so eventually, he just lay back down. Forget it. No blanket then.

Lian Yuqing was still woken up by the roosters. She grabbed the blanket beside her and hurled it at the door. She swore she’d kill all those chickens one day.

Her injuries were even more painful than yesterday, and she sat on the bed with disheveled hair, radiating resentment.

Wei Dong pushed open the door, saw her on the bed, then looked at the pillow on the ground—it was his. He picked it up, now dusty and dirty. Even if it could be dusted off, it wasn’t clean anymore.

“I didn’t do anything to you.”

“Your chickens did. I’m going to kill them all right now.”

She lifted the covers and got out of bed. As she passed him, he grabbed her arm. “What are you doing? If you kill those chickens, my mom will go to war with you.”

Lian Yuqing sneered, “So whose side are you on—your dear mother’s or your wife’s?”

Wei Dong replied, “My mom’s.”

“That’s why you ended up with a second marriage.” Lian Yuqing shook off his hand and flopped back onto the bed.

After a moment, Wei Dong said, “This time, you’re in the wrong.”

Lian Yuqing ignored him. If people got married based on logic, no one would ever do it.

“Come eat,” he said and left.