Chapter 20: Avenging You (Part 1)

Today’s weather was indeed fantastic. Dai Ning ran all the way to the village head’s house and said excitedly, “Uncle Qian, get me a kite to play with!”

Uncle Qian reminded her that she had only been studying for an hour and a half. “Young miss, aren’t you supposed to be reading?”

“Zhao Yu said I did great! He let me off early. If you don’t believe me, go ask him.”

Hearing that their young miss was showing such “promise,” Uncle Qian was delighted. “Alright, I’ll get one for you right away.”

Before long, he returned with several kites. “Go with Chen Xiaoli and Zhang Yongfeng so it’ll be livelier and they can keep an eye on you.”

In Xinghua Village, there was a flat hillside next to a small grove, without any crisscrossing power lines, making it perfect for kite flying.

Chen Xiaoli was pouting, but Dai Ning hugged her cheerfully. “Good friend, I always think of you. Aren’t you moved?”

Chen Xiaoli let out a forced laugh. “I’m so moved I could cry.”

Who else was as childish as Ji Dai Ning? She was practically an adult, yet still loved kite flying. Chen Xiaoli would have preferred to curl up at the village head’s house and watch some DVDs.

Zhang Yongfeng held the three kites. Dai Ning’s kite was a majestic eagle, Chen Xiaoli’s was a colorful butterfly, and Zhang Yongfeng’s was a big rooster.

Despite her flashy taste in clothes, Dai Ning always chose the fiercest-looking kite.

Chen Xiaoli’s mood brightened when she received the butterfly kite. She couldn’t help but assume that the “rooster” would be hers, considering the “torture” she was used to from Dai Ning.

By the time they reached the hillside, quite a few children and young couples were already there.

Among them were Liu Shuan and his new bride.

The couple warmly greeted Dai Ning, “Miss Ji!”

“You’re here to play too?”

Liu Shuan scratched his head sheepishly. “Xiao Yan wanted to go for a walk, so we came along.”

It seemed he was trying to please his new wife.

Their kites weren’t as refined as Dai Ning’s; they were handmade from paper. Mountain folk were skilled with their hands, so making little things like this was a breeze.

Xiao Yan admired Dai Ning’s kite, “Your kite is so grand and beautiful, Mis Ji.”

Dai Ning was pleased with her taste and lifted her chin. “Of course.”

While she wasn’t great at studying, she excelled at leisure activities. She had a knack for kite flying—her eagle rose high into the sky with little effort.

Dai Ning skillfully controlled the line, and soon her kite was higher than anyone else’s.

Xiao Yan, despite her unpleasant wedding night, didn’t dislike Dai Ning. She saw her as lively and fun, though a bit childish.

And since Dai Ning had been generous with her wedding gift, it was hard for anyone to stay mad at her.

Xiao Yan’s own kite couldn’t fly very high, so she went over to watch Dai Ning instead.

Chen Xiaoli, though calling kite flying childish, was soon competing with Dai Ning with her butterfly kite and found it quite enjoyable.

They’d come out fairly late, and by now it was almost noon. The kids began to disperse to head home.

Xiao Yan said, “We’re about to go back, too. Miss Ji, aren’t you heading home?”

“I just got here,” Dai Ning replied. “I’ll stay a bit longer.”

Zhang Yongfeng glanced at the grove, frowning. “Miss, there seems to be something going on over there—I hear voices.”

Always alert to potential danger, Zhang Yongfeng grabbed Dai Ning’s arm. “Let’s go quickly.”

Dai Ning protested, “My kite is still up in the sky.”

“Forget the kite!”

“Alright.” Dai Ning let go of her kite’s jade spool and followed Zhang Yongfeng, but it was already too late.

Around twenty men suddenly emerged from the grove, surrounding those who hadn’t left in a tight circle.

Dai Ning, Liu Shuan, Xiao Yan, a few other children, and her group were all trapped.

Peeking out from behind Zhang Yongfeng, Dai Ning saw a man with alluring, peach blossom eyes leading the group.

His gaze swept over them, and someone whispered something in his ear.

With a sly smile, the man with the peach blossom eyes said, “Alright, we’ll stay here for a while.”

In addition to his gang, there was also a ragged-looking young man bound and gagged, struggling until someone kicked him, forcing him to be still.

More of the man’s gang emerged from the grove, and Dai Ning spotted Du Tian and her mother tied up as well.

Du Tian cried out nervously, “What are you doing?”

The man with peach blossom eyes smiled warmly. “We’re tired from traveling. Thought we’d rest in your village.”

Holding back her fear, Du Tian replied, “If you just want to rest, there’s no need to tie us up. The villagers will think you’re criminals.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “Oh, will they?”

His men burst into laughter.

“Boss, this woman talks too much. Let’s show her what’s what. It’s been a while since we’ve had any fun with a woman. Boss, you go first; she’s quite a catch.”

Du Tian paled, and her mother, Du Yuexiang, pleaded anxiously, “Please don’t hurt my daughter!”

One of them pointed at Xiao Yan and Chen Xiaoli. “Boss, we’ve been on edge for days. Let the brothers have a little fun with them.”

The scar-faced man licked his lips, indicating Xiao Yan and Chen Xiaoli.

“Damn, we hit the jackpot. The women in this village are pretty decent,” he said, roughly pulling the two girls over. Liu Shuan tried to protect Xiao Yan but was knocked to the ground with a punch.

“Liu Shuan!” Xiao Yan cried out.

Chen Xiaoli was terrified, only able to scream, until someone slapped her and covered her mouth.

Zhang Yongfeng’s heart sank as he quickly tried to hide the young miss behind him.

In her mind, Dai Ning asked the green orb, “I feel like there must be a record of a scene like this in the book, right?”

The green orb agreed, “It does seem familiar.”

After a quick check, the green orb reported, “Found it! This is actually part of the male lead Zhao Yu’s rise-to-glory storyline.” The man with the peach blossom eyes is named ‘Shen Tuo She.’ He used to be a local thug in Huan County, known for bullying and harassing people. After his father got into trouble, he kidnapped the county head’s son and fled here. Later, Zhao Yu saved the hostage, gained the county head’s favor, and began his rapid ascent.”

Dai Ning summed it up, “Oh, so Shen Tuo She is just a stepping stone character.”

But as she looked around, she didn’t see Zhao Yu anywhere. Could he be so furious that he decided not to show up to save her today?

Nearby, Du Tian was already having her clothes torn. Spotting the hem of Dai Ning’s peach-colored skirt behind Zhang Yongfeng, she had an idea and shouted, “Ji Dai Ning! Where are your dozen bodyguards? Tell them to come save us!”

Upon hearing that, Shen Tuo She’s eyes flashed with a cold glint as he turned around.

Zhang Yongfeng felt a sinking feeling and was prepared to defend the young lady at all costs, but the girl behind him fearlessly stepped forward, saying, “Why would I bring bodyguards along just to play?”

The sight of her appearance drew the attention of the twenty-some men opposite them, all momentarily entranced.

The young woman wore a qipao, her fair skin exposed and as white as snow. Her slender waist was alluringly delicate.

The scarred man swallowed, muttering, “Damn, this girl is tender.”

Even Shen Tuo She’s eyes lit with a spark of interest.

He stepped forward and pinched Dai Ning’s chin, scrutinizing her. “So delicate. You’re not from this village, are you?”

Dai Ning blinked. “You have a keen eye.”

Shen Tuo She laughed heartily. “You’re not afraid?”

“Afraid of what?” Dai Ning said casually. “You know I’m not just anyone—if you mess with me, you’re as good as dead.”

Shen Tuo She leaned in, attempting to kiss her. “So cute. I like you.”

Dai Ning recoiled, covering her cheek in disgust.

In her mind, she told the green orb, “If only Zhao Yu were as direct.”

The green orb sounded desperate, saying, “Ji Dai Ning, can’t you be a bit scared? Shen Tuo She and his men are ruthless; they don’t care how important you are!”

But Dai Ning didn’t care. Ji Tian’s attempt to harm her had been too nasty. Besides, what was the point of fear? In situations like this, it would only reveal her position.

When it came to holding grudges, few could rival Dai Ning.

She tugged on Shen Tuo She’s sleeve, pointing at Ji Tian, and pouted, “If you like me, then go beat up that wicked woman!”

Ji Tian had just felt relieved, thinking she’d narrowly escaped misfortune, but upon hearing this, nearly coughed up blood.

Seeing two men walking toward her, Ji Tian panicked, instinctively hoping for her “Brother Zhao Yu” to save her.

――

After finishing fixing his bulge in his pants, Zhao Yu’s face was dark with displeasure.

Ji Dai Ning had once again found the most infuriating way to act.

He had initially planned to ignore her when she ran off to fly kites, but thinking of the village rumors and how easily trouble could find her, Zhao Yu had reluctantly gone to check.

Asking around, he learned that they had headed to the hill.

The hill was a popular spot for villagers on good weather days, and the nearby forest connected to an outer trail. It was a secluded path Zhao Yu had explored as a child, almost losing his way.

On the way, he ran into Dai Ning’s fourteen bodyguards lounging around. They greeted him heartily; the young lady didn’t like them staying too close when she was having fun.

Nodding in acknowledgment, Zhao Yu continued until he saw Dai Ning’s silhouette, still focused on her kite. Just then, a disturbance in the woods drew his attention.

Listening carefully, his expression hardened.

There were a lot of people…

An isolated, impoverished village like this rarely had visitors, let alone a large group of men sneaking in through the trail. It didn’t take much to imagine their intentions.

Being cautious, Zhao Yu didn’t approach further. Soon enough, he saw Shen Tuo She and his men surround the villagers.

His face darkened as he assessed the situation and then quickly instructed the bodyguards.

They nodded gravely and ran off to follow his orders.

Hidden, Zhao Yu watched and waited.

When he saw Shen Tuo She attempt to kiss Dai Ning, his fingers clenched into the earth, leaving deep indentations.