Chapter 42

The damaged tables and chairs were all repaired by Zhang Tieshan one by one, and the broken bowls and plates were replaced with new ones. The next day, Li Hehua resumed business.

Many people had witnessed the events of that day. Since many townsfolk knew those few hooligans, most customers understood that the incident was a deliberate provocation, not because there was anything wrong with what the boss was selling. People only felt sympathy for Li Hehua. After all, those hooligans often bullied street vendors, and most people could only suffer in silence.

Many old customers came by to check in on Li Hehua once she reopened, offering words of comfort and telling her not to take things to heart. Their concern warmed Li Hehua’s heart.

She had worried the incident might cause customers to doubt her food and harm her business. Unexpectedly, things turned out better than she’d hoped—not only was business not affected, it was even a bit better than before.

Li Hehua glanced at Zhang Tieshan, who was helping her again today, and suspected he had something to do with it. After all, he had taken down the hooligans alone that day—everyone saw it. Now that he was here, customers felt reassured, no longer afraid something similar would happen again. Add to that the new “bodyguard” by her side—Heizi the dog—and people were even less worried.

That morning, when she sent Shulin off to school, she brought Heizi along. Shulin immediately took a liking to Heizi, grabbing and rubbing the dog’s fur the moment he saw him. They had even played together until bedtime the night before. Although neither spoke, they got along harmoniously. When it was time for school, the little guy was reluctant to part, clearly wishing he could take Heizi into the classroom. It had taken a lot of coaxing to calm him down.

Li Hehua didn’t want to leave Heizi alone at home, thinking he’d be lonely, so she brought him to the stall. To avoid scaring customers, she had him lie obediently by her feet. He looked harmless enough like that—customers were more curious than frightened.

In no time, the stall was bustling with activity, business booming—so much so that not far away, the two women of the Wu family ground their teeth in frustration as they watched.

Wu Meizi stamped her foot. “Niang, she’s back in business, and it’s not affected at all! Tieshan-ge is still helping her!”

Wu Fangshi was just as upset. She had hoped to see Li Hehua’s business in shambles, but things hadn’t changed at all. Her gloating had been premature.

She had racked her brain trying to figure out how to deal with that wretched woman, Li Hehua, but before she could act, someone else had already done the job—some hooligans had caused trouble at Li Hehua’s stall.

When they saw the smashed tables and chairs, and Li Hehua nearly being beaten, they’d been ecstatic. They had hoped those men would teach her a lesson so she’d be too afraid to run her stall again and leave in disgrace. But who could have guessed that Zhang Tieshan would show up and ruin everything, chasing the hooligans off instead?

Infuriating!

Watching Li Hehua smiling, Wu Meizi wanted to tear that face apart. Why was this woman allowed to ruin her face, doom her to a life of mockery, yet still live happily, making money hand over fist—even Tieshan-ge no longer hated her. Why should she have all this?

“Niang, do something! She’s completely fine, and Tieshan-ge is still helping her. If this goes on, I really won’t be able to marry him!”

Wu Fangshi was anxious too. She had already shamelessly gone to Zhang Linshi twice but had been turned away each time. What else could she do? That entire family was ungrateful and heartless!

Seeing her mother remain silent, Wu Meizi grew desperate, her eyes reddening as she tugged on her mother’s sleeve. “Mother, why don’t we hire someone to cause her more trouble? She can’t stay unafraid forever. If customers keep seeing her stall get trashed, who would dare eat there?” Then her business would fail, Tieshan-ge would stop helping her, and she could no longer earn money or live a good life!

Wu Fangshi knew her daughter had lost all sense in her rage, but she herself hadn’t. She shook her head. “No, Meizi. I know you hate her, but this won’t work. Think about it. You want to hire some hooligans again? Do you know how much silver that would cost? We don’t have that kind of money! And even if we did, with Zhang Tieshan glued to her side, any hired help would get beaten and driven off. It’s a waste of effort.”

Wu Meizi had to admit her mother was right. They didn’t have money to keep hiring people to harass Li Hehua. And even if they did, it wouldn’t succeed with Zhang Tieshan around.

But just letting that wretched woman be so smug? Unfair!

Seeing her daughter so defeated, Wu Fangshi sighed and patted her arm. “Don’t worry. I didn’t say we’re out of options.”

Wu Meizi’s eyes lit up. “Really, Niang? What do you have in mind?”

Wu Fangshi pulled aside her daughter’s hair to reveal the scar underneath and said coldly, “Have you forgotten? That scar was Li Hehua’s doing. She ruined your life and kept you from marrying. Shouldn’t she pay for that?”

Wu Meizi’s eyes widened. “You mean… ask her for compensation? But… she already paid before…”

Back then, when Li Hehua injured Wu Meizi’s face, the Wu family had gone to confront her. Li Hehua had no choice but to pay three taels of silver as compensation—any more, and she couldn’t afford it. That had been the end of it, or so they thought.

Wu Fangshi scoffed. “She ruined your life. Is three taels enough? Back then she had no money, and we couldn’t kill her. But now it’s different. She’s making good money with this stall. Isn’t it time she paid more?”

Wu Meizi’s eyes lit up. Her mother was right. That woman had money now—she should pay more! But… “Niang, what if she refuses? Are we going to send the brothers to beat her again?”

Wu Fangshi smirked. “If she refuses, we’ll demand Zhang Tieshan marry you. If he agrees, we’ll let it go. If he refuses and she won’t pay, we’ll take it to the magistrate—see if she dares ignore that!”

Wu Meizi gasped. “To the magistrate? But I’m scared…”

Wu Fangshi patted her hand. “Of course we won’t really go. We’ll just scare her. She’ll cave and give us money. And if she can’t pay much, she’ll have no choice but to let Zhang Tieshan marry you.”

Wu Meizi’s heart leapt with excitement. This plan was perfect. Either she’d marry Tieshan-ge, or get money. It was a win-win.

“Niang, let’s do it. When should we act?”

Wu Fangshi thought for a moment. “We can’t go alone. We’ll bring your brothers. Then we won’t have anything to fear.”

Wu Meizi nodded eagerly, anticipation building.

Back at the stall, Li Hehua had no idea trouble was brewing again. She hadn’t stopped working all day—there were so many customers she didn’t even have time to catch her breath. And just then, someone she didn’t really want to see appeared.

Gu Dafeng smiled. “A bowl of soy milk and two meat buns, please.”

Li Hehua nodded and quickly prepared the order, handed it over, and took his payment, ready to serve the next customer.

Gu Dafeng hesitated, then asked quietly, “Um… are you alright after the other day?”

Li Hehua shook her head with a light smile. “I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

Gu Dafeng bit his lip. He wanted to say more but didn’t know what. After standing there awkwardly for a while, he finally left.

He’d been there that day when the stall was trashed. He’d run away with the others, too afraid to act. Later, he had thought about helping, but those hooligans were huge and aggressive. He knew he would’ve been beaten, so he didn’t move. Then that man showed up and saved her.

He regretted it deeply. If only he had stepped up. But even if it happened again, he doubted he’d have the courage.

He didn’t even feel he had the right to come back to her stall—but something drew him here. He just wanted to see how she was.

She looked fine. Probably disappointed in him. He likely had no chance anymore.

But in truth, Li Hehua didn’t think much of Gu Dafeng. To her, he was just a regular customer. It was normal for a customer to run away during danger—she wouldn’t expect them to help her. So, in her mind, he was still just an ordinary diner. Gu Dafeng had overthought it.

Li Hehua finally got to rest once the crowd dispersed in the afternoon. She slumped on a bench, too tired to move.

Zhang Tieshan saw her and, with a barely visible trace of concern, poured her a glass of water and handed it over.

Li Hehua accepted it with a smile. “Thanks. I was just getting thirsty.”

Zhang Tieshan said nothing, silently tidying up the stall.

Li Hehua gulped down the water and stood up to cook noodles for everyone. “We’ve all been working nonstop. Let me whip something up.”

Zhang Tieshan put down what he was holding and stopped her. “Sit. Rest for a bit.”

She shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ll just make some noodles. Everyone must be hungry.”

Dahe nodded silently at the side. He had been starving, holding on only for the food made by Aunt Hehua.

But Zhang Tieshan firmly pushed her back down. “I’ll do it.” He rolled up his sleeves and headed to the stove.

Li Hehua was startled. “You? You know how?”

He nodded calmly. “I can cook noodles. They won’t be as good as yours, though.”

Since he’d already started, Li Hehua didn’t stop him.

Turns out, he wasn’t lying. The noodles were edible—but barely. The taste… well, let’s just say it wouldn’t kill you.

Dahe ate with his head down, tears welling up inside. Why did he have to eat *this* after a hard day’s work instead of Aunt Hehua’s food? If this were before, he could manage. But after so long eating her cooking, this was just unbearable. Still, he couldn’t say anything. He just suffered silently, hoping Aunt Hehua would cook again tomorrow.

Li Hehua also found the noodles terrible, but since Zhang Tieshan had cooked with good intentions, she smiled through it and finished her bowl, soup and all, to show appreciation.

Seeing her clean her bowl, Zhang Tieshan was clearly pleased. He quickly packed up the stall, pushed the cart back to the courtyard, and was about to leave when a group of people arrived at the door.

It was the Wu family.

Li Hehua’s heart sank. Uninvited, and clearly up to no good.

Sure enough, Wu Fangshi brought her two sons and Wu Meizi right into the courtyard. After glancing around, she sneered, “Living well, aren’t you? Even got money for a nice courtyard. Business must be booming.”

Li Hehua frowned. She remembered this woman from when she first arrived—she had caused her a lot of trouble and even injured her hand. She didn’t want to be polite at all.

“What do you want? You’re not welcome here. If you’ve got something to say, say it. If not, leave.”

Wu Fangshi gave a fake laugh and clapped her sleeves. “Since you’re being so direct, we won’t waste time. Do you remember Meizi?”

She pushed Wu Meizi forward, forcing Li Hehua to take a good look.

When Li Hehua saw the scar on Wu Meizi’s face, unease rose in her heart. She vaguely remembered that the original owner of this body had something to do with it. Was this why they had come?

If that was the case, then she had no way out. She was Li Hehua now. The original owner’s debts were hers to pay.

So, it was time to take the fall again. Just when life had calmed down, trouble came knocking. Sometimes, she wondered if she was sent here to repay the original Li Hehua’s karmic debts.

Wu Fangshi stepped closer, pushing Wu Meizi forward. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten? Meizi’s scar was your doing. You ruined her life—she can’t even get married. Take a good look!”

It was true.

Li Hehua’s heart sank completely. She had no memory of the incident, but judging by what was being said, and knowing the original Li Hehua’s temperament, it was likely true.

Zhang Tieshan, standing nearby, had also guessed what the Wu family wanted. He hadn’t been home when it happened, but his mother had filled him in later. It *was* Li Hehua who had slashed Wu Meizi with a sickle during an argument. Later, she had paid three taels of silver in compensation.

So now the Wu family was back, thinking that wasn’t enough?

In the past, he wouldn’t have intervened. The old Li Hehua had caused the injury—she deserved to compensate. But now he knew this woman wasn’t the same. She had already paid dearly for the original Li Hehua’s sins, including being wronged and hated. Enough was enough.

He looked at the Wu family. “So, what do you want now? I recall she already gave you three taels. Wasn’t that supposed to settle things?”

Li Hehua caught on and added, “That’s right. I already paid you three taels. That should’ve ended it. Why bring it up again? Are you trying to extort me?”

Wu Fangshi sneered. “You ruined my daughter’s life. Three taels? You think that’s enough? Back then you had no money—we let it go. But now you’ve got a thriving business. Shouldn’t you pay more? Be honest—is our request unreasonable?”

Honestly, from an objective standpoint, three taels wasn’t enough to compensate for ruining someone’s face. But the Wu family wasn’t here for justice—they just didn’t want to see her doing well. If this logic held, then every time she made more money, they’d show up demanding more.

But if she refused to pay, they might harass her daily and ruin her business.

Now Li Hehua had to decide—should she pay them off again and sign a final agreement to settle the matter once and for all, or should she stand her ground and refuse to be extorted?