Chapter 43

Li Hehua was still trying to figure out how to resolve the situation when Zhang Tieshan spoke up first.

“Aunt Wu, isn’t this a bit unreasonable? Yes, Li Hehua did injure your daughter’s face and she should have compensated you. But the amount should’ve been settled at the time. You accepted three taels of silver back then and agreed not to pursue it further. Now, years later, you’re asking for more money—if the roles were reversed, would you accept that?”

Li Hehua inwardly nodded in agreement. Zhang Tieshan had said exactly what she was thinking.

Wu Fangshi’s expression turned sour. She gave Zhang Tieshan a fake smile and said, “Tieshan, I recall you’ve already divorced that woman, haven’t you? You’ve got nothing to do with her now, so this matter doesn’t concern you. Why are you speaking on her behalf? That doesn’t seem appropriate, does it? What would your mother think if she found out…?”

Zhang Tieshan’s expression didn’t change at all. He wasn’t fazed in the slightest. Calmly, he replied, “Auntie, you don’t need to worry about how I conduct myself. Let’s stay on topic.”

His lack of reaction only made Wu Fangshi more annoyed. Her forced smile nearly slipped. After holding it in, she finally said, “Alright, since you don’t want to listen to your aunt’s advice, I won’t say any more. I’ll just talk about the compensation. Tieshan, be honest with yourself—Li Hehua ruined my daughter’s face. Now she can’t even get married. Do you think just three taels of silver is enough? If it had been Li Hehua’s face that got ruined, and we offered only three taels, would that be acceptable to you?”

She turned to Li Hehua, eyes glaring. “Would it be enough for you?”

Li Hehua frowned and countered bluntly, “If you thought three taels wasn’t enough, then why did you accept it back then? You took the money and agreed not to pursue it. Now you’re saying it wasn’t enough? That doesn’t make sense. Since you’re asking me, let me ask you—if your daughter had disfigured me, and I came back years later demanding more money, would you be willing to pay?”

Wu Fangshi was stunned silent, choked by Li Hehua’s rebuttal. She was furious and wanted to tear the woman’s mouth apart.

This Li Hehua really had changed. In the past, she used to get hysterical after just a few exchanges, and they could always stir up a scene to gain sympathy and pressure her. But now, she argued logically and didn’t lose her temper—how were they supposed to manipulate her now?

Seeing she couldn’t win with words, Wu Fangshi decided to stop wasting time and just throw out a demand. “Stop trying to twist the truth! You injured my daughter—you must pay compensation! No matter how you argue, three taels isn’t enough. You need to pay again. We’re not greedy—just give us fifteen more taels, and we won’t pursue this anymore.”

Li Hehua nearly laughed in disbelief. Fifteen taels “not greedy”? For farming families, that was a fortune! Even she didn’t have that kind of savings yet.

This was outright extortion.

She had been slightly sympathetic at first—after all, she had disfigured someone—but the Wu family clearly wasn’t here for honest negotiation. They just wanted to squeeze her for money. There was no way she would pay for something she didn’t even cause in the first place. This wasn’t a burden she had to carry.

Her patience gone, Li Hehua flatly refused. “I’ve already paid. There’s no reason for me to pay again. If you want money, it’s not happening.”

Wu Meizi was both disappointed and secretly thrilled. Disappointed that they wouldn’t get the money, but excited because this meant there was still a chance for her to marry Brother Tieshan. If they couldn’t get silver, they’d demand something else.

She tugged on her mother’s sleeve.

Although Wu Fangshi had expected Li Hehua to refuse such a large sum, she still felt the sting of losing out on what could have been a windfall. But her daughter’s signal reminded her of their backup plan. She shifted tactics and said, “If you won’t pay, then what about my daughter’s future? Because of her face, she can’t get married anymore. Shouldn’t you take responsibility for that?”

Li Hehua frowned. What, were they trying to make her solve Wu Meizi’s marriage problem? How was she supposed to do that—find a man to marry her?

What kind of logic was this?

Seeing Li Hehua’s silence, Wu Fangshi smirked inwardly and cast a glance at Zhang Tieshan. There was a trace of amusement in her eyes as she said, “So you can’t afford the money. That’s fine—we’re not unreasonable people. Since you can’t compensate with silver, here’s another option: have Tieshan marry my Meizi, and we’ll let it go. We won’t bother you again.”

What?!

Li Hehua was stunned for a moment before she realized what Wu Fangshi meant—if Zhang Tieshan married Wu Meizi, they would drop the matter entirely.

Sure, Wu Meizi liked Zhang Tieshan and wanted to marry him, but what did that have to do with her? She and Zhang Tieshan weren’t even connected anymore. Trying to use compensation as leverage to force him into marriage—what kind of twisted logic was that?

They really must be out of their minds.

She instinctively looked at Zhang Tieshan and saw that his face was dark as thunder, eyes locked coldly on the Wu family. He looked furious.

Li Hehua quickly spoke. “Aren’t you being completely unreasonable? Zhang Tieshan and I have no ties. What right do you have to demand something like this from him?”

Wu Fangshi scoffed inwardly. Still pretending? If you’re so good at manipulating him that he helps you sell pastries every day, how come you can’t convince him now? If you won’t pay, then beg him to help! Saying you have nothing to do with him—what a joke. Clearly, you just don’t want him to marry Meizi.

She sneered and turned to Zhang Tieshan. “Tieshan, you’re a grown man—you’ll need to remarry eventually. Meizi’s gentle, kind, and we’ve known each other since childhood. You wouldn’t be making a mistake marrying her. Think about it—you’d gain a caring wife and make this whole issue go away. Isn’t that a win-win?”

Wu Meizi lowered her head shyly, her cheeks flushed. She dared not look up, waiting quietly for Zhang Tieshan’s response.

But she didn’t see the cold fury in his eyes, sharp enough to freeze.

Zhang Tieshan had been restraining himself out of respect for their village ties, but now he had had enough. He coldly said, “Auntie, I’ve refused many times already. I will never marry Wu Meizi. No matter what you say, it’s impossible. As for the money—also impossible. If you really think you have a case, go to the magistrate. Now leave. If you don’t, don’t blame me for throwing you out.”

“You—how can you speak like that?!” Wu Fangshi trembled with rage, pointing a shaking finger at him.

The Wu brothers also looked furious. But no one’s expression was darker than Wu Meizi’s. She hadn’t expected Zhang Tieshan to reject her so harshly in front of everyone. Her face went pale and her eyes reddened with tears as she stared at him, unable to believe it.

Li Hehua watched in silence. She thought the Wu mother-daughter duo were something else—completely lacking in logic. Just like the original her. They were all cut from the same cloth.

Still, since Zhang Tieshan had stepped in, she decided to let him handle it. No need to interfere now.

Zhang Tieshan gave a low whistle. “Heizi!”

With a bark, the big black dog shot out from behind the house, crouched low, muscles tensed, ready to pounce. He growled threateningly, eyes locked on the Wu family. Even Li Hehua jumped in fright—she hadn’t known Heizi could look that fierce.

The Wu family was terrified, retreating several steps with pale faces full of fear.

“Zhang Tieshan, what are you doing?!” Wu Dazhu asked, trying to look brave as he stepped forward.

Zhang Tieshan’s voice was cold. “I’ll say it once more—leave now, or Heizi will send you off himself. Choose.”

Heizi barked furiously in response, causing the Wu family’s knees to shake.

Wu Dazhu stammered, “You… you’re treating us like this? We grew up together!”

Zhang Tieshan remained unmoved. “Heizi.”

The dog lunged, charging at the Wu family like a shadow. Though he kept a certain distance, the momentum was terrifying.

“Ahhh!” Screaming, the Wu family turned and ran. Heizi chased after them just far enough to make sure they fled for real.

Only when they were out of the alley did Zhang Tieshan shout, “Heizi!”

Heizi immediately trotted back.

Zhang Tieshan patted his head and looked at Li Hehua. “It’s done. If they come back again, just let Heizi handle it.”

Li Hehua grinned, crouched down, and hugged the dog tightly, rubbing his head. “Heizi, you’re amazing! Thank you!”

Heizi let out a soft whimper as if replying. Li Hehua smothered him in kisses, not noticing that Zhang Tieshan’s face had darkened slightly.

He pursed his lips. “If the Wu family comes again, don’t talk to them. Just drive them off. And if they cause trouble, report them. I know someone at the yamen—I’ll give them a heads-up.”

Li Hehua stood up in surprise. “Really? That’s great. If they show up again, I’ll let you know. That’ll solve everything!”

Zhang Tieshan grunted in agreement, one fist lightly pressed to his lips.