Chapter 10 – A Coward Who Bullies the Weak and Fears the Strong

Meanwhile—

Lin Xiaodou, whom Mother Lin had been fretting about, was getting ready to head out.

If she knew what her mother was thinking, Lin Xiaodou would probably burst out laughing.

Cry and beg for help? Let’s see who ends up doing that!

Lin Xiaodou made her way to the brick factory in the southern part of town.

This was where Yuan Qin had worked for two years.

Two years ago, Yuan Qin had just graduated from junior high at the age of fifteen, right when the newly established brick factory was hiring temporary workers.

Back then, the factory was in its infancy, and the equipment was extremely basic.

Clay bricks had to be handmade, bricks carried manually, and even firewood had to be chopped from the mountains. It was far more grueling than farming.

This was in early 1968, before the “Up to the Mountains and Down to the Countryside” campaign had begun.

Many educated youths scoffed at such hard labor, so those applying to the brick factory were mostly burly men.

The factory was in urgent need of workers at the time. With her junior high education and decent strength, Yuan Qin quickly passed the interview.

After being hired, Yuan Qin let out a huge sigh of relief.

At that time, Mother Lin had made it clear:

Either get married or find a job. One or the other.

Yuan Qin had struggled so hard to finish junior high — it wasn’t to get married off.

So she began desperately searching for a job.

But competition was fierce. And with her terrifying appearance, many factories wouldn’t even consider her.

This job at the brick factory became her lifeline.

So for the past two years, she had worked diligently and never once took a day off, even when sick with a high fever.

If not for the recent leg fracture, she wouldn’t have missed work now either.

Lin Xiaodou’s purpose for coming to the factory was simple—

She planned to sell Yuan Qin’s job to someone else.

Rather than let those bloodsuckers from the Lin family get any ideas, it was better to handle it early.

…

At the factory’s brick-drying yard.

Old Zhang was sighing heavily as he mixed the mud.

Someone nearby asked, “Old Zhang, what’s wrong with you these past few days? You seem out of it.”

Old Zhang let out a bitter laugh. “What else? My son still hasn’t found a job, and I’m worried sick.”

Old Zhang’s son had just graduated from high school and had been looking for work lately.

But jobs weren’t easy to come by. Even the manure-carrying positions in the city were hotly contested, let alone a brick-hauling job at the factory.

The neighborhood committee had also been pressing them. If nothing came through soon, the boy would be sent to the countryside.

But the Zhangs only had this one precious son—how could they bear to send him to suffer in the countryside?

In recent days, Old Zhang and his wife had become so anxious they’d developed mouth ulcers.

The person beside him sighed as well:

“Sigh, I can’t help you either. My daughter’s already been sent down to the countryside for half a year.

Every time she calls, she’s crying about how hard life is there and begging me to pull strings to bring her back.

But where would I get connections from? Hearing her cry breaks my heart.”

Uncle Zhang shook his head.

“Isn’t that the truth? We spend our whole lives working hard, all for our kids…”

“Uncle Zhang, Uncle Ling.”

Just then, Lin Xiaodou hobbled over to them.

Seeing her, a rare smile appeared on Uncle Zhang’s worried face.

“Xiaodou, it’s you! What brings you here? Is your leg feeling any better?”

When Yuan Qin worked at the brick factory, Uncle Zhang had looked out for her the most.

That’s why Lin Xiaodou had come—to transfer the job to Uncle Zhang.

When he heard her intention, a look of immense joy spread across his face.

“Xiaodou, are you serious? But if you sell the job, what about you? And your parents…”

He wasn’t being nosy—up until now, all of Yuan Qin’s wages had been handed over to the Lin parents.

Selling the job was no small matter. If Father and Mother Lin didn’t know, there was bound to be a scene.

Lin Xiaodou replied, “No need to worry. We had a break-in last night, and my parents are in the hospital recovering. I can handle my own affairs.”

Uncle Zhang immediately understood her meaning.

This girl had her own plan and didn’t want her parents to know.

By the time the old couple was discharged, the deal would be done—nothing they could do about it.

“Alright then. If you’ve made up your mind, that’s good.”

The gloom that had hung over Uncle Zhang for days was swept away.

His son finally had a job prospect—how could he not be thrilled?

A permanent factory job usually went for sixty or seventy yuan, while temporary jobs were cheaper.

Knowing Uncle Zhang’s family situation, Lin Xiaodou only asked for thirty yuan.

Her generosity touched Uncle Zhang deeply.

Before she left, he gently reminded her:

“Xiaodou, if you ever run into trouble, come find me. If I can help, I will!”

Lin Xiaodou smiled slightly. “Okay, Uncle.”

On her way back—

Lin Xiaodou ran into another coworker—Big Niu.

On a small path, a cart loaded with bricks was being pushed along by someone.

“Oh, look who’s back! The clown! You’ve been resting for over ten days and your leg’s still limping?

Looks like you’re about to earn yourself a new nickname—‘the cripple’, hahahahaha!”

At the brick factory, no one annoyed the original host more than this guy named Daniu.

Not only was he a braggart, but he also delighted in picking on those weaker than himself—like the original host.

Every time the original host got so angry she wanted to report him to management.

He would just brush it off with, “I’m only joking, don’t take it so seriously.”

With just that one line, he could dismiss all the humiliation and grievances she’d endured.

He especially loved giving the original host nicknames like “the clown,” “ugly bean,” or “little monster.”

That’s why the original host came to hate him more and more, to the point she’d turn and walk away whenever she saw him.

When Lin Xiaodou came to the factory today, she was considering whether or not to teach Daniu a lesson.

Even though he had only ever bullied the original host with words—

Sometimes words could hurt more than fists.

Lin Xiaodou had hesitated at first, not wanting to stir up trouble.

But then this guy came right up to her on his own.

Since he didn’t know when to stop, he had it coming.

“Oh? Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me you’ve gone mute!”

Daniu was still laughing arrogantly, unaware that danger was closing in.

But then, mid-laugh, something felt off.

The cart filled with hundreds of pounds of bricks beside him… was suddenly rising off the ground!

Daniu’s jaw dropped, and his eyes slowly filled with terror.

No! It wasn’t just rising!

Lin Xiaodou had lifted it with one hand!

My god, when did this ugly freak become so strong?!

Whoosh~~

The corner of Lin Xiaodou’s mouth curved up.

With a flick, the fully loaded cart was tossed into the air.

Then, it came crashing down—aimed right at Daniu’s head.

That cart must’ve weighed hundreds of pounds!

If it hit his head, it would’ve smashed it like a melon.

But Daniu was too stunned to react in time. He stared as the danger hurtled toward him.

Finally, he let out a tragic scream and crouched down, hugging his head.

Along with the scream came a sssshhhh sound from between his legs.

Oh my~

Lin Xiaodou couldn’t help but chuckle.

Wow, this guy really wet his pants out of fear.

When he heard her laughter and saw the cart now safely on the ground—

Daniu instantly flew into a rage.

He jumped to his feet and shouted at Lin Xiaodou:

“Lin Xiaodou, what the hell are you doing?! You nearly killed me!”

“Killed you? When did I do that? Did anyone see it?”

They were standing at a corner of a small path—completely alone. That’s exactly why Lin Xiaodou had made her move.

Seeing how nonchalant she was, Daniu shouted in frustration:

“You tried to kill me just now! You lifted that whole cart and threw it—don’t even try to deny it!”

“I was just joking, what’s the big deal? Don’t you always joke with me?”

Lin Xiaodou shrugged and added with a smile:

“You love giving people nicknames, right? Then let me give you one today.

Stop calling yourself Daniu. Why not go by ‘Pissypants’ now? Really suits your current situation.”

“Aaaah…!”

Only then did Daniu notice his wet pants and quickly covered his crotch.

Furious, he yelled, “Lin Xiaodou, just you wait! I’m reporting you to management!”

Lin Xiaodou laughed loudly with her hands on her hips:

“Hahahaha! Pissypants, are you seriously going to report me? You’re a grown man who wet his pants. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh themselves to death?”

Daniu’s face turned ashen with fury, his whole body trembling:

“You! You! You’ve got guts…”

Lin Xiaodou shot him a cold glare.

“If you ever bully someone again or give them nasty nicknames, I’ll tell everyone how you pissed yourself today. Let’s see if you still have the face to work here after that!”

Daniu’s pupils contracted, his face twisted in fear.

“Lin Xiaodou, please… don’t say anything. I won’t bully you again. I swear!”

Seeing his terrified expression, Lin Xiaodou snorted coldly.

What a cowardly bully—he really only picks on the weak and fears the strong.

And the best way to deal with people like him?

Violence.