Chapter 20: Want to Fight? Bring It On, Who’s Afraid?

Never in her wildest dreams did Second Tiger’s Mother expect Wenyao to charge at her like that. Caught off guard by the collision, she tumbled straight through the doorway. By the time she regained her senses, Wenyao was standing tall by the threshold, looking down at her with a fierce, furious gaze—like an enraged little beast—which left Second Tiger’s Mother momentarily stunned.

“You little wretch, how dare you push me!” she shrieked, scrambling to her feet and lunging for Wenyao.

But Wenyao was no fool—she turned and darted away.

Second Tiger’s Mother chased after her, unleashing a torrent of foul insults, but Wenyao slipped away just like an eel in the fields, always evading her grasp no matter how hard she tried.

Fuming, Second Tiger’s Mother could only shout for help. The rest of the Li family, hearing the commotion, hurried out to see her doubled over, hands on her knees, panting for breath as she pointed at Wenyao.

“Catch that little brat for me! I’ll beat her to death today!”

The Lis were the village butchers of Ancient Paulownia Village, proud to think themselves the best-off family around. They were known for throwing their weight about—the mother broad and sturdy, the father, Li San, even taller and more imposing, while Second Tiger had an elder brother and two younger ones.

Because of their wealth and the number of sons Second Tiger’s Mother had borne, few dared cross the Lis, even if their ways were less than honorable.

Li Second Tiger was the veritable king of the children in Ancient Paulownia Village. Whenever someone displeased him, he’d bully them, and his victims—unable to out-argue or outfight him—could only swallow their grievances.

Yet who could have foreseen he’d stumble at the hands of the usually quiet Wen family girl?

No one could have imagined that Wenyao, raised by Mistress Liu to be demure and obedient, would be the first to strike—a true sensation for Ancient Paulownia Village.

Li First Tiger, the same age as Wen Jun, always thought himself the village’s finest youth but couldn’t abide Wen Jun, not least because Wen Jun inherited Mistress Liu’s good looks and could read and write. Were it not for the disgraceful deeds of Wen Xiuyi, there would have been no shortage of girls eager to marry Wen Jun, a reality that stung Li First Tiger’s pride and made him all the more resentful toward the Wens.

Li Second Tiger was two years younger than Wenyao, yet stood a head taller. When Second Tiger’s Mother shouted for help, the two brothers rushed to surround Wenyao.

Li San, meanwhile, helped his wife to her feet and bellowed, “You dare come to my house causing trouble? Catch her for me!”

Faced with the brothers closing in from both sides, Wenyao’s eyes darted swiftly. Just as they were about to block her in, she slipped like an eel under Li First Tiger’s arm, sending the brothers crashing into each other and tumbling to the ground.

The sight was so comical that Wenyao doubled over with laughter, unable to straighten up, and the gathered onlookers burst into laughter as well.

“All brawn, no brains,” Wenyao snorted.

Never before had Li Second Tiger been humiliated like this. He jumped up, shouting, “I’ll kill you!”

When Wenying arrived with the rest of the family, she saw Wenyao surrounded by the Lis—even the two youngest boys, only five and six, were taking part.

Seeing Wenyao about to suffer, Mistress Luo’s face changed.

“Wen Nong, Wen Jin, Wen Fa, why are you just standing there? Can’t you see your sister’s being beaten?”

Wen Nong and Wen Fa, along with twelve-year-old Wen Jin from the third branch, let out a cry and rushed forward.

“Li First Tiger, what do you think you’re doing? You’re a grown man bullying a little girl—aren’t you ashamed?” Wen Nong leapt in front of Wenyao, shielding her and glaring furiously at Li First Tiger.

Sparks flew between the young men.

Li First Tiger was beside himself with rage at Wenyao and spat forcefully. “Wen Nong, I advise you to mind your own business. Get out of the way.”

But Wen Nong stood his ground, puffing out his chest. “What, you want a fight? Come on then—see who’s afraid!”

“If you don’t move, I’ll beat you too!” Li First Tiger jabbed a finger so close to Wen Nong’s face it nearly touched him.

Mistress Luo and Old Man Wen pushed through the crowd. “Who do you think you’re threatening? Who are you to call yourself ‘boss’ here? Li San, is this how you raise your sons?”

Li San, seeing all of the Wen family gathered except for the useless Wen Xiuyi, gave a cold laugh. “Madam Wen, it was that wretched girl who came to my house, threw stones, and beat my wife. If I don’t teach her a lesson, does that mean anyone can come make trouble at my door?”

Mistress Luo, Old Man Wen, and all the others stared at Wenyao in disbelief and surprise.

This quiet girl, so fierce?

Wenyao realized she couldn’t let the villains control the narrative. She pinched herself discreetly, and tears welled up at once.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, you’re finally here! They bullied us—bullied us terribly!” Wenyao’s mouth twisted, and she sat down, wailing loudly.

Bighead broke free from Wendi’s grip and ran to Wenyao’s side, wanting to wipe her tears away. Under the cover of his hug, Wenyao whispered one word in his ear, “Cry.”

Bighead blinked only for a moment, then those big eyes filled with tears, and in less than three seconds, fat drops began to fall.

Wenyao nearly wanted to give him an award for his performance.

Compared to Wenyao’s noisy wailing, Bighead’s silent, pitiful, and restrained tears drew even more sympathy—especially as he hugged Wenyao tightly, glancing fearfully at the Li family, his body shivering with helplessness. The sight broke the hearts of all who watched.

Finally, someone couldn’t bear it and spoke up, “Li San, Madam Wen, shouldn’t we hear what the children have to say?”

Li San shot him a glare. “What’s there to ask? She threw stones at my house, beat my wife—everyone saw it! If your Wen family doesn’t give an explanation today, this isn’t over!”

Mistress Luo ignored him, her gaze fixed only on the crying siblings.

“Wenyao, tell me—why did you throw stones and hit people?”

Wenyao’s sobs grew more genuine as she went on; what began as fake tears had become unstoppable, even hiccupping as she cried.

“Li Second Tiger called Bighead a motherless thing, called him a little mute, and even beat him—look, he’s bruised all over.”

She pulled up Bighead’s sleeve, revealing a large purple bruise on his arm.

Wenying, not to be outdone, declared, “Grandmother, my second sister speaks the truth. I was right there—when I told them to stop, Li Second Tiger hit me, too!”

“Li Second Tiger, how dare you hit my sister?” Wen Nong and Wen Fa shouted in unison, eager to rush forward and give him a beating.