Chapter 19: She Could Not Afford to Miss This Spectacle

When Widow Liu brought the person home, there was no kerosene lamp lit inside. After all, she was up to something she felt guilty about. Lighting a lamp in the middle of the night would only arouse suspicion.

Seeing her son so impatient, Widow Liu smiled with satisfaction. Though her son was simple-minded, at least he understood the importance of carrying on the family line.

“Son, keep your voice down, or the neighbors will hear,” she whispered.

After carrying the person into her son's room, she returned to her own. The fool’s long-awaited bride had finally arrived, and he was overjoyed. Without even looking at the person, he started to clutch and nibble eagerly. That didn’t satisfy him for long; soon, he began tearing at the other’s clothes, his filthy hands roaming all over.

“Heh, wife, wife…” he murmured.

In his groggy state, Lin Dawei felt someone was touching him. At first, he thought he was dreaming. But when he opened his eyes, he saw a hulking, shadowy figure looming over him. Moonlight spilled in through the window, revealing a drooling, dirty, fat face with large ears. Wasn’t this the same fool he’d seen earlier that day, brandishing a kitchen knife and shouting about wanting a wife?

Lin Dawei was momentarily stunned. How had he ended up with this fool? Still dazed, the fool leaned in closer, his reeking breath assaulting Lin Dawei’s nose.

“Wife…”

Wife??

Lin Dawei’s eyes snapped open in horror. Wasn’t the ugly girl supposed to be sent to the fool’s house tonight? Could it be…

A chill shot through him, and he instantly sobered up just as the foul mouth was about to descend on him. In a flash, he swung his arm and slapped the fool hard across the face.

“You bastard! You think you can take advantage of me, you disgusting idiot!”

Lin Dawei was fuming. All he’d done was eat one of Lin Xiaodou’s egg cakes. How had he ended up in the fool’s bed? This had to be that crazy woman Lin Xiaodou’s doing!

Damn it, when he got back, he’d make sure to get revenge on Lin Xiaodou!

The fool was stunned for a few seconds by the slap. Then, recognizing Lin Dawei, his expression turned vicious. He grabbed Lin Dawei by the throat and growled, “Where’s my wife? What did you do with my wife?”

“Let me go!”

Lin Dawei struggled desperately, only then realizing he was completely naked—his clothes had been stripped off. With a howl, he clawed at the fool’s neck in return.

Damn it! If he’d woken up a moment later, he would have lost his dignity! If the woman he was pursuing ever found out, she’d probably be disgusted beyond words.

The two wrestled and choked each other, rolling off the bed and onto the floor. Lin Dawei was no match for the fool’s strength and soon found himself overpowered. The fool pinned his throat with one hand and pummeled his head with the other.

Dazed by the blows, Lin Dawei groped frantically on the floor for something to fight back with. His hand soon closed around something cold and hard. Without a second thought, he swung it at the fool’s head.

A sickening sound like a knife slicing into a watermelon echoed through the room.

The fool collapsed in a heap. Only then did Lin Dawei see the blood on his hands—and realize he was holding a kitchen knife.

Had he just killed someone? He had!

“Ahhhh!”

His terrified scream pierced the silence of the night, waking Widow Liu in the neighboring room…

---

The next morning.

Lin’s father and mother woke up in high spirits.

“Wife, no need to make breakfast today,” Lin’s father said. “Go wake Dawei. Let’s head out early.”

“Alright, I’ll go right away!” Lin’s mother replied, both of them beaming. After all, they were about to pocket a hefty bride price of 300 yuan—how could they not be happy?

The worthless girl could hardly blame them for being ruthless—she’d brought it on herself by being wild and disobedient. If she’d just behaved and married the fool, none of this would have happened.

Lin’s mother went to Dawei’s room and knocked on the door.

“Dawei, get up! Don’t you want to see that wretched girl’s downfall? If you’re late, you’ll miss the fun!”

“Whose downfall?” Lin Xiaodou opened the door, poking her head out curiously.

Lin’s mother screamed, “Why is it you, you wretch? What are you doing in Dawei’s room? Where is he?!”

“I don’t know. I swapped rooms with Lin Dawei last night—didn’t he tell you?” Lin Xiaodou replied with a sly, chilling smile.

Seeing that smile, Lin’s mother immediately sensed disaster. She shoved Lin Xiaodou aside and searched the room frantically, but there was no sign of Dawei. She checked the storeroom as well, but found nothing.

“You little wretch, did you hide Dawei? Where did you put him?” Lin’s mother shrieked, on the verge of collapse.

Lin’s father, having just learned the situation, spoke sternly, “Lin Xiaodou, you’d better tell us where Dawei is, or I’ll call the police.”

He thought Lin Xiaodou had escaped trouble last night and, to get back at them, had hidden Dawei on purpose. That’s why he dared to threaten her with the police.

But Lin’s father didn’t know that Lin Xiaodou wasn’t afraid at all. Instead, she grinned and said, “You want to know where Lin Dawei is? Fine, I’ll tell you. You said you wanted to see a spectacle—better hurry, or you’ll miss the sight of your son marrying the fool. Ha!”

Lin’s mother and father both shuddered violently, exchanging horrified glances. They didn’t even have time to scold Lin Xiaodou. Lin’s mother pushed her husband’s wheelchair and dashed outside in a panic.

Lin Xiaodou took a shortcut, hurrying ahead. Rule number one for bystanders: arrive early, pick a good spot, and you’ll have the best view of the drama.

She wasn’t going to miss today’s show for anything!