Chapter 77: Beating Up the Original Heroine, Chu Ling

Regarding the death of Zhang Lian.

The police investigated for a long time, but still could not find the real culprit.

During this period, her autopsy report was released.

It clearly stated she died of asphyxiation.

In other words, she was drowned alive.

Once this result came out, many people were baffled.

What kind of deep hatred could drive someone to kill in such a cruel manner?

Yet there were no traces at the scene, nor any other clues; the investigation was truly troublesome.

This criminal case ultimately concluded with San Lai Zi being sentenced.

San Lai Zi was the last person to see the deceased, and the two had a conflict.

Despite San Lai Zi’s repeated protests of innocence, claiming he never threw her into the river,

Without any eyewitnesses, no one could determine whether it was truly him.

Moreover, he had injured her seriously by accident, and failed to save her, which was also a crime.

San Lai Zi was sentenced to prison, and Lin Xiaodou gave up on him.

Anyway, ten years in prison would teach him to be a better person.

As for Zhang Lian’s death, Lin Xiaodou always felt something was off.

San Lai Zi had not seemed like he was lying during the interrogation; killing her would not benefit him.

Zhang Lian had no enemies in Heishi Village.

The only one was the heroine Chu Ling, who had returned after rebirth.

Lin Xiaodou suspected it might be related to her.

As someone who knew the novel,

Although she had only seen the title and synopsis, Lin Xiaodou was aware that Chu Ling harbored deep resentment toward Zhang Lian—enough for a fight to the death.

So her suspicion was quite reasonable.

Then there was the male lead, Han Guoqiang. Lin Xiaodou had seen him a few times while working in the fields.

He appeared tall, sturdy, honest and simple, but those dark, bottomless eyes suggested he was anything but ordinary.

If Zhang Lian’s death was the result of both the heroine and the hero working together, it would be unsurprising that the police found no clues.

After all, protagonists usually have powerful halos.

Although in the first novel, the halo of the male and female leads had faded because of her appearance,

In this story of rugged sent-down youth, Lin Xiaodou was still uncertain.

Since moving to the countryside, she had lived alone in a cabin on the back mountain, seldom interacting with others.

She was just a random passerby, hoping to stay away from the leads and avoid trouble.

But now, the important villainess in the book was dead, and Lin Xiaodou had nearly been dragged into it herself. The situation had changed.

Lin Xiaodou felt she could not continue being passive, or else she might be the next to suffer.

So, on an ordinary afternoon, Lin Xiaodou went to find Chu Ling.

“You killed Zhang Lian, didn’t you?”

Lin Xiaodou didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly.

She knew well that Chu Ling would never admit it.

Her question was only to see the other’s reaction.

Chu Ling was momentarily stunned, then put on a stern face and replied,

“Comrade Lin Xiaodou, what are you talking about? You shouldn’t say such things carelessly.”

Though her performance was flawless, the involuntary clenching of her hands betrayed her nervousness.

Lin Xiaodou caught this instantly.

As expected, the murderer was Chu Ling—her guess was right.

Lin Xiaodou’s almond-shaped eyes grew cold, her voice icy:

“Chu Ling, I don’t care what happened between you and Zhang Lian, nor do I want to know.

But I have one thing to remind you: before you act, consider the consequences. Don’t drag innocent people into your mess.”

Everyone knew about her previous conflict with Zhang Lian.

And Chu Ling had always treated her with cold indifference; it was possible she might frame her.

Lin Xiaodou’s words were not a reminder, but a warning.

If Chu Ling truly regarded her as an enemy and sought to eliminate her quickly, then Lin Xiaodou would not hold back either.

What did these words mean?

Chu Ling’s expression grew ugly.

No one had suspected her in Zhang Lian’s death, because they did not know about their entanglement.

But why was Lin Xiaodou so certain?

Could she have seen everything that night?

At this thought, Chu Ling’s heart grew frantic.

She quickly protested, “I don’t know what you’re talking about! I didn’t do anything, stop making things up!”

Lin Xiaodou replied, “Heaven sees all. Take care of yourself.”

“What do you mean by that?! Who do you think you are?!”

Chu Ling’s face flushed with anger.

She was naturally proud and haughty.

Only before Han Guoqiang and his family would she lower herself.

Otherwise, she disdained interacting with the sent-down youth and villagers.

Lin Xiaodou’s repeated questioning finally made Chu Ling snap.

“Stop nagging me! If you have the guts, go tell the police and see who believes you!”

Some time had passed since Zhang Lian’s tragic death, and San Lai Zi had already been sentenced.

She didn’t believe Lin Xiaodou could stir up any trouble.

Lin Xiaodou said, “If you’re so confident, why are you so agitated?”

“Mind your own business!” Chu Ling glared, snorting coldly.

“I advise you to take care of yourself too. If you dare provoke me, you won’t be able to bear the consequences!”

Lin Xiaodou was truly infuriating.

She must tell Brother Guoqiang and let him deal with her.

“What consequences? Ha!”

Lin Xiaodou sneered, raising her foot and kicking.

With one swift kick, Chu Ling was knocked to the ground!

Under Chu Ling’s terrified gaze,

Lin Xiaodou grabbed her hair and slapped her delicate face left and right.

“So this is what the consequences look like, huh? Tell me, does it feel good?”

“Ahh! Let me go! Let go!”

Chu Ling screamed at the top of her lungs, still shouting threats,

“Lin Xiaodou, you wretch, just wait—when Brother Guoqiang comes, he’ll never let you off!”

“Fine, I’ll wait for your Brother Guoqiang.”

Lin Xiaodou laughed merrily, her hands raining slaps without pause.

Soon,

Chu Ling’s pretty face was swollen like a pig’s head, her speech slurred.

“Huu huu huu… hurry and help me…”

Before long, the Brother Guoqiang she called for arrived on the scene.

“Lin Xiaodou, what are you doing! Let go of my wife!”

Han Guoqiang’s face was dark as thunder as he strode forward.

Seeing him, Chu Ling—her face swollen like a pig—became excited:

“Guoqiang, hurry, teach her a lesson!”

Witnessing his wife beaten so badly, Han Guoqiang was furious. He raised his fist to strike Lin Xiaodou.

But before he could touch her, he was sent flying by a kick.

“Bang!”

Han Guoqiang crashed heavily to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Before he could react, Lin Xiaodou was already upon him, raining blows on his face and body.

Han Guoqiang was strong and muscular, his body packed with sinewy muscle.

Lin Xiaodou deliberately used only a tenth of her strength.

But even so, Han Guoqiang couldn’t withstand it and clutched his head, howling in pain.

This scene happened to be witnessed by Chen Guang, who was passing by.

Seeing Lin Xiaodou mercilessly beating Han Guoqiang, he was terrified.

My goodness, this woman was truly frightening.

If she ever lost her temper and gave him a beating, he could hardly imagine the outcome.

Better to flee!

Chen Guang didn’t even want to watch the commotion; he bolted away at full speed...