Chapter 91: The Two Instantly Clash

Within the mountain woods, Chu Ling and Sister Liu chatted idly, paying no attention to the flock of mountain sparrows fluttering past. The tiny birds, light and nimble, beat their wings and doubled back. On the way, spotting Lin Xiaodou, they excitedly chirped above her head.

Liu Yan’er looked up and laughed, “Sister Xiaodou, why are these little sparrows lingering above you?”

Having already learned the truth of everything from the sparrows, Lin Xiaodou curved her lips in a smile. “Perhaps there are a few annoying mosquitoes around—they’re just waiting for a meal.”

Liu Yan’er was curious. “Mosquitoes? In the middle of winter? Where would there be mosquitoes?”

Lin Xiaodou glanced at Chen Guang’s back and sneered, “Isn’t there one right here?”

No sooner had she spoken than the sparrows scattered, flying off in all directions.

Walking ahead, Chen Guang shivered suddenly. Why did it feel like the cold had intensified out of nowhere?

Lin Xiaodou beckoned Liu Yan’er over, leaning close to her ear and whispering, “Yan’er, no matter what happens later, don’t interfere. Just do exactly as I say.”

This girl was impulsive; it was best not to tell her more for now.

Liu Yan’er was bewildered, unable to grasp her meaning. But seeing Lin Xiaodou’s serious expression, she nodded obediently, “Alright, Sister Xiaodou.”

Lin Xiaodou rummaged in her satchel—though in truth, she drew a bundle of hemp rope from her hidden space. “We’ll walk back along the path; there are plenty of branches by the roadside. Since I have rope with me, let’s gather some to tie together and carry home.”

Liu Yan’er nodded, “Okay!”

The little girl promptly went to collect firewood.

The three took a narrow mountain path for their return journey. Below the path ran a river; the far side was the main road. Normally, villagers traveled by ox cart along the flat road, but on foot, most chose the mountain path, which was shorter.

After about thirty minutes, they reached the spot prone to landslides. The soil here was loose from prior rain and frequent trampling, long unstable. As Lin Xiaodou and her group passed, their steps collapsed the last bit of support.

The ground shifted beneath their feet, and all of them teetered on the brink of tumbling down.

“Ah!” Chen Guang cried, feigning alarm. From the moment they left town, he had been waiting for something to happen—at last, the chance to play the hero and win favor. He was excited.

As he tumbled into the water, Chen Guang fantasized about rescuing Liu Yan’er. Surely she would be grateful and offer her heart in return.

But the scene he imagined never materialized.

Lin Xiaodou and Liu Yan’er didn’t fall into the river at all!

No one knew how Lin Xiaodou managed it. With a gentle flick, she tossed the rope in her hand. It seemed alive, whizzing to coil around a large tree on the opposite bank. Lin Xiaodou wrapped her arm around Liu Yan’er and soared across, landing precisely in front of Chu Ling and Sister Liu.

The two women had been watching the mishap with amusement. But when Lin Xiaodou and Liu Yan’er suddenly appeared before them, fear flickered in their eyes.

“Off you go!” Lin Xiaodou gave them no time to react. Swiftly, she kicked both women out.

“Splash! Splash!” Chu Ling and Sister Liu plunged into the river, shrieking.

“Help! Help!”

All of this happened in a flash.

Chen Guang had just lifted his head from the water to see the chaos unfolding. Seeing the two struggling in the river, he hesitated—which one should he save?

Suddenly, two burly men rushed over from the distance, their eyes searching the river.

The previous night, someone had come to them with a sum of money, instructing them to come here at this hour and commit a crime. The instructions were clear: violate the prettiest girl who fell into the river, knock her out, drag her ashore, and leave once the deed was done.

Now, there were only two girls in the river, and one was indeed quite attractive.

The men’s eyes lit up. Without hesitation, they plunged in, swimming toward Chu Ling.

“Sister Xiaodou... why did you kick them into the river...” Liu Yan’er, standing on the bank, asked anxiously. She didn’t understand what had happened—her heart was in disarray. Although Lin Xiaodou had told her earlier not to interfere, seeing the pregnant Sister Liu fall into the river made her uneasy.

But Lin Xiaodou no longer concealed anything, and quickly explained the situation.

After hearing it, Liu Yan’er’s face turned as pale as a sheet.

Though she and Sister Liu had often argued, it had only ever been words. She never imagined Sister Liu could be so despicable—colluding with outsiders to harm her for the sake of her brother’s marriage. Worse still, they intended to ruin Sister Xiaodou, forcing her to marry the fool.

No wonder Sister Xiaodou was so furious she kicked them into the river. If it were her, she probably wouldn’t have been able to hold back either.

In the river.

Chu Ling had been flailing, but when the two men came near, she shouted, “Get away! You’ve got the wrong person! Get lost!”

“Well, she’s as fiery as we were told.” One of the men grinned, reaching out with greedy hands. The other pinned Chu Ling from behind, groping her as well.

Chu Ling screamed in terror, but no one came to her aid. Cowardly Chen Guang had already hidden himself away.

Seeing Chu Ling’s plight, Liu Yan’er trembled in fear.

“Do you see? If I hadn’t reacted in time, the one being violated would have been me,” Lin Xiaodou’s voice was crisp and decisive. “Yan’er, sometimes you have to be ruthless. Some people don’t deserve compassion—otherwise, in the end, you’re the one who gets hurt.”

This girl was too kind; if she didn’t witness the cruelty of human nature, she would remain soft-hearted.

“I understand now, Sister Xiaodou. They got what they deserved.” Liu Yan’er’s frantic gaze steadied, though she hesitated. “I just worry something might happen to them, and you’ll be blamed.”

Lin Xiaodou replied, “Don’t worry, the river is shallow. They won’t die.”

Before long, the timid Chen Guang finally mustered the courage to drag the nearly suffocated Sister Liu ashore.

As for Chu Ling, the two men had gotten their fill. They knocked her out, stripped off her coat and trousers, tossed them on the bank, and slipped away.

Just as they left, a foolish, fat-faced man rushed over. Seeing Chu Ling unconscious on the ground, his eyes brightened.

“Wife! Hehe! You’re my wife!”

He ran over and embraced Chu Ling, smothering her with kisses.

When Han Guoqiang arrived with several village women, the scene was shocking.

One outspoken woman cried, “Oh heavens, Guoqiang, is that your wife? How can she be embracing another man like that? Shameless!”

Another scoffed, “This Chu, the educated youth, is really disgraceful—her clothes are nearly gone.”

“Shut up, all of you! Can’t you see my wife is unconscious?” Han Guoqiang’s forehead bulged with veins, rage erupting as he charged forward.

He kicked the fool in the chest, “You dog! How dare you touch my wife—you’re asking for death!”

“You hit me? I’ll kill you!” The angry fool was not to be trifled with, and he sprang up, swinging his fists at Han Guoqiang.

The two men immediately broke into a brawl...