Chuntao felt a chill creep up her spine under his gaze. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly turned away, putting her back to him.
Even when she was an unmarried girl, she had never dared to go to the market because the men there would always stare at her.
Being of a shy disposition, their stares always left her blushing furiously.
Now that she was no longer a young maiden living at home, she supposedly should have developed a thicker skin, but she was still as bashful as ever.
Besides, this man was different from the others she had encountered before; his gaze was downright creepy.
The bald man edged closer. He pretended to look at the pigs, but his eyes were glued to Chuntao, impossible to peel away.
Zhou Zhijun untied the hemp rope from the leg of the last piglet. Turning his head, he caught sight of that lecherous stare fixed on Chuntao.
His hands suddenly clenched into fists. A layer of frost instantly covered his cold face, and his eyes scraped up and down Baldy like two sharp knives.
Zhou Zhijun didn't say a word. In one stride, he stepped to Chuntao's side, completely blocking Baldy's line of sight.
Baldy was fully engrossed in his ogling. Suddenly blocked by a body built like a brick wall, his temper instantly flared.
He stiffened his neck, curled his lip, and said with a hooligan's swagger, Get out of the way. You looking for trouble on purpose? This little wife is a real beauty, what's wrong with taking a few extra looks?
You can't even take half a look! Zhou Zhijun's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a ruthless edge.
Chuntao shrank further behind Zhou Zhijun, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the hem of her clothes.
This Baldy was a local thug who often led a gang of ruffians to run amok in the streets.
Used to throwing his weight around, he wasn't the least bit afraid of Zhou Zhijun.
He let out a cold snort and shouted, Damn it, the eyes are on my own face, I'll look if I want to! It's none of your business! If you don't want people looking, stuff her in your pants and don't let her out. If she's out here, people are gonna look!
Hearing the commotion, the people nearby gathered around to watch the spectacle.
Baldy scanned the crowd and said, Folks, am I right or am I right?
If you don't want people looking, stuff her in your pants... Hahaha... The onlookers erupted into a chorus of jeers and laughter.
Someone in the crowd sighed in admiration, This little wife is truly beautiful!
Another added, This fellow sure is lucky to marry such a gorgeous little wife!
Zhou Zhijun's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles popped, and his teeth ground together audibly!
His gaze, cold enough to freeze someone to death, locked onto Baldy's face, as if he might erupt at any second.
They were here to sell pigs, and Baldy was clearly a scoundrel. There was no need to clash with him. Chuntao reached out and tugged gently on the hem of Zhou Zhijun's shirt.
Zhou Zhijun turned to look at her, his tone softening. Don't be afraid. You have me.
Zhou Zhijun was tall and broadly built. The tough, unyielding aura he had forged during his time in the military was carved deep into his bones.
Coupled with the sturdy arms built from years of hard labor, just standing there, he looked like a heavy, immovable wall, exuding an imposing presence that commanded respect.
Baldy felt a flutter of panic under Zhou Zhijun's overwhelming aura, but he couldn't afford to lose face.
He suddenly lunged forward two steps, bypassing Zhou Zhijun, and reached out to grab Chuntao's arm, clamoring, Little wife, come with me, I'll take you to eat meat buns!
Before his hand could even touch Chuntao, Zhou Zhijun grabbed his wrist.
Zhou Zhijun's fingers were like iron pincers. With a slight squeeze, a crisp crack of bone echoed.
Ahhh! Baldy instantly grimaced in agony, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.
Ow, ow, ow! Let go! Let go now! His earlier arrogance was instantly extinguished.
Dark clouds gathered on Zhou Zhijun's face as he increased the pressure on his grip. Narrowing his eyes slightly, his voice was as cold as midwinter icicles. Try touching her one more time.
Baldy was in so much pain that tears welled up in his eyes. Unable to move an inch, he could only shake his head desperately.
I won't! I won't touch her, okay? Just let me go!
Zhou Zhijun stared at him for two seconds before spitting out a single word, Scram! He then violently released his grip.
Baldy stumbled back a few steps, cradling his wrist and rubbing it constantly, hissing in pain.
He shot Zhou Zhijun a venomous glare but didn't dare utter another word, turning tail and running.
He only made it about ten paces before stopping to throw back a harsh threat. Just you wait! This isn't over! With that, he fled without looking back.
Zhou Zhijun turned back to Chuntao, comforting her in a low voice, Don't be afraid, it's alright now.
Chuntao was pale with fright. She bit her lower lip tightly and it took her a long moment to speak. That man looked like a local thug. Will he come back to make trouble?
If he does, I'll take him on to the bitter end!
Chuntao felt uneasy, but having Zhou Zhijun there gave her a great sense of security.
The crowd of onlookers dispersed, and a few people stepped up to look at the pigs and ask for the price.
Zhou Zhijun said, Eighty cents a pound!
Some found it too expensive and left, while others stayed to haggle and make their selections.
An old man said, A few days ago, others were only selling them for sixty cents!
Zhou Zhijun replied, Sixty cents gets you sickly, skinny pigs. Our piglets are lively and easy to raise once you take them home! They are well worth the price!
Indeed, Chuntao's piglets were well-proportioned and full of energy, looking very easy to raise.
The old man grumbled that it was too expensive, but he didn't leave, and ultimately bought a piglet.
A woman also picked one out.
...
By noon, they had already sold five piglets. Chuntao looked at the remaining two and felt a little anxious.
Brother Zhijun, there will be fewer people on the street in the afternoon. Can we still sell them?
Don't worry! We will definitely sell them all today!
The midday sun was brutal, making them sweat profusely.
Zhou Zhijun looked at Chuntao's sun-flushed little face and moved the piglets over to the shade of a nearby tree.
He then pulled the handcart over and placed a bundle at the back of it. Sit down and rest. You must be hungry, right? I'll go buy some food!
Zhou Zhijun was helping her sell pigs today; she couldn't possibly let him pay for the food as well.
Chuntao quickly fished the pig-selling money out of her pocket, pulled out ten yuan, and handed it to him.
Zhou Zhijun didn't take it. I have money in my pocket, he said, brushing the dust off his hands before striding away.
Chuntao sat there, watching the two grunting piglets, thinking that they must be hungry too.
Just then, several men walked over in her direction.
The leader was actually Baldy from earlier that morning, and the men behind him all sported bulky hairstyles.
Their clothes were wrinkled and hung loosely on their bodies, giving them a complete slacker appearance.
They showed up right after Zhou Zhijun left. Chuntao's heart instantly leaped into her throat, but she pretended not to notice them, staring intently at the piglets in the pen.
Hey there! Little wife, why are you all alone? It's already noon, let me treat you to some meat buns!
Baldy swaggered over to Chuntao and reached out to grab her arm as he spoke.
The others also surrounded her, spewing foul and flirtatious remarks.
Let me go! Chuntao shouted, forcefully suppressing the fear in her heart.
Let go? I just won't let go, what are you gonna do about it! The other men also began to get handsy with Chuntao.
Come on, the boys and I are taking you to a restaurant!
We'll order a couple pounds of pig head meat. Once we've eaten and drunk our fill, we'll have a good time!
Let me go! When my brother gets back, he won't let you off easy!
Your brother? He ain't shit! I wasn't raised on fear!
As soon as the words left his mouth, a sudden swishing sound came from behind them.
They whipped around, but before they could even make out what it was, Baldy let out a sharp scream and dropped to the ground, clutching his crotch with both hands.
