Looking at the bloody handprint, Xiaohua's mind went blank with a sudden buzz. She still remembered the care this neighbor, Sister Mu, had shown her when she first arrived in Gefeng.
Back then, there were many things she didn't understand. Seeing that Sister Mu next door was kind, she had shamelessly gone over to ask questions.
Knowing she was a newcomer, Sister Mu patiently introduced her to the various unique aspects of Gefeng.
Speaking of which, it was Sister Mu who introduced her to work at the garment workshop. Every time her shift ended, Sister Mu would rush home to do chores.
Yet, her family still complained that she came back late, beating and scolding her at the drop of a hat. Today, the beating was especially severe, as if they were trying to beat her to death.
Xiaohua didn't know where she found the courage, but she suddenly rushed forward. Let her go! You are going to beat her to death!
The old woman snorted coldly and stepped forward to stop her. Hmph, this is my family's business. Why is an outsider like you interfering?
With how ugly you are, you had better worry about whether you can even get married. She looked at Xiaohua with a face full of disdain.
Before Xiaohua could speak, Wu Qing, who had just squeezed his way in, grew displeased. He stepped up and gave the old woman a shove. You are the ugly one! Your whole family is ugly!
The old woman was enraged. She raised her hand and slapped at Wu Qing's face. You are both ugly! A toad paired with dog shit, a perfect match! Bah, you adulterous couple!
Wu Qing dodged to the side, avoiding her slap, and struck back with a backhand slap of his own. You can insult me, but you cannot insult Xiaohua, you old hag!
He was usually considered gentle, but whenever it came to anything involving Xiaohua, he became aggressive. Regardless of whether the opponent was old or young, male or female, he would just charge in and fight.
Seeing his mother get hit, the man slammed the woman to the ground and rushed over to brawl with Wu Qing.
The man was tall and burly, possessing a lot of brute strength. Wu Qing was completely no match for him and took several punches.
Seeing that Wu Qing was losing, Xiaohua threw a punch right at the man's back.
The old woman was not having it. She grabbed Xiaohua's hair and yanked her back. You ugly monster, how dare you hit my son! See if I do not slap you to death...
Xiaohua's mother, who had been watching the commotion, saw her daughter being bullied and brought her two daughters-in-law up to help. You wicked old crone, daring to pull my Xiaohua's hair! Are you tired of living?
Several of Xiaohua's co-workers exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and also jumped in to help. The scene descended into absolute chaos.
Guan Jiang was taking Qiu Liao and another man back to the county magistrate's office.
A commoner rushed over, looking at him as if seeing a savior. Officer, officer, quick! A fight broke out over there!
Guan Jiang was startled. What fight?
The commoner panted heavily, In... in the Third Alley of Mount Shanhu, a group of people started fighting! A whole bunch of people are brawling!
Guan Jiang frowned. How many is a whole bunch? What happened?
Without waiting for the commoner to reply, he added, Forget it, I will go take a look first. Hurry to the county office and call for a few more men.
If it was a mass brawl, he alone would not be able to break it up.
The commoner also knew the situation was serious. Without another word, he turned and ran toward the county office.
Guan Jiang lifted his foot, ready to run toward Mount Shanhu, but suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly stopped and turned back. You two, I have some business to attend to. How about you head to the county office yourselves?
Qiu Liao waved his hand. It is fine. I will go with you to take a look.
By the time the three of them arrived at the Third Alley of Mount Shanhu, the alley was in utter chaos.
Looking at the scene before him, Nan Wen was greatly shocked and deeply impressed.
Qiu Liao, on the other hand, could not help but twitch his lips. This Gefeng was indeed extraordinary.
They saw Xiaohua straddling the man, smacking him across the face with resounding slaps.
Although Wu Qing's face was beaten black and blue, he looked rather triumphant as he firmly pinned down the man's hands.
Xiaohua's mother was pressing down on the man's calves. The two completely controlled the man's limbs, rendering him immobile so Xiaohua could slap him freely and boldly.
Meanwhile, the old woman was pinned to the ground by Xiaohua's two sisters-in-law. She wriggled incessantly like a maggot, crying and cursing in breakdown, You lightning-struck wretches, how dare you do this to my son...
Smack.
A slap landed on the old woman's face, bringing her words to an abrupt halt.
This slap was delivered by an elderly woman squatting in front of her. It was none other than the old woman who had exceeded the conscription age by just a little bit, named Li Changming.
She had given herself this name. In the past, she did not have a name. When she was little, people called her Sanya; when she grew up, they called her Third Lady Li; later, she became Madam Zhang, née Li.
It was only after arriving in Gefeng that she learned she needed her own name to be registered in the household census. She thought about it all night and turned her greatest wish in life into her name.
She lived not far from here and had originally come to watch the fun, but upon seeing this infuriating scene, she joined the fray without a second thought.
Smack.
Before the old woman could curse out loud, she slapped her again. You are the lightning-struck wretch! Bah! Do you know how hard it is to marry a wife nowadays, and yet you dare to beat and scold her so wantonly?
You always call her a hen that cannot lay eggs. Well, you can lay eggs, clucking all day long to show off how many eggs you have laid!
I think your whole family is just naturally begging for a beating, like donkeys needing a kick. Do you want me to feed you a few more slaps?
Stop! Guan Jiang shouted loudly.
Li Changming was startled. She hurriedly stood up and hid her hands behind her back. Um, I did not do anything. I just... oh, I saw her hair was messy, so I was just fixing it for her.
Everyone was speechless.
Xiaohua also shuddered in fright and quickly stopped her hands. I... I did not do anything either.
I just... just accidentally slapped him a few times. Her voice grew weaker as she spoke.
Xiaohua's mother and Wu Qing also quickly released the man, stepping back a few paces, acting as if they had not done anything.
Guan Jiang looked at the man, whose face was completely battered beyond recognition, and then at the disheveled old woman, unable to stop the veins on his forehead from throbbing. What is going on here?
Remembering something, Xiaohua hastily pointed toward the woman. He was beating his wife! Look, Sister Mu is almost beaten to death!
Only then did Guan Jiang notice the blood-covered woman surrounded by several female workers. His heart went cold. These injuries were too severe.
He hurried over to check on her, asking, Someone go to the clinic and call for help. It is best to bring a stretcher.
One of the female workers said in a low voice, We already sent someone to call them.
Guan Jiang squatted down and looked at the woman who had already passed out. He wanted to examine her but found he did not know where to start.
It seemed there was not a single intact spot on the woman's body.
The man had already sat up. Seeing Guan Jiang there, he did not dare to act out of line. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and glared angrily at Xiaohua.
I want to report to the authorities! These people beat me and my mother! I want to sue them!
The old woman also broke free from the grip of Xiaohua's sisters-in-law. She jumped up and tried to grab Xiaohua's hair. I will beat you to death, you ugly monster, beating my son like this...
With a sharp sound, Guan Jiang drew the saber at his waist halfway out and shouted, Stop! If anyone dares to make another move, I will throw you all in jail!
Ordinary commoners naturally harbored fear toward government officials, so the old woman sheepishly stayed her hand.
It was only because the policies in Gefeng had changed now; whether it was the government or the soldiers, they no longer oppressed the common people.
That was why they had the guts to make a scene in front of Guan Jiang. If it had been the past, they would have already knelt down and kowtowed.
Seeing that they had all settled down, Guan Jiang pushed his saber back into its sheath and looked at the man. This woman is your wife? You beat her like this?
