Chapter 2: The Bully, Arrogant and Overbearing

At that moment, a sudden, heavy crash rang out—the tightly shut courtyard gate was kicked open. Yu Xin started so violently that the towel in her hand nearly slipped to the floor. Hastily, she put it back into the basin, stood up, and turned toward the doorway.

Moonlight bathed the village, silver beams pouring down, painting the night in Li Family Village as quiet and profound as an ink wash painting.

A burly man with a brutish face, a cigarette clamped between his lips, staggered into the shabby little house, his body reeking of heavy drink. Yu Xin was tending to Li Chao, wiping his body, when the sound drew her gaze. The sight of the intruder drained all color from her face; she began to tremble uncontrollably.

She instinctively edged closer to the bed, her voice tinged with fear as she asked, “Li Scarface, what are you doing here so late?”

Li Scarface—known throughout Li Family Village as a notorious bully. He relied on his brute strength to oppress the villagers and harass respectable women. Though the people loathed him, none dared cross him.

He had coveted Yu Xin’s beauty for a long time. Tonight, emboldened by drink and lust, he had come again to her house, intent on harassing her.

His bloodshot eyes fixed greedily on Yu Xin’s shapely figure, glinting with desire. He looked upon her as a starving wolf eyes a plump, defenseless prey, swallowing salaciously as he spoke with vulgar intent: “Yu Xin, your good-for-nothing husband’s been dead a long time. What’s the point of clinging to that pretty boy? Alone every night in this empty house, you must be aching for company! A place this barren needs some tending, don’t you think?”

He laughed lewdly, then continued, “Why not let me, Master Scarface, loosen the soil and water the field for you? I guarantee you’ll feel wonderful.”

His words were laced with insult and provocation, filling Yu Xin with humiliation and rage. Yet, faced with such a powerful brute, she felt helpless and afraid.

He seemed oblivious to any thought of her resistance, lost in the haze of his own vile intent. Yu Xin’s face turned even paler; she bit her lip hard, fighting back tears.

She knew a man like Li Scarface would never let her go easily—but she wasn’t willing to submit to his tyranny, either. Just as she prepared to stand and resist, Li Chao’s voice suddenly sounded:

“Don’t be afraid, Sister Yu Xin. I’m here.”

He struggled upright on the bed; though he had no feeling in his legs, his gaze was firm and unwavering. Yu Xin turned to him, a flicker of hope in her eyes. As long as Li Chao was with her, she could face anything.

Taking a deep breath, she gripped Li Chao’s hand tightly, ready to confront the brute together. She forced herself to straighten despite her pain, determined not to appear weak or pitiful.

Her eyes blazed with resolve as she stared at Li Scarface. Her voice, though trembling, was laced with anger and defiance: “My affairs are none of your business! Spare me your false concern!”

“Leave now, or I’ll call for help!”

She hoped that by threatening him, she might scare him off. But Li Scarface only scoffed, a sneer curling his lips.

“Call for help? Ha!” He burst into raucous laughter, as if he’d heard the world’s greatest joke. He looked at Yu Xin with utter contempt. “Go ahead and try! Let’s see who in this village dares meddle in my affairs. No one in Li Family Village would dare go against me.”

He spoke with arrogant pride, his eyes gleaming madly. Then he added, “Besides, if you make a scene, you’ll only embarrass yourself.”

Yu Xin froze. Her heart sank as she realized the trap she was in. In this poor, backward mountain village, people were conservative and superstitious, especially about matters between men and women. If word got out, she, as a woman, would bear all the shame and ridicule.

A lump caught in her throat; she could no longer speak. Her eyes filled with despair and helplessness as she shrank back.

Seeing her silence, Li Scarface grew bolder. Grinning wickedly, he reached out and tore at her clothing. With a ripping sound, her garment split open, exposing a stretch of pale skin. Her slender waist flashed in the dim light, fueling his lust all the more.

At that moment, Li Scarface had lost all sense of reason, seeing nothing but Yu Xin’s alluring body. Yu Xin, terrified, struggled desperately to escape his grasp but was too weak to break free. Tears welled in her eyes, her heart full of fear and humiliation.

He laughed triumphantly. “Every woman who’s tried Scarface’s skills has praised them!”

She bit her lip, defiance flashing in her gaze. She knew that if she let him have his way, her reputation in this impoverished village would be utterly destroyed. More than that, she would lose her dignity and courage.

So she steeled herself, facing his twisted, leering face without a trace of fear. Only one belief remained in her heart: no matter how great the hardship, she would not surrender her dignity or her will.

In the dilapidated hut of Li Family Village, Li Scarface pressed in like a ravenous wolf, his eyes gleaming hungrily, his foul words dripping like poison into Yu Xin’s ears. His grotesque features were twisted by desire and wickedness, impatient to consume her entirely.

“Even a patch of sandy soil can yield two pounds of water!” Li Scarface licked his lips, his gaze chilling as a predator’s.

He spread his arms wide, trying to seize Yu Xin. On the bed, Li Chao’s face flushed with anger and shame. Though half-paralyzed and unable to move freely, a volcano of fury erupted in his chest.

He groped for a teacup by the bedside, and with all his remaining strength, hurled it at Li Scarface’s head.

“Li Scarface, this is a society of laws!” Li Chao’s voice was weak, but every word rang with resolve and power. He thundered, “What you’re doing is a crime! Get out now!”

But Li Scarface was not cowed by Li Chao’s outburst. Rubbing the growing welt on his head, a vicious glint flashed in his eyes. He seized Li Chao by the collar, snarling, “You crippled fool, you dare strike me?”

His words dripped with scorn and fury. He slapped Li Chao violently across the face, the blow so fierce it sent Li Chao sprawling into a far corner of the room.