Chen Shiyi quickened her pace, gradually breaking into a run.
Seeing her run, the man behind her finally gave chase, grabbing her by the back of her neck and flinging her to the ground.
The assailant’s hands were heavy, and the fall left her head spinning.
He pinned Chen Shiyi down firmly, then pressed his body against her, his free hands frantically searching her.
Chen Shiyi screamed with all her might.
“I have no money.”
The assailant’s rough palm slapped Chen Shiyi hard across the face.
“You had money to buy pastries from Wu’s shop, and now you’re telling me you have none?”
Chen Shiyi’s mouth was filled with the metallic taste of blood, making her head throb.
“Really, those were for someone else. Please, sir, spare me.”
“Spare you? No money? This body of yours is worth something too. I reckon it could fetch two taels of silver.”
The assailant lifted Chen Shiyi’s frail body, dragging her by the hair toward the road to Ping’an Town.
She clung tightly to the hand gripping her hair, and as soon as her feet found some footing, she swiftly kicked him between the legs. The assailant cried out in pain, releasing her to clutch the injured area.
Chen Shiyi was desperately searching for a rock to smash the villain when, unexpectedly, the assailant was sent flying by a kick.
“Li, you’ve let me catch you again. This time, I’ll finish you off.”
At the sight of the person before him, the villain surnamed Li was terrified and fled as fast as he could, ignoring the pain in his body.
When her savior turned around, Chen Shiyi’s eyes widened in shock.
Cui Yong’an?
What a coincidence.
Cui Yong’an took a careful look at Chen Shiyi and let out a scornful laugh.
Chen Shiyi wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and asked, puzzled.
“Is it that funny?”
Cui Yong’an didn’t answer, only helped her retrieve her basket.
“How are you? Are you alright?”
Chen Shiyi shook her head.
“I’m fine. If you hadn’t shown up, I would’ve already smashed him to death.”
Cui Yong’an snorted coldly.
“Seems like I rescued you at the wrong time.”
Chen Shiyi didn’t reply. She hoisted the basket onto her back, but her leg had been twisted during the struggle, and she limped forward.
Seeing this, Cui Yong’an quickly moved to support her.
They hadn’t gone far when they stopped to rest in a shady spot.
Chen Shiyi looked Cui Yong’an up and down.
He was robust, with strong, muscular arms and a handsome face. His wolf-like eyes were surprisingly gentle when not fierce, and the scar on his forehead added a touch of roguish charm to his good looks.
Cui Yong’an shifted uncomfortably, adjusting his clothes.
“What are you looking at?”
Chen Shiyi blinked.
“Brother Cui, I heard from your friends that you’re not married yet. How about I marry you?”
Cui Yong’an turned his face away haughtily.
“If you want to marry me, you’ll have to get in line.”
Chen Shiyi chuckled softly, but the movement tugged at her bruised and swollen face, making her grimace in pain.
She continued, undeterred.
“People in my village say that someone like you, all muscle, who can hunt and work hard, would never let you go hungry. You’d have meat to eat and wouldn’t be bullied by others.”
“Your waist looks strong, so you must be good at what’s down there too.”
Cui Yong’an instinctively moved away from Chen Shiyi.
His eyes filled with disbelief and disdain.
“What kind of talk is that for a young lady?”
Chen Shiyi frowned, confused.
“That’s what people in my village always said.”
Cui Yong'an prided himself on having the thickest skin in the world, but this was the first time he had met his match. She didn't even blush or feel flustered, instead pretending to be innocent and clueless—truly shameless.
He abruptly stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and dashed down the road, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Chen Shiyi was filled with doubt. Was there a ghost chasing him from behind?
Having rested enough, she slowly rose from the ground, hoisted her basket onto her back, and hobbled forward at a sluggish pace.
Suddenly, Cui Yong'an turned back.
Seeing Chen Shiyi in such a pitiful state, he grew impatient.
"How's your foot? Can you still walk?"
He reached out to support Chen Shiyi, and as she tried to lean on his arm for support, he unexpectedly stepped back.
"Don't touch me."
With her support suddenly gone, Chen Shiyi couldn't steady herself and toppled sideways.
Her chin struck the ground hard, and at that moment, all she could think was:
Damn it!
Why did he come back?
In the end, Cui Yong'an held the front end of a wooden stick while Chen Shiyi held the back end, and the two of them walked forward, one in front and the other behind.
His strides were long and hurried, while Chen Shiyi was short, had stubby legs, and was injured.
If not for the sake of sparing Cui Yong'an the embarrassment of having turned back, Chen Shiyi would have said, "Why don't you just let me go? I can manage on my own!"
With all this back-and-forth, the sky was growing dark when the two of them ran into Wen Zhiheng and Wen Zhirou at the courtyard gate.
Wen Zhiheng's eyes were dark and unreadable, while Wen Zhirou looked utterly shocked.
"Shiyi, come here quickly."
Chen Shiyi was stunned. She glanced left and right, her gaze finally settling on Cui Yong'an.
"Brother Cui, thank you for today. I'll come by another day to express my gratitude properly."
Wen Zhirou hurried over and took Chen Shiyi's hand.
"Why are you hanging around with someone like him? He's a flower thief."
Cui Yong'an crossed his arms, his eyes sharp like a fierce wild beast.
"What did you say?"
Wen Zhirou shot Cui Yong'an a disdainful look.
"Pah, you lecher."
Cui Yong'an pressed his tongue against his cheek and smirked maliciously.
"Lecher towards you!"
Wen Zhiheng, who had been silent all this time, radiated a chilling aura as his thin lips parted.
"Looking for death."
With a running start, he pushed off the wall with his left leg, his graceful body spinning like the wind as he swung the wooden stick he had picked up straight at Cui Yong'an's face.
Cui Yong'an calmly leaned slightly to the side, and the stick flashed past his face, stirring a strand of his dark hair to flutter wildly.
Cui Yong'an moved with agility, his body blocking and counterattacking like an elegant leopard, exuding a wild and ruthless ferocity. Wen Zhiheng, on the other hand, had undergone rigorous orthodox training, his every move reflecting the grace and discipline of a master…
Chen Shiyi stared blankly at the courtyard wall being battered by the two.
Would it collapse tomorrow?
After dozens of exchanges, Cui Yong'an took a step back, bending his left leg while his right foot, clad in cloth shoes, sank into the dirt, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Brother Cui, you're amazing! You actually managed to fight Young Master to a draw."
Cui Yong'an brushed his right hand past the tip of his nose.
"I only held back out of respect for you. He might not be able to beat me."
Wen Zhiheng's icy voice pierced the air.
"Bragging without shame."
The joints of Wen Zhiheng's fingers cracked audibly, making it clear that if Cui Yong'an stayed a moment longer, he would show no mercy.
Inside the courtyard kitchen, Chen Shiyi fetched water, rinsed the rice, lit the fire, and began cooking porridge.
Wen Zhirou scolded her from the side, while Wen Zhiheng, usually extremely gentle, remained silent.
"Shiyi, don't associate with that kind of person from now on."
"Didn't you see that huge character for 'lechery' on his forehead?"
Chen Shiyi said softly.
"Miss, I don't know how to read."
Wen Zhirou was left speechless for a moment.
"He's a criminal exiled here for committing lechery. He's trying every possible way to get close to you, surely with ill intentions. Stay away from him from now on—he's a notorious womanizer."
Chen Shiyi still spoke softly.
"I actually wanted him to take advantage of me, but he refused. He must think I'm too ugly."
Wen Zhirou pointed at Chen Shiyi, unable to speak for quite a while.
"You… probably have something wrong with your head."
Chen Shiyi lit a fire, quietly watching the flickering flames.
"He's a good person."
Wen Zhirou grew agitated.
"Which eye of yours saw that?"
"My heart," Chen Shiyi looked steadily at Wen Zhirou.
"I felt it with my heart."