Shen Nian stepped forward and grabbed Shen Erdan by the ear.
“You little brat! You falsely accused me in front of all these people, didn’t admit what you did, and even tried to blame someone else. You really take after your Shen family roots! Just wait—I’m going to beat you today. From now on, when you see me, you better go around, got it? Or I’ll spank your butt so hard it’ll be sore.”
This little brat had bullied her plenty of times before, and today Shen Nian finally got her chance.
She lifted him onto her lap, yanked down his pants, and gave him a brutal dozen slaps on his butt.
Shen Erdan’s butt immediately turned red and swollen; he struggled and cried.
“You crazy woman! How dare you hit me? I’m going to tell my parents to kill you!”
Seeing how stubborn he was, Shen Nian gave him two more slaps.
“Anyway, I can see your little skin is itchy. Such a small age and already so naughty. Luckily, Simao is fine—if anything happened to him, this mess would be on me.”
After a few more smacks, Shen Erdan cried so hard he couldn’t catch his breath. Only then did Shen Nian toss him aside.
Hands on her hips, she glared fiercely at the other children.
“And you lot, I’ll ask you again—was it me who pushed Simao into the water?”
The children didn’t dare lie and all shook their heads.
Shen Nian shouted, “See? Told you.”
A nearby villager said, “Niannian, children are just joking, don’t take it to heart. You’re already grown—don’t bother with kids.”
Shen Nian sneered, “Kids? I’m crazy, so I do take it to heart. If I don’t punish bad kids now, later when someone bullies me, I’ll break their legs.”
These villagers were happy Shen Nian had recovered, but her temper was a bit much.
Someone said, “Alright, alright, everyone disperse. Simao’s fine, that’s what matters. Xiaoye, take him to the county clinic to get checked.”
Tian Xiaoye, still scared, looked at Shen Nian.
“Niannian, thank you so much for today. I’ll take my child to the clinic first and come find you afterward.”
Shen Nian nodded, and the crowd finally dispersed.
Shen Erdan, holding up his pants, ran off, yelling insults at Shen Nian from a distance.
“You worthless bastard! Just wait, I’m going to tell my dad!”
Normally, Shen Dafu never had a kind word to say, and this brat took after him—nothing good came from his mouth.
Let him go tell his dad—let’s see if his dad can do anything. He’s stuck in bed with a gunshot in his leg.
Li Hong scolded, “Shen Erdan, she’s your sister! Next time you insult someone, I’ll slap your mouth for you.”
Shen Erdan hopped and cursed, “My grandma said you’re a widowed woman whose man died, your life is worthless—you’re no good. When I grow up, I’ll kill you too.”
Hearing what this little bastard said, Li Hong’s face flushed red. Some children are just children, some are little monsters.
Back when the original Shen Nian was foolish, this brat often bullied her. Next time, he needed a lesson.
Li Hong blushed as she listened to the child.
Shen Nian chased after Shen Erdan. He stuck out his tongue in mockery but slipped on the edge of a ditch and fell in.
He screamed and hadn’t even climbed out when Shen Nian caught up and kicked him back into the ditch.
She squatted in front of him, sneering, “What did you just say again?”
“Sister, I was wrong,” he whimpered.
Shen Nian slapped him twice across the face.
“I said, if I don’t punish bad kids, next time your mouth is too loose, I’ll sew it shut. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Apologize to Li Jie.”
Shen Erdan, covering his face, looked pitiful and tearful.
He apologized to Li Hong but without a trace of genuine remorse.
“Aunt Li, I’m sorry. I won’t insult you again.”
Li Hong was angry, but in the end, he was still a child. This could pass.
Shen Nian grabbed his hair and pushed him back into the ditch a bit.
Gu Xiao frowned at her—she really wasn’t holding back.
But this brat didn’t know his limits. One lesson wouldn’t be enough; next time, he’d only get worse.
Li Hong stepped forward and pulled Shen Nian back. “Niannian, let it go. He’s still a child. We have more important things to do. Let him go.”
Shen Nian remembered the fishing nets on the other side of the river.
“Today I’ll let you go. Next time, see if I don’t throw you in the river to feed the fish.”
Shen Erdan sobbed, nose running and tears streaming.
Who says Shen Nian is better now? He thought she was crazier than ever.
Before, she wouldn’t have treated him like this. If someone bullied him, she’d help him fight back.
Thinking of this, Shen Erdan screamed even louder.
Shen Nian ignored him. She wasn’t going to be a saint—if he annoyed her, she’d deal with him face-to-face.
She snorted and turned to meet Gu Xiao’s meaningful gaze.
“You still haven’t answered my question—what are you doing here?”
“I came to thank you for saving my life. You look too thin, so I brought you some things.”
Gu Xiao held a net bag containing two cans of malted milk powder and two boxes of snacks.
“Haven’t you already thanked me?”
That had already been a hefty sum.
Right, she came today, and she also needed to return the medal to him.
“Later, come with me to the straw hut. I have something to give you.”
Her little scheme wasn’t going to fool Gu Xiao. Once the medal was collected, it would be hard to return it.
“Later. Take these things for now. After all, you saved my life—I owe you that.”
Shen Nian didn’t refuse. The things were already brought, and refusing would be wasting his effort.
She took the items and shoved the wet white shirt off her shoulders into his arms.
Li Hong couldn’t help but smile. The two of them together—talented and beautiful—were a pleasant sight.
Not to mention, old man Liu couldn’t compare to this young man.
Li Hong felt a little out of place and walked ahead toward the wooden bridge.
Shen Nian went first, with Gu Xiao following close behind, not planning to leave.
“Why are you following me?”
“Don’t you two have things to do? Do you need my help?”
Shen Nian sized him up from head to toe.
Indeed, such a tall guy shouldn’t go to waste.
Her eyes lit up with an idea, and she grinned.
“Actually, yes. We’re fishing—you help me gather the nets.”
Gu Xiao smiled. “No problem.”
As long as she had a use for him, it was a good thing—at least he could make a name for himself in front of her.
They crossed the narrow bridge, and when they reached the shore, the clothes on the tree hadn’t dried yet. Her clothes were still soaking wet and uncomfortable.
But she only had these two sets for now, so she had to bear it.
Gu Xiao tossed the white shirt on the tree, his white tank top showing his toned muscles.
Just as he was about to gather the fishing nets, Shen Nian remembered something and quickly said, “Wait…”