When Qian Laoshi’s Wife heard Wuni speak, her heart began to race. Wuni had been engaged to Qian Cheng since they were young, and she truly regarded Wuni as her own daughter.
All matters in the household, big or small, were discussed with Wuni. No one understood better than her how formidable this girl could be.
Qian Laoshi’s Wife immediately went over to Ma Wuni: “Little Wu, Wuni, don’t be angry. This is Qian Cheng’s fault. I’ll make him apologize to you.”
Ma Wuni was filled with both anger and resentment toward Qian Cheng. Even setting aside their romantic feelings, just considering their childhood friendship, he should never have humiliated her so deeply.
What made Ma Wuni truly furious was Qian Cheng’s sheer stupidity. Growing up alongside such a fool and even getting along well with him was undoubtedly the greatest shame of her life.
To others, Ma Wuni’s rage was understandable—after all, no young woman could easily accept such a situation.
Ma Wuni couldn’t hold back her temper: “Apologize? With what? He’s already given himself to someone else. Am I supposed to take him back? Do you really think the Ma family’s daughters can’t find husbands? Auntie, this isn’t about saving face.”
Qian Cheng looked up, tears and snot streaming down his face, and crawled over to grab Ma Wuni: “Wuni, what are you saying? You know I don’t like Sun Yali. I’ve never liked her since we were kids. If I really ended up with her, she’d bully me to death.”
Qian Cheng pleaded: “We’ve shared a bond since childhood. We were even discussing marriage. Wuni Jie, our engagement can’t just be called off so casually.”
The more Ma Wuni listened, the angrier she became. She and Qian Cheng had grown up together—he was gentle, good-looking, and well-behaved, always endearing himself to others. Ma Wuni had always stood in front of him, shielding him from everything.
Whenever Qian Cheng called her “Wuni Jie,” Ma Wuni never refused him. But this time was different—not even calling her “Wuni Grandma” would work.
Seeing Qian Cheng’s pitiful state, Ma Wuni laughed in anger. Did he really think she was easygoing? She had been too good to him, making him take her for granted.
How could she have been so blind before, thinking he had a good temperament? Hah? She kicked Qian Cheng away: “Don’t worry, it definitely won’t be called off casually.”
With that, she gave Qian Cheng a thorough beating, leaving him so bruised even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him.
Qian Cheng didn’t dare dodge, only sniffling. Wuni Jie had a bad temper, but this was the first time she had ever treated him like this.
Qian Cheng’s mother felt sorry for her son but didn’t dare intervene. The boy had done wrong and deserved to be taught a lesson.
Qian Jin, who had been watching from the side, couldn’t help but change his expression. This girl could switch moods in an instant and start throwing punches without warning.
In the past, those fists had been used by Ma Wuni to beat him, Qian Jin, on Qian Cheng’s behalf. People say fortunes change over thirty years, but here, the tables had turned in just three. Life, indeed.
Although Ma Wuni was beating Qian Cheng, Qian Jin felt as if he were being beaten himself—it was like reliving the past. The punches weren’t landing on him, but his muscle memory ached all the same.
With every blow Ma Wuni landed on Qian Cheng, Qian Jin’s heart trembled.
Thinking about marrying Ma Wuni, Qian Jin instinctively swallowed and rubbed his arm. After all these years of training, he should be able to withstand it, right?
But then again, he had to try and see if he could really endure it. At this thought, Qian Jin blushed and cursed himself inwardly: “What a fool. Isn’t this just asking for a beating?”
Qian Cheng, a scholar, truly couldn’t hold on any longer, crying out for his parents. In the past, it was always Wuni who helped him beat others like this, but today he was the one being beaten by Wuni—and it really hurt.
Ma Jiye wanted to intervene, but that kid Qian Cheng deserved the beating. While saying “You can’t do this,” he sat there without moving a muscle.
Sun Yali was first stunned by Ma Wuni’s imposing manner, then she rushed forward to shield Qian Cheng: “Ma Wuni, you shrew, what right do you have to hit someone?”
Ma Wuni kicked her away: “If I’m not hitting you, then stay out of it. Before I, Ma Wuni, break off the engagement, this has nothing to do with you.”
Qian Jin didn’t like hearing this. His eyebrows raised, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, filled with deep thoughts. They had already discussed marriage arrangements with him—didn’t that mean things with the second brother were over? He was quite dissatisfied with Ma Wuni’s words.
Sun Yali wanted to shout, “My relationship with Qian Cheng is closer than his with you, so it’s none of your business!”
But the brigade leader’s wife covered Sun Yali’s mouth, scolding her quietly: “This affair of yours—do you think it sounds good when spread around? Keep your voice down.”
With Qian Cheng beaten by Ma Wuni, their engagement would be called off, and the Sun family could quietly wait for the Qian family to propose marriage. As the brigade leader’s wife saw it, Ma Wuni had done well—all affection had been beaten out of him, and her daughter would have a peaceful life in the future.
Qian Laoshi didn’t stop it at all. If Wuni didn’t beat this brat, he as the father would have done it. He truly felt heartache, but this scene was necessary.
If Ma Jiye had taken action, Qian Cheng might not even have been able to crawl away. Better to let Wuni vent her anger first.
The villagers watching the commotion outside all had to say, “Ma Wuni is really formidable.” Such a fierce woman—anyone thinking of marrying her would have to weigh it carefully.
Having been beaten, Qian Cheng pulled at Wuni: “Wuni Jie, you’ve already hit me, you can’t say the engagement is off.”
This kid wasn’t entirely useless—he knew the engagement couldn’t be broken off.
Ma Wuni took a deep breath and threw another punch, causing Qian Cheng’s nose to bleed.
Qian Cheng stared at Ma Wuni’s fist, shocked. Wuni Jie really didn’t care about him anymore: “Wuni Jie…”
Ma Wuni: “From now on, don’t mention the engagement again. If you bring it up once, I’ll beat you once.”
Qian Cheng’s mother thought, “It’s over, it’s over. Although Wuni’s temper isn’t great, she’s always been good to Qian Cheng. Now that she’s hitting him, it shows she holds a grudge. What can we do?”
Sun Yali, ignored by both of them, became furious: “Qian Cheng, after all this, you still want to be with her? Are you stupid? You keep talking about Ma Wuni—what about me? If you don’t take responsibility for me, I’ll report you to the school.”
Hearing this, that spineless Qian Cheng immediately shut up and let go of Ma Wuni’s hand. He was afraid the school would find out—he wanted to continue his studies.
But being threatened by Sun Yali like this didn’t sit well with him either. Anxiously, he tried to grab Ma Wuni’s sleeve. These days, he had been looking for Wuni precisely to ask her to help him settle the matter with Sun Yali.
Unfortunately, Ma Wuni shook him off. She looked at Qian Cheng, her eyes dark with storm clouds. Such little courage, such a spineless thing—if she didn’t break off the engagement now, what was she waiting for?
She slapped the table and declared on the spot: “The engagement between the Ma and Qian families is over.” She didn’t care for either of the Qian brothers, and even being associated with Qian Cheng annoyed her.
Qian Cheng’s mother turned pale. Wuni could reject their Qian Cheng, but the engagement between the two families couldn’t be broken off. This girl wouldn’t let it go easily.
Over the years, the Qian family has relied entirely on the Ma family for support in the village, both inside and out. If they were to break off the engagement now, they would be criticized and accused of being ungrateful.
Besides, do you think the Ma family is easy to deal with? If the Sun family could report Qian Cheng to the school, the Ma family could just as easily get their second son expelled.