“Hurry up.”
Gu Yan urged, his voice muffled.
These were the most words he had spoken to Meng Jiao in quite some time.
She felt a bit nervous herself, somewhat embarrassed.
After all, Gu Yan’s slender frame looked like it could be toppled by a strong gust of wind.
If she ended up crushing him, who would be to blame?
But looking at her pitiful hands and knees, and considering the long walk back, Meng Jiao knew it would be tough.
She bit her lip and steeled her heart.
A piggyback ride it is! Better than crawling back!
She carefully climbed onto his back, gently wrapping her arms around his neck.
Gu Yan’s body stiffened once more, then he steadily stood up, supporting her legs with his hands as he walked forward step by step.
His steps were firm, and Meng Jiao, resting on his back, barely felt any jostling.
She could hear his somewhat rapid heartbeat, thumping in rhythm with her own at that moment.
To break the awkward silence, Meng Jiao whispered, “Gu Yan, thank you so much for today. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how badly Sun Xiaofeng would have bullied me.”
Gu Yan grunted in acknowledgment, then after a few seconds, added stiffly, “She won’t dare again.”
“How did you end up at the back hill?” Meng Jiao asked curiously.
“…Just passing by.”
Gu Yan’s reply was brief.
He wouldn’t admit that he had seen Sun Xiaofeng sneaking off toward the back hill where Meng Jiao often went, found it suspicious, and followed.
When he saw Sun Xiaofeng push her, he felt the blood rush to his head and picked up the stick without a second thought.
Meng Jiao didn’t overthink it. Resting on his back and watching the scenery along the way, she suddenly felt that getting injured might not be so bad after all.
However, Meng Jiao was no pushover.
In her mental ledger, she had already marked down a heavy debt against Sun Xiaofeng.
Thinking of Sun Xiaofeng’s arrogant yet cowardly demeanor earlier, she sneered inwardly.
I didn’t bother with you before because it was too much trouble, but now that you’ve laid hands on me and drawn blood, don’t blame me for not holding back!
A nobleman avenges insults after ten years; a petty person seeks revenge from morning till night.
She, Meng Jiao, might not be petty, but this immediate retribution had to be arranged without delay!
Her eyes sparkled with a sudden idea.
Lost in thought, Gu Yan had already carried Meng Jiao home.
After she thanked him, he dashed off in a flash, leaving Meng Jiao both amused and exasperated.
That evening, when Meng Jianhua returned from the brigade headquarters, the moment he entered, he saw Meng Jiao sitting on a small stool, her knees and palms smeared with conspicuous purple antiseptic.
His face immediately darkened. Striding over in a few large steps, he crouched down, his voice filled with concern: “Jiaojiao! How did this happen? Where did you fall? Is it serious? Does it hurt?”
A barrage of questions burst out like firecrackers, full of a father’s worry.
Meng Jiao felt warmed but also a little guilty.
She had already prepared her story and quickly mustered a carefree smile.
“Dad, don’t worry. I just tripped and fell on the back hill, scraped a little skin. It looks worse than it is—really, it’s nothing! It’ll heal in a couple of days!”
She deliberately downplayed it, even moving her knee to prove her point: “See? It moves fine. It’s okay!”
Meng Jianhua wasn’t so easily fooled. Frowning, he examined the wounds carefully.
“Could a fall cause injuries like this? And these palms—were they scraped from a tumble too? Tell Dad the truth—did someone bully you?”
He recalled Sun Xiaofeng’s previous provocations, his expression darkening.
“Really, no one did!”
Meng Jiao grabbed her father’s arm, shaking it with a coquettish tone.
“Dad, I just wasn’t watching my step while walking—I was clumsy and fell. Who could bully me? I’m quite capable now!”
She couldn’t possibly tell her father that Sun Xiaofeng had pushed her.
Her dad might seem easygoing, but when it came to her, he’d flare up at the slightest provocation.
If he found out Sun Xiaofeng had bullied her like this, he’d immediately go confront the Sun family, and it might even involve the Brigade Leader.
Then, the situation would blow up.
It wasn’t that she feared trouble, but she felt it wasn’t worth making her dad angry and upset over someone like Sun Xiaofeng.
Besides, if adults got involved, at most Sun Xiaofeng would get a scolding—hardly satisfying. It wouldn’t compare to getting revenge herself.
This grievance, she had to settle on her own!
And she’d make sure Sun Xiaofeng was left speechless, unable to voice her bitterness!
Meng Jianhua was half-convinced, half-doubting. Seeing his daughter’s obedient and sensible demeanor, his heart softened.
His girl must be hiding the truth to spare him worry and difficulty.
This child was too understanding—so understanding it pained him.
He sighed, his rough hand gently stroking Meng Jiao’s hair.
“Alright, you fell on your own. Be more careful when walking from now on. The mountain path behind is tricky—try not to go alone. If anyone really dares to bully you, you must tell Dad! Dad will stand up for you! Understand?”
“Got it, Dad, you’re the best!”
Meng Jiao replied sweetly, but inwardly she clenched her small fist.
Sun Xiaofeng, just you wait—I’ll make sure you learn why the Horse King has three eyes!
A few days later, the village organized a team to clear silt by the river.
Sun Xiaofeng was, of course, there too, lazily slacking off and glancing around.
Seizing the opportunity, Meng Jiao pretended to slip, exclaiming “Aiya!” as she plunged into the waist-deep river water.
“Help! I can’t swim!”
Meng Jiao flailed in the water, shouting in panic, but her eyes were fixed on the stunned Sun Xiaofeng on the bank.
Before Sun Xiaofeng could react, Meng Jiao struggled while crying out in a tearful voice.
“Xiaofeng! Sister Xiaofeng! Why did you push me into the water? I know I was wrong, I shouldn’t have made you angry… Wuwu… Help…”
Her shout instantly drew everyone’s attention to Sun Xiaofeng.
Sun Xiaofeng was dumbfounded: “I… I didn’t! She fell in herself!”
But many had witnessed Sun Xiaofeng bullying Meng Jiao before, so they were predisposed to believe the victim, Meng Jiao.
“Sun Xiaofeng! You’ve gone too far! Haven’t you had enough of bullying people?”
Xiao Cao was the first to jump out and accuse her.
“Exactly! How could you push someone into the water? The river is so cold!”
“How malicious!”
Everyone clamored, criticizing Sun Xiaofeng.
Sun Xiaofeng was tongue-tied, her face red with anger: “You’re lying! I really didn’t push her! She slipped herself!”
Just then, a figure rushed over like a whirlwind and, without a word, plunged into the water with a splash. It was Gu Yan, who had heard the commotion and come running.
He swiftly swam to Meng Jiao’s side, scooped her out of the water, held her tightly in his arms, and carried her toward the shore.
Holding the trembling Meng Jiao in his arms, Gu Yan’s face darkened as if ink could drip from it.
He lifted his head, his gaze sharp as a blade shooting toward Sun Xiaofeng, who was still making excuses on the shore.
Hidden in Gu Yan’s damp embrace, Meng Jiao took advantage of no one paying attention and secretly shot a glance in Sun Xiaofeng’s direction.
Sun Xiaofeng caught that glance and instantly understood!
It had been Meng Jiao’s scheme from start to finish! Trembling with rage, she pointed at Meng Jiao: “You… you were pretending…”