Old Man Shi opened his mouth but didn’t know how to begin.
Yuliu Village had only about twenty households, most of whom had settled there years ago after fleeing famine.
The young boy from the Xiao family had come with his father following the famine-escape group to Yuliu Village, still a baby swaddled in his father’s arms.
Father and son built a small house at the foot of the mountain and lived by hunting, rarely interacting with the villagers.
“Village Chief, Mangang and Mangguan really need a good lesson. They stir up trouble constantly and never settle down.”
“Exactly! Those Shi boys are never at peace. If they’re not disciplined now, just imagine what they’ll be like when they grow up.”
Among the onlookers, a few chimed in. Most had personally suffered at the hands of the Shi boys.
Now, finally seeing the Shi family take a hit, no one wanted to defend them.
The village chief glared at the Shi family, snorting coldly:
“Hmph, Shi idiots, if you don’t want to live in Yuliu Village, move out immediately. Otherwise, follow my orders.”
Old Madam Shi wanted to throw a fit but was scolded by Old Man Shi:
“Stupid woman, shut your mouth! Go get the things now.”
Even though producing silver coins and an old hen hurt him, he knew the village chief wasn’t bluffing.
If they were driven out of Yuliu Village, where would they go?
Old Madam Shi, face grim, reluctantly went inside.
After some delay, she finally came out, dragging a tied old hen and a small pouch of copper coins.
With a huff, she threw them in front of Old Madam Sui, spitting curses through her triangular, cloudy eyes:
“You little brat! Eating my chicken—hope it gives you stomach rot and sores in your mouth!”
She was used to taking advantage of others. Now having to pay and give the chicken felt like cutting her own flesh.
“You shameless old witch, your mouth full of filth—try cursing me one more time, see if I don’t rip your mouth apart!”
Old Madam Sui rolled up her sleeves, ready to strike again.
Old Madam Shi planted her hands on her hips, glaring with her cloudy triangular eyes:
“You black-hearted old crone, only know how to extort. No wonder you had a fool for a child—this is karma.”
Seeing both families still unwilling to relent, the village chief’s temples throbbed with anger.
He barked loudly:
“Enough! Whoever keeps talking nonsense will get kicked out of Yuliu Village!”
Old Madam Sui scowled at Old Madam Shi, picked up the coins and chicken, and led Wuyou back home.
Wuyou had suffered enough. Later, they would slaughter the hen and cook some chicken soup to help her recover.
The Xing and Wang branches of the Sui family followed into Old Madam Sui’s small courtyard.
For a moment, everyone stared at Wuyou in astonishment.
After a while, Sui Jiaxing hesitantly asked:
“Mother, is Wuyou… really well now?”
Old Madam Sui suddenly remembered she hadn’t told her sons that Wuyou had recovered.
Her mouth lifted in a broad smile, her joy impossible to hide:
“Oh! I forgot to tell you, our Wuyou is well!”
She brought Wuyou in front of everyone and introduced her one by one:
“Wuyou, this is your eldest uncle, and his wife! That’s your second uncle and his wife. Those are your brothers Changping and Changkang, and those two little ones are Chang’an and Changjian.”
Wuyou’s face carried a sweet smile as she greeted them in a clear, crisp voice:
“Hello, eldest uncle and aunt, hello second uncle and aunt, hello brothers!”
Seeing her articulate and clear, like a finely carved doll, everyone’s hearts melted.
Sui Jiaxing nodded, softening his expression:
“Good, good. Wuyou is well, we can finally be at ease.”
Sui Jiawang rubbed his hands nervously, responding awkwardly:
“Yes, good… Wuyou is well too!”
The household had only two boys; seeing this gentle little girl, they didn’t know what to do.
Liu Cuier and Li Meihua exchanged glances, hesitating briefly before smiling and taking Wuyou’s hand.
“Wuyou, once you’re fully healed, come visit your eldest aunt’s house,” Liu Cuier said gently.
“Yes, my house welcomes you too,” Li Meihua added.
When the village rumors first spread, they had been frightened.
That’s why they urged Old Man and Old Madam Sui to send Wuyou away quickly, avoiding trouble for the family.
But Wuyou was their own family. If anyone dared harm her, they wouldn’t let it slide.
Wuyou nodded obediently, smiling:
“Okay, eldest aunt, second aunt. Once I’m healed, I’ll come visit for sure.”
It seemed that the families of the eldest and second uncles were not difficult relatives.
The four Sui brothers, Chang’an and Changjian, eyes sparkling with excitement, looked at Wuyou, like a jade doll.
Other children in the village had older sisters or younger sisters, but they only had the foolish little one.
They had long envied other families’ sisters.
But their mother had once said Wuyou was a fated lone star, bringing misfortune, so they weren’t allowed to get too close.
Excited, the four boys pushed aside Liu Cuier and Li Meihua.
“Wuyou sister, I’m Chang’an!”
Chang’an eagerly grabbed Wuyou’s hand, grinning from ear to ear. She was the most beautiful girl in Yuliu Village.
Changjian rolled his eyes and shoved Chang’an aside:
“Move aside, Wuyou sister, I’m Changjian!”
Typical—he had to compete with Chang’an.
Chang’an and Changjian, seven and eight years old, always liked to oppose each other.
Changping and Changkang exchanged glances and moved to pull the two boys aside.
“Wuyou sister, I’m your brother Changping.”
“Wuyou sister, I’m your brother Changkang.”
Changping was fifteen, Changkang fourteen; being older, they appeared shy.
Before Wuyou could speak, Chang’an and Changjian protested, yelling that Changping and Changkang shouldn’t have pulled them aside.
Old Madam Sui, headache forming from the quarrel, picked up a broom and waved it at the four boys:
“Go, go! Don’t you see Wuyou still has a head injury? How can she rest with all this noise?”
“No, run!” the four boys shouted, scattering.
Sui Jiaxing stood:
“Father, Mother, we’ll go back for now. If anything happens, we’ll come again.”
He turned to Wuyou with a reminder:
“Wuyou, take care and heal well.”
Sui Jiawang added:
“Father, Mother, if there’s any heavy work, call me. I’ll do it.”
After a few more words, the two families left the small courtyard.
Meanwhile, far away in the capital city, a strange event was unfolding…