3 – Saving the Village Demon
Lu Li’s face turned pale as he frantically searched for a hiding spot. When he noticed the kang cavity could accommodate two people, he decisively urged Qin Yue to crawl inside.
But Qin Yue refused to listen to him. As they struggled, the people outside surrounded the nunnery.
“Yue Yue, I beg you, get in quickly! We’re about to be discovered,” Lu Li pleaded, sweat beading on his forehead.
Unexpectedly, Qin Yue stared fixedly at him with a strange expression that sent chills down Lu Li’s spine.
“Tsk tsk, that little slut Qin Yue must be having an affair in the nunnery. Caught red-handed—let’s see where she can hide her face now,” a homely woman muttered, torch in hand, her eyes filled with contempt.
“Exactly. She looks pure on the surface, but deep down she’s a wanton creature. Someone like her shouldn’t be allowed back, lest she shames our village,” another woman whispered in agreement.
Qin Yue was far more beautiful than their daughters, and these women had long resented her, itching for her to come to harm.
Beside them stood a girl of seventeen or eighteen. Hearing their gossip, her eyes sparkled with schadenfreude. She was Qin Xing, Qin Yue’s cousin.
These aunties and matrons had been gathered by Qin Xing under the pretense of searching for Qin Yue, but her real intention was to humiliate Qin Yue in front of everyone.
Qin Xing had harbored a secret crush on Lu Li for a long time, but unfortunately, Lu Li didn’t reciprocate. Convinced that Qin Yue was seducing him, she directed all her resentment toward Qin Yue.
So when the village chief decided to marry Qin Yue off to Sangyu Village, Qin Xing secretly rejoiced.
But upon hearing that Qin Yue would rather die than marry, Qin Xing incited her to elope with Lu Li, aiming to ruin her reputation.
In the original timeline, Qin Xing had sent spies to track Qin Yue and Lu Li, confirming they were in this nunnery. However, Lu Li discovered the hidden kang cavity, and the two hid inside, thwarting Qin Xing’s plans.
Nevertheless, Qin Xing played no small part in the events that led to Qin Yue’s humiliation and eventual suicide by hanging later on.
Now, Qin Xing eagerly awaited the spectacle of catching them in the act. She could vividly imagine how disheveled Qin Yue would look when dragged out naked.
At the thought, the corners of her lips curled upward.
The village chief wasn’t deaf—how could he not hear these ugly remarks? But with his daughter committing such a disgraceful act, what could he do? His face was as dark as iron.
“Shut up, all of you!” the village chief hissed.
The gossiping women immediately fell silent. After all, he was the village chief, and they still depended on him for rations.
Just as silence fell, a few lewd murmurs emerged from the dilapidated nunnery—a man’s voice, clear to all.
The suppressed discussions erupted again, tinged with excitement.
Qin Yue was the apple of the village chief’s eye. He never imagined his beloved daughter of eighteen years could commit such an act that dishonored their ancestors, his old face flushing red like a monkey’s bottom.
Just as the villagers rolled up their sleeves, ready to charge in and catch the adulterers, a heart-wrenching scream pierced the air.
“Help! Help me!” The shrill cry was laced with fear and helplessness.
The village chief recognized it clearly as Qin Yue’s voice. His eyes narrowed, and he grabbed a stick, charging inside!Inside, Qin Yue had anticipated her father bringing people. She quickly tousled her hair, tore her clothes halfway open, and began wailing at the top of her lungs.