5 – Saving the Village Demon
“Daughter!” Qin Zhong was the first to rush over, picking up Qin Yue and weeping uncontrollably: “Silly child, why were you so desperate? Your father believes you were forced! If anyone should die, it’s that bastard! You can’t leave me all alone!”
As Qin Zhong cried, the villagers quickly gathered around. Even the aunties who had been gossiping earlier panicked. “Yue’er, wake up! You’re still young—you mustn’t die!”
“Child, wake up quickly! Don’t be so desperate! Everyone knows you were forced—you’re a good girl!”
“Stop the chatter and fetch some cold water!”
The villagers pinched her philtrum and poured cold water over her. Qin Yue had originally intended to feign unconsciousness longer to scare them, but the pinching hurt too much. Unable to bear it, she opened her eyes.
“Ah! She’s awake!”
“Thank heavens! You scared us to death!”
The awakened Qin Yue appeared extremely weak, forcing a bitter smile: “Father, why did you save me? Let me die.”
As she spoke, she struggled to dash toward the wall again, but this time she was grabbed before taking a single step.
The aunties clamored to dissuade her: “Child, don’t be foolish! The village chief is right—if anyone should die, it’s that Lu family boy. You’re pure and innocent—why should you die?”
“Who would’ve thought that boy, who usually seems so meek, could be so sinister in secret? Truly despicable!”
“Dear girl, this aunt was wrong before. I apologize to you here—you’re a good child, and I misjudged you.”
“Child, let’s go home. Your head is bleeding so much—you need to rest and recover,” someone suggested.
Tears welled in Qin Yue’s eyes, her appearance pitiful and vulnerable: “Dear aunties, I appreciate your kindness, but my reputation is already ruined. I would only smear the village’s name. I can’t drag everyone down—only death can restore my innocence. Please grant me this wish.”
Qin Yue spoke with heartfelt sincerity, crying until her eyes were swollen. The villagers were convinced of her innocence.
At that moment, Qin Yue’s fourth uncle stepped forward, addressing the crowd loudly: “You’ve all seen it—this wasn’t my niece’s fault! That Lu family boy knocked her out and carried her here! The bloody hole on her head is proof! Our Qin family has upheld honor for generations—we would never commit such disgraceful acts against our ancestors! So my niece’s reputation remains untarnished—am I right?”
“Right!” the villagers roared passionately, raising their arms in agreement.
After all, this matter involved the village chief—offending him would bring them no benefit.
Meanwhile, Lu Li found it impossible to defend himself. Clearly, the bloody hole on Qin Yue’s head was from her tripping and hitting a rock while running too frantically. But even if he explained it ten thousand times, would anyone believe him? Would they?
“Daughter, you heard them—your reputation won’t be ruined because of this. Come home with me,” Qin Zhong urged, his eyes filled with heartache.
Qin Yue considered prolonging her act, but a certain Coal Ball rolled its eyes in her mind: “That’s enough now—don’t overdo it.”
Fine. She’d been dragging this out for ages—it was exhausting. Time to drop the act.
“Father, if that’s the case, let’s go home,” Qin Yue agreed, docile as a white rabbit.
Relieved that Qin Yue had finally agreed not to die, the villagers happily helped Qin Zhong carry her on his back. Her father’s back was broad and sturdy, and Qin Yue found it comfortable to lean against.
“Pah! Tricking a young girl at his age—utterly shameless!””And to think I watched you grow up—I never expected you’d be so full of wicked schemes!”