Pei Mu paused for a moment, then took a few more steps forward before frowning. He picked up a branch and used it to push aside the water weeds, peering into the river.
This stretch of river below Liushan Village was narrow. Though the current looked swift, the water wasn’t deep. In summer, bold boys often came here to swim and float downstream—sometimes drifting all the way to the neighboring village, covering quite a distance.
But for someone who couldn’t swim, even shallow water could be deadly.
The splashing from the person in the water had already grown weak—clearly, they had swallowed a lot of water. Pei Mu cursed under his breath, tossed aside his belongings, and jumped in.
Pei Mu was a strong swimmer and powerfully built. It didn’t take much effort for him to pull the person ashore.
He had already recognized the stranger—it was the young man he had seen earlier by the shallows. A trace of confusion crossed his mind. Not knowing how to wash clothes was one thing—but how did someone manage to fall from such a wide riverbank into the current? Could he really be that foolish?
He brought the man to the riverbank on the Liushan Village side. His game was still on the opposite shore. Having saved him, Pei Mu had nothing to say and no desire to get involved in trouble. He turned, intending to wade back across.
Zhong Yizhu had just been hauled out of the water. The moment fresh air hit his nose and mouth, he tried desperately to breathe, only to break into violent coughing. His lungs, throat, and nasal passages burned as if on fire, and his eyes reddened from the pain.
He collapsed weakly onto the ground, gasping for air. By the time he managed to lift his head, he could only catch a glimpse of Pei Mu’s retreating figure.
His voice was hoarse, broken between breaths.
“Thank you… for saving me, sir… Could you perhaps… leave your name? I would like to… visit and repay you someday…”
Pei Mu paused slightly in surprise. So he wasn’t a fool after all.
Without turning back, he replied bluntly, without the slightest softness:
“No need. Don’t come bother me.”
Zhong Yizhu stared blankly as Pei Mu’s figure disappeared into the reeds on the opposite bank. A gust of wind blew past, sending a chill through him that seemed to seep into his bones.
Clutching his soaked clothes, Zhong Yizhu slowly curled into himself. He buried his face in his knees, his suppressed sobs sounding like the whimpers of a wounded animal.
He had done nothing wrong—so why was everyone treating him like a plague? Words cut like knives. Could he really survive here with his mother?
…
A short while earlier, Zhong Yizhu had finished washing clothes and was about to head home. After only a few steps, he happened to run into Wu Cuijuan, who had come with a companion to do laundry.
Still angry from the previous day, Wu Cuijuan glared at him and hurled a stream of foul insults. Her companion joined in, accusing him as if he were truly shameless and depraved.
Zhong Yizhu didn’t want to engage and turned to leave—but Wu Cuijuan grabbed his washbasin.
In the struggle, Zhong Yizhu stepped on a loose stone, twisted his ankle, lost his balance—and fell sideways into the river.
He couldn’t swim. The moment he hit the water, he gulped down a mouthful, panic overtaking him instantly. No matter how he struggled, it was useless. The current dragged him downstream, and for a moment, he truly thought he would die there…
“Young Master Zhong—!”
Voices rang out in the distance, uneven and urgent. Zhong Yizhu looked up, but trees blocked his view. He could already hear people running closer.
Wiping his tears, he forced himself to calm down.
He didn’t know who would arrive—but in a situation like this, there would surely be unfamiliar men among them. Catching sight of his reflection in the water—his clothes soaked and clinging to him—he glanced around, then decisively grabbed mud from the riverbank and smeared it over himself.
He rolled in the muddy sludge, then coated the exposed skin at his neck and collar, even streaking it across his face. In an instant, he looked utterly filthy and disheveled.
“There! Over there!”
Someone sharp-eyed spotted him struggling up from the muddy bank. The group rushed toward him at once.
…
After Zhong Yizhu fell in, Wu Cuijuan had panicked—but the more frightened she became, the more she wanted to avoid responsibility. When her companion, Madam Li, tried to call for help, Wu Cuijuan quickly stopped her.
“Don’t let anyone know! The water isn’t deep—he’ll probably be fine!”
But Madam Li, timid and afraid of trouble, ignored her and ran to inform the village head, only saying she had seen Zhong Yizhu accidentally fall into the river.
The village head immediately gathered people to search along the riverbank. Seeing the commotion grow, Wu Cuijuan had begun to feel uneasy—but now that Zhong Yizhu was safe, her confidence returned. She even shot Madam Li an annoyed look.
…
Zhou Shaofen and another young husband worked together to pull Zhong Yizhu out of the muddy low ground by the river.
Covered head to toe in mud, Zhong Yizhu looked like a clay figure. Embarrassed, he said, “Sorry for dirtying your clothes.”
“That’s nothing—what matters is that you’re safe.”
Zhou Shaofen was straightforward and warm. Though neither he nor his companion had ever met Zhong Yizhu before, they showed no trace of disgust. Even with his filthy state, they stayed close, shielding him from the group of unfamiliar men.
Even in such circumstances, if a young husband accidentally exposed himself, his reputation could still be ruined.
Village head Liu Youzong waved his hand. “Alright, now that he’s found, disperse. Go back to your work.”
“Wait.”
Zhong Yizhu spoke up.
“Thank you all for coming to find me. I won’t forget this kindness.”
His gaze shifted to someone in the crowd preparing to leave.
“But Madam Wu—please stay a moment. You pushed me into the river. It wouldn’t be appropriate to leave without a word, would it?”
“Whoa—!”
The crowd erupted in surprise and stopped, turning toward Wu Cuijuan.
She had already prepared her excuse. Her face flushed red with indignation.
“I tried to help you when you fell, and now you accuse me of pushing you? That’s an outright lie!” She grabbed Madam Li’s arm. “She saw everything—she can testify for me!”
Madam Li, already shaken, only wanted to avoid trouble. Lowering her head, she ignored Wu Cuijuan’s grip and said softly:
“My purse fell, and I was looking for it. When I looked up, Young Master Zhong was already in the water. I didn’t see how he fell… I could only go call the village head.”
“You—!” Wu Cuijuan fumed, then turned to the village head.
“Even if she didn’t see clearly, what I said is the truth! Village head, you must stand up for me. Everyone in our village is honest and simple—not like outsiders with all their scheming tricks!”
Her words subtly reminded everyone of Zhong Yizhu’s “outsider” status while flattering the villagers, tipping public opinion in her favor.
Liu Youzong frowned. “If you’re in the right, I’ll support you. There’s no need for such talk.”
He turned to Zhong Yizhu. “Do you have any evidence that she pushed you?”
Zhong Yizhu glanced at Madam Li and shook his head. “No.”
Liu Youzong hesitated, then called out, “Did anyone see what happened at the riverbank? Speak up—no hiding the truth.”
Silence.
Wu Cuijuan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“Our village has always had the best reputation. Someone like him is ruining it. Village head, I say we drive him out!”
“The rules aren’t yours to decide,” Liu Youzong said sharply. “And who stays or leaves isn’t up to you.”
Before he could continue, Zhong Yizhu spoke:
“Village head, no need to trouble yourself. Since Madam Wu refuses to admit it, I’ll report this to the authorities and let the magistrate investigate.”
The moment those words fell, the crowd erupted. Even Zhou Shaofen was shocked.
“Report… to the authorities?”
To villagers, officials were figures of fear—tax collectors, conscription officers—omens of hardship. No one wanted anything to do with the yamen.
Wu Cuijuan panicked instantly. “You—you’re perfectly fine! If you report it, the officials might arrest you instead!”
Zhong Yizhu remained calm.
“I’ve done nothing wrong. She has slandered me repeatedly, ruined my reputation, and then pushed me into the river. If I hadn’t been lucky enough to grab onto weeds, I might not even be alive. And that basin of clothes was worth quite a bit—who’s to say she didn’t intend robbery and murder?”
He didn’t look at Wu Cuijuan—instead, he fixed his gaze meaningfully on Madam Li, whose face turned paler with every word.
“I trust the magistrate will see clearly and restore justice.”
Before the villagers could react, Madam Li broke down first, pointing at Wu Cuijuan.
“It was her! It has nothing to do with me—if you’re going to arrest someone, arrest her!”
Wu Cuijuan swayed, barely steadying herself against a tree.
“I didn’t take your clothes! How would I know their value? I just grabbed your basin—you fell yourself! How is that pushing you? I didn’t push him! I really didn’t!”
But by now, the truth was obvious.
Liu Youzong barked, “Wu Cuijuan! You caused Young Master Zhong to fall, then lied about saving him. Do you admit your fault?”
At last, fear overtook her. She collapsed, wailing:
“I didn’t mean to! Village head, save me—I didn’t want to harm him! I didn’t try to kill him! Don’t arrest me!”
Liu Youzong turned to Zhong Yizhu.
“Young Master Zhong… what do you think?”