18:A Commotion by the Well
“Three hundred and five coins in total,” said Tao Qinghe, taking her hand. “We’ll have to buy them anyway. If we sell a few more days’ worth of pastries and make a profit, it should certainly be enough.”
“So long as you have a plan, that’s fine,” Zhao Liniang nodded upon hearing this. “We sowed plenty of vegetable seeds this morning and put up the frames; I reckon we’ll be able to eat them next month.”
Tao Qinghe sighed inwardly; the debts of gratitude just kept piling up…
By evening, the rush-grass seeds that had been drying for several days were thoroughly parched. Tao Qingmiao lit a few and waved them about the room to ward off the mosquitoes.
Tao Qinghe saw that the water in the wooden bucket was nearly gone, so whilst it was still light out, she picked up the bucket and headed back into the village.
By now, every household had finished their evening meal, and those with nothing else to do had gathered in small groups to chat. Tao Qinghe’s arrival provided them with a perfect topic of conversation.
A small, gaunt man with a sharp, monkey-like face was sitting on the ground, fanning himself as he rested. Spotting her returning with the water and preparing to leave, he quickly called out, “Little Qinghe, coming to fetch water late at night?”
Seeing the man slumped there, his clothes hanging loosely, looking every bit the ruffian, Tao Qinghe merely gave a curt ‘Mm’ and turned to walk past.
The man gave her a sidelong glance, his mouth twisted in a sneer. ‘It’s getting dark, and the path is rough. Would you like Uncle to carry it back for you?’
Hearing this, Tao Qinghe stopped in her tracks. This man was Lai Zi from Dongtou Village, notorious for being a sly and cunning fellow. That he dared to say such a thing now meant that if she didn’t put him in his place, any Tom, Dick or Harry would dare to bully them in future.
She replied in a soft tone, “There’s no need to carry the water back. If you’re feeling thirsty, Uncle, why not go down and have a few sips yourself?”
Without waiting for him to react, she set down the wooden bucket, strode forward, grabbed Lai Zi by the collar, and dragged him straight towards the well. Lai Zi had never encountered such a display of force; a shriek burst from his throat as he struggled frantically with both hands. “What nonsense are you spouting, you little wench! Let me go at once! It’s dangerous by the well—there’s no room for your games!”
In the space of a few sentences, the pair had reached the well’s edge. Tao Qinghe held Lai Zi’s violently writhing body with one hand, whilst pressing his head down towards the well with the other. “This well water is fresh and delicious; I’m sure you’ll love it, Uncle!”
The others who had been sitting nearby to enjoy the cool air had expected to join in the fun, but in the blink of an eye, the situation had taken a dramatic turn; it looked as though someone might lose their life! Those quick on the uptake immediately stepped forward to pull the two apart, pleading incessantly, “Why is this girl so impulsive? Why stoop to Lai Zi’s level?” Others nearby also chimed in, trying to smooth things over.
Tao Qinghe released Lai Zi and, seizing the moment, hurled the bamboo pole in her hand with all her might towards the well’s rim. The thick bamboo, as thick as a wrist, snapped in two with a loud ‘thud’! Seeing this, the others fell silent—who would have thought that Tao Dalang’s daughter possessed such strength!
“Since all the uncles and aunts are here today, I shall let this matter rest,” She paused, her gaze sweeping the crowd. “I’m a woman the King of Hell wouldn’t take. If anyone dares to bully my family of three again, they’d better first consider whether their skull can withstand this stick!”
With that, paying no heed to the others’ reactions, she hoisted the bucket once more and walked away with steady steps.
The crowd turned to see Lai Zi still slumped by the well, clinging desperately to the rim. Those who’d been trying to break up the fight were just about to step forward to help him up when they suddenly caught a whiff of a foul odour; their expressions changed the moment they looked at him. Covering their noses and mouths, they hurried away, saying with utter disgust: “ ‘If you ever try such despicable behaviour again, just wait until the village head has you dragged off to the county town!’
Tao Qinghe, carrying her bucket, was naturally unaware of this. Only after she had walked a good distance away did she set it down and rub her palms carefully. ‘Ouch—that really hurts!’ The force of the pole’s impact had rebounded onto her hand; now the web of her hand felt hot and the pain was distinct.
“Oh well,” she sighed. What a waste of a snake-beating stick! She hoped no one would cause trouble again in future… Then, switching hands to carry the bucket, she made her way home.
Meanwhile, as soon as the crowd at the well had dispersed, a nosy neighbour slipped off to the Tao household.