Shen Shuangshuang smirked inwardly and gave Shen Yaozong a subtle glance.
Immediately, Shen Yaozong snapped awake and quietly moved to the door, ready to act.
Just as Shen Yaowu reached out to push the door, Shen Yaozong flung it open, grabbed his wrist, and twisted hard.
“Ah! It hurts so much!”
Shen Yaowu screamed, his whole body trembling in pain.
Shen Yaozu panicked and tried to run, but Shen Shuangshuang delivered a swift kick to his knee, sending him crashing to the ground with a loud thud.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Shen Yaozong’s face was cold as he asked, his voice low but commanding.
The commotion woke the relay station officials, who rushed over with torches. “What’s happening? Who’s causing trouble?”
Boss Wang followed, frowning. “You again? Middle of the night, not sleeping—what are you up to?”
“Officer, we… we didn’t do anything!” Shen Yaowu said through clenched teeth, unable to speak properly from the pain. “They attacked us first!”
“Nonsense!” Shen Shuangshuang stepped forward. “You tried to sneak into our room to steal things, and now you dare to flip it around on us?”
“We didn’t!” Shen Yaozu quickly protested. “We were just passing by, wanted to see if they had extra hot water.”
“Passing by? Eavesdropping at the door? Pushing on the door?” Shen Shuangshuang sneered. “Officer, perhaps you should ask them what exactly they were trying to do at our door in the middle of the night.”
Boss Wang glared at Shen Yaowu and Shen Yaozu; both avoided his eyes, clearly guilty.
He raised his foot and kicked Shen Yaowu. “You’re audacious! Taught a lesson during the day, and tonight you try stealing? You won’t learn unless I teach you the rules!”
Turning to the other officials, he ordered, “Drag them down and give each five lashes! Then lock them in the wood storage; no meals tomorrow!”
“Officer, spare us! We won’t do it again!”
Shen Yaowu and Shen Yaozu begged desperately, but the officials ignored them, dragging them away as their screams echoed through the station.
Old Master Shen and Shen Yaowen were awakened by the noise, pale-faced, yet dared not intervene.
Zhou and Zhang could only watch helplessly, saying nothing.
Boss Wang approached Shen Yaozong, his expression softening. “Brother Shen, sorry to startle you. If anyone dares trouble you again, just call me.”
“Thank you, Boss Wang,” Shen Yaozong replied quickly.
“I should be thanking you,” Boss Wang said. “If you hadn’t noticed them in time, who knows what chaos they’d have caused tomorrow? Go rest now; I’ll have someone guard the door—no one will disturb you again.”
With that, Boss Wang and the officials left.
Back in the room, Shen Yaozong exhaled in relief. “Finally, I can sleep soundly.”
Xiang Meimei nodded. “Shuangshuang’s vigilance paid off. After this, they probably won’t dare cause trouble again.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Shen Shuangshuang shook her head. “People like them remember treats but forget punishment. They might come up with another scheme tomorrow.”
“Whatever tricks they try, we’ll meet them head-on,” Shen Yaozong said. “With the space, Spirit Spring water, and your strength, we have nothing to fear.”
Shen Shuangshuang smiled. “Exactly. As long as our family stays united, nothing is unsolvable.”
That night, indeed, no one came to cause trouble again.
The next morning, Shen Yaowu and Shen Yaozu staggered out of the wood storage, battered and bruised, glaring at Shen Shuangshuang’s family but daring not approach.
The officials packed up and continued the journey.
Thanks to Boss Wang’s favor, Shen Yaozong only wore his shackles briefly before they were removed.
The other Shen men, however, had to endure the heavy shackles, each step a struggle, their necks raw and bleeding, grimacing with pain.
Shen Jiaojiao watched Shen Yaozong moving freely and grew more jealous, but no longer dared make trouble. She knew she wasn’t a match for Shen Shuangshuang—provoking them would only bring suffering upon herself.
After half a day, a wide river appeared ahead, crossed by a narrow wooden bridge.
The officials ordered everyone to cross one by one. Shen Shuangshuang’s family went in the middle.
Just as they stepped onto the bridge, Shen Jiaojiao’s scream rang out: “Ah! My foot slipped!”
Someone shoved from behind. Shen Shuangshuang, alert as ever, caught the person—it was Shen Jiaojiao.
“What are you trying to do?” Shen Shuangshuang asked coldly.
Pale-faced, Shen Jiaojiao struggled. “I didn’t mean it! My foot slipped—I accidentally pushed you!”
“Accidentally?” Shen Shuangshuang sneered. “The bridge is wide—how convenient you slipped right behind me and shoved me? Were you trying to push me into the river?”
“I didn’t!” Shen Jiaojiao cried. “Don’t falsely accuse me!”
Zhou rushed over. “Shuangshuang, don’t wrong her! She really slipped—see her wet shoes?”
Shen Shuangshuang looked down. Her shoes were wet, but she was standing steadily; clearly, she wasn’t slipping.
“Whether it’s an accident, you know in your heart,” Shen Shuangshuang released her. “Consider this a warning—if I catch you trying to harm me again, I won’t hesitate to throw you into the river!”
Shen Jiaojiao stumbled back, nearly falling in, saved only by Zhang.
Boss Wang at the other end saw this and shouted, “What are you doing? Cross the bridge quickly! Don’t dawdle!”
Shen Shuangshuang ignored Shen Jiaojiao, supporting Xiang Meimei, and slowly crossed with Shen Yaozong.
Beyond the river, the path leveled.
Shen Yaozong pushed the cart, with Shen Shuangshuang and Xiang Meimei beside him, chatting and laughing, not feeling tired.
The other Shen family members trudged along, grim-faced.
Especially Shen Yaowu and Shen Yaozu, still sore, shackles heavy, each step exhausting. Their resentment toward Shen Shuangshuang’s family grew.
Shen Yaowen lay on the cart, watching Shen Shuangshuang’s family, eyes dark with calculation.
He was already plotting ways to make Shen Yaozong’s family pay.
Shen Shuangshuang sensed the gaze, glanced back, meeting Shen Yaowen’s eyes.
She smirked coldly, staying on alert.
It seemed the road ahead would not be peaceful.