Chapter 15: Tearing the Toad Apart

Tang Banxia took off running.

That soft, delicate Wen Mubai—could he even fight? He must have been bullied!

Sure enough, when she arrived at the scene, Wen Mubai was pinned beneath someone. Tang Banxia couldn't stand for this. She yanked off her basket, threw it to the ground, and rushed forward with a kick, sending the assailant sprawling.

But that was just the beginning. She bent down, grabbed the offender, and threw him over her shoulder in a swift, brutal arc, slamming him to the ground. Only then did she see his face clearly.

Well, well—Hu Shenggen, the son of Widow Hu, that wretched toad!

Perfect timing!

Hu Shenggen was stunned by the assault. It took him a full five seconds before he remembered to cry.

Tang Banxia ignored his wails, helping Wen Mubai to his feet and dusting off the dirt clinging to him. "Are you alright? Nothing hurt, is it?"

Wen Mubai’s fair face was smeared with dirt, and when he saw Tang Banxia, his eyes reddened instantly, tears trembling on his lashes, making him look heartbreakingly pitiful.

Tang Banxia’s heart ached at the sight.

"Little Bai? Where does it hurt? Let me see."

"I—I’m fine," Wen Mubai insisted, his lovely features set in a determined expression. "Sister, I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I just couldn’t stand what he was saying about you, so I—so..."

"It’s alright," Tang Banxia reassured him quickly, "I’m here."

"Aargh! Tang Banxia, you little wretch! How dare you hit my Shenggen—I'll make you pay!" Widow Hu shrieked, charging forward.

Tang Banxia's gaze sharpened. She pulled Wen Mubai behind her, swept Widow Hu’s legs out from under her, and, striding forward, grabbed the bun at the back of the widow’s head, hoisting her up. "Now that you’re here too, let’s settle all the scores."

Widow Hu was being held by her lifeline, but she still flailed wildly, her arms too short to reach Tang Banxia, who stood unmoved.

"You little wretch, let go of me! Let go!" Widow Hu blustered. "Son, just you wait—your mother will avenge you!"

Tang Banxia was disgusted by the sight of her yellowed teeth. She slapped her twice, silencing her instantly.

Satisfied, Tang Banxia nodded. That was much better.

"Calmed down?"

Widow Hu tried to curse again, but Tang Banxia slapped her.

"Calmed down?"

Widow Hu started to speak, and again was slapped.

"Calmed down?"

Widow Hu’s face was swollen; she could hardly not be calm.

Tang Banxia looked around. "Good. Now, can we settle accounts?"

Without waiting for a reply, she continued, "Was it you who said behind my back that I earned my money by sleeping with men?"

"That I got the barefoot doctor’s spot by sleeping with the team leader?"

"That your toad of a son claimed I had a thing with him?"

"And that he used me up before letting Wen Mubai pick up the pieces?"

The more she spoke, the angrier she got. She kicked Hu Shenggen, who was lying on the ground pretending to be dead.

Widow Hu, of course, couldn’t stand for that. "Ugh—let go of my son!"

"Shut up!" Tang Banxia barked.

With one hand gripping Widow Hu’s round bun and the other hauling Hu Shenggen up, she demanded, "Was it you?"

"No—no," Hu Shenggen stammered, big and burly, but shrinking into himself, utterly cowardly.

"Fine, you won’t admit it?" Tang Banxia gave a chilling smile.

It sent shivers down the spines of everyone watching.

They’d heard rumors that Tang the educated youth was fierce in a fight, but hadn’t believed it—now they knew for sure! She took on Widow Hu and her son as easily as playing a game.

Tang Banxia didn't stop there. She used both hands to throw the pair to the ground and dusted off her palms. "If you won’t admit it, I can’t do anything."

But before the two could feel relief, Tang Banxia continued, "So from now on, every time I see you, I’ll beat you."

"Ah, what a hardship for me!"

She, an educated youth, hadn’t wanted to make such a spectacle, but since others were so aggressive, she wasn’t about to let herself be pushed around.

"What’s going on here?" Hu Dashan had received word and rushed over. Seeing the scene, he nearly turned and walked away.

"Tang, the educated youth, what’s all this?"

Tang Banxia smiled. "Nothing, just fooling around."

"Even fooling around should have some limits!" Hu Dashan put on his stern face, warning, "Don’t be too rough."

"I understand, team leader." Tang Banxia nodded obediently.

"Good, then carry on." Hu Dashan didn’t linger a second, slipping away as quickly as he’d come.

Widow Hu was his cousin-in-law. In the past, he’d looked after her and her son out of pity for their situation. But as time went on, he realized the pair were getting more and more brazen, and the villagers, out of respect for him, only complained mildly, leaving Hu Dashan feeling regretful.

He couldn’t simply tell people to deal with them as they liked, so the mother and son remained arrogant up to now.

Especially Widow Hu—her mouth was the foulest in the village. There was no one she hadn’t insulted; she was a nuisance to all.

Now, finally, she’d met her match!

Hu Dashan was so pleased, he could have hummed a tune.

Widow Hu and her son watched Hu Dashan vanish with wide eyes, utterly dumbfounded.

Tang Banxia smiled at them, fists clenched with an audible crackle.

Hu Shenggen shuddered, swallowed hard, and scrambled away as fast as he could.

Tang Banxia didn’t chase him; instead, she turned her gaze to Widow Hu.

Widow Hu was frightened, her heart trembling, but tried to bluff. "I—I’ll have you know, we’re poor peasants. If you, a bad element, beat us, you’ll end up behind bars. Don’t get cocky."

Tang Banxia shrugged. "So what? If that happens, so be it."

But, "Don’t worry, before I end up behind bars, I’ll make sure your precious son is ruined first. If you don’t believe me, let’s try it."

She spoke as if it didn’t matter at all.

"You—you just wait, someone will deal with you sooner or later," Widow Hu threatened, then hurried after her son, disappearing in a flash.

Tang Banxia snorted, then turned to Wen Mubai. "Does it still hurt?"

Wen Mubai’s eyes sparkled. "It doesn’t hurt anymore."

"Good, let’s go home."

She needed to check him over thoroughly; if he’d suffered any internal injuries, it would be serious.

Wen Mubai obediently followed her home.

When they reached a deserted spot, he asked tentatively, "Sister, is it really okay?"

Tang Banxia understood he was worried for her, and patiently explained, "It’s fine. Did you see anyone try to stop me just now?"

Not only did no one intervene, no one even spoke up in support. Everyone was just watching the show.

It showed just how disliked Widow Hu’s family was in the village.

Wen Mubai nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. You’re so clever, Sister."

Tang Banxia smiled indifferently. Today’s confrontation had been intended as a show of strength. Even if someone had stepped in, she would have fought regardless.

For the past two months, the original owner’s naive, sweet image had lingered, and Wen Mubai was known as a little man who only cried when trouble arose.

Of course the villagers saw the pair as easy targets.

She’d been too busy with the summer harvest to address it until now, but someone had conveniently offered her the chance to make her mark.

She instructed Wen Mubai, "We’re outsiders here, so we must stand tall, or everyone in the village will walk all over us."

Especially since both of them were good-looking and she had money, being appropriately tough was necessary.

Wen Mubai listened patiently, his gaze toward Tang Banxia filled with complicated emotions.

His meal ticket had once again surprised him.

He’d thought she would make him apologize to that toad, but instead, she chose to confront the matter head-on.

He couldn’t deny it—Tang Banxia’s actions today had struck a chord deep within him.

His childhood had taught him only one lesson: the kind are always bullied.

"Bai, I heard you got beaten up by that bastard Hu Shenggen?"