Chapter 72: An Unremarkable Little Expert in Fighting

After several days of much-needed rest, Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai made another trip to the county town. This time, they took a bus.

Upon arriving, their first stop was the post office. Tang sent a letter to Grandfather Tang, along with some local specialties from Jiangcheng. The letter itself mentioned nothing of importance, only everyday trivialities; yet the old man would understand everything the moment he saw "local specialty" written. She had no choice—since learning that her father's troubles were not so simple, she suspected that Grandfather Tang's affairs might be equally tangled. Better to be cautious.

Next, she sent letters to Sichuan and Shaanxi, one to her eldest brother, the other to her second brother, only hinting vaguely at their parents' situation. Finally, she wrote to A Meng, deciding against sending money orders directly; instead, she planned to mail equivalent gifts—mountain produce, fabric, and other items—gathered together before sending them all at once. In the letter to A Meng, she suggested they exchange gifts regularly, laying the groundwork for future arrangements.

Once the letters were sent, the two visited Chen Gang’s home, bringing specialties from Jiangcheng. After a brief visit, they took their leave before lunch.

Outside Chen Gang’s house, Wen Mubai said, “Let’s go to the state-run restaurant.”

Though most of the money tickets had been left with Tang’s parents, Tang Banxia had managed to save a hundred yuan herself over the past few months. She spoke with unusual confidence.

“Great!” Wen Mubai was fond of his wife’s breezy, generous manner.

However, as they entered the state-run restaurant, Tang Banxia paused, recognizing a familiar figure. She kept a calm demeanor, ordered their food, and found a seat.

On the other side, Wu Meng’an’s eyes lit up when he saw Tang Banxia. His cronies, well accustomed to his expressions, whispered, “Wu, what is it?”

Wu Meng’an lifted his chin toward Tang Banxia. “That girl’s not bad!”

The three cronies exchanged glances—understood!

One of them picked up his bowl, sauntered over, and as he drew near Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai, he stumbled, dumping the fish soup all over Wen Mubai’s back.

“Are you blind? Why didn’t you dodge?” the crony barked, playing the villain.

Wen Mubai: What? Is this an act?

He turned slowly, gazing down at the crony’s upturned nose, and stood up to loom over him. “Are you the blind one?”

The crony felt insulted, flicked his hand, and the bowl fell, shattering on the floor.

The commotion drew gasps from the other diners.

The crony grinned smugly. “I did it on purpose, so what?” He was utterly brazen.

Staff in the restaurant, seeing Wu Meng’an seated there, changed expression.

Wen Mubai, already annoyed by the disruption, grew even more irritated; this little punk was showing off his stupidity right in front of him. Sticking to his principle of never arguing with fools, he threw a punch.

Ah, that felt good!

The crony was about to retort, but Wen Mubai’s punch caught him off guard, knocking him into the neighboring table.

The diners scattered like frightened birds.

The crony bounced off the table, landed on the floor, and stared furiously at Wen Mubai’s thick cotton coat.

He sprang up and swung his fist at Wen Mubai.

Wen Mubai caught his fist, delivered a kick.

With a crash, the crony was instantly silenced.

Wu Meng’an couldn’t stand it anymore. He and his two other henchmen stood up and swaggered over. “Kid, don’t get cocky!”

Wen Mubai looked down at them with a wicked smile. “And who are you?”

Wu Meng’an’s face darkened. “You don’t know me? Do you know who my uncle is?”

Tang Banxia was unimpressed. Why did every place have this kind of person?

Wen Mubai grinned. “No idea.”

Wu Meng’an puffed himself up like a proud rooster.

Behind him, a crony announced, “Our Wu Meng’an is the nephew of Director Jing of the Revolutionary Committee!”

“If you know what’s good for you, come with us. Otherwise, don’t blame Wu Meng’an for being ruthless.”

Wu Meng’an lifted his chin even higher; Tang Banxia could see his nose hair and looked away in disgust.

Wen Mubai, hearing the mention of the committee director’s nephew, scrutinized Wu Meng’an, then flashed a charming smile.

Wu Meng’an was momentarily transfixed. “Now, I suspect you’re counter-revolutionaries. You’ll come with me to the committee.”

He wanted both of them.

His answer was a fist to the face and a flying tooth.

Stunned, Wu Meng’an was dazed; once the pain set in, he was enraged. “Get them!”

The two cronies charged, fists raised.

Wen Mubai welcomed them, delivering a slap to each and a kick to the chest.

Soon, Wu Meng’an and his three cronies were sprawled on the floor in a neat row. By now, all the diners had fled, leaving only a few staff nervously peering from the kitchen.

Wu Meng’an, seeing Wen Mubai’s handsome face, felt an even stronger urge to possess him; this one was fiery, provoking his desire for conquest.

“Zhuzi, call the patrol team,” Wu Meng’an ordered, a lascivious gleam in his eye.

The troublemaking crony glanced at Wen Mubai, then scrambled up and ran.

Tang Banxia read the meaning in his gaze—don’t go.

As things threatened to escalate, the restaurant manager tried to mediate, but no one gave him any attention.

Wu Meng’an, having suffered such a loss, would not let it go; he had to regain face, or else he’d never be able to show himself in the county again. Besides, it was rare to find two people who suited his tastes—he couldn’t let them escape.

Wen Mubai, holding grudges old and new, was determined to teach him a lesson.

Seeing he couldn’t persuade them, the manager told the staff to call for help; he couldn’t let them demolish his restaurant.

With broken plates and bowls everywhere, someone had to pay for the damages.

Wen Mubai didn’t care; someone had coveted his wife, and if he tolerated it, he’d lose respect for himself.

He strode forward with a fierce grin. Before Wu Meng’an and his three cronies could react, he grabbed Wu’s collar and landed left and right hooks.

In no time, Wu Meng’an was battered all over.

The two cronies, frightened by the sight, wanted to flee. They exchanged glances, closed their eyes, and charged, shouting, “Let go of Wu Meng’an!”

Wen Mubai tossed them aside, leaned back, caught their incoming fists, and squeezed hard; their wails echoed.

“That’s all?” the culprit sneered.

He pressed both hands together, sending the cronies into an emotional embrace.

Supporting their heads, he knocked them together, and they collapsed limply.

Clapping his hands, Wen Mubai turned and smiled gently. “Let’s go, wife.”

Tang Banxia replied, “Coming.”

As she passed Wu Meng’an, she stepped on his hand, grinding her heel and stomping twice, then skipped cheerfully to Wen Mubai.

They exchanged smiles, ready to leave, but the committee patrol team arrived.

Seeing Wu Meng’an’s miserable state, the captain’s expression changed. With a signal, the others surrounded Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai…