My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

In the 29th year of the Republic of China.

In the outskirts of Zuojiazhuang, a frail young girl knelt on a patch of open ground, her back straight.

Surrounding her was a crowd of ragged men, women, and children, all shivering in their thin clothes. It had only been a few days since the Qingming Festival, and the April weather was far from warm. Everyone rubbed their hands together, glancing at the girl before turning their eyes to a gaunt, emaciated old man.

This old man was the Village Head.

His eyes were clouded with age and hardship, and he let out a deep sigh. "Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter, you're asking for the impossible," he said, his voice heavy with worry. "We're all poor here. If we help you, who will we help next? You're an outsider here, and you can't compete with the locals. There are so many people in Zuojiazhuang with the surname Zuo that we can't even help them all. How can I justify helping you, an outsider? The people of Zuojiazhuang would never let me hear the end of it. But where would we even find the means to help you?"

The girl clenched her fists tightly, her teeth gritted. She looked up and said, "I understand your difficulties, Village Head. I won't ask for your help without giving something in return. I'll trade my house. As long as someone helps me bury my parents, I'll give them my house. I don't need it anymore!"

"What!"

"Trade the house?"

"Your house isn't much to begin with, just an old mud-brick shack. And it's been standing for so many years..."

The crowd buzzed with chatter, everyone offering their own opinion. But the girl remained firm. "No matter how poor my house is, it's still worth at least a simple coffin. It's a house, after all! And there's a small vegetable garden in front of it. It's been fertile land for years."

At this, the crowd paused to consider her words, and many nodded in agreement. It wasn't a bad deal.

But there were still some things left unsaid... Everyone turned their eyes back to the Village Head.

"But if you trade your house, where will you live?" the old man asked.

The girl's voice was steady. "No matter what, I have to bury my parents first. I'll figure out the rest later."

A wave of sighs rippled through the crowd, not just out of sympathy for the girl, but also for themselves. If they were ever in her position, they might end up the same way. Life was just that cruel these days.

For ordinary folks like them, just staying alive was hard enough.

The people exchanged glances, knowing the deal was fair, but unsure of how much a simple coffin would cost. They were afraid of losing even a single coin.

"Selling your house isn't the solution," an old woman with a bun in her hair spoke up, her yellowed teeth showing as she grinned. "You'd be better off selling yourself in the city. Not only would you find a way out for yourself, but you could also give your parents a proper resting place. My son works in the city, and if you're willing, he can help you find something. You know he's a capable man."

The girl glanced at the old woman, who smiled back at her, her wrinkled face twisting into an expression that seemed both cunning and mean.

The girl shook her head firmly. "No, I'll sell the house."

She looked around at the crowd and declared, "I won't take anything from the house. Everything inside will belong to the buyer."

"Nothing at all?"

"What does she even have? Just a broken cabinet, and that's about it."

The girl replied, "The cabinet may be old, but it's still usable. Building a new one would cost money. And we have a cast iron pot too. You can't just buy one of those anywhere."

The crowd fell silent, increasingly convinced that the deal was a good one. But they held their tongues, waiting to see if the girl would offer more. Some, however, knew that her family had nothing else to give. They were all poor—what more could she possibly have?

A middle-aged man standing toward the back spoke up. "I'll trade with you."

Everyone turned to look at him. The man asked, "Do you mean what you say?"

The girl nodded. "I mean it."

"Xiangzi, you're really going to trade with her?"

Xiangzi nodded. "I have five sons, and we're running out of space. An extra room would save me the trouble of building a new house."

He had done the math. A mud-brick house, a cabinet, a cast iron pot, and a small vegetable garden—all in exchange for a simple coffin. It was a fair deal. Xiangzi's family sometimes sold goods at the market in the city, making them relatively well-off compared to the rest of the village.

The girl kowtowed to Xiangzi, her forehead hitting the ground with a series of thuds.

Xiangzi waved her off. "No need for that. Just sign the transfer papers, and I'll have my sons cut some wood to make the coffin."

In the countryside, life was hard, and people rarely went to professional coffin makers. They made their own coffins, and as long as it was passable, it would do. The girl understood this and nodded silently, kowtowing again. "Thank you, Uncle Xiangzi."

The crowd, seeing that the deal was done, began to chatter among themselves. The Village Head shot Xiangzi a disapproving look, while the old woman who had suggested the girl sell herself rolled her eyes in disgust.

But Xiangzi wasn't afraid of them. He had five sons, all strong young men, and four brothers of his own. His family was full of capable men, and even in these harsh times, they managed to get by better than most because they stuck together.

And, of course, Xiangzi had his own plans.

Both the girl and Xiangzi had their own calculations, but for now, it was best not to say too much.

The girl showed no emotion as she watched Xiangzi's family get to work. She stood up, her legs unsteady from kneeling for so long, but she bit her lip and remained resolute.

With the matter settled, it didn't take long. By the end of the day, Xiangzi's family had finished the coffin, and the bodies of the girl's parents were laid to rest together, finally at peace.

Throughout the entire process, the girl didn't shed a single tear.

She knelt before the grave, kowtowing repeatedly. Those who had come to help with the burial watched her and shook their heads.

This girl was none other than Zhao Guihua in her youth.

In her old age, Zhao Guihua would become thin and sharp-featured, but in her youth, she had been a delicate and pretty girl. Though she was pale and skinny, looking as if a strong wind could blow her away, she was still considered one of the prettiest girls in the village.

She was the belle of the surrounding villages.

With her parents buried and her house traded away, the old woman with yellow teeth approached her again. "Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter, now that you've given your house away, what will you do? You don't even have a place to stay. We're all from the same village. Tell me, what are you thinking? What are your plans? Why don't you come stay with me? I'm a kind person, and I can't bear to see someone suffer like this. I..."

Zhao Guihua cut her off with a glance. "I haven't thought about it yet."

The old woman's eyes darted around, but before she could say more, Xiangzi spoke up. "Even though you've traded your house to me, we're all from the same village. I'm not the kind of person to leave someone in dire straits. You can stay for a few days while you figure things out. Just let me know when you're ready to leave."

The crowd praised Xiangzi for his kindness, and Zhao Guihua rubbed her eyes, thanking him sincerely.

The old woman's face darkened once more.

As the group dispersed, Zhao Guihua made her way home. Once everyone was gone, she sat down on the kang, her legs giving out beneath her. Tears? She had cried them all already. Her family had once been whole.

She had grandparents, parents, and two younger brothers. She was Zhao Daya, the eldest daughter of the Zhao family. Born in August when the osmanthus flowers were in full bloom, she had been given the formal name Zhao Guihua. But in these times, life was merciless.

First, her two younger brothers had been killed while selling vegetables in the city. Then, her grandparents, unable to bear the loss, passed away one after the other. What had once been a happy family was now reduced to just her and her parents.

With only the three of them left, tragedy struck again a few days ago. During an air raid, her parents had been working in the fields when they were caught in the blast. They were badly injured, and with the family already destitute from previous funerals, her parents chose to end their lives rather than be a burden to her.

Now, they were gone too.

Zhao Guihua had sold everything she had to give her parents a proper burial. Now that they were finally at rest, she felt a sudden emptiness. What was she supposed to do next?

Although she was just a girl, Zhao Guihua was far from foolish. She naturally knew that some people had ill intentions, and the Village Head’s refusal to help was merely a ploy to exploit her family’s vulnerable situation. Whether she buried her parents in a coffin or simply wrapped them in a straw mat, he wouldn’t care. Once her parents were gone, she, Zhao Guihua, the only daughter left in the family, would find it nearly impossible to escape his grasp. He was scheming to take their house without spending a single penny. Zhao Guihua was a clever girl, and her father had warned her about the true nature of the villagers before he passed away.

While her parents were alive, everyone had been friendly and cordial, even addressing her father affectionately as "Young Zhao." But now that he was gone, things had changed.

As for the yellow-toothed old woman, her intentions were even more malicious. She had made it clear that she wanted to manipulate Zhao Guihua, offering her son’s help and suggesting she sell herself. It was obvious that the old woman planned to profit from selling her off and then seize her family’s property. The thought of that vile woman’s greed made Zhao Guihua’s blood boil.

She knew that trading her family’s meager possessions for a simple coffin was a poor deal, but she had no other choice. If she didn’t act, others would exploit her family’s misfortune. At least this way, she could ensure her parents were buried with some dignity.

Now, she was truly alone.

Zhao Guihua got up and steamed a few black flour buns. Even these buns were a luxury, as the family’s remaining grain was only enough for one batch. Her family was destitute, with nothing left to their name.

As she ate the buns, Zhao Guihua pondered her next steps. The road ahead was uncertain and fraught with challenges, but she was determined to press on. She had to be strong. Her father had told her that she was the last of the Zhao family line, and no matter what, she had to survive.

With a resolute heart, Zhao Guihua began packing her few belongings. She didn’t have much—just a change of clothes and a thin cotton jacket that had belonged to her mother. She gathered the family’s meager possessions: her grandparents’, parents’, and younger brother’s clothes.

The family only had two thin cotton coats, which were barely enough to keep anyone warm. In the winter, whoever went out would wear them, while those staying indoors had to make do without. Zhao Guihua carefully took apart the coats and the two thin quilts, using the material to make herself a set of padded clothes.

Once she put them on, she felt a little warmer.

She folded the remaining scraps of fabric neatly. Even though they were tattered, they were still valuable to her family. She packed them carefully, along with the ten copper coins that were all the money they had left.

She had been to the city with her father before and knew that a bowl of plain noodles cost eight copper coins. With what they had, she could only afford two mixed-flour buns. Her family’s poverty was stark and unrelenting.

As she finished packing, Zhao Guihua felt the weight of her family’s destitution even more acutely. Her mother had once owned a silver hairpin, a family heirloom passed down from her grandmother. But it had been pawned to pay for her grandparents’ coffins.

Now, this was all that remained.

Zhao Guihua had no intention of staying in the village any longer. Although Xiangzi had offered to let her stay for a while, she knew she couldn’t take advantage of his kindness.

She glanced outside. The sky was already growing dark. She had been busy all afternoon, and now she decided to bid Xiangzi farewell. Early the next morning, she would leave.

Zhao Guihua wasn’t sure where she would go, but she thought of heading to the city. Even if she had to beg on the streets, it would be better than staying in the village with no future. The village was poor, and she had nothing—no home, no prospects.

She stepped outside. It was already April, but the weather was still bitterly cold. The villagers had all retreated indoors, and the streets were empty. Zhao Guihua made her way to Xiangzi’s house. Xiangzi and his brothers lived in a row of houses they had built together.

As she approached the fence, she overheard a conversation inside.

“Husband, why do you want to buy Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter’s house? She’s just a young girl. If she doesn’t sell it, how can she keep it? Our family is large, and if we take it, who in the village would dare to challenge us?”

It was Xiangzi’s wife speaking.

Xiangzi scolded her, “You’re being shortsighted. You only see part of the picture. Haven’t you noticed that the Village Head also wants it? Otherwise, why would he delay helping her? And that Tooth Auntie—she’s clearly got her eyes on Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter too.”

At this, Xiangzi’s wife chimed in, “Tooth Auntie has had her sights set on Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter for years. A couple of years ago, she tried to convince Wang Er’s wife to sell her daughter, but Wang Er’s sons drove her out. She’s held a grudge ever since.”

Xiangzi’s wife’s tone was laced with glee as she added, “Not long after, those two boys got into trouble in the city. I heard Tooth Auntie’s son had something to do with it.”

Zhao Guihua’s fingers clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. She fought the urge to burst in and demand answers, instead pressing herself closer to the wall to avoid being seen. Her lips were bitten until they bled, and her eyes burned with hatred.

But she stayed still, listening intently.

Xiangzi’s wife continued, “But what does this have to do with us? We could just take the house for free, but instead, we’re offering a coffin. Cutting down trees is hard work, and the nails cost money! And our son did all the labor.”

Xiangzi sighed, knowing his wife lacked foresight. “You’re only seeing the surface. Think bigger. We’re not losing out on this deal. Besides, we’ll earn Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter’s gratitude. I’ve been thinking—while she’s staying here, we can have our eldest son go over and… well, make sure things are settled. He’ll have a wife, and even if her family is poor, there’s bound to be something of value we can take.”

“Oh, so you’re planning to…”

Xiangzi chuckled smugly. “Do you think I’m not calculating? Our sons are getting older, and they need wives. But marrying costs money.”

His wife muttered, “Not all marriages cost money.”

“True, but those women are strangers. Who knows if they’re trustworthy or even pure? But Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter is different. She grew up in the village—we know her well. She’s a pretty girl, hardworking, and spirited. If she marries into our family, she can handle all the household chores. And since we’re helping her now, she’ll owe us. With no family to back her up, we’ll have complete control. If times get tough, we can always sell her for some grain to survive.”

Zhao Guihua’s heart turned to ice as she listened. She had never imagined that Xiangzi, who had always seemed like a decent man, could be so cruel.

“If you think it’s a good plan, why not just propose to her directly?”

“Her parents just died. She might not agree. It’s safer to… settle things first.”

“Dad, why wait? Let’s do it tonight.”

“Dad, you’re only thinking about Eldest Brother. What about me?”

“Yeah, what about us?”

The family began arguing over who would benefit from the scheme. Zhao Guihua clenched her fists, seething with anger. The Xiangzi family was despicable, and Tooth Auntie was no better.

Suppressing her rage, Zhao Guihua quickly left. She ran back home, her breath coming in short gasps.

She couldn’t stay here any longer. Who knew if the Xiangzi family would act tonight?

Her father had anticipated the Village Head’s greed and Tooth Auntie’s schemes, but he hadn’t foreseen that Xiangzi, who had always seemed like a good man, would be just as treacherous. Zhao Guihua looked at her packed belongings and steeled herself. She ate another bun.

She would have to travel through the night and couldn’t afford to be weak.

Zhao Guihua didn’t dare stay a moment longer. Under the cover of darkness, she set off, moving quickly and without pause. She estimated that Xiangzi’s eldest son would come for her later that night, but he likely wouldn’t arrive until the dead of night. That gave her some time to escape.

Zhao Guihua carried her bundle, walking briskly. Tooth Uncle, Xiangzi's uncle... she would one day surely take revenge!

Her heart burned with hatred, but she knew better than to act recklessly. She was alone and weak; confronting them head-on would only lead to her demise. She had to bide her time. Zhao Guihua moved quickly, unaware of the time, only knowing that she had to keep moving forward.

Unbeknownst to her, shortly after she left, Xiangzi's second son arrived at the Zhao household, loitering outside the courtyard.

"Why should his elder brother get to marry first? I should be the one to take the lead," he thought. As he pondered how to enter, the third son arrived. The moment they saw each other, they instantly understood each other's intentions and immediately came to blows.

Not long after, the eldest son showed up as well.

The three of them fought fiercely, drawing the attention of the villagers. The onlookers exchanged knowing glances; the villagers weren't fools. The commotion grew louder, and after what felt like an eternity, someone finally realized: Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter hadn't come out at all.

When they opened the door and entered the house, they found it empty. Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter was long gone, leaving nothing but an empty shell.

Xiangzi's wife wailed and cursed, "That wretched girl ran away! Chase her, everyone, chase her!"

The villagers looked at her with disdain. "She sold the house and left. How is that running away? She has no ties to your family."

The Village Head waved his hand dismissively. "Enough, everyone, go home."

He had only been after the house, but this family wanted both the property and the girl. Their greed knew no bounds. He wasn't about to help them now that the girl was gone. He hadn't even blamed them for meddling in his affairs.

With a forced smile, he said, "It's late, and it's pitch dark. We're not going to help you search for her. Besides, there's no point. Maybe the girl left because she saw through your schemes."

"What schemes? Don't talk nonsense!"

"Ha! All three of your sons were at her doorstep. Do you think no one noticed?"

The group erupted into argument. Xiangzi, his face dark, finally snapped, "Enough! Let's go home. What's wrong with you three? We were just buying the house. Don't make a scene here. With our family's status, finding a wife isn't hard. What are you all doing? Let's go."

He stormed off, turning back after a few steps. "Aren't you coming?"

The others quickly followed.

Once they were out of earshot, Xiangzi muttered under his breath, "Why are you wasting time with them? Go after her immediately. That wretched girl actually ran away. How dare she!"

His sons immediately replied, "Yes!"

They set off in pursuit, but by then, Zhao Guihua had been gone for several hours. She hadn't dared to stop, driven by sheer willpower. Fortunately, as a country girl used to hard labor, she had the stamina to keep going. After walking all night, she finally reached the city of Sijiu by mid-morning.

Zhao Guihua exhaled in relief and joined the queue to enter the city.

As she waited in line, she noticed that the girls ahead of her were being groped by the guards. She seethed with anger, wishing she could strangle those scoundrels.

But she had to endure it.

Zhao Guihua had been busy caring for her ailing parents in recent days. After their passing, she had set off on her journey without a moment's rest, leaving no time to clean herself. She reeked of sweat and grime. The guard at the gate didn't even glance at her, waving her through dismissively.

"Where did this beggar come from? Disgusting."

Zhao Guihua didn't dare complain. She hurried into the city, which was a world apart from her village. Despite the chaos of the times, the city was bustling with life. Rich and poor alike filled the streets.

Zhao Guihua knew she had to find a place to settle first.

She approached several shops, asking, "Boss, are you hiring?"

"Boss, do you need help?"

"Boss, I can work as a server..."

She was turned away from every shop she visited, but Zhao Guihua didn't lose heart. She kept asking. Jobs in the city were scarce, especially for women. Most businesses only hired male workers. For women, aside from working in textile mills, the only options were taking in laundry or other odd jobs at home.

But Zhao Guihua, a country girl new to the city, knew nothing of this.

After three or four days of searching, she still hadn't found work.

At night, she huddled in a corner, just like countless other beggars on the street. Even then, she was often chased away. In just a few days, the little money she had was gone, and the few black buns she had brought were all eaten.

When she first arrived in the city, Zhao Guihua had thought that with hard work, she could at least manage to feed herself. After all, a few girls from her village had found work in the city and seemed to be doing alright. But now she realized how difficult it was to find a job here.

Her stomach growled loudly. Zhao Guihua hadn't eaten all day. If she didn't find work soon, she didn't know what she would do. The hunger gnawed at her like a burning fire. She found a secluded spot in an alley behind a restaurant, tucked away in a corner.

It was a good spot—sheltered from the wind and free from competition.

A few days earlier, she had tried squatting near a wealthy household, only to be chased away by the steward with a broom. Later, she was driven off the street by other beggars. Even beggars had their territories.

This alley was her refuge. She crouched in the corner, her stomach growling incessantly.

Suddenly, she saw someone push open the back door of the restaurant and look around. The man pulled out a bun.

Zhao Guihua's mouth watered.

It was Old Man Zhuang, in his younger days.

Old Man Zhuang heard the growling and muttered, "I ate this morning. Why is my stomach making such a noise?"

He was about to take a bite when the growling came again. Only then did he realize it wasn't his stomach. He looked around and spotted a small, scrawny figure in the corner—a young girl.

He turned away, determined to eat the bun. But the growling only grew louder.

He moved further away, resolute.

This bun was a rare treat. Even as a lowly worker at the restaurant, he rarely got such good food. If it weren't for a customer leaving in a hurry and the boss not noticing, he wouldn't have had this chance.

He quickly hid the bun in his clothes, planning to eat it secretly while washing dishes.

He couldn't give it to anyone else.

But the growling persisted.

Every time he was about to take a bite, the sound interrupted him. Finally, he couldn't ignore it anymore. He looked at the girl in the corner, her eyes wide with hunger, saliva nearly dripping from her mouth.

Old Man Zhuang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and steeled himself to take a bite.

But in the end, he couldn't do it. He sighed and said, "I must have forgotten to check the almanac today."

He walked over to the girl and handed her the bun. "Here."

Zhao Guihua was stunned. She hadn't expected this man to give her the bun. He had clearly been reluctant to part with it.

But she was so hungry, so very hungry.

She grabbed the bun and devoured it in a few bites, nearly choking in her haste.

Even when her parents were alive, she hadn't eaten a meat bun in three or four years.

Old Man Zhuang watched her, saying, "Slow down."

Then, unable to resist, he asked, "Is it good?"

Zhao Guihua nodded vigorously.

Old Man Zhuang smiled. "I knew it would be. I saw the chef chopping the filling—there was a big piece of meat in it. This bun costs eighteen coppers."

Zhao Guihua's eyes widened. "So expensive!"

Old Man Zhuang nodded. "Indeed!"

"Old Man Zhuang, where are you? Damn it, I told you to wash the dishes! Do you want to lose your job?"

Old Man Zhuang quickly replied, "I'm here!"

He hurried off, leaving Zhao Guihua to watch his retreating figure.

The meat bun had done its job. Her stomach no longer felt like it was on fire.

She touched her belly, her phoenix eyes shining brightly—this was a meat bun.

Old Man Zhuang had given it to her.

Zhao Guihua rubbed her belly again, planning to continue looking for something to do. She got up and walked out of the alley. She saw many people heading toward one end of the street, and from time to time, she could hear murmurs: "The new branch of Keyuan is opening this year, and they're scattering copper coins at the entrance. Hurry up!"

"The boss of Keyuan is so generous."

"Let's go, let's go!"

Hearing this, Zhao Guihua quickly ran in that direction. As soon as she arrived, she heard the sound of firecrackers and saw people scattering money. She rushed in, shouting, "Move aside! This is mine!"

"Get out of the way! It's mine!"

"Go away!"

"Ah! How dare you bite me, you little brat!"

Zhao Guihua didn't care about the commotion. She fought fiercely, managing to grab more than a dozen copper coins.

"Grand opening, wishing prosperity and longevity! Our boss is kind-hearted, giving out golden steamed buns—first come, first served!"

Zhao Guihua pounced like a little leopard, quickly snatching a bun. The people around her glared, but she stuffed it into her mouth without hesitation. Soon, all the buns were gone, and Zhao Guihua felt a sense of relief with food in her stomach.

She found a corner and squatted down.

Though she had only been a little beggar for a few days, she was already getting used to it.

Leaning against the wall, she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure. It was Tooth Uncle, the son of Granny Tooth. Granny Tooth was known as the matchmaker in the village, and her son, Tooth Uncle, was a respected and capable man in the village.

He worked as a waiter in the city, in a rather large shop.

No one else could compare.

Seeing Tooth Uncle, Zhao Guihua immediately thought of Xiangzi's words. Although Xiangzi and his family had ulterior motives, Zhao Guihua knew that in those circumstances, her parents' burial had been a miracle. So, while she hated that family, she couldn't match Granny Tooth's influence.

According to Xiangzi and his wife, her brother's death was related to Granny Tooth, but since Granny Tooth stayed in the village all year round, if there was any connection, it had to be Tooth Uncle.

Without hesitation, Zhao Guihua followed him.

She trailed behind Tooth Uncle. Compared to the ragged clothes of the villagers, Tooth Uncle was dressed quite well. His clothes were old but without patches, a sign that he was managing to get by in the city.

Zhao Guihua quietly followed him as he made his way to the Eight Alleys.

At first, Zhao Guihua didn't understand, but after a quick glance, she got the gist of it. She watched as Tooth Uncle walked familiarly into one of the houses. Unable to follow inside, she circled around to the alley, climbed over the wall, and jumped into the courtyard.

Once inside, she saw a caretaker in the yard. Zhao Guihua tiptoed along the wall to a window. Coincidentally, there were people inside.

She wasn't lucky enough to be under Tooth Uncle's window, but she could clearly hear the voices of two young women inside.

One of them said, "Tooth Uncle is here again. I hate dealing with him. Every time he comes, I have to serve him. It's disgusting."

"Who told you he's the madam's favorite? He's sold seven or eight girls to her. The madam dotes on him. He charges low prices and just wants to have fun without paying. Of course, the madam spoils him."

"Ugh, he’s a fraudster. Anyone who crosses paths with him is cursed for eight lifetimes."

"There's nothing we can do. Don't provoke him, I'm telling you. He's ruthless. He's in cahoots with Wang Er from the streets. We don’t have the means to mess with him."

"I know!"

The two whispered, but outside the window, Zhao Guihua was seething with rage.

Wang Er—she knew that name. It was because of him that her brother had died. Her two brothers had caught a wild rabbit and a pheasant in the mountains and brought them to the city to sell. They got into an argument with Wang Er during the transaction.

Both were severely beaten and died shortly after returning home.

When her family reported it to the authorities, no one cared. In those times, no one cared about the lives of the poor.

But Zhao Guihua had etched Wang Er's name into her heart. Now, hearing that Wang Er was connected to Tooth Uncle only confirmed Xiangzi's words. It made sense—her brothers were honest villagers. How could they have started a fight?

Even in their final moments, they insisted they hadn’t provoked anyone.

They kept saying they hadn’t caused any trouble.

Zhao Guihua clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. She didn’t dare stay long; there were many guards around. But Zhao Guihua wasn’t a coward. She sneaked around the courtyard and soon found the kitchen. The place wasn’t large, and the kitchen was cold, with no fire lit.

There was some prepared food, but it had gone cold. It was clear this wasn’t a place for proper meals.

But Zhao Guihua didn’t mind. She ate quickly. Though the food was cold, it was much better than what she usually had. After finishing, she stuffed two steamed buns into her clothes and grabbed a kitchen knife before climbing back over the wall.

She didn’t do anything inside. Instead, she waited at the entrance of the alley, quietly keeping watch. After some thought, she picked up a large rock.

Though she hated Granny Tooth and her family, she couldn’t risk seeking revenge in the village. If she failed, she wouldn’t get another chance, and everyone knew her name. She’d be arrested or hunted down.

Then, she’d never get her revenge.

But now was different. It was already evening, and even if it weren’t, no one in the city would suspect her if something happened.

Zhao Guihua held her breath.

She hadn’t been waiting long when Tooth Uncle came strolling down the alley, humming a tune and swaying as he walked, clearly in high spirits. The more Zhao Guihua looked at him, the more hatred burned in her heart. She tightened her grip on the kitchen knife.

No matter what, she would have her revenge.

Tooth Uncle, oblivious, continued humming as he approached. Just as he turned the corner, a rock smashed into the back of his head. Zhao Guihua had put all her strength into the throw. Tooth Uncle cried out and fell to the ground. "Who’s there?"

Zhao Guihua didn’t hesitate. She jumped on him and hit him twice more.

Blood streamed from Tooth Uncle’s head. He shouted, "Who is it? Who are you?"

Zhao Guihua struck him twice more. Seeing him try to resist, she smashed his hand. "Ahh!"

In a low voice, Zhao Guihua demanded, "Where does Wang Er live?"

Tooth Uncle was stunned. He hadn’t expected Wang Er’s enemy to come after him. He didn’t recognize Zhao Guihua’s voice, and even if he saw her, he wouldn’t have known her. He rarely went back to the village.

Zhao Guihua struck his other hand. "I’ll ask you again. Where is Wang Er?"

"He lives in Li Family Alley, number two. Go find him. He’s your enemy, not me. We’re just drinking buddies. Don’t come after me!"

Zhao Guihua wasn’t satisfied. She pressed further, "How many people are in his family?"

"Three brothers. The three of them live together. Please, spare me!"

Zhao Guihua struck his head again. "You’re lying."

She was bluffing, but Tooth Uncle cried out, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’ll tell the truth. There are four. Four people."

Zhao Guihua sneered. She had expected his deceit. Without mercy, she hit him again. "Tooth Uncle, do you really think I’m a fool? Why should I trust you?"

She struck him several more times.

Tooth Uncle hadn’t expected such ferocity from a young girl. He cried, "Who are you? Who are you?"

Zhao Guihua dragged him into the alley. "You and Wang Er conspired to harm my family, and now you don’t even know who I am. You destroyed my family. Who do you think I am?"

"Are you...?" Tooth Uncle finally realized. "Are you Xiaocui? Are you Xiaocui? How did you escape?"

Zhao Guihua sneered.

Tooth Uncle quickly added, "No, no? Are you Ahe? Ahe?" Hearing no response, he continued, "No, no... Are you Li Feng? No, no... Ah, I know! You’re the Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter, aren’t you? Are you the Zhao Family's Eldest Daughter?"

Zhao Guihua sneered and said, "So it was you who did this to my brother!"

"No, it wasn't me, it wasn't... ah!"

Zhao Guihua didn't hold back and continued to strike him.

To be fair, Zhao Guihua had chosen her timing well. The man had just come out of the Eight Great Alleys, his legs still weak. She hit him squarely and didn't stop, delivering several more heavy blows, quickly taking control of the situation. Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible for a young girl to overpower a grown man.

Zhao Guihua: "You deliberately harmed my brother, and today I will avenge him!"

"No, no, we didn't mean to. I just wanted to teach them a lesson. Who told them to call my mother a brothel madam, saying she'd come to no good end? We were doing it for your own good, trying to find a way out for you. But you didn't appreciate it, and instead, you stirred up trouble. Your brother didn't know his place... ah!"

Zhao Guihua's eyes were red, tears streaming down her face, but they were filled with hatred.

She raised the kitchen knife, its cold steel glinting. Tooth Uncle suddenly dodged, barely managing to avoid the blow. He stumbled to his feet. Zhao Guihua chased after him, and he quickly darted into the street, shouting, "Help! Someone help me! She's trying to kill me!"

Ordinary people hearing this quickly scattered.

Zhao Guihua, still holding the kitchen knife, chased after him. Just then, she saw a group of patrolmen with turtle-shell shields on their backs.

Tooth Uncle quickly cried out, "Help me, this wretched girl is trying to kill me!"

Seeing the situation, Zhao Guihua didn't hesitate for a moment. She lunged forward, grabbing Tooth Uncle from behind by the collar and slashing at him while pulling him back. The city was in chaos, and such street violence was not uncommon.

The patrolmen immediately raised their shields but stayed rooted to the spot. It was just a job, and no one was willing to risk their lives for something like this. That would be madness. It wasn't their problem.

Still, they shouted, "Hey, you up there! Drop the knife! Surrender!"

Zhao Guihua dragged the man along without a word.

Tooth Uncle, choked and dazed, felt pain all over his body. He struggled to break free, but Zhao Guihua had hit him with a rock too many times, and he was weak from blood loss. Seeing that the patrolmen weren't taking things seriously, he realized they were just going through the motions.

If he waited for them to save him, he'd be dead for sure.

At this point, he didn't care anymore. His eyes darted around, and he came up with a wicked idea. He shouted, "Catch the underground party member! Catch her! She's an underground party member! Don't let her escape. You'll get a reward for catching her!"

As ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‍soon as he said this, the patrolmen hesitated, exchanging glances. Then, almost immediately, they charged forward. Some even loaded their weapons, preparing for action.

In this critical moment, Zhao Guihua knew she had to gamble. She shouted, "Go ahead, shoot me if you dare!"

Her voice rang out.

The scene was chaotic, and one of the patrolmen, unable to resist the provocation, pulled the trigger.

Bang!

Zhao Guihua had been staying behind Tooth Uncle the whole time. After shouting, she held on even tighter. Tooth Uncle realized her plan, but the girl's grip was surprisingly strong. Dizzy and disoriented, he was pushed forward by Zhao Guihua.

The gunshot rang out, and blood splattered.

Zhao Guihua took off running. Another shot was fired, but by then it was already dark, and the alley had no streetlights. Taking advantage of the night, Zhao Guihua quickly scaled a wall. Growing up in the countryside, she was used to climbing trees and walls, and she scrambled over with ease, fleeing for her life.

The gunshots continued, but whether the patrolmen weren't trying very hard or Zhao Guihua was just lucky, she managed to escape. She ran for what felt like an eternity, finally losing her pursuers. Gasping for breath, she leaned against a door, wiping her face.

It was covered in blood.

Creak...

Just as Zhao Guihua was catching her breath, the door she was leaning against suddenly opened. Her heart skipped a beat, and before she could say anything, she turned around and saw her savior—Old Man Zhuang!

"It's you!"

They both recognized each other.

The noise from the street grew louder. Without a word, Old Man Zhuang grabbed Zhao Guihua, pulled her inside, and shut the door with a click. He put a finger to his lips and whispered, "Shh..."