Chapter 4: I Hit My Own Woman

Xu Yuanlong hesitated about divorcing Wang Jing. After all, she was pretty and delicate, took care of him well, managed the house, cleaned clothes, and handled all the chores.

Wang Xiuzhi promised to find him a better wife, but looking at the surrounding villages, who could compare to Wang Jing from the city?

Before yesterday, Xu Yuanlong thought Wang Jing would die in the cowshed, so he didn’t care much. But now, seeing her standing before him, still so beautiful, he felt a bit reluctant.

Unexpectedly, while he was hesitating, Wang Jing declared she wanted to sever all ties with him.

Always a macho man, Xu Yuanlong was furious at her words and pointed at Wang Jing angrily. “Who gave you the right to talk about cutting ties first? You think because I haven’t hit you lately, I’ve gone soft?”

Shen Jiang snapped his finger back. There was a crisp crack—Xu Yuanlong’s finger was broken.

Shen Jiang positioned himself protectively in front of Wang Jing and Xu Qingmo. His upright, heroic presence left a deep impression on Wang Jing.

Xu Qingmo observed everything and silently compared the two men. Shen Jiang was clearly the better father figure; Xu Yuanlong was a complete scumbag.

Shen Jiang scolded, “A man who hits women deserves criticism and ideological correction.”

Xu Yuanlong was used to hitting. No one had ever spoken to him this way before. In the village, every married man hit his wife.

Angry and with a broken finger, he shouted, “I hit my own woman! What’s it to you? Don’t think wearing that uniform lets you control my housework! Get out! You’re not welcome here!”

He raised his voice, trying to drive Shen Jiang out.

Xu Yuanyuan stepped forward and whispered, “Big brother, speak softer. Don’t scare her.”

Xu Yuanlong realized something—Xu Yuanyuan might be developing a crush on Wang Jing’s protector.

Wang Jing ignored the Xu family’s words and clearly stated her position, “We don’t have a marriage certificate, and there’s no need to get a divorce. I’m here to tell you that from today, we have nothing to do with the Xu family.”

Xu Yuanlong’s temper flared. The more Wang Jing tried to stay away, the more he wanted to force her to stay.

He remembered that Wang Jing had once muttered in her sleep about someone she liked—likely this very man who always defended her.

Wang Jing continued, “I will get a letter of certification from the village head to fully sever ties with your family.”

Wang Xiuzhi, scheming to get back the twelve yuan, had an idea upon hearing this.

“If you want to cut ties with us, that’s fine. But give us a hundred yuan to compensate Yuanlong. He’s worked hard taking care of you mother and daughter all these years. It can’t be for nothing,” Wang Xiuzhi said boldly, emboldened by being in her own home.

The money Wang Jing had was mostly gone, tricked away by Wang Xiuzhi; she only had 9.3 yuan left, which Xu Qingmo had retrieved.

Xu Qingmo looked at Wang Xiuzhi and calmly asked, “Are you sure you want a hundred yuan?”

Her voice was soft and sweet. Anyone else would find nothing unusual.

But Wang Xiuzhi had seen Xu Qingmo’s terrifying abilities before. She didn’t answer immediately and first checked for signs of fire on her body.

Seeing none, her confidence grew.

“Of course. Wang Jing has eaten, lived, and stayed in our home for free all these years, and my son Yuanlong helped take care of you. A hundred yuan is more than enough. Take the money, and we’ll sever ties immediately,” Wang Xiuzhi said arrogantly.

Over the years, Wang Jing always had good things to offer. Wang Jing was confident the Xu family still had valuable items.

The hundred yuan was nothing to her.

Wang Xiuzhi feared last night’s incident would repeat, so she wanted money to settle things, ensuring Xu Qingmo and Wang Jing wouldn’t remain in the house.

Xu Qingmo glanced toward the kitchen. “Did something burn in your pot? Why do I smell something burning?”

At that moment, a piece of burning wood fell from the stove, igniting the kindling and spreading flames throughout the kitchen.

Soon, the entire kitchen was on fire.

Wang Xiuzhi panicked, “Oh my god, the kitchen is on fire! Why are you standing there? Hurry, come help put it out!”

The villagers watching scattered. Wang Xiuzhi, stingy and unpopular, was a source of amusement. Everyone wanted to see her family embarrassed.

Buckets of water were grabbed by Xu Yuanlong and Xu Yuanyuan to fight the fire, while Xu Qingmo led Wang Jing into the main room.

Xu Qingmo could sense where things related to Wang Jing were hidden. Wang Xiuzhi had hidden stolen ration tickets, money, and jewelry under her bed, and some under Xu Yuanyuan’s bed.

Xu Qingmo quickly retrieved everything and handed it to Wang Jing.

Wang Jing closed her eyes, focused, and sent all the items back into her space.

Mother and daughter left the main room. Wang Xiuzhi saw them and rushed over, “Are you stealing from my room? I have to check!”

The fire in the kitchen was not large. Xu Yuanlong grabbed buckets of water and put it out.

Xu Qingmo, small but fearless, blocked Wang Xiuzhi. “Which eye saw us stealing? Move! Even dogs know not to block the way.”

Wang Xiuzhi signaled Xu Yuanyuan to fetch Xu Hai. She did so, bringing him and his wife Zhou Qinqin.

Wang Xiuzhi told Xu Yuanlong to keep an eye on the mother and daughter while she went to check the boxes under her bed—only to find them empty. Her heart sank.

“You wicked girls! After all these years of hard work and saving, everything’s stolen by this heartless mother and daughter!” Wang Xiuzhi screamed, running out to grab Wang Jing.

Xu Qingmo pushed her to the ground. “Don’t touch me… she started it.”

Xu Hai and Zhou Qinqin arrived just in time to see five-year-old Xu Qingmo push Wang Xiuzhi over. Shocked, they rubbed their eyes, thinking they had imagined it. Wang Xiuzhi was sitting up, shouting to call the village head to intervene.

Her second son, Xu Hai, had married the village head’s cousin, so she expected the village head to side with her.

Curious villagers gathered at Xu Yuanlong’s house to watch. Someone had already gone to fetch the village head.

Wang Jing’s eyes reflected a hint of panic. Shen Jiang stood nearby and reassured her, “Don’t worry. Justice is in people’s hearts.”

Xu Qingmo said confidently, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”