He Feng had Qing Yangzi supervise Xie Chi eating forty eggs.

After twenty-three eggs, Xie Chi was about to vomit. Qing Yangzi showed mercy, distributing the eggs to people in the courtyard, solving the problem perfectly.

In the afternoon, He Feng made several fish spears and took Xie Chi and Qing Yangzi to catch fish.

His eyes were sharper than a dog’s. Standing on the bank, he threw one into the river and instructed Xie Chi: “Go get it.”

Xie Chi looked at the fish spear standing upright in the river, obediently went to retrieve it, and held up the fish to show him: “Got one.”

He Feng waved for her to come over, put the fish in the bucket, and boasted to her: “Did you learn that?”

Xie Chi used to catch fish often and had made these things before. She deliberately showed weakness: “Maybe I can, but it seems difficult. I’ll try my best.”

“Go ahead.”

“What’s the reward if I catch one?”

He Feng rolled up his sleeves while looking at her: “What do you want?”

“To go down the mountain.”

“I knew it.”

“Is it possible?”

“No.”

“Then when will it be possible?”

“Depends on my mood.”

Xie Chi walked away unhappily with the fish spear.

Qing Yangzi speared a fish and came over: “Third Brother, look! Is this one big!”

He Feng never gave anyone face: “Not big.”

“I think it’s quite big.” Qing Yangzi put the fish in the bucket. Seeing He Feng watching Xie Chi, he asked with a smile: “Third Brother, are you really going to let her go down the mountain?”

“Mm.” He Feng took off his shoes and threw them on the ground: “Otherwise, keep her to be your wife?”

“No, no, no, I wouldn’t dare.”

He Feng laughed at him: “Useless.”

“When will you let her go?”

He Feng picked up a fish spear and walked into the river: “No rush. Tease her for a couple more days.”

Qing Yangzi’s pant leg fell down. He hurriedly rolled it up and quickly followed into the river: “There are lots of fish over there!”

He Feng picked up a stone – a beautiful heart-shaped indigo stone. He was about to throw it to Xie Chi when he saw her chatting and laughing with Qing Yangzi.

He Feng felt a little bit displeased.

Xie Chi was staring at a fish, preparing to spear it, when suddenly a fish spear flew over and landed in front of her feet. Xie Chi jumped in fright and looked speechlessly toward He Feng not far away: “That one’s mine.”

“Every one here is mine.” He Feng walked over, pulled out the fish spear, and looked at her arrogantly: “Even you are mine.”

Qing Yangzi laughed out loud: “I’ll go over there.”

“Scoundrel.” Xie Chi muttered quietly.

“I heard that.”

“…” Dog ears.

He Feng flicked water at her face: “Keep catching.”

Xie Chi was unconvinced. She bent down, scooped up a handful of water, and splashed his back.

He Feng turned around. Xie Chi turned and ran, but after two steps He Feng grabbed her back. With one palm he pushed her down – she sat in the water.

Xie Chi tried to get up, but He Feng knelt on one knee and pressed her whole body into the water.

“Little woman, come fight me.”

Xie Chi drank two big mouthfuls of water and kicked and punched at him.

“Use more force.” He Feng straddled her, one hand restraining both her hands, one foot pressing down her legs: “Where did those forty eggs go?”

This person must have something wrong with his brain.

Xie Chi was pressed down so she couldn’t move at all and was running out of breath.

He Feng suddenly pulled her up, watching her gasp for air, and said with a smile: “Still going to splash me?”

Xie Chi kicked him over with one foot.

He Feng sat in the water, looking at her happily: “You still dare kick me. Good leg strength.”

Xie Chi smoothed her hair and stood up. Before she could steady herself, her foot slipped and she fell toward him, crashing into his embrace.

He Feng remained unmoved, looking at Xie Chi covering her nose: “Hit your nose?”

“Mm.”

“Does it hurt?”

“It hurts.”

He Feng pushed her away: “Serves you right.”

“…”

Qing Yangzi had been watching the excitement from afar for a long time. Seeing the two had finished playing and stood up, he came over and asked: “Going back to change clothes?”

He Feng shook his hands, looking at Xie Chi’s wet light green short jacket clinging tightly to her body, outlining her slender small waist. The corners of his lips curved up slightly as he shouldered the fish spear and walked ahead: “Back.”

Xie Chi rubbed her nose and followed, furious.

She really wanted to spear him to death!

…

The three returned with a full catch. That evening they had an all-fish meal – fried fish, grilled fish, and fish soup.

He Feng had Qing Yangzi invite He Zhan over too. He Zhan looked much better and was relieved to see Xie Chi was doing well here.

Xie Chi loved eating fish most, especially fish soup – she never tired of it. She drank one bowl of soup, bit the spoon while looking at the pot, and carefully asked He Feng: “Can I have another bowl?”

He Feng looked at her bright sparkling eyes and nodded.

Xie Chi ladled another bowl.

Qing Yangzi also wanted another bowl, but He Feng pushed away his hand: “No more soup.”

“How is there none? There’s still some here.”

“None left. Go eat meat.”

“This… alright.” Qing Yangzi pouted and withdrew his hand, silently eating grilled fish.

He Zhan coughed lightly twice: “This soup is really good.”

Xie Chi nodded repeatedly.

She drank it down to the last drop, put down the bowl, licked her lower lip: “Really delicious.”

He Feng picked up the soup ladle and served her another bowl. Qing Yangzi stared at him in shock.

“Good performance today. This is your reward.”

Xie Chi happily held the bowl: “Thank you.”

He Feng secretly glanced at her, seeing she liked it, pursed his lips and smiled darkly, feeling inexplicably happy.

He Zhan asked Xie Chi: “You look well lately. Are you living well at Little Feng’s place?”

“Not well.”

He Feng glared at her: “How have I wronged you?”

Xie Chi didn’t even give him a look, saying to He Zhan: “He bullies me every day. I live in misery.”

He Feng was displeased: “After dinner we’ll continue the misery. Don’t sleep tonight – I’ll take you night hunting.”

He Zhan smiled at He Feng: “She’s a girl after all. Be gentler. Not like you – tough as iron.”

“How is she like a girl? She’s comparable to that tigress Song Qingtao.”

Qing Yangzi said: “Still falls short. A’Zhi is much gentler.”

Xie Chi heard this name for the first time: “Who is Song Qingtao?”

“Stop, stop, stop. Don’t mention her – gives me a headache thinking about it.” He Feng held his forehead.

Qing Yangzi secretly laughed.

He Feng changed the subject, asking He Zhan: “How’s your health lately?”

“Not bad.”

“How much medicine is left from last time?”

“Less than half.”

“Remember to take the supplements. You’ve lost weight again.” He Feng served him a piece of fish with few bones: “Is Li Shan not taking good care of you?”

“No, he’s fine.”

Xie Chi looked up from her bowl. She wasn’t one to meddle, but He Zhan was too pitiful. She said: “Li Shan not only doesn’t take good care of him but also gives him attitude, doesn’t deliver meals properly. Usually you can’t even see a scrap of meat. He’s only respectful when he sees you, but shows no respect when facing him alone.”

“A’Zhi.” He Zhan indicated she shouldn’t speak out of turn: “It’s not that serious.”

Xie Chi said no more and continued drinking her fish soup.

He Feng was silent for a moment: “Finish eating first. I’ll find him after.”

He Zhan sighed lightly: “This is human nature. Who wants to care for a sickly invalid all day? Don’t make things difficult for him.”

Xie Chi listened silently, thinking: What a saint indeed.

“You two take your time eating.” Xie Chi finished her fish soup and put down her bowl. Just as she was about to leave, He Feng ladled out the last bit of soup and poured it into her bowl.

“I’m already full.”

“Won’t kill you.”

Qing Yangzi couldn’t stand it anymore: “What about me!”

He Feng perfunctorily took the soup ladle and dripped a few drops into his bowl: “Drink up.”

“…” Qing Yangzi was speechless.

…

Just when Xie Chi thought He Feng was acting human, he went back to being inhuman.

Before the rooster crowed, before dawn broke, He Feng woke her up.

Xie Chi was so sleepy she couldn’t open her eyes. He Feng grabbed her collar and pulled her forward while she complained helplessly: “Don’t you ever sleep?”

“What’s fun about sleeping? I’ll show you something fun.”

He brought Xie Chi to a spacious place. The sun was gradually rising in the east, the mountain full of fresh dew and morning mist. Though cold and fresh, it still couldn’t lift one’s spirits.

Xie Chi was still drowsy. He Feng suddenly left her and walked to the other side.

She squinted, about to yawn, when something hit her foot – it hurt a little.

Where was He Feng?

She lifted her eyelids, turned around, and saw He Feng standing in the distance holding a slingshot, aimed at her.

Xie Chi immediately woke up.

He Feng lowered the slingshot, hefted the stone in his hand: “Made this slingshot all night. Help me test it.”

“How do I test it?”

“How else?” He Feng raised his hand again, closed one eye, and pulled back the elastic: “Ten shots. If you can dodge three, you win. I’ll take you down the mountain.”

“Take my sister too, okay?”

He Feng chuckled: “Win first, then we’ll talk.”

Xie Chi felt both joy and worry. Dodging three out of ten wasn’t too hard, but looking at this guy’s confident appearance, she felt uncertain.

While thinking, He Feng reminded her: “Starting now. Run.”

Xie Chi didn’t move, staring intently at his hand. No matter how accurate his aim, if she reacted fast enough, she could dodge.

He Feng released his hand. The stone flew out. Xie Chi was about to dodge when – thump – it hit her left shoulder.

He could actually predict her moves!

He Feng smiled and raised his hand again: “I told you to run but you didn’t. Now I’m going to use force.”

Xie Chi turned and ran, changing directions and positioning, but the stones seemed to have tracking devices, hitting her again and again.

Xie Chi got tired of running and angrily sat on the ground, unwilling to cooperate with his boring game.

He Feng bent down, casually picked up a small stone, and walked closer: “Get up. Three more to go.”

“No more!” Xie Chi turned her face away, not wanting to see him: “It hurts so much.”

“What hurts? I only hit the meaty parts.”

Xie Chi stubbornly didn’t move.

“Why do you like sitting on the ground so much?”

“None of your business.”

“Get up.”

Xie Chi didn’t agree.

“Get up!”

Seeing her ignore him, He Feng used his slingshot to aim at her chest.

Xie Chi covered her chest, furious: “You… you bastard.”

“Bastard?” He Feng smiled wickedly: “What’s a bastard? I’m a bandit – a hundred times worse than a bastard.”

“Get up now.” He raised the slingshot again, aiming at her right chest: “If you don’t get up, I’ll hit the other one.”

Xie Chi grabbed a stone and threw it at him. He Feng dodged easily: “I told you – even with ten hands you couldn’t hit me.”

“Not necessarily.” She became interested: “Want to try?”

He Feng threw the slingshot to her, looking disdainful: “If you can hit me once, you win.”

“What’s the benefit of winning?”

“Don’t worry, you won’t win.”

“…”

As he predicted, Xie Chi didn’t hit him once. He Feng didn’t make things difficult for her and took her to shoot birds.

He Feng shot one, she fetched one.

…

“Third Brother.”

“Third Brother.”

Qing Yangzi ran toward them, panting.

“Finally found you.” Qing Yangzi was covered in sweat, hands on his knees, bent over gasping: “So early in the morning.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Brother Yuan is here.”

“Hmm? Where is he?”

“Waiting in the courtyard.”

He Feng called to Xie Chi: “Let’s go back.”

Xie Chi held the small stones, following behind him. Taking advantage of He Feng’s inattention, she raised her hand and threw hard at him. The stone hit his bottom and bounced off: “Got you!”

He Feng turned to look at her, not angry: “Learning to sneak attack now.”

Xie Chi rolled her eyes at him and walked past him arrogantly with her chin up: “Victory without honor – I won’t hold it against you.”

…

The friend who came to see He Feng was called Pei Lanyuan, the second son of the Pei family from town, with an excellent relationship with He Feng.

Pei Lanyuan was waiting in He Feng’s courtyard, amusing himself by playing with birds. He wore a white robe and hat, with an elegant temperament – the very image of a cultured wealthy young master.

He Feng called out from afar: “Old Pei—”

Pei Lanyuan stood up, seeing He Feng striding over with a girl following behind.

“Oh, who’s this?”

“A girl from Jiangnan. Pretty, isn’t she?”

“Well now, Three-Crazy, you have a woman and didn’t tell me.”

“Like hell I have a woman.” He Feng sat on a large stone bench, looking at Xie Chi slowly walking over: “Snatched for big brother to be his wife, but I took her.”

“Three-Crazy, are you even human? Stealing your brother’s woman.”

He Feng took the teapot Qing Yangzi handed him: “First, not married. Second, didn’t sleep together. Third, no feelings. Real men take what they want. Only you act like a woman.”

Pei Lanyuan waved at Xie Chi: “Come sit.”

He Feng looked at her with a smile: “Come serve tea.”

Xie Chi ignored him completely and went straight into the house.

Pei Lanyuan watched her retreating figure: “She’s got spirit.”

“Too obedient is boring. I like training the spirited ones.” He Feng drank his tea: “Let’s go drink.”

“What drinking? Come down the mountain with me.”

“What for?”

“Mine business. We’ll talk on the way.”

“Just send someone up. Why make the trip yourself?”

“I missed you and wanted to see you earlier.”

“Don’t disgust me. Get lost.”

“Alright, alright.” Pei Lanyuan grabbed his arm to pull him: “Let’s go.”

He Feng shook him off: “Don’t pull me around. I can walk.”

The two had just reached outside the courtyard when He Feng suddenly stopped and turned back: “Wait for me.”

“What now?”

He Feng pushed open Xie Chi’s door. She was changing clothes and threw a pillow at him: “Don’t you know how to knock?”

“No.” He Feng threw the pillow back to her: “I’m going out for a while. Stay here. If anything happens, find Qing Yangzi. Don’t wander around – there are many bad people in the stronghold.”

“Can I come with you? I won’t run. I’ll stay with you and keep you company.” Her eyes suddenly became much gentler, with some pitifulness: “I’m scared alone.”

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re plotting. Stay put.”

“Can you bring my ninth sister over? Please.”

“Cut the crap.” He Feng slammed the door hard: “Wait for my return.”

Xie Chi stood up and threw the pillow out again: “Beast!”

He Feng came back: “Cursing me.”

He picked up the pillow and threw it hard at her: “I’ll have Qing Yangzi fetch her later.”

“Keep your word.”

He Feng snorted and left.

…

With He Feng gone, Xie Chi’s days were much easier.

Qing Yangzi went to Lei Village once but didn’t bring Xie Ying back. Xie Chi vaguely felt something had happened to Xie Ying and kept pressing Qing Yangzi for answers, but he was evasive and deliberately avoided her.

Qing Yangzi liked gambling and often played with several brothers until late before returning. Xie Chi couldn’t find him and had nothing to do all day, mostly sleeping. When tired of lying down, she’d walk around the courtyard.

That day, Xie Chi was feeding birds in the courtyard when a woman in a red robe made a high-profile entrance, her clear melodious voice calling from afar: “Third Brother, Third Brother.”

This “Third Brother” must be calling He Feng.

Song Qingtao had just entered the courtyard when she saw Xie Chi’s back. When she turned around and showed her face clearly, Song Qingtao’s expression immediately changed: “Who are you?”

Xie Chi suddenly didn’t know how to answer. What was she exactly? She couldn’t say.

A woman cleaning the courtyard spoke up: “She’s the maid the young master took from the eldest young master.”

Song Qingtao suddenly sneered: “Oh, it’s you. I heard Third Brother found a living target – turns out it’s a woman.” Song Qingtao looked her up and down: “What’s your name?”

“She’s called A’Zhi,” the woman said.

“Did I ask you?” Song Qingtao fiercely drew the long whip from her waist and lashed near the woman’s feet: “Nosy.”

The woman was scared and knelt on the ground.

“Where did Third Brother go?”

“He went down the mountain with Second Master Pei.”

“When did he leave?”

“The morning before yesterday.”

Song Qingtao put away her whip and walked closer to Xie Chi, examining her face: “A’Zhi, right?”

“Mm.” Xie Chi felt this wasn’t good.

“Since you’re a living target, borrowing you to play for a couple days shouldn’t matter to Third Brother.”

The woman didn’t dare speak, keeping her head down, sweating profusely.

He Feng wasn’t here, and Qing Yangzi was nowhere to be found.

This visitor had ill intentions. Looking at her overflowing jealousy and hostility toward herself, she was probably infatuated with He Feng.

Today’s trouble was inescapable.

Xie Chi was taken to Qing Village by Song Qingtao.

Song Qingtao was the only daughter of Song Mang, the head of Qing Village. Song Jiao was her uncle. Song Qingtao was arrogant and domineering – most people didn’t dare offend her. When He Feng tormented Xie Chi, it was just playful – he had good aim and never truly hurt her. But Song Qingtao was different.

Xie Chi was brought with her hands bound, led by rope the whole way. Just for running slowly and being dragged down by the horse, Song Qingtao lashed her hand with the whip.

Immediately a bloody welt appeared.