Song Ye kept backing away and fell down with a thud, supporting himself with his hands as he scooted backward. Seeing his soul-lost dog-like appearance, He Feng sneered and put down his gun. With one hand, he pulled him up and forcefully patted his pants. “Brother Song, just a joke. Don’t take it seriously.”

Song Ye’s face had turned white. He dodged to the side. “Little Feng, it’s just a woman. Your second brother advises you—it’s not worth disappointing so many brothers.”

He Feng calmly swept his gaze over the crowd surrounding the courtyard. “This formation of yours is forcing me to hand her over, isn’t it?”

“A life for a life—it’s only natural,” someone in the crowd said.

He Feng looked toward him. “What? I didn’t hear clearly. Say it again.”

That person felt panicked under He Feng’s gaze and weakly repeated, “A life for a life.”

He Feng crooked his finger. “You come out.”

The person hesitated, not daring to step forward.

“Come out.” He Feng didn’t have much patience. He put his hands behind his back, his tone changing. “Do you want me to invite you?”

The person nervously broke out in a cold sweat on his back, regretting deeply—he shouldn’t have spoken up. He moved with difficulty, slowly stepping forward.

“What’s your name?” He Feng saw him hanging his head. “What are you afraid of? I’m not going to hit you.”

“Li Hu.”

“Have you killed anyone?”

“Yes.”

“How many?”

“One.”

“Then why are you still standing here breathing? Why aren’t you paying with your life?”

Li Hu was scared senseless. A brother spoke up for him, “That’s different!”

“How is it different?”

“She killed the chief. We only killed worthless lives.”

“Worthless lives?” He Feng laughed. “Come tell me what constitutes a worthless life.”

“Just some people not worth anything.”

“Then by my estimation, you’re also a worthless life. Stick your head over here and let me fire a shot.”

That person stopped talking. Song Ye pulled him behind himself. “Little Feng, bringing up all this is meaningless.”

“How is it meaningless? I find it quite meaningful.” He Feng stopped spinning his gun. “Fine, let’s not go off-topic. A life for a life—Song Qingtao killed someone’s sister, my sister-in-law. How do we settle this account?” He Feng threw a bullet at Li Hu. “I’m asking you.”

Li Hu’s body shook as he looked at the bullet that fell at his feet, half his body going cold. “I… don’t know.”

“Taking the person away isn’t impossible either.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

“Step over my body.” He Feng sat down on the spot, leaning his back against the right door frame and placing his feet against the left door frame, blocking the door with his body. “Who wants to go first?”

No one wanted to die.

No one dared move.

During the standoff, Uncle Cai arrived. He was He Zhanghui’s closest confidant, and whether it was Yun Village, Qing Village, or Lei Village, all held him in some fear.

Uncle Cai looked at the crowd from Qing Village dressed in mourning clothes and advised, “All of you go back. The head chief says he will handle this matter himself and will definitely give you an explanation. Stop gathering here to make trouble.”

“No! We can’t let this slide!” The speaker was Song Feng, coming from afar with a fierce expression.

Seeing the Third Chief of Qing Village arrive, the people from Qing Village immediately became emboldened, straightening their backs considerably.

Song Feng walked to the front. “Old Cai, the one who died was my elder brother! He Feng, if you hand her over now, we’ll let bygones be bygones.”

“Uncle Song, if you hadn’t come looking for me, I would have had to find you.” He Feng sat leisurely. “Your elder brother climbed over the wall into my courtyard in the middle of the night trying to assault my woman. Two knife wounds were getting off easy. If I had been there,” he lifted his eyelids and looked at him carelessly, “I would have chopped off his manhood to feed the wolves, gouged out his eyes to feed the dogs, then chopped him into pieces and thrown him to the back mountain for snakes, insects, birds, and beasts to feast on.”

Song Feng trembled with rage. “You—”

“What about me?” He Feng smiled easily, spinning his gun playfully. “I heard you Qing Village people love switching women around. If Uncle Song thinks women can be mounted and played with at will, why don’t you send Third Aunt over to keep your nephew company for a few days? I have many men here who would definitely keep Third Aunt entertained. Or you could send your old mother—my Uncle Liu who sweeps floors is lonely every night.”

“You… you’re being utterly rebellious!”

“I am utterly rebellious.” He Feng stood up, looking down at Song Feng. “Any woman in this house—whoever dares touch them, I’ll kill three generations of his family. You know I always do what I say.”

No one dared move.

“Anyone who’s not convinced, step forward.”

No one came forward.

Uncle Cai tugged at Song Feng. “Third Chief Song, let’s go back first.”

Song Feng knew that continuing this standoff wouldn’t yield results, so he decided to retreat for now and return to discuss countermeasures with his second brother. “Since the head chief has spoken, we little brothers will wait for news. Let’s go.”

He Feng smiled. “Take care.”

After everyone left, Uncle Cai glared at He Feng and shook his head at him. “You.”

He Feng pressed down his hand. “Thanks for making the trip. Come in and sit.”

“I won’t go in.” Uncle Cai bent down to lift his clothes and check his injuries. “Are you alright?”

He Feng pushed his hand away. “Minor injury.”

“You reckless fool.” Uncle Cai glanced toward the courtyard. “You’re just like your father—truly father and son. Alright, go rest. I’m heading back.”

“Hey, Uncle Cai.” He Feng called out to him. “Tell my father when you get back that I want to get married when he has time.”

“Get married? Has your brain been burned too? She can barely keep her life, and you want to get married.”

“Then tell him he’s going to be a grandfather.”

Uncle Cai was stunned. After a long while, he asked suspiciously, “Really?”

“If you don’t believe it, have him call Old Zheng to take a look.”

Uncle Cai still didn’t believe it. “What scheme are you plotting now?”

“Just go already.” He Feng pushed him outward. “Be careful, don’t break those old legs of yours.”

“Stop pushing—you’ll make me fall to my death.”

“Don’t forget—great-grandson.”

“I’m going.”

…

Early the next morning, Uncle Cai came with an unfamiliar doctor.

After taking her pulse, the doctor beamed with joy. “Congratulations, young master, you’re going to be a father.”

Uncle Cai grabbed the doctor. “You’re not mistaken?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“I trust, I trust.” Uncle Cai slapped He Feng’s arm. “Well done, boy.” Uncle Cai left happily with the doctor, still instructing the servants on the way, “Take good care of her.”

Xie Chi was completely puzzled.

What was going on?

After everyone left, Xie Chi asked him, “What’s this about becoming a father?”

He Feng sat on the bed and pointed at her stomach.

Xie Chi stared at herself blankly.

“Are you stupid?” He Feng flicked her forehead. “Just fooling my father.”

“You conspired with that doctor?”

“I don’t know him.”

“Then how did he help you lie?”

“Can only say he’s smart.”

“What?”

“He knows who to listen to and who to speak for. If he offends me, he won’t be able to make a living anywhere in the mountains or down below.” He Feng moved closer to her. “How about we rush to conceive one?”

Xie Chi pushed him away. “My injuries haven’t healed yet. It hurts.”

He Feng pinched her face. “Fine, I’ll wait. Let’s see how many more days you can hurt.”

…

Song Qingtao knelt in mourning clothes before He Zhanghui’s courtyard, holding Song Mang’s memorial tablet, neither eating nor drinking for a whole day.

He Zhanghui didn’t appear in person, having Uncle Cai come out to speak.

He tried to help Song Qingtao up, but she refused to stand no matter what.

“The head chief has already said—you go back first, and this matter will definitely be resolved for you.”

Song Ye asked, “Later? When exactly is later?”

Uncle Cai said, “In any case, let Chief Song rest in peace first.”

Brothers in the back shouted, “What rest in peace? Chief Song can’t rest in peace!”

“Right! He can’t rest in peace.”

“Please give us an explanation, head chief.”

Song Qingtao knelt expressionlessly, saying nothing.

Uncle Cai sighed and said quietly to Song Qingtao, “That girl is carrying the young master’s child. The head chief says once the child is born, the person will definitely be handed over to you.”

Song Qingtao looked up at him in shock.

Uncle Cai patted her shoulder. “Go back first.”

“She really has a child?”

“Absolutely genuine.” Uncle Cai persuaded her, “She just had some complications with the pregnancy. Fortunately, they didn’t kick her stomach—the child was saved. Now that she’s carrying the He family’s bloodline, forget the young master—even the head chief won’t let you take her away.

Everyone should compromise. This standoff isn’t leading anywhere. The head chief always keeps his word. When the time comes, you can collect the person and do whatever you want with her.”

Someone said, “Ten months of pregnancy—who knows how long that’ll be, and what other complications might arise?”

“Exactly! This is too biased!”

“We don’t even know if she’s really pregnant!”

Uncle Cai looked at the speaker. “Want to personally examine her yourself?”

That person shut up.

Song Qingtao thought for a moment, stood up holding the memorial tablet, and shouted toward the house, “Qingtao will come for the person in ten months. I hope the head chief keeps his word.”

Song Ye refused to leave. “Just let it go like this? They’re obviously lying. Even if she was pregnant, after being beaten like that, could the child survive?”

Song Qingtao glared at him viciously. “Otherwise, you can kneel here, or go feel her belly to check if it’s real, and see if they’ll release her now?”

“I…”

Since the young miss had given in, the people from Qing Village naturally couldn’t continue the disturbance and followed her back to Qing Village.

…

Uncle Cai returned to the courtyard where He Zhanghui was still smoking.

“They believed it.”

He Zhanghui laughed. “You think they really believed? They’re just looking for a way out.”

“You don’t believe it either?”

He Zhanghui looked at him lazily. “Is my grandson made of stone? That girl was beaten so severely—even if it were stone, it would have fallen out.”

Uncle Cai laughed. “It’s the young master’s seed—it’s not impossible.”

“Little Feng is full of schemes. He’s barely touched a few women, but lies come easily to him. Great-grandson, indeed.” He Zhanghui squinted and smiled. “If he really gets me a great-grandson, I might die laughing.”

“What about a few months later? When her belly doesn’t show, they’ll definitely come for her.”

“Send her down the mountain. Is that supposed to stump you?”

“The problem is the young master.”

“Hmph.” He Zhanghui exhaled smoke sensuously. “Let him be for now. We’ll see after he’s played around for a couple days.”

…

After the people from Qing Village withdrew, He Feng’s courtyard was cleaned inside and out, and He Zhan wheeled himself in.

Seeing Xie Chi’s room empty, he asked everyone he met, “Where’s A’Zhi?”

Song Wan was seeing He Zhan for the first time. Having heard of this person before and seeing his appearance, temperament, and wheelchair, she guessed he must be He Feng’s brother. So she led He Zhan to He Feng’s room.

As soon as he entered, He Zhan saw He Feng sitting at the table carving wood while Xie Chi leaned against the bed reading.

They looked like newlyweds.

“Big brother.” He Feng heard the voice and glanced up at him.

Hearing this, Xie Chi also called out “Big brother.”

He Feng turned back with a smile. “Who told you to call him big brother?”

“…”

“He just has a sharp tongue. Don’t mind him.” He Zhan rolled to Xie Chi’s bedside. “How are you feeling?”

“She’s doing great.” He Feng answered before she could. “Look how comfortable she is—she’s even reading.”

Song Wan sat across from He Feng. “What are you carving?”

“Don’t know. Just carving randomly to pass time.” He Feng blew on the wood. “Go get a couple bottles of wine.”

“The doctor said you can’t drink. Qing Yangzi has already hidden all the wine.”

“So troublesome. Then have Chen Zheng catch a couple fish for soup tonight.” He Feng turned to look at Xie Chi. “Want some?”

She nodded.

He Feng smiled and turned back. “Catch a few more.”

“But doesn’t he need to watch the courtyard?”

“Do I need him to watch when I’m here?” He Feng looked at her with a light smile. “Go on.”

Song Wan ran off happily.

Xie Chi was reading a book left by their mother, all in English. Xie Chi couldn’t read it and could only look at the pictures.

He Feng mocked her. “You can’t understand it but insist on reading. Isn’t that frustrating?”

“As if you can understand it.”

“Hey, I actually can.” He Feng focused on carving wood and gave a disdainful laugh. “Don’t think you’re the only one who’s read books. I’m fluent in three languages.”

He Zhan smiled proudly about his brother. “Little Feng has good language talent. When mother taught us foreign languages, he could learn in one day what took me three days.”

Xie Chi had some impression of this. Aunt Wang had mentioned to her that their mother was snatched up the mountain—an educated young lady from a wealthy family who had studied abroad. Thinking of this, it wasn’t strange that these two brothers knew some foreign languages.

He Zhan rolled to He Feng’s side. “I heard you were shot. Where were you hit?”

“It’s not the first time. Minor injury.”

“Don’t take it lightly. You still need to rest and not fiddle with these little trinkets—it wastes energy.”

“She’s occupying my bed. She cries out in pain at the slightest touch. How dare I get on the bed to rest?”

Xie Chi turned her face away, not wanting to deal with him.

He Zhan looked carefully at what He Feng was holding. “What are you carving?”

“This is called art. You wouldn’t understand.”

Xie Chi burst out laughing with a “pft.”

Now He Feng got excited, standing up to teach her a lesson. “Laugh once more.”

Xie Chi covered her mouth with the book and immediately showed weakness. “I was wrong.”

He Feng didn’t torment her and sat back down.

“Such a grown man, still acting like a child.” He Zhan watched him sit down heavily. “Slow down, don’t aggravate your injury.”

“I know.”

He Zhan stayed for a while before wheeling away.

“Not staying for dinner?”

“No, I just came to check on you. I’m glad you’re both alright.”

“Take care then.”

“Mm.”

Only the two of them remained in the room.

Xie Chi stole a glance at him, but He Feng seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. “Why are you secretly looking at me?”

“…”

She cursed him in her mind.

“And you’re cursing me too.”

This person… was he even human?

He Feng finished carving, wiped the wood carving, and sat on the bedside. “Take a look.”

Xie Chi studied it for a long time. “A pig?”

He Feng flicked her forehead.

“You’re the pig.”

Xie Chi rubbed her forehead. “Then what is it?”

He Feng pressed down her hand and kissed the spot he had flicked. “A sow.”

Xie Chi pushed him forcefully. “What’s the difference?”

He Feng didn’t budge. “It’s female.”

“…”

…

In the evening, Pei Lanfar came to see them again, bringing the roasted chicken that He Feng had brought back last time.

Just looking at the packaging made Xie Chi’s mouth water.

He Feng used chopsticks to carefully remove the meat from the bones for Xie Chi to eat.

Pei Lanfar kept mocking him from the side. He Feng got annoyed and stuffed chicken bones in his mouth.

Halfway through deboning, Pei Lanfar wanted to pull He Feng aside to discuss business.

He Feng refused. “Just talk here. She’s stupid and won’t understand.”

Xie Chi: “…”

Pei Lanfar smiled helplessly. “He’s just stubborn like this. His way of being good to someone is to bully them. Because he won’t even glance at people he doesn’t like, so the more he bullies you, the more he likes you.”

He Feng smiled in acknowledgment. “Even bones can’t shut your mouth.”

Pei Lanfar became serious. “Alright, let’s talk business.”

“Mm.”

“That Japanese fellow came looking for me again.”

He Feng snorted disdainfully. “They won’t be satisfied until I beat them up.”

Qing Yangzi happened to enter the room and saw the chicken leg, reaching for it. He Feng slapped his hand away. “Fighting women for food—pathetic.”

Qing Yangzi pitifully withdrew his hand.

He Feng threw him a chicken wing. “Sit down.”

Qing Yangzi happily caught it and sat down to gnaw on it.

Pei Lanfar continued, “This time he brought dozens of people, looking like they want to take it by force.”

“Hah, quite capable.”

Qing Yangzi didn’t understand. “What are you talking about?”

Pei Lanfar explained to him again, “Tanaka Hisatomo came to me again about the coal mine.”

Qing Yangzi immediately threw down the chicken wing and shot up. “That bastard dares to come again? Let him come! I’ll fucking kill him.”

“Don’t get excited. Sit down.” He Feng calmly deboned the meat while Xie Chi sat beside him quietly eating and listening to their conversation.

“The Japanese are desperately trying to occupy China, dig our coal, use our people, and ship everything to their damn Japan.” He Feng raised an eyebrow at Xie Chi. “I’d rather blow up the mine than give it to them.”

Qing Yangzi lost his appetite, sat silently and sullenly, then got up and left.

He Feng’s mood also soured. He stabbed the chicken meat violently with his chopsticks. “Have him come find me directly. Let’s see if I don’t skin him alive.”

Xie Chi laughed.

He Feng glanced at her. “What are you laughing at?”

“Laughing at your expression—like you want to eat someone.”

“Do you like it?”

Xie Chi didn’t answer.

Pei Lanfar couldn’t stand it anymore. “I’m still here. Could you two consider this bachelor’s feelings?”

Xie Chi suddenly asked, “What happened to Qing Yangzi just now?”

He Feng said nothing.

Pei Lanfar said, “His younger brother went to Jinan the year before last to visit relatives and was beaten to death by Japanese soldiers.”

“Was it in May?”

“Yes.”

Xie Chi happened to know about this incident. Her second uncle had mentioned it during her last visit to Jinan. The year before last, Japan used the pretext of protecting its nationals to send troops to Jinan, intending to stop the National Revolutionary Army’s Northern Expedition. They killed many Chinese soldiers and innocent civilians with extremely cruel methods.

Mentioning this made He Feng angry. He broke his chopsticks and casually threw the meat into Xie Chi’s bowl. “Not deboning anymore. Gnaw on it yourself.”

He Feng walked out.

Pei Lanfar sighed. “Don’t mention this in front of Qing Yangzi, and don’t ask Little Feng about it again.”

“I understand.”

…