Fortune Across the World

Chapter 28: Creating a Plow and Stirring Jealousy (Part 2)

Ding Qiyu looked down at Lian'er in her arms, seeing her small face swollen with a clear handprint, and blood at the corner of her mouth. Her heart ached as if clenched tightly. Lian'er seemed dazed, stunned by the slap. Ding Qiyu's eyes were full of tenderness as she gently touched the swollen edge with her fingertip, softly asking, "Does it hurt?"

Lian'er, from the moment she was slapped to when she fell into Ding Qiyu's embrace, was in a daze. Ding Qiyu's question brought her back to her senses. Seeing the concerned look in Ding Qiyu's eyes and feeling the warmth and care of the embrace, all of Lian'er's grievances surged forth, her eyes reddening instantly. She trembled, saying, "You finally came back!" With that, she buried her face in Ding Qiyu's shoulder, clutching her clothes tightly and sobbing quietly.

Seeing this, Ding Qiyu's heart ached even more. This old woman dared to bully Lian'er so brazenly in front of her! Ding Qiyu was always gentle with her family, but if anyone harmed those she wanted to protect, she would retaliate without mercy. Once, her younger sister, A Yin, was bullied at school, and Ding Qiyu went straight there to teach the culprit a lesson, resulting in the parents claiming their child had a concussion from the encounter.

Seeing Ding Qiyu return and witnessing the incident, Aunt He felt a bit guilty and wanted to leave quickly with her son, He Lizhi. But as soon as she moved, Ding Qiyu's cold voice commanded, "Stop, both of you." Turning, Ding Qiyu's eyes were bloodshot, glaring fiercely, and the two were paralyzed by the chilling aura, unable to move. Aunt He regretted being intimidated by this "little beggar," stiffening her back and retorting, "Stop? Do you think I'm afraid of you, little beggar?"

Ding Qiyu chuckled coldly, gently patting Lian'er in her arms, whispering in her ear, "Lian'er, sit for a moment." Lian'er shook her head instinctively, clutching Ding Qiyu's clothes even tighter.

"It's okay, I'm here. Be good, sit for a bit." Ding Qiyu guided Lian'er to a bench, gently stroking her hair and speaking softly, finally coaxing her to sit down.

Standing tall, Ding Qiyu turned to face Aunt He, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her face was emotionless, but her bloodshot eyes and hateful gaze spoke volumes of her raging anger: "I tolerated you once or twice, but I won't anymore. You're Lian'er's aunt, not mine. Disrespectful as you are, don't blame me for being disrespectful!"

Aunt He involuntarily took a step back, fear creeping in as she continued to shout, "What do you want, you little beggar? I don't believe you'd dare—" Before she could finish, Ding Qiyu slapped her hard!

Aunt He held the sore spot, incredulous, staring wide-eyed, "You dare hit—"

"Yes, I dare!" Another slap, and Aunt He was spun around, barely steadying herself by holding the doorframe.

He Lizhi, initially stunned, finally reacted, seeing his mother slapped twice, he rushed forward, shouting, "You hit my mom!" attempting to strike Ding Qiyu.

"I'll hit you too!" Ding Qiyu's anger was uncontainable, and before he could act, she slapped him.

The two, now both slapped, charged at Ding Qiyu in a fury, intent on retaliation.

Ding Qiyu quickly drew her crossbow, aiming at a small water jar in the corner and pulling the trigger—

With a loud "bang," shards flew, and water splashed everywhere. The two assailants froze in their tracks.

Ding Qiyu redirected the crossbow, aiming it at He Lizhi's forehead, causing him to stare in terror, raising his hands instinctively. Aunt He clutched He Lizhi's arm tightly. Lian'er, witnessing the scene, feared Ding Qiyu might act rashly and hurriedly tugged at her clothes.