Chapter 14: Fighting Back

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Big Ya and Second Ya skillfully pushed the wheelbarrow, one on each side. On the wheelbarrow was a basket containing today’s lunch. Su Li walked behind them with her hands clasped behind her back. The dirt path was strewn with stones, and her thin-soled shoes made it uncomfortable to walk.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the field where the Cheng family was working. Big Ya and Second Ya quickly found a spot under a tree for shade, then called out to others.

The Cheng family members soon emerged from the cornfield, walking toward the shade. It was noon, and small clusters of people gathered in the field, eating quickly. Harvesting was never a simple matter—it always demanded sweat and effort.

Su Li knew her own limits clearly—she couldn’t do the work.

“Mom, why are you here?”

“Why would Mom come? She hasn’t worked in the fields for so many years.”

“Mom—my wife is still alive, right?”

Second Brother’s words made Su Li go from calm to furious in an instant.

“You brainless fool, get out of the way!”

After scolding Second Brother, Su Li didn’t even glance at him, instead helping to bring out the lunch.

Lunch consisted of cornmeal flatbreads and a bowl of radish and vermicelli soup for each person.

Su Li wanted to prepare something better, but there was no meat left, and only a few eggs remained.

“This flatbread is a bit sweet.”

“Tastes good—must have mixed some white flour in.”

“Delicious indeed.”

Su Li paused as she ladled the soup, casting a glance at Fourth Brother, who was acting highbrow and refined, speaking in flowery language.

He managed to make a simple corn flatbread seem like a poetic feast.

“Grandma put sugar in it!” Second Ya said quickly, happily biting into her bread. She kept touching her pocket, where Su Li had given her some eggs, waiting to eat them later with Third Ya.

Third Ya couldn’t do much work, but all the children played nearby. Third Ya was very well-behaved and never wandered off, so she hadn’t gone home with them.

Big Ya hadn’t eaten either; she wanted to help her mother regain health, hoping that with better strength she might have a little brother.

Su Li noticed but said nothing. Change didn’t come overnight. She ate half a corn flatbread herself.

After the meal, Su Li called Big Niu, Second Niu, and Third Niu.

“Big Ya and Second Ya were bullied by Tiedan. We’re not at fault. Go get them back. Remember, don’t hit the head or eyes, aim for the buttocks and legs. Got it?”

Big Niu and Second Niu nodded immediately. They were mischievous boys and fighting was a common occurrence.

Second Brother didn’t care at all; he was proud his son won the fight!

Third Brother’s wife, Ding Xiaohui, unwillingly pulled away the frail Third Niu.

“Mom, my Third Niu won’t go.”

Su Li lifted her eyes.

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“You have to go. If you can’t fight back, can’t you at least watch?”

When he was young, if he didn’t stick together with others, who would help him when he grew up?

Ding Xiaohui, worried for her child, tried to say something, but Third Brother tugged at her arm.

“Third Niu, just watch, don’t get involved, okay?”

Third Niu nodded obediently. He wanted to go, but the village children didn’t like to play with him.

Su Li withdrew her gaze. Third Brother was hiding a lot beneath the surface.

After the tug, Ding Xiaohui changed her mind. Was her usual obedient persona just an act?

Su Li, suspicious, stood up with the help of Miao Xiaocao and led the children away.

Children’s matters had to be settled by the children themselves.

As for Third Brother… there was plenty of time to see through him.

Su Li took her grandchildren to find Tiedan.

“We’ll try peace first. Have Tiedan apologize and compensate with mooncakes. If he refuses, then you fight. Whoever wins, I’ll fry them an egg.”

Big Niu’s eyes lit up. As the eldest among the grandchildren, he confidently pounded his chest.

“Grandma, I’m definitely tough! No kid in the village can beat me!”

“I’m tough too! Me too!” Second Niu was eager not to fall behind. Third Niu smiled quietly, saying nothing.

“Third Niu, do you think Grandma’s plan will work?”

Su Li asked. Third Niu looked nervous—he had always felt neglected by the old lady who disliked his frequent illnesses.

Su Li didn’t rush him and waited for his reply.

“Grandma, fight in front of many people.”

Su Li’s eyes brightened. What a clever child.

“Why? Tell me—I don’t quite understand.”

Su Li encouraged him to speak.

“We’re in the right, and we can warn Tiedan not to bully Big Sister and Second Sister anymore.”

“Third Niu is right!”

Su Li stroked Third Niu’s head in approval. The six-year-old shrank his neck shyly.

Next, they found Tiedan playing in the field, not properly picking corn.

Second Ya was entrusted with the task and charged out, scolding Tiedan fiercely.

“You big boy, only know how to bully little girls! Grandma says that’s cowardly!”

“You’re a coward! A little coward now, a big coward when you grow up, and an old coward when you’re old!”

Tiedan couldn’t stand being insulted by Second Ya, who wasn’t afraid of him, and raised his fists, chasing after her.

Second Ya began to shout.

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“Help—Tiedan’s stealing mooncakes and hitting people!”

She kept shouting this over and over. By the time the adults working in the field came over to see, Big Niu was already pinning Tiedan to the ground, beating him.

“You bullied my sisters and stole our mooncakes!”

“What’s going on here? Are you old Cheng family bullying people?”

Tiedan’s grandmother rushed over, but Su Li stopped her, hands on hips. The war of words began in earnest.

“What’s the matter? Your grandson bullies my granddaughters, and you expect us not to fight back?”

“Are you the emperor now? Doing whatever you want?”

“Why don’t you pee right here and mark your territory! We’ve been nice to you, but how dare you bully my grandchildren? I’ll curse your ancestors for eight generations until they come knocking at your door in the middle of the night to beg for mercy!”

“What? Don’t like it? Come on, come on! I have five sons and a whole bunch of brothers back home—try touching me if you dare!”

Su Li unleashed her full fury, driving Tiedan’s grandmother back step by step.

When it came to unreasonable rants, Old Lady Su was definitely one of the fiercest warriors in the village.

The village chief’s wife, working nearby, quickly came over to mediate.

Su Li showed her respect and calmly explained the situation.

“Look at my granddaughter’s face—it’s all bruised. I’m being generous not asking for compensation!”

The village chief’s wife also glared at Tiedan’s grandmother. A girl’s face was precious; how could one hit so hard? But the next moment, she saw Tiedan’s nose bleeding heavily.

The Cheng family didn’t hold back either.

The village chief’s wife persuaded them to settle. Tiedan apologized and agreed to compensate with a mooncake. If there were no mooncakes, then ten cents would do.

Su Li took the ten cents and handed it to Big Ya and Second Ya.

“Take it and buy some candy.”

Big Ya and Second Ya had never held money before; this was their first time.

Big Niu, Second Niu, and Third Niu looked on enviously. Big Ya clutched the ten cents and said, “Let’s buy candy and share.”

“Big Ya really is the best!”

“Let’s go buy candy!”

Big Niu and Second Niu cheered, while Third Niu smiled quietly. Su Li watched them happily.

The little ones ran ahead, Big Niu bragging about how tough he was, Second Niu explaining how he helped, Third Niu following with a bright smile. Big Ya and Second Ya, excited, finally looked like little girls, hopping and jumping.

Su Li walked behind them, smiling softly—what a beautiful scene.

Her good mood lasted until she reached the doorstep—relatives had arrived at the house.