Aunt Xu after reciv ing the tug from mother Xu also become skeptical at the nonsense the matchmaker had spouted. Their family conditions were supposedly so good? Then why hadn’t they found a bride in the county town? Why bother coming all the way out to the countryside for a match?
Xu’s mother voiced this very suspicion, blunt and fearless:
“If your family’s so well-off, why not find a girl in the county? Why come all the way here?”
At her words, the man’s mother stiffened. How could she admit the truth? Her son’s reputation had already sunk so low in the county that no decent family would consider him. Otherwise, why would she lower herself to search in the countryside?
Even now, standing here, she felt sick to her stomach from the faint odor of chicken droppings.
True, life in these rural parts was leagues behind the comforts of the city. But Aunt Xu’s household was actually quite clean—far better than many village homes, where chicken waste littered the courtyard. At least here, the ground was swept spotless, and the odor came only faintly from the chicken coop.
But Xu’s mother didn’t miss the flash of disgust on the woman’s face. She’d been puzzled before, but now it clicked—there’s something they’re not telling us.
“Could it be…” Xu’s mother narrowed her eyes, “your son couldn’t find a wife in the county, so you came here instead?”
The man’s mother’s face reddened in embarrassment; under the table, her hands clenched into tight fists.
Aunt Xu’s heart sank. She became even more cautious.
Xu Jing, who’d already disliked the crude, leering way the man looked at her, felt a deeper wave of disgust rise in her chest. She’d thought him vulgar from the start—but after hearing this, she despised him even more.
Meanwhile, Wang Liqing’s eyes roamed shamelessly over her. Not bad, he thought, she’s from the countryside, but she’s pretty. A notch below Gu Fuying, sure, but at least she’s got a nice figure. Better than Gu Fuying in that regard.
His gaze lingered on her body, bold and invasive. Xu Jing clenched her fists, struggling to suppress the disgust and anger boiling inside.
Then the Man’s Mother spoke, tapping her fingers lightly against the table. “Girls from the county are pretty, sure, but they’re too delicate. I want someone who can handle hardship and help support our family. There’s no real difference between a county girl and a village girl. Look at us city folk—we eat the food grown by the countryside. Without rural people, where would we be?”
Her words were slick, appealing to their pride and humility both. Aunt Xu’s expression softened slightly.
“How about we let the young ones talk?” the Man’s Mother suggested with a smile.
Second Aunt Xu glanced at her daughter. Seeing Xu Jing’s reluctant nod, she agreed. “Jingjing, you and Liqing go sit and chat. We aunties will step outside for a bit.”
Xu Jing wanted to refuse. She shook her head slightly. But Aunt Xu had already led the other women outside.
Once they left, Wang Liqing’s demeanor changed completely. Without the others watching, he grew bolder—his greedy gaze openly sweeping across Xu Jing’s figure. He rubbed his palms together, a lewd smile creeping across his face as he stepped closer.
“Sister Xu Jing,” he crooned, “my name’s Liqing. If you marry me, every penny I earn, I’ll spend it all on you.”
His squinty eyes gleamed, his single eyelids folding awkwardly when he grinned, his mouth large and unsightly.
Xu Jing’s stomach churned. She recoiled, voice sharp. “Stay away from me.”
But Wang Liqing just chuckled darkly, stepping even closer, no trace of restraint. He thought he had her cornered. After all, the Xu family wasn’t here; his mother had made sure of that. Even if Xu Jing screamed herself hoarse, no one would arrive in time.
Besides, he sneered inwardly, village girls care so much about their reputations. She wouldn’t dare make a scene. She wouldn’t risk it.
“What… what do you want?” Xu Jing backed away, her voice trembling, real fear shining in her eyes as he loomed closer.
Wang Liqing’s grin widened. “What do I want? Nothing much.” His eyes gleamed with lust. “I just want to get a good look at my beautiful wife…”
Suddenly, before he could take another step, a figure burst in from outside. Xu Ying stormed in, her face fierce, her voice sharp as a whip:
“If you dare lay a finger on my cousin, I’ll skin you alive!”
Before Wang Liqing could react, Xu Ying grabbed him by the collar and yanked him backward. “Didn’t get enough of a beating last time? Hah? Think you can bully my cousin?”
With that, she raised her foot and kicked him hard in the backside.
“Aaahhh!” Wang Liqing let out a wail of pain, twisting around, ready to curse—until he met Xu Ying’s cold, piercing stare. At that moment, his bravado crumbled into terror. Her beauty wasn’t delicate; it was sharp, intimidating, and absolutely terrifying.
“Xiao Xia! Have mercy!” he begged, hands raised defensively. “I swear, I didn’t know she was your cousin! It was Matchmaker Sun who told me! I didn’t mean any harm!”
But Xu Ying wasn’t fooled by his pitiful act. She’d been in a foul mood already, and now, someone dared lay hands on her family?
Without hesitation, she slapped him across the face—smack!
Xu Jing watched, wide-eyed. Her cousin had always been gentle, elegant, soft-spoken. She’d never imagined this side of her—a fierce, protective avenger.
Yet warmth bloomed in her chest. Her eyes stung with unshed tears. She’s protecting me… she’s really standing up for me…
A fierce resolve surged inside her. “Hit him! Beat him! This shameless scum deserves it!” Xu Jing cried. “He’s probably harassed other girls in the county too—that’s why no one would marry him!”
Xu Ying turned to her, eyes bright with approval. “Cousin, wanna join in?”
“Me?” Xu Jing blinked, pointing at herself.
“Of course! Come on, don’t hold back!” Xu Ying grinned wickedly. “We’re not done with him yet!”
A spark of boldness ignited in Xu Jing. She took a deep breath, stepped forward—and kicked Wang Liqing right in the crotch.
“Oooowwwww—!” Wang Liqing’s howl pierced the air, high and screeching. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his groin, wailing like a dying pig. “I’m dead! I’m dying! Someone save me!”
Xu Ying paused for a split second, a little stunned by the ferocity of that kick. Then she recovered—and resumed beating him without mercy.
Meanwhile, outside, the Man’s Mother figured enough time had passed. She called out to return. Aunt Xu, anxious from the start, immediately quickened her pace, dragging Matchmaker Sun along.
As they neared the yard, a strange sound drifted out—wailing, groaning, a pitiful chorus.
The Man’s Mother’s lips curled in satisfaction. Good. Must be done by now, she thought smugly. Let’s see the Xu family try to refuse us now.
But the moment they stepped into the courtyard, their smiles froze.
“What… what are you doing?!” the Man’s Mother shrieked, rushing forward. “Are you trying to kill my son?!”
She gasped at the sight—her precious son lying on the ground, bruised and bloodied, his face swollen like a pig’s head.
Aunt Xu and Mother Xu hurried in behind her, their expressions turning alarmed. “Jingjing! What happened?”
Xu Jing wiped her tears, trembling as she spoke: “He… he tried to bully me…”
Xu Ying stepped forward coolly. “He tried to take advantage of my cousin. I couldn’t just stand by.”
Then she shot Xu Jing a playful wink.
Xu Jing caught the hint, sniffled—and burst into sobs. “Mom, you don’t know… this Wang Liqing is a beast! He said he couldn’t find a wife in the county because he’s a pervert—he harasses any pretty girl he sees. The moment you left, he tried to force himself on me! If Cousin Ying hadn’t shown up… I… I…”
Her words, choked with tears, stirred deep pity in everyone’s hearts.
Matchmaker Sun’s face turned ashen. She’d known Wang Liqing was no gentleman—but she hadn’t expected him to be this brazen, daring to assault a girl on their very first meeting.
“I… I swear I didn’t know he’d pull something like this,” Matchmaker Sun stammered awkwardly. “If I’d known… I never would’ve introduced him to your family…”
The Man’s Mother’ face turned livid with rage and humiliation. She glared at Xu Jing, her voice sharp with accusation. “What’s wrong with my son? Don’t you dare slander him! Maybe your daughter seduced him—otherwise why would my son behave this way?”