Chapter Thirty-Eight: Excessive Bullying of Zhu Yingtai

"I am really not a woman."

I tried to sit up and push him away with all my might, but he wrapped one arm around me from behind. I had to admit that Ma Wencai was incredibly strong. I tugged at his arm, shouting, "Let me go! Let go! Didn't you claim to be a man of honor? Didn't you say you would make me admit it to you myself? Didn't you say you wouldn't make things difficult for me anymore?"

For some reason, a sudden wave of bitterness washed over me, and tears welled up in my eyes. I thought of my father. Dad, if you knew I was being bullied because of your dreams, would you worry about me too? Would you regret your initial decision? Would you desperately want to bring me back to your side?

Tears traced down my cheeks and dripped onto the back of Ma Wencai's hand. He immediately turned my body around. "Are you crying?"

As soon as his hand touched my cheek, I shoved him away, stood up, and sat on a bamboo chair nearby. I said stubbornly, "I am not."

"Didn't you say that everyone has moments of weakness? You have cried in front of me plenty of times before; why are you afraid to admit it this time?" Ma Wencai asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"This is different." I wiped the tears from my face, struggling to compose myself. I, Fang Xiaoyu, could not let him make a fool of me.

Ma Wencai brought a damp cloth to my side. "I will not forget what I promised you. I lost control of myself just now; I apologize. It will never happen again."

I took the cloth, wiped my face casually, and headed toward the door. I feared I might suffocate if I stayed in that room for even one more second.

"Where are you going?"

"It's too stuffy inside. I'm going out for some air." I opened the door and walked out, sitting in the pavilion to catch the breeze.

The night view here could hardly be called beautiful; there was only a crescent moon hanging in the darkness. I rested my head on the table and soon fell into a deep sleep. After two days of turmoil, I was completely exhausted, both physically and mentally.

When I woke up the next day, I found myself back in the room. I seemed to have slept for a long time; it was already afternoon when I rose. Looking in the mirror, the festering wounds on my face had improved significantly. It seemed that recovering within seven days might not be impossible after all.

I had been staying here for half a month, and the only word to describe it was "boring." I truly wondered how this Xia Yunuo had managed to live here for ten years. After that night, I rarely spoke to Ma Wencai. Everything I said felt wrong, so I simply stopped speaking altogether.

***

Ma Wencai and Xia Yunuo seemed to be a perfect match. The two of them would sit in the pavilion, one playing the zither while the other played the flute, occasionally playing a game of chess. Their days passed quite pleasantly. However, I had no interest in such things; I missed my computer, my television, and my phone. Let them enjoy their leisure.

It was said that Xia Yunuo lived here with a master who not only taught her medicine but also passed on martial arts. However, the master enjoyed traveling the world and hadn't returned for many years.

Just as Xia Yunuo had said, my face truly healed within seven days. I marveled at the wonders of the world! Ma Wencai’s leg was also back to normal, hopping around. Zhu Yingtai, you shouldn't be dying yet, should you? Your life must be preserved for Liang Shanbo to jump into your grave; you surely won't die this early.

"Yunuo, we are preparing to return to the academy tomorrow. Both of our injuries have mostly healed," Ma Wencai said.

Xia Yunuo nodded. "So soon? Is it because Zhu Jiumei still hasn't been found?"

Xia Yunuo seemed quite reluctant to part with her "Wencai-ge."

"That goes without saying. Zhu Yingtai is our classmate, after all. Besides, we have been missing for so long; Shanbo and Wang Lantian must be worried sick, not to mention our instructors and their wives."

Ma Wencai took a slow sip of tea and said leisurely, "Are you afraid Wang Lantian is worried? Liang Shanbo is only worried about Zhu Yingtai, not you." Ma Wencai shook his head, lost in thought. "I am truly puzzled—why aren't you worried about your brother? He should be the one most concerned for your safety."

Oh, right. There was also Liu Yitang. He was Liu Yiqing's biological brother; he must be very worried about my safety now. It was all because this brother of mine was so moody and unpleasant that I had almost forgotten he existed.

"Whether I'm worried or not is none of your business. Stop meddling," I pouted irritably.

"Why do you two always mention this Liang Shanbo? Is he also your classmate?" Xia Yunuo asked.

"Yes, and what’s more, he shares a room and even a bed with Zhu Yingtai."

"What?" Xia Yunuo suddenly stood up. Due to her abrupt movement, she knocked over the teacup on the table. I had only intended to annoy Ma Wencai, but I hadn't expected such a huge reaction from Xia Yunuo, which gave me a start.

"Men and women should not touch! How could Zhu Jiumei sleep in the same bed as another man?" She glared at Ma Wencai with an angry expression. "Wencai, how can you tolerate her doing this?"

***

Seeing Xia Yunuo’s reaction and her expression, one would think she was the one being cheated on.

To be honest, from the moment I met Xia Yunuo, she had always seemed gentle, quiet, and occasionally a bit carefree. I never expected her to get so angry over this matter regarding Zhu Yingtai. It seemed that Ma Wencai held a significant place in her heart.

Ma Wencai merely sighed, showing no anger. "Yunuo, this..."

"Wencai, where has your pride gone?" Xia Yunuo interrupted him mercilessly. "Have you forgotten the vows you made? You said you wanted to become a strong man, to make anyone who bullies or insults you die under your arrows. Isn't this behavior from Zhu Jiumei an insult to you? Where does she intend to place you?"

I couldn't believe my ears. Were these words spoken by the gentle Xia Yunuo? What did she mean? Was she suggesting that Ma Wencai should take Zhu Yingtai’s life? My goodness, what a terrifying woman.

"Of course I haven't forgotten. I have tolerated Zhu Yingtai time and again only for my mother's sake. This was her only wish, and I will fulfill it. This is the only thing I can do for her as a son." Ma Wencai gripped the teacup tightly; it seemed he was struggling hard to restrain his emotions.

It was for his mother again. Ma Wencai must have loved her very much.

"If Aunt were still alive today, she would never allow such a thing to happen," Xia Yunuo said, looking at Ma Wencai as tears slid down her cheeks. "You were the one Aunt loved and wanted to protect the most. If she knew Zhu Jiumei was treating you this way, she would never be able to rest in peace."

Although tears still hung on Xia Yunuo's cheeks, I could clearly detect a murderous intent, a suffocating coldness in her words.

"Enough, Yunuo! Do not talk about Zhu Yingtai anymore." Ma Wencai set down his cup and rose to head toward his room. It seemed that every time his mother was mentioned, his mood plummeted. This reminded me of my own mother. She divorced my father when I was five, and I rarely saw her afterward. My father said we were no longer in the same social class and it was better to have little contact, but she was my mother—my own biological mother.