Chapter Forty-Two: Your Whole Family Are Turtles

The child, of course, was Lin Qin. This time, when she went out, she found it troublesome to bring Cui Liu and Cui Yu dressed as girls, so she left them at home. The old lady, worried for her safety, ordered Fu Bo to send a few more people along. Thus, besides Changxing and Changsheng, Xiao Liu, Xiao Shun, and Zheng Datong accompanied her as well. They were enjoying their stroll until, unexpectedly, they encountered some bullies oppressing common folk. Unable to ignore injustice, Lin Qin cried out and rushed forward, sword drawn, to assist.

The brute was none other than Zhao Er, Fang Yiming's lackey whom they had met on their last outing. Zhao Er didn't recognize Lin Qin, but Lin Qin knew him all too well. The moment she saw him, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly: was the world simply too small, or was she somehow fated to cross paths with the Fang family? Every time she went out, she saw them bullying others. Bah, what rotten luck—she'd rather be fated with pigs and dogs than with the Fang clan.

Lin Qin's dislike for Zhao Er ran deep; he was servile to his masters, cruel to the weak, wielding power like a dog at its master's side, even hurting the sick and children. His wickedness was so profound, it seemed to ooze from his head and feet. Lin Qin had long wanted to teach him a lesson, and now the opportunity was perfect—if not now, then when?

After driving Zhao Er away, Lin Qin was feeling quite pleased with herself. But Jiang Li, standing by her side, frowned in concern. They had only brought a handful of people this time; if Fang Yiming showed up, they would surely be outnumbered. And his sister was here—he could not allow her to be harmed. Ah, his sister was excellent in every way, save for her impulsive nature. There was no help for it; he could only be more vigilant in the future.

Jiang Li was thinking of taking Lin Qin away from this place of trouble as soon as possible, but before they could move, Zhao Er's voice rang out from the other end of the street: "Young master, they're right there, look—those reckless brats!"

As it happened, Fang Yiming was wandering nearby, harassing respectable women and snatching things without paying, confident that the entire South Street was under his protection and no one dared to oppose him. Just as he strolled by, he encountered the disheveled Zhao Er. Hearing Zhao Er's report, his anger flared: who dared to challenge him, the local tyrant? In a rage, he slapped Zhao Er twice, called him "useless," and hurried over with his gang, intent on teaching those insolent fools a harsh lesson.

Jiang Li, realizing escape was impossible, stood his ground and pulled Lin Qin behind him. No matter what, he had to protect his sister. Changxing and the others wore grave expressions as they surveyed the opposition. Besides Fang Yiming, there were eight burly men—not boys but full-grown brutes. Even two or three would be hard to handle. Changxing glanced at his companions; understanding flashed between them, and they all closed ranks, forming a protective circle around Jiang Li and Lin Qin.

When they drew near, Fang Yiming became less hurried. He strolled leisurely from behind his henchmen, standing at the front, his eyes slanted as he regarded the group of youths and children across from him. A wicked smile curled his lips. "So this is who dared challenge me? Just a bunch of snot-nosed kids. Who was it that said they'd take my name, punish me? Step forward if you have the guts—don't cower behind others like a turtle, afraid to show your face!"

His eight henchmen burst out laughing, each one convulsed with mirth.

Lin Qin, angered, could no longer care about her predicament. She poked her head out from behind Jiang Li and retorted loudly, "You're the turtle—your whole family are turtles!"

The onlookers, seeing Fang Yiming arrive, grew fearful and scattered, some retreating into shops, others moving to corners, but none went far. Lin Qin's clear, childish voice rang out for all to hear, making them want to laugh yet afraid to, holding back their amusement with difficulty.

Fang Yiming finally noticed Lin Qin hiding behind the others. His gaze darkened as he said with a sinister tone, "So it's you, brat. You've got some nerve, talking back."

Though Jiang Li had drawn her behind him, Lin Qin, undaunted by danger, stuck her head out again and shouted, "You're the brat—your whole family are brats!"

The crowd strained to stifle their laughter, their hearts torn between admiration for the child's boldness and worry for her, knowing Fang Yiming's reputation was not gained lightly.

"Overestimating yourself," scoffed Xiao Wu, the boy at the noodle stand, coldly. This was only the second thing he'd said in a long while, drawing a glance from his foster father, the middle-aged man nearby. But Xiao Wu, after speaking, pressed his lips together and maintained his icy expression, as though he hadn't said a word.

Fang Yiming, repeatedly provoked by Lin Qin, was barely able to contain his fury. He laughed coldly, "Well, well, not only are you sharp-tongued, brat, but I wonder whose courage you borrowed, whose power you rely on to act so arrogantly! You ought to know, in Wucheng, no one dares to stand up to me!"

Lin Qin's crisp voice rang out again, "Who cares whose courage I borrow or whose power I rely on? At least I'm not like some people, who only rely on their father's power, always talking about their father. Without him, they wouldn't even know how to drink milk!"

Even Changxing and Changsheng couldn't help but chuckle.

Fang Yiming, having lost several rounds of verbal sparring, could stand it no longer. He snarled at his henchmen, "What, are your hands broken or your eyes blind? Get in there! Don't hold back—tear out that brat's mouth!"

His eight burly men, eager for action, surged forward. They struck out at anyone they could reach—fists and feet flying. This was no mere scuffle; every blow landed hard. In moments, Changxing, who stood at the front, was knocked to the ground, his face covered in blood. The others were injured as well. Even as he fell, Changxing shouted, "Protect the young master!"

Seeing they couldn't hold out, Changsheng stopped resisting and threw himself over Jiang Li, shielding him with his body. His entire back was exposed, and even Lin Qin, tucked safely inside, could hear the thudding of fists against flesh. No matter how hard they struck, Changsheng would not let go.

The remaining three struggled desperately to help Changsheng, but their opponents were too many, and none of the boys could match them. In a few moments, all were beaten down, even the little boy they had just rescued.

By now, Jiang Li had turned and was holding Lin Qin tightly in his arms, hunched over her. Changsheng, unable to shield her waist, took a couple of blows himself, sweat pouring from his forehead in pain.

Lin Qin, hiding in Jiang Li's embrace, was filled with regret. Her reckless tongue had brought disaster—her friends and brother were hurt because of her. If this continued, something terrible might happen. Changxing, Changsheng, you must hold on. Father, father, please come save me!

She had completely forgotten how she had mocked others for being helpless without their fathers, when she herself was just as powerless.

The crowd was stunned by the sudden turn of events, horrified by the violence. Poor children, they thought, pitying them for provoking the local tyrant. Yet, for all their sympathy, none dared intervene.

Just as it seemed Lin Qin's group would be completely overwhelmed, a sudden sound sliced through the air, followed by cries of pain—"Ah!" "What happened?" "Who the hell ambushed us?" As everyone realized what was happening, they saw Fang Yiming's men sprawled on the ground, clutching their legs and howling.