Chapter 50 Do You Think I Am Cursed to Outlive My Husbands?

Inside the Enforcement Bureau, the lighting was dim.

Li Xiangyang sat on a wooden bench, his gaze calm as he faced Captain Xu.

The man in his thirties, a middle-aged officer, was the enforcement team leader who had handled the incident at the market.

“Tell me exactly what happened,” Captain Xu said, flipping open his notebook.

His voice was neither loud nor soft, but carried a distinct authority.

Li Xiangyang recounted the entire sequence of events in detail—from the gangsters from Yangjia Village bullying the elderly man, to the eventual act of self-defense—leaving nothing out.

Outside the door, Li Xiaoyun paced anxiously.

She had insisted on staying to testify but regulations only allowed the involved parties to enter for questioning.

Captain Xu set down his pen, his eyes sharp as he looked at Li Xiangyang. “You’re brave, kid. Do you even know whose family that guy belongs to?”

“No,” Li Xiangyang answered plainly, “but you act when you have to.”

“Hmm.” Captain Xu nodded slightly, apparently satisfied with the response. “Your method of stopping the bleeding was quite unusual.”

Li Xiangyang didn’t respond directly but said, “Herbal medicine from the mountains—I always carry it for emergencies.”

At that moment, a young officer pushed the door open. “Captain Xu, there’s news from the hospital.”

Captain Xu stood and walked to the door, whispering a few words before returning with a softened expression.

“The man’s condition is stable for now,” Captain Xu said. “You’re lucky. But this isn’t over—his father is the accountant of Yangjia Village; I doubt he’ll let this slide easily.”

“I understand,” Li Xiangyang replied.

“All right, you can go home for now. Don’t go far these next few days. Stay home and wait for further notice.”

Captain Xu spoke as he wrote the closing remarks.

“Thank you, Captain Xu.”

As Li Xiangyang stepped out of the Enforcement Bureau, he saw Li Xiaoyun leaning against the wall, waiting.

The cold wind had reddened her cheeks.

“Xiaoyun,” he called softly.

Li Xiaoyun immediately came forward. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Li Xiangyang took her hand. “Let’s go home. It’s already dark.”

“And that person… is he going to be okay?” Li Xiaoyun asked anxiously.

“He’s stable,” Li Xiangyang said. “But this matter still needs to be dealt with.”

“Should we ask Uncle Wang for help?” Li Xiaoyun suddenly suggested.

Li Xiangyang shook his head. “Let’s wait and see first. No need to trouble him over something small. Besides, I have a plan.”

Li Xiaoyun pressed her lips together but said nothing.

Her hand, however, gripped his tighter.

It was getting late. The two found the donkey cart parked at the town entrance. Li Xiangyang helped Li Xiaoyun onto it.

The biting wind blew, so he took off his padded jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“Aren’t you cold?” Li Xiaoyun tried to refuse.

“I don’t mind the cold,” Li Xiangyang smiled and took the reins. The donkey cart slowly moved along the uneven dirt road.

Moonlight reflected off the snow, casting a silvery glow.

The surroundings were silent except for the crunching sound of the donkey’s hooves on the snow.

“Xiangyang…” Li Xiaoyun suddenly spoke softly, “do you think I’m bad luck for men?”

Li Xiangyang was taken aback. “Why would you say that?”

“First, we ran into an avalanche a few days ago, and now this…”

Her voice trembled with a hint of sobbing. “I’m scared…”

“Silly girl.” Li Xiangyang stopped the cart and turned to look at her. “An avalanche is a natural disaster. Today’s fight would have happened whether you were there or not. None of this is your fault. Besides,” he smiled, “if we hadn’t encountered the avalanche, we wouldn’t have ended up stuck in that cave…”

Li Xiaoyun blushed deeply and lightly hit him. “You just like teasing me.”

“Seriously now,” Li Xiangyang resumed driving the donkey cart, “it’s best not to spread this around. The guy’s alive, and if word gets to my family, it’ll only cause them unnecessary worry. At worst, we’ll have to pay some compensation.”

“I have some savings…” Li Xiaoyun began.

“No need,” Li Xiangyang interrupted. “You don’t know yet how good I am at hunting. I’ll catch something decent and sell it. If that’s not enough, then I’ll use your savings.”

Looking at his determined profile, warmth surged in Li Xiaoyun’s heart.

This man always wanted to shoulder every burden himself.

“I believe in you,” she whispered.

After dropping Li Xiaoyun off at the youth settlement, Li Xiangyang headed home. When he pushed open the door, it was late at night.

The snow in the courtyard reflected the moonlight. He saw a faint light glowing from the window of the side room.

Opening the door, he found his mother and younger sister sitting on the kang (heated brick bed), mending clothes.

“You’re back?” his mother asked, putting down her needlework, her face full of loving warmth. “How was your date with Xiaoyun?”

Li Xiangyang sat by the kang, a smile unconsciously tugging at his lips. “It went well, Mom. Xiaoyun says she’ll never marry anyone but me.”

“Really?” Li Xiaohua brightened immediately. “Then are you two getting married soon?”

“Stop it,” their mother laughed, tapping her daughter’s forehead. “Kids, what do you know? It’s too soon.”

Though she said this, her face was filled with pride.

The son was really coming into his own.

“Well…” Li Xiangyang hesitated, “there’s something else I need to tell you.”

His mother’s expression stiffened. “What is it?”

“At the market today…” Li Xiangyang chose his words carefully, “I got into a bit of a fight, and the other person got hurt.”

“Ah?” Li Xiaohua exclaimed. “Brother, are you okay?”

She immediately moved to check if he was injured.

Their mother also hurried to his side. “Where are you hurt? Let me see.”

“I’m fine, Mom.” Li Xiangyang grasped her trembling hand. “Don’t worry.”

“Really?” His mother scrutinized him, and seeing no injuries, she relaxed slightly but still frowned. “Is the other person badly hurt?”

“A little, but he’s been sent to the hospital,” Li Xiangyang reassured her. “We might have to pay some compensation.”

“Money isn’t a problem. You can have everything from our family. Wait here—I’ll go ask your uncles for a loan!” Their mother prepared to stand.

“Mom,” Li Xiangyang stopped her, “don’t worry. You don’t know yet how good I am at hunting. Catching a big animal will cover the cost.”

His mother looked at his resolute eyes and slowly sat back down.

She knew that ever since her son had suddenly become so responsible, he truly could support the family.

“Brother,” Li Xiaohua suddenly said, “did you fight to protect Sister Li?”

Li Xiangyang ruffled his sister’s hair. “You’re quite perceptive.”

“Of course,” Li Xiaohua said proudly. “The other guy deserved it. Good job, brother.”

Their mother sighed. “You’ve always been stubborn. But this time…” She paused, “you did the right thing.”

Li Xiangyang felt a warmth in his heart.

This was family—not questioning right or wrong, only concerned with safety; not bargaining conditions, only caring about dedication.

As the night deepened, Li Xiangyang lay on the kang, listening to the howling north wind outside, and began planning his next steps.

He needed to head into the mountains to hunt and gather enough money for the compensation.

He just didn’t know how much the other side would demand…

The black cat stealthily jumped onto the kang and curled up at his feet.

Li Xiangyang knew that when he went into the mountains tomorrow, this little companion would surely lead him to the best prey.