Chapter 32: They’ve Taken Their Bullying Too Far

The sudden intrusion of Yang Shulin shattered the warm atmosphere, instantly replacing it with tension.

Wang Yufen’s body went rigid, her face turned deathly pale, and her eyes were filled with terror and unease. Instinctively, she pulled Lin Yao behind her and stood up, acting like a mother hen shielding her chicks, positioning her frail frame between the children and the intruder. Lin Yao clutched her mother’s clothes tightly, her small eyes brimming with fear as her body trembled slightly.

Wang Yufen forced herself to appear calm, though her voice betrayed a hint of nervousness as she demanded, "What are you here for?"

Yang Shulin’s jowls quivered, his eyes flashing with a mix of cruelty and shamelessness. He pointed a finger at Wang Yufen and her children, cursing, "What do you think I’m here for? That little brat whipped me twice—you think it’s just going to end like that?"

Abruptly shifting his tone, his inherent greed took over. He bellowed at Wang Yufen, "What are you standing there for? Get me a bowl and chopsticks! I’ll eat this meat, and then I’ll beat you all." With that, he swaggered over to the kang and sat down, reaching out a dirty hand toward the basin of meat.

Seeing this, Lin Yu’s anger flared up instantly. With quick reflexes, he lunged forward, snatching the basin of meat away. His eyes wide with fury, he roared, "Who told you to touch it? We have nothing to do with you anymore! If you want meat, go eat at your own house!"

Yang Shulin was stunned, then let out a scoffing laugh. "You little brat, have you gone mad?"

"That day I let you whip me, it was because I was drunk. Do you think I’ve forgotten how to wield a blade?" Yang Shulin stiffened his neck, his face turning beet red with bulging veins. He started to rise, preparing to lunge at Lin Yu.

Terrified, Wang Yufen blocked his path. "Yang Shulin, what are you doing? Just try moving one more step, and I’ll fight you to the death!" In that moment, Wang Yufen was desperate; she spread her arms wide, shielding her children with her slight body. Though her eyes held fear, they were steeled with resolve.

Seeing Wang Yufen dare to obstruct him, Yang Shulin flew into a rage. His face turned a deep, bruised purple, and the veins on his forehead stood out like twisted worms. He spat out a string of malicious curses, "You bitch, you dare stand in my way? See if I don't beat you to death today!"

He raised a calloused, heavy hand, swinging it with a whistling sound toward Wang Yufen’s face. Lin Yu saw this and was about to charge forward to fight him when a thick, powerful hand—strong as an iron clamp—firmly gripped Yang Shulin’s wrist.

It was Wang Dachun!

Wang Dachun worked at sea and was used to heavy labor; his muscles were well-defined, and his broad shoulders looked like two small hills. Standing at six-foot-one, he yanked Yang Shulin back so violently that the man looked like a weightless scarecrow.

Yang Shulin turned his head, saw someone interfering, and began to scream, "Who the hell are you? I’m beating my own wife! It’s none of your business, let go of me!"

Lin Yu shouted from the side, "Who is your wife? My mother and you divorced long ago! Brother Dachun, he’s a scoundrel—throw him out!"

"You little brat, you’ve really gone crazy. See if I don't kill you today!" Hearing Lin Yu, Yang Shulin grew even more enraged. He twisted his body and kicked, trying to break free, but Wang Dachun’s hand held him fast as if rooted to the spot. Yang Shulin was lazy, prone to heavy drinking, and physically withered; his loose clothes hung off his gaunt frame as if a strong breeze could knock him over. He was no match for Wang Dachun.

Wang Dachun didn't hesitate. Seeing Yang Shulin’s intent to strike, he yanked him over and delivered two heavy punches. "So you're Yang Shulin, huh? I heard you’ve been bullying my master’s wife since she married into your family. I haven't gone looking for you, yet you dare come here? Try acting tough again, and see if I don't beat the life out of you!"

Yang Shulin shivered. Wang Dachun was large and imposing, his eyes wide with rage. The two punches left Yang Shulin seeing stars, unable to recover for a long while, though he still cursed, "You dare hit me? I’ll kill you for this!"

"Still acting tough?" Wang Dachun’s broad chest heaved as his anger peaked. He clenched his fist, thick as a mortar, and struck out like a cannonball. "Bang! Bang! Bang!" Several heavy blows landed on Yang Shulin, causing him to howl in agony.

Afraid that Wang Dachun would kill him, Wang Yufen quickly urged, "Dachun, stop! If you beat him to death, you’ll get into legal trouble. Just throw him out!"

"Mom, don't worry about it. He won't die. This kind of person needs to learn a lesson, or he’ll just keep harassing us," Lin Yu said coldly.

Wang Dachun had no intention of stopping. He had long heard that Yang Shulin was a piece of trash who abused his master’s wife and Lin Yu. Now that they were divorced, the man even dared to come to their home to bully them. In the Northeast, this was an unforgivable insult. His master might be dead, but he was still alive, and Wang Dachun was not a man to be trifled with.

The more he thought, the angrier he got. His sandbag-sized fists rained down like a storm, making Yang Shulin shriek. "Let's see if you dare come back! You think this is your house? Acting like a big shot here... I'll beat you to death, you spineless cur..."

Yang Shulin curled into a ball like a shrimp, his face contorted in agony as sweat beaded on his forehead. Before long, he was rolling on the floor in a pathetic state, clutching his head and begging for mercy: "Stop hitting me! Stop it..."

Only then did Wang Dachun pull back his fists. Lin Yu watched coldly, feeling a sense of catharsis. Seeing Wang Dachun stop, Wang Yufen, despite her worry, let out a sigh of relief. She wasn't worried about Yang Shulin; she was worried that Wang Dachun might go too far and face legal consequences.

However, just as her heart settled, Lin Yu put down the basin of meat. He strode over to Yang Shulin in two steps, raised his arm, and used every ounce of his strength to slap him across the face.

"Smack!" The crisp sound echoed as Yang Shulin’s face turned to the side, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Lin Yu gritted his teeth and roared, "This slap is for my mother! She married into your family and worked herself to the bone, yet you bullied her and treated her like a servant."

He raised his arm again and struck Yang Shulin’s face once more. A clear handprint emerged as the cheek swelled instantly. "This slap is for my sister! She’s so young, yet you wouldn't even let her eat her fill. You’ve scared her so much that she shakes whenever she sees you."

Lin Yu’s voice was hoarse with rage, but every word carried weight. He swung a third time, pouring years of pent-up resentment into the blow. "This one is for me. In your house, you beat me whenever you felt like it. Are you even human?"

Yang Shulin was dazed, collapsing to the ground like a pile of mud. His eyes were filled with terror and disbelief; he never imagined that the once-submissive Lin Yu would dare to strike him back.

Wang Yufen had intended to stop her son, but upon hearing his words, she held her tongue. She was no saint; seeing her children bullied by that man filled her with her own deep-seated hatred. She had always blamed herself for not being able to protect them, and she hated Yang Shulin more than anyone. Seeing her son finally stand up for himself, the bitterness in her heart began to dissipate, and tears welled in her eyes.

"I’m telling you, we have nothing to do with you anymore. If you dare to pester us again, I will break your legs," Lin Yu said, his eyes cold and filled with killing intent. "If you don't believe me, just try it."

Turning to Wang Dachun, Lin Yu added, "Brother Dachun, throw him out. I don't want to see him anymore. Let’s go back to eating."

Wang Dachun nodded, grabbed Yang Shulin like a chick, and hauled him out. Once outside the courtyard, he tossed him onto the ground. "Get lost! Don't let me see you again, or I’ll break your legs."

Wang Dachun snorted, walked back inside, and bolted the gate. Turning to Wang Yufen, he said solemnly, "Master’s wife, if he comes to harass you again, just tell me. I’ll handle him."

Wang Yufen nodded.

"Alright, alright, let’s not talk about him. Come, let’s eat," she said, handing a piece of meat to Wang Dachun.

The venison was rich and fragrant. Wang Dachun took a bite, and the flavor was intoxicating. It was meat—something he rarely tasted outside of his usual coarse grains—and he devoured it with delight.

"Eat slowly. Lin Yu brought back plenty. Take some home with you when you go," Wang Yufen said.

"Master’s wife, I’ll just eat here. I can’t take any," Wang Dachun laughed bashfully.

"Don't be a stranger. When your master was alive, he never treated you like an outsider," Wang Yufen insisted. Wang Dachun had practically grown up in their house, and she saw him as half a son. After her husband died, Wang Dachun had offered to let them live with him, but Wang Yufen had refused. Though he looked sturdy, he was still young and alone; she couldn't burden him with her family’s problems. Besides, he hadn't even married yet. But he was a good man who never forgot his roots and always looked after them—that was enough.

Outside the gate, Yang Shulin crawled up from the ground. His clothes were in tatters, his hair a bird’s nest, and his face was a map of purple and blue bruises. He looked truly pathetic.

Peering through the crack in the door, he watched the family eating together happily. The rich, savory aroma of the meat wafted out, making his stomach churn with hunger. He swallowed hard. He wanted to stay and force his way in—the house was newly renovated, and there was meat to be had; where else could he find such a good life? But the memory of Wang Dachun’s fierce demeanor kept him from taking another step toward the door.

He thought resentfully that this wasn't over; he wouldn't let them have it easy. Suddenly, a cunning smile crossed his lips. He muttered to himself, "I’ll send Nannan over. If she can eat meat here, I don't believe Wang Yufen will ignore her own daughter."