Chapter 28: I’ll Bite You to Death

When Bai Yan ran back to the woods, both of them were still unconscious. Seeing this, she let out a sigh of relief, then followed Madam Zhao’s instructions, smearing chicken blood all over Jiang Cheng’an until he looked utterly wretched and pitiful.

As she busied herself with the task, a deep voice suddenly rang out from nearby, “Little one, are you having fun?”

The sound startled Bai Yan so much that her soul seemed to leave her body; the bowl she held slipped from her hands and crashed to the ground. She turned her head cautiously and saw a tall man emerge from the thick brush beside her.

Bai Yan stared in a daze. Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Chengyan suddenly pulled her close. Before she could cry out, he had wrapped his arms around her, pressing her into the grass to hide.

At first, Bai Yan was bewildered, but soon enough, the sound of someone cursing echoed from outside.

“These wheat seedlings finally grew so tall—who’s the shameless one that trampled them like this?”

“If I catch them, I’ll… Ah! There’s a dead person here!”

Wang Erniu was muttering angrily when his gaze swept across his own field and spotted two people lying there—one covered in blood, looking utterly disfigured.

...

A quarter of an hour later,

Madam Zhao sat in the field, cradling Jiang Cheng’an, who was soaked in (chicken) blood, her face filled with despair. Beside her, the unconscious young man who’d been knocked out was now awake, doused with water.

Wang Damei grabbed Wang Erniu’s arm and looked pitifully at the still-unconscious Jiang Cheng’an. She hurried to say to the village head, “Village Chief, these people must be dealt with properly. Cheng’an is such a good child—look at him now, beaten to this state!”

The young man in black, who’d taken a blow to the head, had also been roused by the water. As he opened his eyes, he saw a crowd of villagers glaring at him. Glancing at Jiang Cheng’an, who lay unconscious in Madam Zhao’s arms, he immediately grasped the situation.

“So, you’ve learned to act, have you? I didn’t beat him to this bloody mess—I just kicked him a few times.”

“And who was it that struck me from behind just now?”

“Do you think this will get you anywhere with me?”

The young man in black wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his smile wicked as he leaned against a tree and stood up.

“Third Aunt, let’s settle this privately,” said the village chief, who had remained silent until now. At his words, all the villagers turned to look at him.

Madam Zhao’s gaze shifted from the village chief’s face to the young man in black.

The young man in black smirked back at her.

“Who is he?” Madam Zhao wondered, knowing that for the village chief to say such a thing, the young man must have an extraordinary identity.

“He’s the only son of the wealthy Shen family,” the village chief finally admitted, closing his eyes.

This answer caused a stir among everyone present.

“Hit me if you must—I’ve no money. If you want compensation, go to Shen Village.” With a scowl, he rubbed the back of his head where he’d been struck, then swaggered off without a care.

“Third Aunt, you know even the county magistrate bows to Master Shen,” the village chief crouched beside Madam Zhao.

Madam Zhao understood immediately. She glanced at him, then signaled Jiang’s father, who promptly lifted Jiang Cheng’an and hurried home.

Only when the crowd dispersed did Jiang Chengyan finally carry Bai Yan away.

Bai Yan still held the bowl of chicken blood, which had stained her white dress.

“I brought you out to play—not to end up here, understand?” Jiang Chengyan said as he carried Bai Yan toward his house.

But the person on his back was clearly unwilling.

“Go to Cheng’an’s house,” Bai Yan demanded anxiously, swinging her legs to hurry him.

“No,” Jiang Chengyan refused to listen.

No sooner had Jiang Chengyan spoken than Bai Yan bit down on his neck…