Chapter 115: Thunder

Wu Laosan sighed helplessly. “What’s the use of talking about this now? As for Feng Cheng… ah, I can only hope he doesn’t go too far.” As he spoke, he noticed Yunyi still bowing her head and assumed she was upset by his reprimand. Sighing again, he said, “Father didn’t mean to scold you—it’s just that some people we simply can’t afford to offend.”

“I understand, Father. It was my fault earlier. Perhaps… when Chunxiu calms down a bit, I’ll apologize to her?”

“That might be the best option.” Saying this, Wu Laosan returned to the house with a heavy heart, failing to notice the icy glint in Yunyi’s eyes.

By evening, Wu Laosan went to the wine shop to return an empty jar and retrieve the few coins he had left as a deposit. The wine shop wasn’t far away—normally, it should have taken no more than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense to make the round trip. Yet, after nearly half an hour, Yunyi still hadn’t seen him return.

Worried, she lit a lantern and went to look for him at the wine shop. Though Wu Laosan shared no blood relation with her, and she wasn’t truly Wu Meixue, over these days, he had given her the kind of fatherly love she had never experienced before. Unconsciously, she had come to regard him as her true family.

When Yunyi arrived at the wine shop and asked, the clerk there told her that Wu Laosan had already left some time ago. Yet along the way, she hadn’t seen any sign of him. Where could he have gone?

Using the dim light of her lantern, Yunyi searched around until she finally found Wu Laosan in a secluded alleyway. His condition was far from good—his body bore numerous injuries, and on the ground lay a tooth that had been knocked out.

Yunyi hurriedly helped him up. “Father, what happened to you? Who did this to you?”

Wu Laosan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shook his head. “No one hit me—I tripped and fell. That’s all. Let’s go home.”

Yunyi clearly didn’t believe him and coldly asked, “Was it Feng Cheng?”

A flicker of fear crossed Wu Laosan’s face. He shook his head repeatedly. “I already told you, I tripped and fell. Don’t jump to conclusions. It’s freezing out here. Girl, help me back home. I’m getting old and useless—even a small fall leaves me unable to walk. Luckily, I didn’t fall in the mountains.”

Yunyi’s expression shifted several times before finally settling into calmness. In a gentle tone, she said, “Then you must be more careful in the future.”

Hearing this, Wu Laosan quietly exhaled in relief. Leaning on Yunyi’s support, he made his way back home. While Yunyi fetched medicinal wine and began rubbing his bruises, Wu Laosan suddenly said, “Girl, you should return to the governor’s residence tomorrow.”

Yunyi paused her movements. “Why? Doesn’t Father want me to stay and keep you company?”

“Of course I do, but…” Wu Laosan hesitated for a moment, then forced a smile through his swollen cheeks. “You’ve stayed here for so many days. I’m worried someone at the governor’s residence might not be happy. After much thought, I think it’s better for you to return sooner.” Saying this, he took the medicinal wine from her hands. “Go get ready. I’ll take care of the rest myself. Hurry along.”

Yunyi looked at him. “Father, are you afraid Feng Cheng will cause trouble for me?”

Wu Laosan shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve already said it has nothing to do with the Feng family. Why won’t you believe me? Would your father lie to you?”

Yunyi sighed deeply. “I’m not a child. I can tell whether your injuries came from a fall or a beating.” Her voice trembled as she added, “It’s my fault for causing you this suffering.”

“Silly girl, it’s just a minor injury. Nothing serious. Don’t feel sad about it.” As he spoke, he gently stroked Yunyi’s hair, his voice filled with concern. “Father is only worried about you. Girl, listen to me—don’t argue with Miss Feng anymore. We can’t afford to provoke them.”

Meeting his deeply troubled gaze, Yunyi nodded. “I understand, Father. I won’t argue with them anymore.”

Reassured by her promise, Wu Laosan smiled faintly and repeated, “That’s good! That’s good!”

After Wu Laosan retired to bed, Yunyi returned to her room. However, she didn’t rest. Instead, she changed into a fitted dark green outfit and covered her face with a cloth. Then, she quietly slipped out of the house and ran through the deserted streets under the cover of night. Thunder rumbled intermittently, and lightning snakes occasionally streaked across the sky, briefly illuminating the world. It seemed a storm was approaching.

In order to protect her identity, she had endured Chunxiu’s provocations repeatedly. But the latter had grown increasingly aggressive, constantly testing her limits. This time, she had even attacked Wu Laosan. It was… unforgivable!

The Wu and Feng residences were not far apart, and Yunyi soon arrived at the Feng household. Inside, it was pitch black—everyone seemed to have already gone to bed.

Yunyi leapt over the wall and silently entered the Feng residence. Upon landing, she subtly moved her right hand, and a sharp dagger slid out from her sleeve, which she gripped tightly.

Not knowing which room Chunxiu slept in, Yunyi had no choice but to search room by room. Fortunately, the occasional flashes of lightning provided enough illumination to see who was sleeping inside.

When she reached the third room, she finally spotted Feng Chunxiu. Slowly approaching the bed, Yunyi raised the dagger above Chunxiu’s exposed neck. If she struck now, Chunxiu would surely die!

Just as she tightened her grip on the dagger and prepared to strike, thunder exploded outside the window. Following the thunder, a long streak of lightning illuminated the dark room. At that exact moment, Chunxiu suddenly opened her tightly closed eyes. In the brief flash of light, she saw Yunyi standing beside the bed—and the dagger in her hand!

“Ahh!” The next instant, Chunxiu screamed loudly. At the same time, the rainstorm that had been brewing for hours finally broke.

Of all times to wake up, why now? Yunyi cursed inwardly. She thrust the dagger fiercely toward Chunxiu, who reacted quickly and scrambled off the bed, her face pale as she dodged the lethal blade.

At this moment, hurried footsteps approached from outside—the sound of Feng Cheng and his wife, as well as Chunxiu’s brother, rushing to investigate the commotion.

“What’s going on? What happened?” they asked as they pushed open the door. Seeing them enter, Chunxiu rushed toward them, crying out, “Father, Mother, save me! Someone’s trying to kill me!”

Feng Cheng and his wife were startled. Feng Cheng quickly raised the lantern in his hand and swept it around the room. Frowning, he asked, “Where is this person trying to kill you?”

Chunxiu timidly pointed to a spot. “There! Isn’t that them right there?”

Feng Cheng walked over and examined the area carefully. He then lit the oil lamp in the room and said, “Look for yourself. Where is anyone?”

Chunxiu scanned the room and, indeed, saw no one. Just as she let out a sigh of relief, Feng Chunming remarked, “Sister, are you sure you weren’t dreaming?”