Chapter 5: Fighting Again and Again

“Wretched brat, just you wait! Tch!”

“Wait all you want!” Luo Yunhe was not afraid. At this moment, she almost wished more people would come to trouble her.

Evening fell.

Su Ruyi returned, accompanied by a woman dressed in coarse cloth, a piece of fabric wrapped around her head. She carried a basket covered with a blue cloth, the contents unknown.

“Ruyi, tonight your auntie made you some delicious food. I remember you loved the meals I used to cook when you were little.”

“That’s wonderful, auntie… my mother talks about you every day…” The two chatted as they pushed the door open.

Just then, Luo Yunhe emerged from her room, and the three crossed paths.

Su Ruyi, speaking with her aunt, turned and caught sight of Luo Yunhe. She sneered and was about to turn away but then noticed the clothes Luo Yunhe wore. Her expression immediately changed.

“Ah…” Su Ruyi's voice was sharp and piercing, and then she suddenly dashed at Luo Yunhe as if mad.

“You wretched woman, who told you to wear my clothes?” Su Ruyi's face twisted with anger as she lunged forward, reaching out to tear the clothes from her.

That was her favorite outfit, yet it was on Luo Yunhe’s body. How hateful, utterly detestable.

The moment Luo Yunhe saw Su Ruyi’s murderous look, she knew trouble was brewing, a score was about to be settled.

So, watching Su Ruyi’s wild attempt, Luo Yunhe swiftly stepped aside, dodging her hand.

“Oh dear, sister, what’s this? Such a warm welcome right after you come back?”

Failing to grab her, Su Ruyi turned with a fierce glare. “You wretched brat, you’re nothing but a thief and a fool. How dare you steal my clothes? I won’t let you off today!”

“Oh, it’s just a piece of clothing. Is it really worth it? I’m your sister-in-law, after all. Just one piece of clothing, and you’re so petty with me here?”

“Tch, sister-in-law my foot! I’m telling you, you fool, you’ll never hear me call you sister-in-law in my whole life.”

The woman’s face flushed with fury at Su Ruyi’s murderous intent, and she quickly stepped to her side.

“Ruyi, this is—”

“Auntie, this is the woman I told you about. My brother spent a fortune to bring her here, and she’s a thief and a scoundrel. She even hit my mother this morning and stole my clothes this afternoon while I was away. How can our family allow someone like her in the house?” Su Ruyi said angrily.

The woman’s eyes darted sharply toward Luo Yunhe.

“I say, girl, how can your hands be so unclean? This was Ruyi’s favorite outfit. You took it without even telling anyone? Even if you were bought back, you haven’t been formally accepted into the family. How can someone with such dirty hands steal from us? Our family can’t tolerate you. You’d better come with me today; I can introduce you to a better place…”

“Oh, and who might you be? Whether I’m accepted or not has nothing to do with you. As long as my husband acknowledges me, that’s enough. Since my little sister-in-law is of age, maybe you should find her a match?” Luo Yunhe said, stifling a laugh.

Yet, the jingling sound kept ringing incessantly in her ears.

At the gate, Su Chen’s return revealed both sides hurling insults at each other. Seeing it was her daughter and sister, she immediately joined the fray.

Three against one, they all shouted curses at Luo Yunhe.

Luo Yunhe merely gazed at them contemptuously, occasionally picking at her ear with a casual air.

A few sharp retorts here and there, perfectly timed to infuriate them without consequence.

The neighbors pressed their ears against the walls, listening to the uproar.

If the bickering continued, it was likely to escalate into a fight.

Sure enough, seeing Luo Yunhe’s demeanor, Su Ruyi’s fury reignited. She rolled up her sleeves and charged forward.

But Luo Yunhe was ready. In her hand was a long, thick stick.

“What, you want to fight?” Luo Yunhe stared fearlessly at them.

“You wretched brat, how dare you lay a hand on me? We’re elders after all!”

“Who are you calling a wretched brat?”

“You’re the wretched brat!”

Luo Yunhe laughed. “So it’s the wretched brat talking about me? How fitting. Don’t use the guise of being elders to morally blackmail me.”

Faced with Luo Yunhe’s fearless attitude, the three’s expressions turned sour.

Su Ruyi grew angrier but feared the heavy stick striking her. Frustrated beyond measure, she was at a loss.

“I’ll tell you, I’m not afraid to fight, even barefooted! If you dare strike me, I’ll strike back!” Luo Yunhe said, watching their whispered plotting.

“You little wretch, watch me tear your mouth apart!” Su Chen lunged to strike Luo Yunhe.

The woman and Su Ruyi followed, three against one.

Luo Yunhe paid no mind and swung the stick fiercely as they came at her.

“Ah… Help! Murder! Murder!”

“Someone come quick, the little wretched brat’s killing someone…”

“Mother, auntie, are you hurt? Someone help—”

Their piercing screams filled the courtyard, grating on the ears.

“Oh, my leg’s broken…”

“Oh, my back…”

The two old women lay on the ground wailing.

Seeing their act, Luo Yunhe spat out a curse.

“Keep pretending all you want. I’m curious how long you’ll keep it up…”

The jingling sound continued.

The commotion in the Su family yard drew the neighbors’ attention, all peeking in to gawk.

Su Jiang strolled home to find a crowd gathered outside his door, whispering among themselves. He immediately sensed trouble.

“What’s going on here?”

Hearing Su Jiang’s voice, the crowd turned.

“Hey, Da Jiang, you’re finally back! Your family’s fighting…”

“Yeah, it’s pretty intense…”

Inside the courtyard, Luo Yunhe heard the voices outside. Without a word, she dropped the stick, tousled her hair and clothes into a messy state, and sat down on the ground.

“Wahhh, help! They’re bullying me! While my husband’s away, they’re laying hands on me…”

“Such injustice! They bully me but turn it around on me…” Luo Yunhe wailed dramatically.

Bang! The front door was pushed open.

“Father, father, you’re back! Please check on mother! She was beaten… and auntie… this woman is so cruel, she went too far…”