Chapter 356: Liberation

**Chapter 356: Deliverance**

"I think we really need to start watching our pennies and plan things out better. If we don’t cook at home, even with both of us working, we’ll still be buried in debt, not saving a single cent."

"The debts are getting worse by the day. And this house? When it rains outside, it leaks inside. Everyone in the neighborhood knows how bad off we are—just ask around. You think any matchmaker would touch us with a ten-foot pole?"

"Ah, once we get a wife in here, someone to run the house, we’ll finally be able to save some cash. This is all because you can’t get your act together."

As father and son bickered, blaming each other, a loud clang rang out from outside.

It was Wu Sibiao’s work tools—the iron shovel leaning against the door had fallen over.

"Who the hell is that?"

Wu Sibiao waved his son off. "Go check it out. Don’t let some damn thief steal my shovel or we’ll have to buy another one ourselves. Just bring it inside."

"Damn it, go already!" Seeing his son hesitate, Wu Sibiao snapped at him.

Wu Kun stood up grudgingly, still afraid of his old man, dragging his feet as he shuffled outside.

Wu Sibiao took a swig of liquor and went back to cracking peanuts.

Soon, he heard his son’s gentle voice from outside:

"...What happened? Did you run into trouble? Some bad guys?"

"A little girl like you shouldn’t be walking alone so late at night—it’s dangerous. Look at you, your clothes are torn and covered in dirt."

"Don’t worry, don’t be scared. I’m one of the good guys. Come on, come inside and wash up. Where do you live? I’ll walk you home later."

Just as Wu Sibiao was about to step outside himself, his son came barging in, excitedly leading a young woman behind him.

His bloodshot eyes gleamed—finally, a woman?

Wu Kun gave his father a knowing look. Wu Sibiao immediately straightened up, putting on a friendly face.

"Hey, what happened to you? Did you fall? Look at you," he said, motioning for her to sit. "Come on, take a seat. Let me grab a cloth so you can clean up. You eaten yet, sweetheart? Hey, Kun—get moving! Go grab some steamed buns and a roast chicken for the girl!"

Seeing Ai Xiaolan hadn’t reacted, Wu Kun quickly added, "Right away, right away!"

"Wait," Ai Xiaolan said softly. "Can you also get me a bottle of pain-relief liquor? I hurt all over."

Wu Kun perked up. "Sure thing—I'll get it now. Uh... Dad..."

Wu Sibiao grumbled and grudgingly forked over five bucks. "Hurry back. Don’t make the lady wait."

Wu Kun grabbed the money and bolted out the door. In nearly thirty years of life, he’d only ever gotten a real taste of action once—back when he was barely twenty, with his dad.

And even then, he hadn’t gotten his fill.

Back then, his dad had been worried going too hard would break her in, so he wouldn’t let Wu Kun go all the way.

He thought they could take their time—after all, they had all the time in the world.

But before he could have another go, she ran off.

He rushed to the pharmacy and bought a bottle of medicinal wine, then made a beeline for his usual shop.

As soon as he walked in, he shouted, "Ma Wang! One roast chicken and two big fluffy buns—right away!"

A rough female voice inside the house grumbled unhappily, "Go on, get out! Small business here, no more credit."

Wu Kun straightened up and slapped the money on the table. "Cash today—just hand it over."

The woman took a closer look. "Oh, Kunzi’s come into money, huh? You still owe me over twenty bucks. When are you paying that back?"

"Hey, what’s the rush? Hurry up and pack my things, or I’ll go to the shop across the street. I’ll settle up in a couple of days."

"Fine, fine."

In no time, Wu Kun dashed home with an oil-paper bag in hand.

Inside, Wu Sibiao had boiled water and was offering Ai Xiaolan water to wash up.

When Wu Kun returned and saw she was still there, he rubbed his hands together eagerly.

"Miss, I got the medicinal liquor. Where’s the injury? Can you manage on your own, or need me to help apply it?"

Ai Xiaolan remained silent, took the bottle from him, and went into the inner room.

Outside, father and son exchanged glances and chuckled.

"Kunzi, this one’s either dumb or too sheltered. Perfect for keeping around."

Wu Kun played dumb. "How do we keep her?"

"Tch, kid, why play dumb with your old man? Once the rice is cooked, it’s cooked—she’ll have to marry into our family to survive. Where else would she go?

We didn’t drag her off the street; she came to us. Even if she tries to report us, we can pin it on her."

Wu Kun rubbed his hands eagerly. "She looks sturdy—that ass is made for bearing sons. Heh, this time I’m not holding back. Been pent up too long."

"Dad, let me go first this time."

"Together!"

"No, don’t spook her. I’ll go first."

Once inside, Ai Xiaolan began undressing, folding her skirt neatly beside her. She picked up a small axe from behind the door, hefting it in her hand, just as a knock sounded outside.

"Miss, can you reach where it hurts? Should I come in and help?"

Hearing no reply, Wu Kun pushed the door open. "Here I come."

In the dim light, as he tentatively leaned halfway in, a warm hand clamped over his mouth. He smirked, but before he could speak, Ai Xiaolan swung the axe hard against the back of his head.

Warm blood splattered across the door, spattering like vivid red blossoms.

Outside, Wu Sibiao heard the thud and fidgeted impatiently. He grabbed the liquor bottle on the table and tipped it back for several gulps.

Gulp after gulp, his blood ran hotter.

After waiting impatiently for over ten minutes, he knocked again. "Kunzi, Kunzi, you finished yet?"

"I’m coming in now."

Without waiting for a response, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

In the faint light, Ai Xiaolan stood in her underwear, her face, hands, and pale belly streaked with blood.

Seeing the head peeking through the doorway, an eerie smile twisted her lips as she snapped the axe up and slammed it down, raised it again, and struck once more...

"Thud, thud, thud~"

It was still the same basin of hot water that Wu Sibiao had heated for her earlier. Ai Xiaolan quietly washed her hands. She didn't know whose towel it was—it was black and tattered—but she used it without a second thought, methodically scrubbing at the bloodstains on her body.

Then she rubbed the medicinal wine into her wounds.

Once done with the wine, she put her dress back on and sat at the Wu family's table, silently wolfing down roast chicken with steamed buns.

She ate hungrily, her brow eased, but as she ate, a lone tear escaped from the corner of her eye.

Her worst nightmare in this life was over.

She couldn’t put words to her feelings—it was as if the weight that had pressed on her heart for so many years had finally lifted.

But she felt a twinge of sadness.

She wondered just how beautiful Kalajun’s wildflower fields really were.

She wondered whether the sunrise atop the mountain was as magnificent as Ren Shan had described.

And she wondered if she would ever get another chance to see them.