Chapter 16: Where Did That Dog Bark Come From

Chapter 16: Where Did That Dog Barking Come From?

Lin Mu never imagined he could be found in such a hidden spot; how could he have known Lu Xiang was a transmigrator?

Lu Danian, hardened by years of labor, was all muscle. Now, with rage surging, his fists became a flurry of iron.

At first, Lin Mu tried to resist but failed, completely overpowered and pummeled.

In no time, Lin Mu was bruised and swollen. He wanted to beg for mercy, but as soon as he opened his mouth, a punch knocked out a tooth.

Lu Danian was punching wildly: "That’ll teach you to bully Xiang’er!"

Lu Xiang said, "Dad, that's enough." Lin Mu also hurriedly pleaded, "Stop hitting me!"

Lu Danian landed another punch, and the pain made Lin Mu feel as if his internal organs had shifted. Grimacing tugged at the wounds on his face. He hadn’t taken such a beating in years, and it seemed if it didn’t stop soon, he might truly be beaten to death.

When Lu Danian finally stopped, a flash of hatred flickered in Lin Mu’s eyes. But as soon as Lu Danian raised his hand again, he scrambled backward in fear: "I was wrong, I’m not human, I’m a beast!" His words slurred through missing teeth.

Lu Xiang asked, "Who put you up to this, making trouble for me?"

Lu Danian looked at Lu Xiang, unsure what she meant.

Lin Mu, who had no loyalty, wouldn't cover for anyone. He blurted out, "It was my second aunt."

Lu Danian was devastated by these words.

His second aunt was Lu Xiang’s eldest aunt—his sister-in-law. How could she be so ruthless?

Lu Xiang had intentionally let Lu Danian hear this. Lu Danian was honest and somewhat excessively filial, showing great respect toward his eldest sister-in-law. It was time for him to abandon his illusions.

Seeing Lu Danian’s disbelief, Lin Mu, after being beaten for so long, felt a perverse satisfaction: "My second aunt said Lu Xiang stole my sister Lu Zhaodi’s ideal marriage match and told me to teach her a lesson."

With every word Lin Mu spoke, Lu Danian’s face grew paler.

She was the one who proposed the marriage swap, and after it was exposed, she ducked responsibility, pinning all the blame on Lu Xiang. When her scheme failed, she sent Lin Mu to harass them. Seeing that the sister-in-law he had respected for so many years was actually this kind of person filled Lu Danian with deep disappointment.

Seeing Lu Danian like this, Lin Mu couldn’t help adding more: "My second aunt said that since Lu Xiang’s reputation is ruined and no one would want her anyway, better to keep her within the family…"

Before he could finish, Lu Xiang picked up a broom and struck him hard.

Lin Mu, already injured in multiple places, howled in pain, snapping Lu Danian back to reality.

Lu Xiang said, "Your second aunt is no good. If this blows up, she’ll distance herself—this isn’t the first time she’s used this tactic. If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t have been beaten like this."

Now it was Lin Mu’s turn to be stunned.

Lu Xiang continued, "This hiding spot was told to us by your second aunt. She’s watching from the sidelines, and you’re the big fool." When it came to deflecting blame, Lu Xiang had truly mastered the art.

No matter how clever Lin Mu was, he wouldn’t know Lu Xiang had transmigrated into the book—he’d only blame his second aunt.

Let them turn on each other.

With these words, Lu Xiang led Lu Danian out.

Lu Danian staggered as he walked, completely unable to believe that his eldest sister-in-law could be so evil to the core.

Lu Xiang said, "When Big Sister and Second Sister got married, Grandma was the one taking the lead. The eldest aunt stayed quiet, but when Grandma got a bigger house, she benefited too!" She stopped and said, "Dad, you’ve long since split off from the family. There’s no need to care about their feelings."

Lu Danian closed his eyes: "Yes." This matter had hit him hard; he needed some quiet time to think.

When Lu Xiang and Lu Danian returned to the Lu family home, Fu Qinhui was already peering around outside the courtyard. Seeing them, the worry on his face eased.

Lu Danian returned to his room in a daze. Fu Qinhui said to Lu Xiang, "Where did you go? I told you to wait at home." He was afraid these two had impulsively gone to find Lin Mu. Lin Mu alone wasn’t scary, but what if he was with his unsavory friends? What if they got hurt?

Lu Xiang said, "Just went for a walk. Did you talk to your family?"

Fu Qinhui said, "Yes. I start work tomorrow. I’m not comfortable leaving you home alone. Wait here for me; I’m going to settle things with Lin Mu." His eyes were cold.

Seeing his vengeful look, Lu Xiang couldn’t help laughing: "You’re a college student—you know how to fight too? Imagine that."

Fu Qinhui said, "I have three older brothers." Boys fight growing up. He just hadn’t needed to lately, but for Fu Qinhui, fighting was an ingrained skill—one he hadn’t forgotten.

Lu Xiang said, "No need to go. He’s already been dealt with." If he hadn’t been there earlier, your father might have beaten Lin Mu to death. Murder has consequences—exchanging a life for a scoundrel like him wasn’t worth it.

Lu Xiang had already written a tip-off letter. Highway robbery was a serious crime—once an investigation started, he wouldn’t escape. There was no need to risk themselves.

Fu Qinhui felt a pang of fear: "Why are you so stubborn? I told you not to go."

Lu Xiang, still riding the adrenaline high of having just beaten someone up, felt irritated by Fu Qinhui’s words: "That’s just how I am. I’m not the docile, virtuous wife you imagined. If you regret it, it’s not too late to back out."

Fu Qinhui didn’t like her talking about leaving. He said word by word: "You and I have already exchanged marriage vows."

He had never experienced love before, but he was traditional—once he decided, it was for life.

Lu Xiang said nothing.

Suddenly, they heard cursing from outside growing closer—it was Grandma Lu. She had heard from outside that Xiao Cailian had accepted Lu Xiang as her daughter-in-law and had given Lu Xiang the 300 yuan she’d taken back from her.

After Fu’s third sister-in-law spread the word, the whole village knew.

Grandma Lu held absolute authority at home. No matter which granddaughter married, the 300 yuan had to end up in her pocket. But this time, she waited half the day and no one came to offer it to her.

The eldest aunt egged her on, saying the money must have been taken by Lu Danian and his wife: "Lu Xiang made a big scene probably because she wanted that 300 yuan."

Grandma Lu couldn’t take this. She came over cursing. Sure enough, she saw Lu Xiang and Fu Qinhui in the yard.

Lu Xiang had dared to hit her eldest aunt in front of everyone that day, and the Fu family had snatched the money from her. In Grandma Lu’s eyes, neither of them was any good.

The old lady cursed: "Call your parents out here! Beastly things raising a rebellious daughter who doesn’t understand filial duty. You deserve to be struck by lightning!"

Lu Xiang remained unmoved: "Where did that dog barking come from?"

Grandma Lu raged: "Who are you calling a dog?"

Lu Xiang put on an innocent face: "I wasn’t talking about you. Why would anyone rush to claim an insult?"

Grandma Lu trembled with anger: "This is rebellion, rebellion!"

Lu Xiang said to Fu Qinhui, "Let’s go inside." The racket outside was grating.

Grandma Lu never imagined that one day she would be so thoroughly ignored.