Bang!
Yun Manman kicked the wooden courtyard gate open. The wooden bar securing it snapped and rolled into the middle of the courtyard with several clatters.
Yun Manman scanned the courtyard. Two little boys knelt beside two large wooden tubs, their bodies thin and the arms beneath their rolled-up sleeves covered in bruises.
The two worked numbly, seemingly unconcerned with what had happened outside the gate.
A man as thin as a rake smoked a pipe by the doorway, a woman with a face full of fat standing beside him. Seeing that the newcomer was a young girl, the woman was just about to start cursing.
Disgust filled Yun Manman's eyes, and she spoke first, her voice laced with anger.
"As a teacher, you actually have so little shame! You insulted my younger brothers and even dared to abuse them. Today, I'll teach you how to behave like human beings."
Master Shen spotted Old Father Yun at the courtyard gate. Embarrassment flashed through his narrow eyes, and he forced a smile onto his face.
"You're from the Yun family. Have you come to collect this month's wages? Wife, give them the copper coins."
Disgust in her eyes, the fat woman with the fleshy face clumsily reached a hefty arm into her sleeve. She pulled out twenty copper coins and threw them on the ground, her tone that of someone dismissing beggars.
"Take the money and hurry up and leave. Those two useless-those two boys still have work to do. They don't have time to exchange pleasantries with you."
Anger filled Old Father Yun's eyes, and he was about to step forward to argue, but Yun Manman pressed a hand against his shoulder.
"Dad, take care of Mom. I'll handle this."
At that moment, Zewu and Zeren looked up from their work, staring in disbelief at the three people who had suddenly appeared in the courtyard.
Looking at the two frail children, a trace of emotion flashed through Yun Manman's eyes. She stepped forward and pulled them to their feet, holding one firmly in each hand.
"Where did this little bitch come from? How dare you meddle in our family's business! These two useless things haven't finished today's work. They can't rest."
A flash of admiration crossed Master Shen's eyes as he looked at Yun Manman's face. He had never expected the Yun family to have such a fine specimen. He was just about to strike up a conversation with her.
His fat wife charged forward like a firecracker, and Master Shen quietly withdrew the hand he had been about to reach out to stop her.
His wife was big and brawny, and she was a formidable fighter. Once this girl was injured, he could find an excuse to make her stay. Then...
Watching the woman charge at her, Yun Manman was about to raise her foot when both younger brothers shook off her hands and stood in front of her.
Their young voices rang out together, firm and resolute. "You're not allowed to hurt our big sister!"
Yun Manman hauled them behind her, her voice becoming gentler.
"Watch closely. This is how you deal with bad people like her."
Standing where she was, Yun Manman raised her foot and kicked the charging fat woman in the knee.
"Ah! My leg!"
The fat woman immediately dropped to her knees in pain. Yun Manman grabbed the back of her collar and shoved her head straight into a chamber pot.
The fat woman twisted her head, still spewing filthy language. "Mmph... you... bitch... let..."
"You think you can bully people under my protection? Today, I, Yun Manman, will make you drink every drop in that chamber pot."
Behind her, Master Shen stood frozen in shock. So this fat woman could only bully him; now she couldn't even beat a young girl.
He glared fiercely at the fat woman, then swept his gaze over Yun Manman's figure, lust filling his cloudy, narrow eyes.
"Miss Yun, let's talk this over calmly. I have tea and refreshments ready in the study. Shall we go inside and talk?"
Yun Manman's movements paused. What nonsense was this dog spouting?
"You're such an eyesore. Can't you see I'm dealing with this bitch? You, get over here and drink with her!"
The smile froze on Master Shen's face. Looking at Old Father Yun and Madam Zhou behind her, he put on the airs of a master.
"Old Yun, your daughter seems to have no manners. Release my wife at once and get out of my house, all of you. Otherwise..."
"You dog! I was giving you face by letting you come over yourself. You insist on making me do it, don't you?"
As she spoke, Yun Manman looked at the two boys behind her. Their eyes were filled with shock and admiration.
"Come here. Hold her down and make her drink hard. Keep an eye on her, though. Don't let her drown."
The two hurried to hold the fat woman down. Yun Manman dragged Master Shen over and threw him bodily into the other wooden tub.
Yun Manman dusted off her hands, a cold smile curling her lips, her voice icy.
"If I didn't have a family in tow, I'd kill you both right now. Finish this tub of piss today, and our accounts will be settled."
The two struggled endlessly in the wooden tubs as Yun Manman directed Yun Zeren and Yun Zewu.
"Kick them! Kick their faces too. Put some strength into it!"
"Make them swallow. Yes, just like that."
Once they had finished dealing with the pair, Yun Zewu came pattering over with a small basin, excitement in his voice.
"Big Sister, wash your hands!"
A smile entered Yun Manman's purple eyes. She wanted to ruffle Zewu's hair, but remembering that her hands were dirty, she hurriedly washed them thoroughly.
"I settle my grudges on the spot. Everything you two suffered today was retribution for bullying my younger brothers. Our grievances are now settled."
With that, Yun Manman took her two younger brothers by the hand and headed out, Old Father Yun and Madam Zhou following behind.
Only then did Master Shen get the chance to shout angrily from behind them. "You humiliated us today! I won't let you get away with this!"
Yun Manman turned to look at the two ant-like figures, her voice light and cold, yet filled with killing intent.
"I said our grievances were settled today. Believe me, you won't get the chance!"
Yun Manman stepped out through the courtyard gate and saw Old Father Yun and Madam Zhou holding the two boys and crying.
"Dad, Mom, go on ahead. I'll catch up right away. I need to warn them again."
Only after watching Old Father Yun and the others walk far away did Yun Man turn and enter the courtyard, closing the gate behind her.
The pair inside had just gotten to their feet and were still cursing when they saw Yun Manman return. Panic filled their eyes.
"Y-you already took your revenge, didn't you? Why have you come back?"
Yun Manman looked at them, her eyes filled with killing intent, her light voice carrying a smile.
"Our grievances are settled? How can they be settled while you're still here?"
"You..."
Before either could finish, Yun Manman kicked them down and tossed a pill into each of their mouths.
Yun Manman's voice was light and gentle. "Forget everything that happened today. You don't know anyone from the Yun family."
Only after watching the two grow drowsy and fall asleep did Yun Manman's lips curl coldly.
"If you dare hurt them, you deserve to be punished."
These pills had been exchanged for in the space. They would make the pair lose this part of their memories forever; once they woke, they would no longer remember her younger brothers.
Yun Manman searched the two and took all their money before pushing open the door and entering the house, ready to search the rooms for silver.
Guagua's cheerful voice rang out. "Master, there's silver under the pillow. Hurry and take it!"
"Hmm? You actually have this function too?"
Guagua indicated that it had no time to answer right now. It was very busy!
"There's broken silver and copper coins inside the sole of the worn-out red shoe."
"There are five banknotes propping up the table leg."
"The kitchen! There's silver in the kitchen's rice jar too."
A satisfied smile on her lips, Yun Manman followed Guagua's directions.
Take, take, take...
Finally, she took all the fresh meat and flour in the kitchen too. She could cook those for dinner tonight.
Yun Manman left the courtyard in an excellent mood. When she reached the mouth of the alley, she saw her family watching for her. They all waved when they saw her come out.
Looking at their honest, unassuming faces, Yun Manman felt a faint warmth in her chest. Having a family felt pretty good.
Old Father Yun and Madam Zhou exchanged a glance, and Old Father Yun spoke with some worry.
"Manman, that Shen family isn't easy to deal with. What if they find people to take revenge?"
Yun Manman patted the two little heads and reassured Old Father Yun when she saw his worried expression.
"Don't worry. I've already dealt with them. From now on, our two families won't know each other or owe each other anything."