Chapter 463: 463 Poking the Spine
Chapter 463: Chapter 463 Poking the Spine
Tang Chuxia asked Licorice curiously, “What’s the situation?”
Licorice replied, “I don’t know, he just barged in!”
The man was the match that Madam Tang had introduced to Licorice. Maybe because Licorice was startled, and now that Madam Tang found out about it, the man came to apologize.
But in Tang Chuxia’s opinion, there was no need at all.
Licorice also stated, “Sister Xiaxia, I don’t want to keep seeing him!”
Tang Chuxia, of course, thought they must cut ties. This kind of man was obviously approaching Licorice with an agenda, and his character was questionable.
Tang Chuxia still remembered her initial promise to help Licorice deal with this, and immediately said to Madam Tang, “Mom, we’re about to have dinner, ask him to leave!”
Madam Tang didn’t want to upset the family either, and called the man to leave, but he wouldn’t budge.
This really angered Tang Chuxia.
We speak politely, you don’t cooperate, must it really come to force?
Tang Chuxia clenched her wrists, stood in front of the man, who tried to call Tang Chuxia’s name, thinking to please her. Instead, he saw Tang Chuxia grab the back of his collar and drag him out.
Madam Tang cried out in shock, telling Tang Chuxia not to be so fierce. However, Tang Chuxia stated, “Mom, don’t be so surprised. I’ll just chat with him properly, or else he’ll keep harassing Licorice, which is really annoying.”
Madam Tang knew about Tang Chuxia’s abilities, so naturally, she would not stop her.
Tang Chuxia dragged the man out and only let go of him at the doorstep. By then, the guy was a complete mess.
“Kid, no matter what you’re planning, the way you’ve been treating Licorice is just too much!”
The guy got up from the ground, glared at Tang Chuxia, fuming but not daring to speak, perhaps trying hard to restrain himself, not wanting to offend Tang Chuxia. But obviously, he didn’t expect Tang Chuxia to leave him no face at all, openly revealing his intentions.
“Mr. Tang, my business with Licorice was arranged by your mother. That is to say, my character isn’t a problem. I was just a bit anxious. Why can’t I be forgiven?”
He still looked very wronged.
Tang Chuxia pinched her chin and circled the man.
“Why forgive? My mom arranged the match, but you attempted to force yourself on a woman. That shows a problem with your nature. What now? You want to blame your behavior on my mom? Expecting us to compromise for your sake?”
Tang Chuxia’s words were met with disdain from the man, “So what? Since she played matchmaker, might as well go through with it to the end. I don’t have any other demands. Just marry Licorice to me, and from then on, our two families will be relatives! Wouldn’t it be nice to visit each other?”
Tang Chuxia raised her hand and slapped the man.
He was sent flying by the slap, lying on the ground in disbelief.
At the doorstep, there were some old men chatting against the wall. Seeing the commotion, they all ran over.
After hearing Tang Chuxia explain the situation, the old men, who also had very solid values, mocked the man, “We’ve seen suitors, but it’s the first time we’ve seen a suitor with no shame like you. The matchmaker just introduced you, she didn’t take your money. What are you strutting around for?”
The elders’ mockery made it hard for the man to save face.
He pointed at Tang Chuxia and complained, “This woman hit me. She should take responsibility, right?”
The elders scoffed, “Living in our area, who doesn’t know Xiaxia girl’s strength? Kid, if you’re looking for someone to scam, why target Sister Xia? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?”
The man argued that he had done nothing wrong and felt it was unfair to come under threat of a beating.
“Unfair my ass— you’re up to no good, with your eyes darting around like that. You’re full of schemes. If you wanted to ask for licorice’s hand, why did you keep hanging around the Tang Family?”
Seeking to marry licorice would surely involve going to her family to ask for her hand, yet he had come to the Tang Family instead.
This indicated that licorice wasn’t his actual goal.
Tang Chuxia already had a poor impression of this man, and with what licorice had said earlier, Chuxia was even less inclined to have such a person around.
“No matter what you’re up to, from now on stop bothering licorice and don’t come to our house either. We’re not welcoming you!”
After Tang Chuxia made her stance clear, the man found it difficult to linger and risk making enemies when he had intended to build ties with the Tang Family.
Once the man had left, the elders began offering advice to Tang Chuxia, commenting that some people rush for quick success and fail to distinguish between making kin and making enemies.
Tang Chuxia chatted with the elders for a while before heading back inside.
As soon as she got home, licorice expressed her desire to return to the village so as not to cause trouble for Tang Chuxia and her family.
“What nonsense are you talking about? Just stay put at home, and if it comes to it, don’t bother going to school for the time being so you won’t be targeted and hassled!” Madam Tang was somewhat angry, feeling that licorice did not trust her.
Tang Chuxia also said, “Going back won’t solve anything. I’ve told you, I’ll take care of this for you and make sure it’s handled well!”
Licorice was very grateful and knew that her role was to be obedient.
Tang Chuxia considered discussing the matter with Gu Beihuai to have him investigate, as it wasn’t right to have licorice living in fear.
Since Gu Beihuai had not yet returned, Tang Chuxia could only wait at home with licorice. However, when the topic of the Wu Family came up, licorice made a comment that surprised Tang Chuxia.
“Actually, Sister Dangdang is just overthinking things!”
After licorice spoke, Tang Chuxia asked with confusion, “What do you mean?”
Licorice shrugged, “In the countryside, it’s not unusual for the children of uncles to lose their parents. In most cases, the brothers help raise them. The issue with Sister Dangdang ultimately comes down to Brother Haipeng and his lack of affection for his several brothers, which makes him see raising a child as a burden. But later, all four nephews will be responsible for providing for his old age!”
Though that was the sentiment of ordinary folk, it did not mean Wu Haipeng cared about having someone to support him in his old age.
“Moreover, the four children are sensible enough; as long as they’re fed, that’s enough!”
Nowadays, raising children didn’t mean they had to stand out; simply being alive was enough.
Tang Chuxia finally realized that the era she was living in was not the same as her past life, where every family valued children highly, and forgoing education was considered a grievous fault.
“Besides, the eldest can take care of the younger ones; Sister Dangdang doesn’t need to worry at all. She’s an aunt, not a stepmother. What’s there to be afraid of?”
Licorice’s words made Tang Chuxia laugh.
“So being a stepmother is okay? Stepmothers are that scary?”
Tang Chuxia’s question prompted licorice to nod, “Even if a stepmother beats a child to death, it’s considered normal. But an aunt won’t do that. Moreover, being fed by an aunt makes one grateful but being fed by a stepmother gets branded as lacking a loving mother’s heart.”
Tang Chuxia was left at a loss for words.
“Oh, and one more thing—if they don’t provide for Sister Dangdang in her old age, they’ll be scorned for failing to honor their spine.”