Chapter 12: Fear
Chapter 12 Fear
In the dusky twilight, Zheng Fa clearly saw his little sister, Zheng Shan, standing under the big elm tree at the village entrance.
Facing her were three boys, all taller than her by at least a head. It was evident that the boy in the middle led the group. Zheng Fa immediately recognized his face—a tall and thin figure with a hooked nose and sparse eyebrows, giving him an austere appearance.
This was Wang Gui, the only son of Steward Wang from the estate, and the previous occupant of Zheng Fa's current role as a study attendant. Zheng Fa recalled hearing from his mother a few days ago that Wang Gui had been punished severely by Madam and sent back home. He was reportedly bedridden when he arrived, still unconscious. Yet here he was, already up and about, bullying his little sister.
Wang Gui’s complexion was paler than usual, his face nearly devoid of color, making his expression even darker. His posture appeared stiff and unsteady; one arm rested on the shoulder of a boy beside him, as though he lacked the strength to stand properly.
Zheng Shan was speaking to them, her tone and stance suggesting a confrontation. She stood alone, her small frame tense, fists clenched tightly. In her right hand, she gripped half a flatbread, while the other half lay on the ground, torn and covered in dirt.
Zheng Fa recognized the bread as something their mother had made, a rare treat she had reserved especially for his sister. While flatbread wasn’t expensive, for Zheng Shan, it was a rare and treasured snack—certainly not something she would have dropped unless there was a struggle. Zheng Fa could tell from her defiant posture that she was scared but trying hard to mask it.
Quickening his pace, Zheng Fa approached the group.
“You think I’m scared of your brother?” Wang Gui rasped, his voice hoarse. He turned to the boy beside him. “Are you?”