Chapter 41
The sun blazed overhead, scorching the earth without a hint of breeze. In the distance, a wisp of smoke curled from a house's chimney. Seeing this, Long Gen quickened his pace.
To his surprise, Chen Xianglian was back home. Wasn't she supposed to be at the hospital looking after her brother, Chen Tianming? Why was she back? Has Chen Tianming recovered? Long Gen mulled it over—nah, that didn't seem likely. He crept closer, cautious.
"Goddamn Long Fool! That bastard broke my uncle's leg! We've gotta kill that little shit!" A woman's voice, sharp and shrill, erupted from inside the house. It wasn't Chen Xianglian's voice. Who else was in there?
Long Gen edged closer, wary of the big yellow dog in the yard barking its head off. But ever since he'd slept with Chen Xianglian, that dog treated him like the man of the house, wagging its tail and licking his hand like a beggar.
"Xiao Ke, it's not like Little Long meant to do it. All this talk about killing—what's that about?" Chen Xianglian's voice came, weary and worn. "You're a kid, don't go saying stuff like that, got it?"
"Mom, why are you defending an outsider? Ever since Dad died, Uncle's been the one helping us out..." The voice trailed off, indignant.
Long Gen, crouched by the kitchen door, froze. So, it was Chen Ke, that little vixen, back in town. Word was she'd been selling herself out there. A plan formed in his mind as he peeked through a crack in the door.
It was a widow's house, after all—no man around to keep things tidy. The kitchen floor was still packed with dirt, damp, probably from the rain that seemed to be coming. Two big pots sat on the stove. Chen Xianglian was at the cutting board, hacking away at something, her wide hips swaying with each move. Her face was hidden, long hair cascading down her back.
Another woman stood by the stove, glancing at the fire. Her arms were crossed, pushing up a pair of plump, rounded boobs that strained against her top. With a pert nose and a cold sneer, she spoke.