Having recently been redeemed from the brothel, Tang Xiaobei initially felt some inferiority.
Jin Feng, noticing this, took the time to counsel her.
Moreover, in Xihe Bay, no one showed her any disdain, so Tang Xiaobei gradually came to terms with her past.
Her current mindset owed much to Jin Feng’s guidance.
Whenever someone pointed fingers at her, Tang Xiaobei recalled Jin Feng’s words: “Who doesn’t talk behind others’ backs? Who doesn’t get talked about? Being sold into a brothel wasn’t your fault. Ignore what others say. You don’t eat their rice, so what can their words do to you?”
These words gave Tang Xiaobei immense reassurance.
She knew that no matter what happened, Jin Feng and Tang Dongdong would unwaveringly stand behind her.
Jin Feng had already proven this with his actions during the conflict with the county governor.
If Zhou Dewu had only insulted Tang Xiaobei, she might have let it slide.
But Zhou Dewu also insulted Jin Feng, which Tang Xiaobei could not tolerate.
In her heart, Jin Feng’s kindness went beyond rescuing her from the brothel. He taught her principles, imparted knowledge, and gave her boundless acceptance and trust.
Thus, Jin Feng held an even greater place in her heart than her only family member, Tang Dongdong.
Every night before sleep, the last person Tang Xiaobei thought of was Jin Feng.
He appeared most often in her dreams as well.
So, she absolutely could not bear anyone insulting Jin Feng, let alone Zhou Dewu directly naming and cursing him.
Tang Xiaobei, who had started up the stairs, turned abruptly.
Her eyes turned red, but her tone was icy cold.
“Alan, break his filthy leg!”
“Yes!” Alan twirled the scabbard in her hand twice, her face cold as she approached Zhou Dewu.
“What are you doing?” Zhou Dewu retreated in fear, stammering, “My father is Zhou Changlin, the biggest…”
Before he could finish, Alan swung the scabbard down.
Crack!
A sharp sound rang out as Zhou Dewu’s left leg twisted at an unnatural angle.
A pig-like scream followed.
The bouncers maintaining order in Chunfeng House, hearing the scream, rushed over with sticks in hand.
“Who’s tired of living, daring to cause trouble in Chunfeng House?” the lead bouncer shouted before even arriving.
But upon seeing Tang Xiaobei’s icy gaze, he instinctively shrank back.
He forced a smile, “Oh, it’s Sister Xiaobei…”
Then, spotting Zhou Dewu on the floor, he exclaimed, “Goodness, isn’t that the Third Young Master?”
Realising the situation, he knew he couldn’t afford to offend either Tang Xiaobei or the Zhou family’s Third Young Master. As a mere brothel bouncer, he could only try to mediate and stop the conflict.
With this in mind, he shouted to his men, “What are you standing there for? Can’t you see the Third Young Master is injured? Help him up to rest!”
Two bouncers hurried to assist Zhou Dewu.
But Zhou Dewu, seeing Chunfeng House’s men arrive, grew arrogant again.
“I’m not leaving! Is this how Chunfeng House treats its guests?” he roared hoarsely, enduring the pain in his leg. “Hurry and seize that wretch Tang Xiaobei!”
The head bouncer scratched his head awkwardly, “Third Young Master, your injury is serious. You should get it checked…”
“Fine, I’ll remember you. We’ll see about this,” Zhou Dewu said, pointing at the head bouncer.
With so many people watching, leaving in disgrace would ruin his reputation in Guangyuan.
Though he couldn’t really do anything to Tang Xiaobei, he had to throw out some threats.
“Tang Xiaobei, you’re done for. I won’t let you off!” he threatened, pointing at her. “And that worthless Jin Feng, I won’t let him off either. He’d better not come to the county town, or else…”
Tang Xiaobei, too fed up to respond, was triggered again when he mentioned Jin Feng.
Staring coldly at Zhou Dewu, she asked, “Or else what?”
“Or else… or else…” Zhou Dewu was already scared, but with so many onlookers, he couldn’t back down. He forced himself to curse, “If Jin Feng dares come to the county town, I’ll skin him alive and hang him at the city gate for all to see if he’s really impotent…”
“You’re asking for it!” Tang Xiaobei’s barely calmed anger flared again.
She snatched the scabbard from Alan and swung it at Zhou Dewu.
But the head bouncer caught it.
“Sister Xiaobei, please, give me some face and stop…” he pleaded, his face bitter.
“Let go!” Tang Xiaobei said coldly.
But the head bouncer didn’t dare release it, lowering his head and pretending not to hear.
The other dozen bouncers quietly surrounded Alan and the three female guards.
Seeing this, Zhou Dewu felt emboldened, ignoring his pain to curse again.
Noticing Tang Xiaobei cared about Jin Feng, he stopped insulting her and focused on cursing Jin Feng.
Tang Xiaobei clenched her teeth in rage, her body trembling slightly.
But the head bouncer held the scabbard tightly.
The angrier Tang Xiaobei got, the more satisfied Zhou Dewu felt, and the viler his insults became.
At that moment, Big Liu, sensing trouble from the entrance, entered with several veteran soldiers.
Seeing the scene, Big Liu thought the head bouncer was bullying Tang Xiaobei and exploded with anger.
He drew a folding crossbow from his waist and aimed at the head bouncer.
The next second, an arrow pierced the bouncer’s arm holding the scabbard.
The other bouncers froze in fear.
“How dare you curse the Master!” Tang Xiaobei, now free, swung the scabbard with both hands, striking Zhou Dewu’s mouth with all her strength.
Smack!
Blood sprayed, and five or six teeth mixed with blood flew out.
“How dare you curse the Master! How dare you!” Tang Xiaobei kept swinging the scabbard wildly, repeating the words.
Zhou Dewu was beaten senseless, but Tang Xiaobei didn’t stop.
Many in the brothel, including young masters and girls watching the commotion, pointed at Tang Xiaobei.
Even Young Master Wenyuan, who had a good impression of her, frowned slightly at the scene.
But Tang Xiaobei didn’t care.
“Oh, my dear lady, what are you doing?” The madam, who had been scolding maids in the back, rushed in panting, slapping her thigh. “Stop, you’ll kill Young Master Zhou if you keep going…”
But Tang Xiaobei, as if deaf to her words, continued unabated.
Her usual calm and wit were gone. Her mind was filled with Jin Feng’s kindness to her and Zhou Dewu’s insults against him.
