Zhou Mu rushed over to help her daughter who had stumbled in the center of the courtyard. "Nini, why did you run out? What if you hurt your foot?"

Zhou Ni looked closely at her mother, seeing not a single scratch. "Mom, I'm fine. Are you alright? You scared me half to death just now."

Mother Zhou said, "Thank heavens for Xiao Zhao. They pushed me down, and if Xiao Zhao hadn't rushed over in time, who knows what would have happened."

"I knew you wouldn't sit still at home," I said angrily to her, "I told you to just stay put, you stubborn child."

Zhou Ni replied with a hint of reproach, "I was worried about you and Mom."

I didn't have the patience for an argument then. Seeing everyone in place, I commanded, "First bow, second bow, third bow. Now, begin the kowtows."

With a loud whoosh, over ten people knelt before the mourning hall. They dared not refuse; if they didn't kowtow, I would beat them until they submitted.

The courtyard echoed with the thud of heads hitting the ground. I couldn't count precisely, but after estimating thirty or forty, I stopped them. I first asked Mother Zhou, "Auntie, how much did the funeral expenses for Uncle come to?"

Mother Zhou looked puzzled. "It was over eight hundred yuan, I think."

I addressed those kneeling on the ground. "Next up is the fine. One hundred yuan each. There are twelve of you, so that's one thousand two hundred yuan total. Once paid, you can leave. Anyone short on cash, quickly elect a trustworthy person to go home and fetch it. I advise you not to try any tricks. I'm not afraid of you running home to call for reinforcements, but whoever comes back must be instructed to bring their hundred yuan. I will fine every person who returns. If you want receipts, bring your own pens and paper. Alright, get started."

Hearing my words, the crowd started murmuring. "Fines? Who pays for this? We came here to back up Zhang Tiancheng when he was fighting, he should pay."

"Him pay? He hasn't got two cents to rub together! I just lent him two hundred yuan for bandages at the clinic earlier. I think I'll pay my fine and leave immediately. If I stay here any longer, this gentleman will kill me. That guy's strikes are too vicious."

"Exactly. I've had enough. Thank goodness I have a hundred yuan on me. I'll pay the fine and leave. If Zhang Tiancheng gets into trouble again, I won't come even if he's beaten to death."

Three fellows on the ground had the full hundred yuan. I took their money, waved them off, and let them go. The remaining nine elected one person to run home for the money, while the eight still kneeling continued their vigil.

It was nearing noon, and the sun beat down fiercely. Everyone was nursing injuries, and sweat streamed down their bodies, stinging the wounds like salt. One clever fellow saw the Zhou mother and daughter sitting in the shade beneath the eaves, secretly fetched a fan, and offered it to them, sneaking a chance to cool himself off in the process.

I was busy by the water vat preparing to slaughter a chicken when one of them suddenly sidled up. "Sir, let me help you."

I disliked that address. "Call me Boss."

"Yes, yes, Boss. Let me help you kill it. I do this job often at home; I guarantee I’ll clean the chicken perfectly in no time."

I tossed him the chicken. "Fine. If you do a good job, I'll knock twenty yuan off your fine."

The fellow became even more energized. Just then, another sharp one came up to assist. The two skillfully slaughtered the chicken, plucked the feathers, and gutted it, making me laugh the entire time.

The chicken was prepared, and the money arrived. I deducted twenty yuan from that one fellow and sent them all on their way. If they stayed any longer, they’d be here for lunch.

Zhou Ni turned to her mother. "Mom, Brother Zhao really is a god sent by Heaven to help us. I cursed Heaven that day, and he must have heard, so he sent down a god to help our family."

Mother Zhou found it incredible too. She had witnessed the entire fight and had never seen one person take on more than ten men so effortlessly.

Zhou Ni continued, "Heh heh, it’s just that this god’s arrival method was a bit ridiculous—falling naked into our family’s fish pond." As soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Ni’s face flushed crimson. When she had fished him out that night, she had grasped him right at the crucial spot; that thing was thick and long, and she had personally confirmed it last night.

I glanced up at the sun. "It's too late to braise chicken for lunch now; we'll have it tonight. But what about midday food?"

Mother Zhou said, "Let me handle it. You are the benefactor to us, mother and daughter; it’s not right for you to be running around doing chores. Go inside and rest now. I'll call you when the meal is ready."

I went to carry Zhou Ni. Before entering the house, Zhou Ni told her mother, "Mom, prepare extra food. Brother Zhao must be starving. Let's make dumplings tonight; Brother Zhao wants dumplings."

I carried Zhou Ni to the bed. "Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden? It’s a bit much to handle."

Zhou Ni smiled. "Because I've realized you aren't a bad person. I hold no grudge against good people."

I whispered, "Then you don't hate me for what happened last night?"

Zhou Ni’s face reddened, and her voice grew quieter. "I did, but I already poked you with scissors, so I consider that revenge. I won't hate you anymore."

"Huh? When did you poke me? I didn't feel a thing."

Zhou Ni said mysteriously, "Just last night. You were sleeping like a log, but no matter how hard I poked, I couldn't pierce your skin. What on earth is going on?"

I gave a cryptic smile. "A secret. I won't tell you."

Zhou Ni laughed. "Even if you don't tell me, I know."

"What is it?"

"Because you're an immortal! How could a mere mortal like me hurt you?"

I was dumbfounded. "You're a university student and you still believe that?"

Zhou Ni said seriously, "I didn't before, but since last night, I do."

I chuckled softly. "Don't put me on too high a pedestal. Actually, I'm a rapist, and I have ill intentions towards you."

Zhou Ni showed no fear at all. "I know. I already figured out last night that you’re a big pervert. Do you manage human lust in Heaven? Besides, what intentions could you have toward me? You already have a girlfriend, and I’m ugly, and my family is in this state. No boy would like me."

"Zhou Ni, you don't need to feel inferior. I’ll tell you the truth: I currently have ten confirmed girlfriends. Shocked? Among them are a pair of sisters whose parents died when they were young; their life was much harder than yours here. Their house was smaller and shabbier than this one, with nothing but a single quilt. One now works at the Naval Research Institute, and the other is a senior researcher in the Defense University's science lab. They receive high state stipends and special protection. Can you imagine? This time last year, the elder sister only knew her own name, and the younger one had only learned a few characters."

Zhou Ni's expression became slightly unnatural. "So, the people you were mumbling about last night were all your girlfriends? I thought you only had one. Who knew there were so many? Are you really a god? Don’t they know about each other? What girl would tolerate that?"

"No," I said earnestly to Zhou Ni. "It’s not like what ordinary people imagine. They get along wonderfully, just like real sisters. It’s a shame I didn’t bring my phone; otherwise, I could show you what they look like. Everyone lives well together, caring for and encouraging each other. Among them are pampered daughters of wealthy families who can now independently manage international corporations, and there are also ordinary office workers who have become chairwomen of large companies. So, you must have confidence in yourself. If I say you can do it, you can. You are very beautiful and very determined. As long as you persist and work hard, the success you achieve in the future will definitely surpass theirs."

Zhou Ni glanced at me; I couldn't decipher the emotion in her eyes. She said, "Brother Zhao, no matter what, I will never forget you. You are the benefactor of our family. Even if I achieve nothing in the future, I will keep you in my heart forever. Of course, I will definitely strive and work hard, not for anything else, but for the sincere words you spoke to me today."

"Zhou Ni, don't worry. I promised to avenge your uncle, and I will see this matter through to the end. I don't care how evil he is or how strong his backing is; I have already sentenced him to death, and no one can defy that!"

Zhou Ni was moved by my intensity. "Brother Zhao, I believe you."

Lunch was flatbread with green onions and soybean paste. It tasted good; I ate four pieces myself, which shocked the mother and daughter into wide-eyed stares. A village stove is large; one flatbread was enough for four people in one sitting. If I hadn't seen that only five were made in total, I would have asked for more.

In the afternoon, Mother Zhou had to go weed the fields. They had been so busy with Zhou Shan's funeral arrangements that the crops were completely neglected. Although Zhou Ni wanted to help, she had to stay home with her sprained ankle. I wanted to help too, but Mother Zhou forbade it, and besides, if I went weeding, I’d probably just pull up the crops instead. It was better to stay home.

"Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao," Zhou Ni called for me from the room while I was busy experimenting with my braised chicken in the outdoor kitchen.

I hurried inside. "What is it?"

Zhou Ni was still resting on the bed. "Could you get my schoolbag for me? I want to read for a while."

I smiled, brought her schoolbag over, and said, "There's no harm in taking a day off. If your foot hurts, take a nap. When the chicken is done braising, I’ll let you taste it first."

Zhou Ni laughed. "Are you this good to your ten girlfriends at home too?"

"Actually, none of my ten girlfriends has ever eaten food cooked by me. You are the first. Of course, my cooking skills might not suit your palate, and I learned this technique by stealing glances. When it comes out of the pot, please save me some face."

"Absolutely. I'm so honored; I’d eat it even if it were a stone. Brother Zhao, don't tell them back home, or they'll never forgive you if they find out your first time cooking was for a good-for-nothing girl like me."

"I won't. They are all very understanding. As long as you show a little less jealousy and a little more tolerance, everyone can become good friends."

Zhou Ni asked, "Can I be friends with them? Brother Zhao, stop joking. They are all so accomplished; how could they be friends with a little child like me?"

"I know you won't believe me no matter what I say, but one day you will meet them. My family doesn't know I'm out, and I need to call and let them know I'm safe. Is there a phone here?"

Zhou Ni replied, "The village committee has a phone, but it’s been cut off for non-payment. If you need to make a call, it’s best to go to the town."

Ah, this morning I was so focused on getting Zhou Ni's forgiveness that I completely forgot about making the call.

Forget it, I’ll deal with it tomorrow. I really couldn't leave Zhou Ni alone at home; what if Zhang Tiancheng came back for revenge?

I handed the money collected that morning to Zhou Ni. "Take it all. Consider it a small compensation for your losses from Zhang Tiancheng, even though your loss can never truly be recovered."

Zhou Ni didn't take the money. "Brother Zhao, you’ve already helped us so much. You should keep this money for yourself."

"Silly girl, I earn forty thousand yuan a month; I’m not lacking a few hundred. Take it. When you go to Kyoto in a couple of days, you can buy some tonics for your aunt; she is very weak."

Hope shone in Zhou Ni's eyes. "Brother Zhao, can we really go to Kyoto? Am I dreaming?"

I pushed the money into Zhou Ni's hand. "Do I look like a swindler? Are you afraid I'll kidnap you and your mother and sell you in Kyoto?"

Zhou Ni laughed. "If you wanted to sell us, you wouldn't have gone to all this trouble."

"I'm going to cook; you rest for a bit." With that, I closed the door and returned to the kitchen.

The truth was, I had always been a soft-hearted person. Zhou Ni was a good girl, but her fate was too tragic. The fact that she was able to fish me out of the fish pond indicated some kind of destiny between us, so I was determined to handle her family's affairs.

Estimating the chicken was nearly done, I stopped adding firewood, letting the residual heat continue the stewing process. I quietly returned to the room and saw that Zhou Ni was truly asleep, a book still clutched in her hand.

Her sleeping posture was peculiar, curled up like a tiny kitten. I sat quietly on the edge of the bed watching her. My heart had never felt so calm; not a single lustful thought arose, only infinite pity and affection for Zhou Ni.

Suddenly, Zhou Ni’s brow furrowed deeply, as if she were frightened by something in her dream. Then her hands flailed wildly. "No! No! Dad, don't leave us! Let go of my father! Let go of my father!"

Zhou Ni thrashed her hands about, shouting loudly, then suddenly burst into loud sobs, sat bolt upright, and seeing me right there by the bed, threw her arms around me.

"Brother Zhao, I dreamt they were going to kill my father! I was so scared! Why would my father leave us? I really can't believe it; I just saw him moments ago! Dad is gone, my father is really gone! Our world has collapsed! What do we do? What do we do?"

I patted Zhou Ni's back and soothed her softly. "Zhou Ni, don't be afraid. Now that your father is gone, I will take care of you. Rest assured, no one will bully you again, and there will be no more pain or hardship. I will give you happiness; you will be one of the happiest women on earth."

"Brother Zhao!" Zhou Ni hugged me and wept unrestrainedly, with no pretense or artificiality.

I couldn't think of any more words to comfort her. Perhaps letting her cry it out was the best release. She must have shouldered too much sorrow these past few days. With her mother not home, she could finally vent fully.

She cried for at least forty minutes, and an hour later, Zhou Ni was still sniffling and sobbing. I sat slanted on the bed while Zhou Ni half-leaned against me.

"Brother Zhao, I must have disturbed you terribly just now."

I teased her with a smile. "I did! I was afraid people in the next village could hear; your voice was so loud. Outsiders would think I was doing something to you."

Zhou Ni became a little embarrassed herself. "I promise I won't cry again after this. You promised to help me; a promise is a promise. I’m sticking to you from now on."

"No problem. I don't mind girls clinging to me, especially pretty ones."

"I’m not pretty at all. Mengmeng, Fenfen, Jingjing, Chuchu, Susu, and Xiaorou are pretty. I’m just an ugly, foolish country girl."

"Wow, you even remember that many names. I'm impressed. Actually, Qiqi is quite pretty too, but she's a bit psychologically twisted. She’s torturing me to death."

Zhou Ni pushed herself up with her arm, leaning on my thigh, and looked up at me. "Is Qiqi the prettiest? Why is she psychologically twisted? And how is she torturing you?"

"Actually, every single one of you is beautiful, truly. I’m not saying it to cheer you up. Qiqi is under immense psychological pressure. Her situation is similar to yours right now; sometimes, when the pressure is too great, her actions go beyond the norm. For instance, you just cried for nearly an hour, which could be described as earth-shattering, but she resorts to physical pain to distract from mental stress. I was coming from her house last night when I fell into your family’s fish pond."

Zhou Ni asked, "Brother Zhao, can you tell me some of your stories? I really want to know."

"Alright." Telling Zhou Ni stories to distract her was a good idea. So, I told her everything—from getting into trouble with Zhu Da as a child, enduring harsh training as a soldier, moving from a small town to meeting the group of women, from setting up a tofu company to being falsely accused as a traitor, from fighting top experts in the State Security Bureau to chasing down the real collaborators a thousand miles away. Zhou Ni listened, gripping my hand tightly, her body slowly leaning into my embrace.

"Brother Zhao, you’ve been through so much. Compared to that, my little pain is nothing."

At this moment, I had Zhou Ni completely enveloped in my arms. She lowered her head shyly, her breathing slightly rapid. I gently placed my hand on her breast; she did not resist, only tilting her head back and closing her eyes slightly.

I kissed Zhou Ni’s forehead; she let out a soft sound of pleasure. I applied a little pressure with my hand, and Zhou Ni trembled, crying out, "Brother Zhao, don't."

I understood what Zhou Ni meant. Old Man Zhou Shan had just passed away; she absolutely could not do this now. So, I drew my hand back. "Brother Zhao won't act recklessly. You lie down and rest a while. I'll go check if the chicken is done."

"Don't go, stay with me a little longer." Zhou Ni pulled my hand back again. "Just don't go any deeper. I... I'm still a little scared of you right now. Will you do what you did last night again?"

I felt a slight flush on my face, still bringing up that incident. "If you don't want to, it will never happen again."

Zhou Ni's voice was like a mosquito's. "I... I don't understand. Teach me later."

I gently settled Zhou Ni back onto the bed. "You will understand slowly. For now, rest properly."