Chapter 81

After this matter passed, Wang Tufu stayed quiet for a few days, Su Ruo still thought he was scared and didn't dare come again.

So she felt a bit worried, after all, if Wang Tufu didn't come, then her subsequent plan couldn't proceed.

Unexpectedly, on the third day Wang Tufu's wound wasn't too painful, so he brought a piece of pork and came to her door.

Wang Tufu walked toward the clinic, telling everyone he met: "I accidentally cut my hand while butchering pigs a couple days ago; Doctor Su Ruo treated me; Doctor Su Ruo is kind, she didn't even ask for medical fees; today I specially brought a piece of meat to thank her."

If Su Ruo heard this, she would surely roll her eyes at him—does she not want the medical fee? Clearly it's just that Wang Tufu ran too fast; she didn't have a chance to ask!

Upon hearing Wang Tufu's words, the villagers all felt frightened—Wang Tufu being so kind, sending medicine to Su Ruo, he must have set his sights on her, right?

While the villagers were shocked, they also couldn't help feeling a bit of pity for Su Ruo—after all, what good ending could someone who catches Wang Tufu's eye expect?

But they only dared to curse Wang Tufu in their hearts—after all, Wang Tufu is a scoundrel; whoever gets stuck with him suffers misfortune, so no one dares to provoke him.

Because Wang Tufu spared no effort in spreading the word, soon everyone in the village knew that Wang Tufu was going to bring meat to Su Ruo.

When Su Ruo returned from gathering herbs, she saw Wang Tufu holding meat standing at the clinic entrance, with a crowd gathered around.

As soon as Wang Tufu saw Su Ruo, he immediately stepped forward with the meat and said: "Doctor Su Ruo, I specially came today to thank you for curing my injury a couple days ago."

Su Ruo's lips curled into a cold arc: "Wasn't your wound healed on its own? How can you say I cured it? This wasn't my doing—I dare not take credit."

It's actually funny—when I was about to apply medicine that day, you screamed in pain, jumping around the room, and then you simply ran away, startling me.

I never expected a big man like you, tall and sturdy, to be so afraid of pain.

Upon hearing Su Ruo's words, the surrounding people all gave Wang Tufu a strange look—they never imagined that such a fierce-looking Wang Tufu would be afraid of pain.

Wang Tufu's face flushed red with anger; that day's incident was his humiliation—he never expected Su Ruo to blurt it out in front of so many people, leaving him with no face at all.

If someone else had said that, Wang Tufu would have already punched them; but thinking of what he still needed to do, he had to suppress his anger.

Wang Tufu felt the hundred dollars in his pocket, thinking of the reward promised by that person once the task succeeded, and desperately suppressed his anger.

Wang Tufu thought viciously: "Who dares mock me? Once I get my hands on Su Ruo, I'll surely torment her thoroughly to vent my hatred."

Wang Tufu thought Su Ruo was his prey, not realizing that he himself was Su Ruo's prey.

"Doctor Su, no matter what, I must thank you—you must accept this piece of meat."

Seeing Wang Tufu clearly angry yet forced to restrain himself, Su Ruo's lips curled into a cold arc.

It seems Wang Tufu isn't completely unable to control his temper—he's just a bully who preys on the weak and fears the strong.

"My family and I are vegetarians, so I won't accept your meat."

The onlooking villagers' faces showed remarkable expressions upon hearing Su Ruo's words—"Su Ruo eats vegetarian? Pull the other one!"

If they really were vegetarians, where would the daily meat aroma they smell come from? Everyone in the village knows the clinic eats meat every day, making the neighboring kids drool.

Everyone thought Su Ruo was really going all out to shake off Wang Tufu's entanglement, even daring to tell blatant lies.

Wang Tufu was refused, his face somewhat unsightly.

Su Ruo continued: "Since you've come, settle the medical fee—last time you ran off too fast; when I chased after you, you were already far away, I didn't have time to ask; it's five mao altogether, you should have the money, right?"

Upon hearing Su Ruo's words, the villagers recalled Wang Tufu hopping about in pain and fleeing, and all blushed, trying not to laugh—if not for Wang Tufu's deeply entrenched bully image, someone would have already laughed.

Even though the villagers were straining to hold back, when Wang Tufu met their scrutinizing gazes, his face still flushed with anger; he thought Su Ruo was doing it on purpose, deliberately to embarrass him.

Wang Tufu was about to burst with anger; seeing Su Ruo act as if nothing had happened, she extended her hand to demand the five mao medical fee.

He desperately suppressed his anger, took the greasy hand that had held the pork, reached into his pocket, and pulled out five mao.

Su Ruo, however, looked at it with disdain and did not reach out to take it.

Li Zhaodi beside her, fearing this would further enrage Wang Tufu, took the money instead.

Su Ruo said nonchalantly: "Sorry, I have a cleanliness obsession—I absolutely won't touch dirty things."

Wang Tufu's veins bulged on his forehead from anger, while Su Ruo merely gave him an indifferent glance and turned away.

Everyone expected Wang Tufu to explode in rage upon such humiliation, but to everyone's surprise, he said nothing and simply turned and left.

Usually it's Wang Tufu bullying others; this was the first time the villagers saw him suffer a setback, which they found quite novel.

The villagers couldn't help speculating: could it be that Wang Tufu, who always settled things with his fists, has actually changed his ways?

Once the parties involved had left and there was no more excitement to watch, the crowd dispersed.

After everyone had left, Li Shiro walked into the clinic, her cold smile fixed on Su Ruo as she said:

"I've heard that Wang Tufu is a violent brute; his former wife was beaten to death by him."

"Su Ruo, you've attracted the attention of such scum—I wonder how long you can stay smug!"

"You think that after ruining me so badly, you'll have a good life—this is your retribution; just wait and see how that scum tortures you to the point of wishing for death."

At this moment, Li Shiro's cheeks were sunken, her face twisted, her eyes venomous like a witch in a fairy tale—no longer the innocent little flower she was when she first came to the countryside.

Or perhaps she was always like this, merely having pretended well before.

If someone else had said that, Su Ruo might not have been able to hold back and would have retorted a few sentences—but with Li Shiro, Su Ruo couldn't even be bothered to give her a glance.

Yet this very disregard only made Li Shiro angrier; she shouted furiously: "Su Ruo, I tell you, you won't stay smug for long—I'm waiting to see your end."

But before she could finish, Li Zhaodi drove her out with a broom, angrily shut the courtyard door, and told Su Ruo: "Master, she's just a lunatic—don't pay her any mind."

Su Ruo naturally wouldn't care about Li Shiro; Li Shiro hoped to rely on Wang Tufu to get revenge, but that hope was destined to come to nothing.

At dinner that evening, Bai Xinya, somewhat worried, said to Su Ruo: "I've heard you're being entangled by village ruffians—do you need our help?"

Upon hearing that, Zhou Feng immediately lifted his head to look at Su Ruo.

Su Ruo could feel that Bai Xinya was genuinely concerned; she smiled and said: "It's just a minor matter—I can handle it myself."

Zhou Feng knew Su Ruo was opinionated; hearing this, he didn't urge her further, only saying: "If you run into trouble, you can come find me anytime, or Wang Liangping—Grandma Lu's dying wish was solely that we look after you; out of affection and duty we'll help you, so you needn't feel any psychological burden."

Su Ruo smiled and said: "Good!" She accepted Zhou Feng's kindness.