Chapter 89: A Stubborn One

In the forest, when the biggest tree falls, another will inevitably replace it as the largest.

In this forest of Xishan Village, the Chen clan has now become the biggest tree.

With the deaths of Yuan Jintang and his companion, the Yuan clan suddenly lost its former vigor.

Although they seem fiercer now, anyone can see their outward strength masks inner weakness—stern outside, hollow within.

But the Chen clan has quietly risen to prominence.

Chen Bushi became the new Village Chief.

Chen Wuji received rewards from the Xianya—both land and a woman.

In the villagers' eyes, Chen Wuji has firmly attached himself to this great tree of the Xianya, his status and position even faintly surpassing that of Village Chief Chen Bushi.

While the villagers gossiped and rumors flew, Chen Wuji was at home, secretly worrying.

The young woman newly sent by the Xianya is not bad-looking, but her stubbornness is downright like a donkey's.

From the moment she entered Chen Wuji's courtyard, she stood like a statue in a corner, eating nothing, speaking nothing, just staring with her stark black-and-white eyes at whoever spoke.

Even the gentle Huo Sanniang was left helpless by her stare.

"Wuji, we need to think of something; her not speaking doesn't matter. But it's been two days, and she still hasn't eaten a bite—what if she starves to death?" Huo Sanniang said to Chen Wuji with a worried face.

Chen Wuji also felt annoyed, glanced at the woman sitting on the stone stool in the corner, and loudly said, "It doesn't matter; let her starve to death."

"What nonsense, that's a human life!" Huo Sanniang whispered.

Shen Youwei squeezed her head between Chen Wuji and Huo Sanniang, curled her lips in a wicked smile, and said, "Actually I have an idea, husband—why not just force her? Give her a good beating; maybe she'll behave. If she still resists, beat her half to death, nurse her back, then beat her half to death again, repeat a few times—she'll surely submit."

Huo Sanniang flicked Shen Youwei's forehead and said, "What kind of rotten idea is this? Can't you think of something better?"

"You Wei's idea is great—I'll do just that!" Chen Wuji stood, strode over to the woman, grabbed her neck, tucked her under his arm, and went into the room.

"Wuji, don't!" Huo Sanniang shouted urgently.

Shen Youwei grabbed Huo Sanniang and said, "Sister, don't be nervous—this woman needs a good beating. Do you really want to watch her die in our courtyard? We've said kind words for two days, but she won't listen, so we have to beat her into submission; if we don't, she won't behave."

Shen Youwei said this while giving Huo Sanniang a meaningful glance.

But Huo Sanniang, fearing Chen Wuji might act, didn't see it and anxiously said, "Don't mess around—what if something goes wrong from the beating?"

"That's still better than dying!" Shen Youwei said helplessly.

Some people are as stubborn as donkeys.

These people are pretty stubborn too!

Shen Youwei clung tightly to Huo Sanniang, "Sister, if you can bear to watch her starve, go stop the husband. Besides, you know his nature—if he really lays hands on her, he'll show restraint, so why worry?"

Upon hearing that, Huo Sanniang finally relaxed: "Well… I guess so."

"I actually understand what you mean, but Youwei, you forgot one thing—Wuji has killed before; if that girl provokes his murderous intent, it could really cost a life, and that's what I'm worried about."

Shen Youwei blinked, then murmured, "Sister, I think I've also got blood on my hands…"

Huo Sanniang: ……

Chen Wuji forcibly dragged the woman into the room and flung her onto the kang.

"I'll give you two choices: tell me your background and name, then live here honestly; or I'll treat you as a plaything until I tire of you and sell you off, or you'll die here resisting." Chen Wuji said harshly.

The woman remained silent, stubbornly biting her lips.

Chen Wuji was truly furious—this woman actually dared to treat him like a soft persimmon.

She must be mistaken.

"You're really a tough nut, just wanting to die in my house to disgust me? Then you'd better have a strong body—I'll see how long you can last!" Chen Wuji snarled, and with a rip tore her clothes completely open.

Perhaps out of shame, the woman dodged slightly.

But it was only a slight dodge, and she immediately returned to her completely indifferent demeanor.

She truly seemed indifferent to everything.

She even seemed prepared to be beaten to death.

Chen Wuji couldn't understand why she would do this.

She was sent to our home by the Xianya because she was unmarried.

Given that, she certainly wouldn't have anyone she cares about.

Her parents are still alive.

She has almost no ties—why would she so readily seek death?

This girl seems to have something wrong with her mind.

Chen Wuji, furious beyond measure, simply gave her a beating.

Yet the girl remained silent, like a corpse.

This left Chen Wuji completely withdrawn.

Threats don't work, but surely we can't really beat her to death, can we?

Chen Wuji dressed and went into the pit, saying, "From now on, you'll stay like this at home—don't wear clothes until you have a proper attitude."

He still wasn't giving up and threatened again.

But they remained unmoved, as if already dead.

Chen Wuji: ……

His head was completely swollen.

If this continues, he'll probably have no choice but to find her another home.

They couldn't care less, bent on death—what else can he do?

He's coaxed, he's threatened.

Talking about beating them to death is easy, but Chen Wuji can't actually do it.

Chen Wuji walked out the door and exhaled a deep breath of foul air.

The setting sun spilled across the courtyard, drenching this old houseZi in brilliant gold.

"Chen Wuji, how is it?" Huo Sanniang asked anxiously.

Chen Wuji shook his head. "No solution, really can't just give her away; let's find her another home."

"Ah…" Huo Sanniang sighed wistfully.