Volume One, Chapter Five: Whoever Dares Bully You, I'll Deal With Them

I did not give up just because Hu Yong urged me to. My gaze remained sharp, fixed on Li Da.

At that moment, I was truly furious. How dare he insult my cousin’s wife—he had crossed a line. If not for Hu Yong’s intervention, even though I had just arrived today, I would have taught Li Da a proper lesson.

Li Da had just sat down when he noticed my fierce stare. His expression darkened, and he stood up again, coldly scolding, “You little bastard! Looks like you’ve really had enough and want to die…”

Hu Yong stepped between us with a helpless look, glared at Li Da, then pushed me aside.

“Yan Feng! Listen to me. It’s better to avoid trouble. Li Da is a scoundrel; don’t provoke him if you can avoid it. It won’t do you any good.”

From his earnest advice, it was clear that Hu Yong was a straightforward and sincere man.

I glanced at Li Da standing by the door, then withdrew my gaze and looked at Hu Yong, raising my voice: “My cousin Zhao Fei is already dead. If anyone dares to humiliate or bully my cousin in the future, I’ll make sure they never see the light of day again…”

Li Da’s face grew even darker by the door, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

He hadn’t expected me to be so defiant, and anger boiled within him. He was already plotting to find an opportunity to deal with me properly.

Hu Yong was also surprised. I had only been here a day, yet I was so tough, daring to stand up to a rogue like Li Da. Truly a fearless newcomer.

After saying that, I didn’t linger any longer and turned to leave, heading back to my own home.

Since I had just arrived, there was nothing in the house except a bed made of two wooden planks.

Sitting on the bed, I thought about what Li Da had said earlier—that my cousin still owed him money—and I frowned deeply.

I was very worried that my cousin’s debts might affect my cousin’s wife’s life.

“Yan Feng!”

Suddenly, my cousin’s wife’s voice came through the open window.

“Auntie!”

I stood up and walked over to open the door. She was there, looking serious, staring at me, and softly asked, “Yan Feng! Did you just have a quarrel with Li Da?”

“Yeah.”

The company wasn’t big; one fart and everyone knew immediately.

So I wasn’t surprised she knew what had happened just now, and I nodded in response.

***

“Yan Feng! Li Da is just a rogue and scoundrel. Why did you have to get into a fight with someone like him…”

Listening to my cousin’s wife’s worried and angry reprimand, I looked at her seriously and answered firmly, “Whoever dares to disrespect you, I’ll deal with them. Even if it’s the king of heaven himself, I won’t allow it…”

No flowery words, no grand vows—just a few short sentences—and Su Wan almost couldn’t hold back tears of emotion.

As the eldest daughter in the family, with two younger sisters and a younger brother beneath her, she had always been the one giving to others.

In all her life, this was the first time she truly felt cared for.

At that moment, her heart was filled with overwhelming warmth. She longed to throw herself into this man’s arms and pour out all the grievances and bitterness she had carried over the years.

But she couldn’t do that, because this man before her was the cousin of her late husband, and she dared not cross that line.

“Yan Feng! You don’t need to quarrel with others for my sake.”

Seeing her lower her head, I couldn’t help but reach out to gently stroke her black hair and softly say, “I’m willing to give everything for you!”

As soon as I said that, the atmosphere immediately grew intimate. Su Wan’s cheeks flushed deeply, her heart fluttering wildly.

“Yan Feng! You’re nineteen this year. There are many pretty girls here in the company. I’ll introduce one to you.”

After a while, Su Wan blushed and dared not meet my eyes as she spoke softly.

I really wanted to say that I didn’t want anyone but her.

But those words stuck in my throat. I just stared at her silently, letting my silence speak for me.

“Yan Feng! You should rest well. I’m going to the factory office to buy some ingredients. I’ll cook something delicious for you tonight.”

The atmosphere was too charged. Su Wan felt that if it continued like this, something might happen, so she quickly changed the subject and turned to leave.

Watching her graceful figure and rounded curves as she walked away, I was intoxicated, unable to pull myself back to reality for a long time.

…

Spring dawned with brilliant sunlight illuminating the earth. The mist had cleared, birds sang joyfully in the trees, and fish swam freely in the water.

Every day the company provided breakfast: thick rice porridge sprinkled with scallions, its aroma enticing.

I ate a large bowl heartily, then went to the office of the first group, ready to follow work arrangements.

At six o’clock sharp, Hu Yong arrived. Seeing me, he smiled and came over, tossing me a cigarette.

He lit one himself, took a few puffs, and said, “Yan Feng! Today our squad will patrol in the morning. When Li Da arrives, we’ll set out.”

I rarely smoked, but I took the cigarette Hu Yong gave me and lit it. I nodded and followed him into the office.

“Yan Feng! I forgot to give you your uniform yesterday. Here are two sets of spring uniforms. Put them on.”

Hu Yong took out two uniforms from a box and handed them to me with a smile.

I nodded silently, stubbed out the cigarette, and put on the forest ranger uniform.

Soon after, Li Da came in, cigarette dangling from his mouth. His slanted eyes swept coldly over me, accompanied by a sneer, but he said nothing.

“Let’s go! Time for patrol.”

Seeing that everyone in the first group had gathered, Hu Yong gave the order and led the way out of the office, then climbed into a jeep.

“You little bastard! Be careful walking at night, don’t let someone break your legs. And tell Su Wan that if Zhao Fei can’t pay his debts, she’ll have to spend a night with me…”

Stepping outside, Li Da sneered arrogantly into my ear.

Without hesitation, I punched him hard in the waist and said coldly, “I told you yesterday, whoever disrespects my cousin’s wife, I’ll kill them. If you’ve got the guts, keep disrespecting her and see if I don’t beat you to a pulp.”

Li Da hadn’t expected me to strike him directly. The sudden pain in his waist caught him off guard.

His eyes flashed with murderous intent as he glared at me and shouted angrily, “You little bastard! Just wait. I swear I’ll kill you.”

I ignored him and headed straight to the jeep, taking the passenger seat.

Hu Yong had witnessed everything with a complicated look. He glanced at me but said nothing. Once Li Da got in, he started the car and we drove off.

The patrol was simple: drive through the rubber tree plantations under our jurisdiction to check for thieves.

It was my first day on the job. Looking out over the vast forest-like rubber plantations, I felt very curious, constantly looking around.

“Yan Feng! This is your first time at the company, isn’t it?”

Hu Yong laughed as he noticed my wandering eyes and asked.

I nodded and replied, “Yes! It’s my first time here, and the first time I’ve seen so many rubber trees.”