The door of Zhao Ergou’s house, long in disrepair, collapsed completely with one kick.

At this moment, Liu Qiaoqiao’s brother-in-law didn’t care about the consequences. His goal was to catch this shameless woman and teach her a lesson, to vent his brother’s anger.

Upon entering Zhao Ergou’s home, he witnessed the scene before him.

Liu Qiaoqiao and Zhao Ergou, disheveled, were dodging bees. Although he didn’t catch them in the act, it was enough to explain everything.

In the dead of night, a married woman taking advantage of her husband’s absence to sneak into a bachelor’s house—this was abnormal enough, what more could be said?

"Good grief, Liu Qiaoqiao, you shameless woman! My brother must be blind! He married you and provided a good life, yet you betray him while he’s away and sneak around with another man! See if I don’t beat you to death!" he shouted, swinging his shovel towards Liu Qiaoqiao.

Liu Qiaoqiao screamed and covered her head with her hands, fleeing in all directions.

The villagers watched the spectacle, clicking their tongues in disdain.

"Truly a scandalous woman."

"Absolutely true. Just look at her; she never seemed like a good person. While others are busy in the fields or managing housework, she’s always gossiping and causing trouble."

"Serves her right, getting caught like this!"

Liu Qiaoqiao’s reputation was completely ruined overnight. But she had no one to blame except herself for her foolish actions.

Liu Qiaoqiao’s brother-in-law had beaten her black and blue. Then he turned his gaze towards the cowering Zhao Ergou, and his rage flared up again.

"You shameless scum! Watch me finish you today!" Liu Qiaoqiao’s brother-in-law spat on the ground and swung the shovel at him again.

Things had become lively now; a quiet village night was turned upside down by this disarray.

Spectators were too excited to sleep, while those involved were too ashamed and worried about the consequences to sleep.

He Mu had watched enough from the rooftop and slipped down from the trees at the back.

He circled to the front door, grabbed his younger siblings’ hands, and started walking back home.

The three children walked with excitement as if they’d accomplished a great deed.

"Seeing Liu Qiaoqiao getting beaten is so satisfying," said He Yue, clapping her hands.

"He Mu, your slingshot was spot-on, and the timing was just perfect," remarked Ning Chenguang.

"Indeed. It feels like divine intervention. Heaven couldn’t tolerate their wickedness anymore and used us to punish them," said He Mu, happily thumping his chest.

"Mm-hmm!" The two kids nodded in agreement.

However, as they neared home, He Mu paused and spoke to his siblings, "We absolutely cannot let Mom know about this. It would unsettle her."

"Didn’t we just help Aunt vent some anger? Shouldn’t she be happy?" Ning Chenguang was puzzled.

"My mom has always been gentle. She never bothers anyone unless provoked. If pushed, the most she’d do is shut the door and ignore others. You can’t expect her to confront anyone. She just can’t do it."