Chapter 40: Encounter

Wang Qiang wiped the rain off his face and walked into the abandoned temple.

"Brother Qiang, this rain is too heavy. We probably can't go back today."

Two young men followed Wang Qiang inside, their eyes darting towards Zhou Qing.

Wang Qiang snorted with laughter, "It's perfect that we can't go back!"

He rubbed his hands together and walked towards Zhou Qing, his eyes gleaming with lecherous intent.

Last time, the Wang family sent a message to him, asking him that he should become Zhou Huaishan's apprentice and find an opportunity to get close to Zhou Qing, she said everything would be settled once they were intimate. 

But after Wang and Sun had that fallout with the second and third branches of the Zhou family, he had no chance to become an apprentice. 

Under the pretense of helping with the autumn harvest, Wang Qiang visited the Zhou house several times, but he either didn't meet anyone or had no chance to make a move.

The more he couldn't get what he wanted, the more Wang Qiang yearned for Zhou Qing.

For the past few days, Zhou Qing had been selling characters, and he followed her from a distance, waiting for an opportunity to strike. 

Unexpectedly, the weather played into his hands, providing the perfect opportunity.

Seeing Wang Qiang hobbling towards Zhou Qing, Zhou Huailin immediately stepped in front of him, grabbing Wang Qiang by the collar and glaring at him angrily, "What are you doing!"

Wang Qiang didn't struggle, letting himself be grabbed, and said with a mocking smile, "Third Uncle, what do you think I'm doing? I've been dreaming of sharing a bed with Zhou Qing."

The two young men behind Wang Qiang started jeering.

Zhou Huailin tightened his grip on Wang Qiang's collar, "You little bastard, get lost!"

He pushed Wang Qiang hard. With his weak leg, Wang Qiang nearly fell over. The two young men then pounced on Zhou Huailin.

"Uncle, Qing is so beautiful, don't you yearn for her?"

"Don't pretend to be so proper. You've probably been wanting this for a long time. Today, we'll give you a chance. After we're done, you can have a go."

The two young men spoke lewdly and moved towards Zhou Huailin. 

No matter how strong Zhou Huailin was, he couldn't fend off two young men at once.

"You little bastards, I'll fight you to the death!"

Zhou Huailin's eyes reddened as he grabbed a basket used for holding characters and swung it at the two young men.

"Qing, run!"

Zhou Huailin shouted at the top of his lungs, but one of the young men intercepted the basket.

"Uncle, at your age, why bother fighting us?"

The young man pulled the basket from Zhou Huailin's hand while the other grabbed Zhou Huailin around the waist.

With Zhou Huailin restrained, one of the young men yanked the basket away and punched Zhou Huailin.

Meanwhile, Wang Qiang approached Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing turned and ran out of the temple.

Wang Qiang caught up in a few steps and grabbed her hair, "You little b*tch, run, run!"

With her hair pulled, Zhou Qing turned and kicked at Wang Qiang, trying to break free.

Wang Qiang held her hair tightly, and when she kicked, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her into his arms.

"You little b*tch, how you beat me in the town that day, I'll repay you double today. If I don't, I'll write my name backwards!"

"Beast, let her go, let her go!" Zhou Huailin was restrained by the two young men, unable to move, and could only watch as Wang Qiang grabbed Zhou Qing, his rage boiling over.

Zhou Qing's struggles and Zhou Huailin's shouts only fueled Wang Qiang's beastly instincts.

Holding Zhou Qing tightly, he grabbed her chin, forcing her head up, and leaned in, "Come on, give your brother a kiss~~~"

Before Wang Qiang could get close, Zhou Qing swiftly pulled out a hidden dagger and stabbed him in the shoulder.

Wang Qiang screamed in pain.

Despite having killed countless chickens, this was Zhou Qing's first time stabbing a person. Even though he was a villain, her hands still trembled uncontrollably.

Her trembling caused her to shakily pull out the dagger and stab him again.

Hmm, this time was steadier.

Wang Qiang barely had time to react before Zhou Qing stabbed him a third time.

Hmm, this time was even steadier.

With this third stab, as Wang Qiang loosened his grip on her from the pain, Zhou Qing took a step back and stabbed his thigh.

"Ah!"

Wang Qiang's screams were drowned out by the torrential rain.

With a stab to his thigh, Wang Qiang fell to his knees, and Zhou Qing kicked him over, straddling him.

She grabbed Wang Qiang's hair and pulled his head up.

"You think you can have me? Keep dreaming."

Then she fiercely looked at the two young men.

"Let go of my third uncle."

The two young men...

"Wh... why do you have a knife!"

Zhou Qing...

"None of your business!"

When a girl is out and about, it's only normal to carry a knife for protection.

And now it was put to good use!

She hadn't revealed it immediately because she knew Wang Qiang was stronger. If she had shown it first, it would have ended up in his hands. Better to wait until he was off guard.

This tactic was taught by her drill instructor during high school.

With three stabs, Wang Qiang couldn't get up even if Zhou Qing wasn't sitting on him.

Blood flowed profusely, and Wang Qiang screamed in agony.

Zhou Qing sat on Wang Qiang's back, took a few deep breaths, then stood up and walked towards the two young men.

"Release him yourselves, or should I do it?"

The two young men exchanged a horrified glance.

Damn.

Why didn't they bring a knife?

Release him?

But what if she gave them three stabs too?

Not release him?

They were holding down Zhou Huailin two-on-one, but with Zhou Qing and her knife, they might not win.

The two exchanged another glance and reached a decision.

Swish.

They both raised their hands above their heads.

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. We were just hired by Wang Qiang. As the saying goes, take the money and do the job. Please, spare us."

"Yes, yes, we're just errand boys, not the masterminds."

As they raised their hands, Zhou Huailin immediately slapped the back of one young man's head.

The young man stumbled forward.

Seeing his chance, he lunged at Zhou Qing.

"Qing, be careful."

The other young man suddenly attacked Zhou Huailin.

Seeing the young man coming, Zhou Qing knew she couldn't dodge, so she quickly straddled Wang Qiang again.

Wang Qiang...

Ugh!

As Zhou Qing sat on his back, Wang Qiang spat blood from his mouth and nose.

"Take another step, and I'll kill him."

Zhou Qing grabbed Wang Qiang's head, pressing the dagger to his throat.

Wang Qiang...

"Y-Y-You step back."

The young man looked at Wang Qiang, then at the other young man.

Seeing that the other young man had been pinned down by Zhou Huailin, he didn't hesitate, he turned and ran towards the door.

As he ran, Zhou Qing breathed a sigh of relief.