Wang Xin

I spent a day at the stonemason's shop, and as school was about to end, I went to the school gate to wait for Xiao Pang and Wang Xin.

There were no parents at the school gate. Parents didn't pick up their children back then, unlike now, with large and small vehicles blocking half the street.

Xiao Pang came out first and told me that the teacher had asked him to pass a message: if I skipped class again, the teacher would make a home visit.

I wasn't afraid of a home visit because no one was ever home at my place.

From a distance, I saw Da Laizi following Wang Xin, constantly saying something. When Wang Xin saw me, she quickened her steps, grabbed me, and said, "Let's go quickly, I'll tutor you at my place."

Da Laizi ran over, glared at me fiercely, and said, "You haven't remembered, have you? Let go of her, I'm taking her to play billiards!"

I ignored him and continued to walk forward. With Wang Xin there, Da Laizi dared not use force, only threats.

Xiao Pang stood beside me, protecting Wang Xin.

Da Laizi said, "Are you pretending with me? Your old man is a rapist, are you following your old man's example? What's with you taking my girlfriend around every day?"

I let go of Wang Xin, turned around, and slapped Da Laizi across the face: "Who the hell are you calling a rapist? Your old man is the rapist!"

After being slapped, Da Laizi lunged forward to retaliate but was held back by Xiao Pang. Da Laizi's followers hadn't come out yet, and he was alone now. Da Laizi jumped up in anger: "Everyone in Ruili knows your old man is a rapist! Why are you acting so innocent?"

My father was formerly a teacher at this school. A female student accused him of molestation, and he was investigated for a long time. Although he was not sentenced due to insufficient evidence, he was expelled from the school and branded a rapist.

Wang Xin said, "The court said your father was wrongly accused, so why are you making baseless accusations? Who is your girlfriend? If you bother me again, I'm calling the police!"

Da Laizi immediately softened: "Wang Xin, I truly like you, don't be like this. How about I treat you to a meal?"

Xiao Pang said, "Get lost! Are you worried we won't have a meal without you!"

Da Laizi didn't dare to be too presumptuous in front of Wang Xin, and besides, his lackeys hadn't shown up for some reason. He could only watch us leave.

Da Laizi shouted from behind, "Li Hua, Xiao Pang, you two wait for me!"

I knew he wouldn't give up. I couldn't keep getting beaten; I had to find a way.

After sending Wang Xin back, I returned to my own home. No one was there. My father hadn't found a legitimate job since losing his work and was never home, nor did he bring any money home. My mother worked in a jade workshop, polishing semi-finished jade pieces for others, earning only a few yuan a day. With the family's income source from my father gone and relying on my mother's meager earnings, we struggled to make ends meet.

Originally, my mother wanted him to work part-time at the jade shop with her, but my father refused, calling it shameful.

As soon as I put down my schoolbag, I heard a crashing sound. I hurried to the window. All six panes of glass on the window were broken.

My home was on the third floor. I looked down from the window and saw Da Laizi standing below with a slingshot, smiling at me.

Damn it, Da Laizi was really pushing it. I ran downstairs angrily. As soon as I stepped out of the building entrance, I received a blow to the head. It turned out his two subordinates were hiding by the door waiting for me. I wasn't prepared for them, and a single blow knocked me to the ground.

Da Laizi looked at me lying on the ground and said to his subordinates, "What are you still staring at? This kid just slapped me, what are you waiting for!"

Before I could get up, the two boys started beating me with sticks. I couldn't fight back at all and could only cover my head and let them vent their anger.

Da Laizi said, "Your bones are quite hard, aren't they? I gave you a warning this morning, do you think I'm air? You still hit me? Today I'll cripple you so you can't leave your house tomorrow, let's see how you'll play the protector!"

I lay on the ground, my whole body feeling like it was tearing apart from the beating. I couldn't stand up.

Da Laizi said, "Are you admitting defeat or not? Disappear tomorrow, understand?"

I knew arguing with him was useless now, so I endured it and stayed silent. At that moment, a kid walked over and kicked me: "Did you hear what the boss said? If I see you walking with Sister-in-law again tomorrow, I'll break your legs!"

Da Laizi, perhaps afraid someone would see, called his two followers, kicked me again, and swaggered away.

I lay on the ground for a long time, my legs too weak to support me. Then I heard Wang Xin's voice. She was calling from afar, "Li Hua, what's wrong with you?"

Wang Xin lived in the building behind. She was coming out to tutor me as promised.

I looked up at her and forced a bitter smile: "Da Laizi."

Wang Xin squatted down, crying, "How could they be so cruel? Did they hit you badly? Should I call someone to take you to the hospital?"

I struggled to sit up and said, "No need, I'll be fine after a rest."

Wang Xin said, "Why don't we call the police? We can't let them bully you like this."

"I'll solve it my own way, don't worry. They ambushed me today; otherwise, I wouldn't be useless."

Wang Xin, while crying, slowly helped me up and had me walk a few steps to see if my bones were injured.

I endured the pain and walked a few steps. Thankfully, my bones were not injured, but every part of me ached.

Wang Xin said, "These people are too cruel. What's your plan? You can't always be like this!"

"Don't worry, I'll make him quiet!"

Wang Xin looked at me in fear, perhaps seeing the ferocity on my face startled her.

"Go upstairs and help me clean up the glass at home. I'll go to the glass shop to have new glass installed."

Wang Xin looked up at the window, infuriated, and ran upstairs.

Fortunately, the windows in houses back then were small, and a piece of glass didn't cost much. If it were the large floor-to-ceiling windows of today, the loss would have been much greater.

Even so, I had to get it on credit, as I had no money on me.

I had to get the glass installed before my parents came home, or my father would beat me.

Ever since that incident, he had changed completely, often taking his anger out on my mother and me.

My mother firmly believed he was wrongly accused and never blamed him for it. Despite this, my father still lost his temper frequently, smashing things, and taking it out on us.

After much pleading, the glazier agreed to come and install the glass. Six panes of glass cost thirty yuan, and he asked for payment within a week, threatening to remove it if I didn't pay.

I gritted my teeth and agreed. Although I didn't know how I would get the money, I had to get the glass installed first. Otherwise, the wind blowing into the house at night would be nothing compared to being beaten to death by my father.

Wang Xin knew I was broke and insisted on asking her family for money. I stopped her, saying I had a way. Her family was also struggling, and thirty yuan was a huge sum, equivalent to half a month's living expenses. I didn't want to trouble her.

Seeing my confident demeanor, Wang Xin didn't insist further.

The fundamental issue was to deal with Da Laizi. If he kept harassing us every day, none of us would have a peaceful life.

I wasn't going to involve Xiao Pang; I would handle it myself.

I felt bad about letting Xiao Pang get beaten up for no reason. Although Xiao Pang and I were good friends, Da Laizi's problem was my personal affair, and it had to be resolved between us, or this resentment would never be resolved.