Chapter 16: The Mischievous Child

The little one was startled by Tong Chuxue and instinctively froze for a moment. Seizing the opportunity, Tong Chuxue quickly subdued him with a few swift moves.

Xu Jinniang came up behind them and, upon seeing that the arsonist was actually Tong Zhifei, felt deeply pained. “How did you become like this, child?”

Though Tong Zhifei was firmly restrained by Tong Chuxue, he was clearly defiant, struggling and shouting, “I hate you all! If it weren’t for those poisonous weeds, I wouldn’t be sick. It’s all your fault, all of you!”

Tong Chuxue found this quite amusing. No matter what, this grievance shouldn’t be pinned on them. “If you hadn’t come to steal silver, how would you have been hurt by the poisonous weeds?”

“I didn’t steal!” Tong Zhifei retorted stubbornly. “My mother said that money was ours in the first place!”

The child spoke with the confidence of righteousness. Xu Jinniang wanted to lecture him some more but was stopped by Tong Chuxue. “Mother, call Uncle Lizheng over.”

Xu Jinniang hesitated. Though Tong Zhifei was at fault, calling Uncle Lizheng might be too drastic. “It’s just some wild grass that got burned; maybe we should just let it go.”

Facing a child, Xu Jinniang always felt reluctant to be harsh.

Tong Chuxue sighed. “Mother, today he burned a pile of wild grass. If we forgive him now, what if tomorrow he sets fire to our house? Should we forgive him then? He’s lucky today—the fire wasn’t very large. But what if the wind blows the sparks elsewhere? Not only could the Luo family’s house burn down, but the neighboring homes might catch fire too.”

When dealing with a troublesome child, one cannot go easy.

Having persuaded Xu Jinniang, Tong Chuxue took a torch and went to find Uncle Lizheng.

At this moment, Tong Zhifei was tied to a chair by Tong Chuxue, wearing a face full of defiance.

About fifteen minutes later, Tong Shan arrived, followed by Old Madam Tong and Tian Zhaodi.

Old Madam Tong, anxious for her grandson, immediately noticed Tong Zhifei tied up. Tong Zhifei, spotting his grandmother, struggled and shouted, “Grandma, help me!”

Old Madam Tong strode over and fiercely cursed at Tong Chuxue, “You wretched girl, always making trouble for my eldest grandson! Just wait, I’ll tear you apart today!”

She lunged toward Tong Chuxue, but thankfully Uncle Lizheng stopped her in time. “Tong family, the matter isn’t settled yet. You can settle scores later.”

Old Madam Tong still feared Uncle Lizheng somewhat, so she glared resentfully at Tong Chuxue but held back.

Meanwhile, Tian Zhaodi was displeased. “What’s the big deal? It’s just a few wild grasses burned in the yard. Is it worth tying up my son? That’s your brother, and you treat him like this?”

Seeing Old Madam Tong silent, the child turned to his mother. “Mother, help me! That wretched girl wants to kill me!”

Hearing this, Tong Shan furrowed his brows tightly, anger flaring. “Enough! You’re so young yet you set fires and speak such filthy words. I’ll spare you because of your age, but this matter will be handled by the clan.”

The Tong family was a prominent branch of the Tong surname in Qingshan Village, with Tong Ying as the respected clan leader. Although in his seventies, Tong Ying was sharp-minded and healthy, holding great authority. The family was reluctant to escalate matters to him since he had broad connections and often helped young clan members seeking opportunities beyond the village.

If this incident reached Tong Ying’s ears and tarnished his impression of Tong Zhifei, it would be troublesome.

Old Madam Tong and Tian Zhaodi stopped focusing on Tong Chuxue and instead surrounded Uncle Lizheng. “Uncle Lizheng, Xiao Fei is still young. He doesn’t understand much and just listens to what the adults say. The real fault lies with the second daughter-in-law, who hasn’t guided her son properly.”

Tian Zhaodi was displeased that Old Madam Tong threw dirt on her like that and stared daggers at her.

But Old Madam Tong was determined to protect her grandson. “Anyway, nothing serious happened. Xiao Fei surely knows he was wrong. If necessary, let the second daughter-in-law apologize to Snow Girl, and we can let this go.”

Now Tian Zhaodi understood Old Madam Tong’s intention.

If they kept pressing Tong Chuxue, Uncle Lizheng would certainly bring in the clan leader. But if they stepped back, the matter would be minimized and not escalate to the clan level.

“Yes, yes, it’s all my fault. Xiao Fei is poorly raised,” Tian Zhaodi admitted with eagerness.

Tong Shan, caught between the two women, felt overwhelmed by their bickering.

“Here’s what we’ll do,” Tong Chuxue suddenly spoke up. “As long as Grandma and Second Aunt apologize to me and compensate our family with a hen, I won’t pursue the matter.”

She was about to move into a new house soon and had planned to buy some chickens, so this was a perfect gift.

For a family like the Tongs, a laying hen was an important asset. Tong Chuxue’s request for a hen was immediately rejected by Old Madam Tong without a second thought.

“Don’t even think about it! Your little things aren’t worth a hen. Don’t try to swindle this old woman.”

Tong Chuxue shrugged. “Then let’s leave it to Uncle Lizheng and the clan leader.”

“You!” Old Madam Tong was furious but was held back by Tian Zhaodi.

“Snow Girl, Xiao Fei is your brother. As his sister, can’t you show him a little leniency?”

Playing the familial card, Tian Zhaodi pleaded.

Tong Chuxue looked coldly at her. “Did you hear what he just said? I don’t want a brother like that. I’ve stated my terms. If you don’t agree, then let’s find the clan leader.”

“Why do you always bring up the clan leader? Can’t you talk about anything else?” Tian Zhaodi snapped.

Tong Chuxue smiled provocatively; her tactics weren’t new, but they worked.

“Will you apologize or not?”

Cornered, Tian Zhaodi bit her nails until they dug into her flesh. “Fine, fine, I was wrong. It’s all my fault. Are you satisfied now?”

Tong Chuxue nodded. “It’s not about satisfaction. Just remember what you said today.”

Old Madam Tong led her grandson away. Seeing Tong Chuxue approach, she spat and was about to leave, but Tong Chuxue called after them, “Wait! You still owe me an apology.”

They couldn’t just give something and run away.

“Snow Girl, this is too much. How can elders apologize to juniors? We gave you the chicken; don’t be unreasonable,” Tian Zhaodi said.

“Unreasonable?” Tong Chuxue sneered. “Why not invite the clan leader to judge? Let’s see whether it’s Tong Zhifei burning my house that’s unreasonable or me asking for an apology. Second Aunt, I’m not targeting you personally. Whoever did this must apologize. Or is it that you secretly want the clan leader involved?”

“Can’t you say anything else besides calling the clan leader?” Tian Zhaodi snapped.

Tong Chuxue’s smile turned daring. “Will you apologize or not?”

Defeated, Tian Zhaodi finally relented, “Alright, alright, I was wrong. Are you satisfied now?”

Tong Chuxue nodded again. “It’s not about satisfaction. Just remember what you said today.”