Xia Guifang's mother saw the two struggling and grappling with each other, bodies making close contact time and again. Fearing that Wang Xiaoqiang might take advantage of her daughter, and even more afraid that onlookers might spread rumors that could tarnish her daughter's reputation, she purposefully yet subtly said to her daughter, "Little Fang, stop fighting. If Little Qiang isn't tired, let him help with the watering. Go home and bring a bottle of water for Little Qiang..."
Upon hearing this, Xia Guifang released her hold and said to Wang Xiaoqiang, "Then you water the plants. I'll go back and bring you some water... Remember, don't tire yourself out."
Having said that, her pretty eyes shot a glance at Wang Xiaoqiang before she turned and swayed her willowy waist, walking back toward the edge of the field.
Wang Xiaoqiang dared not think too deeply about this matter. Shaking his head, he picked up the hose and continued watering when suddenly a sharp scream came from the main road at the end of the field, "Ah, don't pull me, you despicable hoodlum, let go of me..."
Hearing the panicked voice coming from Xia Guifang, both Wang Xiaoqiang and Xia Guifang's mother's faces changed color. Turning their heads to look, they saw Xia Guifang, who had just reached the edge of the field, being dragged toward a motorcycle by a bald man in a black tank top. While fiercely pulling on Xia Guifang, the man snarled, "Xia Guifang, scream all you want, it's useless. Your old man has already promised you to me, and he's squandered all the money I paid for the bride price. You still want to run away from the marriage? Can you even escape... Hurry up and come with me to register our marriage."
Faced with the man's threats, Xia Guifang struggled while screaming in terror.
Seeing this scene, Xia Guifang's mother remained indifferent. She only bit her lip, her face a mix of embarrassment and helplessness.
Because she was well aware that the man grappling with her daughter was none other than Guo Biao, the prospective son-in-law sought out by her gambling addict husband, Xia Sanwa. Guo Biao, now thirty years old, was eleven years older than Xia Guifang. Besides the age difference, Guo Biao was infamous in the county as a delinquent, involved in all sorts of vices like eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. He had met Xia Sanwa at a gambling table. Seeing that Guo Biao's family had money, Xia Sanwa wanted to betroth his daughter to him. Guo Biao didn't lack women and wasn't interested in countryside girls, but when Xia Sanwa insisted on bringing his daughter before him, Guo Biao was struck by her as if she were a "Heavenly Being." Not only was Xia Guifang more delicate and spirited than city women, but her demeanor was also unusually refined. In a rash decision spurred by his attraction, Guo Biao immediately agreed to marry Xia Guifang. So eager was he that he didn't even wait for a matchmaker and went directly to the Xia Family to deliver a bride price of one hundred thousand yuan.
However, Xia Guifang was adamantly against this marriage. Seeing her daughter's refusal, and knowing that Guo Biao had a reputation as a notorious playboy in the county, as a mother she also couldn't force her daughter into a fire pit. Just when they were considering calling off the marriage, the one hundred thousand yuan from Guo Biao had already been squandered by Xia Sanwa, with over eighty thousand lost. The remaining twenty thousand was still in Xia Sanwa's hands, and it was uncertain how much was left.
So now that Guo Biao was forcibly dragging her daughter to register for marriage, as a mother, she could only turn a blind eye. However, while Xia Guifang's mother could afford to turn a blind eye, Wang Xiaoqiang could not stand idly by, no matter what. Seeing the unfolding situation, he dropped the hose he was holding and dashed toward the two who were pulling at each other.
Wang Xiaoqiang might appear timid and honest, but he was stubborn at heart, with a streak of chivalry. Witnessing Xia Guifang being dragged by the despicable man in broad daylight as though she was being kidnapped, a fiery rage blazed within him, leaving him unable to restrain himself.
Xia Guifang's mother saw this and her face turned instantly pale. As she chased after Wang Xiaoqiang, she shouted, "Little Qiang, don't interfere, you can't handle this..."
Seeing that her words couldn't recall Wang Xiaoqiang, Xia Guifang's mother got up and pursued him, fearing any further unpleasant incidents might occur.
When Wang Xiaoqiang reached the main road, he saw that the man whom Xia Guifang had called "scoundrel" was tall and robust, with tattoos of an Azure Dragon on each of his thick arms.
Seeing the pale arm of Xia Guifang becoming marked with red under the man's rough handling, Wang Xiaoqiang grabbed the man's arm, pried his hand off Xia Guifang's arm, and pushed forward sharply.
This push, he did with all his might.
Boom!
The wretched man toppled to the ground, along with the motorcycle.
It hadn't rained for half a month, and the dirt road was covered in a layer of dust. Guo Biao suddenly fell to the ground, his face covered in dirt, turning his originally ferocious face completely pale.
Xia Guifang was somewhat stunned as she stared at the scene before her. She hadn't expected the always frail-bodied Wang Xiaoqiang to have such immense strength. Guo Biao, who had fallen to the ground, was nearly one meter ninety tall, with a well-built body. His muscular arms, exposed beyond his vest, were knotted like thick ropes. Along with his motorcycle, he probably weighed around four to five hundred pounds, yet Wang Xiaoqiang had managed to push him over with one push.
Wang Xiaoqiang had not expected his strength to become so great either. He thought it might be related to the Five Elements Spiritual Spring within his body.
While Xia Guifang and Wang Xiaoqiang were shocked by Wang Xiaoqiang's strength, Xia Guifang's mother, who had arrived afterward, screamed in fright when she saw that Wang Xiaoqiang had actually pushed the wealthy and powerful Guo Biao to the ground. She frantically rushed to help Guo Biao up, apologizing as she did so, "Young Master Guo, I'm sorry, please, please get up..."
"Get the hell away from me!" Guo Biao pushed Xia Guifang's mother away as he stood up.
As Xia Guifang's mother was pushed, she fell onto her buttocks on the ground, crying out in pain, but she dared not complain.
Guo Biao did not even glance at her. His beady eyes were fixed tightly on Wang Xiaoqiang. His face, which had gone pale with anger, was now turning a shade of blood red. He clenched his teeth, and without uttering a word, walked toward Wang Xiaoqiang.
In the countryside, there is a saying: dogs that bark do not bite, but those that remain silent will bite.
The less Guo Biao spoke, the more afraid Xia Guifang became. Watching a brute who was a head taller than Wang Xiaoqiang and sturdy as a bull walk menacingly towards him, she found courage from somewhere within and suddenly stood in front of Wang Xiaoqiang. Her voice trembling, she said, "Guo Biao, you, you mustn't hurt him. What's between us has nothing to do with him..."
"It has nothing to do with him... heh heh..." Guo Biao let out a sinister chuckle. "He pushed me down, and you still say it's none of his business, huh? I get it now. No wonder you refuse to agree. It's all because of this pretty boy..."
"It's not because of him..." Xia Guifang glared coldly at Guo Biao. "Guo Biao, a person like you, I will never like you. Even if you killed me, I wouldn't marry you. Just give up on that idea. I will find a way to return your dowry money..."
"You're going to return it to me? With what..."
Xia Guifang's words made Guo Biao gnash his teeth in rage. He didn't want to listen any longer and couldn't bear his temper. He took a step forward, pushed Xia Guifang aside, and then, with both hands, grabbed Wang Xiaoqiang's shoulders.
Guo Biao had been a soldier in his early years and adored strength. Although he indulged in women, he still valued his physical training, so he was quite robust. In his opinion, Wang Xiaoqiang, with his slight build, was not even worth a punch. He thought it would be dull to knock Wang Xiaoqiang down with one punch. He wanted to lift Wang Xiaoqiang overhead and then slam him down to avenge his earlier fall.
However, just as Guo Biao's hands grabbed Wang Xiaoqiang's shoulders and he was about to lift him for a slam, Wang Xiaoqiang struck. He clenched his right fist and aimed it at Guo Biao's stomach.
Wang Xiaoqiang had never fought with anyone before and only knew that his strength wasn't as great as others his age. He didn't have a good understanding of his own fighting skills, so he was surprised to find that his reaction speed was so quick when it came down to a real fight. Of course, there was one more thing that took him utterly by surprise.
The moment his right fist made contact with Guo Biao's sturdy stomach, something incredible happened.