"What is there to be afraid of? You two are far scarier than the demons outside. I should be celebrating leaving you behind! Besides, haven't you always wanted to go to the capital with your mother? Well, now you're free. Congratulations." Xu Fubao tilted her head, offering a fierce and mocking congratulations to Xu Jinfeng.
This infuriated Xu Jinfeng. Ever since the mute girl had started speaking, she had become audacious! How could this village girl, who had never seen the world, dare to be so bold?
"Xu Dahai, I'll ask you one last time—do you really intend to divorce me?" Song Xiangyu cared about nothing else. She had been cast out by her prestigious family in the capital, but that had been because she had aimed too high. Now, would her noble status be tarnished by being divorced by a lowly hunter?
Xu Dahai's gaze was firm. "Xu Dafu, bring me ink, paper, and a brush. I will write a divorce letter. And as for splitting the family, I agree with Mother."
Divorce!
Song Xiangyu staggered a few steps, nearly collapsing to the ground. This lowly man—this mere hunter—truly intended to divorce her!
No, this couldn't happen!
"I'll write it myself! Xu Dahai, remember this—it's me, Song Xiangyu, who's leaving you, not the other way around! I'll take Jinfeng with me, and you'll never have the chance to beg for me to return!" Song Xiangyu hastily wrote the divorce letter and threw it at Xu Dahai.
She dragged her eldest daughter back to their room, packed up everything of value, and left with a small bundle.
As she left, Xu Jinfeng shot a venomous glare at Xu Fubao.
I may be leaving now, but I'll be back. Xu Fubao, your wretched life will be mine to take, sooner or later!
Xu Fubao didn't even glance at her. She followed her father back to their room, taking only a set of clothes with her and leaving everything else behind.
Of course, Grandma Xu had no intention of giving them anything.
As they reached the courtyard, Xu Fubao looked up at her father and said, "Daddy, I've heard that when families split, an official document must be written."
Xu Dahai thought the same. "Fubao is so clever."
He turned to Grandma Xu. "Mother, I'll go fetch the village chief to draft a document. Since we're splitting the family, we'll go our separate ways from now on."
"You useless coward! Divorced by your wife, and now you want an official document? I refuse! What can you do about it?" Grandma Xu resorted to being unreasonable.
She knew well enough that once an official document was written, it would be hard to order Xu Dahai around in the future.
But Xu Dahai was determined. Insisting on an official document, he prepared to leave and fetch the village chief.
Just then, Xu Fubao pointed toward the gate and said in her soft, innocent voice, "Daddy, the village chief is already here."
What?
Everyone turned in surprise and indeed saw Wu Nanshan, the village chief, standing at the gate.
How could this be?
The village chief had never visited their home before. Could it be because of Xu Fubao?
Grandma Xu, filled with doubt, still forced a smile and went to greet Wu Nanshan.
However, Wu Nanshan's face was stern. He spoke angrily, "Madam Xu, I've rarely seen a mother like you in all the neighboring villages. Forcing your eldest son into a divorce over a family split."
"Village chief, let me explain. I had my reasons for—" Grandma Xu tried to justify herself.
Wu Nanshan waved her off. "No need. I've already spoken to Song Xiangyu and heard the whole story. Since you're splitting the family, I'll draft the official document to prevent any future disputes from ending up on my doorstep."
Reluctantly, Grandma Xu agreed to the document, watching as Xu Dahai, with Xu Fubao in his arms, followed Wu Nanshan out of the Xu family home.
She couldn't quite explain it, but a deep sense of loss gnawed at her.
Xu Fubao, walking slowly with her short legs, was deep in thought, wondering what to do next.
Suddenly, a small boy darted out from nowhere, collapsing at her feet in a faint.
"Ah!" Xu Fubao yelped, taking several steps back in shock, pressing herself against the doorframe of a nearby house.
Her large almond-shaped eyes were wide with surprise.
Hearing his daughter's voice, Xu Dahai thought she had been frightened. He rushed over, intending to pick her up.
But the little girl, trembling, pointed at the boy and said, "Who… who is he?"
Where did he come from? Where was he going? And why did he faint right in front of me?
Only then did Xu Dahai notice the small boy. He knelt down to check his pulse—the boy was still alive.
"Brother Wu, do you know this child?" Xu Dahai glanced at Wu Nanshan, who seemed to recognize him.
But Wu Nanshan shook his head. "I don't know him. I might have seen his face in town before, but I'm probably mistaken."
Mistaken?
Xu Dahai didn't believe it. Wu Nanshan was a meticulous man; he wouldn't make such a mistake.
"Alright, I'll go fetch a doctor then—"
"Release my young master!" Xu Dahai was interrupted by two tall men who rushed over, swords in hand, their eyes fierce and sharp.
Xu Fubao immediately dashed in front of her father, her small body standing protectively before him. "You've got the wrong person! It was my father who saved your young master!"
Her fierce stance, despite her tiny frame, made it seem like she could devour the two men whole if she were just a bit bigger.
The young master on the ground stirred at the sound of her voice, opening his eyes slightly.
He looked no more than ten, and with a weak hand, he reached out. "Dazhuang, help me up."
The man named Dazhuang sheathed his sword immediately and ran over to support his young master.
"Erzhuang, show some respect. It was this man who saved me," the young master croaked, pointing to Xu Dahai, his voice hoarse as if he hadn't had water in days.
Erzhuang, understanding his master's intentions, quickly pulled out a silver ingot. "This is a token of my young master's gratitude."
Xu Dahai shook his head and refused. "There's no need. I merely happened to pass by."
After all, it was the young master who had frightened his daughter; otherwise, he wouldn't have even noticed him.
Xu Fubao remained where she was, staring at the boy in disbelief.
There was no mistaking it—that young master was her mortal enemy!
Even after traveling through countless worlds, this nemesis had always haunted her, constantly opposing her at every turn.
She could never be wrong—his aura was unmistakable!
Hmph!
To think, in this obscure world, she would still run into him.
And he appeared to be much older than her, suggesting he had arrived long before she did.
Could it be... that my transmigration here was all his doing?
Ahhhh!
What kind of cursed fate was this? Why couldn't there be just one world without him?
Perhaps noticing her intense gaze, the young master looked over and said, "Little sister, I'm sorry. I suddenly fell ill and must have frightened you. Here, this is a small token of my gratitude. Please accept it."
This time, he personally offered her fifty taels of silver.
Little sister?
Ha!
Xu Fubao narrowed her large eyes.
Is my nemesis pretending to have amnesia now?
He used to call me "Little Witch," always challenging me to ridiculous duels under the guise of "martial competition" just to punish me!
And now he's calling me "little sister"?
Does he really think I'm so easily fooled?
Everyone watched Xu Fubao in confusion, not understanding why she stood there, as tense as a little cat with its fur bristling in warning.
Even the boy, Huo Ran, didn't understand. He thought perhaps his gift of silver wasn't enough, so he took out a jade pendant as well, offering it to her. "Little sister, don't be angry. Here, take this jade pendant too. Will that make things better?"