Fight
866 Words
Why the original owner was suddenly replaced, Linh Du could only vaguely guess. Word had it that just before it happened, the original owner had a quarrel with Ma Shi—the talkative woman from the same village—over some petty, trivial matter. This time, she apparently lost the argument, came home in a fury, smashed furniture, and collapsed onto the bed. Who would’ve thought, she never woke up again—only Linh Du did.
Linh Du figured the woman must’ve died from pure rage.
The original owner had a hot temper, but if anything, Linh Du was no gentler. The difference was, she had survived a post-apocalyptic world and fully understood the consequence of “all bark, no bite.” Her rule was: “If it can be solved with fists, don’t waste your breath.”
But now… her belly had grown massive—six months pregnant already—how much fighting could she still manage? One hard hit might cause premature labor, and in this impoverished and backward place, that was as good as a death sentence. She had no intention of dying a second time.
After lunch, the scorching sun flooded the yard. Everyone stayed indoors to do small tasks.
Tien Shi cleaned up, washed the bowls, then went to feed the chickens—two hens that laid eggs. Madam Trinh went into the room to do some sewing. The three little girls played in the yard. The men worked behind the house, hoeing weeds and carrying water.
Linh Du, drenched in sweat from even light housework, lay down to rest until late afternoon. The heat in recent days had been unbearable. When she woke, the sunlight had softened, and a gentle breeze brushed past the window.
She stepped outside to walk around a bit. In the modern world, doctors often advised pregnant women to move regularly for easier labor, and she dared not slack off.
But the moment she entered the yard, she heard sobbing. Instinctively alert, she hurried toward the sound.
What she saw made her blood boil: Tiểu Mễ was being pinned down by a fat little boy. He was yanking up her skirt, saying shamelessly, “Just a quick look! It’s nothing!”
Tiểu Mễ struggled and sobbed, “Grandma said I’m not allowed to let anyone see!”
Tiểu Lăng and Tiểu Yên tried to pull the boy away, but they were too skinny and weak. The two were thrown to the ground, and Tiểu Lăng scraped her elbow so badly it started bleeding, yet she still crawled back, trying to shield her little cousin.
That boy was clearly spoiled. In times like these, a chubby child meant the family wasn’t poor—or he was simply raised like a precious treasure.
Linh Du didn’t hesitate. She grabbed a bamboo stick nearby and swung it hard at the boy’s back.
“Aaah!” he screamed, stumbling backward.
“Filthy brat! Trying to bully a girl at your age? Trying to pull up her clothes? I’ll beat you to death!”
The boy, now in tears, turned and fled. But after just a few steps, he spun around and screamed, “You old hag hit me?! I’ll stab you to death!”
Then he charged straight at Linh Du, head down, aiming right at her belly.
“Big Aunt!” Tiểu Yên cried out in horror.
Everything happened in a flash, but Linh Du was faster. She steadied herself with the stick and delivered a sharp kick with her left foot right into the boy’s chest.
Thud!
The boy flew back, slammed into the ground, and spat out a mouthful of blood before wailing at the top of his lungs.
Linh Du stood firm, though sweat now beaded on her forehead. The baby inside her kicked lightly, almost as if applauding its mother.
Soon after, a high-pitched scream tore through the air:
“Linh Du! You’ve got some nerve! How dare you make my son cough blood!”
Ma Shi stormed out from her house. Seeing her beloved son lying crumpled on the ground, she went berserk. Her face turned crimson, and she raised her hand to slap Linh Du.
“You’re pregnant, so what? You think that gives you the right to hit my kid?”
Linh Du took a step back, her voice cold as ice:
“If you can’t teach your son, I’ll do it for you.”
“I’ll kill you!” Ma Shi screeched, lunging like a rabid beast.
Linh Du narrowed her eyes and jabbed the stick straight into Ma Shi’s stomach. The woman doubled over, but before she could scream, Linh Du struck again—this time on her shoulder—knocking her off balance.
“Try me again.” Linh Du gritted her teeth.
Ma Shi staggered but refused to back down. She lunged again, grabbing the stick. The two women wrestled violently in the middle of the yard.
Tiểu Lăng, crying, ran off to call the adults. Tiểu Yên held tightly to Tiểu Mễ, who was trembling in fear. The scrape on Tiểu Lăng’s elbow was still oozing blood.
The entire yard felt like it was about to explode.
- Writer
