Swallowed her resentment
850 Words
“If there are no more issues, then it’s time to settle this matter.”
At the time of the incident, only the three daughters of the Trinh family and Ta Shi (Linh Du) were present on one side, and on the Lam family’s side, there were Lam Da Hu and Ma Shi. There were no outside witnesses.
According to both sides’ accounts: Lam Da Hu acted indecently and was beaten up by Ta Shi. Furious, he tried to stab her in the belly, only to be struck again. Ma Shi, seeing this, tried to lay hands on Ta Shi, but was stopped by Trinh Trieu, who had just returned and witnessed the scene.
As a result: Ta Shi was so frightened that she suffered intense abdominal pain; Lam Da Hu lost a tooth, and Ma Shi had a swollen forehead. Judging by surface injuries, the Lam family seemed to have suffered more, but Ta Shi was pregnant—if anything went wrong, it could have cost two lives.
Moreover, everything had started with Lam Da Hu bullying the youngest daughter of the Trinh family, Xiao Yen.
The village head said sternly:
“Both sides are at fault. Whoever’s injured is responsible for themselves.
Ma Shi, keep a closer eye on your son next time. A boy daring to stab a pregnant woman in the belly—unacceptable!”
Ma Shi raised her voice in protest:
“No way! My son lost a tooth, and my own head got hit and swelled! They must compensate us!”
The village head waved his sleeve:
“What’s the point of arguing? Who’s the village head here—you or me?
Your son bullied their child first, and now you’re demanding compensation? If we go strictly by reason, your son should be locked in a pigpen for indecent behavior!
Lam Thach, keep your wife in check!”
Lam Thach quickly pulled Ma Shi back, forcing a smile:
“Let’s leave it, village head. We have no complaints.”
Ma Shi muttered under her breath:
“Hmph, of course he’s siding with the Trinh family—they share the same surname. And who saw my son doing anything indecent, anyway?”
Lam Thach immediately shot her a sharp glare, his eyes cold, and she fell silent.
It was true the village head shared the surname Trinh, but he was five generations removed from the Trinh family. Any familial ties were distant and barely relevant. The entire Da Nam village had been formed by settlers from all over during wartime, so many different surnames coexisted. Few truly believed in such “favoring relatives.”
Seeing her husband speak up, Ma Shi dared not utter another word.
When the physician stepped out of the room, Ma Shi immediately rushed forward and grabbed his arm, voice laced with frustration:
“Physician, please examine my son.”
The physician took the boy’s pulse and checked Lam Da Hu’s mouth. Then, with a calm expression, he said:
“It’s nothing serious. Just a lost baby tooth. The child is at the age for teething—sooner or later, the teeth must fall out.
The new tooth is already coming in. Falling out early is even better. No medication is needed.”
Ma Shi’s eyes widened:
“How can you say it’s a good thing? His mouth is full of blood!”
The physician replied calmly:
“A child losing a tooth and bleeding is normal. Rinse with warm water a few times and it’ll be fine. Nothing to worry about.”
Ma Shi frowned, pointing to her forehead:
“What about my head? It still hurts.”
The physician took her pulse again, then answered:
“Just a minor bump, no bruising. Rub with some medicinal wine for a few days and it will heal.”
Ma Shi grew more irritated:
“Why is everything always ‘nothing serious’?!”
The physician furrowed his brow, clearly out of patience:
“No injuries is a good thing, isn’t it? The consultation fee is six coins.”
Ma Shi’s jaw dropped:
“What? Six coins? Isn’t it supposed to be three?”
The physician replied sternly:
“Two people, double the fee. Are you paying or not?”
Lam Thach hurriedly pulled out the coins and handed them over:
“Here, thank you, physician. My wife spoke out of turn, please don’t take offense.”
Ma Shi was furious but could only stew in silence: Why did it end up feeling like we’re the ones at fault? Shouldn’t the Trinh family be paying this?
But with so many villagers still watching, she dared not say another word.
Seeing that things had settled, the village head waved his hand:
“Alright, that’s enough. Dismissed, all of you. Don’t you have work in the fields?”
Before leaving, he turned to Trinh Trieu and asked:
“My son came back with you, didn’t he?”
Trinh Trieu nodded:
“Yes, he did.”
The village head gave a satisfied nod:
“Good. Everyone, go home and get back to your own work.”
- Writer
