coobybook Chapter 178 The following offense
Chapter 178 The following offense
Driven by malice, the Chen couple grabbed wooden sticks and struck Shi Wanxia, who nimbly dodged them. But the scholar pulled out a dagger and stabbed at her. Seeing she couldn't dodge, she tried to sidestep, but the man had already anticipated her next move.
Shi Wanxia steeled her resolve and prepared to back away. A large hand forcefully grabbed her waist and kicked the scholar away.
Lin Yu sighed inwardly. Fortunately, they had been waiting at home for Miss Shi all day and she hadn't returned. Lin Yu was worried, so he came to the county office to pick her up. Unexpectedly, he saw someone who was so reckless as to lay a hand on Miss Shi.
Lin Yu exuded a murderous aura. Although he had never fought on the battlefield, he had killed many villains. His fierce presence made everyone present afraid to move.
"You're courting death! You dare touch her? Don't you want to live?" Lin Yu's face was gloomy, and his imposing aura frightened the people so much that they shrank back and dared not move.
Hearing the commotion, Cui Zhihao, along with the yamen runners on duty, rushed out. They saw those people, oblivious to their own danger, daring to harm Miss Shi. Cui Zhihao waved his hand, and the runners surrounded them.
"Take Mr. and Mrs. Chen, as well as that so-called scholar, into prison. I will re-examine them tomorrow."
These unruly commoners are truly audacious, daring to harm an official of the imperial court. Cui Zhihao anxiously checked on Miss Shi, and was relieved to see that she was unharmed.
Only then did they notice that the man beside Miss Shi had his hand rudely placed on her waist. Who was this man?
"Miss Shi, are you alright? It was my oversight that allowed these scoundrels to try and harm you. They are utterly absurd. I will teach them a lesson tomorrow."
Cui Zhihao shifted his gaze, seemingly unconcerned. "By the way, who is this brave man? Thank you for saving Miss Shi. I am the magistrate of Xinyang County. Thank you, brave man."
Lin Yu ignored her completely. She was just a minor county magistrate, not even as high-ranking as him. Lin Yu removed his hand from Miss Shi's waist. He pulled her close, checking her over thoroughly, and was relieved to see she wasn't injured. Otherwise, when they got back, Shu Yunqin would have torn her to pieces.
"Miss Shi, it's so good that you're alright. This county government office isn't safe either. I'll come pick you up whenever you go to or leave the office." Lin Yu said this casually, and she quickly patted his arm, thinking, "Why is this kid talking nonsense?"
He gave Magistrate Cui an awkward smile, somewhat apologetically: "Sir, please forgive me, this is my brother Lin Yu. He's not a bad person, he's just a bit blunt. Well, it's getting late, I'll be heading back now. Farewell, sir!"
Shi Wanxia grabbed Lin Yu and left. He was still a little confused. Why was Miss Shi in such a hurry? And what did she mean by saying that I had no bad intentions?
"Miss Shi, slow down! Why are you grabbing my clothes? I can walk by myself. There are people watching us. This pulling and tugging isn't a good look."
"What do you mean 'bad influence'? Hurry up and get out of here, I'm starving. You've come at just the right time. Why didn't you come out sooner? Did you want to see me make a fool of myself?"
The two left the county government office amidst their bickering, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance. Cui Zhihao's eyes were deep as he watched them until they vanished.
That Lin Yu was exceptionally articulate, and his aura was far from ordinary. Moreover, I had never encountered him before in Xinyang County. He must have appeared recently.
Cui Zhi turned around and went back to the county government office. He kept thinking about it the whole way. This person looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.
"Cui Jiu, find someone for me."
Cui Zhihui entered the room and called out a name. A man with a capable demeanor and a burly build emerged from the shadows. This was his bodyguard, who had been secretly protecting him.
This was a bodyguard from the Cui family, sent to him by his elder brother when he came of age. Cui Jiu knelt respectfully before his master, who rarely gave him orders; this was the first time since he arrived in Xinyang County.
Cui Zhihao told him about Lin Yu's appearance and Shi Wanxia's address. "Go and find out who this Lin Yu is. He looks familiar, so he must be someone I know or have met before."
Cui Jiu immediately obeyed and slipped out of the room. His figure quickly disappeared into the moonlight. Cui Zhihao was also exhausted today, so he quickly washed up and went to bed to rest.
Shi Wanxia and Lin Yu struggled forward in the cold night. Shi Wanxia was filled with anger and helplessness. She kept complaining about Lin Yu's stupidity in choosing to walk to pick her up. Lin Yu silently endured her scolding, knowing that his actions had wronged Shi Wanxia.
Their bodies shivered in the cold wind, and their lips gradually turned bluish-purple. Shi Wanxia felt that her hands and feet were about to lose feeling. She began to regret why she had agreed to Lin Yu's request. She had a carriage to take, but instead walked back and almost froze to death.
Finally, they saw the candlelight of their home. Shi Wanxia and Lin Yu rushed into the house, a warm feeling washing over them. They collapsed into chairs, panting heavily.
Seeing their disheveled state, Shu Yunqin felt a surge of concern. She quickly brought them hot tea and blankets to warm them up. Shi Wanxia and Lin Yu looked at Shu Yunqin gratefully, their hearts filled with warmth.
Shuyun looked at Sister Shi with concern, "Sister Shi, are you alright? You got off work so late, you must be exhausted today."
Shi Wanxia smiled wearily, "I'm fine, it's just that I've been quite busy with official duties today." Shu Yun frowned, "Everyone has already had dinner. I'll have Qin Xin heat up your food, it'll be ready in a bit."
Shi Wanxia looked at Shuyun gratefully, "Thank you, Shuyun." Shuyun turned and walked towards the kitchen. A moment later, Qin Xin came out with steaming hot food.
Shi Wanxia sat at the table and wolfed down her food. Shuyun looked at her sister Shi, her heart filled with heartache. She knew her sister Shi had always worked very hard and sacrificed a lot for the family. She hoped her sister Shi could take care of her health and not overwork herself.
"Sister Shi, after dinner, go back to your room and take a hot bath! You must be exhausted today, let me help you bathe."
Shi Wanxia almost choked when she heard this while eating. She waved her hands repeatedly in refusal, saying she could wash it herself and couldn't trouble Shuyun! Besides, she was from the South and couldn't be so open with others.
"No need to trouble yourself, Shuyun. This family still needs you to support it. You should go back to sleep early! I can take a shower by myself. Lin Yu, don't stand here either. Go back and rest. I'll go rest after I finish eating."
Lin Yu was indeed tired today, yawning as she returned to her room. Shu Yun sat beside Shi Wanxia, occasionally pouring her tea. If Sister Shi, a seemingly frail woman, could support this family, so could she.
Soon, Shi Wanxia finished her meal. Shuyun gently and carefully cleaned the table and told her to go back to her room to take a shower and rest. She took the dishes to the kitchen to wash.
Unable to argue with her, Shi Wanxia yawned and went back to her room, where a bathtub was placed. The steaming heat dispelled Shi Wanxia's exhaustion.
She quickly took off her clothes and, while the water was still warm, took a quick hot shower. She felt incredibly refreshed afterward. Inside, the glow of burning charcoal created a stark contrast to the freezing cold outside.