Chapter 81: Change

I slowly drew the belt from my waist, letting the cluster of keys fall to the ground. Then I folded the overly long belt in half and gripped it firmly by the buckle. I knew in my heart that this time, I would show no mercy.

The little witch had been laughing carelessly, but at the sight of my gesture with the belt, her face froze. She opened her mouth in surprise and said, “You…”

Without a word, I stepped forward and swung the belt fiercely at her head. She had trained for two years—her reflexes were swift. While retreating in long strides, she twisted aside, and my belt, slicing through the air with a whistle, struck nothing but the space near her ear.

There was clear fear on her face now. I had put all my strength into that blow, aiming for her head. Had it landed, the consequence would have been dire. Terrified, she kept retreating, crying out, “Tang Qian! Are you serious?”

I had no desire to waste any more words on her. In my mind, she was no longer my friend’s little sister. This sort of troublemaker deserved no leniency from me. Just days ago, I had tried to help her find her way, unwilling to see her lost on the streets, and had meddled in her affairs out of kindness. Now, thinking back, it was laughable. Such an ungrateful, ruthless, cunning, and shameless woman—I’d never met her equal. For all her actions, only one phrase was fitting: Go to hell.

Go to hell! I would never get involved in her business again. After giving her a good beating to vent my anger, I wouldn’t care if she lived or died. She could do as she pleased! Even if she ran away from home, or even led a rebellion, I wouldn’t ask another question!

My first strike missed, but I didn’t stop. I swung backhanded, aiming for her face. Realizing I meant business, she panicked, dodging while crying, “Not fair! How can you hit people with a belt?”

She was agile indeed. My rapid swings were all dodged by her nimble evasions. Even as she dodged, she didn’t forget to counterattack. Finally, she leaped onto the bed to avoid a sweeping blow—its springiness sent her high into the air. Spinning midair, she aimed a kick right at my face.

She had never held back with me! If that kick landed, I’d lose a few teeth at best, or have my nose smashed at worst. Normally, I could only dodge or take the hit—I had never learned martial arts and didn’t know how to block. But now, with a weapon in hand, seeing I couldn’t avoid her kick, I clenched my teeth and swung the belt with all my might.

With a sharp crack, the belt struck her calf squarely.

She let out a scream, instinctively pulling her leg back, aborting the kick halfway. She fell onto the bed, clutching her calf, tears welling up as she cried, “Tang! You actually hit me! It hurts… it hurts so much!”

I sneered, swinging the belt again at the hand she used to rub her calf. Sitting on the bed, she was quick, but her body couldn’t keep up. She only managed to pull her hand away before the belt landed with another crack on her calf.

She screamed again, and this time real tears flowed. Seeing my ferocity, she was so scared she had no time to wipe her tears or massage the pain, scrambling towards the head of the bed to escape.

Hitting her twice didn’t satisfy my anger. I stepped onto the bed, raised my arm, and lashed the belt at her rear. Cornered at the head of the bed, she had nowhere to run, just enough time to cry, “No!”

With a resounding crack, the belt landed on her petite, upturned bottom. She shrieked, clutching her backside as she broke into sobs. I raised my right hand, ready to give her another, when she cried, “Please don’t! Grandpa Tang Qian, no more! It hurts too much, just kill me instead!”

I paused and said, “So you know pain? Did you ever think of others’ pain when you bullied them? When you used your damned taekwondo to kick people, did you ever consider they might be hurt? Today, unless I beat you so you’ll never forget it, how many more people will suffer at your hands? Three lashes are not enough; you still need more!”

Again, I raised my hand for another strike. She cried, “No!” and rolled toward me, not to strike back but to hug my leg, sobbing, “I won’t dare anymore, I really won’t! Please, I beg you, don’t hit me again, I’ll never bully anyone again…”

Her weeping only made me dislike her more. I barked, “Let go of my leg. Get away from me.”

Instead, she clung tighter, crying, “No! You’ll hit me!”

“Will I stop if you don’t let go?” I retorted, swinging the belt onto her bottom. She let out a cry, her voice breaking.

Looking at her pitiful state, I found no satisfaction in bullying this defenseless little girl. Four lashes—my anger was spent. I pulled my leg free from her grasp, stepped back, and got off the bed.

She lay on the bed, weeping like a pear blossom in the rain—enough to evoke pity from any bystander. Only I knew she had brought this upon herself.

I sighed and held out my hand. “Stop crying. Give me back my phone.”

She choked back her sobs but kept sniffling. She fished the phone from her pocket and handed it to me cautiously, whispering, “Are… are you going to hit me again?”

“What? Are you begging for more?” I replied.

She shook her head desperately. “No, no, I just mean if you must, could you use your hand instead? The belt hurts too much… I can’t take it.”

What a little masochist! She actually suggested I use my hand! Shaking my head, I put my belt back on. “That’s enough for today. I hit you, you hit me—we’re even. Do as you please from now on. Just remember, if you ever think to bully someone again, recall these four lashes—karma always comes back around. Don’t bring disaster on yourself.”

Seeing I wouldn’t hit her again, she finally dared to rub her bottom and calf. Hearing her sharp intakes of breath, I could tell the pain was real.

I considered a moment, then dialed Xu Jian. Even if I wanted nothing more to do with her, Xu Jian was still my friend, and I needed to let him know where Xu Xin was. Besides, I’d hit his sister—whatever happened, he deserved to hear it from me, even if it made us enemies.

The call connected. Xu Jian’s tired voice answered, “Hello? Tang, what is it?”

“Brother Xu, your sister is with me, but I won’t be responsible anymore. Come to B City and get her yourself.”

He perked up. “Really? I’m in B City now—where are you two?”

I honestly had no idea. I looked at Xu Xin. When she realized I was calling her brother, she forgot her pain and scrambled off the bed, anxiously waving her hands at me.

I said, “Ask your sister yourself, I don’t know where we are.” I held the phone out to her. She rolled her eyes, refusing to take it. I withdrew my hand, saying into the phone, “She won’t pick up. Brother Xu, I have to tell you—I just…” Before I could finish, Xu Xin guessed my intent, lunged at me, one hand grabbing my phone, the other covering my mouth.

I turned my head, barking, “What are you doing?” But my phone was snatched away. She darted aside, put a finger to her lips in a “shh,” then picked up the call, “Hi, brother… No, I’m just hanging out at Brother Tang Qian’s place. Don’t come, really… I know, but I really don’t want to go home. My sister’s coming back from America tomorrow, I want to stay with her a few days. Tell Mom and Dad, please… No reason, I just don’t want to be at home. Don’t worry, Tang Qian’s taking care of me—don’t you trust him? What’s wrong with staying with my sister… Enough, talking won’t change my mind. I’m hanging up.” With that, she ended the call.

I said coldly, “Sorry, but I have no time to look after you. Take care of yourself. Give me my phone—I need to get to a hospital for my head.”

She replied, “Hospital? Sure! I’ll go with you. I should get my leg checked too—look!” She rolled up her trouser leg to reveal two long, red welts on her pale calf. She grimaced. “Look what you did—wasn’t that a bit too much?”

I was puzzled. Given her temper, she should hate me after that beating, yet I felt nothing of the sort. Was this some ploy, waiting to strike when I let my guard down?

Just then, the sound of a car came from outside. A vehicle pulled up, and several people got out. Suddenly I understood—no wonder she’d been so calm; she’d been stalling, waiting for her accomplices to return. I cursed my own stupidity. I should have left earlier, or at least not stayed after calling Xu Jian. Now her friends were back—I might not get away.

The door opened. Four boys, seventeen or eighteen, entered, all with the look of street punks. The burly, dark-skinned leader said, “Xin, we’re back. Any orders?”

Xu Xin replied, “Erhei, perfect timing. This gentleman and I are heading to the hospital. Drop us off, then you can all return to T City.”

Erhei looked confused. “Didn’t we bring him here? Why take him to a hospital? Just kick him out after you’re done. Why play nice?”

Xu Xin snapped, “I said take us, so do it! Looking for trouble?”

He quickly forced a smile. “Fine, fine, whatever you say, Xin. Who would dare cross you? Let’s get in the car.”

I called out, “Wait.”

Xu Xin hadn’t turned on me—what was she planning? Whatever her schemes, I had no interest in deciphering them. She wanted to go to the hospital with me? Too bad—I’d changed my mind.

“I never said I was going to the hospital. I’m heading home.” I picked my keys up from the floor and addressed Erhei and his friends, “If you’ve nothing more to do here, I’ll take my leave.”

Best to get away before things got complicated. Who knew when Xu Xin would turn on me? I brushed past one of the boys blocking the door and walked out. Behind me, Erhei muttered, “This old guy’s cocky as hell. Xin, want us to drag him back?” Only to be interrupted by Xu Xin’s slap and scolding, “Drag, drag! Is that all you know? Other than eating and dragging people, what else can you do?”

Outside, I realized we were in an abandoned quarry; the building was just a makeshift guardhouse, pitch dark, and I had no clue where exactly we were. Seeing a road, I headed back the way we’d come. I’d only gone a few steps before Xu Xin called after me, “Brother Tang! Wait up!”

I ignored her and kept walking. Soon, limping and hobbling, she caught up, whining, “Brother Tang, slow down! My leg hurts, my bottom too—I can’t keep up!”

I stopped abruptly. “Why are you following me? I’m done with you. Go wherever you like, isn’t that great?”

Xu Xin smiled. “But I want to follow you. I like it when you take care of me.”

I stared. “Are you crazy? Or did those four lashes scramble your brain? I didn’t hit your head, did I?”

Just then, my phone rang—it was Xu Jian. As I was about to answer, Xu Xin hurriedly said, “Is that my brother? Whatever you do, don’t tell him we fought. Especially don’t say you hit me, okay?”

“Why not?” I frowned.

She wouldn’t say, just clung to my arm, pleading, “Please, just don’t!”

A chill ran through me. I shook her hand off. “Go away, you’re disgusting.” Then I answered the call. “Hello, Brother Xu!”

“Is my sister still with you?”

“More or less.” I glanced at Xu Xin, who was pouting.

“Then I’ll have to ask you to watch over her a bit longer. I doubt I’d be of any help if I came. Xiaoshu will be back tomorrow—she’s the only one who can handle her. She’ll pick her up, all right?”

“But…” I hesitated.

“Is there a problem?”

“You know what your sister’s like. I can’t keep her in check. If I so much as blink, she’ll vanish on me.” As soon as I finished, Xu Xin shouted, “Brother! I’ll listen to Brother Tang Qian, I promise I won’t run off again, don’t worry!”

I glared at her, tempted to kick her. She just grinned, making faces at me—clearly pleased with her mischief.

Sure enough, Xu Jian replied, “See? She said herself she won’t run.”

I said urgently, “You trust her word?”

“If I don’t come to get her, she won’t run, right? Besides, Xiaoshu is coming for her tomorrow—she’ll be too happy to escape. No reason! Brother Tang, please, just look after her one more night. That will set my mind at ease.”

I really wanted to tell him about Xu Xin kidnapping me and my beating her, and ask how two such incompatible people could possibly get along without fighting. But Xu Xin was parading in circles in front of me, bowing and saluting, signaling me not to say a word and to take her along.

I sighed. Fine, it was just one night. Let’s see what tricks she could play. Tomorrow, I’d hand her to Xu Shu and be done with it.

“All right, I’ll hand her over to Xu Shu myself. Don’t worry, Brother Xu.”

“Great! Thank you, Brother Tang. Goodbye!”

“Goodbye.”

I hung up, only to hear Xu Xin cheer, then throw her arms around me. Alarmed, I thought: Is this an attack? That was fast!

I didn’t dare let my guard down. As the little witch pounced, I swung a fist in her direction.