Chapter 7: No sooner had he left than his wife was already being coveted by others.

The moment Xu Feng stepped out of the courtyard gate, Wang Erhu’s restless heart could no longer be contained.

Standing in his own yard, he stretched his neck to watch Xu Feng’s figure disappear at the end of the mountain path leading out of the village, a lewd and triumphant smile spreading across his face.

"Heh, you fool, you actually dare to go into the mountains!" Wang Erhu spat on the ground. "With that scrawny frame of yours, you’re not even enough to fill the gaps between a black bear's teeth."

Seeing that Xu Feng had entered the mountains, he grew impatient to get intimate with Kobayashi Yukiko.

As for whether Xu Feng would return from the mountains, he didn't care in the slightest. In his view, Xu Feng likely wouldn't make it back, as he had sensed something amiss in the mountains during his last trip. If even he felt it was dangerous, how could Xu Feng fare any better?

Even if one were to take a step back and assume Xu Feng returned, what could he do if he found out his wife had been taken? Could a spineless coward like Xu Feng really dare to challenge him? Even if he violated his wife right in front of him, what of it?

The more he thought about it, the more delighted he became, as if he could already see Kobayashi Yukiko yielding to his desires. That delicate, fair skin—the sensation of touching it would surely be divine. As for whether she was a deaf-mute, Wang Erhu didn't care at all; as long as she had a pretty face and a good figure, everyone looked the same with the lights off.

He rubbed his fan-sized palms together, a lecherous grin on his face, and without even bothering to eat breakfast, he headed straight for Xu Feng’s house.

Along the way, some early-rising villagers saw him hurrying and curiously asked, "Erhu, what are you up to so early?"

"None of your business!" Wang Erhu glared, retorting with a vicious snarl. The villager, intimidated, shrank back and dared not ask again. Wang Erhu felt smug; in this village, who didn't fear him?

Soon, he reached the gate of Xu Feng’s dilapidated courtyard. The gate was left ajar, and it was quiet inside, with no movement to be heard. Wang Erhu licked his chapped lips, a surge of heat rising in his heart.

He pushed the gate open on tiptoe, peering inside. The yard was empty, save for a few sparrows scavenging for food that he startled into flight. The door to the main house was tightly shut.

"Little beauty, Brother is here to see you!" Wang Erhu lowered his voice, calling out in what he thought was a gentle tone, and sauntered into the yard.

Inside the house, Kobayashi Yukiko was pressed against the back of the door, her heart pounding. After Xu Feng left, she had not let her guard down. The way Wang Erhu looked at her filled her with deep-seated disgust and fear.

She was almost certain that the man would not let the matter rest. Indeed, before long, footsteps sounded outside the gate. Although the person tried to tread lightly, Kobayashi Yukiko had undergone rigorous training and her hearing was far superior to that of an ordinary person; she easily identified the intruder as Wang Erhu.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Xu Feng... that man, he really was testing her. He knew Wang Erhu would come, yet he left her here all alone. Was he waiting to see how she would respond? Or did he simply not care whether she lived or died?

Kobayashi Yukiko bit her lower lip. Through their brief interaction from yesterday to today, she sensed that although Xu Feng was overbearing and sharp-eyed, he did not seem like a true villain. At the very least, he hadn't done anything to her last night. Moreover, his ability to speak fluent Japanese caught her completely off guard, leading to more speculation about his identity. Perhaps this man could be relied upon?

But for now, Wang Erhu was already inside. If she were truly defiled by this crude man, all her persistence and hope would vanish into thin air. She could not count on Xu Feng to appear in time; she had to rely on herself.

"Little beauty, are you home? Open the door and let Brother have a look!" Wang Erhu’s voice rang out from outside, carrying a nauseating tone.

Kobayashi Yukiko did not respond, remaining pressed against the door, holding her breath. She could sense Wang Erhu had reached the door.

"Heh, playing coy with me?" Seeing no movement inside, Wang Erhu grew impatient. "I know you're in there! That brat Xu Feng went into the mountains and won't be back for a while! Open the door like a good girl and serve your brother well, and there will be plenty of benefits for you!"

As he spoke, he began to push the door. The old wooden door creaked, but since it was bolted from the inside, it wouldn't budge.

"Damn it, daring to lock the door!" Wang Erhu began to curse, throwing his weight against the door.

*Bang! Bang!* Each impact shook the doorframe violently, as if it were about to fall apart. Kobayashi Yukiko could feel the bolt loosening. A flash of resolve crossed her eyes. She couldn't pretend anymore!

This Wang Erhu was the first test Xu Feng had set for her. If she couldn't even handle him, she would never survive in this strange and dangerous environment.

She retreated silently, her eyes scanning the room. The room was too sparse; there wasn't even a proper weapon. A rusty firewood chopper stood in the corner, but it was too far away.

The sound of Wang Erhu banging on the door grew louder, and the bolt let out a groan under the strain. Kobayashi Yukiko’s gaze sharpened, and she grabbed a fire poker from beside the hearth. It was a piece of hardwood as thick as an arm, charred at the tip, but with significant heft.

Gripping the poker with both hands, she assumed a Kendo mid-guard stance, feet slightly apart, center of gravity lowered, her eyes fixed fiercely on the crumbling wooden door.

"Little wench, open the door for me! If you don't, I'll kick it down, and you’ll regret it!" Wang Erhu roared in frustration outside, followed by even more forceful impacts.

Kobayashi Yukiko took a deep breath, her blood seeming to boil in that instant.

*Snap!* With a sharp sound, the bolt finally gave way and broke.

*Bang!* The door was kicked open by Wang Erhu. He stormed in with a sinister grin like a starving wolf, shouting triumphantly, "Little beauty, Brother is here to love you..."

Before his words could finish, a blur appeared before his eyes, and a gust of wind accompanied by a whistling sound struck toward him!

Wang Erhu felt a shadow flash before him, and a fierce force headed straight for his face. The word "you" from his "love you" was cut short, and he gasped in shock at the sudden turn of events. He instinctively tried to dodge, but the poker moved too quickly, the angle too cunning to allow for thought.

*Whoosh!*

The poker, carrying the force of the wind, slammed heavily into Wang Erhu’s face!

"Argh!" Wang Erhu let out a pig-like shriek. The massive impact sent him spinning like a top, and he landed on his backside with a heavy thud.

He felt a burning sensation on his left cheek, as if branded by a red-hot iron, followed by excruciating pain. Stars danced before his eyes, his ears rang, and blood gushed from his nose uncontrollably, instantly staining his shirt.

"You... you damn..." Wang Erhu clutched his face, shocked and enraged, momentarily dazed.