Zhou Mazi raised his arm to strike Zhou Gu'er, but there was no way she was going to let him. She met his charge, cleaver in hand.
Gu'er's cleaver nearly struck Zhou Mazi. If he hadn't dodged so quickly, he would have been cut.
"You're rebelling! You dare to attack me? I'll beat you to death today!"
Zhou Mazi was livid. He felt his dignity as the head of the household had vanished. Seething, he stomped his feet and cursed, ready to strike Gu'er again.
Someone came over and held Zhou Mazi back, urging him to get the facts straight first.
Gu'er looked on. The courtyard was crowded—it seemed like half the village had shown up, and everyone was murmuring amongst themselves.
Her adoptive mother hadn't appeared. 'She must not be back yet. I don't know where Zhou Feng'er tricked her into going, but she should be safe.'
'It's better that my adoptive mother isn't here.'
Gu'er didn't see Sun Jiaming.
