Sure enough, in the not-so-distant canteen, some people actually heard the faint shouts. They even muttered, wondering whose child was getting a beating, to be screaming so chillingly.
Zuo Daya overheard. "Oh no, that's my Little Si!" She slammed down her spoon and shot off, running home as if her feet had wings. When the others heard that something had happened to Little Si from Old Lady Zuo's family, they all dropped what they were doing and bolted after her. The news spread like wildfire, creating a spectacular sight on the road: a woman scurrying along in front, pursued by a crowd of young wives and grown men.
