The morning after the attack did not arrive gently.
They police came for investigation with the the village chief.
With villagers whispering outside broken gate.
With shattered glass crunching under boots.
The Liu's home no longer looked like a home.
It looked like a battlefield.
Sunlight slipped through the bullet holes in the walls, thin beams cutting across the dusty air.
Liu Daqiang stood in the living room, staring at the cracked house that had fallen because of the incident
Wang Cuiha comforted herself with a heavy heart, Liu Hao crying beside her.
Liu Cheng smiling face it now had a fracture running through it like a scar.
Wang Cuihua fingers trembled as she picked some shattered cups and plates.
Zhao Lihua walked in behind her, carrying a broom.
"Don't cry,"
Zhao Lihua muttered softly, even though her own eyes were red.
How could I not cry, tears fell from her eye, their little family home was destroyed.
They sisters in law cried why helping to clean their home.
In the kitchen, Liu Ming was scrubbing blood off the floor
Not his blood.
One of the attackers'.
He scrubbed harder than necessary.
As if he could erase the helplessness he felt last night.
I could have killed them, he said angrily
Liu Cheng stepped in sharply. "Stop saying that."
Liu Qiang slammed the brush down.
They pointed guns at our wives.
To Mum and Dad
At us
And we're still alive,
Liu Cheng replied, jaw tight.
We hope it doesn't happen again,
He sighed, But I wonder why this happened
The room fell silent.
The air still smelled like gunpowder.
A car stopped outside their house
Villagers froze.
Whispers spread.
"She's back."
The door opened.
Lu Jianfeng stepped out beside her.
Calm.
When Liu Meilin saw the house
Her steps slowed.
Her chest tightened.
The broken windows.
The patched walls.
The Police and the village chief outside
This was her safe place.
And someone dared to stain it.
Lu Jianfeng noticed the shift in her breathing.
He simply walked half a step closer.
Silent support.
The door creaked open.
Wang Cuihua looked up first.
Liu Daqiang
Her brothers
Then, Liu Hao who have been crying since the accident, he was such a kid and this happened.
For a second, nobody moved.
Then Liu Meilin walked in.
Her step closer to them with tears in her eyes
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"I'm sorry."
The room froze.
Wang Cuihua hugged her you don't have to
Liu Ming step towards her
Why are you sorry
For bringing this to our door.
He asked with tears in his eyes
Zhao Lihua walked forward first.
She crossed her arms and stood in front of Liu Meilin
"If you say that again, I'll actually hit you."
She blinked.
"You think we don't know what you've done for us? You built our businesses. You paid our debts. You changed this house.
Liu wei added quietly, "You're our sister."
Liu Cheng walked closer.
"You don't apologize for being strong.
The words hit harder than bullets.
Liu Meilin's throat tightened.
Lu Jianfeng watched.
We are moving to city
The father Liu Daqiang stood up
"No".
This has been our home.
My parents home
Our ancestors home
Yes! her brothers replied immediately.
We are not just moving we are upgrading.
Moreover ave made lots of money for us.
Wang Cuihuai stared.
Liu Cheng leaned back slowly. Have you found a house yet
Liu Meilin nodded.
I won't wait for the same thing to happen again.
The room went quiet.
So we have to leave moreover this house is too old.
Liu Meilin tried hard to convince them, before they accepted
Liu Meilin stood outside under the old mango tree.
The one she climbed as a child.
Lu Jianfeng approached quietly.
"You're blaming yourself again."
She didn't deny it.
I dragged them into this situation
Lu Jianfeng stepped in front of her.
You think they were safe before you?
She hesitated.
He continued, voice low.
Power attracts enemies. But weakness invites predators.
Her eyes searched his.
You're not afraid?
For myself? he scoffed softly.
He leaned closer.
I'm afraid of what I'll do to them if they touch you
The air shifted
Liu Meilin felt her heartbeat quicken.
Not from fear.
But from the intensity in his gaze.
Midnight.
Wind howled outside.
A shadow moved along the back fence.
Then another.
Outside their home some foot step, where heard.
Why everyone was asleep.
Lu Jianfeng stepped outside calmly.
Rain began to fall.
The guards that was recruited by him subdued attackers quickly.
One tried to escape.
Liu Meilin caught him by the collar.
Lifted him slightly off the ground.
"Phase Two?" Lu Jianfeng asked quietly.
The man trembled.
Lu Jianfeng smiled faintly.
"Tell your boss."
His voice dropped colder.
"Phase Three starts with me.
The attackers were taken away.
The rain slowed.