Chapter 9 Chapter 11 Is this really a life fit for a human?

Chapter 11: Is This Even a Life Fit for Humans?

The harmful ploy Mother Xu had prepared was hidden in their bedroom—how could she retrieve it now? As her mind slowly cleared, Mother Xu quietly shifted her bulky body. Father Xu, searching for words, caught sight of her movement and his eyes lit up. He recalled the plan they’d discussed that morning and felt greatly relieved.

He took the initiative to cover for her actions, babbling nonsense. “Back then, the child your mother gave birth to was very frail. With our circumstances, we couldn’t possibly keep the child alive. There was no other way. To raise the child, we had to… we had to…” Father Xu slapped his own face hard, putting on a regretful expression. He left the sentence hanging, wanting Lin Xu to imagine the rest herself; for now, he’d admit fault and try to placate this troublesome girl.

“All the blame lies with us, not with that child. If you want to scold or hit anyone, let it be us. She was just a child back then, innocent and oblivious to everything.” As he spoke, Father Xu was so moved by his own words that he began to cry.

His display was so over-the-top that Lin Xu found it almost unbearable to watch. She hadn’t expected this spy to be such a performer. Since he’d said to take it out on him, she might as well oblige.

With a leap from her chair, Lin Xu darted in front of Father Xu. As terror flickered in his eyes, her small fist came down. If someone was begging for a beating, she’d gladly grant his wish. If he didn’t feel pain with every breath he took for the next fortnight, it would be a pity not to fulfill his humble request.

Soon the main room echoed with the sound of fists meeting flesh. Old Lady Xu was so frightened she tumbled into a corner, trembling, while Mother Xu shrank back in the bedroom, not daring to show her face.

Better to let the little wretch vent her anger first; then she could go out and face her doom—no, fix things up. This time, Lin Xu didn’t hold back. She pummeled for half an hour straight before withdrawing her fists.

Since he was so eager for a beating, she’d indulge him. For the next half month, this little spy wouldn’t get a decent night’s sleep—painful to walk, to stand, to sit, to lie down. Even breathing would hurt.

Let’s see how long this little spy can endure.

Stretching her wrists, Lin Xu spoke coolly, “Since you have no truth in your mouths, I won’t bother asking further. I’ll just deal with you three times a day. When you’re dead and my anger is spent, our accounts will be settled.”

With that, she turned and left. Father Xu, lying on the floor gasping more than breathing, trembled in terror. Old Lady Xu dared not make a sound, her eyes brimming with tears as she watched Lin Xu leave the hall.

Three beatings a day, until death—was this a life fit for humans?

No, this wouldn’t do. They had to get rid of the little wretch. Only with her out of the way could they hope for better days.

If they truly couldn’t get rid of her, then they’d send her away. There was no room for her in this family anymore.

Having made up her mind, Old Lady Xu crawled over to Father Xu, wailing bitterly. Their family was truly miserable—what evil deity had they offended?

Father Xu’s head ached from her crying, and with his body aching from head to toe, he lost consciousness.

Mother Xu, hiding in the bedroom, quietly peeked out when all was silent—and was stunned to see her husband had fainted.

That night, Lin Xu slept soundly, as did Kun Xu and Nuan Xu, but the three elders did not close their eyes.

When Father Xu finally recovered, his gaze was icy. He knew Lin Xu had no affection for them, and now that her wings had hardened, she was hard to control.

They had only one chance left. If they couldn’t subdue her in one blow, the hellish torment awaiting them would be unthinkable.

Unwilling to suffer, they racked their brains for a flawless plan.

“Drugging her food won’t work; that medicine has no effect on her. Now we can only risk everything—spray the drug directly in her face. And with the possibility that something evil possesses her, we can’t be careless. Mother, you’ve done well in this regard.”

Father Xu shot Old Lady Xu a look of approval, making her straighten her back—only to immediately wince in pain and shrink again. Good heavens, she’d pulled on her wounds.

“Husband, what about the poison I prepared?” Mother Xu produced a small bottle of spray. “I spent a fortune getting this from a shady doctor. It’s incredibly effective. Just one spray in the face, and the person will be struck dumb and foolish.”

This was the masterstroke she and Father Xu had agreed on. A fool would be much easier to manipulate.

But they had overlooked one thing—would they even get the chance to spray the drug?

The reason they hadn’t used this plan sooner became clear only after being beaten; there was simply no opportunity to use the drug, so they’d switched to using a sedative.

Who could have known even the sedative would fail? Lin Xu was a freak, drinking drugged soup without the slightest effect—while they themselves almost got beaten to death.

Old Lady Xu’s eyes shone at the thought of making someone dumb and foolish. She liked this plan. If that little wretch turned into an idiot… ha!

Grinning widely, Old Lady Xu urged, “Then you spray the drug.”

Those words froze Mother Xu’s smugness on her face. Her? Spray the drug? She pointed at her own face in disbelief, but seeing Old Lady Xu nod emphatically, she was petrified.

A three-hour argument ensued over who would spray the drug. In the end, Mother Xu, overwhelmed by the joint assault of mother and son, could only accept the task with resignation.

But she wasn’t about to do it for nothing. If she had to spray the drug, then that old hag could scatter the sedative.

That old hag was ruthless; she’d bought enough sedative for six doses and still had half left. If she could sneak up and scatter the drug in Lin Xu’s face, this would be a sure thing.

The safety of spraying the drug would be much improved.

As for Father Xu—well, he would be the one wielding the club as their final line of defense. If both women failed, they’d rely on him to turn the tables.

By the time the three agreed on their plan, dawn was breaking. Afraid to miss their chance by falling asleep, they stationed themselves right outside Lin Xu’s door.

Mother Xu gripped the spray on the left side of the doorway, Old Lady Xu held the sedative on the right, and Father Xu stood behind Old Lady Xu with a club.

Watching this, Mother Xu felt a pang of bitterness. That stupid old hag—so old and still can’t do without a man. Shameless.

While the three of them bickered over their positions outside the door, Lin Xu had already awakened inside. Hearing their plotting, she nearly laughed aloud.

So, the three of them hadn’t given up and were lying in ambush at her door so early? She’d let them wait, then.

With a flicker, Lin Xu slipped into her inner world. Since a fight awaited her once she woke, she might as well have a hearty meal first.

Inside, she checked her ten acres of fertile fields—excellent. Wheat, rice, soybeans, and other crops were growing beautifully.