Chapter Seventy: Tao Gaolong Seeks Revenge

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After the weekend, rehearsals only took place after dinner. Now, the men and women were practicing together to the rhythm of the music. The boys had made rapid progress, but trouble had arisen among the girls. As soon as Teacher Feng went upstairs, Tao Chunhua lost her focus—she was either stepping on someone’s foot or bumping into others.

“Tao Chunhua, what’s wrong with you?” Tao You’neng showed no courtesy to her. “Why do your eyes keep wandering over to Le’er? Is there something strange growing on his face?”

“She’s not distracted, she’s lovestruck,” Tao Huan chimed in.

“She’s gone wild, hehe…” Tao Huashong laughed.

“You’re the one who’s wild! Your mother’s wild, your sister’s wild, your father’s wild, your whole family’s wild!” Tao Chunhua retorted angrily, her face burning red as a cloth, pale and flushed in turn. She feared Tao You’neng and Tao Huan, both notorious troublemakers, and dared not confront them directly, but she wasn’t afraid of Tao Huashong. She unleashed a barrage of words like a machine gun, venting her shame and rage. Tao You’neng and Tao Huan exchanged gleeful glances at Tao Huashong, who was furious but could only bow his head under Tao Chunhua’s fierce assault.

“Hey… are you done yet?” Le’er grew annoyed. “Were you called here to fool around?”

“Well, it’s your fault for attracting attention,” Tao You’neng grinned wickedly. “You’re on a lucky streak. Aren’t you afraid someone might steal your heart?”

“Lucky streak? I’ll kick you if you keep it up!”

“I believe you… haha… let’s dance, hurry up.” Tao You’neng shouted, “Anyone who keeps fooling around, I’ll bring a male dog next time.”

Feng Shunya heard the commotion downstairs and hurried down. As soon as Teacher Feng arrived, everyone quieted instantly. The dancing returned to normal—though some still drifted, it was much improved.

These scenes played out before two other women’s eyes: Luo Yinxian and Tao Haiying. Luo Yinxian said nothing, but cast a teasing, ambiguous smile at Le’er. Tao Haiying watched him silently, her gaze burning and intense, making Le’er avert his eyes.

Le’er knew well what these girls were thinking. He could only smile bitterly—if it were before, when he was inexperienced, he would have been delighted to have them all around him. But now, he could only shake his head.

These girls were all decent, attractive and well-tempered—above average by countryside standards. Especially Tao Haiying, who was exceptional: beautiful, shapely, clever—a perfect choice for marriage, both appealing to the eye and capable in the home. Chunhua, infatuated with him, was an honest girl, pretty and hardworking—a model wife and mother. Such women were just what rural men sought.

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Yet Le’er seemed to have his heart set elsewhere, no longer paying them much mind.

After the dance, people drifted off in pairs and groups. Tao You’neng pulled Le’er aside into a secluded spot to whisper.

“Le’er, Tao Gaolong is back.”

“Oh.” Le’er looked at Tao You’neng. “So what if he’s back? What does it have to do with me?”

“You’d better be careful. I heard he’s likely to come after you.”

“Come after me?” Le’er’s eyes flashed. “Do you think I’m afraid?”

“You’re tough, but so is he. Stay alert.” Tao You’neng walked away as he spoke, “If he’s coming for you, it won’t be just him—there are two others with him.”

Tao You’neng left, leaving Le’er deep in thought. He and Tao You’neng had been close since childhood, both tough fighters, and neither got along with Tao Gaolong. Shangtao village had eight villager groups, all descended from the same ancestor, but there were still divisions. For example, Tao Zhishu belonged to the first group, Tao Wen and Tao Gaolong to the second, and Tao You’neng’s family to the third.

The Tao family had been rooted in this land for over twenty generations, so blood ties had thinned. Groups were divided by kinship; those closer lived together, forming their own group. Naturally, there were conflicts between groups.

The strongest was the first group, where Tao Zhishu belonged; next came the second, Tao Wen’s group. Tao You’neng’s third group was low in status, similar to Xiashan village, even more bullied. So they harbored resentment, and were closer to Le’er, though he couldn’t openly help him.

The village secretary had been in the first group for decades, while the village chief position was monopolized by the second group—Tao Gaolong’s grandfather was the old chief. Tao Gaolong was not only notorious but also ruthless in Shangtao village. At twenty-four, he was one of the village’s feared figures.

Le’er had offended both Tao Gaolong and Tao Wen, who now hated him deeply. Tao Wen and Tao Gaolong were close cousins, and might join forces against him.

He wasn’t afraid in the open—Secretary Huang and Chief Xie supported him, so Tao Wen wouldn’t dare act openly. But what about in secret? Every night he rehearsed at the school, returning home late—what if they ambushed him on the way?

“If they dare mess with me, I’ll take them down!” he muttered. He was notorious for fighting since childhood; in his age group, no one in Shangtao village dared face him, especially with Gang Mengzi at his side—the two brothers were famous for their recklessness.

Xiashan village couldn’t compete with Shangtao in other ways, but in fighting, they held their own.

“Le’er, what did You’neng say to you just now? You look unhappy.” Luo Yinxian walked beside him, frowning with concern. In the hazy moonlight, she liked him more than ever, gently wrapping her arm around his. Only in such nights, when no one was around, could she be so affectionate. Holding his arm, she felt a sweetness she’d never felt—even when she and Sha Jinhai once loved passionately, they’d never been so close. Women all crave romance; such moments feel truly like love.

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Rural women rarely experience romance—not because they don’t want it, but because they lack the opportunity. Holding a man’s arm in public would invite gossip.

“Nothing much,” Le’er replied, still frowning. “Tao Gaolong is back, and he’s after me.”

“After you?” Luo Yinxian was shocked. She knew well who Tao Gaolong was. “Is he crazy? Why would he come after you?”

“I beat him before. He wants revenge.”

Le’er smiled.

“What will you do?”

“What’s there to be afraid of? If he comes for me, I’ll go for him.”

Seeing Le’er so confident, Luo Yinxian no longer felt afraid. She admired his boldness—if it were Sha Jinhai, he’d probably be scared out of his wits. With this thought, she held his arm even tighter.

“Le’er, if he wants to mess with you, why not mess with his sister?” Luo Yinxian giggled. “I think she’s got a crush, the way she looks at you is different—even at night she can’t sleep. If you want her, you could have her in no time.”

“If I go for her, won’t you get jealous?”

Le’er laughed.

“Jealous of what?” Luo Yinxian sighed. “What am I to you, anyway? If you want other women, do you think I can stop you? As long as you don’t drive me away, I’d count myself lucky. Want me to help you? I can come up with a plan.”

“Uh…” Le’er looked at Luo Yinxian. “You’d better stay out of it. I’m not interested in her. Tonight, let’s focus on you instead.”

“Really…”

Luo Yinxian leaned happily against him, her body softening even before they reached the bed. At twenty-one, she was at the age when love mattered most to her, and now, her heart burned like a fire within.

She would rather burn herself to ashes than let go of Le’er. She didn’t know if this was doomed passion or true love, whether her feelings would consume only herself or include him as well.