Chapter 10: Opposing the Male Lead, Starting Self-Defense Training

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A low brick wall enclosed a small courtyard, nestled among a maze of narrow alleys. This area must be the resettlement district of Red Fifth Street, filled with old houses from decades ago. Tian Xiang memorized the location, pushed her bicycle out through another alley entrance, found a grocery store, bought a few candies, then turned back to the previous lane.

At the main entrance to the alley, several children were playing by tossing stones. Tian Xiang rode over and asked a few of the kids, “Did a woman in a floral dress just enter this alley? She had permed hair, big curls.”

In these times, wearing floral dresses wasn’t unusual, but permed hair was rare.

At first, the children ignored her, but when Tian Xiang showed them the fruit candies, they asked, “Why are you looking for Aunt Jiang?”

The supporting character’s surname was Jiang.

Tian Xiang smiled, “She left her scarf at our counter when she was buying vegetables at the market earlier. I brought it over to return it, but she disappeared as soon as I got here.”

The children eagerly directed her after getting the candies.

Tian Xiang asked, “Whose aunt is she?”

The kids didn’t understand, “Whose aunt? Aunt Jiang is just Aunt Jiang!”

Tian Xiang laughed and clarified, “I mean whose wife she is. What’s her husband’s surname?”

“She has no husband.”

“He died in a work accident at the factory…”

So she was a widow.

No wonder she was tagged as a supporting character.

They say widows often attract gossip.

Suddenly, Tian Xiang began to understand what a “mentor” really meant.

It was just that kind of matter.

If you haven’t eaten pork, have you never seen a pig run?

That scoundrel Lu Feng didn’t even spare widows.

This supporting character’s husband died on duty, yet she still got tainted—truly despicable!

Of course, it was possible the two had mutual feelings and were a perfect match.

In any case, Tian Xiang decided to focus on this area from now on; surely she could catch Lu Feng’s flaws.

Satisfied, Tian Xiang returned home and even boiled an egg for lunch.

…

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Sanli Alley Community Barbershop.

Hu Honglian was washing her lunch box in the public restroom line when a colleague called her over.

“Liu Pozi from the Qiaonan Convenience Store is looking for you.”

Hearing it was Liu Pozi, Hu Honglian stopped washing her lunch box, asked a colleague to cover for her, and went through the store to the front.

Liu Pozi stood beneath the big tree at the door, smiling when she saw Hu Honglian.

Hu Honglian, however, wore a sour face, her attitude quite unpleasant.

“Liu Jie, you’re here. What’s up?”

Liu Pozi was in her early fifties, lived nearby in Sanli Alley, but worked as a saleswoman at the Qiaonan Convenience Store, which was territory of Red Fifth Street. She was considered half a Red Fifth Street resident and, due to her sales position, was often fawned over and quite proud.

Liu Pozi grabbed Hu Honglian’s arm, “Why the cold shoulder? Hey, I didn’t know about that! If I had known Tian Xiang didn’t go, I would’ve told Wu Jinzhu right away to avoid such a big misunderstanding and embarrassment for your family!”

Wu Jinzhu was Lu Feng’s mother.

“Honglian, this isn’t our fault. It’s all Tian Chuying’s problem—rude and shameless.”

They walked over to the nearby flower bed to talk.

Hu Honglian said, “What’s the point in talking about this now? Forget it.”

Her temper hadn’t softened. Liu Pozi smiled politely and then excitedly said, “It’s not completely over. After Tian Xiang’s scene yesterday, not only the Lu family but the entire machinery factory knows. Tian Chuying wants to marry in—no chance.”

Hu Honglian suppressed a smile, hiding the pride in her eyes.

“Sister-in-law stealing from sister-in-law—if she could still get married in, society would be chaotic.”

Liu Pozi nodded, “Exactly. So this morning, Wu Jinzhu came to talk to me. We cleared up all misunderstandings. I thought, since it’s a misunderstanding, why not let the two kids give it another look? Consider the past as a test for the young ones. We don’t have to dwell on it.”

It seemed Lu Feng really had his eye on the daughter!

Who would’ve thought one slap from the girl would produce such a devoted suitor.

Hu Honglian was pleased inside but her face grew longer, “Such a big matter can’t be brushed off so easily. Besides, Lu Feng looked at both the younger and older sister. Does he think the Tian daughters are cabbages in the market? This can’t happen. Liu Jie, don’t worry about it.”

After talking with Lu Feng yesterday, Hu Honglian was almost certain about this son-in-law and naturally agreed to the renewed meeting.

But some things couldn’t be said outright.

The girls from Sanli Alley were already at a disadvantage compared to Red Fifth Street’s young men.

Now that the Lu family had come calling, she had to hold her ground and protect her daughter’s dignity.

Liu Pozi was sharp and quickly understood.

Knowing Hu Honglian had made clothes for her family for two years, Liu Pozi didn’t say more. A mother protecting her daughter’s face was understandable.

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Yet…

“You’ve met Lu Feng. Are you willing to just give up? I’m telling you, if you miss this chance, you probably won’t find such a fine young man again.

Honglian, come on, don’t be stubborn. Give the kids a chance.”

Hu Honglian knew when to stop and feigned hesitation, “If Lu Feng is sincere, then it’s not impossible. But my Xiangxiang is still angry. This can’t be rushed; it needs time.”

Her words were true—when she mentioned the renewed meeting yesterday, her daughter flared up like a cat with its tail stepped on.

Liu Pozi was somewhat displeased. She had said so much already, why still hold back?

But thinking of the generous matchmaker’s fee Wu Jinzhu mentioned, she swallowed her irritation and advised, “That’s true. But you need to persuade her soon. The opportunity’s rare. You can’t keep him hanging. Give a reply quickly.”

Hu Honglian nodded.

After work in the afternoon, Hu Honglian hummed on her way home. She heard that Tian Chuying was volunteering at the neighborhood committee, so she took a detour to see. She saw Tian Chuying cleaning the bulletin board and covering her mouth, laughing for a long while.

Back home, eager to share the news with her daughter, she found her crouched in the main room, practicing horse stance and punching.

“Xiangxiang, what are you doing?”

A grown girl laughing loudly wasn’t a good look.

Tian Xiang said, “I’m practicing self-defense.”

The morning’s incident reminded Tian Xiang that opposing the male lead wasn’t simple. If she hadn’t been agile, the misunderstanding could have led her to ruin.

For her own safety, she decided to practice every day.

If she had no time, she’d practice at home; when free, she’d go to the street drama troupe to train flips with the elders and children.

Hu Honglian picked up a comic book from the table, “Are you serious?” There were books too.

“Where did you get this?”

Tian Xiang said, “Found it in the library’s old storage. Mom, don’t damage it. I looked for a long time.”

Hu Honglian, startled, quickly closed the door, “You sneaked out the window again to read over there! You little rascal, if you get caught, they’ll make you do volunteer work.”

“Mom, it’s fine. I won’t go anymore.”

“Remember that. You don’t know—after work, I saw Tian Chuying cleaning the streets. So shameful…”