The commotion quickly drew the attention of other villagers, many of whom spontaneously offered to help Xu Teng find a wife.
Shu Hong watched as a group of people clamored about finding someone, then walked towards the direction outside the village. She frowned and stopped them, "Her legs can't support her walking yet, how could she have run outside the village? You know women from the city are the most cunning! I strongly suspect she's still in the village. Let half of you search outside the village and the other half search inside, including every nook and cranny, the cornfields, and that small grove of trees behind us."
Xu Teng frowned and questioned, "If she wanted to escape, why would she hide in the village? Didn't she consider what would happen if she couldn't leave, or if she starved to death?"
Shu Hong calmly analyzed, "You might not know, but she brought a mobile phone with her when she arrived. I strongly suspect she might have already told her family about her situation in Gui Family Village. She's just stalling for time, waiting for her family to come and rescue her."
Reminded by Shu Hong, Wang Yuhua suddenly remembered the phone. "Yes, yes, what Xiao Hong said is right. All of you do as she says. Half of you search outside the village, and half of you stay in the village and look around."
After a brief discussion, the group dispersed.
----
Meanwhile, Chen Lishu, hiding in the small grove, was not having an easy time. The area was full of mosquitoes and insects, and she had arrived without any preparation. She was covered in large, itchy bites.
She didn't know how much longer she would have to hide here, and she could only hope that Gu Xingdong would be more resourceful and find her location quickly.
The night passed quickly, and the mosquitoes and insects lessened slightly. Chen Lishu finally managed to catch a brief moment of sleep. However, just as she drifted off, she heard rustling sounds nearby.
She immediately sat up alertly and followed the sound. To her surprise, it was several villagers holding torches approaching her direction.
These people were quite clever to look in this area. It seemed she was truly trapped in Gui Family Village this time! A bitter smile appeared on Chen Lishu's face. Her emotions were surprisingly calm now. Without haste, she picked up fallen branches and, as the villagers slowly approached, her eyes hardened, and she walked towards them.
Her appearance quickly drew everyone's attention. Someone in the crowd shouted, "Look, this woman is indeed over here!" With that, a group of people surged towards Chen Lishu.
Since she was facing death anyway, she decided these accomplices wouldn't have an easy time either. Chen Lishu forced herself to stand, ignoring the pain in her legs, and without a word, executed a sweeping kick at the person closest to her.
The pain made cold sweat bead on Chen Lishu's forehead. She gasped for breath and then used the branches to whip them fiercely. The group immediately retreated, stumbling backward. Chen Lishu grabbed a nearby wheelchair and hurled it at them.
This desperate fight instantly startled everyone present, and some even cried out, "She's gone mad, she's completely gone mad! If we go closer, she'll injure us!" Indeed, Chen Lishu wasn't their daughter-in-law or granddaughter-in-law, so why should they risk their lives? Many in the crowd began to consider retreating.
The scene before her eyes grew increasingly blurry, and Chen Lishu started to weaken. Someone in the crowd noticed her state and shouted, "Quick! Grab her! She's no match for us anymore!" As soon as the words fell, several burly men surrounded her. At this point, Chen Lishu, lacking strength, fainted.
----
When she woke up again, she was bound tightly and kneeling in the main hall. Shu Hong's threatening voice could be heard beside her, "I advise you to behave yourself and stop having crooked thoughts! Otherwise, do you believe I'll have them break your legs so you can't move for the rest of your life?"
Chen Lishu let out a cold laugh and opened her thin lips, her voice a soft allure, "We have no enmity. You've gone against me time and time again. Have you taken money from those people? Name your price. As long as I can afford it, I will try my best to satisfy you."
Shu Hong raised an eyebrow, "That's quite a tempting offer, but unfortunately, I'm not interested in such small amounts of money! I want big money!" As long as Xu Teng married Chen Lishu, she could then take Chen Lishu's place, and wouldn't Chen Lishu's property be theirs to spend? This thought had surfaced in her mind when she made a deal with the mysterious person. To ensure her plan proceeded as scheduled, Shu Hong pinched Chen Lishu's waist and gritted her teeth, threatening her ear, "You'd better behave and obediently get married. It's better for both of us. Perhaps then I'll intercede with Wang Yuhua and ask her not to hold your escape against you."
With that said, Shu Hong forcibly held Chen Lishu's arm and brought her before Xu Teng, then kicked her hard in the leg.
"Hiss!" Piercing pain shot into her head, and Chen Lishu collapsed to her knees. She couldn't help but gasp. Seeing this, no one present stepped forward to help her; they all watched with indifferent, detached eyes.
"Bow to heaven and earth!" As the officiant shouted, Shu Hong's grip on her shoulders tightened. Chen Lishu gritted her teeth, refusing to bend down. The others saw this and stepped forward to force her.
Just as a stalemate was reached, a commotion arose from outside the door. Someone in the crowd yelled, "Quick, make way! A group of people with guns are coming to cause trouble!" With those words, the scene descended into chaos as people made way for the newcomers. Chen Lishu then saw clearly. It was Gu Xingdong!
"Lishu!" Gu Xingdong's breath hitched as he saw Chen Lishu's miserable state.
Xu Teng, still unaware of the situation, foolishly blocked their path and asked, "Who are you? What do you want?!" Gu Xingdong's eyes turned red as he kicked Xu Teng in the shoulder. With no one to stop him, he pulled Chen Lishu into a tight embrace and asked with concern, "Did they do this to you?"
Chen Lishu let out a light laugh, her voice hoarse, "They're barely cannon fodder. The real culprits are in the East City district! Take me away from here. The police will decide their fate. Let's go back and find the real enemy!"