Chapter 70: The Little Wolf Cub

Song Ruize entered the work shed with his hair still wet.

As soon as he stepped inside, the men who had been gathered together talking immediately fell silent. Each returned to his own spot, pretending to be busy, studiously avoiding any glance in Song Ruize’s direction.

Song Ruize paid no mind to their behavior. In fact, when he was first assigned here, these men had made a fuss with the foreman, insisting they didn’t want to share a shed with him. It was only after being punished by the foreman that they finally quieted down.

They had told the foreman he was a “coffin child”—inauspicious—and that he should live separately. The foreman, who didn’t stay in the same shed as Song Ruize, cared little about such superstitions; whoever caused trouble, he dealt with.

These men weren’t from Song Ruize’s village and knew nothing of his past. Truth be told, his rapid rise to notoriety among the dam workers owed much to those who energetically spread tales about him.

Song Ruize returned to his bunk. The moment he climbed onto it, he sensed something was wrong. He reached beneath the pillow into the straw where he had hidden something, only to find it gone.

“Who took it?” Song Ruize’s voice was cold as he swept his gaze across the room.

The others pretended not to hear.

Jiang Qibin, who slept beside him, blinked awake, groggy. “Ruize, what’s wrong?”

“My medicine is missing.”

Jiang Qibin hurriedly checked beneath his own pillow, relieved to find his bottle still buried in the straw. “It’s still here.”

He quickly realized that Song Ruize meant his own medicine bottle was gone.

Sitting up slowly, Jiang Qibin looked around. “Who took it? Hurry and hand it over. Ruize’s medicine was sent by his sister.”

“We didn’t take it.”

Perhaps it was Song Ruize’s overwhelming presence—so intense and oppressive—that made them uneasy. Under his intimidating glare, one finally spoke up.

“Your cousin was here earlier,” another added. “We saw him rummaging under your bunk. Didn’t see what he took, though.”

Song Ruize stood up.

“Ruize, calm down. Don’t be rash. It’s late, and if you cause trouble, the foreman will punish you.” Jiang Qibin tried to restrain him.

Song Ruize brushed aside Jiang Qibin’s arm and strode outside.

The others exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with schadenfreude.

“Are you watching?”

“How can there be a good show without spectators?”

Unlike the others, who relished the drama, Jiang Qibin was anxious. His injured leg still hurt badly whenever he tried to stand. He attempted to get out of bed, but his wounded leg refused to bear weight.

“Ruize… Ruize, please calm down…” He slapped his useless leg in frustration. “Useless at the critical moment.”

Song Tiegen’s shed was not far from Song Ruize’s, separated by only five sheds.

Night had already fallen, and everyone was resting after a long day’s labor.

Song Ruize went to find Song Tiegen, trailed by his shedmates, who called out to the nearby sheds to join the spectacle, deliberately stirring up trouble.

Inside, Song Tiegen lay on his bunk while another young man from his village was applying medicine to his back.

“Tiegen, this medicine isn’t cheap. Your mother really spares no expense.”

Song Tiegen’s gaze flickered, but he didn’t contradict the remark.

The medicine was indeed effective. After a day of hauling stones, he’d scraped a large patch on his back, and the pain was burning. As soon as the medicine was applied, the sting subsided considerably.

Noisy voices sounded from outside.

Tang Tianli, the one applying the medicine, heard the commotion and asked, “Why so loud?”

No sooner had he spoken than Song Ruize pushed aside the ragged curtain and stormed in, his eyes gleaming like a wolf, fixed on Song Tiegen.

“Ruize, what brings you here…” Tang Tianli glanced at Song Ruize and then at the startled Song Tiegen.

Song Tiegen sat up instantly, wary. “What are you doing?”

Song Ruize’s gaze lingered on Tang Tianli’s hand.

Tang Tianli was still holding the medicine bottle.

“Is my medicine working well?” Song Ruize asked coldly.

“Your medicine?” Tang Tianli was surprised. “Tiegen, wasn’t this medicine bought by your mother?”

Song Tiegen braced himself. “I’m injured—just borrowing it for a bit, what’s the harm?”

“Did I agree?”

“I’m your cousin. I’m hurt, so I use your medicine. You won’t lend it?”

“Lend? More like steal.”

“Nonsense! Is there anything I need that I’d have to steal from a mongrel like you, born of a mother but not raised by one?”

Tang Tianli quickly set the bottle aside and retreated to his bunk, away from the two.

Song Tiegen never learned his lesson; every time he provoked Song Ruize, he suffered, yet he persisted.

Song Ruize sneered, “If you’re so disdainful, why steal from me? Are the offspring of beasts too poor to buy medicine?”

“Song Ruize, how dare you insult my parents—they’re your uncle and aunt…” Song Tiegen slammed the bed in fury and got up.

“Are they worthy?” Song Ruize retorted coldly. “You used my things. I’ll give you two options: one, pay a hundred and fifty coins for it; two, I’ll break all your teeth. I was going to cripple your hand, but that would be letting you off too easily. Better to smash your teeth.”

Tang Tianli and the others in the shed were frightened, tiptoeing toward the door.

As they lifted the curtain, they saw a crowd gathered outside, eager for the drama.

“Will they fight?” someone asked.

“Song Tiegen is a coward. Probably won’t.”

“A hundred and fifty coins—that’s half a month’s wages. Song Tiegen won’t pay.”

“What’s going on?” The foreman on duty, Yang, appeared.

The crowd parted to let him in.

Yang fixed Song Ruize with a sharp glare. “You again? Why are you always causing trouble?”

“He stole my things,” Song Ruize replied coolly. “If anyone’s making trouble, it’s him.”

“Yang, I’m his cousin. I hurt my back from working too hard today, and it hurts badly. He happened to have medicine, so I used some. How is that stealing? He even threatened to break my teeth.” Song Tiegen complained.

“Song Ruize, I’ve heard your reputation—you’re always stirring up trouble. Since you’re family, and he’s injured, does borrowing your medicine warrant such relentless pursuit?”

“I don’t agree, so it’s not allowed.” Song Ruize refused to yield.

“Not even if I demand it?”

“No.”

“Fine, very well.” Yang, the foreman, was angry. “Tomorrow, you’ll be assigned to carry earth, and your task will be increased by a hundred loads. Fail to finish, and you won’t eat.”

“My medicine…” Song Ruize said icily. “Whatever happens tomorrow, tonight he must give me an answer.”

“Are you set on breaking his teeth?” Yang’s face darkened.

“I gave him two choices: pay me a hundred and fifty coins, or I’ll break his teeth.”

“Tell the clerk: deduct a hundred and fifty coins from Song Tiegen’s wages and transfer them to Song Ruize’s account. Give it all at payday.”