After becoming a widow, I became the apple of a rough man's eye.

As night fell, the cicadas' chirping gradually subsided.

Lin Qingqing sat at the table and, by the dim light of the kerosene lamp, opened her diary.

The pen tip scratched across the paper.

"August 15th, sunny."

Su Jiaojiao came to apologize today, and Fourth Brother's name has been cleared.

I lied and took advantage of Su Jiaojiao's fear. Seeing her disheveled state in front of the whole village, I didn't feel much pleasure, only an indescribable heaviness.

Gu Sange said, "If you don't eat people, you'll be eaten by them."

I think I understand.

Before, in the Li family, all I could do was cry and beg for mercy, which only resulted in more and more bullying. Now, in the Qin family, I have someone I want to protect, and I also have the courage to protect them.

This feeling isn't bad.

I am no longer someone who can be easily bullied.

After writing the last word, she closed her diary and let out a long sigh of relief.

The lamp was blown out, plunging the room into darkness.

Lin Qingqing groped her way onto the bed, and just as she pulled the blanket up to her chest, a very faint "click" sound came from the doorway.

The bolt was pulled open.

Lin Qingqing's breath hitched, and her heart skipped a beat.

The door latch in this room is just for show, and it can't keep out the men under the eaves.

A tall, dark figure squeezed in and slammed the door shut behind him.

The air was filled with a masculine scent, mixed with a faint smell of soap and tobacco.

Just as Lin Qingqing was about to sit up, the dark figure was already at the bedside. The next second, she and the blanket were lifted up by a tremendous force.

"Big...Big Brother?" Lin Qingqing exclaimed in surprise, but dared not speak too loudly, for fear of waking up the people in the next room.

Qin Lie held her as easily as if she were a rag doll. He walked a few steps to the door and pressed her against the thick wooden door panel.

Her back was pressed against the cool door panel, and in front of her was the man's hot, hard chest.

The temperature rose rapidly in the confined space.

"Shhh."

Qin Lie lowered his head, his rough fingertips caressing her lips, carrying a hint of warning, yet also something else entirely.

"Don't make a sound."

His voice was hoarse, as if he were holding a handful of sand, rubbing it hard against Lin Qingqing's eardrum.

Lin Qingqing's body went limp, and her hands instinctively clung to his broad shoulders, her toes dangling in the air, her whole body practically hanging on him.

"Big brother, what do you want to do?" she asked knowingly, her voice slightly nasal.

Qin Lie lowered his head, his nose touching hers, their breaths mingling.

"You did very well today."

Lin Qingqing's cheeks flushed: "That's what I should do..."

"It's something that should be done, but if it's done well, there should be a reward."

Qin Lie's palm slid down her lower back, and through the thin fabric, the heat of his palm made Lin Qingqing tremble all over.

"Wha...what reward?"

Qin Lie didn't answer, but showed her directly through his actions.

He lifted her up with one hand, bringing her eyes level with his. In the darkness, his wolf-like eyes shone with a frightening light.

"Qingqing, you've become quite capable."

He nibbled on her earlobe, his teeth gently grinding against it, "You've even started scheming against people."

"No...it wasn't a scheme..." Lin Qingqing tried to explain, but he silenced her with a kiss.

It was an extremely aggressive kiss, with a ferocious, cathartic release.

Lin Qingqing was breathless from his kisses, her mind was spinning, and she endured his demands.

Just when she thought she was going to suffocate, Qin Lie finally released her.

His forehead pressed against hers, his breathing heavy. "Did you go collect eggs this morning? There are some loose stones in the chicken coop that you haven't cleaned up. Tell me next time, and I'll help you collect them." Qin Lie's large hand slipped inside her clothes. "Your hands aren't for this."

"What's it used for?" Lin Qingqing blurted out on a whim.

Qin Lie chuckled softly, his chest vibrating so loudly that Lin Qingqing's chest went numb.

He grabbed her hand and pulled it down, pressing it against his taut waist.

"It's used for this."

(Marking this, will add it in a few days)