Lorrie looked angry. "Hey, listen, I know the husband of this family. His name is Qin Kang. He had an older brother too, but earlier this year, their wife, Li Yan, got drunk and beat him to death. They claimed he slipped and died by accident, and Pan Li agreed to it. They just wrapped him in a straw mat and buried him. Now, Li Yan must be beating Qin Kang too. You have to do something!"
The government didn't care about village matters — it was up to the village chief to decide.
It was clear that Lorrie told Julie because he hoped she would stop it. He thought she had changed and would help.
"What do you want me to do?" Julie asked coldly, her voice calm, but a flash of bloodlust passed through her eyes.
Lorrie didn't notice. Thinking she agreed, he got excited. "Of course, you should go in and stop her! Then beat Li Yan up hard and warn her not to hit men again. Qin Kang is already suffering enough."
"Shut up. Go home," Julie said in a cold, unquestionable tone.
Lorrie wanted to argue but saw her calm face and chilling eyes. Fear crept into his heart.
Julie didn't say a word the whole way back.
When they arrived home, she ignored Bailee and Haven and followed Lorrie into his room.
She closed the door behind her, pushed Lorrie against it, and grabbed his neck with her right hand. Her voice was low but clear:
"Lorrie, were you ordering me around just now? Do you think you're worthy? I let you eat and wear well for a few days, and now you're getting arrogant? Have you forgotten your place? At home, I allow you to speak freely — I didn't mind because it's your home. I didn't want to crush your innocence. But outside, do you not know what you can't say or do? Or do you think I'll always be there to clean up your mess?"
Seeing Lorrie's eyes roll back, she released her hand. His strength gave out and he slumped onto the ground.
Lorrie started trembling. Was she really trying to kill him just now?
In a world where women were above men, it was normal for women to beat, sell, or even kill men.
Julie wouldn't do such things herself, but she wouldn't stop others either.
If she used her authority to stop it, it would send a message to the whole village that women's status was falling and men's status was rising.
One day, men might overthrow women and rule over them.
Why would she do something that would hurt herself?
It didn't matter if Lorrie acted on impulse or thought it through — he shouldn't even have such thoughts.
If she didn't crush it now, he would cause bigger trouble later.
Many people die from saying the wrong things.
Julie looked at Lorrie curled up on the floor, quietly sobbing like a pitiful little thing.
Anyone soft-hearted might have picked him up and comforted him.
Julie just glanced at him, then looked away and said calmly:
"If I catch you talking carelessly again and bringing trouble to our family, I won't say anything next time. I'll just sell you to a brothel. Then you'll learn how other men survive — flattering and pleasing others just to stay alive — while you wasted your good life without knowing it."
After saying that, Julie turned to leave without staying any longer.
Lorrie panicked, quickly got up from the ground, and hugged her tightly from behind, refusing to let go.
"Don't go, don't sell me... I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please don't be angry. I promise I won't meddle in other people's business again. I'm really sorry… Please don't leave me. At that time, when I saw you beside me, I just instinctively leaned on you. I didn't mean to cause trouble for you. I didn't want to hurt you. Part of me really wanted to stand up for Brother Qin Kang, and part of me just felt lucky to have you. I wanted everyone to know how great my wife master is. Even though I never called you that out loud, in my heart, I already accepted you. I just wanted you to pay more attention to me. I know that compared to Bailee and Haven, I'm no good at anything. I can't do anything well, but I will work hard to learn. In the future, I'll watch my mouth when we're outside. Please don't give up on me, okay?"
The little one cried and sniffled as he spoke, his words broken and cautious, his voice hoarse but soft.
He tightly hugged Julie's waist, tears and snot rubbing all over her clothes.
Julie could feel her back becoming wet and her mouth twitched slightly.
Fine, let him cry it out.
He needed to grow up.
Otherwise, his personality would be a big problem later on.
Julie stayed still like a statue.
When his sobs gradually quieted down, she tried to move her stiff body, but as soon as she moved, Lorrie followed closely, refusing to let go.
Julie didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She said, "Let go," her body already feeling numb.
"No," Lorrie tightened his grip.
Just how many tears did he have to shed…
Julie once again thought, men must really be made of water.
She could clearly feel that her back was completely soaked. She sighed quietly and asked, "Are you done crying? If so, I'm leaving," she teased him a little.
As soon as she took a step, Lorrie pulled her back. "Don't go, I'm done crying," he said in a hoarse voice, still sniffing.
Julie waited until he finally calmed down and let go. She slowly stretched her stiff legs and body.
Looking back, she saw Lorrie still hiccuping from crying.
His nose was red, his eyes swollen, looking exactly like a little rabbit.
She felt helpless. He must have really been scared this time.
She wasn't good at comforting people and didn't know how to coax him either.
After a few seconds of silence, she said, "Be good. I won't sell you," and then she opened the door and walked out.
She saw Bailee and Haven standing outside Lorrie's door, both looking worried but not daring to knock.
Julie was pleased. At least these two had good manners and didn't act recklessly.
As for Lorrie… she could only hope he really learned his lesson this time.
If not... then she would have to keep her word.
"You two go inside and comfort him. Explain to him properly about a man's duties and rules. I'm going back to my room," she said before leaving.
Bailee and Haven nodded and watched their wife master walk away.
They also noticed the mess on her back and felt both ashamed and angry at their little brother.
Did he really want to push their wife master to anger and risk being sold just to learn his lesson?
After she left, Bailee went in and gently coaxed their little brother, telling him to stop crying or else he would look ugly and the wife master would like him even less.
Hearing that, Lorrie immediately held back his tears.
His big round eyes were red and watery.
Haven felt bad saying anything too harsh, but he knew some things had to be said.
Bailee's gentle personality was both a strength and a weakness.
He spoiled their little brother too much, never correcting him even in front of the wife master.
Being disrespectful and rude to the wife master? After hearing what happened, Haven was even more speechless.
Was Lorrie really not thinking at all?
Didn't he know what kind of person the wife master was?
There was no way she would allow herself to be used or ordered around.
The fact she didn't beat him up was already merciful.
And he still had the nerve to cry?
Ignoring Bailee's hints to go easy, Haven sternly lectured Lorrie for a long time.
He explained everything clearly, going over the consequences and expectations until there was nothing left to argue about.
Finally, he left Lorrie alone to reflect on his actions, telling him he must apologize properly to the wife master and show a sincere attitude from now on.
He needed to correct his behavior.