Before Liang Song could react, Zhang Chong and his thugs arrived in front of him, exuding a menacing air.
"I thought all the men in this family were dead, but it looks like there's still a little whelp left."
As he spoke, Zhang Chong spat a glob of yellow phlegm at Liang Song’s feet, his arrogance boundless. "You look like you can understand human speech. We’re from the demolition crew. These two women refuse to budge, which is delaying our work. You’d better talk some sense into them. You don't have much time."
Looking at the vile substance on his shoes, Liang Song felt a wave of nausea, yet he braced himself, gathering his strength to dash forward and teach this hoodlum a lesson.
But Grandma Liang grabbed his arm tightly. "Song'er, why did you come back?"
Her face was etched with deep lines filled with dust, and tear tracks streaked through the grime, leaving blotchy marks on her skin. Liang Song’s heart ached at the sight; he hurried to comfort her.
"Grandma, I heard about the situation at home and rushed back."
Mother Liang stood beside them, slapping his shoulder and trying to push him away. "You need to leave! The military has strict discipline. You haven't even reported to the Recruit Company yet—do you want to throw away your chance to be a soldier?"
Mother Liang feigned a scolding tone, but the anxiety and dread in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. Liang Song stood his ground. He was a grown man now, a full head taller than his mother, and no matter how she pushed, he didn't budge.
Mother Liang started to cry helplessly. "Why did you have to come back? Just go!"
"Mom! This is my home, too. How could I watch these thugs destroy it and do nothing?" Liang Song’s expression was resolute and firm as he stepped in front of his mother and grandmother. "If I cannot even protect my own family, how can I talk about defending the country?"
Grandma Liang looked at his broad shoulders and, for a moment, she saw the ghost of her own righteous and brave son. Her hands trembled as she held onto him. "Grandma knows you’re a good boy, Song'er, but these people are nothing but thugs; you can’t fight them. Go, my sweet boy. Your mother and I will be fine; nothing will happen to us."
Liang Song didn't take a step back. He had just watched the excavator’s arm hovering right over their heads. If he had arrived even a moment later, he didn't dare imagine the consequences.
"Mom, Grandma, I’m not going anywhere. Don’t worry, I already called Uncle Zhao before I came back. I am the only man in this family; I must protect you."
Having said this, he stepped forward, his eyes burning as he glared at Zhang Chong.
Zhang Chong, who was currently busy handing cigarettes to the town mayor and the county head, felt the gaze upon him. He turned around, flashing a set of yellow teeth. "What? Are you finished? I thought you were a smart kid..."
Before he could finish, Liang Song interrupted him. "You are tearing down our house without our consent! Aren't you afraid of going to prison?"
Zhang Chong paused, then burst into laughter. His underlings followed suit, their laughter sounding like a clamor from hell—derisive and absurd.
"It seems I overestimated you. You’re just a raw recruit, and you dare to defy me?" Zhang Chong stopped laughing, his eyes filled with malice.
Liang Song showed no fear, turning his attention to the town mayor, Liu Qiang, who was acting as an accomplice. "Liu Qiang! You are the mayor! Are you really going to watch these thugs bully the local people like this?"
Liu Qiang rubbed his nose, his posture servile and sneaky, yet a wicked grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "So what if I am? What can you do about it?"
Sun Da, the county head, was even more arrogant. He walked up to Liang Song and jabbed a finger at his nose. "Do you really think you’re something special just because your family has some martyrs? Look at yourself in a mirror. You haven't even joined the army yet, and you're posturing in front of us? Have you lived long enough?"
The villagers around them began to cry out in indignation. Grandpa Zhao’s raspy voice rose above the noise. "You beasts! I’ll fight you to the death!"
Grandpa Zhao’s frail, withered body lunged toward Sun Da. Caught off guard, Sun Da was knocked off balance. Pained and furious, Sun Da scrambled to his feet and kicked the fallen old man hard.
"You old wretch, you dare hit me? If you want to die so badly, I'll send you on your way!"
Seeing this, Liang Song immediately pulled Grandpa Zhao up. With a swift movement, he grabbed Sun Da’s ankle and shoved him backward with a surge of leverage.
"What do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to kill someone?"
Sun Da tripped and fell in confusion. This time, however, he could clearly feel that he was no match for Liang Song. He didn't dare advance again, instead retreating a few paces to stand beside Zhang Chong and Liu Qiang.
"So what if someone dies? Around here, I am the law!"
Liang Song was burning with rage, but he couldn't act impulsively. Most of the villagers were elderly, women, or children; if he started a fight, the villagers would suffer. Fortunately, he had come prepared.
"Ha! 'The law'? Do you really think there is no justice in this world? Aren't you afraid that if the higher-ups investigate, you’ll be thrown in prison for the rest of your lives?" Liang Song’s voice was resonant and filled with righteous spirit.
Sun Da and Liu Qiang felt a flicker of fear at his demeanor, but upon second thought, they grew arrogant again. "Who is going to investigate a pile of rubble like this? Even if they do, so what? Demolition is the state's intent, and we are acting on orders. What can you possibly do to us?"
Liang Song let out a heavy breath. "A pack of scoundrels!"
Zhang Chong grew impatient. "Quit the chatter. I don’t have time to waste on you! Either get out, or die! Take your pick!"
Liang Song stood half a head taller than Zhang Chong, looking down at him without a shred of fear. "I hope you can keep up this beastly facade once my uncle arrives!"
Zhang Chong hadn't taken him seriously to begin with, and now, hearing this, he was convinced Liang Song was just bluffing out of desperation.
"Oh, you have an uncle? Where is he then? Stop the act, kid!" Zhang Chong pointed at the rickety lintel of Liang Song’s house. "If you really had someone powerful in your family, would you be getting pushed around by me? Open your eyes and look! This is a godforsaken place where even the rats don't bother to stay. You really think you have some fancy relative coming to save you? Check your own worth before you start lying!"
Liu Qiang and Sun Da chimed in with mocking laughter. "A bumpkin trying to name-drop? How pathetic!"
Zhang Chong lost all patience. He reached out, patted Liang Song’s cheek, and threatened him viciously. "Even if the heavens themselves descended today, it wouldn't matter! I am going to tear this shack down!"
He waved his hand. "Boys! Get to work! If anyone dies, it's on me!"
As the order was given, the thugs began to howl. The excavator roared to life, its thunderous sound echoing like rolling thunder.