Chapter 55

The boiling water, freshly taken from the stove, described a perfect arc before splashing onto the faces and bodies of the mother and daughter. Scalded, the two clutched their faces and wailed. The stinging, burning sensation came in wave after wave, causing them to hop in place from the pain. In the countryside, when women fought, they usually started by spitting vitriol, followed by hair-pulling and scratching once the verbal abuse proved ineffective. It was rare to see someone skip the preamble entirely, attacking without so much as a greeting. Her sudden assault left them stunned. Zhao Laidi’s mother buried her face in a snowdrift until the searing pain subsided, then sprang up like a carp. She shrieked and lunged at Sang Zhi. Qinyuan prepared to shield her, but before he could step between them, she pulled out yet another basin of steaming water from somewhere.