Chapter Seventeen: Domineering Strike—Crushed Like a Dying Dog!

The Chen family ancestral home.

Liang Xiaoyu’s methods were ruthless; he struck Chen Muxue across the face with a vicious slap. The white gauze was smeared with shocking stains of blood, yet not a single person present stepped forward to stop him. Even Chen Jianguo and his wife stood trembling, forcing themselves to watch their daughter being beaten, hearts aching but silent. All they could do was hope Liang Xiaoyu’s fury would burn itself out quickly, for their family could not afford to bear the wrath of the Liang family. If they spoke up now, they might provoke Liang Xiaoyu into even more frenzied revenge. Even Old Madam Chen would fly into a rage and cast their family out of the clan.

Chen Muxue collapsed to the floor under the blows, but her gaze remained unyielding and defiant, full of hatred as she glared at Liang Xiaoyu. Just as Liang Xiaoyu raised his hand to strike again, Su Zheng burst in with force.

“You bastard!” he roared, his fury echoing through the hall as he saw his wife’s miserable state. Without hesitation, he launched a kick.

With a dull thud, Liang Xiaoyu flew across the room like a rag doll. Su Zheng was no longer the sickly man he once was; after taking the Crimson Cloud Herb to recuperate, he could handle several strong men with ease.

“How dare you!” Old Madam Chen shot to her feet as she witnessed the scene. Her face was a mask of shock and anger, all her concern for Liang Xiaoyu. Not a flicker of pain had crossed her face when Chen Muxue was beaten, but now, seeing Liang Xiaoyu sent flying, she could no longer sit still.

Liang Xiaoyu lay on the floor, gasping for breath, unable to get up for a long time. Veins bulged on his face as he coughed violently.

“Su Zheng! What do you think you’re doing?” Old Madam Chen shouted sternly.

“What am I doing? I should be asking what you’re all doing!” Su Zheng’s eyes were bloodshot. His wife’s face was stained with blood, and yet everyone in the Chen family had stood by and watched, not one of them willing to intervene. How could they be so utterly cold-blooded?

At Old Madam Chen’s rebuke, Su Zheng’s retort was sharp and loud.

“My wife was already injured, and just now, right in front of all of you, she was beaten—yet none of you stopped it. How can you call yourselves human?!”

“Shut up! She brought this on herself; who else can she blame?” Chen Xiong’s face was hard and cold, showing not a shred of guilt or remorse.

Fury surged through Su Zheng’s mind, but he did not lose his last shred of reason. Arguing with these people was pointless.

His wife’s wellbeing was what mattered most.

He bent down, his heart twisting with pain at the sight of the blood-soaked gauze on Chen Muxue’s face. Regret, remorse, and self-reproach overwhelmed him.

“I'm so sorry, my love. I was blind before, letting you bear so much suffering and injustice alone. But now I understand, and I swear, from now on, I’ll protect you with my life. No one will ever hurt you again—not even a hair on your head.

“Don’t lose hope. I’ll help you heal, no matter how complicated your illness is. Trust me, I’ll cure you,” Su Zheng said softly and earnestly as he gently took Chen Muxue’s cold, delicate hand.

His words were not just for her, but an oath to himself—one he would never break for the rest of his life.

Blood still oozed from Chen Muxue’s wounds. She did not speak, but tears welled up in her eyes, soaking the gauze. She hadn’t cried when she was beaten, but now, hearing Su Zheng’s words, she could no longer hold back her emotions.

“Su Zheng! How dare you hit me? I’ll kill you!” Liang Xiaoyu finally regained his breath. He struggled to his feet and grabbed a nearby chair, swinging it at Su Zheng and Chen Muxue.

With a whoosh, the chair hurtled through the air. Several women in the room shut their eyes, certain that the blow would break bones if it landed.

But with a sharp crack, Su Zheng caught the chair one-handed in midair. He rose to his feet and walked toward Liang Xiaoyu, dragging the chair behind him, its legs screeching against the floor, his whole being exuding a deadly menace.

With a swing, the chair traced an arc in the air and crashed down onto Liang Xiaoyu’s shoulder.

A sickening crack accompanied Liang Xiaoyu’s scream as the sound of bone snapping filled the air, making everyone’s teeth ache.

Another blow landed, this time shattering Liang Xiaoyu’s leg.

Su Zheng seemed possessed—he showed no intention of stopping. The ferocity of his assault left the entire Chen family speechless, as if they no longer recognized the young man before them.

“Aaaaah! The pain! Stop! Please, stop!” Liang Xiaoyu’s screams were desperate and broken. He had never known such agony; sweat poured from his forehead as he teetered on the brink of collapse.

“Not enough,” Su Zheng growled, his voice as cold as death itself. He raised the chair once more and brought it down with brutal force.

Another crash, another snap—the right arm this time.

The agony drove Liang Xiaoyu to howl like a wounded beast, his features twisted in pain, his body convulsing and trembling.

At last, Su Zheng tossed aside the chair. The solid sandalwood had splintered in several places from his relentless blows—a testament to the full force behind every strike.

But he wasn’t finished. With a resounding slap, he struck Liang Xiaoyu across the face, swelling one side of it instantly.

Again and again, Su Zheng’s hands moved like whips, his eyes icy cold as he pummeled Liang Xiaoyu’s face until it was nearly unrecognizable.

Only when his own hands began to go numb did he finally stop and return to Chen Muxue’s side.

Chen Jianguo and his wife also hurried over, tears streaming down their faces at the sight of their daughter’s miserable state.

“Su Zheng, you… you’re bringing disaster on our family!” Chen Jianguo muttered bitterly, his face etched with deep worry.

“He’s nothing but a bastard. Is he really worth your fear? Even if he’s not a bastard, I’d still beat him today. You may not care if your daughter is abused, but I will never stand by and let my wife be bullied!” Su Zheng’s words were firm, his face full of strength and confidence, leaving Chen Jianguo speechless, embarrassed and helpless.

“This useless boy did the right thing for once. My poor daughter shouldn’t have suffered in vain. Muxue, are you all right? I’m so sorry, I failed you!” For once, Lü Hongmei did not take her husband’s side. She cradled Chen Muxue in her arms, weeping with sorrow.

Su Zheng ignored the whimpering Liang Xiaoyu on the floor and prepared to tend to Chen Muxue’s injuries.

But as soon as he reached for the bloodstained gauze, Chen Muxue shrank away, her eyes once again cold and distant.

“My love, can’t you forgive me yet? Please, let me look at your wounds. I can heal you, I promise.”

He spoke as gently as he could, encouraging her softly.

“What’s the use? My body can hardly bear it anymore. Wouldn’t it be better if I just left with the gauze still on?” Tears shimmered in Chen Muxue’s eyes again, though she fought to keep them from falling.

“Enough! You don’t know any medicine. Just because you’ve got some strength now doesn’t mean you can do everything. Take Muxue to the hospital and let the doctors treat her!” Chen Jianguo snapped irritably. Though he secretly felt Su Zheng’s actions had been satisfying, he still couldn’t bring himself to show a friendly face.