The next day dawned swiftly.
After Luo Yaqin’s counsel, I had a plan for how to handle the situation.
I intended to subtly probe for answers while working during the day.
I had overslept slightly today, and by the time I reached the camp, Zhao Ming and Wang Peng were already there.
The atmosphere at the camp was rather peculiar.
Wang Peng and a few others were chatting and laughing amongst themselves, while Zhao Ming seemed to be ostracized, standing alone by a tree, lost in thought.
"Stop dawdling! Let's get to work!"
I shouted. Seeing me, Wang Peng’s face lit up with a broad smile. He hurried over and plastered himself by my side, showering me with solicitous inquiries.
At that moment, I noticed Zhao Ming observing Wang Peng approaching me, a flicker of disdain in his eyes.
Had something happened between Wang Peng and Zhao Ming again last night?
I mused, but outwardly, I remained impassive, offering Wang Peng a few perfunctory replies before starting my work.
Time slipped away unnoticed until noon.
While working, I constantly observed Zhao Ming’s state.
Zhao Ming was acting exceptionally strange today, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. It was evident he had something weighing on his mind. Whenever our eyes met, he would quickly lower his gaze and look away.
Furthermore, he appeared to be injured, moving with some difficulty.
There was definitely something going on!
As we walked back for lunch, Zhao Ming suddenly claimed he had a stomachache.
I cursed playfully and told him to go to the nearby bushes. Once I returned to the cave with Wang Peng and the others, I used the excuse of needing a smoke to double back and find Zhao Ming.
Zhao Ming was walking back when he suddenly saw me. His expression faltered, and before I could speak, he rushed towards me.
"Brother Ye, something terrible has happened! Zhao Ming and his group are plotting to harm you!"
My brow furrowed. Hah, that sounded familiar, just like what Zhao Ming had said before.
"Don't rush, speak slowly."
Zhao Ming took a couple of breaths and then, like a torrent of beans, poured out everything that had been building up in his heart all day.
It turned out that Wang Peng had been harboring resentment towards me for some time.
At night, in the cave, he would badmouth me with the others whenever he had the chance.
The reason was that I had been too strict with them. Previously, Wang Peng had suggested playing with the female savages from the Kasa tribe, but I had rejected him outright.
This accumulated resentment grew, and eventually, Wang Peng decided to rally the others.
They planned to kill me when I wasn't paying attention and take over Luo Yaqin and the others!
Just a few days ago, when Wang Peng brought this up with Zhao Ming, Zhao Ming refused.
Consequently, in the days that followed, whenever Wang Peng and his cronies returned to the cave at night, they would frequently beat and scold Zhao Ming, which was how Zhao Ming sustained his injuries.
Zhao Ming was a simple and honest person and had been hesitant to tell me.
After all, Wang Peng was constantly flattering me; if he spoke up and Wang Peng retaliated, he would be finished.
However, after being tormented by Wang Peng and the others last night, he overheard their plan: Wang Peng and his group intended to make a move on me tonight!
So, he put aside his reservations and hurried to find an opportunity today to tell me about Wang Peng's scheme.
After hearing Zhao Ming’s account, my scales tipped in his favor.
After all, Zhao Ming was honest and upright, while Wang Peng was sly and shirking.
Now, comparing their stories, it was clear who was telling the truth.
I took a deep breath and said to Zhao Ming in a calm tone, "Alright, just pretend nothing happened and go back to eat. I will make that scoundrel Wang Peng pay tonight!"
Zhao Ming nodded at me and reverted to his usual honest and dull appearance as he walked back towards the cave.
Once Zhao Ming was out of earshot, I could no longer suppress my rage. I punched the trunk of a nearby tree, sending a shower of fallen leaves scattering.
I finally understood the saying, "Kindness shown in a cup of rice can turn into hatred for a peck of grain."
Wang Peng, I will make you pay!
...
As night fell, I grabbed my alloy knife and quietly made my way towards Wang Peng's cave.
As I approached Wang Peng's cave, I heard his excessively arrogant laughter emanating from within.
"You dog, you're truly unappreciative! I wanted to lead you to a life of luxury, but you refused. So, you'll just have to experience the power of men!"
I suppressed my presence and quietly approached Wang Peng's cave. Peeking inside, I saw Wang Peng and several others beating Zhao Ming. Zhao Ming’s face was covered in blood. He could only curl up his body, protect his head with his hands, and lie on the ground, not uttering a single sound.
At this moment, Wang Peng was nothing like the sycophantic person he was when facing me during the day.
The firelight illuminated his face, making it look exceptionally twisted and ferocious.
"I'm telling you, Zhao Ming, if you don't follow me, it's a dead end. After tonight, Lu Zi Ye will be like a stray dog, crawling on his knees begging me for his life!"
Seeing Zhao Ming in such a miserable state, Wang Peng waved his hand, signaling the others to stop. He then bent down and looked at Zhao Ming.
"You're dreaming..."
Zhao Ming was already disoriented from the beating, but he managed to stammer out a few words before spitting a mouthful of blood onto Wang Peng's face.
"You refuse the toast and insist on the punishment! Don't worry, after you die, Lu Zi Ye will follow you down!"
Caught off guard, Wang Peng’s face was sprayed with blood. Enraged, he immediately raised his foot and savagely kicked Zhao Ming.
I could bear it no longer. I kicked open the makeshift door blocking the cave entrance!
"What bullshit are you spouting!"