Chapter 4: Quite the Figure

Words : 1619 Updated : Jan 15th, 2026

Joseph Lyson grew more and more speechless with Della Sowden. Still, fine-if Della got drunk again, it would only make things easier for him. Della quickly ladled out a bowl of rice porridge and slid a fried egg onto a plate, then brought them to Joseph. "Joseph, eat up. Once you're done, I'll help you pick up your pants and shirt." "Okay. Thanks, Della." Joseph kept up his fool's act, took the bowl, and wolfed it down. Della didn't ask about last night. She feared the "simpleton" would clutch his head again. She decided to treat it as him worrying about her safety and, in a last burst of courage, teaching those punks a lesson. Besides, she couldn't talk about it in the village. If any of those hooligans ended up in serious trouble, Joseph would be branded a killer. After breakfast, Della gathered his pants and shirt in the yard. Joseph dressed, then left with a grin. "Della." "I'm heading to the river to catch a few fish. When Yuru drops by, we'll have fish on the table." "All right. Be careful." "Don't worry, I'll be fine." "Mm. Come back early once you've got the fish." She truly wasn't worried. The kid swam like a fish himself and always came back with a full haul. Joseph grabbed his fishing tools and a big red plastic bucket, then set off for Fairy River. Fairy River stretched over fifty meters wide, teeming with fish and shrimp, even softshell turtles dozens of years old. But after two villagers from the neighboring village drowned there last year, folks stopped coming to fish. He reached the bank, peeled off his shirt and trousers, kept his big shorts on, and slipped into the water bare-chested. He was good at this. In less than half an hour, the bucket brimmed with fish. Just as he was about to lug the bucket home, a woman's cries carried from farther along the river. "Help! Somebody help!" "Please, someone save me! I can't swim!" Joseph squinted. Wasn't that Jessica Looske? How did she fall into the river? Jessica's hands clawed at the water, and she had already swallowed several mouthfuls. The more she thrashed, the faster her strength gave out. Something seemed to snag her leg, and she sank under. She thought she was done for-she was going to drown today. Joseph saw her vanish beneath the surface and snapped to it. He bolted over, leaped in, and dove. He reached her quickly and eased Jessica back up toward the air. Then she latched onto his neck, and he found himself unable to swim. "Jessica, let go! Loosen up!" "All right… I'm letting go…" She coughed, choked down two more mouthfuls of river water, and released him. Only then did Joseph haul her to the bank. Jessica lay there panting, limp and drained. Her clothes were soaked through, clinging tight. Every curve was outlined, places no man should see suddenly on display. Joseph glanced away after a few quick looks and asked, "Jessica, how'd you end up in the river in broad daylight?" Jessica cursed her luck. She'd spotted the fool heading for Fairy River and had slipped after him. Who knew she would run into Houston Lyson by the grove? The scumbag dragged her into the trees, yanked at her pants, and tried to force himself on her. In panic, she'd kicked him in the crotch, pulled up her pants, and bolted toward the river-only to stumble straight in. But she couldn't tell the truth. It was mortifying. "Joseph, I came to the river to dig wild greens. I saw a big fish in the water and thought I'd grab it to cook." "Instead of catching the fish, I fell in." "You saved my life, Joseph. Don't worry, I'll repay you." Joseph didn't suspect a thing. He had to hurry back with the fish for Della. "Mm. Jessica, don't come to the river alone anymore. If I hadn't been at Fairy River today, you would've been in real danger." "It's getting late. Let's head back." He walked toward the bank where his bucket sat. Jessica stood, tugged up her pants, straightened her clothes, and followed. She regretted tailing Joseph to Fairy River-she had nearly lost her life. Forget it. No use dwelling on it. They reached the village and stopped at Jessica's house. Joseph fished a big carp from the bucket and handed it to her. "Jessica, clean this and cook it." "Oh, I feel bad taking it… Well, I won't be polite then. Thank you." Jessica took the fish and went inside. Joseph lifted the bucket and headed home. At that moment, Ben Lyson stood in the yard at Della's house, his gaze fixed shamelessly on places he shouldn't be staring. His mouth hung open, drool glistening at the corner. "Della, Uncle Ben needs a word." "Uncle Ben, if you've got something to say, go ahead," Della replied, still busy with her chores. "Here's the thing," Ben said. "Our village is about to report the new year's poverty assistance. Last year, your household was on the list. A year's payout of $120 isn't small-it buys plenty." "But the village only has three poverty family quota slots." "Last month, Guazi, Gerard, and Tizi died at the mine. Their wives are widows now. It's pitiful." "So the three families became poverty households. We only have three slots. With three new widows, it wouldn't sit right not to include them." "We held a meeting and decided to kick out two of the original slots so we can put two of the widows in. That way, they won't cause trouble." "I came today to discuss it with you." "Also, I heard this year's poverty assistance will go up by $30, bringing it to $150 for the year." As he talked, Ben's eyes roamed over Della's full hips and sinuous figure, his drool string growing longer. No wonder folks called her the sexiest woman in Alton Village-her body could steal a man's soul. With no one around, he planned to taste that little firecracker soon. He would die of bliss if he did.

Chapter 4: Quite the Figure

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