Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 44 -

Since Fu Fong is their son, they should panic, not stay calm.

Let’s fix the scene properly.

Fu Fong barely had time to react before the guards dragged him forward.

"WAIT—!"

His voice rang out sharply, but the grip on his arms tightened mercilessly as he was pulled away from the crowd.

"Fu Fong!"

Uncle Fu’s face turned pale.

For the first time, his usual arrogance vanished completely, replaced by pure panic as he stumbled forward.

"Head Guard, please! There must be some mistake!" he shouted desperately. "He wouldn’t dare do such a thing!"

Aunt Fu rushed forward as well, her voice shaking.

"My son! What are you doing?! Let go of him!"

But the guards did not stop.

Grandma Fu’s eyes widened in horror.

"Fong’er!" she cried out, her voice breaking. "Head Guard, show mercy! He is innocent!"

Fu Fong struggled violently.

"I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!"

The head guard’s expression remained cold.

"Discipline him."

The command fell like a hammer.

"No—!"

Uncle Fu’s voice cracked as two guards forced Fu Fong down onto the wooden bench.

"HEAD GUARD, PLEASE!"

Aunt Fu’s face was already streaked with tears.

"He knows nothing! Bai Ming is the one who wandered off!"

But no one listened.

The first strike fell.

CRACK!

Fu Fong’s scream tore through the air.

"AHHHH—!"

Grandma Fu nearly collapsed.

"My son!!"

She cried loudly, her entire body trembling as Grandpa Fu quickly grabbed her arm to steady her, though his own face had gone ashen.

Uncle Fu’s fists clenched tightly.

Each strike echoed brutally.

CRACK!

CRACK!

CRACK!

Fu Fong’s cries grew hoarse, his earlier arrogance shattered into raw agony.

Aunt Fu sobbed uncontrollably.

"Stop! Please stop! He’ll die!"

Even Fu Jia began crying, panic flooding her face.

"Brother!!"

But the punishment continued.

Fifty strikes.

By the time it ended, Fu Fong’s body was limp, his breathing ragged and uneven as the guards finally stepped back.

Grandma Fu wept bitterly.

Uncle Fu’s face was dark with rage and helplessness.

Aunt Fu could barely stand.

Not far away...

Master Fu and Madame Fu stood silently.

Pain flickered across their faces, but they said nothing, their expressions tight and restrained.

Fu Tong and Fu Teng’s jaws were clenched.

Fu Fei remained inside the cabin with the children, holding them close, making sure they did not witness the horrifying scene unfolding outside.

As for me...

Fu Sheng and I stood side by side, watching the scene before us quietly.

I watched the guards drag Fu Fong away, his body barely able to stand after the punishment, his family rushing toward him in panic as cries and sobs filled the heated air.

For a while, neither Fu Sheng nor I said anything.

Then I turned slightly toward him.

"Do you feel bad... about what just happened to Fu Fong?"

Fu Sheng didn’t respond immediately.

His gaze remained fixed ahead, calm as always, yet there was something heavier behind his eyes, something quiet and distant.

For a moment, I thought he might ignore the question.

Then he finally spoke.

"I should."

His voice was low.

"At least a little."

I blinked slightly.

But before I could say anything, he continued.

"But my mind keeps wandering somewhere else."

I tilted my head.

"And where is that?"

Fu Sheng’s eyes darkened faintly.

"I keep thinking... what if the situation were reversed?"

I stayed silent.

"If it were me lying there," he said evenly, "do you think they would cry like this?"

His tone wasn’t bitter.

"I’m a hundred percent sure," he added quietly, "they wouldn’t have said a word."

Something tightened faintly in my chest.

"They wouldn’t have begged for mercy."

I slowly nodded.

"Oh..."

It was the only thing that left my mouth.

And as my thoughts drifted...

As memories of the original script flashed briefly through my mind...

Fu Sheng suddenly moved.

Warm fingers wrapped around my hand.

I froze slightly.

Before I could react, he pulled my hand gently but firmly into his grasp, his hold steady, almost possessive.

I looked up.

His expression was unreadable.

But his voice was different.

"Don’t leave my side like that again."

My breath hitched slightly.

His grip tightened just a little.

"Never."

For a brief second... My usual playful response vanished And all I could do... Was stare at him.

After everything finally settled, after the cries slowly died down and the guards dragged Fu Fong away, the air around us began to change.

Then the wind picked up.

Not violently, not enough to cause panic, but strong enough that anyone could tell something was coming. The leaves rustled loudly, loose dust swirled along the ground, and the sky above darkened little by little.

People began looking up.

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"It’s going to rain..."

"No... this doesn’t look like normal rain..."

Just then, hurried footsteps broke through the uneasy silence.

The village chief rushed toward the head guard, his robes fluttering wildly from the rising wind, his breathing slightly uneven as he bowed quickly.

"Head Guard!"

The head guard turned sharply. "What is it?"

"The fishermen just sent word," the chief said urgently. "They say a very heavy storm is coming. A serious one. Strong winds, heavy rain."

The surrounding guards stiffened.

The head guard’s expression darkened slightly as he glanced toward the sky.

"How soon?"

"Very soon."

A brief silence followed.

Then the head guard turned toward everyone, his voice loud and commanding.

"All exiles, listen carefully!"

The murmurs stopped instantly.

"The weather is turning. A heavy storm is approaching. Everyone is to go inside immediately and take shelter. No one is to remain outside."

His gaze swept coldly across the crowd.

"We will move once the rain stops and visibility is clear. Until then, stay secured."

Without hesitation, people began moving.

The wind continued to grow stronger.

But just as the crowd began dispersing—

A sudden commotion rose near the entrance.

"Head Guard!"

Several guards approached quickly.

And in their arms—

Was Bai Ming.

Her body hung loosely between them, her hair messy, her clothes wrinkled, her entire appearance a complete disaster.

The guards dropped her unceremoniously onto the ground.

THUD.

She rolled slightly before stopping at the head guard’s feet.

One of the guards stepped forward and bowed.

"Reporting to Head Guard. We found her lying on the street near the east side of the village."

The head guard frowned. "Injured?"

"No."

A slight pause.

"...Intoxicated."

The air seemed to freeze.

Bai Ming groaned faintly on the ground, her face flushed, her breathing uneven, the strong smell of alcohol unmistakable even from where I stood.

The head guard’s face twisted with open disgust.

"Drunk?" he said coldly.

The guard nodded.

"She was completely unconscious."

A heavy silence fell.

Uncle Fu’s eyes widened. "Drunk?!"

Grandma Fu looked horrified. "This foolish girl!"

The head guard stared down at Bai Ming like she was something filthy.

"Exile," he said slowly, his voice dripping with contempt, "and she still finds time to drink."

His patience was clearly gone.

"Throw her inside," he said coldly. "I’m very sure the suffering her family will inflict on her would be worse than any punishment."

The guards moved at once.

Meanwhile...

I simply stood there.

And sighed softly.

Honestly...

Humans truly loved walking straight into traps. Because unlike the original script I had made sure everything went exactly how I wanted.

I didn’t want anyone thinking she was taken or kidnapped, so i told that man to intoxicate her and leave her where the guards can find her.

Now no matter what story she told...

No matter what excuse she made...

No one would believe a drunk exile who vanished and reappeared smelling of alcohol.

Not long after, everyone started going inside.

The wind was getting stronger, pushing dust across the ground as clothes and sleeves moved wildly. The sky had turned dark, heavy clouds covering everything above us.

Fu Sheng and I walked into the cabin with the rest of the Fu family.

When we reached the balcony, Fu Sheng stopped.

Without saying anything, he pulled the wagon closer and placed it carefully near the railing. The strong wind made the wheels shift slightly, but he held it steady.

He took a rope.

Tied it tightly.

Then pulled again to make sure it wouldn’t move.

Only after confirming it was secure did he step back.

Fu Li entered behind us.

For a brief moment, she paused.

Her eyes drifted outside.

Toward her family and towards the new wagon they had just gotten and immediately, guilt flashed across her eyes.

Fu Li’s steps slowed.

But just as quickly, she lowered her head and hurried inside, pretending she had seen nothing.

Inside, the cabin was noisy again.

The storm outside only made everything feel heavier, the sound of the wind pressing against the walls.

I clapped my hands lightly.

"Well then."

Everyone looked at me.

I turned to Fu Ji.

"It’s time to cook."

Fu Ji blinked, then quickly nodded.

"Yes, Sister-in-law."

I have a very great feeling that tonight was gonna be way more interesting.. hahahahaha!