Background
The Water Margin describes Ruan Xiaowu as a man with eyes resembling bells, arms like iron staffs and a tattoo of a leopard on his chest. Although Ruan Xiaowu always wears a smile on his face, one can detect his murderous advances. His nickname "Short-lived Second Brother" does not imply that he is short-lived. Rather, it means that his enemies are short-lived when they meet him and his murderous smile.
Ruan Xiaowu is the second oldest of the three Ruan brothers (Ruan Xiaoer, himself and Ruan Xiaoqi). The brothers live in Shijie Village, Shandong, and earn a living by fishing on the river.
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