PCJ – Chapter 35 Revenge

The people of Lan She Xi village pulled Liu Biao and his son ashore with their combined efforts. Liu Biao’s face was slightly bluish, but he was fine. However, Liu Xi wasn’t as relaxed. He had already suffocated, his face now purplish-blue, indicating severe oxygen deprivation.

“Don’t panic, go get a large cooking pot (a large iron pot),” rushed Liu Tongmao, who arrived with rich experience, calm and composed.

The villagers quickly brought a cooking pot from a nearby house and placed it upside down on the ground. Liu Tongmao lifted his grandson onto it, attaching him to the pot. The water that had choked his lungs naturally flowed out. Then they heard Liu Xi coughing lightly.

“He’s alive, he’s alive! This method works!” someone in the crowd exclaimed excitedly.

“Today’s incident was really critical. If it weren’t for Liu Biao being there at the time, his son might not have made it. It’s also fortunate that everyone’s rescue came in time; otherwise, both father and son would have been in jeopardy. We’ve heard stories before about people being dragged by water ghosts, but never expected it to happen for real this time. We must remember to warn the kids in the village not to swim in Lan She Xi for a while. This matter might not be over yet.”

The crowd discussed fervently while Liu Xi, lying on the pot, slipped off it by himself. “Dad, there’s a water ghost pulling my foot in the river.”

“Son! You scared your dad to death!” Liu Biao tightly gripped his son’s shoulders and shook them vigorously.

Zhao Lanying rushed over from home, crying all the way, “My dear! I can’t live without my son!”

Zhao Lanying had just returned home from outside when she heard from the villagers that her son had been dragged by a water ghost and his fate was still uncertain. She immediately rushed over from home.

“Cry cry cry, you only know how to cry!” Liu Biao looked at his wife with anger. If it weren’t for his wife’s excuses today, his son would still be playing with his nephew, and wouldn’t have gone swimming in the river at all. It could have ended in disaster. Right, it was fortunate his sister reminded him. Otherwise, things would have gone south. How did his sister know? Liu Biao remembered it very clearly; his sister repeatedly urged him to make sure to bring his son back home, obviously fearing something might happen to him.

When the family returned home, Liu Biao told everyone about the incident.

“Did Qiaoye remind you of this?” Liu Tongmao asked.

“Indeed. I almost didn’t listen to my sister. When I think about it, I feel terrified.” Liu Biao still hadn’t fully recovered; his heart was still pounding.

“Qiaoye said that Jiaohua had a dream at night where a Daoist taught him spells; this is probably true. Jiaohua must have noticed something, which is why Qiaoye reminded you like that. We owe it to Jiaohua.” Liu Tongmao sighed.

“You listen carefully! It’s all thanks to Jiaohua today that our son didn’t get into trouble. Look at what you’ve done. Our sister’s family finally made a trip back home, but you drove them away. Zhao Lanying, let me tell you, you better behave yourself in the future. If you do this again, see how I’ll deal with you!” Liu Biao almost couldn’t keep himself from laying hands on Zhao Lanying. Zhao Lanying also knew she had gone too far today, lowered her head, and dared not say a word.

Seeing that it was almost enough, and Zhao Lanying had also been taught a lesson, Luo Dongzhen spoke up, “This matter has passed. Let’s think more about what we will do in the future.”

Zhang Jiaohua’s family crossed mountains and rivers, while his mother kept worrying and praying in her heart, hoping nothing would happen to her nephew.

“Wife, you can rest assured. Which kid in Lan She Xi wasn’t raised in water? And with so many kids bathing at the Fengyu Bridge, even if something happens, they just need to shout, and the adults in the village will come running,” Zhang Youping wasn’t worried at all. Not to mention the kids in the village, even the older girls were rarely non-swimmers.

“Son, did you really see someone being dragged into the water at the Fengyu Bridge just now?” Liu Qiaoye once again sought confirmation from her son.

“Mom, you’ve asked me so many times already. I really saw someone being dragged into the water. But I only saw the person’s back. I couldn’t tell if it was Xizi or not. Didn’t Dad say it? There are so many people in their village, even if someone is drowning, someone will come to rescue them soon,” Zhang Jiaohua replied impatiently.

“Sigh, I should have gone back to check. I couldn’t confirm if Xizi was okay, and now I can’t sleep at night,” Liu Qiaoye regretted.

“We’re almost halfway there now. What’s the use of you going back? Just rest assured. Everything will be fine. In a couple of days, you can go back to your mother’s house again. We don’t like being guests at other people’s houses, it’s uncomfortable for both parties. I won’t let my son suffer this injustice,” Zhang Youping was also angry today. He didn’t mind taking some heat himself, but if his son suffered, he couldn’t bear it.

Hearing the man’s words, Liu Qiaoye remained silent. The two most important people in her life, her husband and her son, were mistreated at her mother’s house, and Liu Qiaoye felt very guilty.

When they arrived home, it was almost dark outside. Ma Donghua was busy with household chores and was surprised to see her son’s family return so late. “Qiaoye, it’s rare for you to go back to your mother’s house. Why didn’t you stay overnight? You don’t need to worry about things at home. Am I not here to take care of everything?”

“Mom, yellow-skinned creature has been causing a lot of trouble lately, and we’re mainly worried about the safety of our poultry and livestock at home,” Zhang Youping quickly explained to his mother, seeing her embarrassed expression.

Ma Donghua nodded, “I see. Is everyone in good health?”

“Very strong. Thanks for your concern,” Liu Qiaoye felt warm inside after hearing her mother-in-law’s words.

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome,” Ma Donghua laughed heartily.

“Grandma, look what I brought back?” Zhang Jiaohua immediately brought out the puppy.

“Oh, this puppy is really nice. My clever grandson has a good eye,” Ma Donghua took the puppy from her grandson, looked at it, and then handed it back to him.

Zhang Jiaohua had been exhausted from walking all day and almost fell asleep while bathing in the basin. Later, Zhang Youping carried him directly to bed.

Before dawn, Zhang Jiaohua heard someone crying outside. Upon listening carefully, he recognized it as Ma Jinxiu’s voice. Zhang Jiaohua glanced at the window, still dim, his eyelids drooping, and he fell asleep again. Vaguely, he heard the sound of his parents dressing in the next room.

Zhang Youping and his wife heard the commotion at Zhang Benrui’s house and quickly got dressed before going out.

Many villagers were already standing in the yard of Zhang Benrui’s house, some holding flashlights, shining them around the yard.

Zhang Youping walked over and took a look. The tragic scene in the yard made him gasp for cold air. The yard was full of dead poultry. Dead chickens and ducks littered the ground. Without even looking, Zhang Youping knew that these must have been the work of yellow-skinned creature. Sure enough, yellow-skinned creature had come for revenge. Usually, when yellow-skinned creature stole food, he would only kill one or two chickens or ducks and then drag the bodies away. But this time, yellow-skinned creature didn’t drag away the bodies of the chickens and ducks; instead, he left them in the yard, obviously intending to intimidate Zhang Benrui.