RYEY – Chapter 10 The Oath

“Cheng Qiao, my memory isn’t very good. Can you check if I still owe you anything?”

While everyone was rolling up their bedding, Zhang Yuefang leaned closer to Cheng Qiao and whispered.

“Sister Yuefang, last time you helped me a lot, so I’ve written everything off. I even tore that page out.”

Cheng Qiao had already checked her records. Zhang Yuefang had only taken advantage of her a few times—losses that could be ignored. Moreover, she had helped her get back one hundred yuan.

“Cheng Qiao, you’re really so kind. Thank you.”

Of course, Zhang Yuefang remembered she had gotten quite a lot of benefits from Cheng Qiao. No doubt, Cheng Qiao tore out that page because of the one hundred yuan she had helped retrieve. Now the two of them were even.

Just as everyone finished packing their bedding, the gong for afternoon work sounded. Xu Laidi glared resentfully at her now-narrowed sleeping space, secretly blaming herself for being too impulsive.

Everyone went to the fields. With nothing to do, Cheng Qiao hobbled into the yard on her injured leg, brought back the clothes she had washed earlier, folded them neatly into the cabinet, then took a steamed white bun out of her space and started eating. She also pulled out a bottle of milk and drank it in gulps.

Since she was carrying a child in her belly, she had to strengthen her nutrition for the baby’s sake. In her past life, that good-for-nothing man had endured so much hardship for this child, but not this time—not in this life.

And as for her future mother-in-law, she would also make sure to be filial. If not for her using her funeral savings to protect her in her past life, she would have already died at Xu Laidi’s hands.

Meanwhile, that so-called good-for-nothing was in the mountains, checking the traps he had set. One had caught a rabbit. With a hatchet in hand, he butchered the rabbit right there in the mountains.

Since Cheng Qiao was too thin and frail, he needed to catch more wild game to build up her strength. After cleaning the rabbit, he gathered some firewood and built a simple fire pit.

He cut the rabbit into chunks, skewered them on branches, and roasted them over the fire. Before long, a delicious aroma spread through the air.

He swallowed his saliva but restrained his hunger. Washing a few large leaves, he wrapped the roasted rabbit inside, then hurried down the mountain.

“Cheng Qiao, are you hungry?”

Standing outside the girls’ dormitory, he saw Cheng Qiao leaning on the bed, reading. In his heart, she looked so beautiful he could have stared forever. But he worried she might be hungry, so he called to her softly.

After eating and drinking her fill, drowsiness crept up. Though she looked like she was still reading, her eyes were already sore. She had just wanted to nap when she suddenly heard a familiar voice outside.

“Why are you here?”

“I caught a rabbit for you to eat. Is your foot still hurting? Should I take you to the county hospital to have it checked?”

Seeing her limp out, he ached with pity.

“I already had it checked. Uncle Ye gave me medicine and two days’ sick leave. I can rest again tomorrow.”

“I know. I went to the fields earlier. When I didn’t see you, I guessed you must’ve taken leave. But you only need one day. Tomorrow everyone rests—the day after tomorrow is the start of autumn harvest.”

“Really? Such a pity I sprained my foot. Otherwise, I’d love to visit the county and buy some things.”

Looking into her glistening eyes, he suddenly recalled that night, and his face turned red. Cheng Qiao was so soft, she had melted straight into his heart.

“Tomorrow there’ll be an ox cart going to the county. I’ll speak to Uncle Niu so you can ride it there.”

“That’s great. I’ll buy some daily necessities tomorrow.”

He gazed at her with tender warmth, wishing he could just take her to get a marriage certificate today and announce his claim.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Seeing him staring blankly, Cheng Qiao’s face also reddened. Though the two of them had already done “that,” a young woman’s shyness was innate.

“Oh, I roasted a rabbit for you—it’s still hot. Hurry and eat.”

He pulled out the rabbit wrapped in big leaves and handed it to her.

“I thought I smelled meat! I really thought my nose was playing tricks.”

She quickly took it. Though not hungry, the fragrance was irresistible, stirring her appetite.

She tore off a rabbit leg and was about to bite when she noticed his Adam’s apple move. She quickly asked, “Have you eaten?”

“Yes, yes, I ate already. You eat, don’t let anyone see.”

“Silly, I can’t finish all this by myself. Here—you take half.”

She only kept one leg and handed him the rest, which was more than half. He froze. Wasn’t it supposed to be half each? Why was his share so big?

“Cheng Qiao…”

“Eat!”

She glared at him fiercely, so he quickly tore off another leg, stuffed it into her hand, then lowered his head and shoved meat into his mouth as if afraid it might disappear.

“Slow down, no one’s going to steal it.”

She pulled out a little floral handkerchief and handed it to him. His eyes lit up, but instead of wiping his mouth with it, he wiped with his ragged sleeve and carefully tucked the handkerchief into his pocket.

“Hey, why are you keeping my handkerchief?”

“Cheng Qiao, I want to marry you. I just don’t have enough money for the bride price yet. Give me three months, I’ll make sure to marry you honorably.”

His voice grew quieter. He did have some money from black market dealings, but he deliberately acted like a good-for-nothing so the villagers wouldn’t suspect.

And in three months, it would be just after New Year’s. Cheng Qiao would have turned eighteen and could get a marriage certificate.

“I still have some money and ration tickets. Xu Laidi returned them to me yesterday. Why don’t you take them for now?”

Of course, she knew his financial situation. She quickly pulled money and tickets from her pocket—actually from her space.

“Cheng Qiao, no wonder the village women say you’re a silly sweet girl. You really are—who ever heard of a woman paying for her own bride price? Put it away, I won’t take it.”

Her heart ached at his words. Yes, in her past life she had been like this—fooled, defending others, and in the end, losing not only him but also their child.

“Erlizi, I’m not stupid, and I’m not paying your bride price. I just worry that if I get pregnant and we’re not married yet, people will gossip and call me a ruined shoe.”

His eyes sharpened, his heart tightening with urgency. He thought for a moment, then solemnly declared:

“Cheng Qiao, put the money away. I, Li Huan, swear I will rise above, earn plenty of money, and provide for my wife and children.”

His real name was Li Huan, though everyone had long forgotten it, calling him Erlizi instead.

Cheng Qiao smiled. She believed in this man before her. Waving her hand, she said, “Li Huan, from now on I’ll call you Li Huan. I believe in you. I’ll wait for you to marry me.”