RYEY – Chapter 106 Miao Qing Seems to Have Changed

“Doctor Ye, quick, save my Miao Qing, she… she…”

“What happened to her?”

“Her father split her head open, now she’s unconscious at home, I don’t know if…”

“Wait, let me grab my medicine box.”

Ye Jun quickly picked up his medical kit, locked the door, and followed Aunt Daya running. When he arrived at Miao Qing’s house, the place was already surrounded inside and out by people watching the commotion—even Li Le was among them.

“Make way, make way!”

Aunt Daya shouted loudly, shoving aside those who didn’t move fast enough. Ye Jun followed closely behind, and the moment he entered the main room, he saw Miao Qing lying unconscious on the floor.

“How can you let a patient lie on the ground, she’ll catch cold! Quickly, carry her into the room.”

“No way, we don’t know if this girl is dead or alive. If she’s dead, she’s not allowed inside.”

Fenqiu had seen his entire kitchen and woodshed burn to ashes the night before, most of the family’s grain gone, and even owed two hundred yuan in debt. He hated Miao Qing so much he wanted to cut her down with a knife.

But Miao Qing was clever—after the villagers dispersed, she slipped away and didn’t return all night. By the time she came back around noon today, she still couldn’t escape Fenqiu’s vicious beating.

Unfortunately, his hand slipped when swinging the stick, the force and direction went wrong, and with one blow he knocked Miao Qing flat on the ground, motionless.

That scared Fenqiu badly. Killing someone—even your own daughter—meant becoming a murderer, facing the death penalty. In panic, he thought about throwing her into the mountains and claiming a wolf had eaten her.

But Aunt Daya refused, no matter what—that was their flesh and blood. Their cries soon alarmed the neighbors. With so many people gathering, Fenqiu finally gave in.

He agreed to let Aunt Daya fetch the village doctor, but he swore he wouldn’t pay a cent. Aunt Daya thought of the two yuan she had hidden away, which should be enough, and hurried to find Ye Jun.

Looking at the swelling on Miao Qing’s head, Ye Jun knew Fenqiu hadn’t held back. He sighed inwardly and placed his hand on her pulse.

Just as he touched her wrist, Miao Qing’s eyes suddenly opened. She blinked at him in confusion, her pupils slowly moving as disbelief spread across her face.

“Miao Qing, how do you feel? Does your head hurt? Any nausea or dizziness?”

“Uncle Ye…”

“Good, she recognizes people. It shouldn’t be too serious. The wound isn’t bleeding, so no need to rush treatment. Carefully carry her to bed. If she develops a fever or vomits in the night, come get me.”

“Doctor Ye, then Miao Qing…”

“She might have a concussion, but for now she looks fine. Keep a close watch tonight. If anything happens, call me—or send her to the county hospital.”

“Thank you, Doctor Ye. How much do we owe you?”

“I didn’t use any medicine this time, so just ten cents for the visit.”

When eating at the Li household earlier, Ye Jun had already heard from Li Le that Miao Qing’s house was blown up by Li Huan. He fully supported Li Huan’s actions—some people only learned lessons that way.

Aunt Daya turned to Fenqiu. His old face flushed red, but with everyone watching, he reluctantly pulled out ten cents and handed it over. He couldn’t afford to lose face here.

“Don’t feed her. Let her starve for two or three days. Outrageous, a grown girl sneaking out all night and not returning home! Ask her properly where she went.”

The villagers shook their heads and left. They all knew Miao Qing had spent last night at the village head’s house. Cuihua, being soft-hearted, let her stay, knowing Miao Qing would only be beaten if she went home.

They thought one night was enough for Fenqiu to cool down. Who knew he hadn’t calmed at all but had only grown more vicious? Even Da Gang and Er Gang stayed silent, not daring to say a word.

In the end, Miao Qing was carried back to her little room. To call it a room was generous—it was just a small space partitioned off from Aunt Daya and Fenqiu’s bedroom. Aside from the kang bed, nothing else could fit.

Her trembling hand touched the bed and her clothes. She realized—she had been reborn. In her past life, her father had sold her off to the next village, marrying her to an old bachelor, simply because he was willing to pay three hundred yuan bride price.

At first, life there was tolerable. But over time, the old bachelor’s vicious nature revealed itself. Beatings and curses became daily routine, tormenting her until life felt worse than death.

She bore him three children, but every single one she smothered with her own hands shortly after birth—because she refused to raise his children.

When the old bachelor discovered the truth, he gave her the beating of her life—worse and harsher than ever before—until he beat her to death.

Trying to sort out her thoughts, Miao Qing realized something was wrong. In her past life, her father never struck her; instead, he coaxed her right onto a dead-end road.

And there had been no incident of Erlizi blowing up the kitchen—wasn’t Erlizi supposed to have fallen off a cliff and died? Also, Cheng Qiao’s baby had died too…

Maybe the time hadn’t come yet. After all, Cheng Qiao’s child hadn’t been born in this life. Confused, her head spinning, Miao Qing fainted again.

Beside her, Aunt Daya wept anxiously. She prayed silently for Miao Qing’s safety. No matter how cruel this girl had been—pushing her mother aside—she was still the child who came from her own womb.

At midnight, Miao Qing finally woke again. Feeling the warmth of the bed heated by her mother, her heart only grew colder. In her past life, even when knowing she was about to be shoved into the fire pit, her mother had stayed silent, watching her walk farther and farther down that path.

Miao Qing lay on the kang for three days—and starved for three days. Of course, Aunt Daya secretly snuck her food, which Miao Qing ate ravenously without saying a word.

“Miao Qing, your father found you a marriage match. It’s with an old bachelor in the neighboring village. He’s willing to give three hundred yuan bride price. Your father says you must repay the debts you caused.”

Miao Qing’s hand shook, hatred rising in her heart. It was happening again—they were selling her off again. But this time she stayed quiet. Tilting her head, she feigned fainting once more.

Aunt Daya panicked and rushed out. When Fenqiu heard Miao Qing had fainted again, he regretted starving the wretched girl. If she died, he couldn’t sell her off in a few days.

That old bachelor was offering three hundred yuan! After paying Erlizi’s family two hundred, he’d still pocket a hundred himself.

“Once the kitchen is fixed, cook her something good. Build her strength back quickly and send her away as soon as possible.”

Aunt Daya nodded, money in hand, and knocked on Chen Weimin’s door. She knew Chen, being the village accountant, had a daughter married to a full-time worker at the meat factory. Their family should have some meat.

She wasn’t wrong—just two days ago, Butcher Wang had indeed sent over two jin of pork, saying Chunhua was too busy working overtime at the factory and wouldn’t come home for New Year. The meat was a token of goodwill.