RYEY – Chapter 107 Li Bing Came Back

Chen Weimin was fuming inside. That dead girl had gotten married and now her wings had grown stiff—she didn’t even bother coming back to her parents’ home for New Year. Fine, don’t come back then. If you’ve got the ability, don’t ever come back again.

After saying that, he threw the piece of pork out the door. But Zhaodi quickly picked it back up. In a time when every household was short of meat, how could he just toss it away? Wouldn’t that just give people something to gossip about?

Besides, he worked as an accountant. Anyone could guess at the shady dealings in that line of work. Shouldn’t he keep a lower profile? Zhaodi’s words made Chen Weimin break into a cold sweat, but he still swore that he would never eat that piece of meat.

Knowing his stubborn temper, Zhaodi could only sigh helplessly and ponder how to deal with it. Unexpectedly, Daya came over and immediately asked to buy the meat.

In the end, the pork ended up in Daya’s basket. She quickly cooked up a dish of braised pork and even prepared a bowl of white rice for Miao Qing, delivering it straight to her room.

Hearing the door open and smelling the fragrance of the meat, Miao Qing felt sorrow in her heart, but her mouth watered uncontrollably. She didn’t stand on ceremony and grabbed the bowl, eating hungrily.

“Miao Qing, about that marriage proposal…”

“Mother, my head is spinning, I feel nauseous, I…”

Miao Qing swallowed the last bite of rice, feigning weakness. Daya felt a surge of irritation, but seeing the large swollen lump on her head, she couldn’t bring herself to scold. She just gathered up the dishes and left.

Once Daya was gone, Miao Qing began plotting ways to escape. But it seemed nearly impossible. Her household registration was in her parents’ hands. In this era, when even leaving the village required an introduction letter, running away was out of the question.

Two more days passed. Finally, the village was about to slaughter the New Year pig and hold the pig-killing feast. This was the most important event before the New Year, and everyone’s face brimmed with joy.

Early in the morning, before dawn, the pig that had been raised for a year was dragged out. Perhaps sensing its fate, the pig wailed pitifully, struggling to escape.

Wang Tuozi, the village’s expert butcher, was called in. With swift, decisive movements, he struck. The village women had already set up makeshift stoves, and the water in the cauldrons was boiling.

Seeing everyone so excited, Auntie Wang beamed with pride. After all, Wang Tuozi was her relative. When the time came to divide the meat, surely she’d get the best piece.

The line was long, but Auntie Wang wasn’t anxious at all. Sure enough, the fattest, best slab of pork belly landed in her basket. Though it was overweight, as long as she paid for it, it didn’t matter. Pleased with herself, she headed home.

Wang Tuozi looked around. When he spotted Mother Li, a smile appeared on his face. He knew the Li family never lacked meat, so he deliberately set aside a fine piece of pork shoulder, waiting to give it to her.

Mother Li accepted the meat, grinning from ear to ear. Her daughter-in-law disliked fatty pork, so this cut was perfect for grilling.

Today was a joyous day for the Li family. Their eldest son, a soldier, was coming home. Li Le and Cheng Qiao had stayed in the kitchen all morning, preparing a feast.

Li Huan had been hauling load after load of firewood from the foot of the mountain. With another person at home, they’d need to heat an extra bed platform, and that consumed a lot of firewood.

Carrying the pork, Mother Li hurried home. Auntie Daya deliberately bumped into her. Mother Li wanted to say something, but remembering that her eldest son was returning, she only shot her a glare before rushing off.

But she had barely taken a few steps when Xu Laidi blocked her way.

“Auntie, quick—something’s happened at your house!”

At the words something happened, every ear perked up. Even those already holding their share of meat crowded over, urging Xu Laidi to explain what had happened to the Li family.

Xu Laidi, panting from running, finally managed to say: “Your eldest son came back… but he… he’s with Miao Qing…”

“With her what?”

A sudden sense of dread surged through Mother Li. She asked nervously.

“He was carrying Miao Qing… and even took off his military coat to put on her.”

Xu Laidi’s eyes flickered, but in the end he said it.

“Ah—!”

Mother Li felt like her brain had been struck by lightning, throbbing painfully. Wang Xiangyang, sensing disaster, sprinted straight toward the Li household.

Li Huan had just set down a load of firewood when he saw Wang Xiangyang running frantically his way. His brows furrowed. His mother had gone to collect meat—had something happened?

“Brother Huan, something’s wrong. Xu Laidi said your big brother… with Miao Qing… ah, you’d better see for yourself.”

In the kitchen, Cheng Qiao’s mind exploded. Miao Qing and her brother-in-law? Two people with no connection whatsoever—how could anything happen between them?

“Lele, watch the fire. I’m going to look.”

Li Le, equally anxious, immediately put out the fire and pulled Cheng Qiao along. “Second sister-in-law, don’t get too worked up. Be careful of my nephew.”

Cheng Qiao nodded, slowing her pace. But when they reached the village entrance, the villagers were packed in layers so tight she couldn’t get through.

“Second sister-in-law, wait here. I’ll squeeze in and see.”

Cheng Qiao nodded and leaned against a tree, watching nervously. Xu Laidi, who hadn’t seen her in a long while, rushed over at once.

She had once thought life would be hard for her after marrying that rascal, but to her surprise, she had grown plumper and still looked rosy and fair, just as when she first came.

“I heard you’re pregnant—such a blessing.”

Cheng Qiao shot her a glare and said nothing.

“I also heard Wang Qin came too. Why aren’t you taking care of her? She’s your elder sister.”

“With you around, that’s enough. You’re her good friend.”

Choked off, Xu Laidi forced a laugh. “Looks like you’ll soon be sisters-in-law with Miao Qing. Your eldest brother-in-law draped his military coat over her, after all.”

“Don’t say things like that. We don’t even know what actually happened yet. Maybe someone’s deliberately framing them, trying to ruin reputations.”

Xu Laidi agreed inwardly, but outwardly she refused to yield. Cheng Qiao, in no mood to spar, turned quickly when she saw Li Le squeezing back out of the crowd.

“Second sister-in-law, Miao Qing is shameless. She was standing there in thin clothes at the village entrance, and when she saw big brother return, she deliberately collapsed in front of him. Big brother is a soldier—how could he not help? Seeing how lightly dressed she was, he took off his coat and put it on her.”

Cheng Qiao’s heart jolted violently. Last time, Li Le had told her that something seemed off with Miao Qing, and she had already been suspicious. She was a reborn person—no matter how bizarre things became, she was prepared.

Could it be that Miao Qing had actually been beaten to death by her father, and this current Miao Qing was reborn as well? Otherwise, how else could she have known that Li Huan’s eldest brother would return today?

And if Miao Qing really had been reborn, would she also be blessed by the Heavenly Dao, perhaps even gaining a space of her own? It seemed she would have to be even more cautious from now on.

Miao Qing, indeed, had found her solution. After days of racking her brains, she had finally thought of a way out—Li Huan’s elder brother, Li Bing.