RYEY – Chapter 147 Sprinkling Some Anesthetic Powder

In fact, it really was Cheng Qiao who convinced Li Huan to let Wang Qin go pick pigweed. After all, gathering pigweed was the most relaxed and free job. Once she had that freedom, wouldn’t that just open up opportunities for others to take advantage of her?

In the blink of an eye, it was the end of June, early July. School was already on summer break, and the weather was growing hotter by the day. Especially during the daytime, Cheng Qiao, with her big belly, felt she could hardly breathe. She clearly had fans and an air conditioner in her space, but she couldn’t bring them out to use.

“Li Huan, why don’t we go buy a fan? I feel so hot.”

Li Huan’s face immediately sank in distress. Buying a fan wasn’t the issue—it was that there was no electricity. Their little mountain village wasn’t even connected to the grid. Buying one would be useless.

As soon as Cheng Qiao said it, she regretted it. In a place where they still lit kerosene lamps at night, what use would a fan be? Fortunately, she still had her space. She could just slip into it at night and be comfortable. It was only hard on Li Huan, who had to spend the nights alone.

“Tomorrow, I’ll go into the mountains with my master to gather herbs.”

“Wife, with your belly so big, I can’t rest easy.”

“It’s fine. Master said my pulse is strong and steady. Walking more is actually good for the baby’s birth. Besides, it’s cooler in the mountains, and the air is fresher among the trees.”

Li Huan had no choice—he was far too busy. So he let Ye Jun accompany Cheng Qiao into the mountains, and he also told Li Le to go along. In case something happened, at least there’d be someone to run back with the news.

Li Le was delighted as long as she could tag along with Cheng Qiao. Cheerfully, she slung her little basket on her back, carefully packed food and water, and picked up a stick as thick as her forearm. She swept it along the ground as she walked, afraid there might be snakes.

The three of them slowly made their way halfway up the mountain. As usual, Cheng Qiao went to check on the traps Li Huan had set. Of the four traps, three were empty. The last one had caught two wild rabbits, both skewered through by sharp bamboo stakes.

“I’ll go down and get them.”

“Lele, be careful. Climb down the pit slowly and make sure the ropes are tied tight.”

Li Le carefully checked. Finding everything secure, she climbed down, pulled out the two rabbits, tossed them into her basket, and cautiously climbed back up.

“Second Sister-in-law, Uncle Ye, tonight we’re eating spicy rabbit!”

Both of them laughed and nodded. After covering up the trap and marking it again, the three continued upward. Li Le hopped along happily in front, but suddenly stopped.

“Why aren’t you moving?”

“Second Sister-in-law, look at all those wild peaches up ahead. I’ll go pick some.”

Cheng Qiao looked and realized they were actually wild kiwifruit. She casually picked one, peeled it, and took a bite. The sweet-and-sour taste was really quite good.

“Master, let’s pick some kiwifruit. They’re loaded with vitamin C and good for the body.”

Ye Jun naturally agreed. The three set down their baskets and began picking.

“Little sister, you’re here too? Aiyo, with your belly that big, still climbing the mountain? You’re so pitiful.”

A mocking, yin-yang voice drifted over. Cheng Qiao didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.

“My Second Sister-in-law isn’t pitiful at all. The pitiful one is you—your real dad’s dead, and your stepdad doesn’t want you either.”

Li Le spat the words out without hesitation.

Wang Qin’s face went pale. Indeed, she had been sent down by Cheng Liguo. That wretched girl—always hitting where it hurt. Just wait until you’re alone. Then I’ll make sure you regret it.

“Cheng Qiao, are these kiwifruit sweet?”

“Can’t you taste one yourself?”

Wang Qin quickly picked one, imitating Cheng Qiao by carefully peeling it. From the corner of her eye, Cheng Qiao caught a glimpse of a scrap of cloth peeking from behind a tree five meters away, and her lips curved into a smile.

“Master, Lele, I’m feeling a bit tired. Let’s head back.”

Ye Jun thought she didn’t like seeing Wang Qin, so he nodded immediately and hoisted his basket. Li Le shot Wang Qin a fierce glare. If it weren’t for that woman, she could’ve picked more fruit.

Li Le had already filled half her basket with kiwifruit. She skipped two steps forward to walk beside Cheng Qiao, while Cheng Qiao deliberately lagged behind, gauging the wind.

Then she slowly walked upwind. The powerful anesthetic powder in her hand drifted away with the breeze—some of it landing directly on the kiwifruit Wang Qin held.

Wang Qin was eating happily when suddenly her eyelids grew heavy. A sense of dread hit her. Could the fruit be poisonous? But Cheng Qiao had just eaten some, and she was fine.

She quickly flung away the fruit in her hand and grabbed her water flask to rinse her mouth. But before she could lift it, her body went soft, and she collapsed.

Chen Dazhu had been secretly following Wang Qin. Watching her trail Cheng Qiao into the mountains, he felt it was his chance. And sure enough, the moment Cheng Qiao left, Wang Qin collapsed.

He immediately stepped out from behind the tree. To outsiders, Chen Dazhu looked simple and honest, but inside he was a true lecher—poisonous, greedy, and depraved.

On the way back down, Cheng Qiao encountered Auntie Wang and a few village women who had come to dig wild vegetables and fruits together. When they saw her, they quickly called out:

“Cheng Qiao, what good things did you find today?”

“Auntie Wang, nothing special. Just dug up some yams to cook at home.”

“Yam, huh? That’s good stuff. You’ve got good luck.”

“Auntie Wang, try this—it’s really sweet.”

Li Le pulled a few wild kiwifruit from her basket and handed them to the women. Auntie Wang happened to be thirsty, so she eagerly took one, split it open, and ate it right away.

“Oh my, how sweet! Lele, where did you pick these?”

“Auntie Wang, just follow this mountain path up. When you reach Big Ox Rock, go around it, and you’ll see them.”

Big Ox Rock was a name the villagers gave it. It also served as a warning—not to go past it, because beyond there was wild beast territory. You never knew who’d end up eating whom.

“Do we have to pass Big Ox Rock?” Auntie Wang asked worriedly.

“No, just turn before the rock. You’ll see a row of fruit trees. The one with the crooked trunk at the very front has the sweetest fruit. The others aren’t as good.”

“Got it. Thanks, Lele. Auntie’s going right now.”

“Hurry, Auntie Wang. Even Wang the educated youth is up there picking fruit.”

Auntie Wang shivered inside. That vile woman was there too? And there was only one tree with sweet fruit? She’d better hurry before it was all gone. Clutching her basket tighter, she rushed up the path.

The other women weren’t about to be left behind either. If they couldn’t finish eating the fruit, they could secretly sell it in town for some spare cash. With a little caution, they could always make a yuan or two.

Cheng Qiao pressed her lips into a smile. She hadn’t scattered much powder today, and with the wind carrying it off, Wang Qin wouldn’t faint completely—but she’d definitely be left weak and powerless.

Cheng Qiao slowed her steps, picking up firewood here and digging wild vegetables there. Ye Jun’s eyes narrowed slightly. This little girl was up to something again.

Li Le was more than willing to help, busily bundling firewood and cleaning the wild roots before putting them into the basket. Finally, Cheng Qiao heard the sound she had been waiting for…