RYEY – Chapter 176 Cheng Qiao Strikes Hard

“This time, Xu Laidi must die.”

Li Huan said with hatred, but when he saw Mother Li holding little Cheng Li and crying, he hurriedly comforted her. His mother had always been kind-hearted and would never have imagined anyone would come to harm her grandson.

“Qiao, it’s my fault. I was useless, sitting at home like a corpse, almost letting my grandson die. Luckily, Goudan was there—otherwise, if something happened to little Cheng Li, I wouldn’t have survived either.”

Seeing Mother Li’s eyes red from crying, Cheng Qiao’s heart ached too. Mother Li was the best mother-in-law, the best grandmother in the world—how could anyone blame her?

“Mother, don’t cry. It’s not your fault. Xu Laidi has been scheming to kill my son. No matter how careful we are, we couldn’t prevent it. Let’s first take care of Goudan, or I won’t have peace of mind.”

“Yes, yes, yes. Take care of Goudan first. By the way, where is Doctor Ye? Why hasn’t he arrived yet? Huan’er, go check.”

“Mother, don’t stand there. The little guy is heavy. You can’t keep standing too long. Sit on the kang; I’ll be back soon.”

Li Huan went to the door, intending to close it, but seeing it broken into several pieces, he could only shake his head. He’d fix it when there was time.

Half an hour later, Li Huan still hadn’t returned. Cheng Qiao grew anxious. Could something have happened? She gently touched the already sleeping Goudan but didn’t dare leave him.

“Cheng Qiao, quick… take Goudan home. His grandmother… she can’t hold on.”

Wang Xiangyang ran over, panting heavily. His legs were exhausted from running so much today; even his heels hurt.

“What happened?”

Bending over and taking deep breaths to steady himself, Wang Xiangyang said, “I don’t know which bastard told Goudan’s grandmother that her grandson was strangled by Xu Laidi.”

Cheng Qiao immediately understood—someone was secretly causing trouble, trying to stir chaos to distract everyone. Perhaps the person who let Xu Laidi enter their home was being protected behind the scenes.

“Goudan, your auntie will take you home.”

Cheng Qiao stood up, intending to carry Goudan back, but the boy opened his eyes, tears streaming down his face. He tried to get up but found himself completely weak.

“Xiangyang, quickly carry Goudan. Mother, give me little Cheng Li—I’ll go to Goudan’s house.”

Wang Xiangyang hurriedly picked up Goudan, while Cheng Qiao covered him with a blanket to keep him warm. Then she took little Cheng Li, wrapped him in a thin blanket, and rushed to Goudan’s home.

Goudan’s house was surrounded by people. Since his parents, both soldiers, had died in battle, he was the village’s precious child—no one dared bully him.

Yet Xu Laidi, heartlessly, had attacked the only child of the deceased heroes. Goudan’s grandmother couldn’t withstand the shock, collapsed, foamed at the mouth, and fell unconscious.

Fortunately, Gou Sheng lived nearby. He hadn’t known Goudan was at Cheng Qiao’s house and had wanted to play with him. Seeing Goudan’s grandmother collapse, he cried out in fear. Only then did his parents go find Doctor Ye.

“Master, how is Goudan’s grandmother?”

Entering the house, Cheng Qiao saw Doctor Ye using silver needles on Goudan’s grandmother. Under the dim, flickering lamp, the needles glimmered as they moved in his hand.

“Grandma… I’m not dead. Auntie Cheng Qiao saved me. Grandma, open your eyes and see me.”

Goudan cried, reaching toward his grandmother, but Wang Xiangyang held him firmly, telling him to stay calm—Doctor Ye was treating her.

Goudan calmed down, though his eyes were fixed on the silver needles, his heartbeat almost leaping from his chest.

“Goudan…”

Suddenly, his grandmother opened her eyes. Seeing her grandson held in Wang Xiangyang’s arms, her heart relaxed, but she fainted again.

“Grandma…”

Goudan panicked, struggling to break free. Seeing Doctor Ye nod, Wang Xiangyang let go, and Goudan finally reached his grandmother, touching her cheeks with his little hands.

“Goudan, your grandmother will be fine. Don’t worry.”

Doctor Ye stroked Goudan’s head. This child had saved his grandson; he intended to nurture him well.

“Master, tell me the truth.”

“Check her pulse yourself.”

Cheng Qiao handed little Cheng Li back to Li Huan and sat by the kang to check Goudan’s grandmother’s pulse. Three minutes later, she stood, crouched before Goudan, held his hand, and solemnly said: “Goudan, your grandmother is not in immediate danger, but she has had a stroke.”

“Auntie, what’s a stroke?”

“It means paralysis. In the future, she will need help for everything—eating, drinking, even using the restroom.”

“Auntie, I can take care of my grandmother.”

“No, I have a suggestion. Bring your grandmother and you to my house. I’ll raise you and take care of her.”

“Auntie Cheng Qiao, does that mean you’ll be my mom?”

Cheng Qiao nodded. If Goudan agreed, she would be his mother; if not, he could call her auntie.

“Then little Cheng Li will be my brother?”

Cheng Qiao nodded again. Her son owed Goudan his life; being his brother was only right.

Despair faded from Goudan’s face, replaced by a rosy flush. He had feared losing his grandmother, feared losing his home—but Auntie Cheng Qiao was willing to be his mother, and he even had a beautiful little brother.

“Li Huan, if you don’t agree with my decision, then we should divorce.”

Cheng Qiao stood, seeing Li Huan’s expression, thinking he was reluctant. Li Huan laughed and cried at the same time. He hadn’t objected—Cheng Qiao had simply spoken before he could.

“Wife, I’m like a wooden crossbow in your hands—you point, I shoot.”

“Then I’ll set up a bed in the next room tonight. Tomorrow morning we’ll bring Grandma there. Goudan, you’ll stay with Auntie tonight. Otherwise, I’ll worry about you getting a high fever in the middle of the night.”

Startled children often get high fevers at night, which, if untreated, could have lasting effects. Goudan glanced at his grandmother, worried.

“Go, Auntie Cuihua will stay with your grandmother tonight.”

Finally reassured, Goudan left with Cheng Qiao. Mother Li prepared lots of delicious food, and Goudan happily ate until he was full, then wanted to sleep. Cheng Qiao took him into her room.

In the middle of the night, Cheng Qiao woke both Goudan and little Cheng Li. The children were puzzled, but seeing Li Huan and Cheng Qiao preparing to take them out, they seemed to understand.

Li Huan carried Goudan, Cheng Qiao carried little Cheng Li, and the four quietly left for the village committee. Seeing Xu Laidi, Cheng Qiao sprinkled some flesh-colored powder on her face.