RYEY – Chapter 207 The Big Ones in the Space

The young woman who had done something foolish looked pale. Her heart truly sank to the bottom. If the driver and the ticket clerk reported this to her workplace or her family, losing her job would be minor—what would really matter is the damage to her reputation.

“Brother driver, sister ticket clerk, I really made a mistake. Please don’t go to my workplace. I’m willing to compensate—I’m willing to pay twenty yuan. I can write an IOU and repay you once I get my salary.”

The driver and ticket clerk felt a little pleased. Twenty yuan—well, maybe they could accept that. But they couldn’t ask for it outright; otherwise, if they were reported, they could lose their jobs.

Li Huan, sensing the driver’s silent plea, quickly understood his thoughts. The driver regularly ran the Chun City route; perhaps this could be useful later. So it was worth helping.

“Comrade police officer, this driver and ticket clerk are conscientious and responsible. I intend to write a letter of commendation to their superiors, and also inform them that this young woman has recognized her mistake and is willing to compensate twenty yuan.”

The police officer glanced at Li Huan deeply. No wonder this person had caught the attention of the commune leaders and became a village chief—a little sly, indeed. But he wondered what there was about the driver that warranted Li Huan’s help.

The driver and ticket clerk were overjoyed. In the end, that twenty yuan would still reach them. Grateful, they looked at Cheng Qiao and Li Huan, feeling that these two were their benefactors.

The young woman reluctantly wrote the IOU. Once she received her salary next month, she would have to repay it, or else they would come to her workplace again. The lesson was deeply ingrained.

“Comrade Li, Comrade Cheng, shall I take you to the hospital?”

Feeling happy about the favor, the driver eagerly grabbed Li Huan and Cheng Qiao, wanting to send them to the hospital. Li Huan shook her head, and Cheng Qiao’s medicine was far better than what the hospital could provide, so there was no need.

Seeing their insistence, the driver and ticket clerk didn’t push further and quickly left. Cheng Qiao borrowed a room at the police station to disinfect and dress Little Cheng Li’s wound.

“Sweetheart, disinfecting might hurt a bit, but Mommy knows you’re a brave boy—you’re not afraid of pain, right?”

Tears welled in Little Cheng Li’s eyes, but he nodded. Mommy was right—he was a little man. He had to protect her and couldn’t be afraid of pain.

Cheng Qiao took out a small black handbag and a tiny bottle of disinfecting swabs, gently cleaning the wound. The alcohol stung, but Little Cheng Li clamped his mouth shut, refusing to make a sound.

After thorough disinfection, Cheng Qiao applied anti-inflammatory powder carefully. The two blood marks turned into two small yellow bumps, especially unsightly.

“You’ve been very good, Little Cheng Li. Later, Mommy will give you a big reward—let Daddy make you a little wooden gun to play with, alright?”

Little Cheng Li’s eyes lit up. He liked this toy. Seeing his eager expression, Li Huan felt a pang of guilt—he had indeed neglected his son’s toys.

“Yes, my son, Daddy will make it for you when he goes back—two guns: one long, one short. How about that?”

Little Cheng Li finally smiled. The expression tugged at his skin, making him hold his breath. Only after the pain subsided did he resume breathing.

Cheng Qiao opened Little Cheng Li’s special water bottle and gave him a sip of well water. The smooth, cool water soothed his throat, and the pain on his face seemed to lessen.

“Drink, mm-mm.”

She gave him a few more sips but didn’t let him drink too much—if the wound healed too quickly, it might raise suspicion. For her son’s safety, she had to be cautious.

“Lele, let’s eat first, then rest at the county house. You ride the bike and take Xuhui home. Your Second Sister-in-law and I still have to wait for someone here.”

“Are we waiting for Second Sister-in-law’s father? What about Little Cheng Li?”

Li Le knew the situation but was worried seeing Little Cheng Li’s face.

“Little Cheng Li will be fine with us. Don’t tell Mom about this for now—she’d be too worried.”

Li Le and Xuhui nodded. They knew Mother cherished Little Cheng Li and would panic if she learned he had been hurt.

They went to the state-run restaurant and had a hearty meal before heading to the county house. Li Le was pleasantly surprised to see the outer courtyard had been fully renovated.

“Second Brother, when was this done? It looks amazing!”

Xuhui was astonished at the somewhat grand two-courtyard house. He hadn’t expected their parents to have a house in the county—so wealthy.

“Rest for a while. After waking up, you two can head home first.”

“No, let’s go back now.”

Li Le worried that their mother would be anxious and shook her head. Cheng Qiao sorted out the clothes and food she bought for Mother Li, Ye Jun, and Xuhui’s grandmother, placing them in another basket for Xuhui to carry.

“Xuhui, wait until I’m steady on the bike before jumping on, okay?”

Li Le rode the bike unsteadily at first but soon got the hang of it. When Xuhui jumped on, the bike wobbled again, making Cheng Qiao hold her breath until she was sure Li Le could safely ride home with him.

“You rest with Little Cheng Li for now. I’ll go find Shouhou and have him prepare more supplies in the next two days.”

Cheng Qiao nodded. After Li Huan left, she locked the second courtyard’s door, brought Little Cheng Li into the space, and soothed him to sleep before preparing supplies.

Tobacco and alcohol were essential, and she couldn’t forget the cigarettes promised to Uncle Niu—one pack went into her pocket first. Then milk powder, white sugar, brown sugar, sausages, and pork—also essentials.

Rice and flour would be handled by Li Huan and the others. The rice and flour she had brought were too refined—mixing them with what Li Huan brought would raise suspicion.

After preparing everything, Cheng Qiao went to the extra room, standing at the door rubbing her hands. The anticipation of opening this “blind box” was thrilling.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and saw an ancient blue screen wall with four carved characters.

Wait—that’s the ancient book her master had given her. How did it end up here? Cheng Qiao quickly returned to the bedroom. She remembered placing the book on her desk for easy reference.

The desk was empty. Glancing at the still-sleeping Little Cheng Li, Cheng Qiao quietly left and returned to observe the room carefully.

Behind the screen wall stood a row of large, antique cabinets, each with countless drawers engraved with various characters.

Cheng Qiao leaned closer and read: health pills, anti-inflammatory powder, hemostatic powder, soul-stabilizing pills…