RYEY – Chapter 29 Come Hit Me Then

Seeing Li Le anxious, Cheng Qiao didn’t keep her any longer. Cooking alone was actually more convenient. Since autumn harvest was a race against time, it was impossible to cook multiple dishes.

She planned to steam some steamed buns, sponge cakes, or cornbread, then stir-fry cabbage with pork cracklings. Paired with staple foods, it would definitely taste good.

Because time was tight, once the fire was lit, Cheng Qiao directly took out two boxes of sorghum steamed buns from her space and put them on to steam. These sorghum buns had already been improved—not only were they not rough and choking, but they were also soft and carried a hint of sweetness.

While the buns were steaming, Cheng Qiao went to her private plot, chopped down a head of cabbage, tore it into leaves, washed them, and chopped them up for later use.

When the buns were done, she brushed the wok with oil, tossed in the cabbage to stir-fry, and just before it was cooked, she sprinkled in a generous handful of pork cracklings. After covering the pot for a few minutes, the dish was ready.

She packed them up: one lunchbox filled with sorghum buns, another with stir-fried cabbage and pork cracklings. She placed both in a cloth bag, turned off the stove, locked the door, and set off toward the fields.

On the way, she ran into Auntie Wang, whose eyes quickly swept over her and landed on the cloth bag. Cheng Qiao smiled sweetly, pulled out a boiled egg from her bag, and handed it over.

“Thank you, Cheng Qiao. By the way, where are you going?”

“I’m going to visit my future mother-in-law. I have to build a good relationship with her.”

“Mm, that’s good, but don’t be too obedient. Otherwise, you’ll suffer later.”

Auntie Wang whispered in her ear.

“I understand. Thank you, Auntie Wang. I’ll be off now.”

Auntie Wang tucked the egg into her pocket with a grin and went back to work. A few villagers nearby, including Xu Laidi, couldn’t help but look on with envy.

Cheng Qiao hurried along and finally arrived at the place where Mother Li was working. But before she even saw her, she already heard sharp, bitter voices that made her stop in her tracks:

“Erlizi’s mom, I heard your son went to the educated youth spot to propose marriage, and the bride price was two hundred yuan. Where did you get that money? Don’t tell me you turned Educated Youth Cheng’s three hundred yuan into your son’s bride price.”

“That’s right, that’s right. Word is your son swindled three hundred yuan from Accountant Chen’s family. How come the betrothal gift is only two hundred? Look at you eating big pork buns—did you pocket the other hundred?”

“Heavens, your son is so black-hearted. Poor Educated Youth Cheng, looks like her three hundred yuan is gone for good.”

“And didn’t your son also get himself a bicycle? Don’t tell me that was bought with Educated Youth Cheng’s money too. What a schemer he is.”

Mother Li’s eyes turned red with anger, but before she could speak, Li Le shouted:

“Bullshit! My mom would never pocket my second sister-in-law’s money. Unlike you lot, always bullying your daughters-in-law—you’re the real black-hearted ones!”

“Hah, really is Erlizi’s sister. So young yet already wants to act like a daughter-in-law, haha…”

“You…”

Li Le charged forward and punched the village woman. But at just thirteen years old, she was no match for a grown woman. Even so, the woman didn’t dare hurt her too badly, knowing the Li family still had Erlizi.

Li Le understood this. Her hand was caught, so she used her feet instead—kicking the woman several times before finally pulling her hand free.

“You’re Auntie Lianhua, right? Already so old, yet you’re stooping to fight with a child. Don’t you feel ashamed?”

Cheng Qiao walked up, eyes cold as she stared at the woman. Her name sounded gentle enough, but her heart was nothing like it.

Auntie Lianhua flushed red. She had only spoken a few sour words out of envy, not expecting Li Le, that little firecracker, to attack.

“And you must be Auntie Daya? You said Erlizi swindled Accountant Chen’s three hundred yuan. Tell me—how exactly did he swindle it? A man like that, even if he forced himself on me, I still wouldn’t dare marry him.”

Auntie Daya’s face instantly turned pale. She had only been echoing Zhaodi’s words, but if Cheng Qiao refused to marry Erlizi because of her, that scoundrel would surely make her pay dearly.

“Educated Youth Cheng, my mom was just speaking casually. Don’t take it seriously.”

Daya’s daughter, Miao Qing, quickly stepped in to defend her.

Cheng Qiao narrowed her eyes at her. In her previous life, this very Miao Qing had hit her in the back with a stone.

“Ah… what are you doing?”

Cheng Qiao picked up a stone from the ground and, while Miao Qing wasn’t paying attention, slammed it against her lower back. Miao Qing screamed in pain.

Seeing her daughter suffer, Auntie Daya rushed forward, cursing while trying to hit Cheng Qiao. But Cheng Qiao raised the stone again—one step closer and she’d smash her head open.

“Daya, if you dare lay a hand on my daughter-in-law—!”

Mother Li rushed over too, shielding Cheng Qiao with a look of determination, ready to fight to the death.

“Oh, Auntie Daya, I just learned from Miao Qing. Just a casual throw, don’t take it seriously.”

Cheng Qiao leaned forward with a mocking smile.

“You…”

Miao Qing, clutching her aching back, rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight. Li Le picked up a large stone and stood in front of Cheng Qiao.

Other villagers hurried over to mediate. It was just a war of words—how could it escalate into a fight? And besides, these three women were Erlizi’s mother, sister, and wife. They mustn’t be touched.

“What are you all doing here!”

The village head’s voice rang out just in time. Miao Qing froze, then quickly ran toward him:

“Village Head, look at Educated Youth Cheng—she attacks people at the slightest disagreement. If this continues, won’t we villagers all be bullied to death by educated youths?”

The village head glanced at her, then at Cheng Qiao. But when his eyes landed on the white bandage on her forehead, his anger melted away.

“Educated Youth Cheng, didn’t I tell you to rest? Why are you here?”

“Village Head, today my future mother-in-law brought the bride price for me. She hadn’t even eaten breakfast, so I gave her the nutritious pork buns I bought at the hospital. But Auntie Daya slandered her, saying she stole money from the Chen family.”

Auntie Daya’s heart sank. It had felt good to mock earlier, but now what?

“So it was Daya spouting nonsense. But why did you throw a stone at Miao Qing?”

“Oh, Village Head, Miao Qing said her mother was just speaking casually and I shouldn’t take it seriously. Well, I just threw casually too—she shouldn’t take it seriously either, right?”

“You…”

Miao Qing was so furious she nearly lunged again. That damned woman! But before she could act, Cheng Qiao rushed up to her, stretched out her snow-white hand, and pointed to the bandage on her own forehead.

She gestured for Miao Qing to strike there.

“Come on, hit me right here.”

“Miao Qing, get back! That little brat is wicked to the core.”

Auntie Daya yanked her daughter back, shouting. Miao Qing snapped out of it, seeing Cheng Qiao’s face practically daring her with a “come on, hit me if you can” look. She clenched her teeth hard, forcing herself to endure.

The village head: “……￥%……”