RYEY – Chapter 84 Borrowing a Corpse to Return to Life

Li Huan didn’t even need to ask to know there was some trickery involved. He silently sighed—Cheng Qiao’s naïve sweetness had to have come from her father. Otherwise, how could she fail to see such a simple scheme?

“Li Huan, you…”

“How do you know?” Cheng Qiao asked.

“I don’t even know how I know. I just… as soon as I heard this version, I knew the story should unfold this way.”

Looking at the proud Li Huan, Cheng Qiao suddenly threw herself into his arms and began crying. If only she had cherished this man in her previous life, her father surely wouldn’t have died.

“Li Huan, please save my father… I don’t want him to die.”

Li Huan’s heart skipped a beat. What was she saying? She didn’t want her father to die? How did she know he would? That’s right—Cheng Qiao wasn’t a little fairy, so how could she not save her own father?

At this moment, Li Huan’s mind completely went blank. His previous arrogance dissolved entirely, leaving only confusion. Where was he? What was he doing? What had happened?

“Li Huan, Li Huan, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Li Huan unresponsive for a long while, Cheng Qiao became worried. She shook him, and finally, Li Huan stirred awake, touching his chest and slowly sitting up.

“Qiao… give me a moment. I don’t even know what’s wrong with me, let alone what’s going on in this world.”

Cheng Qiao took a deep breath and finally summoned the courage to cautiously ask, “Li Huan… do you believe in rebirth?”

Li Huan: “……What nonsense? I didn’t hear that.”

“Li Huan, I’m asking you!”

“What’s rebirth?”

“It’s when someone dies and comes back to life.”

“That’s not rebirth… that’s borrowing a corpse to return to life. That’s a ghost. Cheng Qiao… you’re not telling me… you’re that ghost who borrowed a corpse, are you?”

Cheng Qiao wanted to shake her head. She wasn’t a ghost; she was a living person. Yet reality forced her to nod slightly. If Li Huan called it a ghost, then she was indeed the ghost who had borrowed her own body to come back—but would he be scared?

Li Huan scrutinized Cheng Qiao carefully. Seeing the fear and sorrow in her eyes, he held her tightly and whispered in her ear:

“Cheng Qiao, whether you’ve been reborn or borrowed a corpse to return to life, I only know one thing—you’re my wife, the mother of my child.”

“You’re not afraid?”

“Afraid of a ghost? Even if you’re a ghost, you must be a good one. Otherwise, how could Heaven have given you such a treasure?”

Cheng Qiao smiled. Yes, she had a treasure—she had Li Huan. Why would she worry?

“Let’s borrow the ox cart from Uncle Niu. We’ll go to the county post office to withdraw money, then call my father. I need to ask him what’s going on.”

“Okay. Dress warmly—the ox cart is cold. Take a hot water bottle, or better yet, grab an extra blanket. If you catch a cold, I’d be heartbroken.”

Li Huan put on a padded coat and went out. Cheng Qiao quickly tidied up and took a thick wool blanket from the space—this would go on the ox cart to block the wind.

Uncle Niu’s face immediately lit up when he saw Li Huan. The weather was turning colder, and few people went to the county these days, so business had been slow.

Li Huan’s arrival gave him hope. Smiling, he asked if they wanted to borrow the ox cart. Li Huan twirled his wrist and produced a pack of walnut pastries—things Cheng Qiao had refused to eat because she found the taste too strong.

But walnut pastries were excellent. They contained sugar, oil, and fine flour, so it was reasonable that they sold for a high price. This time, he would treat Uncle Niu kindly.

Seeing walnut pastries, Uncle Niu swallowed hard, snatched the package, and stuffed one in his mouth.

The crispy, fragrant taste instantly brought happiness. Uncle Niu chewed and said, “You little rascal… ever since you married Cheng Qiao, you’ve truly fallen into luck.”

Li Huan nodded. He wanted to hear that. Cheng Qiao was indeed a treasure. Marrying her was like falling into a nest of fortune. Well, he was lucky.

He gave Uncle Niu fifty cents and, with Cheng Qiao, rode the ox cart to the county. Halfway, they ran into Qian Longkun and Zhao Xiaobao, who were heading to the county to buy some meat.

“What’s this? Got money in your pocket and want meat? Just tell Brother Huan. Brother Huan can get meat for you.”

Li Huan felt pleased and spoke boldly. Qian Longkun quickly handed him the money. They had no meat vouchers, but they knew Li Huan could get the meat.

Zhao Xiaobao glanced at Cheng Qiao, then quietly told Li Huan that it would be even better if they could get cured meat—it would last a long time.

Li Huan gave Zhao Xiaobao a strange look. This guy usually never got involved in anything. Why was he acting so serious now, as if weighed down by worry?

Qian Longkun had thought about it all night. He knew that with just the two of them, they couldn’t properly care for Zhao Xiaobao’s parents. The Zhao family had no money, no vouchers, and the money sent from their own home would not suffice.

Moreover, winter was coming. Zhao Xiaobao’s parents had no food, no daily necessities, and not even thick winter clothes. Without help from the villagers, they would likely freeze to death.

“Brother Huan, I need to discuss something with you… do you have time tonight?”

“Talk now if you want. Don’t avoid my wife, or I’ll kick you off the cart.”

“Cheng Qiao, can you promise not to tell anyone about what happens between us?”

Qian Longkun looked at Cheng Qiao. He knew she was simple-minded, but worried she wouldn’t keep the secret. If so, Zhao Xiaobao and Zhao Xiaobei could be harmed.

Cheng Qiao furrowed her brows. She tried recalling events from her previous life in the village. Finally, she remembered someone had died in the cowshed, and it had been left unresolved.

“Okay, I promise.”

Cheng Qiao’s heart raced. Could it be that Zhao Xiaobao’s parents had been sent down here, and died? Unfortunately, in her previous life, she had lived in confusion and knew little.

“Xiaobao’s parents were sent here. They’re now staying in Uncle Niu’s backyard. They have no money, no vouchers, not even warm clothes. So we…”

Li Huan’s expression darkened. He didn’t want to get involved. If discovered, he’d be implicated. What about his wife? His child?

“No. Stop talking. I’ll pretend I never heard anything.”

Hope instantly vanished from Zhao Xiaobao’s eyes. He hated that he hadn’t worked hard before, hadn’t saved more. He regretted spending carelessly; now that he needed money, there wasn’t enough.

“Okay… let’s pretend I never said anything. Brother Huan, please don’t tell anyone.”

“I don’t know anything. Get off the cart. I’ll bring meat back for you.”

Li Huan didn’t hesitate to kick the two off the cart, spitting in annoyance. How could such things happen? So frustrating.

“Li Huan… you can’t do this! Those people are innocent!”