Chapter 164: Poisoning

Liu Zhaodi put on a greedy expression as she took the stack of money and began counting it.

All the bills were ten-yuan notes, fifty in total.

“Alright, what do you need me to do? I missed out on the few hundred yuan last time, but I’m determined to earn it this time.”

Feng Chunhua looked at her with curiosity. “Last time you sprinkled something on the grilled fish slices—didn’t Chu Xuan suspect you? How come she still dares to use you? I heard you even went to her house to clean fish recently!”

Liu Zhaodi knew that trying to explain would only bring trouble, so she had already prepared a response and kept her composure.

“I overheard her talking to Gao Meijuan. She said she saw me touch the grilled fish slices and suspected I was up to something, but she had no proof, so she just gave the fish slices to me. I made a point of telling others that the fish slices she gave me were delicious, and my family was really grateful. When she heard that we’d eaten them, she stopped suspecting there was anything wrong. You know, I quietly burned those fish slices myself…”

Feng Chunhua looked at her with admiration. “Didn’t expect you to be so cunning at such a young age.”

Liu Zhaodi put on a world-weary look. “If I wasn’t, how could I support my two younger brothers and my mother, who always needs medicine?”

“So, this isn’t your first time doing something bad.”

“That’s right. As long as the money’s good, I’ll do anything. Granny Feng, just tell me—what do you want me to do?”

Feng Chunhua chuckled and lowered her voice. “I want you to help me poison Chu Xuan. Put this packet of powder in her family’s water tank, or maybe in their flour.”

Liu Zhaodi took the packet of powder with trembling hands. “Will this stuff really kill someone?”

A vicious look flashed across Feng Chunhua’s face. “Absolutely. If you can kill her, the five hundred yuan is all yours!”

Liu Zhaodi shoved the powder back into Feng Chunhua’s hands, still gripping the stack of money. “That’s not enough! Five hundred is just a down payment. Once it’s done, you give me another fifteen hundred. And I guarantee you won’t get dragged into this.”

Feng Chunhua agreed immediately. “No problem. But let’s be clear—you only get the extra fifteen hundred if she dies. If she doesn’t, I won’t pay the rest, and you’ll have to return the five hundred deposit.”

Her eyes fell on the money in Liu Zhaodi’s hand.

Liu Zhaodi slapped the money back into Feng Chunhua’s arms. “Then there’s nothing to talk about! Who can guarantee your poison will really kill Chu Xuan? What if it just makes her sick? I’d be taking all the risk for nothing. If I take the job, the five hundred deposit is mine no matter what. Go home and think it over.”

Feng Chunhua looked at her with new respect. “Didn’t expect you to be such a tough negotiator at your age. Fine, I agree. As long as you put the poison in Chu Xuan’s house, whether she lives or dies, the five hundred deposit is yours! But my poison is deadly—you’ll definitely get the remaining fifteen hundred once you do it.”

She stuffed the money and the packet of poison back into Liu Zhaodi’s hands.

Liu Zhaodi nodded in satisfaction, sealing the deal.

“Go home and wait for my news. I’ll head to Chu Xuan’s after breakfast.”

“Alright.”

Feng Chunhua left with a smug look on her face.

After confirming that Feng Chunhua had left, Liu Zhaodi finally let out a long sigh of relief.

She hadn’t expected Feng Chunhua to come to her again.

In fact, she’d been worried that Feng Chunhua would realize she’d been tricked last time and come to demand her money back.

Luckily, Chu Xuan hadn’t told anyone about lending her money.

Otherwise, Feng Chunhua wouldn’t just stop hiring her—she’d also take back the money from last time.

This time, Feng Chunhua made it clear it was poison, not as easy to cover up as before.

What should she do? Chu Xuan was always resourceful—maybe she should take the poison to her and discuss it?

She put the money and the poison in separate pockets, then called her two younger brothers to get up for breakfast.

She’d wanted to let them sleep a bit longer, but she couldn’t wait—she had to go find Chu Xuan right away.

She gave her brothers a few instructions, but didn’t mention the poison or the money, then hurried out.

She had no idea that Feng Chunhua was secretly following her.

When she reached Chu Xuan’s house, she saw the gate was tightly shut and guessed that Chu Xuan wasn’t up yet, so she turned around and left.

Feng Chunhua, seeing how proactive and cautious she was, stopped following and went home to wait for news.

A little after seven in the morning, Liu Zhaodi returned to Chu Xuan’s house.

This time, the gate was open.

She knocked.

Chu Xuan had her period today, so instead of running, she took a walk.

She’d just gotten home and gone to the bathroom.

Hearing someone knock, she called out, “The door’s open, come in! I’m in the bathroom, I’ll be out in a minute.”

Liu Zhaodi replied, “Sister Xuan, it’s me. I’ll wait for you in the yard.”

Chu Feng came out of the bedroom, smiling. “Zhaodi, you’re here so early! Don’t you have to go to the food factory for work soon?”

Liu Zhaodi didn’t want Chu Feng to get involved. “Yeah, I’ll be heading there soon. I just wanted to ask Sister Xuan something. You go ahead with your stuff.”

“I’ll keep you company for a bit! My sister will be out soon. Have you had breakfast?”

“I have. Haven’t you guys eaten yet?”

“I have, but my sister hasn’t. Your mom’s getting out of the hospital soon, right?”

“Yeah, she should be back tomorrow or the day after.”

“When she’s back, my sister and I will come visit.”

“No need, you’ve already helped us so much…”

Just then, Chu Xuan came out of the bathroom.

Chu Feng grinned, “Sis, Zhaodi’s here to see you. You two talk, I’ll go practice my abacus.”

He ran back to his room.

Liu Zhaodi looked on with envy. How nice it must be for Chu Feng to have the chance to learn a skill!

Chu Xuan washed her hands while chatting with Liu Zhaodi.

“Zhaodi, you must have something important to talk about, right?”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come so early.

Liu Zhaodi glanced at the gate.

Chu Xuan understood instantly and went to close the gate.

“Let’s talk in the bedroom.”

Liu Zhaodi nodded and followed Chu Xuan inside.

She quietly told Chu Xuan everything about Feng Chunhua’s visit, not leaving out a word.

When she finished, she took out the poison and the money, waiting for Chu Xuan to decide.

Should they play along, or report it directly?

Reporting it might let Feng Chunhua slip away.

Playing along would be tricky.

Chu Xuan thought for a moment, then whispered, “Zhaodi, just stall for time. Come by every day, and tell Feng Chunhua you haven’t had a chance to poison her yet. Try to drag it out for five days, and after that, I’ll tell you what to do.”

Within five days, Liang Shi would be caught, and Feng Chunhua wouldn’t be able to cause trouble for much longer.

The poisoning plot would fizzle out.

The five hundred yuan deposit would be Zhaodi’s to keep.

Zhaodi agreed.

She put the money and poison back in her pocket and left.

She headed straight for Feng Chunhua’s house.

Only Feng Chunhua was home—Chu Dashan had been sent to the hospital to look after Chu Zhi.

Liu Zhaodi whispered to Feng Chunhua, “I just came from Chu Xuan’s house…”

Before she could finish, Feng Chunhua grabbed her hand excitedly. “Did you do it? You put all the poison in, right?”

Liu Zhaodi replied helplessly, “Not yet. Chu Xuan kept her eyes on me the whole time—I had no chance. I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Feng Chunhua shook off her hand. “Then why are you here? Don’t come back until you’ve done it.”

“Okay, Granny Feng. I just didn’t want you to worry, but I won’t do it again. I’ll leave now.”

Liu Zhaodi left quickly.

Feng Chunhua’s eyes darted. She couldn’t put all her hopes on Liu Zhaodi—she needed another plan.

She had it!"