Chapter 173: The Death of Liang Shi

October 29, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

Chu Xuan was eavesdropping intently on the conversation when, by coincidence, someone appeared. Luckily, that person was walking with their head down and didn’t notice her.

She was at a crucial part—she couldn’t afford to be discovered.

She quickly hid behind a large nearby rock, planning to wait until the person passed by before continuing to listen in.

As the person drew closer, Chu Xuan realized it was Feng Shuai.

Feng Shuai stopped under the window of Chu Dashan’s back wall.

Chu Xuan stepped out from behind the rock, startling Feng Shuai.

Feng Shuai quickly covered his mouth to stifle a cry.

Chu Xuan gestured for him to stay quiet, signaling that they should keep listening.

Feng Shuai nodded in agreement.

They heard the widow acting coy with Chu Dashan, “Dashan-ge, I really can’t guess. Please, just tell me!”

Chu Dashan chuckled, “Alright. I’ll tell you, but you have to stay with me tonight.”

“No problem. Hurry up and tell me.”

“I’m not going to save Feng Chunhua because she told me long ago that if she ever got caught, I shouldn’t waste money trying to help her. Either she’d lose her life, or she’d be released after a while. She told me to take care of the house and look after Xiao Zhi.”

“If she said that, she must have left you some money.”

“She did leave me some, but not much. Just two thousand yuan in total. If she’s only locked up for a while, I’ll have to spend it sparingly. If she dies, I’ll sell a property in the county to get more money, marry you, and have you help Xiao Zhi find a wife.”

“Dashan-ge, you’re so good to me! I’m yours for life…”

What happened next was not suitable for children, so Chu Xuan and Feng Shuai stopped listening.

After walking a short distance away, and seeing no one else around, Feng Shuai finally spoke. “Chu Xuan, what were you doing there just now?”

Chu Xuan replied without embarrassment, “I happened to be walking behind his house and overheard him talking to the widow, so I stopped to listen. What about you?”

Feng Shuai looked smug. “I heard our village widow went out early this morning, so I came to eavesdrop. I didn’t expect to hear such explosive news. Chu Dashan can’t wait for Feng Chunhua to die. Once her crime is settled, I’m definitely going to visit her and tell her exactly what Chu Dashan said.”

“Feng Chunhua treasures Chu Zhi the most. If you lead him astray, it’ll be a heavy blow to her, right?”

“Thanks for the reminder. I can’t promise anything else, but I can definitely make sure Chu Zhi eats, drinks, gambles, and womanizes. Anyway, it’s time for me to go to work!”

Feng Shuai hurried off.

Chu Xuan watched his back, the corners of her mouth lifting. In her previous life, Feng Chunhua had encouraged Feng Shuai to corrupt Xiao Feng. In this life, she’d let Feng Shuai corrupt Chu Zhi instead!

Let Feng Chunhua experience what it’s like when the family member she cares about most turns into a troublemaker and ends up behind bars!

She believed Feng Shuai would do a great job.

She hadn’t told Feng Shuai about the possibility of Feng Ti overturning the case; once things settled, Min Yi and the others would definitely contact him—there was no need for her to say anything.

After her walk, Chu Xuan didn’t rush home but went straight to Mu Chenze’s house.

She relayed everything she’d overheard in detail.

After listening, Mu Chenze concluded, “Feng Chunhua and Liang Shi had already colluded. If anything happened, one would take the fall while the other survived. Looks like they had more plans. I’ll call Min Yi.”

He made to leave, but Chu Xuan stopped him. “I’ll make the call. You need to stay in bed and rest. I promise I’ll explain everything clearly.”

“Alright! Here, write down his phone number…”

Chu Xuan memorized the number and headed to the village office.

When she arrived, only Accountant Wen was there.

He tactfully left to give Chu Xuan privacy to make her call.

Soon, Chu Xuan dialed Min Yi’s number.

“Hello, Comrade Min, this is Chu Xuan. I have something to tell you…”

She explained everything in detail.

After listening, Min Yi was even more convinced that there was some kind of tacit understanding between Feng Chunhua and Liang Shi.

“Chu Xuan, thank you for letting me know about this…”

Before he could finish, a colleague burst into the office. Min Yi covered the receiver.

The colleague whispered something to him.

He nodded to show he understood.

After the colleague left, he returned to the phone. “I have some unfortunate news for you. The old Chinese doctor treating Qin Xuehong was killed by Liang Shi. I need to go and find out the details. I’ll hang up for now.”

Chu Xuan was shocked.

Wasn’t Liang Shi supposed to be in the hospital, fighting for his life? How did he get the chance to kill the old doctor?

Now, with no one to treat Qin Xuehong, didn’t that mean her chances of waking up were almost zero?

Clearly, Qin Xuehong was crucial.

She needed to go to the city herself.

She didn’t want Mu Chenze to get dragged into this, so she decided to keep it from him for now.

She went home to use the bathroom, said a quick word to her younger brother, took the anti-cut clothing that had finished drying from the clothesline and put it in her bag.

She changed into older clothes with more pockets, took some money, and set out.

Two hours later, she arrived in the city.

Outside the emergency room at the city hospital, she saw Min Yi and his colleague.

“Comrade Min, are they trying to save the old doctor?”

“No. The old doctor is already dead. They’re trying to save Liang Shi. Before he died, the old doctor used silver needles to strike Liang Shi’s death point. Liang Shi deserves to die, but he still has many secrets we haven’t uncovered, so we have to try to save him.”

“He killed the old doctor to prevent Qin Xuehong from waking up, right?”

“That’s my guess. But his explanation is that the old doctor was his superior, and he didn’t want to take orders anymore, so he killed him. He also said the old doctor could have revived Qin Xuehong with just nine needles, but claimed it would take about a year of treatment—one, to get more money from the Qin family, and two, to buy more time for him. Now he says he’s had a change of heart and wants to confess everything, begging us to save him.”

Chu Xuan was shocked. “But before, the old doctor smelled something on him and identified him. How could they be in cahoots? He’s definitely framing the old doctor!”

Liang Shi really would stop at nothing, using every trick in the book—utterly despicable…

Just then, the emergency room doors opened and the doctor came out.

With deep regret, he said, “The patient, Liang Shi, could not be saved.”

Liang Shi was dead, so the focus of the investigation shifted to Feng Chunhua.

When Feng Chunhua heard about Liang Shi, she fainted on the spot.

After donating the anti-cut clothing, Chu Xuan didn’t stay in the city to wait for more news.

An hour and a half later, she arrived at the town.

Her bicycle was still in the backyard of Uncle Long’s shop.

She went to get it and took the opportunity to tell Uncle Long about Liang Shi’s death.

Uncle Long listened, deep in thought.

After a long while, he finally spoke. “Maybe Liang Shi let himself die on purpose, to protect someone important to him.”

Chu Xuan nodded in agreement. “With his death, many secrets will be buried with him. Feng Chunhua probably doesn’t know that much.”

“Exactly. But Feng Chunhua isn’t much of a threat—she’ll definitely be locked up for a few years. Go home and wait patiently for the results!”

“Alright. Uncle Long, thank you so much for your help these past days. Here, take this money to treat your men.”

As she spoke, Chu Xuan pulled out a thick wad of ten-yuan bills from her pocket.

Uncle Long glanced at it and immediately knew there were a hundred bills.

He pretended to be angry. “Are you treating me like an outsider? Put that away!”

He firmly refused to take it.

He shooed Chu Xuan away on her bike.

Unable to change his mind, Chu Xuan had to give up on giving him the money.

After watching her leave, Uncle Long muttered under his breath, “What I owed Xiao Yun, I’ll repay to her daughter.”

Ten minutes later, Chu Xuan arrived at the village entrance and saw Chu Zhi, his face bandaged and leaning on crutches, standing there as if waiting for someone.

She pretended not to see him.

Chu Zhi called out to her. “Chu Xuan, I need to talk to you.”

Chu Xuan braked and put her feet down to balance. “What is it?”

Chu Zhi hesitated, unable to get a word out.

Chu Xuan rolled her eyes at him. “I’m busy! If you have something to say, spit it out!”"

"**Chapter 174: The Mu Family Pays a Visit**

October 29, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

Chu Zhi looked utterly humiliated.

“You really saw my dad getting involved with a widow? I went home and asked him, but he denied it. Feng Shuai said you passed by at the time, too.”

Chu Xuan hadn’t expected Feng Shuai to act so quickly.

Seeing Chu Zhi in such a sorry state did make her happy, but she didn’t show it.

Instead, she put on a serious face. “You came to ask me, aren’t you afraid I’ll badmouth your dad on purpose? I suggest you find out for yourself. That widow is from Feng Shuai’s village. But I’d advise you not to go there—just wait in our village and see what happens. Otherwise, the Pan family won’t let you off. I heard Pan Xiaoli’s brother is still bedridden after you beat him up, and their family has been looking for a chance to get back at you.”

At the mention of the Pan family, Chu Zhi’s face twisted with resentment. “I’m not afraid of them! Feng Shuai said he’ll protect me. He’s the best fighter in their village.”

“Suit yourself. Are you waiting for Feng Shuai?”

“That’s right. He’s gone to hire a cart. He’ll take me to his house to stay for a while. My aunt will look after me.”

His aunt was Feng Shuai’s mother.

“Didn’t your mom cut ties with the Feng family? How can you expect your aunt to take care of you?”

“My mom was misled by bad people. The city security team already called Feng Shuai to say my uncle, Feng Ti, was wrongly accused—he didn’t steal from us. The money they found was planted by someone else.”

“Oh, I see. Well, you wait here then. I’m heading home.”

Chu Xuan got on her bike to leave, but Chu Zhi called out to her again.

“Wait, Chu Xuan, don’t you hate my dad? Want to help me catch him and that widow in the act?”

Chu Xuan smiled calmly. “There’s nothing between me and your family anymore. We’re like two wells that don’t interfere with each other. There’s no love or hate left. I’m not interested in what you’re talking about.”

She waved and rode away.

With Feng Shuai around, Chu Zhi’s days ahead would definitely not be easy.

That was something Chu Xuan was happy to see.

When she got home and put down her bike, Chu Xuan realized she’d been so lost in thought on the way back that she’d forgotten to buy meat and vegetables.

It was a little after three in the afternoon. Xiao Feng wasn’t home yet—school wasn’t out.

Chu Xuan went to the bathroom, washed her hands, and was about to lie down in her bedroom for a bit.

Just then, Qin Mahua and Fu Qing arrived with gifts, followed by Gao Meijuan and Miao Dacui, all smiling from ear to ear.

They had come to “deliver the dates”—that is, to present three auspicious dates for the engagement, written on red paper, for Chu Xuan to choose from.

Chu Xuan invited them to sit inside.

Fu Qing put the gifts in the kitchen, washed her hands, and then joined them in Chu Xuan’s bedroom.

Chu Xuan made each of them a cup of honey water.

Fu Qing, beaming, handed over the red paper with the engagement dates. Chu Xuan took it with a smile.

When she opened it, she saw all the dates were in November:

November 6th, November 8th, and November 9th.

Qin Mahua personally explained the meaning behind each date: “A lifetime of smooth sailing, a lifetime of prosperity, and a love that lasts forever.”

The dates were close together—Chu Xuan could tell the Mu family wanted to get her and Mu Chenze engaged as soon as possible.

She handed the paper to Gao Meijuan and said softly, “Grandma Gao, you’ve always treated me like your own granddaughter. Why don’t you pick for me?”

Gao Meijuan grinned. “Xiao Xuan, because I see you as my own, I want to respect your wishes. You choose.”

Miao Dacui gave Chu Xuan an encouraging look. “That’s right. We’re your family, and we support whatever you decide. Grandpa Wang couldn’t come because he’s busy at the food factory, but he respects your choice too.”

Chu Xuan felt a warm glow in her heart. She nodded to them, then turned to Qin Mahua. “Aunt Qin, I’ll pick the ‘love that lasts forever’ date.”

Qin Mahua had guessed that, as a girl, Chu Xuan would be a bit reserved and choose the last date. Luckily, the dates were only a few days apart.

“Alright, we’ll go with your choice. November 9th will be your engagement to Xiao Ze. As for the wedding date, Xiao Xuan, you should pick that too.”

She gestured to Fu Qing to hand over another red paper.

Chu Xuan hoped her mother could be present when the wedding date was set.

So she stopped Fu Qing. “Sister-in-law, let’s not rush.”

Then she took Qin Mahua’s hand. “Auntie, to tell you the truth, my mom should be able to come back to the village next month. When she’s back, could you and she decide the wedding date together? She had her reasons for leaving back then.”

Strictly speaking, since Tian Xiaoyun had left Chu Xuan and her brother behind, no one would blame Chu Xuan for making her own decisions about the engagement and wedding. But Chu Xuan still wanted her mother to handle the wedding date.

If Tian Xiaoyun was willing to stay and help with the wedding, all the better.

At the mention of Tian Xiaoyun, Gao Meijuan couldn’t help but wipe away a tear. “Xiao Xuan is right. Xiaoyun had her reasons for leaving. I asked her about it on the phone—she said she’ll tell me everything when she’s back.”

Qin Mahua squeezed Chu Xuan’s hand. “Alright! I believe anyone who had to live under Feng Chunhua’s thumb must have had their reasons for leaving.”

Fu Qing nodded in understanding.

They chatted a little longer, then got up to leave.

Before she left, Qin Mahua reminded Chu Xuan to bring Xiao Feng over for dinner that evening.

Gao Meijuan’s family would be there too.

They’d celebrate setting the engagement date together.

Chu Xuan readily agreed.

After seeing them out, Chu Xuan checked over the gifts from Aunt Qin’s family.

There were six items in total:

Two bags of wedding candies, six jin of pork, two boxes of tea, two bags of wedding pastries, two live mandarin fish, and two live chickens—a rooster and a hen.

Chu Xuan put the chickens in a big basket to raise them.

She put the fish in a wooden tub of water—they’d live for a few days.

She divided the pork into three portions: one jin, two jin, and three jin.

She kept one jin for herself, planning to mince it for wontons the next morning—she and her little brother would eat some, and the rest would go to Mu Chenze’s family.

She kept a share of the pastries and candies as well.

The three-jin piece of pork she planned to give to Liu Zhaodi’s family—Mu Xing had just been discharged from the hospital, and Chu Xuan wanted to visit her.

The remaining pork, pastries, and candies would go to Grandma Gao’s family.

She locked the gate, put the three-jin pork in a bamboo basket, covered it with a floral cloth, and headed to Liu Zhaodi’s house.

When she arrived, she saw Mu Xing.

Mu Xing looked well, even a bit plumper than before her surgery.

Liu Zhaodi wasn’t home—she was at the food factory.

Er Leng and San Leng were at school, so only Mu Xing was home.

Mu Xing brought out a variety of homemade fried balls—sweet potato, potato, vegetable, and so on—to treat Chu Xuan.

After tasting them, Chu Xuan thought they were delicious and suggested Mu Xing try selling them at the town or county market.

Mu Xing immediately understood and was very grateful.

When Chu Xuan got up to leave, Mu Xing insisted on giving her a big bowl of the fried balls, putting them in the bamboo basket.

Chu Xuan couldn’t refuse, so she accepted them.

Mu Xing’s family was struggling financially, and Chu Xuan felt bad taking so much food—it was basically a whole meal for them.

Before leaving, Chu Xuan forced five yuan into Mu Xing’s hand for nutrition, then hurried off with the basket, afraid Mu Xing would chase after her to return the money.

Mu Xing watched Chu Xuan’s departing figure, wiping away tears of gratitude.

When Chu Xuan got home, she set down the big bowl of fried balls, then put the wedding pastries, candies, and the two-jin piece of pork in the basket and headed to Gao Meijuan’s house.

She hadn’t gotten far when a strange man stopped her. “Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Mu Xing’s house?”

Chu Xuan looked him over. He was in his thirties. She hadn’t seen him in her previous life, so she didn’t know if he was good or bad. “How are you related to her? What’s your name?”

Mu Xing was a widow raising three kids on her own—it was important to ask before taking him over."