Chapter 80: Trouble Brewing?

After asking her question, Chu Xuan glanced at Mu Chenze.

She noticed the bright smile on his face, radiating a unique charm.

She quickly looked away and, while clenching her fist, pinched herself—reminding herself to stay clear-headed and rational, not to be swayed by his charm.

Mu Chenze noticed her little gesture. “Why are you clenching your fist? Did your hands cramp up from gathering seafood?”

Chu Xuan thought the excuse he offered was pretty good. “Yeah! Both my hands are a bit cramped.”

She opened and closed her hands a few times, repeating the motion.

Mu Chenze believed her. “I have some ointment at home that helps with fatigue. I’ll give you a tube later.”

Chu Xuan quickly waved her hands. “No need, I’m much better now. Let’s get back to business!”

Mu Chenze didn’t insist about the ointment. “Here’s the thing: I asked a friend to send over a batch of men’s Dacron shirts, both short and long-sleeved. They’re still at the post office in town. If you’re free this afternoon, come with me to town to sell them? For every shirt you sell, I’ll give you a two-yuan commission.”

“In town?” Chu Xuan looked apologetic. “I’m afraid I can’t help. I promised Xiao Feng I’d go to the county seat this afternoon to sell grilled fish snacks. How about we go together? Men’s shirts will definitely sell well in the county. Oh, and Aunt Liu from town has been wanting to stock up—can we set aside twenty or so shirts for her?”

“Sure, we can. Let’s sell them in the county, then. If Xiao Feng helps sell shirts, I won’t give him a commission, but if he sells more than ten, I’ll give him a small-sized Dacron shirt.”

“He’ll definitely be happier with the shirt.”

The two chatted as they walked the mountain path back to the village, and before they knew it, they’d reached the entrance.

Neither of them planned to sell today’s seafood haul. Apart from the sea duck and bass, Mu Chenze took half of the rest.

As for the sea duck, Mu Chenze really only took two yuan for it.

They agreed to meet at the post office at 2:30, then went home separately.

When Chu Xuan entered her yard, she smelled the aroma of food—no need to ask, lunch was ready.

She set down her basket and handed the duck to Widow Niu.

“Aunt Niu, let’s have a special dinner again tonight. Could you butcher it before five?”

Widow Niu looked pained. “Let’s keep it for a few days! We all know how good you are to us. We just had stewed sea duck yesterday, and there’s kelp in your basket—why not stir-fry or stew kelp tonight instead?”

The others chimed in, saying they didn’t want sea duck again tonight and wanted a change—kelp for a new flavor.

Chu Xuan patted her basket. “There’s plenty of seafood in here for dinner tonight.”

Widow Niu moved aside the kelp and saw razor clams, bass, sea snails, and octopus. “Xuan, you’ve had great luck gathering seafood these days!”

Chu Xuan smiled calmly. “Just lucky, that’s all. Aunt Niu, call everyone to eat—I’m going to wash up.”

Qin Mahua and Fu Qing stayed silent. They knew Chu Xuan had found a lot of razor clams and sold them to Mu Chenze for a good price, but they didn’t say a word about it.

It wouldn’t do Chu Xuan any good if word got out.

Before going to her room, Chu Xuan glanced at Liu Zhaodi.

Liu Zhaodi was focused on cleaning fish, still showing no intention of talking to her.

At 1 p.m., after lunch, everyone went back to cleaning fish.

Chu Xuan found a clean basket, lined it with white cloth, packed up thirty jin of grilled fish snacks, said goodbye to everyone, and left with her little brother.

Even when Chu Xuan wasn’t home, everyone kept busy—cleaning fish, fetching water, tending the grill, all as usual.

By 2 p.m., all the skinned fish were processed and marinating.

The yard was spotless.

Except for Miao Dacui, who stayed to watch the grill, everyone else left.

Liu Zhaodi headed home, but when no one was watching, she detoured to Feng Chunhua’s house.

She didn’t notice Widow Niu quietly following her.

That morning, Chu Xuan had specifically asked Widow Niu to tail Liu Zhaodi—just watch and listen, don’t alert her.

When Liu Zhaodi arrived at Feng Chunhua’s, she saw the gate half-open and went straight in.

Feng Chunhua, sitting in the shade, jumped up when she saw Liu Zhaodi, grabbed her hand, and said, “Let’s talk inside.”

Liu Zhaodi nodded.

Widow Niu, being bold, sneaked into the yard after they went inside and hid under the window to eavesdrop.

Luckily, Chu Zhi and Chu Dashan weren’t home, making it easier for Widow Niu.

“Granny Feng, what do you need me to do?”

Feng Chunhua curled her lip, looking disdainful. “Money really is something. It even gets you to call me Granny Feng instead of old hag.”

Liu Zhaodi gave an awkward smile.

Feng Chunhua muttered, “Such a stick-in-the-mud. But that’s good—gets things done.”

She opened her wardrobe and took out a palm-sized enamel jar with a lid.

She opened it, revealing a paper packet inside.

“Zhaodi! Take this powder and sprinkle it evenly over Chu Xuan’s grilled fish snacks this afternoon!”

Liu Zhaodi recoiled in fear. “What…what is this? It’s not poison, is it?”

Feng Chunhua sat down with a sly grin, revealing yellow teeth. “Of course not. It’s croton powder—it’ll give people diarrhea. It won’t kill anyone, don’t worry! I just want to ruin Chu Xuan’s business.”

Liu Zhaodi let out a long breath, stepped forward, and picked up the packet. At the same time, she held out her hand to Feng Chunhua. “Give me another four hundred yuan, or I won’t have the guts to do it.”

Feng Chunhua looked relaxed. “Then I’ll find someone else. Give me back the hundred-yuan deposit!”

She gestured for Liu Zhaodi to hand over the money, thinking she was easy to handle.

But Liu Zhaodi decisively put the packet back, took out a wad of cash totaling a hundred yuan, and handed it to Feng Chunhua.

She turned to leave.

Feng Chunhua grabbed her. “Don’t be so hasty! Let’s talk. How about this: I’ll give you three hundred now, and seven hundred more when it’s done…”

“No. It has to be five hundred. If my mom didn’t need money for medicine, I wouldn’t risk helping you.”

Seeing how firm Liu Zhaodi was, Feng Chunhua had to give in.

She pulled out a thick wad of ten-yuan notes, counted out forty, and slapped them into Liu Zhaodi’s hand along with the hundred she’d just returned. “Count it!”

Liu Zhaodi’s hands trembled. “First time I’ve seen so much money. I can hardly believe it.”

She counted the money, confirmed it was five hundred, and stuffed it into her right pocket.

She picked up the packet again and put it in her left pocket. “I promise I’ll sprinkle the powder on the grilled fish snacks this afternoon. Whether Chu Xuan’s business fails or not, you still have to give me the other five hundred.”

Feng Chunhua immediately objected. “No way! I have to see her business ruined before I pay the rest.”

Outside, Widow Niu slipped away without listening further.

Once she was somewhere safe, she stomped her foot furiously. If Liu Zhaodi dared to poison the food, she’d be the first to deal with her!

Her son wasn’t home today—he’d be staying at his uncle’s.

So Widow Niu didn’t bother going home to rest. She went straight to Chu Xuan’s place to fetch water and chop firewood, so she’d be free to keep an eye on Liu Zhaodi later.

Miao Dacui was surprised to see Widow Niu show up early. Before she could ask, Widow Niu explained, “My kid’s not home, and I can’t sit still. Thought I’d come help out.”

Miao Dacui didn’t think much of it.

By now, Chu Xuan and her brother had arrived at the post office and met up with Mu Chenze.

The handsome face Mu Chenze usually wore was now clouded with worry.

Chu Xuan stepped forward. “Is there a problem with the goods?”"