"Oh my, this wild boar is huge! Let's go, let's quickly carry it to the square and notify everyone to distribute the pork!"
Someone came over, patted the boar's back, and exclaimed.
"Impressive, He Chen. It's not easy to still hunt such a large wild boar on this hillside."
He Chen pursed his lips, prepared to say that the boar was almost dead already, but he instinctively glanced at Ye Manman, catching her crescent moon-like smiling eyes.
His heart skipped a beat, and he forgot what he was about to say.
"Let's tie it up and carry it back to the village."
He was usually a man of few words, and no one minded since everyone was focused on the wild boar now.
Now it's harvest season, the busiest time of the year is approaching, and every household usually doesn't have much meat to eat. The appearance of this wild boar delighted everyone.
Even if they can't get much meat, at least there'll be some meat to replenish their bodies.
It seemed like everyone forgot what they came here for.
Ye Manman glanced at Yang Xiumei, feeling that there was something wrong with her suddenly leading people up the mountain, especially when she mentioned the rascal.
Wondering what conspiracy it was today.
Being cautious, Ye Manman silently followed the group carrying the boar down the mountain.
Upon reaching the square, those who were meant to be at work came over and lined up, the scene bustling and lively.
"I wondered why this guy suddenly took a machete up the mountain, leaving his crops unattended, and here he actually hunted such a big boar."
"He Chen's luck is truly good, I thought there were no wild boars left on the mountain, we hardly ever even see a hare, yet there's such a big guy hidden."
"Yeah, yeah, I wonder how much meat each family will get."
"..."
The audience debated enthusiastically as the team leader spoke up.
"This wild boar is very big, each family will get a share, divided by headcount, line up starting from the village entrance. But He Chen hunted the boar, he picks first, no objections, right?"
"No objections! Of course, no objections!"
"If it weren't for He Chen, we wouldn't be eating meat, no objections, hurry and divide!"
Seeing everyone quickly line up, the team leader patted He Chen's arm.
"You're the strongest, why don't you be the main butcher? But this pork division is tough work, later on, your family will get a few extra pounds."
He Chen lowered his eyes, intending to argue that the boar's appearance had nothing to do with him, it's not even like he killed it...
He glanced at Ye Manman in the crowd, wanting to tell the truth, but saw only her tilting head and curious expression, her big bright eyes looking at him as if watching a new show...
So he could only lower his head to seriously carve the pork, planning to take the extra portion to her later.
Better not ruin her reputation.
Ye Manman was indeed curious. She had never seen such a scene; it was lively and novel.
Moreover, He Chen was quite large, and when he exerted force, his arm muscles would bulge, sweat mixed with blood creeping along his wheat-colored skin, creating a wild beauty.
She squinted her eyes.
Dividing the boar meat took a lot of time, and Ye Manman felt tired, so she went home early; she was just watching for novelty, truly watching the whole bloody scene felt nasty.
After all, the weather was very hot, the boar blood exposed to the air quickly smelled fishy, and Ye Manman worried the smell would stick to her and wouldn't wash off.
The Ye Family was very poor, they didn't even have soap. They usually used soapberry, rice water, or something for bathing, not only ineffective at removing dirt but also quite troublesome.
Just thinking about when to go to the town's supply and marketing cooperative to buy some soap, Ye Xiaotong and Mr. and Mrs. Ye came back carrying meat.
"Ah, finally we get to eat meat, right during harvest, we can replenish ourselves."
Yang Xiumei happily carried the meat into the house but froze a bit upon seeing Ye Manman, slapped her thigh, and exclaimed.
"Right, I've been so busy; I forgot to ask, didn't that rascal bully you? That kid roams the village all day long; I was worried about you getting bullied. As soon as I found out that punk went up the mountain, I rushed to gather the folks with weapons to flush him out, luckily nothing happened."
She spoke earnestly, yet Ye Manman merely silently looked at her and smiled softly.
"You talk like you're good friends with that rascal, knowing when others go up the mountain while working in the fields, impressive."
Her tone was flat, but Yang Xiumei was indignant.
"How can you speak so sharply? My well-meaning act went wrong? Serving as a stepmother is tough, I shouldn't have worried about you! I'll see what happens if you get bullied and cry when you come back."
As she spoke, she seemed to remember something else and asked confusedly.
"Speaking of, what's the deal with that He Family's kid and you, what were you two doing up the mountain?"
Ye Manman shot her a glance and returned to her room, "None of your business."
As she exited, Yang Xiumei nearly flipped the table in anger.
"Truly outrageous, she's just an ungrateful ingrate, so sinful!"
In the evening, Ye Manman ate dishes with meat, feeling a bit more energized, planning to go outside for a walk to cool down. She stepped out but heard voices by the courtyard wall.
"You gotta return my money!"
"It's not my fault, I was about to act when the wild boar appeared, what could I do, wouldn't you run too? Anyway, the money is mine now, don't think about taking it back."
The woman's voice sounded familiar, as Ye Manman edged closer, discovering it was Ye Xiaotong and a skinny man arguing in the corner.
"No way, you failed, you must return my money!"
Ye Xiaotong seemed to want to grab his wallet, but the man caught her and pushed her against the wall, chuckling.
"You got some assets, lady, feels good! Heh heh, if you dare ask for money again, I wouldn't mind getting with you... hmm?"
"Pervert!"
Ye Xiaotong tried to hit him but got shoved aside and the man spoke more viciously.
"I'm a pervert by nature; you're the one who came to me. You got a cruel heart, hurting your own sister; it's not my fault, just your bad luck."
This man must be the rascal, what despicable words and actions.
Ye Manman didn't linger and turned away.
Speculating is one thing, seeing with your own eyes is another.
Suddenly, Ye Manman thought what's written in the IOU is still too little; the original female lead is even more poisonous than she thought.
Another sleepless night of discomfort passed. The next day Ye Manman slept in until eight or nine. As soon as she stepped out, she saw smiling faces in the room, as if some happy event occurred.
She didn't speak.
But seeing her come out, Yang Xiumei smiled even brighter.
"Oh, Manman woke up! Just in time to tell you some great news. This morning I ran into He Family's kid's aunt outside; she's worried about He Chen's marriage. I thought you should get married too."
She started winking again.
"It's perfect, you two seem to get along, and they're willing to give fifty bucks as dowry. Your sister is also getting married, I thought we might as well hold them on the same day to celebrate."
The doubts in Ye Manman's heart dispersed.
She had been wondering what made them so happy, turns out this was it.
Taking a sip of water, Ye Manman found it cold and astringent, almost unpleasant, so she put it down.
"Marriage is fine, but I'll take the dowry with me."