Chapter 2: Did She Commit Suicide to Follow Her Husband or Was She Murdered?
Mrs. Bai smiled at the village chief's wife and said, Sister Liang, it's fine if just my sister-in-law and I stay here. Why don't you go back and take care of your things?
The village chief's wife waved her hand, half laughing. No rush. Minghai hasn't invited Doctor Jiang yet. When he comes, someone has to pay for the consultation and medicine. If I don't pay first, how will Mrs. Xu have the strength to go get it herself?
What then? Would you, Mrs. Bai, or you, Mrs. Zhang, be willing to pay in advance?
Mrs. Bai suddenly felt a bit embarrassed and secretly irritated what a meddlesome woman!
Aunt Zhuer quickly brought over a bowl of egg soup. I let it cool down. It's warm enough to drink. Come on, Zhichun, drink it while it's hot.
Aunt Zhuer and the village chief's wife helped the weak girl sit up and fed her from a bowl. Neither Zhang nor Bai could do anything.
Zhang was happy to be idle, while Bai narrow-minded and overthinking sat gloomily, lost in her thoughts.
Xu Zhichun was starving. Dizzy from blood loss, her hands and feet trembled violently, yet she didn't refuse. She thanked them and began to gulp the soup down.
After finishing a large bowl of thick egg soup, warmth slowly returned to her limbs, and her head stopped spinning.
Seeing that she looked better, the chief's wife and Aunt Zhuer were overjoyed.
Aunt Zhuer smiled. Mrs. Liang really knows what she's doing. Look at Zhichun she's already looking much better.
Finally, Liang Minghai arrived with Doctor Jiang. The village chief, Uncle Liang, Second Uncle Liang, and other relatives were still present. After a few polite greetings, they quickly invited the doctor to examine Xu Zhichun.
Doctor Jiang checked her and said she had simply lost too much blood. With some medicine on her head and arm wounds, good food, and rest, she'd recover in a few days.
On the way, he listened to Liang Minghai explain how Xu Zhichun had gotten injured. Impressed, he reduced most of the medical fees. Only the external ointment wasn't homemade it was from the county clinic. He charged forty cents.
The elder and second uncles' families grimaced in pain at the mention of money, only relaxing once the village chief's wife paid the bill.
Thank goodness they didn't have to pay first.
Aunt Zhuer took the medicine and applied it to Xu Zhichun. With nothing else to do, everyone soon left.
Before leaving, Doctor Jiang hesitated, then advised, Your niece is still young. It's better to live than to die. Don't do anything foolish again.
The chief's wife added, Yes, if you ever face hardship, just come talk to us. Don't act rashly.
Xu Zhichun nodded. I won't do that again. I'll stay strong and raise Mingxuan well. Only then will I be worthy of Minglang.
Sometimes, saying the right thing and showing resolve was necessary life ahead was still long.
The chief's wife smiled. That's the spirit!
The uncles' families also nodded approvingly. Good, that's good.
Doctor Jiang added indifferently, By the way, although she survived, recovery won't be easy. With that much blood loss, even the wind can make her faint. When you go to work in the mountains, avoid standing in the wind or near high cliffs. The gusts on ridges and ledges are dangerous stay away from them.
The injuries from jumping off a cliff willingly and being pushed are subtly different. Doctor Jiang suspected the latter but couldn't prove it. There was no evidence, so he kept his thoughts to himself.
Even when he hinted at it, Xu Zhichun seemed completely oblivious perhaps due to her head injury.
To others, it looked like she really believed she'd jumped to follow her husband in death.
But Doctor Jiang trusted his instincts.
That was all he could say.
Xu Zhichun's heart stirred faintly, as though she'd almost grasped something but it slipped away.
She nodded. Thank you, Doctor Jiang. I'll remember that.
After seeing the doctor and guests off, Xu Zhichun finally had time to comfort her young brother-in-law, Liang Mingxuan.
The ten-year-old studied at a private school in nearby Quanshan Village. Bright, handsome, and dressed in a light green Confucian robe, he carried himself like a young scholar. His clear, steady eyes reflected wisdom far beyond his years everyone who met him believed he was destined for a brilliant future.
This natural scholarly aura was rare indeed.
Everyone in the village knew the boy would not remain ordinary. Many envied his family.
But now, with Liang Minglang's death, Mingxuan was suddenly an orphan, and Xu Zhichun a widow. Their future was uncertain.
Though the two uncle's families had taken advantage before, they hadn't dared go too far. Now… who could say?
Xu Zhichun smiled faintly, patting the side of the bed, motioning for Mingxuan to come closer.
Mingxuan, don't worry. I'm here. I'll support your studies, and we'll go on with our lives together. I'm fine now. Will you go to school tomorrow, or rest a few more days?
Liang Minglang's death had been five days ago. The boy had been close to his brother who knew if he'd recovered? So young, yet burdened with so much. Maybe it was best for him to rest.
Mingxuan's eyes reddened. Suddenly, he threw himself into Xu Zhichun's arms, trembling.
Xu Zhichun sighed inwardly. For all his intelligence, he was only ten. He must be terrified. If his sister-in-law had died too, he'd have been left completely alone.
As for those uncles and aunts ? Parasites, all of them.
If he lived with them, even if the chief forced them to send him to school, life would be miserable. His land and inheritance would surely be taken.
If they didn't ruin him outright, they'd raise him only to claim lifelong filial repayment once he succeeded.
After a long moment, Mingxuan whispered hoarsely, Sister-in-law, don't die. Don't… leave me.
No, no, I definitely won't.
Really?
Of course, really.
Seeing he was still shaken, Xu Zhichun said softly, How about you rest at home a few more days before going back to school?
Mingxuan, worried for her, nodded. Okay.
Xu Zhichun comforted him for a long time. Aunt Zhuer brought her the medicine, and soon after drinking it, Xu Zhichun fell into a deep sleep.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself standing in a massive dockyard. The docks were deserted, lined with countless warehouses.
Naturally, she pushed open one of the doors and stepped inside. The warehouse was filled with sacks of rice and wheat. Her eyes lit up she opened a bag and grabbed a handful of snowy white rice.
Suddenly, her consciousness trembled, and she opened her eyes again still in her bed.
The rice in her hand was gone.
Was it all just a dream?
But that place was it a port warehouse that belonged only to her?
Joy surged through her chest. With a sudden realization, she focused again returning to the docks, eager to explore what lay inside the other warehouses.
(End of Chapter)