Chapter 27 Fishy Smell

While performing the Golden Rooster pose, Liu Tao suddenly faltered. She turned to look around and said, “What’s that?”

That shadow darted back just as Su Niannian spoke up. When Liu Tao walked over to investigate, there was no sign of anything unusual. She rushed back to Su Niannian, panting, “You must be seeing things! I hear there are wild chickens around here — it’s not strange for something to make a bit of noise. Too bad I was a step slow, or I might have gotten us a nice meal.”

Unlike Su Niannian, whose cooking skills were poor, Liu Tao was quite proficient in the kitchen. Su Niannian’s expression grew solemn. She was sure that the shadow belonged to a person. Everyone in the troupe knew that the two of them were rehearsing their dance here — no one voluntarily came to watch or interrupt — which meant the person was not someone from their group. Furthermore, it was a local person from the farm. What their motives were remained unclear.

Su Niannian tucked the pigtails resting on her chest back over her shoulder. “It’s late. Let’s go back and rest.”

“Not going to practice more?”

“No.”

Liu Tao was left confused. Wasn’t this the person who insisted they’d need at least two hours of practice to perform in perfect synchronization? Now, all of a sudden, they were calling it a night. What’s more, Su Niannian hadn’t even taken her army-issue canteen — a rare item that was hard to come by, even with money — back with her. Liu Tao used a great deal of self-control to keep from looking back.

The two soon disappeared into the night’s silence.

After a moment, a black shadow darted out from the nearby grass and sneaked toward the army canteen. The person’s rough, shaky hand was just about to reach it when a delicate, fair hand fell upon their shoulder. Su Niannian’s calm voice came from behind: “Who are you?”

Startled, the shadow turned around. The person was just as shocked, freezing in disbelief. “It’s… you?”

Su Zhaodi hurriedly grabbed the canteen from the ground and handed it back to them. Her voice was nervous and hoarse: “Here… your things.”

Liu Tao rushed forward and took back the canteen. At that moment, a foul smell wafted through the air. Liu Tao covered her nose. “Ah… what’s that awful smell?”

Su Zhaodi trembled. Su Niannian’s gaze slowly slid down from her face — the dirty nails, the tattered clothes, the disheveled hair — everything spoke to something abnormal. She pressed her lips together and asked quietly, “What’s going on?”

Tears fell from Su Zhaodi’s eyes. She fell to her knees, tugging at Su Niannian’s pant leg. “Niannian… please… save me! I really can’t go on…”

“？”

In Su Zhaodi’s disjointed account, Su Niannian slowly came to understand: after falling pregnant, Su Zhaodi was forced by Wang Guifen to be married off to a family deep in the mountains. At first, the man treated her well, but he turned abusive after realizing that the child was not his. He forced her to work like an ox or a horse, forbade her from contacting her family, and even broke her leg to keep her from running away. The chance to escape was nearly impossible — especially in a place where women were often purchased and kept, and even the police turned a blind eye.

When the agricultural team was busy with its routines, a group of locals came down the hill to watch the performance — Su Zhaodi slipped away alongside them. When she saw her sister in uniform, her eyes filled with tears. “Niannian, please… save me… I know you’re someone with ability… you made it to the Xie family… you put on this uniform… as long as you wish, you can get me out of here…”

Su Niannian stiffened. She turned to look at Liu Tao, who was a short distance away. “If you want to escape, you must avoid letting anyone discover our relation.”

“I…”— a spark of hope appeared in Su Zhaodi’s eyes as she stood up.

Just then, a few large, rough men came after her, rushed forward in two or three strides, and dealt her a heavy slap, grabbing her by the arm and tugging her away while cursing: “Who told you to come out, you useless woman! Is all the corn dried yet? Lazy! Worthless creature!”

Su Zhaodi bit down hard on her back teeth. She kept up the appearance of a breakdown, not a word escaping her lips. After they had gone, Liu Tao patted her own chest in alarm. “Those people are terrifying! Niannian, you’re not really thinking about saving her, are you? To be frank, our team won’t allow us to get involved. Furthermore, I hear that many women are bought from outside. The police can’t do much about it — their roots are deep…”

“Who said I’m going to get involved? Keep rehearsing.” Su Niannian’s faint smile held a chilling calm. She and Su Zhaodi were not close, but their shared blood meant she was destined to aid her — provided Su Zhaodi could first save herself.

The following morning, after staying up rehearsing until midnight, their bodies were stiff and sore when they rose. Su Niannian darted out of their temporary grass hut and saw Liu Tao excitedly holding up two grass carp. “Niannian, we’re in for a treat! The farm team emptied their nets and gifted us these two big fish.”

The fish were meant for the troupe’s meal. The team made do with simple ingredients — pickling the fish with chili — but Liu Tao, with her honeyed words, secured for herself and Su Niannian two generous fish heads. Naturally raised, the freshwater fish were rich in flavor — normally a real treat — yet after taking a few bites, Su Niannian felt a rush of nausea. She covered her mouth, looking ill.

Liu Tao, still happily busy with her meal, paused. “What’s the matter?”

“Don’t you… think it’s a little… fishy?” Su Niannian asked quietly, following her own senses.

Liu Tao burst out laughing. She lowered her voice and said, “Miss, country food is just like this — a little fishy. If you want to eat, eat; if you don’t, I’ll gladly help myself.” With a few quick moves, Liu Tao transfered the rest of the fish to her own bowl. As a form of compensation, she even rushed outside and bought two sticks of mint-flavored popsicles for Su Niannian, to ease the queasy feeling in her stomach. The sweet liquid cooled her down, and the discomfort gradually passed — just as the farm’s evening performance was about to begin…