Chapter 8: Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Alas!

Wen Yanyan sighed inwardly. These children all saw her as a terrifying monster.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m saving you. If we waste time, you’ll suffocate.”

Without a second thought, she extended her strong arm, grabbing the boy’s slender wrist. With a gentle tug and a clasp, he was trapped in her broad embrace like a chick.

He couldn’t escape.

At this moment, her large frame proved advantageous; strength doesn’t betray you.

A fist the size of a bowl pressed against his stomach, her other hand clenching the fist.

She squeezed hard, once, twice, three times…

Pfft!

An orange-flavored candy dropped from the child’s mouth onto the ground.

“Wah!”

The little boy, having narrowly escaped death, sat on the ground, wiping his tears and sobbing uncontrollably from fright.

His cries attracted many people, who came rushing over…

Wen Yanyan, having saved a life so soon after arriving in the 1970s, felt naturally elated, a warm smile gracing her chubby face.

However…

“Wen Yanyan! You’re too much! Last time you stole my laying hen, and now you’re bullying my child! I… I’ll fight you today!”

A woman suddenly rushed forward, raising her hand high to slap her.

Huh?

Wen Yanyan quickly raised her hand, seizing the woman’s wrist, and sharply said,

“Sister Huang, can you please see clearly before you speak!”

This woman was Huang Shuying, the wife of Instructor Xu from the army.

So, the child who had just choked was hers?

“How can I see clearly?! If you weren’t bullying him, would he be crying? He’s only five years old, Wen Yanyan, you’re inhuman!”

Huang Shuying tried to pull her hand back, but lacked the strength, her hand stopping comically in mid-air.

“You’re being unreasonable. I have things to do, so figure it out yourself.”

Seeing the growing crowd, Wen Yanyan knew she had to leave.

She flung the woman’s hand away, saying, “Excuse me.”

She parted the crowd with one hand, went to the tree, picked up her things, and went home.

To say she wasn’t upset would be a lie; her kindness had been repaid with ingratitude.

But she didn’t regret it.

Saving a life is better than building seven pagodas, even if she had to do it again, she would still save him.

Wen Yanyan also felt apologetic. The hen she had stolen earlier belonged to Sister Huang.

No wonder she was so angry.

In the kitchen, after putting away her newly purchased necessities, she sprinkled salt evenly over the wild bracken.

Now the vegetables wouldn’t spoil.

Then, she fished out the mushrooms from the basin of cold water, chopped scallions and garlic, preparing to stir-fry.

At this time, she glanced at the iron stove by the wall.

Hmm?

Why was there a fire in the stove?

Didn’t they have gas tanks in the 1970s?

No matter, she was a versatile person; she knew how to light a stove.

A happy life beckoned joyfully.

She went to the yard, got some firewood, lit the stove, and picked up the spatula.

Pour in the oil! Add the scallions! Add the ingredients! Then add the salt and MSG!

Sizzle sizzle sizzle, she flipped the ingredients expertly!

Done!

Wen Yanyan smiled, setting the table for dinner.

This was the first dish she had cooked in the 1970s! Yummy! It looked, smelled, and tasted delicious! So fragrant!

However…

After only two bites, she heard a “knock knock” at the door.

Hmm?

Who could it be?

Wen Yanyan put down her chopsticks, walked to the door, and opened it curiously. When she saw who it was, the image of a raised hand flashed through her mind.

“Sister Huang, is something the matter?”

Huang Shuying stood there with her hands behind her back, her expression sheepish, her eyes flickering.

“Yanzi, I’m sorry about earlier. I misunderstood. The child explained everything, and it was you who saved his life. Take this, keep it.”

She moved her hands from behind her back and shoved a lively long-haired chicken into Wen Yanyan’s arms before turning to leave.

“Hey? Sister Huang, I can’t accept this chicken, please take it back.”

Wen Yanyan was flustered.

She absolutely couldn’t accept this chicken. If she remembered correctly, families were only allowed to raise two chickens.

She had already “borrowed” one; this chicken was Sister Huang’s last.

Wen Yanyan quickly pressed Huang Shuying’s shoulder, pulling her back, perhaps a little too forcefully.

Huang Shuying stumbled back several steps, and Wen Yanyan took the opportunity to return the chicken.

“Sister, please take it. Keep this chicken to lay eggs for your children. I don’t need anything.”

Huh?

Huang Shuying looked at the chicken in her arms, then looked up, surprised at the smiling woman before her, her gaze exceptionally complex.

Wen Yanyan smiled again.

“Sister Huang, don’t think too much about it. Anyone would have helped in that situation. It was a small thing, don’t worry about it.”

“Yanzi.”

Huang Shuying finally came to her senses.

“We haven’t known each other long, and I’ve heard a lot of gossip about you before. Today, I finally know you’re a good person. Appearances can be deceiving, that saying is so true.”

Uh uh uh?

Wen Yanyan almost bit her tongue.