Chapter 28 – Shen Junmei’s Dilemma

But this time, she couldn’t help but wonder—if it were Ruan Jiaojiao, that “little hussy” she often scolded, how would she deal with such a situation?

That fierce little thing would probably beat Fu Jun until he puked up last night’s dinner, right?

The more she thought about it, the more Shen Junmei actually laughed.

But then, her smile froze—heavens above, did she just think Ruan Jiaojiao was… cute? Was she going insane?

Shen Junmei shook her head.

After breakfast, she noticed that Jindan was sneaking out.

“In this heavy snow? Where are you going? Today’s New Year’s Eve, a lot of people are visiting graves. Don’t run off too far!”

Tomorrow would be the first day of the new year, today was the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the night of New Year’s Eve.

The custom in Shanjiao Village was to go to the graves of deceased family members on New Year’s Eve, burn some paper money to wish them peace in the afterlife, and ask for their blessing and protection.

The villagers were superstitious, believing that half-grown children like Jindan had pure souls that could see all kinds of “unclean things,” making them easy to possess.

Last year, a little girl had gone to the graveyard to sneak food offerings from the dead. Afterward, she went home and sang opera day and night, with perfect posture and tone—yet no one had ever taught her.

The villagers all said she’d been possessed by an opera ghost.

But that wasn’t the scariest part. The scariest thing was that her grandmother believed the rumor. Fearing the ghost would harm others in the village, she took the girl to the river while doing laundry. Only the grandmother came back.

When asked about her granddaughter, she said the river had swept her away.

Her daughter-in-law fell gravely ill afterward, but the grandmother still didn’t think she was at fault. She believed the ghost had cursed the girl’s mother and even felt lucky that she had “taken care” of the girl early on.

Ghosts were terrifying—but even more terrifying were human hearts and the gossip of villagers.

Jindan said, “Don’t worry about me. I’m just going to Old Liu’s at the east end of the village. I’ll be back before dark!”

Then he bolted.

Shen Junmei knew she couldn’t control her son, but… Old Liu?

She froze. Old Liu was a trafficker, a violent man.

He was in his forties, had already taken six wives—each prettier and more educated than the last—but all of them had been kidnapped by him.

Some ran away, those who couldn’t were crippled. None lived long.

He was cruel. If he couldn’t afford to raise the children his wives bore, he secretly swapped them with city children, letting his own live better lives.

Then he’d bring the swapped city children back and use them as slaves.

But how could little kids survive his abuse? They usually died soon.

Many had reported him, but there was never hard evidence. Plus, Shanjiao Village was too remote, and his kidnappings had been years ago. The case was left unresolved.

Still, Jindan seemed quite close with Old Liu, often hanging out with him.

This time though, as Jindan ran out, he kept glancing back at Fu Ting’s house.

A chilling thought crept into Shen Junmei’s mind. Could it be that her son was—

But her subconscious whispered: Don’t interfere.

Hadn’t she always been jealous of Fu Ting’s family? If they lost their children, she ought to feel happy!

Without their two precious boys, Ruan Jiaojiao wouldn’t be living so well. She and Fu Ting would grow apart. Maybe Fu Ting would even start beating her like Fu Jun did to his own wife.

Yes. That way, Shen Junmei wouldn’t have to envy Ruan Jiaojiao anymore. Instead, Jiaojiao would become the laughingstock of the village.

So, she shouldn’t warn them. Pretend she saw nothing, knew nothing, and just go on with her own chores.

Yet, while doing laundry, she found herself distracted—she even washed one garment twice!

Her mouth said “don’t interfere,” but her ears strained toward the neighbors’ house, listening for movement.

So Dabao and Xiaobao were helping Jiaojiao hang the laundry? Tsk, those little brats were so filial. Not like her Jindan, who spent all day running wild, bound to become a thug like Old Liu one day.

Those two pretty, obedient kids—they’d fetch a high price.

If Dabao and Xiaobao were sold to city families, they’d get to eat meat every day and live comfortably. In a way, wasn’t she actually helping them?

That thought eased the guilt in her heart.

But then she imagined if they couldn’t be sold, they’d be crippled instead—arms and legs broken, turned into little beggars on the streets…

That would hurt. They might even die.

Shen Junmei smacked her head, scolding herself to stop thinking. She just needed to mind her own business. So she deliberately found something else to do.

“Steamed corn buns! Stop overthinking!”

Muttering to herself, she headed for the kitchen. But the kitchen… was right next to Fu Ting’s house.

—

Meanwhile, in Fu Ting’s home.

“Mama, Heidan told me and Xiaobao to go to the back mountain. He said there are lots of black chickens there and we should catch them.”

Dabao came running to Ruan Jiaojiao.

Jiaojiao smiled and asked, “And do you want to go?”

“Of course not! Why would he be so nice for no reason—definitely up to no good! He even told us not to tell the adults, said he wanted to surprise you and Daddy!”

Jiaojiao rubbed her forehead. “The saying goes: ‘When someone fawns on you for no reason, they’re either a thief or a crook.’ But Dabao, your awareness is excellent. Not like a certain chubby little one who probably got tempted already, hmm?”

That “chubby one,” Xiaobao, immediately flushed, covering his face with pudgy arms—she’d hit the nail on the head.

These days, Xiaobao had grown even rounder under their care. The meat on his cheeks jiggled when he moved.

“Xiaobao just wanted to give Daddy and Mama some nourishment! Sister Douhua said so! She said men should eat black chicken—it makes them strong and… vigorous!”

Jiaojiao: “…”

Damn it, kids really do speak without filters.

No wonder the village children matured so early—already being led astray!

“Xiaobao, you can’t believe everything Sister Douhua says, okay?”

“Then when should I believe her, and when shouldn’t I…”

“Uh…”

Honestly, Jiaojiao didn’t know either.

In this backward place, you couldn’t control what kids were exposed to. Who knew what might influence them?

She really had to find a way to get them into the city for proper schooling.

“So Mama, should we go tell Heidan we’re not going to the mountain?” Dabao asked again.

“No need. That boy’s motives aren’t pure. Just pretend you didn’t hear him. Today, you’ll stay with Mama and help wrap dumplings, okay?”