Chapter 34 Praised

Though people nowadays weren’t supposed to believe in feudal superstitions, rural folk living near graveyards couldn’t help but be a little mystical about such things.

And Grandma Xue had once saved a whole family from the neighboring village—

That family’s daughter-in-law had given birth to several boys, but each one died within just a few months.

The household was shrouded in gloom, no one even had the heart to eat.

Later, the daughter-in-law got pregnant again, but instead of joy, everyone was heavy-hearted. They knew this was bound to be another boy who wouldn’t survive.

Sure enough, after ten months of pregnancy, she gave birth to a boy.

In another family, the grandparents and father would have been ecstatic. But in this household, they weren’t happy at all. They would rather it had been a girl—at least a girl had some chance of living.

Hearing that Grandma Xue knew something about these mystical matters, the daughter-in-law, still weak and bleeding after childbirth, carried the newborn to her.

The woman knelt before Grandma Xue, tears streaming down her face: “Immortal, please save my child…”

Grandma Xue placed the baby on the bed and told the woman to fetch five iron nails. She drove them into the air above the baby’s head, between the fingers, and between the toes.

Miraculously, the baby lived. The family was endlessly grateful. They even named the child “Dingzhu” (Nailed Fast).

Grandma Xue’s reputation spread from then on. Whenever something went wrong in people’s homes, they would come to her.

So Pingtou took Zhaodi to see Grandma Xue.

Inside the inner room, Grandma Xue examined Zhaodi, while outside Pingtou chatted with Grandma Xue’s crippled son, who sat in a wheelchair.

In the room, Zhaodi clutched Grandma Xue’s arm and whispered:
“Grandma, my second aunt is Ruan Jiaojiao. She told me to beg you for help. My husband can’t… but I want to trick him into thinking I’m pregnant. Tomorrow I’ll bring you a gift. Would that be alright?”

Zhaodi had never met Grandma Xue before, but she assumed someone like this “immortal” would disapprove of lies.

To her surprise, Grandma Xue was very open-minded. She stroked Zhaodi’s short, freshly cut, glossy black hair and said:
“Good girl, you’ve suffered enough. Don’t worry, I’ll help you, and I ask for nothing in return. Just remember—whatever path you choose, never regret today’s decision. Whether you succeed or fail, don’t forget your true heart.”

Zhaodi thought, No wonder she’s considered divine. Just those words alone calmed me so much.

“Grandma, don’t worry, I’ll remember.”

“Good.”

So Grandma Xue held Zhaodi’s hand and came out, smiling brightly at Pingtou.
“Go home and take good care of your wife. She’s carrying a son—a lucky son. If this were ancient times, he’d be destined to be emperor. In modern times, he’ll still shine brightly.”

“But… his fate is too powerful, so it will drain both father and mother. Ordinary doctors won’t even be able to detect his existence.”

“You must cherish your wife. Children with such strong destinies are hard to raise. If he’s born, he’ll be a dragon among men. If he’s not, he’ll drag your whole family down with him!”

Grandma Xue spoke with conviction, not even blushing at the lie.

Zhaodi nearly burst out laughing, but Pingtou was thoroughly taken in.

The older one gets, the more one believes in these things.

Pingtou was so moved he nearly knelt before Grandma Xue.

She waved them off, telling them to go home.

Now, Pingtou not only didn’t dare boss Zhaodi around, he even carried her on his back, not letting her walk in the snow.

On his back, Zhaodi had achieved her goal, but her face no longer held the innocence of a girl.

She recalled Grandma Xue’s words—never forget your true heart.

She slowly clenched her fists.

Her true heart was—to rely only on herself.

Her natal family was unreliable. When she visited, she hadn’t brought anything for her little brother Golden Egg, so he wouldn’t even look at her. Fu Jun was greedy. Shen Junmei favored sons over daughters.

Her husband was worse still—Pingtou’s yellow teeth would be her lifelong nightmare.

The world was vast, yet behind her there was no one. If she wanted to live, she could only depend on herself.

As she looked down the road back to Pingtou’s home, the moonlight spread across the snow in sparkling brilliance.

She thought: If I don’t succeed, at least I won’t regret it.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Ruan Jiaojiao received the village head, the team leader, and several policemen.

They told her that thanks to her helping subdue Old Liu and testifying, they were able to capture him—the human trafficker.

When they first saw her, they could hardly believe this weak, slim woman had done it.

Until Ruan Jiaojiao, in front of them, snapped a stick as thick as a wrist.

Everyone: “……”

They had come to commend her, bringing lamb, pork, and several pretty spring jackets.

Soon a crowd of village women had gathered, gossiping in hushed tones. Seeing Ruan Jiaojiao not only beautiful but now also rewarded, they praised her aloud but felt secretly sour inside.

While Fu Ting was busy entertaining the guests, the team leader slipped over and whispered to Ruan Jiaojiao:
“Comrade Ruan, listen—there’s an urban return quota available this spring. I’ll reserve it for you. With what you’ve accomplished this time, you’re sure to get it.”

Return to the city?

Ruan Jiaojiao actually found life in Mountainfoot Village peaceful and comfortable. But if she could take the two children back to the city for school, that would be even better.

She didn’t expect the next words:
“Don’t worry. I know Fu Ting well. Even if you leave, he can care for the children himself. Once you’re in the city, as long as you don’t tell, who would know you were married and had kids in the countryside?”

Ruan Jiaojiao: “……??”

Before she could answer, Fu Ting came back inside.

The team leader quickly changed his tune:
“Comrade Ruan, think carefully about what I just said. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Miss it and it’s gone forever.”

Then he left.

Ruan Jiaojiao: “……” She hadn’t even managed to refuse.

When Fu Ting asked what they had been talking about, she thought it over. Knowing how jealous he was, if he learned the truth, he’d definitely be upset. Better to say nothing.

“The team leader said you’re such a tough guy, I’d better take care not to let you wear me out.”

Fu Ting: “……”

Obviously fake, but somehow his little wife looked so adorable just then. He really wanted to scoop her up, kiss her, spin her around, and kiss her again!

“I’ll go easier tonight.”

Ruan Jiaojiao: “……”

Will you ever stop?!

That evening, Ruan Jiaojiao used the meat they brought to fry crispy pork. With cumin and chili powder from her space, the fragrance was irresistible.