Chapter 15: The Lion’s Mouth Opens

When the villagers received this news, they were instantly thrown into a panic. Those whose homes were closer to the valley quickly moved, relocating from the northernmost part of the village to the southernmost, with some families even moving to other villages altogether.

Because of this, within just a few years, Dahei Village had shifted southward by several miles.

And this deep valley thus gained its name—Soul-Summoning Valley.

Only Wen Jiuyue’s family remained in their original location, as her husband didn’t believe the rumors. Unexpectedly, several years later, this man died unexpectedly.

Although the true cause of death was drowning in a deep ditch during a sudden rainstorm on his way back from seeing a patient in another village—it was late at night and he slipped—the villagers directly attributed the accident to the malevolence of Soul-Summoning Valley.

Wen Jiuyue and her husband had no relatives. They had been married for many years without having any children. The sudden loss of her husband, her only companion, was an unimaginable blow to Wen Jiuyue.

The villagers thought that after this incident, Wen Jiuyue would choose to move away, but she stubbornly stayed.

Unknown to others, with her husband’s death, Wen Jiuyue’s heart was buried with him. She even hoped that the evil spirit of Soul-Summoning Valley would one day claim her, taking her to her husband.

Even if the Soul-Summoning Valley didn’t take her, she couldn’t bear to leave, because this was the home where she and her husband had lived together for nearly twenty years.

Of course, even if she wanted to move, she lacked the financial means and physical strength to do so.

Since her husband’s death, she had never been afraid, but because of the cold and lonely atmosphere, she suddenly felt timid.

“Grandma Wen, don’t be afraid. There are no snake spirits in that valley; on the contrary, it’s a treasure trove. But this is our secret, and we must never let anyone else know.

Wait for me to sell those treasures I found, and once I’ve left the Leng family, I’ll build you a big house, and you’ll eat well and wear the most beautiful clothes.”

This was Leng You’s lifelong regret, a debt she wanted to repay Wen Jiuyue. She wanted to take good care of this kind and unfortunate woman.

“Youyou, you mean… you really want to live with Grandma Wen in the future? You… you really want to leave that home?” Wen Jiuyue stood up abruptly, her face full of surprise as she looked at Leng You.

Although Leng You had expressed this wish on the day she fell into the deep valley and was rescued by Xiang Wentian, Wen Jiuyue always believed it was a casual remark made under extreme shock. Even though it stirred her heart, she didn’t dare to hope too much.

Now, seeing Leng You’s serious expression, knowing that this child had truly made a decision, her heart trembled uncontrollably, making her voice tremble as well.

“Grandma Wen is the person who loves me most in the world; I want to be with Grandma Wen forever.” Leng You didn’t dare to express herself too much, after all, this body was still young.

“That’s wonderful, wonderful! I… I…

I’ll go to the Leng family to talk to them as soon as it gets light tomorrow. Don’t worry, Grandma Wen will definitely get you, and I won’t let them beat or abuse you again.

That’s wonderful… simply wonderful!”

Wen Jiuyue spoke excitedly and incoherently.

Lonely for most of her life, she had given up on life, but heaven suddenly sent her a ray of light, giving her hope again.

“Grandma Wen, don’t worry, lest they make things difficult for you. Brother will find a way.” Leng You temporarily pushed the matter onto Xiang Wentian.

How could she leave that home so easily? For Leng You, sparing those evil people would be the greatest punishment to herself.

Moreover, given the extremely despicable nature of the Leng family, they would certainly take this opportunity to make exorbitant demands of Wen Jiuyue.

This is what happened in her past life. Wen Jiuyue had negotiated with the Leng family several times about adopting Leng You, and the Leng family, from initially hinting at a price, eventually set a price—two hundred yuan, not a cent less.

Let alone two hundred yuan, even two yuan was impossible for Wen Jiuyue, who struggled to afford food. Two hundred yuan was an astronomical sum she could never afford even if she sold everything she owned.

In the end, Wen Jiuyue had to sadly give up on adopting Leng You.

This time, Leng You had already made up her mind, not only to free Wen Jiuyue from the burden of two hundred yuan, but also to make the Leng family beg Wen Jiuyue to take her away.

“Xiaotian has a good idea?” Clearly, Wen Jiuyue had strong trust in Xiang Wentian.

Because her husband was a barefoot doctor, she had come into contact with all kinds of people, so she had a certain level of discernment.

In her eyes, this child was extraordinary. Born in Pingdu, he possessed a broader perspective and knowledge than his peers. He was calm, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, and decisive—qualities that many adults lacked.

She was certain that this child would achieve great things in the future.

“Yes.” Leng You nodded.

“Okay, then let’s wait until Xiaotian gets results. If not, I’ll go to the Leng family myself.” Knowing the Leng family’s character, Wen Jiuyue didn’t doubt Leng You’s words at all.

Xiang Wentian came even earlier the next day, first clearing the snow from the roof and courtyard.

After breakfast, he carried Leng You and left.

“You must be careful!” Wen Jiuyue stood anxiously at the doorway, repeatedly shouting her warnings to the two figures that were already fading into the distance.

She had originally offered to go into the valley with the two children, but they both refused.

“When do you plan to leave the Leng family?” Xiang Wentian tilted his head slightly so that Leng You, who was on his back, could hear him more clearly.

When he saw him that morning, Wen Jiuyue had asked about this matter, and learned that Leng You said he had a way to solve it.

In fact, the little girl had never mentioned this to him before.

Xiang Wentian quickly understood that Leng You must have a plan.

He wasn’t surprised.

But he promised Wen Jiuyue that before returning to Pingdu, he would ensure Leng You’s successful adoption.

“When will brother return to Pingdu?” Leng You suddenly asked.

“Originally planned for two months.” Xiang Wentian didn’t finish his sentence.

Leng You’s special appearance in his life might change this plan.

“What’s the plan now?” Leng You understood what Xiang Wentian meant.

“Maybe three months.” This was the maximum time Xiang Wentian could stay. He had special responsibilities and missions that could not be changed.

But he wouldn’t leave peacefully without completely resolving Leng You’s problem.

“Before brother returns to Pingdu.” Leng You glanced in the direction of the Leng family’s home, her eyes once again dark and cold.

“I’ll help you.” Because of the angle, Leng You didn’t see the cold light in Xiang Wentian’s pupils, which was even more intense than the raging wind and snow.

How could he forgive such abuse of a weak and helpless child?