Chapter 28: Fell into the Toilet

Thanks to her improved skiing skills, the return journey was faster than the trip there.

Wen Jiuyue was speechless, shocked for the nth time, as she watched Leng You and Xiang Wentian pull out various fabrics, needles, thread, cotton, and other items from a burlap sack.

“Grandma Wen’s quilt is too thin, and her clothes are too flimsy. Grandpa Xiang and Grandpa Bai’s clothes aren’t enough either. We’ll use these to make quilts, cotton-padded clothes, and undergarments, so everyone will be warm,” explained Leng You, revealing the reason for buying so much cotton and fabric.

Wen Jiuyue gave Leng You all her clothes except the ones she was wearing to be remade into padded garments. Every time she saw Wen Jiuyue return from outside, shivering and her face blue with cold, Leng You felt a mix of emotions.

Xiang Huaixin and Bai Changpu, regardless of winter or summer, always wore the same set of clothes – faded and patched beyond recognition. In winter, their hands, feet, and even ears were covered in frostbite; in summer, they were drenched in sweat and plagued with prickly heat. It was heartbreaking to see.

“You, my dear, thoughtful child,” Wen Jiuyue hugged Leng You tightly, tears streaming down her face.

Initially, it was her innate kindness that prompted her boundless compassion and heartache for the child, a desire to help her escape hardship with her meager resources.

Gradually, however, she realized that this child was her salvation, her reason for living, and perhaps, her future support.

It was still early, so Leng You and Xiang Wentian went down to the valley.

“Are you going to sell these herbs too?” Putting another hundred-year-old human-shaped Polygonum multiflorum next to him, Xiang Wentian looked at the mountain-like pile of Gastrodia elata, Dendrobium officinale, American ginseng, etc., and lamented that so many herbs might not bring as much money as selling a ginseng.

“Yes, I want to save more money to build a house for Grandma Wen,” Leng You replied, unwilling to sell the ginseng. She believed those ginseng roots might be useful later. The valley held enough treasures to support her and Wen Jiuyue.

“Have you considered that building a house isn’t just a matter of money? Will anyone dare to take on this job?” Xiang Wentian pointed out a crucial issue.

“I was planning to go to the county town to find someone,” Leng You’s voice softened.

“Even if someone in the county town is bold enough to take the job, or if someone unaware of the situation agrees to build the house, can you guarantee that the valley’s secret won’t be discovered?” Xiang Wentian looked at Leng You.

“But Grandma Wen’s house can hardly last another summer,” Leng You frowned.

“Leave this to me!” Xiang Wentian couldn’t bear to see Leng You troubled.

“What are you planning to do?” Leng You couldn’t imagine what solution Xiang Wentian had.

“You’ll find out then,” Xiang Wentian’s expression offered no clues.

After digging up a large pile of herbs, they caught over a dozen rabbits, removed more than twenty pheasants from snares, and about thirty quails.

“Brother, I’ll climb up myself,” Leng You insisted this time.

“Alright!” Xiang Wentian hesitated before finally agreeing.

He carried nothing, only securely tying a rope around Leng You’s waist, the other end fastened to his own. He followed closely behind, ready to protect her at any moment.

Leng You showed no fear; instead, she loved this new and exciting sensation. The agility and flexibility were unlike anything she’d experienced in her past life.

Under Xiang Wentian’s guidance, she precisely grasped each suitable foothold, climbing swiftly and lightly to the top of the valley. Unseen, Xiang Wentian watched, full of admiration and amazement.

“Can I climb up and down the valley by myself from now on?” Leng You eagerly sought Xiang Wentian’s approval.

“Yes!” Xiang Wentian finally nodded.

Xiang Wentian made two more trips to the valley bottom, carrying up the day’s harvest.

Back at Wen Jiuyue’s house, they met Xiang Huaixin and Bai Changpu at the door. Wen Jiuyue had informed them the day before that they would be having stewed pheasant and rice that night.

Finally, dinnertime arrived, and the two men barely restrained their saliva as they arrived on time.

“These are extremely precious herbs. Although not as valuable as ginseng, they are all top-grade and can fetch a high price,” Bai Changpu said, his eyes sparkling as he examined the herbs.

“There’s too much game! We can’t possibly eat all of this,” Xiang Huaixin and Bai Changpu clearly weren’t on the same wavelength.

“These are to be sold,” Leng You explained, having already discussed with Xiang Wentian the plan to gather more items before the snow melted to exchange for money and purchase necessities for the year. Otherwise, travel would be severely hampered after the snow melted.

“To think that at such a young age, You already knows how to consider livelihood issues. Wonderful! She’s certainly destined for great achievements,” Xiang Huaixin praised repeatedly.

“Naturally, my disciple, Bai Changpu’s teachings can’t go wrong,” Bai Changpu boasted proudly.

Dinner was served quickly, and no one spoke.

Only after the meal did Bai Changpu recount the day’s events.

“Today, that scoundrel Leng Tiezhu came looking for me, begging me to treat his son—You’s father,” Bai Changpu said, looking at Leng You.

Everyone’s gaze fell on Leng You.

She remained impassive, as if listening to a stranger’s story. This coldness only made her more heartbreaking. What immense hurt could cause a child to feel nothing for her own father?

Xiang Wentian even detected a surge of intense hatred in the slight ripple of Leng You’s eyes. He clenched his fists, feeling more than ever that everything he did was worthwhile.

“Leng Shugen is sick?” Wen Jiuyue didn’t interact with anyone in the village and rarely left home, so she was always behind on, or completely unaware of, village news.

“Not just Leng Shugen, everyone in the Leng family except You’s slightly slow-witted older sister is sick. Leng Tiezhu is also barely holding on,” Bai Changpu said with satisfaction.

“Everyone? How could that be such a coincidence? What illness?” Wen Jiuyue asked curiously.

“Karma,” Xiang Huaixin added.

“More or less. It’s quite interesting, actually. It’s said that last night, Leng Shugen and Ma Dahua were accompanying You’s older brother and younger sister to the toilet when they encountered a death spirit.

At first, Leng Shugen and Ma Dahua thought they were seeing things, but You’s older brother—what was his name… right, Goushengzi—saw clearly. He said the dark shadow had blue flames and ‘whoosh’ flew over their heads. When they rubbed their eyes to look again, it was gone.

Goushengzi reacted for a while before his legs gave way, and he yelled, ‘Mama!’ and fell directly into the latrine.

You’s younger sister, Xiaodanzi, was the unluckiest. Besides being scared by the so-called ‘ghost,’ she was also scared by Goushengzi and fell into the latrine as well.”