Chapter 11

After lunch, Meng Yingying headed to the mountain to gather medicinal herbs, with the children tagging along.

Seeing them about to leave, Zhan Tingxu hurried out as well, afraid they might leave him behind.

“Where are you going?”

Meng Yingying replied, “Up the mountain to collect herbs.”

Without thinking, Zhan Tingxu said, “I’ll go with you.”

Meng Yingying didn’t refuse and simply let him follow.

As they walked, Zhan Tingxu asked curiously, “Are there really still herbs on the mountain?”

Meng Yingying explained, “I grow them myself. Buying them at the pharmacy is too expensive, so I plant my own.”

There was a hill in the village under Zhan Tingxu’s name. Meng Yingying had planted herbs there mainly to treat her own illness. If there were extras, she could sell them.

At that moment, Tingting piped up: “A while back, some uncles bullied our mom so badly that she cried!”

Hearing this, Zhan Tingxu’s heart ached. He pulled Meng Yingying into his arms. “You cried?”

Meng Yingying tried to push him away, but he was stronger. She gave up struggling.

Previously, Zhan Tingxu’s brothers had refused to let her use the hill, even pulling out all her herbs. In anger, she uprooted the vegetables in their gardens.

They realized she could be fierce when provoked and stopped bothering her.

Zhan Tingxu approved of her actions. Otherwise, she’d have no way to protect herself. He only hated that he hadn’t been there to shield her.

Thinking of this, he held her even tighter.

Meng Yingying looked unconcerned. “That’s all in the past.”

But the more she tried to act strong, the more distressed Zhan Tingxu felt.

While digging for herbs, Zhan Tingxu tried to help but was too impatient, making more trouble than progress.

Even the three children knew better:
“Uncle, you have to pull the herb like this — don’t yank it out by the roots!”
“Uncle, just pick the leaves on that one! Don’t pull the whole stem!”

Flustered, Zhan Tingxu quickly apologized, “Sorry! Daddy messed it up again.”

Meng Yingying couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.

Seeing her smile for the first time in years, Zhan Tingxu was captivated, staring at her without blinking.

Bathed in soft sunlight, her face bloomed like a flower. He hadn’t seen her smile in four years.

Noticing his gaze, Meng Yingying shot him a shy, playful glance. “What are you staring at me for?”

Zhan Tingxu answered seriously, “Because you’re beautiful.”

A-Liang chimed in matter-of-factly, “Of course! Mommy’s the most beautiful in the world!”

After collecting herbs, the family went back down the mountain.

Zhan Tingxu carried the basket in one hand while holding Meng Yingying’s hand with the other. She held the children’s hands in turn.

Meng Yingying glanced at his firm grip but didn’t bother to pull away.

Back home, Meng Yingying spread the herbs on a rack to dry.

Zhan Tingxu tried to help, but she stopped him. “You’ll just ruin them again. I’ll do it myself.”

He stood by, watching and learning, determined to help his wife next time.

When it came time to cook dinner, he went to pick vegetables from the garden.

While Meng Yingying was drying the herbs, Li Yanhong suddenly appeared. Seeing Zhan Tingxu gone, she looked surprised.

“Why isn’t Brother Zhan sticking to your side?”

Hadn’t he always followed her around like glue? Was he already tired of her?

Li Yanhong secretly gloated at the thought.

Meng Yingying said flatly, “He went to pick vegetables.”

Li Yanhong looked disappointed, then noticed the drying herbs. “Sister-in-law, are you sick? Why are you drying herbs?”

Meng Yingying ignored her, but she kept prattling on.

“I heard you were critically ill before. But you look fine now — your lips are rosier than mine! Anyone would think you’re wearing lipstick.”

Meng Yingying didn’t even lift her eyes. “I’m much better now.”

“You’re out of danger?” Li Yanhong feigned surprise.

“Yes.”

So she wasn’t going to die?

Li Yanhong felt a pang of disappointment.

Meng Yingying glanced at her. “Why do you look like that disappoints you?”

Could it be that she wanted to take over her body so badly?

Had Li Yanhong been using other people’s bodies for so long she thought they were hers?

“No, no! I’m happy for you, Sister-in-law…” Li Yanhong forced a laugh, but it sounded hollow.

Truthfully, she was disappointed — she still wanted Meng Yingying’s body.

She’d just have to find a way to get rid of her. Then she could take over. In others’ eyes, Meng Yingying wouldn’t even be dead.

With that thought, Li Yanhong’s guilt eased.

She said sweetly, “Sister-in-law, there are so many river shrimp by the river right now. Everyone’s picking them up — aren’t you going too?”

Meng Yingying was tempted. “Really?”

“Of course! If you don’t hurry, there’ll be none left.”

Remembering that the children loved shrimp, Meng Yingying grabbed a bucket and prepared to leave.

The three kids came running after her. “Mommy, where are you going?”

“I’m going to the river for a bit.”

“Mommy, we want to come too!”

But Meng Yingying refused. “No, stay home and behave. I’ll be back soon.”

She didn’t trust the riverbanks to be safe for children.

“Okay… Mommy, come back early!” The kids were disappointed but stayed home obediently.

To keep them from wandering, she closed the gate behind her.

At the riverbank, there were indeed many people collecting shrimp.

Meng Yingying buried herself in gathering them. Li Fang called out, but she ignored her.

“Well, well, Yingying! Didn’t expect you here. Where’s Fourth Brother? Why isn’t he with you?”

Meng Yingying stayed silent, and the women began gossiping.

“Must be that Fourth Brother’s tired of her! Who’d want to wait on a sickly woman all day? I’d be fed up too!”
“Serves her right! Without Fourth Brother protecting her, let’s see how long she acts all high and mighty!”

Meng Yingying acted like she didn’t hear, continuing to pick shrimp.

There were indeed plenty — after a recent rain, the river rose and receded, leaving shrimp stranded.

In no time, she had gathered a good haul.

Just as she crouched down near the water, someone passing by suddenly shoved her hard into the river.

With a loud splash, Meng Yingying fell in unprepared, thrashing in panic and shouting for help.

“Help! Somebody help me!”

But everyone was too busy collecting shrimp to notice what was happening.