C15 Chapter 15

“B-Big Sis-in-law…” Chen Yongxing felt a stab of guilt at Wan Qiqi’s words. “Big Sis-in-law, I’m sorry. This is my fault…” He explained what had happened from start to finish, then lowered his head in shame.

Wan Qiqi waved it off, helpless but calm. “It’s fine. You were trying to do what’s best for the family.”

She was used to eating white rice, and it was cheaper at the market, so she’d swapped for white rice without a second thought.

She just hadn’t expected that these days, people couldn’t bear to eat white rice at all. They’d rather trade for brown rice so it would last a few more days.

In the end, it was her own lack of foresight that had led to this mess.

With a loud bang, the yard gate was shoved open. The door couldn’t take it—its panel toppled onto the hard-packed dirt, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Chen Yongliang rushed in, panic written all over his face. He ran straight to Chen Yongxing, circled him once to check him over, then asked, “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s just the grain… it’s gone.” Chen Yongxing dropped his head even lower.

Chen Yongnian propped the fallen door back up, set down the basket under the eaves, and grabbed the hatchet from the corner. “We’ll eat some wild greens today. I’ll go chop some firewood. Tomorrow morning, I’ll head into town early, sell it for a little cash, and buy some grain.”

Watching him, Wan Qiqi grabbed the basket and hurried after him. “I’ll go with you. We can pick some wild greens up in the hills.”

She was still thinking about the crabs in the creek—she wanted to catch a few more to eat. Wild ones had to taste better than anything farm-raised.

Chen Yongnian didn’t refuse, and the two of them headed up into the hills together.

They split up to work. Chen Yongnian chopped and gathered greens nearby, while Wan Qiqi looked like she was picking wild vegetables—when she was really hunting for crabs.

Chen Yongnian only glanced back now and then to make sure she was safe. He didn’t pay attention to what she was doing, assuming she’d just come along to keep him company.

Wan Qiqi was having a blast flipping rocks and grabbing crabs, secretly thrilled—she’d caught a few especially fat ones.

Even though selling it would bring in a lot of money, she still wanted to keep some to try. After all, that wild greens porridge with its bitter edge went down hard.

Danger crept in without a sound. Wan Qiqi was happily holding a big crab when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a snake coiled beside a rock. She didn’t dare move.

Her breathing turned shallow and fast, her scalp prickling. She’d been terrified by a snake as a kid, so the sight of one made her legs go weak. Even a lizard could make her jump.

After Chen Yongnian finished tying branches together with vine, he noticed the creek had gone quiet.

His expression changed. He dropped the machete and sprinted toward the water.

He pushed through the brush and immediately saw it: one woman, one snake, and one crab locked in a standoff.

The snake flicked its tongue, staring at Wan Qiqi and the crab thrashing in her hand. No one moved. The air held still.

Wan Qiqi caught sight of Chen Yongnian, like she’d just found a lifeline.

Her lips moved, but no sound came out—she was afraid that if she made a noise, the snake would lunge and bite her.

Chen Yongnian showed not a trace of fear. If anything, a spark flashed in his eyes. Barehanded, he crept toward the snake with careful, quiet steps.

Wan Qiqi thought, What is he doing? Isn’t he going to grab a weapon?

Watching him close in, her heart clenched—terrified of the snake, and just as worried about what he was about to do.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Yongnian lunged.

Fast as lightning, he clamped one hand around the snake’s head and pinned the rest of it with the other, locking it down in a firm grip.

Only when she saw the snake restrained did Wan Qiqi’s heart ease from her throat, though it still hammered in her chest.

Chen Yongnian flashed a grin. “Honey, tomorrow we’ll sell this snake and buy some grain!”

Wan Qiqi nodded, her mind still foggy. Not thinking about anything else, she hurried down the mountain.

She didn’t want to run into a second snake!

Chen Yongnian frowned, thinking, What’s going on with my wife? Why does she look so upset?

When Chen Yongliang saw Wan Qiqi come back, he wanted to ask why she was alone.

Before he could get the words out, the door slammed shut with a bang, leaving only a toppled basket on the floor as a few “Eight-foot Insects” crawled out.