Xu Xiuyun had no other way out. To clear her name and avoid being branded a murderer, she could only say everything was due to jealousy. She said she had been jealous of Xu Ziyan since childhood, and after growing up, she hadn’t married as well or lived as comfortably as Xu Ziyan, which was why she wished for Xu Ziyan to meet with misfortune.
But she also emphasized that she never intended to hurt anyone, that she hadn’t lured any wild boar down the mountain. She claimed she didn’t even know if Fang Lihai would return. She just wanted Fang Lihai to think Xu Ziyan was a particularly terrible person, to make him quarrel with Xu Ziyan.
The public security officers interrogated her repeatedly, but she stuck to her story. Given there was no direct evidence that she had lured the wild boar or harmed Fang Lihai, they indeed couldn’t convict her on those charges. The only crime they could pin on her was fabricating rumors and slandering Xu Ziyan in the letter. However, this charge was relatively minor. She was only detained for three days, fined, ordered to write a self-criticism to be read publicly in the village, to apologize publicly to Fang Lihai and Xu Ziyan, and to pay Fang Lihai fifty yuan in nutritional compensation.
When the news spread back to the village, the discussions grew even more heated. Everyone said she was definitely the murderer, so why on earth had they let her come back? The villagers were quite hostile toward her. It was only after the village chief promised that if she caused any more trouble, he would send her to a labor farm for re-education that the crowd settled down.
But everyone was also looking forward to the drama, believing that Xu Ziyan and the Fang family wouldn’t let Xu Xiuyun off so easily. A life had almost been lost, and the final judgment was so light. Who wouldn’t be furious?
Actually, Xu Ziyan really wasn’t angry. Her face was expressionless, as if she was unhappy, but in her heart she thought: ‘Just as I expected, nothing serious happened. If the female lead got locked up, how could the later acts of the play go on? Wouldn’t that cause the world to collapse? Keeping her around is still useful. But from now on, her life in the village won’t be easy.’
001: ‘Serves her right for being wicked! Serves her right, serves her right!’
It was only after hearing this that Fang Lihai understood why Xu Ziyan had insisted on reporting it to the police. For the villagers, a few days of detention was a major event, a stain that would last a lifetime. Xu Xiuyun still had to live in the village, so wouldn’t her life indeed become very difficult?
As for the part about luring him back, it didn’t really affect him. While still in the army, he had shown the letter to his superior and explained that his family was fine, but someone was anonymously spreading rumors, seemingly targeting him or his family. He said he was returning to investigate the matter, and if nothing was wrong, it would just be a trip home to visit family.
So he was indifferent to the outcome, leaving everything for Xu Ziyan to handle.
However, Xu Ziyan didn’t have any immediate plans. Since Fang Lihai hadn’t died, the subsequent plot naturally couldn’t proceed. She was now just waiting for the plot points related to Xu Xiuyun taking the university entrance exam. In the meantime, she focused on writing articles and her novel, mailing them to the newspaper agency.
Only occasionally during meals, when Xu Ziyan saw the whole family sitting together so neatly, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: ‘It’s too orderly, completely at odds with the plot. Logically, Fang Lihai should be gone by now. Mother-in-law should faint, Father-in-law should fall ill from worry, and both should be completely bedridden.
‘The two kids, scared out of their wits, should take care of their grandparents every day. When the family runs out of food, they should go begging from others. And I should take the opportunity to steal all the family’s money and run away. Then the grandparents should die from illness, the two kids become wild orphans, my own parents should be gossiped about and die depressed. Finally, the two kids would meet their own tragic ends.
‘So much plot. If only we could stage a play. Like in my previous life, we could find a way to make Xu Xiuyun believe it was real, then use the fake to accomplish the mission.’
001 also sighed, ‘Yeah. After the mission is complete, even if Xu Xiuyun discovers it’s fake, it’ll be too late. It’s a pity this era isn’t suitable for such theatrics. We’ve missed out on a lot of rewards for nothing.’
Xu Ziyan sighed, shoveled a few more mouthfuls of rice, and went back to her room to write. This was something she had come to enjoy recently. Seeing her articles published in the newspaper, sparking discussions among so many people, leaving even a tiny trace in this era—it gave her a real sense of accomplishment.
Anyway, the plot was already derailed, so she might as well enjoy herself. It was the same old saying: live for the day and enjoy it. At worst, the world would collapse and they’d all go down together. It would be over in an instant, no pain involved. What was there to fear?
Song Dongbo brought Xu Xiuyun back, not speaking a single word to her the entire way. He now felt utterly unlucky. Back then, everyone said Xu Xiuyun was jinxed, a calamity star. How could he have been so foolish, so possessed, as to marry her?
Back then, he thought he’d gotten a bargain. Such a fine girl—if she hadn’t been widowed before marriage, she would never have married a divorced man like him who dabbled in the black market. Who could have known she’d cause trouble every day now? Not only had she failed to watch the child properly, letting the child get scared, but the child also had nightmares every night, crying and saying they didn’t want to be a murderer’s child.
His business had been disrupted these past few days. It was the perfect time for a big deal, the moment to strike it rich, and yet his wife had dropped the ball, constantly dragging him down. He regretted it to death.
Xu Xiuyun was on tenterhooks, terrified that Song Dongbo would divorce her. Her own family was already dissatisfied with her; they only gave her any face because Song Dongbo could make money. If Song Dongbo didn’t want her, she was finished. She wouldn’t even have a place to stand in the village. So, facing Song Dongbo, she no longer had her previous manipulative attitude. Instead, she became extremely cautious, because she had no way out.
As soon as they entered the village, Xu Xiuyun was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. She kept her head down and walked quickly, feeling as if needles were pricking her back. Listening to the villagers’ gossip, she couldn’t imagine how she would ever dare to show her face outside again in the future.
The two of them arrived home. Just as they were about to enter their yard, the gate next door swung open. Fang Mother threw a basin of water all over Xu Xiuyun, making her shriek in alarm.
Hearing the commotion, Xu Ziyan hurried out to look. She saw Fang Mother pointing at Xu Xiuyun’s nose and cursing angrily, “Whether you tried to hurt someone or not, you know the truth in your own heart. Do too many wicked, conscience-less things, and you’ll come to a bad end sooner or later. You two move out! Don’t live next door to us. I’m afraid I might accidentally get killed by you one day—”
Xu Xiuyun absolutely could not admit to this. She immediately stepped forward, crying and explaining, “Auntie, I really never meant to hurt anyone. I wouldn’t dare to hurt anyone…”
“Don’t touch me!” Fang Mother shook off her hand, then suddenly staggered a couple of steps and fainted.
Fang Father hurriedly caught her and said to Song Dongbo and Xu Xiuyun with grief, “You two move out. Move out now! After doing such a wicked thing, you still dare to put on an act here? Do you want to anger us to death? Get lost!”
Song Dongbo quickly grabbed Xu Xiuyun and snapped, “Shut up.” Then he apologized to Fang Father, his own heart pounding wildly. These two old folks had always been in poor health. What if they got so angry something happened? Wouldn’t he have to pay compensation? Xu Xiuyun really had no sense; she was constantly dragging him down.
Song Dongbo forcibly dragged Xu Xiuyun back into the house, shutting out the gossiping and disgusted glances of the crowd. Fang Lihai also carried Fang Mother inside. Xu Ziyan wet a towel and wiped Fang Mother’s face, urging, “Fang Lihai, hurry and get a doctor. No, borrow an ox cart. Let’s take her to the hospital.”
The Fang family felt a warmth in their hearts. When a situation like this, which could have fulfilled a mission, arose, Xu Ziyan didn’t even think about the mission. Instead, she was concerned about Fang Mother’s health. For this reason alone, they felt they had to treat her well.
Fang Mother grasped her hand and said, “I’m fine. I was just angry. I’ll be okay after resting a bit. I know my own body. Don’t worry.”
Fang Father nodded and also lay down on the kang. “Besides, if it’s not serious enough, will they agree to move out? Anyway, your mother and I are both anxious and furious. We’ve fallen ill and can’t get up. Just call the doctor over for a look.” He lowered his voice, “The village doctor is okay for headaches and minor fevers, but he can’t diagnose this kind of illness. He’ll believe whatever we say. We’ll use this momentum to drive them away.”
Xu Ziyan was taken aback. She hadn’t expected them to plan on pretending to be sick to force the neighbors to move. That was a great idea! Then couldn’t she accomplish a mission? She immediately rolled up her sleeves and went out, ready to put on a good show.
The doctor came and took a look. Sure enough, he said they were stricken with anger and needed complete rest. They mustn’t get angry or agitated again. He left a few pills.
Xu Ziyan directly dragged the doctor over and kicked the neighbors’ door. “Xu Xiuyun! Pay up for the medical bills! You’ve made my parents so angry they’re sick! You calamity-bringer, move out now! The sight of you makes me furious!”
The villagers who had come to watch the fun hadn’t left yet. Seeing this, they naturally joined in denouncing Xu Xiuyun. When the village chief arrived, he also frowned and advised, “Song Dongbo, look at how angry you’ve made people. This money should come from your family. There’s another house in the village. It’s a bit remote and rundown. Why don’t you move there for now? Sell this one later and build a new house.”
Song Dongbo, who had been living quite comfortably, was forced to move and was furious inside. But the trouble was all started by Xu Xiuyun. He couldn’t blame anyone else. He could only swallow his anger and accept it, but the look he gave Xu Xiuyun grew even colder.
Xu Xiuyun, however, secretly hated it all. She felt she and Xu Ziyan must be destined to clash. Otherwise, why was she getting more and more unlucky, while Xu Ziyan was doing better and better? Those two old coots didn’t get sick earlier or later, but precisely at this exact moment, and it was all blamed on her. If they had gotten sick at any other time, she could have said it was Xu Ziyan bullying them and working them to death, or that Xu Ziyan was the jinx. What a pity. Why couldn’t any of the dirty water be splashed onto Xu Ziyan?
‘Congratulations, Host, for completing two plot points: Parents-in-law fall ill; the two children care for them. Reward: two skill points.’
Xu Ziyan was overjoyed. She hadn’t expected to accidentally advance the plot through this twist of fate. She really was lucky. The village chief made Xu Xiuyun pay some nutritional compensation. Xu Ziyan specifically had Fang Lihai use the money to buy two cuts of meat. That night, with the door closed, the whole family ate a delicious meal. Thinking that the annoying people next door were going to move away and wouldn’t be able to watch them every day, she happily drank several cups of wine.
As the saying goes, wine leads to trouble. Under the moonlight, looking at a handsome man, the more you look, the better he looks. That very night, Xu Ziyan slept with Fang Lihai!
At first, Fang Lihai wanted her to sleep properly and not let her pull at his clothes. Who knew Xu Ziyan would mumble, “You’re built tall and strong, but you’re not going to tell me you’re not up to it, are you? What a waste of these eight-pack abs.” As she said this, she even reached out and gave his abs a feel.
This thoroughly provoked Fang Lihai, who proceeded to make her properly experience just how capable he was. The result was that Xu Ziyan was very comfortable and even clamored for another round, and then another, making Fang Lihai blush crimson. He had never been so embarrassed in his life. In the end, he held her tightly, pressed her against the wall, and only then did she settle down and sleep.
The next day, when Xu Ziyan woke up and remembered, her old face immediately flushed red. Wasn’t this just because, in her previous life, she was never short of handsome men around her and had gotten used to it? Plus, she’d never slept with a soldier before. She’d had her eye on Fang Lihai these past few days. Fortunately, she had good drinking manners and didn’t babble nonsense while drunk. Otherwise, if she had called out someone else’s name, it would have been a real joke.
Fang Lihai, on the other hand, seemed a bit awkward around her first thing in the morning, not daring to meet her eyes. But he kept glancing at her, and whenever he saw her doing anything, he would come over to help.
Amused, Xu Ziyan went over to tease him. “I’m not even shy. What are you so shy about? Do you want to go see a movie?”
Fang Lihai caught her mischievous hand, his eyes looking elsewhere, and called toward the house, “Mom, Dad, I’m taking my wife to see a movie. Have your meal without us.”
Once he got an answer from inside, he pulled Xu Ziyan outside, pushing a handcart with one hand while holding hers tightly with the other, not letting go.
Xu Ziyan thought to herself, ‘What a secretly passionate guy.’ She squeezed his hand back and happily went out on their date.
Fang Nan and Fang Bei had been playing with mud in the corner. Seeing them leave, they suddenly thought of something. Fang Nan said, “Little Brother, our chance to do a mission has come! Mom and Dad aren’t home. Grandpa and Grandma are sick and can’t cook. So, we need to go beg for food at other people’s houses!”
Fang Bei excitedly nodded repeatedly. “Finally, something we can do! Brother, do you think they’ll refuse? How about we take some candy to beg with?”
“Good idea! Let’s do that!”
Xu Ziyan and Fang Lihai were watching the movie sweetly when suddenly she heard a system notification.
‘Congratulations, Host, for completing the plot point: The two children go door-to-door begging for food. Reward: one skill point.’
Xu Ziyan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered the two elders were still pretending to be sick. Were they trying to make it look more realistic, to force Xu Xiuyun to move sooner? She liked this method. She had effortlessly won another reward!
Fang Lihai noticed her happy expression and guessed she must have gotten another reward. But he didn’t know why; this time, he hadn’t heard her and 001’s inner thoughts.
Could it be because he had become the fairy-like wife’s man, he could no longer hear her inner voice?