Qiao Suluo had been eating quite contentedly, but hearing Que Hongjin’s sudden words made her stiffen.
"So, you’re suspecting that I’m trying to kill you with poisonous mushrooms?
"If I wanted to kill you, why would I eat them myself?"
Qiao Suluo glared at Que Hongjin, furious that the bastard actually suspected her of trying to poison him with mushrooms!
Seeing her anger, Que Hongjin suddenly offered an elegant smile. "Wife, if there is anything you want, you can just say it. There is no need for such underhanded methods.
"If you want Hong Jin’s life, a single slash is enough. You don’t have to torture people with poison."
Qiao Suluo was stunned by his words.
"You... you thought I wanted to kill you?"
As soon as Qiao Suluo said this, she recalled what the original owner of her body had done. The original owner had indeed resorted to many schemes, using drugs and poisons to harm them.
The System said, "Host, the reason Que Hongjin’s body is so weak is because your predecessor drugged him. He fell victim to it, and it was indeed quite torturous. Even though the effects of the drug eventually dissipated, it still damaged his health, making his already frail body even worse.
"Everyone here believes mushrooms are poisonous and inedible, so you’d better explain yourself properly, Host."
Hearing the System’s explanation, Qiao Suluo couldn’t stay mad anymore. She really did need to explain.
However, she glanced at Bai Qianluo. He was elegantly and earnestly eating a sweet green dumpling. In a short while, he had already finished one, as if he didn’t suspect her of poisoning them at all.
Seeing Bai Qianluo like this, Qiao Suluo’s expression softened a bit.
Being suspected felt truly uncomfortable, but she patiently explained, "These are shiitake mushrooms. They are not poisonous.
"Not all the mushrooms on the mountain are toxic. Some are poisonous, but others are safe to eat and can be used to make many delicious dishes.
"I just took a few bites myself, so it’s perfectly fine.
"If you are still worried, you can wait a while. See if anything happens to me before you decide whether to eat them. I’ll keep your portion warm in the pot."
With that, Qiao Suluo went back to eating her green dumpling. She wondered how anyone could suspect such delicious food of being poisonous.
She looked at Bai Qianluo with satisfaction. Picking up another one for herself, she handed one to him as well. "How can you be full after just one? Have some more."
Bai Qianluo took it, his voice as aloof as ever. "Thank you, wife."
Hearing him respond and still address her as his wife, a faint smile appeared on Qiao Suluo’s face. "You don’t need to be so polite. Once I earn some money, I’ll take you to see a doctor and have your eyes cured."
Bai Qianluo’s movements paused. It was unclear if he believed her words, but he simply continued eating quietly, his emotions indiscernible.
Listening to Qiao Suluo, a suspicious look flickered in Que Hongjin’s stunningly picturesque eyes. She had never bothered to explain herself before, let alone been able to identify mushrooms or use special methods to save people.
She didn’t know how to cook at all, nor would she ever speak to them in such a peaceful tone.
It seemed that she had been completely different since last night.
Que Hongjin suddenly recalled something. Last night, amidst the lightning and thunder, she seemed to have been struck by lightning, completely passing out.
At that moment, he had felt as if she had stopped breathing. He even thought she was dead.
But a short while later, another bolt of lightning struck down, and she woke up. After waking up, she was like a completely different person. Her way of doing things, her way of speaking, and even the look in her eyes had changed.
As if realizing something, Que Hongjin simply watched her. A ripple of emotion passed through his picturesque eyes. With a slight shift of his gaze, his long eyelashes cast fine, fragmented shadows, as if to conceal the sharp, perceptive gleam in his eyes.
In an instant, the sharpness in his eyes vanished completely, and a shallow smile washed over his features. Like a red spider lily blooming in broad daylight, he possessed an elusive, mysterious aura.
Smiling, he said, "We can’t waste the food that my wife worked so hard to make.
"In the future, when my wife cooks, you can call for me. I can help you."
Que Hongjin’s tone had become incredibly gentle, even carrying an almost bewitching cadence, as if he were speaking to a lover.
But Qiao Suluo immediately got goosebumps. She was certain that Que Hongjin despised her, so she wondered why he would suddenly speak to her in such a tone and smile at her. It was abnormal—definitely abnormal.
"System, is there something wrong with Que Hongjin’s brain? Did the original owner abuse him so much that it messed up his head?"
She worried that he might have developed some psychological issues.
The System replied, "Don’t worry, Host. He’s fine. Isn’t it a good thing that he’s being gentle with you?"
"This isn’t gentleness," Qiao Suluo said. "This is the calm before the storm."
She just found Que Hongjin’s sudden change in attitude bizarre. To survive in this unfamiliar world, she still needed to be cautious.
She knew very well what this body of hers looked like. It was impossible for Que Hongjin to be interested in her, so he definitely had some other ulterior motive.
Qiao Suluo didn’t reply to Que Hongjin and simply lowered her head, focusing earnestly on her meal.
After they had their fill, Bai Qianluo stood up to clear the table and wash the dishes.
Qiao Suluo went to the courtyard and began to wash and process the konjac. She carefully wrapped a cloth around her hands, knowing she couldn’t touch the sap directly with her bare hands, or her fingers would itch.
Just then, Que Hongjin finished cleaning the kitchen and walked out. He happened to spot the pile of konjac sitting off to the side, and his expression drastically changed. He stepped forward and said, "Wife, be careful. That thing is poisonous."
Que Hongjin felt an incredible headache coming on and couldn’t resist the urge to massage his temples. Why did his wife keep bringing back piles of toxic food?
Hearing Que Hongjin’s warning, Qiao Suluo looked up at him, meeting his helpless gaze. At this moment, it was as if he had shed all his sharpness and suspicion, becoming genuinely mild and gentle.
Qiao Suluo was still a bit unaccustomed to his sudden change in demeanor, but she patiently explained, "This is konjac. If processed properly, it’s edible and not poisonous at all.
"Our family doesn’t have a single grain of food left right now. I just managed to find these in the mountains. If I process them properly and make them into Konjac, we can sell them at the market. Once we earn some money, we’ll be able to buy real food."
She did not want to expose the secret of the Space Mall. Currently, she didn’t trust anyone. Given how her predecessor had abused Que Hongjin and Bai Qianluo, it would be perfectly normal if they harbored murderous intent toward her. Therefore, it was better to be cautious about everything.
Que Hongjin said, "Wife, you can leave this work to me. You should take a rest."
In the past, she would never do any chores. Yet now, working under the sun, she looked exceptionally quiet and focused, as if her eyes held nothing but the task in her hands.
Since someone was willing to do the work, Qiao Suluo naturally wasn’t going to refuse. She said, "First, help me burn a large batch of plant ash."
Once all the konjac was washed and peeled, she would need to grind it into a paste using plant ash water. The alkaline nature of the plant ash water would neutralize the toxicity of the konjac.
Que Hongjin replied gently, "Alright."
At that moment, he seemed incredibly good-tempered and obedient as he walked to the side to burn the plant ash.
Watching him, Qiao Suluo was somewhat dumbfounded. She wondered if his attitude toward her had changed just from eating a single meal.
Before Qiao Suluo could figure it out, Bai Qianluo also walked over to her side and said aloofly, "Wife, let me do this."
As he spoke, Bai Qianluo’s figure suddenly swayed.
Qiao Suluo almost jumped up in fright. She quickly scrambled to her feet and reached out to catch him. Bai Qianluo’s tall, elegant figure instantly slumped against her.
Qiao Suluo felt that even though she was chubby, Bai Qianluo was a full head taller than her. She could barely support his weight. Not knowing where to put her hands and feet, and terrified that he would think she was intentionally taking advantage of him, she asked incoherently, "Are... are you okay?"