Meng Jiao had no idea about the messy affairs of the Meng family. Her simple life in Blue Bay Village was gradually falling into a routine.
Going to cut pigweed with Xiao Cao had become her daily activity.
Under her influence, Xiao Cao was gradually becoming more talkative.
She was no longer as shy and timid as before, sometimes chattering away quite a bit.
Meng Jiao’s hand strength had improved significantly, and her movements had become more agile. Her small basket was often half full now.
She still kept an eye out for herbs that could be used as medicine, secretly storing them in her dimension.
The black soil was already planted with several clusters of vibrant green herbal seedlings, a delightful sight to behold.
Meng Jiao looked forward to the day these herbs would take root and sprout, hoping they would eventually grow into what she needed.
However, Gu Yan remained as taciturn as ever, speaking very little—almost pitifully so.
But he did seem less slovenly than before.
One day, the weather was rather hot and stuffy. After cutting pigweed, Meng Jiao and Xiao Cao sat resting in the shade of a tree.
Meng Jiao pulled two pieces of fruit hard candy from her pocket—bought for her by Meng Jianhua—and gave one to Xiao Cao.
Xiao Cao accepted it with surprise, carefully unwrapped the candy, put it in her mouth, and a satisfied smile spread across her face.
Meng Jiao put one in her mouth too, the sweet flavor melting on her tongue.
It seemed to be orange-flavored and quite delicious.
She instinctively glanced in Gu Yan’s direction. He was still working, his basket nearly full, sweat soaking the back of his shirt.
The boy’s skeletal frame was quite noticeable, indicating that he usually didn’t get enough to eat.
That was why he was so thin that his bones showed.
Almost as if bewitched, Meng Jiao stood up, clutching the only remaining candy in her hand, and walked step by step toward the hollow.
Xiao Cao called out softly behind her, “Jiaojiao sister…”
After all, that was Gu Yan. Who knew if he might suddenly go mad and bite Meng Jiao? Xiao Cao was naturally worried.
Meng Jiao turned back and smiled at her, signaling that it was fine.
Hearing footsteps, Gu Yan looked up warily. When he saw it was Meng Jiao, a flicker of panic flashed in his eyes before he resumed his cold expression, continuing his work without pause.
Meng Jiao walked up to him, opened her palm, and the fruit candy wrapped in simple candy paper looked especially tempting under the sunlight.
“Here, for you to eat,” Meng Jiao said in a clear voice.
Gu Yan froze, stopping his grass-cutting motion.
He stared at the candy, then at Meng Jiao, his lips pressed tightly together. He didn’t speak or move.
“It’s really sweet and quenches thirst,” Meng Jiao urged, extending her hand further.
Gu Yan abruptly lowered his head, his voice seeming squeezed from his throat: “No.”
“Why not? It’s delicious!”
Meng Jiao was somewhat puzzled. In these times, candy was a rarity—few village children didn’t love eating it.
If she shared these candies with the other children, she might even become their leader.
“…Dirty.”
He muttered a single word, though it was unclear whether he meant the candy was dirty or his hands were.
Meng Jiao paid no attention to that. She directly stuffed the candy into the pocket of his coat, which was lying nearby.
The garment was covered in grass clippings and dirt, but it was much cleaner than when Meng Jiao first saw Gu Yan.
At least this piece of clothing wasn’t tattered.
“Just take it since I’m giving it to you! I’m leaving now!”
Without waiting for Gu Yan’s reaction, she turned and ran back to Xiao Cao, pulling the slightly dazed girl along as they shouldered their baskets.
“Let’s go, Xiao Cao, we’re heading home!”
Gu Yan stood motionless, watching their retreating figures until the two girls disappeared behind the hill. Only then did he slowly extend his hand and pull a piece of candy from his pocket.
The wrapper was crumpled but clean.
He stared at it for a long time, the sun burning his ears red and hot.
Finally, he carefully tucked the candy back into the deepest corner of his pocket.
He knew the candy was delicious because he’d stolen a taste as a child and nearly had his legs broken by his father for it.
That sweet flavor was something Gu Yan remembered for a long, long time – something he never forgot.
Meanwhile, the Meng household was in complete turmoil.
After his big argument with Lin Hanqiao, Meng Liyang had directly moved into the factory dormitory, making it clear he didn’t want to see her again.
Lin Hanqiao was both furious and panicked. While the slap mark on her face had faded, the fire in her heart hadn’t subsided. Unable to find Meng Liyang, she could only vent her anger elsewhere, finding fault with everything around her.
Meng Pengtao wasn’t home either. Haunted by what Meng Jianhua had said before leaving, he was now solely focused on finding evidence.
Most importantly, he couldn’t let the old man notice anything amiss.
Meng Feifei was even more frantic.
She had tried countless methods on the bracelet – dripping blood on it, soaking it in water, exposing it to sunlight…
She had attempted every folk remedy she could think of, yet the bracelet remained its dull, gray self, showing no reaction whatsoever.
“How could it be useless? Meng Jiao definitely activated it in her previous life…”
Meng Feifei paced anxiously around her room.
“Unless… it specifically requires Meng Jiao’s blood?”
This thought emerged and suddenly calmed her racing heart.
Yes! That must be it! This bracelet recognizes its master, and only acknowledges Meng Jiao!
But she had already thoroughly offended Meng Jiao last time. Now Meng Jiao was far away in Blue Bay Village, protected by Meng Jianhua – how could she get close enough to obtain her blood?
Just as Meng Feifei was tearing her hair out in frustration, she heard Lin Hanqiao’s suppressed sobs and Meng Pengtao’s comforting murmurs from downstairs.
An idea sparked in Meng Feifei’s mind. She quietly moved to the staircase to eavesdrop.
She heard Meng Pengtao saying: “Hanqiao, stop crying. Liyang is just angry right now… He’ll calm down after some time.”
Lin Hanqiao wept: “How could he treat me like this! I’ve worked so hard managing this household, if not for credit then at least for hard work… And that Meng Jiao, she’s nothing but a jinx!”
Meng Pengtao sighed, then Meng Feifei heard him say:
“I plan to visit Blue Bay Village. The old man has suddenly stripped me of many authorities recently for some reason. I need to see Meng Jianhua.”
Going to Blue Bay Village?
Meng Feifei’s eyes instantly lit up upstairs!
This was her opportunity!
If her uncle went to Blue Bay Village, she would have a reason to go with him!
Once she reached Blue Bay Village and got close to Meng Jiao, obtaining her blood…
Wouldn’t activating the dimension bracelet be as easy as stretching out her hand?
Meng Feifei could already envision her beautiful future – possessing the dimension, reaching the peak of life.
Her heart pounded with excitement as she immediately began calculating how to persuade her mother to let her accompany Uncle Meng Pengtao to that impoverished countryside she had previously looked down upon.
Hearing Meng Pengtao discuss serious matters, Lin Hanqiao’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly.
“You think Meng Jianhua has something?”
“Possibly. I feel I need to check it out. You should rein in your temper too – don’t pick a fight with Meng Liyang at this critical juncture.”
Meng Pengtao rubbed his forehead, truly hoping he could resolve this matter before Meng Liyang targeted him first.
Lin Hanqiao pursed her lips. “What can I do? He already suspects the two of us…”