Shen Qing returned to her room and slipped quietly into her space.
She saw that the crops in the field had grown another joint taller and looked even healthier and more vigorous.
Even the wheat she had cut down had sprouted fresh green shoots.
It seems this system truly hates wrongdoing she thought to herself.
She had noticed a pattern. Whenever she stood her ground and dealt firmly with those who opposed her the crops thrived all the more.
She also discovered there was a limit to how many times she could enter the space each day. After three attempts the door would not open for her.
Shen Qing prepared another supply of medicine for her second brother and took the opportunity to make a rough inventory of the laboratory stock.
When she stepped back out of the room Tiedan pushed the door open.
Second Sister Second Sister Mother says the household registration inspection has begun at the commune and you are to go over and verify the details shortly.
Where are Father and Mother she asked.
This was supposed to be their task. They had said so only yesterday.
The harvest is good this year and they are busy earning work points Tiedan explained.
Mother also said you would understand the forms better since she cannot read.
Tiedan clutched a piece of sorghum candy he had been saving. I am going outside to show the other children my candy he said.
Shen Qing smiled to herself. He meant show it off not play exactly.
Go ahead she told him.
Shen Qing went first to her second brother and eldest brother’s room and gave Shen Chang’an his medicine.
A bright smile had chased the gloom from Shen Chang’an’s face. Qingqing I have wonderful news. This morning I could move my toes.
Truly Shen Qing gripped his hand her face lighting up. That is wonderful Second Brother.
A flush of genuine color rose in Shen Chang’an’s pale cheeks.
When I am walking again I will earn work points and buy you all the treats you deserve he promised.
I will hold you to that Shen Qing said her smile widening.
Before leaving to attend to the registration she fetched a tattered book for him to look through.
On the way her heart felt light and full. She had truly changed her brother’s fate.
In her past life he had faded away in despair. This time he would walk again. She pictured him running freely beneath the sun laughing without restraint.
Shen Qing someone called.
She snapped back to her surroundings. A figure had stepped out from an alleyway blocking her path. She frowned when she saw who it was.
Why it was Er Laizi.
What do you want she asked her tone distinctly unfriendly and her dislike unconcealed.
Er Laizi whistled and sauntered toward her with what he imagined was an impressive swagger.
He stopped right in front of her grinning broadly. Where are you off to.
None of your business Shen Qing retorted rolling her eyes.
Why so cold he muttered.
I have something special for you he said pulling out a scrap of bright red cloth.
Pretty is it not. For your hair.
Shen Qing you are without doubt the prettiest girl in Xinghua Village. This ribbon would make you even more beautiful.
He assumed all girls liked such trinkets. It had worked on Ah Xiang from the neighboring village after all.
Shen Qing looked at the tattered scrap and felt a wave of revulsion.
She knew exactly what it was. This was his standard trick to charm and deceive girls.
I do not want it she said. Keep it for yourself.
She turned to leave but he stepped in her way blocking the dirt path. He reached out as if to grab her arm his gaze openly lewd.
Do not be in such a hurry he leered.
It is just a scrap of cloth. It costs nothing. What harm is there in accepting it.
He looked her up and down his eyes growing warmer.
Shen Qing used to be timid and easily pushed around. Since being sent back from the Li family though she seemed like a completely different person. Her features were clear and bright her posture straight and confident. She carried herself with a quiet chilling grace that shone even in patched rough homespun clothes making her stand out above every other girl in the village.
Er Laizi’s mind was busy plotting. When she first returned disgraced he had waited for her to break down and run to the river intending to play the hero and claim her as his wife. Instead she had accepted her fate and given him no opening at all.
Now seeing how well her family ate with dumplings and even rare sorghum candy his greed grew stronger. He earned no work points lived in squalor and had no prospect of a wife. If he could marry Shen Qing her knack for making things prosper would mean ease and plenty for him for the rest of his life.
His gaze turned greedy and he stood his ground.
I know you have suffered he said lowering his voice and putting on a falsely tender air. The Li family cast you out and everyone whispers behind your back.
It does not matter. I do not care what anyone says. I will stand by you. No one will dare hurt you again.
The words made Shen Qing’s stomach turn.
This was the very man who in her past life had pretended to save her when she was at her most desperate only to cling to her as a burden. He had been lazy and cruel drinking heavily and abusing her until their home was destroyed and she died alone in a laboratory far from home. He had been the first chain dragging her down.
All warmth vanished from her eyes leaving them cold and hard. She met his gaze steadily.
Step aside she said.
Two simple words that placed a barrier between them he would never cross.
Er Laizi flinched unnerved by her look but he had made a promise to Li Mengyao. He would not let her pass. Instead he leaned closer until he was nearly touching her.
I will not he said. Do not be ungrateful.
I am the only one in the whole village willing to take a girl the city people threw away. Why do you hold your head so high.
If you are sensible and accept this ribbon we can still come to some arrangement he threatened reaching out to shove the scrap of cloth into her hair.
Do this the easy way or the hard way he muttered.
Just before his fingers brushed her hair Shen Qing moved with lightning speed. She struck his hand away hard.
Smack.
The sharp sound rang out. Er Laizi recoiled clutching his stinging wrist.
Now you have done it he snarled his smirk vanishing. You really do not know when you are lucky.
Shen Qing’s eyes flashed. She stared at him intently.
Did Li Mengyao put you up to this she demanded. Did she tell you to delay me.