Shen Qing turned at the sound and looked up.
Beneath the old pagoda tree beside the cattle shed stood a tall, straight young man. He wore a crisp white short-sleeved shirt and neat black trousers, his slender figure completely out of place amid the squalor and decay. His features were sharply defined, and a lazy, knowing smile played at the corner of his mouth. He had his hands tucked casually into his trouser pockets and his gaze rested directly on Shen Qing, appraising her with a hint of amusement. It was the young man in white, Feng Yunzheng, whom she had seen watching her tease Mother Zhao at the village entrance earlier.
Li San was nursing his stinging, aching wrist and looked up to see who had arrived. Everyone in the village knew by now that a grandfather and grandson named Yun Qiong and Yunzheng had been sent down to live at the cattle shed. Yun Qiong was white-bearded, frail, and racked with coughing from dawn till dusk. His grandson Yunzheng was striking and bold, and no one dared provoke him lightly.
Li San did not dare behave insolently. He put on a smile and greeted him hurriedly. “Yunzheng! Just out enjoying the cool air?” He cursed inwardly; Yunzheng must have seen him overpowered in a single move.
Feng Yunzheng glanced at him, then his deep eyes settled on Shen Qing. “Only just arrived, but I saw quite a show.” The simple remark brought a flush of shame to Li San’s face.
Shen Qing remained calm, holding her thin quilt, unafraid and unperturbed. As their eyes met, something stirred in her memory. She had known Feng Yunzheng in her past life. He had been devastated by something and had fallen into utter despair. She had come upon him up in the mountains, dishevelled and distraught. She had given him a protective charm she had obtained and told him the mountains were dangerous and he should go home soon. She had hoped it would keep him safe. Later she heard he had drowned in the river. Her charm had failed to save him after all.
Feng Yunzheng looked perplexed. He could not understand why she was looking at him with such pity. He did not like it. His amusement faded and he turned away. He walked swiftly, his stride carrying him into the small, run-down dwelling next door without looking back. He had been looked at with favour, fear, and flattery, but never with such pure, quiet compassion and regret as though she had seen him at his lowest and most desperate.
He sat down on the earthen bed and ran a finger thoughtfully over his palm. He realised he had just fled, and before a girl no less. It felt strange.
Shen Qing watched him go and sighed softly. Here they were again, meeting in this way. She did not know whether fate would repeat itself, but she was determined not to stand by and watch tragedy unfold again.
“What are you staring at? He’s gone!” Li San’s rough voice broke into her thoughts. He was still smarting from his humiliation and turned his anger on her. “Get to work! Don’t stand there daydreaming! You won’t be fed for nothing just because you’re back.”
Shen Qing composed herself and met his gaze coolly. “Fed for nothing? You earn your work points and I will earn mine. I won’t take more than my share.”
“You!” Li San was lost for words.
Shen Qing did not waste breath arguing. She found a clean corner, spread straw, laid out her quilt, and settled down. It was a far cry from the neat, comfortable room Li Mengyao had enjoyed at the Shen family home.
Before long the rest of the Li family returned from the fields. Father Li Wenbo carried a heavy hoe, coated in dust and weary from labour. Mother Li Xiuqin came with a basket of wild vegetables, her face sharp and sullen, followed by their elder son Li Jianguo and second son Li Jianmin. They stepped into the yard and their eyes fixed immediately on Shen Qing lying there. Every face showed stunned disbelief. They had been certain the Shen family would never let her return; they would rather have given away their work points. Yet here she was, of her own accord. It was a loss. While she stayed with the Shen family, Shen Yougen the highest earner worked for their benefit. Back here, she would never match his contribution. Even her own parents showed no joy at their daughter’s return.
Li San saw his chance and stepped forward. “Father, Mother! She took my quilt and pinched me!”
Second brother Li Jianmin laughed. “You’re getting weaker by the day. Can’t even handle a girl.”
“You don’t understand!” Li San scowled. “There’s something odd about her.” Her grip had felt like a vice. Shen Qing lay still; she knew exactly where to apply pressure. In her past life she had been confined and tormented, her tormentors deliberately inflicting pain at sensitive points.
Li Jianmin was about to retort when their father shot him a sharp look and both fell silent. Li Wenbo, unused to hardship, was already resentful of the toil. “Quiet, all of you! Can we have peace?” He turned to his wife. “Xiuqin, get dinner started.” The family had long been spoiled and contributed little; only Shen Yougen’s hard work had kept them fed. Xiuqin, weary of cooking, turned to Shen Qing. “Up you get. It’s your turn.”
Shen Qing’s heart sank. In her past life she had returned to this house and been treated as a drudge, burdened with every unpleasant task. She rose and went into the makeshift kitchen. Xiuqin watched her go and said to Li San, “You made her sound like a prickly thorn. She seems obedient enough.”
Li San rubbed his head, still puzzled. Eldest brother Li Jianguo said nothing, his dark eyes clouded with unspoken thoughts. Second brother Li Jianmin muttered dismissively, “She’s just a girl…” Before he could finish, a sharp, piercing sound rang out from the kitchen.