Cicadas droned beside the earthen wall and the sun blazed hot baking the ground beneath a sweltering afternoon.
Li Mengyao held two pieces of golden translucent sorghum candy between her fingers. A calculating glint shone in her eyes. Others might think she only longed to return to the comforts of the Shen family. In truth it was never about grain or shelter or simple ease. It was about her whole future.
The Li family had fallen. Her father’s business had failed leaving heavy debts. From now on every path would be closed to them. She had grown up cherished alongside Zhao Renjie from a well-respected family. They had been close since childhood. But his family held strict standards. They would never accept a daughter-in-law with a tainted background. If she carried the Li name their future together was finished.
Her only hope was a clean identity. She would take Shen Qing’s place. The Shen family were honest hardworking farmers for generations untainted and beyond reproach. That was why she would cling so desperately to this family and push Shen Qing back to the Li household. She would wear Shen Qing’s blameless name, marry Zhao Renjie, secure a good life, and rise again. Shen Qing would be left trapped in the countryside forever. That was the trap she had laid from the start.
“Tiedan come here.” Li Mengyao softened her voice speaking as sweetly as honey.
Tiedan stepped back warily. “I do not want anything from you.”
“It is only candy. I would not deceive you.” She peeled back the wrapper releasing a rich sweet scent. She knew exactly how to win a child over. “It tastes wonderful.” “All you need do is go to your parents and tell them you do not want Shen Qing. Tell them I am your real sister and I will give you both pieces.”
Tiedan was the youngest and most beloved. If he turned against Shen Qing the rift would grow. Slowly surely Shen Qing would be pushed aside. Tiedan swallowed hard his eyes fixed on the candy. He had dreamed of sorghum candy for so long. He reached out then paused. He remembered Shen Qing playing with him and sharing what little she had. He remembered Li Mengyao tossing aside the flatbread his mother had baked and speaking sharply to him when no one was looking.
He pulled his hand back firmly and shook his head. “No thank you.” “I like my second sister best. I do not like you.”
Li Mengyao’s smile froze. Anger flared in her eyes. A mere child dared to refuse her? She clenched her fists. So this is how it will be. Just wait. One day I will show you all.
Shen Qing had returned in time to hear everything. Her heart warmed. She understood now why in her past life Li Mengyao had turned so harshly against the boy because he had never chosen her side.
“Are you satisfied?” Li Mengyao hissed as she passed.
Shen Qing met her gaze openly. “Very satisfied. Are you not?” Li Mengyao bit her lip turned and stormed away.
Tiedan took Shen Qing’s hand. “I turned down two whole pieces of candy for you.” “You owe me two pieces now.” He licked his lips imagining the taste.
“Look what I have.” Shen Qing showed him a handful of sorghum candy.
Tiedan’s eyes went wide. “Are those stones wrapped in paper?” Surely they could not afford real candy. “Where did you find the wrappers? I will go find some too.” Just showing them off would feel like a treasure.
Shen Qing smiled and unwrapped one piece. A rich sweet scent filled the air. The translucent amber candy glistened soft and inviting in the sunlight.
“It is real! Truly sorghum candy!” Tiedan whispered in awe.
She placed it in his palm. “Try this one first.” He held it gently as if it might break. He nibbled slowly savoring the sweetness spreading through his mouth. He closed his eyes in pure delight.
“Is it good?” She ruffled his hair and tucked the rest into his pocket. “Not all at once or your teeth will ache.” He patted his bulging pocket again and again grinning.
“You are far better than her!” “She tried to buy me over with just two pieces but I would never turn against you.”
Shen Qing’s heart swelled. “My Tiedan is the wisest of all.”
“I will share with the others!” He darted happily into the house.
Hidden in the shadowed corner Li Mengyao had seen everything. Jealousy burned hot and sharp in her chest. Real sorghum candy and so many pieces? What did Shen Qing possess that she did not? Worse Tiedan was lost to her entirely. That path was closed. She dug her nails into her palm. Very well. If one way fails I will find another. I will have that identity. Shen Qing just wait.