Feng Yiyi finished digging the herbs and looked at the little fox, saying, “Little fox, do you want to walk yourself, or go into my space?”
The little fox stretched its paw and looked at Feng Yiyi.
“Oh! I get it! You want to walk yourself, right? Follow me!”
The little fox happily ran back toward the cave they came from, but this time much slower, staying close to Feng Yiyi.
So, one person and one fox walked forward…
By the time Feng Yiyi came down the mountain, the moon was high in the sky.
Grandma Wang Shi kept opening the door and looking out. When no one was there, she’d sigh and go back inside.
After a while, Feng Yiyi still hadn’t returned!
She furrowed her brows, pacing in the yard, eyes constantly glancing outside.
Muttering nonstop: “Why isn’t the child back yet? It’s so late, the sky’s dark…”
She couldn’t rest easy, went out the gate to the village entrance road, and looked toward the mountain.
By moonlight, she suddenly saw a black shadow and a small white thing coming this way.
“Yiyi, Yiyi, is that you?”
Feng Yiyi heard Grandma’s shout, saw the short old lady, and waved her hand, shouting back: “Grandma, it’s me! It’s me!”
Wang Shi immediately sat on the ground and cried, wiping tears with her sleeve; her hanging heart finally settled.
Wang Shi waited until Feng Yiyi was beside her, looking at her and saying: “Yiyi, why so late today?
Grandma was worried sick. Next time, no matter what, I won’t let you go into the mountains!”
“Grandma, I found a big patch of herbs today; I was so focused on digging that I forgot the time and came back late. Let’s go home!”
“Grandma, I got lost in the mountains, and this little fox led me out.
From now on, our family has a new member. Little fox, I need to give you a nice name—let’s call you ‘Lingling.’
Little fox, from now on, you’ll be called Lingling, okay?
This is the village; we can’t call you fox.
I’m afraid they’ll catch you and skin you alive to sell your fur to rich people.”
The little fox barked once.
“I’ll take that as agreement. Lingling, come home with me for dinner.”
Back inside, Grandma had already made dinner. Feng Yiyi got a big bowl for Lingling, put rice, dishes, and some meat in it.
“Lingling, here, you eat what I eat. Of course, I won’t make you eat greens.”
Lingling sniffed it and started eating on the side.
After dinner, Feng Yiyi cleaned up and went back to her room.
She tossed Lingling into the space and entered herself.
She started planting the herbs dug from the mountain in the space’s herb field.
She also planted some trees near the spring.
Little fox Lingling helped by patting the soil with its claws.
They worked until late. Feng Yiyi stretched, “Lingling, I’m leaving the herb field to you. Water it when you can; I’ll buy you roast chicken later.
Sleep here tonight; it’s safe.”
Lingling chirped twice.
Feng Yiyi bathed in the pool, changed clothes, came out of the space, and lay on the bed, sleeping soundly.
At this time, Zhang Dahu lay on the kang, groaning in pain.
After they got back, Liu Meifeng quickly called the village doctor Lu.
The doctor took one look: Zhang Dahu’s leg was broken. Besides medicine, he needed rest for a while; no farm work.
Zhang Dahu was furious and started cursing Liu Meifeng again.
“You damned woman, I said not to go, but you insisted. We went and got beaten; my broken leg is your fault.
Now it’s great; my leg hurts like hell, and I can’t get out of bed.”
“It’s all that little bitch’s fault. When I find the right time, I’ll definitely sell her to a brothel!”
“Mom, why are you back? Weren’t you going to live at Feng Yiyi’s house?” Fifteen-year-old Zhang Jiaojiao came in, puzzled.
“Live what? Can’t you see your dad’s beaten?”
“What now? Only if you live in that big house will people know our family is rich, and I can find a good match.”
Zhang Dahu was in no mood to hear anything.
“Find what good match? A girl thinking about marrying all day.
Shameless; I feel embarrassed for you!”
Zhang Jiaojiao twisted her waist like a snake, coquettishly saying: “Mom, look how Dad talks—too harsh!”
“Zhang Dahu, how can you talk like that? Don’t take your anger out on your daughter.
Our Jiaojiao must marry Lin Yida; she’ll be the top scholar’s wife.”
“Dreaming of Lin Yida? Give up that idea! If you want something, buy it!
Lin Yida’s mom is a piece of work; don’t you know?
A few days ago, Feng Yiyi just talked to Lin Yida, and his mom found out, came to our mom’s house and cursed up a storm…
Let me and your mom live a few more days; don’t provoke that Lin Yida. I’ll find a matchmaker for you.”
“I just want to marry Brother Yida; he’ll definitely become a top scholar. I want to be the top scholar’s wife.”
“Good, my daughter wants to be the top scholar’s wife; Mom supports you.”
“Mom, give me some silver. Tomorrow I want to buy hairpins, and a pretty dress.
He Bilian has such nice hairpins; I want one too. I want to outdo her.”
“Okay, Mom will give you silver tomorrow!”
“Mom, when are you selling Feng Yiyi? I’m counting on that money for my dowry.”
“Not urgent, not urgent. You’re not marrying tomorrow; we need to think carefully, find a foolproof plan.”
“Then I’m going out, Mom!”
“You’ve spoiled her into what? Just indulge her.” Zhang Dahu got angrier listening and couldn’t help saying.
Liu Meifeng angrily said: “Who’s to blame for being so poor? Our daughter suffers with you!”
Zhang Dahu didn’t argue; let the daughter do as she pleases later; he couldn’t control it anyway.
In this village, there was a good-for-nothing rascal named “Wang Ergou.”
No one knew where he learned a few moves; he was tough, and one person couldn’t beat him.
He did no farm work all day. After his parents died, he sold the two acres of land they left to gamble.
Now, he always had a straw in his mouth, wandering the village.
Either stealing chickens from the Zhangs, or eggs from the Lis, or climbing into Widow Zhao’s bed…
He was a tumor in Zhao Village.
He’d been caught by the authorities before, promised not to do it again, but after release, he went back to his old ways—three times in jail!
In Zhao Village, besides the village head, he feared no one, but he had his eye on Feng Yiyi and Zhang Jiaojiao.
He was a bachelor, ate alone, and could fight to the death…
Villagers had families; no one dared provoke him. If something was stolen, they just swallowed it…