Descending from West Mountain Cemetery, both were already hungry. Qin Suyuan's spirits were low, her eyes swollen and red. Lin Xi took an ice pack she had stored in her space and gave it to her.
Qin Suyuan was very curious about Lin Xi's space. Sensing her curiosity, Lin Xi said, "This is from the cultivation world, from Chu Qianmo's side. You can trade with him. He's a chef and particularly loves hoarding ingredients."
Lin Xi still found it amusing when she remembered Chu Qianmo shyly asking for a pig's leg when her family slaughtered a pig. But it also showed how much Chu Qianmo truly loved cooking.
Moreover, his personality was somewhat of a pushover. The cultivation techniques, elixirs, and such in his personal space—if the friends in the group chat needed them, he would just give them directly. When trading for things, he always went along with what the others wanted.
Even if you just picked a handful of his scallions, he wouldn't say anything and would even carefully plant those scallions in the soil he had prepared in his personal space.
The cultivation world was a truly miraculous place. Because of the presence of spiritual energy, plants grew exceptionally well. After discovering this, Chu Qianmo had excitedly talked about it in the group chat for a long time.
Now, he was no longer in a hurry to go to the mortal world. On the mountain, like Ah Huahua, he had claimed a cave and started growing vegetables. He often bragged in the group about the things he grew.
He had practically become a vegetable farmer. But the cultivation world lived up to its name; the vegetables grown there looked sturdier and more vibrant than those from other places. Every time Lin Xi saw the vegetables from the cultivation world and then looked at the ones in her own family's garden, she couldn't help but feel that Chu Qianmo had good reason to be a farmer there.
As for Ah Huahua, it went without saying—every time, he would drool over Chu Qianmo's vegetable patch.
Qin Suyuan's eyes sparkled. A spatial ring! When reading novels, she always complained about this golden finger being overused, but when it was right in front of her, who wouldn't want one!
Qin Suyuan felt that to survive in that true and false heiress world, having a spatial golden finger was absolutely necessary! She had no sense of security about that world at all.
With such a space, she could carry important documents with her, making it easier to run away if needed! How many novel heroines were thwarted because they had to go back for their papers?
In just a few minutes, Qin Suyuan had decided she would trade with Chu Qianmo for a spatial artifact at any cost.
The two had only eaten glutinous rice in the morning. Although glutinous rice is filling, by this time it was mostly digested. Having lived in Lingfeng City for twenty years, Qin Suyuan felt a bit bad that Lin Xi had accompanied her for so long. She proactively suggested a local restaurant known for its good reputation, delicious food, and reasonable prices.
The restaurant was located in the city center—a hotpot place with nice decor. The words "Xiajiangnan Beef Brisket Hotpot" glowed red in the night. Even before reaching the entrance, they could see a row of cars parked outside.
Qin Suyuan said, "This place serves beef brisket hotpot. The brisket is stewed until incredibly tender and flavorful. You eat the brisket first, then use the brisket broth to cook other dishes. The side dishes and drinks are free."
"Just smelling it tells me it's going to be good," Lin Xi said, rolling down the window. A rich aroma of beef wafted into the car.
Qin Suyuan jumped out of the passenger seat and took a deep breath. "That's the smell! Let's hurry. It's not peak dining time yet, so we can grab a seat. Otherwise, we might not get one later."
People in Lingfeng City loved beef, and among beef cuts, they had a special fondness for brisket. Especially in winter, having a steaming hot brisket hotpot was incredibly comforting.
Like Qin Suyuan, who came here once or twice a month. Qin Shichun only had this one daughter and never stinted on her food, clothing, or spending. This, of course, always drew complaints from Fu Ladi.
Naturally, Fu Ladi wasn't upset about the money being spent, but that when Qin Suyuan spent it, she didn't think of her nephews and nieces.
Hearing this, Lin Xi immediately locked the car and headed into the restaurant.
Pushing open the restaurant door, the aroma grew even stronger. Turning left from the entrance led to the main dining hall, which was already about seventy percent full.
Qin Suyuan pulled Lin Xi towards the very back. "Let's sit by the window."
As soon as they sat down, a server brought utensils and a menu.
As the host, Qin Suyuan ordered the restaurant's signature tomato beef brisket hotpot, a portion for two. After the server left, they both went to the refrigerator against the right wall.
The fridge contained meatballs, leafy greens, and other hotpot ingredients. You could take whatever you wanted, but wasting food was prohibited.
They each took a small basket and picked their favorite items.
By the time they returned, their brisket pot had arrived. Unlike the clear broth beef hotpot at the Muslim beef restaurant in Wufeng Town, this brisket hotpot had a beautifully rich, reddish-brown broth. Square chunks of beef brisket were piled like a small mountain in the center, garnished with a few sprigs of green cilantro.
The contrast between the green and the reddish-brown was enough to promise deliciousness just by looking.
Beside each of them was a bowl of chili dipping sauce. Lingfeng City was in Guangxi Province, and the chili dipping sauce here was different from the one in Lin Xi's home province of Yunnan.
This one had rings of bird's eye chilies, light soy sauce, chopped scallions, cilantro, all drizzled with a circle of peanut oil. The raw fragrance of the chilies and the nutty aroma of the peanut oil hit the nose.
After sitting down, they didn't even have time to talk. They picked up pieces of brisket, swished them through the chili dipping sauce, and put them in their mouths. Lin Xi's first impression was savory, fragrant, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. With another bite, a rich peanut fragrance spread in her mouth. This peanut flavor didn't overpower but rather elevated the taste of the brisket to another level.
"Delicious, delicious," Lin Xi said, giving Qin Suyuan a thumbs-up.
Qin Suyuan raised an eyebrow, smiling especially happily. After eating a few pieces of beef, their pace slowed. They began to chat while eating. Qin Suyuan talked about her life over the past twenty years, and Lin Xi shared some of her own stories too.
The noisy surroundings didn't make them restless; instead, it brought an indescribable sense of peace.
Lin Xi liked youmai cabbage. She put the leaves she had just picked into the pot to cook.
Just as they were finishing their satisfying meal, a middle-aged man and woman sat down at the table next to them.
Seeing the woman, Qin Suyuan's face immediately darkened. Lin Xi followed her gaze and saw her mother, Fu Ladi.
Fu Ladi's eyes swept over Lin Xi and Qin Suyuan before she plopped down on the side facing Qin Suyuan, with only an aisle separating the mother and daughter.
Qin Suyuan lowered her head, avoiding looking at her.
A server came over. The honest-looking man sitting across from Fu Ladi ordered the cheapest two-person set meal and asked about the charges for utensils and tea. After a moment's hesitation, he somewhat painfully told the server to place the order.
His stingy manner made Fu Ladi's expression darken. The look she gave him grew disdainful.
The man across from her noticed the disdain on Fu Ladi's face and felt displeased. He looked Fu Ladi up and down, his honest, simple face breaking into a smile. His teeth were somewhat uneven, and when he smiled, his overall appearance instantly dropped a couple of notches.
"Fu Ladi, right? The matchmaker told me about your situation. Your daughter just died, is that it?" The man's question made Fu Ladi's face instantly turn pale.
Lin Xi picked up the complimentary tea on the table and poured a cup for Qin Suyuan. Qin Suyuan looked up and gave her a reassuring smile.
Given the scene before them, even the most oblivious person would know what these two were doing. Qin Suyuan's heart was icy cold. Her father was grieving her death unbearably, while her mother, before her body was even cold, was dressed to the nines, meeting another man for a matchmaking date.
"Wang Zhenjun, what do you mean by that? If you don't want to be on this date, just leave. There's no need to poke at my sore spot." Fu Ladi stood up, grabbing the beige embroidered handbag beside her as if to leave.
Seeing that bag, the mockery on Qin Suyuan's face deepened. That bag was a gift from Fu Ladi's niece, Qin Suyuan's cousin—a cheap, poor-quality item bought online for 9.9 yuan with free shipping. It pilled and discolored after just a few uses, yet Fu Ladi treasured it like a precious gem.
She carried that bag every day, singing its praises to anyone who would listen. And that cousin of hers, after gifting a 9.9 yuan bag, had managed to get five hundred yuan out of Fu Ladi.
Sometimes Qin Suyuan wondered why she wasn't Fu Ladi's niece instead. It was utterly ridiculous that a biological daughter was less favored than a niece.
"Look at you, a woman with such a temper. Alright, alright, my mistake. Sit down first."
Fu Ladi knew she should leave, but remembering that Wang Zhenjun was the best prospect she'd seen in a while, she slowly sat back down.
Her obedience pleased Wang Zhenjun greatly. After sitting, Fu Ladi fell silent, her face still stormy.
Not a trace of apology showed on Wang Zhenjun's face. Since Qin Suyuan didn't suggest leaving, Lin Xi picked up an orange from the table, peeled it, and gave her half.
The Shatang oranges from Guangxi province were beloved nationwide for good reason—refreshingly sweet, juicy, and perfect for popping whole into your mouth. Finding her half unsatisfying, Lin Xi peeled another one.
These oranges were limited to one plate per table, each plate holding about ten or so.
Qin Suyuan also reached out her hand.
The two ate happily, while at the next table, Wang Zhenjun and Fu Ladi's beef brisket hot pot arrived.
Compared to Lin Xi and Qin Suyuan's pot, this one had less meat and more broth. Without waiting for Fu Ladi, Wang Zhenjun directly used a strainer to scoop a heaping bowl of meat for himself.
Seeing there was hardly any meat left in the pot, Fu Ladi's expression soured further. Wang Zhenjun took a bite of meat, pulled out a small bottle of baijiu from his pocket, and began drinking with relish.
Fu Ladi had never encountered a man like this. Her ex-husband, Qin Shichun, had always been gentle and polite. No matter how angry he was with her, he had never given her the cold shoulder. And when there was food, he always waited for her to eat together.
Looking at Wang Zhenjun before her, Fu Ladi genuinely felt regret. She regretted her past behavior that had made Qin Shichun so disgusted with her he wouldn't even see her.
"Fu Ladi, I think your name is actually very good," Wang Zhenjun said, squinting his eyes as he complimented her.
Hearing this, Fu Ladi's dark expression finally improved slightly. Everyone always said her name was bad—Fu Ladi, Fu Ladi, wasn't it just hoping she would "pull" or help her brother? The name clearly showed her parents favored sons over daughters.
Fu Ladi scoffed at such notions. The Fu family only had her brother as the male heir. Her parents had taught her since childhood to be good to her brother, that only if her brother prospered would she prosper.
She had heard this for most of her life, and to this day, she believed there was nothing wrong with it.
"My mom said my dad thought for several days before coming up with this name," Fu Ladi said, a hint of pride in her tone.
Qin Suyuan's face remained expressionless.
Wang Zhenjun nodded. "Your father certainly has cultural depth. Actually, it was after hearing from the matchmaker how much you dote on your brother that I agreed to meet. Let me tell you, I also care deeply for my younger brother. I think we have a lot in common in that regard."
Fu Ladi's dark mood vanished, her voice turning light. "Then we certainly do have common ground. How does your brother treat you?"
Wang Zhenjun took another sip of his liquor, swallowing it with enjoyment and squinting again. "Let's put it this way: I like to drink, and I've never been short of alcohol at home. This very liquor was bought for me by my brother—nine yuan a bottle."
He looked at Fu Ladi expectantly. Nine yuan didn't seem like much to Fu Ladi. She touched the silver bracelet on her wrist. "See this? My brother bought this for me. The silver price is 13 yuan per gram now. This bracelet is worth several hundred yuan."
Fu Ladi's bracelet was made of several silver strands twisted into a braid. Wang Zhenjun thought women really didn't know how to live practically. Such jewelry was neither edible nor drinkable, what was the point of buying it? Those several hundred yuan could buy his brother several packs of good cigarettes.
His brother was a man who handled important matters. Going out with good cigarettes made people look at him with more respect, making it easier to get things done, right? Women were so short-sighted!
He wanted to say something, but remembering Fu Ladi wasn't his wife yet, Wang Zhenjun suppressed his dissatisfaction and said with a smile, "Then your brother is really quite good, treating his sister so well."
Fu Ladi loved hearing others praise her brother's kindness to her. She beamed like a flower. "Of course. Your brother treats you well too, buying you liquor. I rarely see younger brothers buying alcohol for their older brothers."
The two "brother-obsessed" souls felt an instant connection and began a mutual admiration society, praising each other's brothers. The more they praised, the more effusive they became. The earlier tension seemed never to have existed.
Lin Xi looked at Qin Suyuan, who also blinked in bewilderment. Internally exclaiming how absurd this was, was this a male "brother-obsessed" meeting a female "brother-obsessed"?
Just as Lin Xi and Qin Suyuan were exchanging bewildered glances, Fu Ladi and Wang Zhenjun had finished their mutual praise and moved on to discussing terms.
Wang Zhenjun said, "You know, I've never been married before. It's not that I didn't want to get married, I just felt those women were too selfish. Every woman I met through matchmaking would get angry when they heard how good I was to my brother. Some even had the nerve to advise me that after marriage, I should focus on my own small family!"
"It's laughable. My brother and I are connected by blood. A woman, no matter how close, can't compare to that bond. How could she possibly be closer than my own flesh and blood?"
Wang Zhenjun's words struck a chord with Fu Ladi. She said, "I never thought I'd meet someone like you in this lifetime. Your way of thinking is exactly the same as mine."
"To be honest, I think the same. I believe my brother and I are the closest people in the world. We share the same blood, something even my parents can't claim. He's my only brother. If I don't dote on him, who should I dote on? My ex-husband never understood me. He was always telling me to pay more attention to my daughter. It was so annoying."
"My daughter had everything she needed, food and clothes. What was there to worry about?" Fu Ladi said with a look of indignation.
"Hey, your daughter is gone now, you shouldn't keep dwelling on your ex-husband. I heard he gave you a house when you divorced?" A greedy glint flickered in Wang Zhenjun's small eyes.
Mention of the house made Fu Ladi a bit uneasy. That house was bought by Qin Shichun's parents. It was transferred to Qin Shichun's name before he got married, so legally, it was his pre-marital property.
After marriage, she had suggested adding her name to the deed several times, but Qin Shichun was always unwilling. He even said something about how if her name was on it, it would eventually become unclear who the house really belonged to.
This made Fu Ladi feel terribly wronged. She and her brother were connected by blood, so what difference did it make if something was hers or his? Her things were her brother's things!
Remembering this, any trace of regret Fu Ladi felt about Qin Shichun instantly vanished. She felt leaving him was the right decision. This Wang Zhenjun in front of her might not be as handsome as Qin Shichun or have as respectable a job, but his values aligned so perfectly with hers.
Fu Ladi felt Wang Zhenjun was practically her soulmate!
If she were with him, he surely wouldn't stop her from being good to her brother like Qin Shichun did, right?
Thinking this, Fu Ladi used her left hand, adorned with a twisted silver bracelet, to smooth her hair. It was a telltale sign of her unease. "That's right. Although his mindset was flawed, he was quite generous as a person."
Fu Ladi saw nothing wrong with her statement. Qin Shichun had moved away to watch over their daughter's grave. During the divorce, he said she had the right to live in that house. Having the right to live there was practically the same as owning it, wasn't it?
Wang Zhenjun's eyes practically lit up looking at her. "Ladi, you probably know my situation. I'm currently living with my brother and his family. Their place isn't big either; you can't even block out the sounds when the couple... you know, at night."
"How about this? After we get married, I'll move in with you. I'll find a job then. We can both be good to our brother together."
Wang Zhenjun's words about the couple's nighttime activities stirred a warmth in Fu Ladi's heart. As he got older, Qin Shichun had lost interest in that aspect. Sometimes a whole month would pass without anything happening.
As a woman, no matter how thick-skinned she was, there was nothing she could do. Now she was divorced. Hearing him talk about working in the future and being good to her brother together, it was like he had pinpointed Fu Ladi's deepest desires.
Her face was flushed from the steam of the hotpot.
She lowered her head somewhat awkwardly, failing to see the calculation in Wang Zhenjun's eyes. Wang Zhenjun's brother had two sons. His eldest nephew was getting married soon and still didn't have a new home.
...
At the table next to them, Lin Xi and Qin Suyuan had finally finished that plate of satsumas. Qin Suyuan said to Lin Xi, "Sister Xi, let's go."
Lin Xi tore open the wet wipe that came with the chopsticks, wiped her hands, and stood up to leave with Qin Suyuan.
As Qin Suyuan walked past Fu Ladi, her expression was calm. Wang Zhenjun stole several glances at Lin Xi's tall, pretty figure as she walked away.
Although Wang Zhenjun had never married, he had certainly hired his fair share of "girlfriends" at three hundred yuan an hour.
Whether in the past or now, Wang Zhenjun's taste had never changed. He still preferred young, beautiful women. While Fu Ladi wasn't bad-looking, she was older and had given birth, so she definitely couldn't compare to the appeal of a younger woman. Wang Zhenjun felt a twinge of regret.
...
Outside, the sky had darkened. The restaurant entrance grew lively, with food stalls setting up on both sides of the street and people selling fruit from tricycks.
Lin Xi felt she hadn't had enough of the satsumas today. They were sold cheaply here, so she bought a lot.
She bought not only enough for home but also several boxes to give to her friends in the group chat. Lin Xi believed no one could resist popping satsumas one after another.
Next to the satsuma seller was someone selling green jujubes. Lin Xi tasted one and, finding it not astringent, bought a generous amount as well, filling the car's trunk to the brim. The back seat also gained a jackfruit.
While Lin Xi was on her fruit-buying spree, Qin Suyuan was looking at the city she grew up in, her gaze full of reluctance.
Lin Xi turned and saw this. She raised her phone and took a photo of her.
In the photo, Qin Suyuan was enveloped in a faint sadness, while behind her was the bustling night market.
The stark contrast made the photo unexpectedly harmonious.
The moment was frozen in that frame.
It was already 8:30 PM. Before starting the drive back, Lin Xi called Chi Xiangping.
As the car left Lingfeng City, Lin Xi recalled the scene from dinner and asked Qin Suyuan, "That man is clearly scheming for your family's house. Aren't you worried?"
Qin Suyuan shook her head. "No. That apartment was bought by my grandparents with their severance pay from when they took a lump-sum pension payment. It was put under my dad's name before he got married. Knowing my dad, he would never give her the house."
She trusted her father completely. "If I'm not mistaken, she has the right to live there. But that right probably comes with conditions. Like having to move out if she remarries."
"My dad put up with my mom for so many years for my sake. Now that I'm gone, he won't be soft on her. If my mom dares to bring a man to our house, my dad won't let it slide."
"My dad actually has a very strong sense of territory; he rarely even brings friends home normally. If my mom wants to bring a strange man back, he absolutely won't tolerate it."
Qin Shichun wasn't one for arguments, but he had strong principles. Fu Ladi used to be his wife. Although she loved subsidizing her natal family, it had always been within Qin Shichun's means.
After learning his lesson, Qin Shichun became very shrewd. He kept the bulk of his salary and bonuses in his own hands, giving Fu Ladi only a small portion.
Now that Fu Ladi was divorced from him, and with me—the bond between them—gone, he wouldn't show her any mercy.
Lin Xi nodded and added, "Your mom has met her match. That man is no good."
Qin Suyuan nodded, smiling as she said, "It's what she deserves. She never understood why my dad and I always tried to stop her from being so good to her brother, right? She'll probably understand our feelings soon enough."
Just from overhearing their conversation at the beef brisket hotpot restaurant, Qin Suyuan knew Fu Ladi would definitely marry Wang Zhenjun. Two 'brother-obsessed' people ending up together was a perfect match.
"I just wonder, in the future, when she has neither the house nor the money, if her brother and her nephews and nieces will still be so nice to her." To be honest, Qin Suyuan was extremely curious about this.
She was very eager to know the outcome of this battle between a male 'brother-obsessed' person versus a female one.
To tell the truth, Lin Xi was also very curious, and the two of them launched into a series of speculations.
Although talking behind people's backs is very impolite, it has to be said, it felt a bit satisfying.
However, they didn't talk about it for long before changing the subject. Lin Xi told Qin Suyuan many things about the group chat. She didn't mention anything involving privacy, only things everyone knew.
Having someone to talk to, even on a drive that took over three hours, made Lin Xi not feel tired at all. By the time she drove the car into the village, it was almost midnight.
The village was quiet, with only the newly installed black antique-style solar street lamps lining the roads on both sides, emitting a faint glow.
The car sped through the silent village, setting off waves of barking dogs, one louder than the last.
Lin Xi parked the car in front of her house and was just about to go open the courtyard gate when it swung open.
Her grandmother, dressed in thick clothes with a floral-patterned cotton-padded jacket draped over her shoulders, came to open the door for her, yawning.
After opening the gate, she walked up onto the porch and switched on the courtyard light. The dim yellow light illuminated Lin Xi's path into the yard and also shone on Qin Suyuan's unsettled heart.
Qin Suyuan thought that perhaps she would never forget this light that was turned on for them. This quiet little courtyard with its lit lamp was also deeply imprinted in her heart, impossible to forget.
Lin Xi parked the car in the yard and led Qin Suyuan inside. Chi Xiangping was sitting by the fire pit, raking out the remaining embers. She glanced at Qin Suyuan and asked, "Are you cold? Are you hungry?"
Chi Xiangping's tone was gentle, her face wearing a kind smile. Qin Suyuan thought of her own grandmother, who would ask the same questions every time she returned home. She shook her head at Chi Xiangping and answered her softly.
Lin Xi gave a brief introduction of the two before returning to Chi Xiangping's question: "The car has air conditioning, we weren't cold. Grandma, you should go to sleep."
Chi Xiangping had been waiting up for Lin Xi during the first half of the night, worried about her driving back late, and had only dozed fitfully. She was utterly exhausted by now. Hearing this, she didn't say anything more and went back to her room.
Lin Xi took Qin Suyuan to the only remaining guest room in the house and fetched sheets and a quilt from the wardrobe.
Qin Suyuan, very perceptive, came to help her make the bed. Once it was done, Lin Xi said to her, "It's been a long day, get some sleep."
Qin Suyuan nodded obediently. "Okay."
Lin Xi walked out and closed the door.
The light in the room was very dim. Qin Suyuan didn't turn it off. She lay on the wooden bed frame, the faint scent of Lin Xi's household laundry detergent in the air.
Thinking that by this time tomorrow, she would already be in the world of the switched-at-birth heiresses, an uncontrollable fear rose in Qin Suyuan's heart.
She didn't know what kind of situation she would face upon returning. Even though she was mentally prepared, facing the unknown, she was still afraid. Qin Suyuan originally thought she wouldn't be able to sleep, but unexpectedly, sleepiness came quickly. She didn't even know when she fell asleep.
After returning to her room, Lin Xi chatted in the group for quite a while before falling asleep.
The next day, she woke up at eight o'clock. Fang had already gone to school with the students. Yao Yuran's leg was still immobile; she sat in a wheelchair, using a stick to beat the red beans Chi Xiangping had hung under the eaves.
Qin Suyuan joined her in the task.
Since returning from working outside all those years ago, Yao Yuran hadn't been around anyone who spoke Mandarin. She had forgotten how to speak it, and even when others spoke quickly, she had to think carefully to understand. But she tried very hard to communicate with Qin Suyuan.
She knew Lin Xi planned to run a homestay. When tourists came to the village, most would be from other provinces. If she couldn't speak or understand Mandarin, she wouldn't be able to help much.
Qin Suyuan also knew Yao Yuran was Yao Xiran's sister, so her patience with Yao Yuran was unusually good. Learning that besides Yao Xiran, Yao Yuran had three other sisters and a brother who were given away,
she asked curiously, "Sister Yuran, have you been in contact with those sisters of yours who were sent away?"
Yao Yuran nodded. "The fourth and fifth were supposedly sent to other provinces. I don't know exactly who they were given to. I know where the third one is; I went to her wedding a few years ago."
"Her adoptive parents treated her quite well, and the man she married treats her well too. They opened a shop in town, and their son is three now." As for Yao Yuran, her sister, the third daughter didn't really want to acknowledge her. Putting herself in her sister's shoes, Yao Yuran understood.
If she had been given away as a child, she wouldn't want to acknowledge the family that sent her away either. The fact that her sister didn't throw her out when she shamelessly attended the wedding was already a good thing.
"That's quite good then," Qin Suyuan said, sweeping the beaten bean pods to the other side.
Listening to their conversation, Lin Xi went to the kitchen to fetch water to wash up. Chi Xiangping was making breakfast, and Yue was by her side. Chi Xiangping had roasted a potato for her, and she was eating it, her face smudged black.
After a day of being down, Lexi regained her usual liveliness and was off playing somewhere early in the morning.
After washing up, Lin Xi also had breakfast. The morning meal was still rice noodle strips; today, they weren't the sweet kind, only the savory ones.
After eating, Lin Xi took Chi Xiangping for a stroll around the village. The sunlight today was especially good, warm and cozy on the skin. The peach and pear trees planted by the roadside a few days ago had all taken root, some already budding with tiny flower buds.
There were no surveillance cameras in the village. As she walked, Lin Xi handed Qin Suyuan the medicinal pill Chu Qianmo had sent her last night.
Qin Suyuan took it without asking any questions and directly put it in her mouth.
The pill was refined from herbs and carried an indescribable bitterness in the mouth. Qin Suyuan's face turned green from the taste, but she didn't spit it out. Lin Xi handed her a bottle of water, which she took and drank half of.
Qin Suyuan said to Lin Xi, "It's really bitter, but I want to remember this bitterness."
Qin Suyuan had a bit of a dramatic spirit in her. Having tasted this bitterness now, she felt that no matter how much hardship she faced after returning to that world, it wouldn't feel bitter anymore.
"Alright," Lin Xi nodded. She was extremely indulgent with Qin Suyuan now; even if Qin Suyuan said the sun in the sky was black, she would nod in agreement.
The two walked a full circle around the village. When they encountered villagers, Lin Xi would chat with them. On the covered bridge, they watched the water in the river.
The river water was very clear, rushing noisily downstream. The aquatic plants on both banks were lush and verdant.
In this scenic spot, Qin Suyuan bit her finger and smeared her blood onto the dimensional storage space that Chu Qianmo had sent along with the Yi Shu Thirteen Meridians manual and the contraceptive pill.
Lin Xi gave Qin Suyuan all the items Xu Huanhuan and the others had sent over last night.
"When I get to that world, I will definitely repay them properly," Qin Suyuan said, deeply moved, making a solemn promise.
She hadn't expected Xu Huanhuan and the others to quietly send so many things through Lin Xi.
She lowered her head, opened the group chat, and began thanking everyone one by one, tagging them.
Everyone received her gratitude. In response, Xu Huanhuan said: [We're all fellow wanderers drifting outside, helping each other out.]
Seeing these words, Lin Xi smiled and said to Qin Suyuan, "I find that the definition of 'fellow townsfolk' changes with location."
"When you haven't left the province, people from the same county are fellow townsfolk. Once you leave the province, people from the same province are. When you go abroad, people from the same country are. And when you leave the universe, as long as you're from Earth, you're all fellow townsfolk."
Qin Suyuan was amused by Lin Xi's words and found them very reasonable: "That's true. But I think even outside the universe, fellow townsfolk would be grouped. Chinese fellows definitely wouldn't be the same as foreign ones."
The two stood on the covered bridge for a long time. After Qin Suyuan's mood improved a bit, Lin Xi took her to see her homestay.
Because her payments were timely and covered both labor and materials, the workers from Old Feng's construction team worked very diligently even when Lin Xi wasn't there.
Lunch was provided, and this meal was prepared by Chi Xiangping. She felt building a house was a major event; if you didn't keep the builders satisfied, what if they cut corners? But if you fed them too well, she was afraid they might think her family was easy to push around and not do a proper job either.
So, figuring out lunch for the construction team every noon took Chi Xiangping a great deal of mental effort—it couldn't be too lavish, yet it had to be substantial enough.
The two walked up to the homestay. In just a few days, it had been built quite high, with window openings already left for the first floor.
Old Feng happened to be there. Seeing Lin Xi, he came over and chatted with her for a while. As time was getting late, Lin Xi led Qin Suyuan back home.
After lunch and staying a while longer, Lin Xi drove with Qin Suyuan to Wangjiaping.
Winter in Wangjiaping wasn't much different from summer. The endless grassy meadow was still emerald green, only lacking the small flowers that dotted it before.
The cold wind swept across the unobstructed Wangjiaping grassland, hitting their bodies with an unusual chill. The winter of Yunnan Province was profoundly felt in this moment.
The two walked across the grassland and sat on the highest mound, wrapped in a thick woolen blanket Lin Xi had specially bought and kept in her space for emergencies. They didn't speak. The wind lifted their hair high, then let it fall gently.
The sun set, its color growing increasingly red, shining on Lin Xi and Qin Suyuan as if casting a layer of golden light upon them. It was somewhat dazzling, but neither could bear to close their eyes.
As the last remnants of the sunset disappeared, only the clouds dyed red by the evening sun remained on the horizon. The look of awe and wonder in Qin Suyuan's eyes lingered for a long time.
She said, "There was a text in elementary school. Every time I read it, I yearned deeply for the scenery described: 'The sky is vast, the wilderness boundless, the wind blows the grass low, revealing cattle and sheep.' Later, I read many literary works, watched many shows, and my impression of the grasslands deepened, that yearning grew even stronger."
"I originally thought to see a grassland sunset, I'd have to go to the northern grasslands. I never expected to see it here. Sister Xi, your tourism here can really take off. People like me who've never seen grasslands simply can't resist their allure." Qin Suyuan looked at Lin Xi with certainty.
Praised for her hometown, Lin Xi was very happy: "Then I'll take your auspicious words!"
Lin Xi was a practical person. Her goal for developing her hometown was very simple: to be able to earn money while staying at home.
With the last bit of twilight remaining, Qin Suyuan suggested taking photos. Lin Xi readily agreed. She took out a selfie stick, and the two huddled together, taking many pictures until the final trace of sunset glow completely faded.
Lin Xi brought out two cans of nut milk. They sat back in their spots, drinking leisurely.
As the time for Qin Suyuan's departure drew nearer, Lin Xi couldn't help but give her earnest advice. The friends in the group also learned that Qin Suyuan was about to leave and all tagged her in the group.
Qin Suyuan saw and remembered everyone's concern in her heart.
Not long after the sun set, it grew dark, and the moon rose. Tonight's moon was very large, its light spilling onto the grassland, illuminating the area as bright as day.
The car's headlights were turned on. A small square table was set up in the beam of light, with two stools placed around it. On the table were the delicious snacks they had bought by the roadside.
They had been talking at first, but later, they grew increasingly silent.
The clock pointed to eight. In the chat window between Lin Xi and Qin Suyuan, the countdown, which had been 36 hours yesterday, changed to 30 minutes, then to three minutes.
The three-minute countdown seemed to pass quickly, yet also felt agonizingly slow.
During the final seconds, Qin Suyuan stood up and waved to Lin Xi. "I'm off, Sister Xiaoxi. Take good care of yourself."
"Alright. Have a safe journey, and a peaceful life."
"Okay. You all too."
A flash of white light, and Qin Suyuan, who had just been standing before Lin Xi, vanished. Lin Xi took a bottle of beer from her space, but before she could even take a sip, a message popped up in the group chat.
Lin Xi set the beer aside and focused on replying to the messages. Just as she was about to lock her phone screen, she received a completely unexpected call.
"Good evening, Officer Li." Lin Xi put the call on speaker and held it to her ear.
Officer Li was Li Yucheng, also the cousin of Sister Li Ying. When Lin Xi had reported Lin Duxi's case, she had gone directly to him.
Since the trial for Lin Duxi's murder case concluded, Lin Xi hadn't seen Li Yucheng again. Occasionally, he would like a post when she shared something in the group chat.
"It's me, Miss Lin. I'm on a business trip to Yunnan Province. My aunt found out and packed a whole bunch of things for me to bring to you." Li Yucheng's voice, transmitted through the electronic device, sounded less cool and a bit more gentle.
Lin Xi chatted with Li Ying, Brother Feng, and the others from time to time, and Aunt Yang often called Chi Xiangping, but no one had mentioned that Aunt Yang had asked Li Yucheng to deliver things.
Lin Xi was surprised, but also touched that friends from afar were thinking of her. "Are you passing through Pingyuan City? When will you arrive? Should I come pick you up?"
Li Yucheng said, "I'm already in Pingyuan, at the Pingyuan City Public Security Bureau right now. Send me your home address. I'll come find you later. It's not safe for a young woman to be out alone at night."
Lin Xi was even more taken aback, but she still sent Li Yucheng her home location. After hanging up, she stored her things in her space and drove back.
She parked her car at the village entrance and sat inside chatting in the group. Qin Suyuan had already arrived in the "True and False Heiress" world.
The chat group was still friendly to her, directly placing her in a bustling downtown area. Wen Wan had given her local specialties of gold, silver, and jade, all chosen for being relatively easy to sell. Lin Duxi, as usual, had given her a bottle of restorative fluid.
Lin Xi wasn't worried about Qin Suyuan's survival.
She was chatting happily in the group when a Jeep pulled up beside her car. Lin Xi looked out and saw Li Yucheng get out, followed by another officer from the driver's seat.
Lin Xi slipped her phone into her pocket and got out as well.
Li Yucheng walked over to Lin Xi carrying a large bag of items. The other officer was also holding quite a lot.
Only when the two men stood beside her did Lin Xi realize just how tall they were. Li Yucheng was about six feet tall, and the officer next to him was a good half-head taller.
Li Yucheng hadn't seen Lin Xi in a long time. He smiled at her and said, "My aunt said you love her pickled and fermented vegetables. She made a lot this year. She originally wanted to send them by courier, but since I was coming anyway, it saved on shipping costs."
Li Yucheng didn't mention the hassle of carrying two large bags of pickles and fermented vegetables through multiple train and bus transfers.
Lin Xi had traveled the route from the capital to Pingyuan for years. How could she not know how arduous the journey was?
Lin Xi thanked Li Yucheng sincerely. "This is really too much trouble for you. How is Aunt Yang's health?" Lin Xi shifted her gaze from the male officer beside Li Yucheng and spoke to him politely.
"They're all doing well. You know how my aunt used to ache all over every winter? This year, she hasn't complained of any pain." Li Yucheng replied, placing the things into the trunk of Lin Xi's car.
After putting the items away, Li Yucheng told Lin Xi, "I'll be in Pingyuan for three days. If you need me to bring anything back, just give me a call. If you can't reach me, you can call him."
"His name is Li Sheng."
Hearing his name, Li Sheng took the initiative to greet Lin Xi. "Hello."
After Lin Xi responded, they exchanged WeChat IDs and phone numbers. Lin Xi invited Li Yucheng and his companion to come up to her house. Li Yucheng declined; he was here on assignment.
If it weren't for the fact that the things his aunt sent were perishable, he wouldn't have made this trip at all.
After being turned down, Lin Xi didn't insist. Li Yucheng and his colleague were clearly very busy. After a few more words of small talk, they got into the Jeep, said goodbye to Lin Xi, turned around, and drove off.
After they left, Lin Xi also went home. After parking the car and bringing the things inside, her phone vibrated intensely.
She put the bags down and checked her phone. It was a text from an unknown number.
"Hello, I apologize for disturbing you so late. I am Qin Shichun, the caretaker of Xishan Cemetery. Yesterday, you came to Xishan Cemetery to pay respects to my daughter. Although it is extremely presumptuous, I still wish to ask: what is the name of the young lady who came with you, the one who was crying so bitterly?"
"I mean no harm, nor do I wish to offend her. It's just that she resembles my daughter so, so much. If I have disturbed you, I sincerely apologize. You need not reply, but I eagerly await your message. -- Qin Shichun, father of Qin Suyuan."
