Chapter 9: Watching the Show

Li Yaqin traversed the mountains and forests, collecting anything she deemed useful into her spatial storage.

A clump of plantain, about waist-high, grew by the roadside. Its broad, vibrant green leaves looked especially fresh after the rain.

Li Yaqin silently recited, "Collect."

The clump of plantain, roots and all, vanished instantly, appearing in her spatial storage.

Not far away, under a crooked tree, several inconspicuous motherwort plants grew.

Their leaves had serrated edges, and they bore small purple flowers, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

Li Yaqin silently recited again, "Collect."

The motherwort obediently entered her spatial storage as well.

Li Yaqin thought she'd store everything in her spatial storage first, then categorize it later when she had time.

After all, she didn't know if she could successfully escape the trouble caused by Li Yuehua's false accusations.

If all else failed, she would have to leave this place first.

She vaguely remembered her older brother doing well in the army; if she went to seek refuge with him, he could offer some support.

Anyway, she had already written to her brother and was now waiting for his reply.

Judging by the days, it should be soon; she hoped the train ticket would arrive at the same time.

While waiting for his reply, Li Yaqin decided to go into the mountains to collect as many supplies as possible to prepare for her future.

Therefore, her trip into the mountains was truly a raid.

She quietly collected bits and pieces of grain drying by farmers along the roadside, carefully storing them in her spatial storage to avoid suspicion.

Golden corn, plump rice, and some unidentified beans all became her prey.

Li Yaqin's movements became faster and faster, and her spatial storage filled up more and more.

Li Yaqin casually placed a bamboo basket containing a small amount of wild vegetables in the kitchen; these were to conceal her whereabouts.

She turned and went back to her room, closing the door tightly.

In the dim light of the room, Li Yaqin inventoried her "spoils" within her spatial storage.

Medicinal herbs, grains, withered branches, rotten leaves, wild fruits, wild vegetables, bamboo, bamboo shoots, a recently deceased pheasant, wild eggs…

Looking at this mountain of supplies, Li Yaqin couldn't help but smile slightly. With these things,

getting rid of Li Dayong was no problem, and even living a good life in this era wouldn't be difficult!

Looking at the mountain of supplies in her spatial storage, Li Yaqin felt an unprecedented sense of security.

Li Yaqin took out a fertility pill from the jade bottle and held it between her fingers.

This pill would be key to her future plans.

She would use this pill to plan a stable future for herself.

Even… to control her own destiny.

A glimmer of hope for changing her fate.

Li Yaqin put the fertility pill back into the jade bottle, a slight smile playing on her lips.

These things, she would use later.

Now, the most important thing is to get the train ticket her brother sent.

And see if she can escape the plot.

Hard work out with the intention of catching up with the unprepared; let's see how it goes.

Early morning sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the slightly worn wooden table.

Several letters lay on the table, each with different handwriting on the envelope.

Her father, Old Man Li, frowned, seemingly deep in thought. Her parents, in their youth, had been servants to a landlord, and were literate.

Li Yaqin's fingers gently traced the outline of one of the letters; it was from her brother, Li Qiang.

She took a deep breath and opened the envelope.

In the letter, Li Qiang first inquired about the family's situation, then mentioned his wife's pregnancy.

He hoped someone from the family could go to the army to help take care of her, his tone filled with anticipation and a hint of unease.

After reading the letter, Li Yaqin folded it neatly and put it back in the envelope.

She thought to herself that since her brother wanted her to go, this was a good opportunity to leave.

She turned to look at the other two letters, those received by her parents, wondering what they had seen.

The morning sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, illuminating the farmhouse courtyard.

Li Yaqin's parents sat on a stone bench in the yard, each looking at the envelope in their hands, their expressions different.

Li Yaqin walked to her parents' side and whispered, "Dad, Mom, my brother wrote a letter."

Old Man Li slowly raised his head, a trace of weariness etched on his weathered face.

He glanced at Li Yaqin and asked in a hoarse voice, "What did your brother say in his letter?"

Li Yaqin handed her father Li Qiang's letter, saying, "My brother said my sister-in-law is pregnant and wants someone from our family to help take care of her."

Her mother, on the other hand, beamed with joy, carefully stroking the letter and muttering to herself.

"That's wonderful! My eldest son's wife is pregnant! Our family will have an heir!"

"This is incredibly joyous news. I wonder how she's doing now; we must take good care of her."

Li Yaqin handed her father Li Qiang's letter, saying, "My brother said my sister-in-law is pregnant and wants someone from our family to help take care of her."

Hearing this, her mother quickly took the letter and read it carefully.

After reading it, she said happily, "This is wonderful news! We must hurry and send someone to take care of my eldest son's wife."

Old Man Li pondered for a moment, then said, "There are only two girls in the family, you and your sister. Your sister..."

He sighed, not continuing, clearly thinking of Li Yuehua's recent absent-minded state, and a wave of worry washed over him.

Li Yaqin knew her father's concerns and volunteered, "Father, I'll go. My sister can't leave in her condition."

This would be a good opportunity for her to leave.

Mother Li hesitated, looking at Li Yaqin with worried eyes.

"You? You've never been far from home since you were little. I'm worried."

Li Yaqin smiled, trying to sound casual.

“Mom, I’m all grown up now, what can’t I do? Besides, my brother’s in the army.”

“He can definitely take care of me. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll take good care of my sister-in-law.”

Old Man Li nodded, looking at Li Yaqin, and said earnestly, “Alright, you go then. Take good care of your sister-in-law, don’t cause trouble for your brother.”

“When you’re out in the world, be careful in everything you do, don’t let anyone bully you.”

Li Yaqin obediently replied, “Yes, I know, Dad, Mom, don’t worry.”

And so, it was decided that Li Yaqin would go to the army to take care of her sister-in-law.

As for Li Yuehua and her younger brother Li Xiaoyong, one was constantly anxious, and the other was still young, neither of them were home and knew nothing about it.

Li Yaqin secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Going to the army to take care of her sister-in-law was only the first step; she knew that her plan had taken another step forward.

Sure enough, ten days later, Li Dayong returned to the village.

The news of Li Dayong's return to the village spread like wildfire throughout the entire village.

The villagers dropped what they were doing and rushed to the village entrance, eager to catch a glimpse of the officer returning home in triumph.

"Hey, Li Dayong's back! Look!"

"That kid's really something, got married in less than two years of service."

"Who says otherwise? I heard she's a city girl, very pampered!"

"Hey, where's that brat Yuehua? She's always been inseparable from Dayong, where has she been today?"

"Keep your voice down! Dayong's already married, why bring that up? Be careful Yuehua doesn't hear and cause a scene!"

The chatter rose and fell. Li Yaqin mingled in the crowd, echoing the voices while scanning the surroundings for Li Yuehua.

"Huh, where's Yuehua? Isn't she always the one who loves to join in the fun?" she muttered to herself, a vague unease creeping into her heart.

She wondered how Li Yuehua was doing; she hoped nothing had gone wrong and would disrupt her plans.

Just as Li Yaqin was looking around, a commotion suddenly arose in the crowd, like ripples spreading rapidly across a lake after a pebble had been thrown in, automatically parting to make way.

"He's here! He's here!" someone shouted excitedly, their voice filled with anticipation and excitement.

Li Yaqin stood on tiptoe, craning her neck, and saw a burly man striding towards her.

He wore a brand-new military uniform; the crisp collar accentuated his resolute face, and the badge on his chest gleamed in the sunlight.

"It's Li Dayong!" a gasp erupted from the crowd, the atmosphere instantly ignited.

Li Yaqin narrowed her eyes, carefully scrutinizing this man who had driven the entire village wild.

She had to admit, Li Dayong did indeed possess a certain dashing air, with a high, straight nose and a resolute chin.

Add to that his tall, imposing figure, and it was no wonder Li Yuehua had secretly fallen for him.

But what good was good looks if he was still just a simple-minded brute?

Thinking of Li Yuehua, a complex emotion flashed in Li Yaqin's eyes.

She wondered how Sister Yuehua was doing now.

Thinking of Li Yuehua, Li Yaqin's eyes unconsciously dimmed.

She frowned, searching for that familiar figure in the crowd. She had to find Sister Yuehua quickly.

Otherwise, her next plan would be impossible to carry out.

"Oh, my son!" A sharp cry pierced the noise.

Li Dayong's mother squeezed through the crowd, embracing her son tightly, tears streaming down her face.

Li Dayong patted his mother's back somewhat sheepishly and softly comforted her, "Mom, don't cry, I'm back now, aren't I?"

"Indeed!" The village chief walked forward with a broad smile, warmly patting Li Dayong's shoulder, his voice booming.

"Our hero from Li Family Village has returned! Tonight, the whole village will throw a welcome feast for you!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd, the atmosphere reaching its peak.