CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 100: TAKING THE BAIT

Beisitian went to herd the sheep before four o’clock, unless it was pouring rain. Qin Hongmei knew this routine, so she had been waiting early on her usual path.

Luckily, this time she didn’t see that kid Luo Anping. She was afraid that once he knew she was seeking out Beisitian alone, it would alert Luo Anguo and his wife.

"Little Tian’er, off to herd the sheep?" Qin Hongmei approached with a smile.

"Aunt." Beisitian stopped to greet her.

Qin Hongmei saw the rare friendly expression on Beisitian’s face and thought to herself what a flirtatious girl she was, probably obsessed with thoughts of men!

"This morning Huazi went to your house, you know what he means, right? Tell Auntie, what do you think?" Qin Hongmei asked quietly, smiling.

Beisitian’s eyes flickered slightly, "This is something my mom and dad need to decide, I’ll listen to them."

Upon hearing this, Qin Hongmei knew she was genuinely tempted. It makes sense, men and women alike, once they hit a certain age, start thinking about relationships.

"Your mom’s thoughts are just rural thoughts. You need to understand yourself, after the New Year, you’ll be twenty. Look at our village, not just our village, in any village, aren’t the kids of twenty-year-old women running all over the place?"

In rural areas, marriages generally happen early; sixteen or seventeen-year-olds marrying is common. Even though there’s been reform and opening up, rural areas still follow old customs, and most couples don’t even register their marriage. As long as there’s a wedding banquet, it’s considered marriage!

Seeing Beisitian hanging her head and not speaking, Qin Hongmei continued, "Look at my Feng’er, she’s a lot younger than you, and she already has two kids! Little Tian’er, even though we always bickered in the past, when it comes to serious matters, I’m certainly on your side. Your dad and mom are too selfish; they rely on you to do all the work and support the family. They can’t let you go, hence they don’t let you leave. Besides, they only have one son, and he’ll take at least another ten years to marry. How old will you be by then? So those words of letting you leave are all lies, just to have you work for the family properly!"

Beisitian pressed her lips, remaining silent.

"Actually, we can understand your parents, considering their health issues, they really can’t do without you. But Auntie genuinely can’t bear to see you alone for life. Good thing Huazi is interested in you too. If you two get together, then you can serve your parents together. Isn’t it the best of both worlds?"

Qin Hongmei continued with the usual persuasion.

Beisitian lowered her head, took a moment before speaking, "Aunt, what do you think I should do?"

Qin Hongmei was delighted upon hearing this, "Of course, the uncooked rice must be cooked!"

Beisitian blushed, quickly waved her hand, "That’s not okay! That’s not okay!" With that, she hurried the sheep and ran away.

Qin Hongmei didn’t chase after her, watching with a smile, and softly said, "What’s not okay? Probably can’t wait in her heart. If you can’t face it, Auntie will help you out this once! Oh dear, I was too focused on talking. I forgot to ask how much she earns a month!"

Sitting on the North Slope, Beisitian idly drew something in the dirt with a small stick, her mind elsewhere.

Would Qin Hongmei dare make a move, and should she make additional plans?

Qin Hongmei thought and thought on her way back, suddenly realized something. If their affair became known to the whole village, the worst would be shame, so that no one would criticize her behind her back!

Even though she wasn’t all that bothered, hearing people talking every day irritated her, forcing her to bring them together, so Second Brother’s family couldn’t say anything.

Yet, if the situation isn’t handled well, the Second Brother’s family might not want Beisitian after all. She wasn’t their own daughter, and if the duo lived in her house, what a trouble that would be...

This matter needed more thought.

Lost in contemplation over this, Qin Hongmei almost missed her own doorstep.

In the evening, Beisitian had Mrs. Qin drink talismanic water and examined her eyes. Compared to before, the white fog over them had almost faded away.

The talismanic water now used primarily is aided by Black Goji, making its color a blue mixed with purple. After using it for some time, preliminary effects should become visible.

Anyway, once Mrs. Qin noticed the changes by herself, Beisitian hadn’t bothered mentioning it.

"Little Tian’er, how is it going?" Mrs. Qin asked.

Beisitian knew she was referring to matters with Qin Hongmei, "Don’t worry. If she comes, just do the usual. If you feel like it, curse if you want. What was normal before, stays normal now."

Mrs. Qin nodded, and Luo Anguo remained silent. They couldn’t think of a good way to handle this because of Old Mrs. Luo’s involvement, they couldn’t confront it directly. The only option was to firmly refuse.

Luo Anping sat by the kang table, taking advantage of Mrs. Qin working to practice his writing under the lamp. He hardly needed Luo Anguo’s encouragement; he knew he had to learn.

With all the big and small matters at home, everything relied on Beisitian. Luo Anping had never wanted to grow up faster than he did now.

But Beisitian told him, growing up isn’t enough, knowledge is needed. Hence, he worked hard at learning.

Once he grew up and gained education, he could protect mom and dad, and protect his sister!

These days, Qin Hongmei had been very quiet, and Luo Xuhua visited twice under Qin Hongmei’s instructions, just for the sake of visiting.

Luo Xuhua didn’t share Qin Hongmei’s intentions with Luo Anguo and his wife, fearing it would upset them. He only told Beisitian.

Originally, he thought Beisitian would be too embarrassed to discuss it, instead, she spoke without changing her expression, discussing her thoughts.

Luo Xuhua realized this Beisitian he saw was completely different from the one he’d heard about in the village. This transformation seemed to start months ago.

He believed in change through adversity because he also experienced it. If not for that incident where Qin Hongmei schemed against him, he would still be hiding in this small mountain village, not daring to take that step!

Beisitian’s change was undoubtedly a positive one. Mrs. Qin said she was inherently capable, merely being buried by Du Bapi’s schemes.

Thus, for Luo Xuhua, stepmothers are truly harmful!

Beisitian calmly shared her thoughts and speculations, almost mirroring Qin Hongmei’s intentions, making Luo Xuhua admire her, secretly thinking, if Beisitian had been educated, neither Kao Village nor anywhere small could contain her!

Such a woman, a man without skills truly couldn’t manage her!

Thinking of Luo Xudong, if he were alive, with his cunning and wit, being with Beisitian would be something to behold!

Unfortunately, that possibility didn’t exist, making Luo Xuhua quite regretful.