Chapter 6: I'll Go Mad, I'll Poison You to Death
The already fragile door was kicked open with a single blow.
A cold wind rushed in, adding an extra chill to the room that was already like an ice cellar.
Zhao Yue’e instinctively shrank back a few steps, trying desperately to shield Cao’er with her small, frail body.
Miao Cui, the old crone, was the first to dart forward.
She shoved Zhao Yue’e aside and grabbed onto Cao’er’s clothes, pulling her out.
Those teetering on the brink of death were no match for Miao Qin.
Miao Qin, well-fed and strong, easily pushed Zhao Yue’e to the ground with a little force.
She hoisted Cao’er up, ready to leave.
“Don’t touch my child.”
Zhao Yue’e let out the loudest shout she had ever made, her heart steeling as she lunged forward and bit Miao Qin’s hand fiercely.
“Ouch!”
Miao Qin cried out in pain and released Cao’er.
Cao’er swiftly ran away.
From a distance, her eyes red, she shouted at them, “Daddy said no one is allowed to sell Cao’er.”
“Daddy doesn’t agree.”
She pouted, struggling to hold back tears.
Upon hearing this, Miao Qin stiffened briefly before bursting into loud laughter.
Hands on her hips, blocking the doorway, she sneered with contempt: “What he says is worth nothing!”
“What you did yesterday already made his father angry.”
“Look at that cowardly face of his—when his father got angry, he probably ran and hid somewhere. Why would he care about you?”
Though Su Yanwen had seemed intimidating yesterday, he was nowhere to be seen now. Was there really any need to be afraid?
Cao’er clenched her fists tightly and shouted loudly, “My father just went hunting.”
“Daddy will bring back meat to save me.”
“Hahaha,” Miao Qin laughed uproariously, leaning back in mirth. “And where’s the meat?”
“Where is he?”
Then she turned to the others behind her and asked, “Has anyone seen Old Su go up the mountain?”
“You know, last night the Snow Ghost showed up. No one dared to go up.”
“The Snow Ghost kills anyone who dares challenge it.”
The people behind her laughed as well.
Their voices were a chaotic blend of mockery.
“Old Su? That coward? He dares go up the mountain?”
“I bet he’s hiding at Widow Wang’s place, looking for warmth!”
“Hahaha, last time he gave Widow Wang a bowl of millet and slept there for two nights.”
“Yeah, and he bragged to us that Widow Wang is the wise one.”
One despicable remark after another.
Zhao Yue’e thought she had grown numb, but hearing these words still struck her heart like a blow, leaving her tears of sorrow.
Cao’er looked at her mother’s expression and suddenly seemed to understand something.
Though biting her lip, she could no longer hold back her tears.
Looking at the burly men outside, Cao’er whispered to Zhao Yue’e, “Mother, will Daddy come back?”
Without a word, Zhao Yue’e shed silent tears. No matter how cruel the truth, she didn’t want her daughter to cling to unrealistic hopes.
That would only lead her into an even darker abyss.
She shook her head.
Cao’er lowered her head, so small yet seemingly understanding everything.
As if a thought had struck her, she hurried to the table and lifted the bowl of hidden meat. “Mother, eat.”
“Cao’er will eat too.”
Yes, her mother said, once they ate this bowl of meat, they would never be separated.
“Mm.”
Zhao Yue’e sniffled, tenderly ruffling her daughter’s hair.
---
Holding the bowl, despite the ice shards, she gave the largest piece of meat to Cao’er.
At the foot of the mountain.
Su Yanwen had finally escaped.
He ran wildly, exhausting every ounce of strength.
Only after ensuring safety did he collapse on the ground, unwilling to move.
It was clear his body's constitution was far too weak and needed strengthening and nourishment.
“Boss Su.”
“Boss Su.”
From afar, voices called out.
Not far ahead, Aunt Zhang’s anxious figure hovered between the village entrance and the mountain base.
She dared not venture deeper, fearing the Snow Ghost would take her life.
“Aunt Zhang, I’m here!”
Su Yanwen called out.
Aunt Zhang was stunned, then rushed over. Seeing the prey in his hands—two rabbits and two snow martens—she was both shocked and delighted.
“You… you really went hunting up the mountain?”
She could hardly believe it.
“Of course,” Su Yanwen smiled with joy.
Grinning, he said, “Hey, do you happen to have any salt at home?”
“Still thinking about food? You really are heartless.”
Tears welled in Aunt Zhang’s eyes as she sobbed, “The village chief’s eldest son came with several men to demand people from my house.”
“Your stepmother sold Cao’er off just like that.”
“You… you’re still thinking about eating meat?”
The joy of a bountiful harvest vanished instantly.
The worst fears had come true, and quicker than expected.
He shoved the prey into Aunt Zhang’s arms and charged home.
“I will protect those I must. No one is allowed to touch them!”
He roared as he stormed into the courtyard.
“Waaah, this meat is from Daddy! You can’t take it!”
“Grandmother, even if you beat me to death, I won’t give it to you.”
Cao’er cried fiercely, clutching the bowl of meat tightly.
Miao Qin’s face twisted into a snarl.
“If you’re sold to the village chief, then you belong to his family. You still want to eat our meat? Dream on!”
She snatched the meat away.
With righteous indignation, she declared, “Everything in the Su household belongs to me. You two outsiders have no right to eat it.”
She was about to stuff it into her mouth.
“No!”
Zhao Yue’e shouted, face pale.
Ignoring everything, she rushed forward to snatch the meat back.
“How dare you take what’s in my hands!”
Miao Qin swung a slap across Zhao Yue’e’s face.
Zhao Yue’e’s head snapped sideways from the blow.
The meat fell to the ground.
“Woof woof.”
The village chief’s dog lunged and swallowed the meat in one bite, barking as it ate.
Barbaric and terrifying.
That was meat!
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