Chapter 111: Something Has Happened

Le'er and Li Ying returned home quite late. Just as Le'er was about to start cooking, Uncle Tian arrived.

"Le'er, hurry up and go take a look. Something terrible has happened."

Seeing the grave expression on Uncle Tian's face, Le'er was startled, as was Li Ying, who was in the middle of drinking tea.

"Uncle, what happened?"

"Dahai’s boy is back, and that damned woman Taohong is threatening to drink pesticide!"

This was truly shocking news. Why would the boisterous and happy Sister Taohong want to drink pesticide just because Dahai returned? Li Ying had met Sister Taohong a few times; she was not only cheerful but also quite formidable. How could it come to this?

"Did Brother Dahai find another woman while he was away?" Le'er frowned. Short of that, nothing else could explain it. Sha Dahai was usually a steady man; he was frugal, didn't waste money, and only enjoyed the occasional drink.

"That's exactly it. I heard that a woman's photo was found in Dahai's wallet, and Taohong just flew into a rage," Uncle Tian said, looking anxious. "Even Party Secretary Tao came by, but it was no use. That stubborn woman won't let go of the bottle. She’s already popped the cap."

"Le'er, let's go take a look."

Le'er and Li Ying headed toward the village. Uncle Tian went home first; as the village group leader and a respected elder, he felt he had lost face after failing to talk her down for so long.

Outside Sha Dahai’s house, a crowd had gathered three layers deep. Sister Taohong sat on the second-floor balcony, holding the open bottle of pesticide, crying and cursing.

"Dahai, you bastard! You found yourself a little floozy... *sob*... I’ve been working myself to the bone at home, farming the fields, doing the chores, and raising the kids... I can't go on... I can't live like this anymore!"

The people below were trying to persuade her. Even the Party Secretary, who had been called over by Sha Dahai, had exhausted every argument to no avail. Sha Dahai was squatting on the ground, head in his hands, smoking cigarette after cigarette. This man, usually as strong as an ox, looked utterly miserable.

"Le'er is here... make way, let Le'er try to talk to her... someone’s going to die!"

Sister Taohong’s mother had also arrived, sitting on the ground, crying while pleading with her daughter and cursing Sha Dahai. Le'er greeted the neighbors with a smile as he walked in.

"Le'er, how can you be smiling?" Li Ying chided him. Le'er noticed Luo Yinxing standing far away. When she saw Le'er, her eyes locked onto him, but seeing Li Ying, she blushed and lowered her head.

Le'er remained cheerful, acting as if nothing was wrong. The old Party Secretary rushed over, patting his shoulder and begging him to convince Taohong—they couldn't let a death happen. Le'er just shook his head, saying it would be fine.

"Sister Taohong, does that pesticide taste good?" Le'er shouted from a distance. Taohong was stunned, then turned furious and started cursing him.

"Le'er, you heartless brat! Are you wishing for your sister-in-law to die? What good would my death do you?" She started wailing again. "I can't live like this! I'm going to drink it! Dahai, you heartless wretch, once I'm dead, you go ahead and find that little floozy... *sob*..."

"Haha... Sister, I actually don't want you to die. If you die, our village won't be as lively, and we'll have fewer jokes to tell. But I’m sure there are others who wish you were gone." Le'er took out a pack of cigarettes and passed them around. As everyone lit up, he continued lightheartedly, "If you're going to die, I’ll be sure to burn some things for you. Yeah, I’ll burn you a big house so you have a place to stay in the afterlife. What else do you need? I’ll get it ready for you."

Everyone stared at Le'er in astonishment. Wasn't he just pouring oil on the fire?

"You bastard! You keep that house for yourself to burn! My life is so bitter... I work until I'm exhausted at home... Dahai, you scum, even as a ghost, I won't forgive you!"

"Hehe... Brother Dahai, once Sister Taohong is gone, when are you bringing that girl home?" Le'er said, cigarette dangling from his lip, crouching down next to Sha Dahai with a grin. "Hehe... is she pretty? You can't let her sleep on the pillows Sister Taohong used, or use the quilts she used. They have Sister Taohong’s scent on them... And listen, you better keep that girl in check. A stepmother can't bully little Huahua. If she does, I won't forgive you!"

"Le'er... what kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Sha Dahai stood up and glared at Le'er as if he were an enemy. Li Ying, however, caught on to Le'er's plan and smiled. Le'er ignored Dahai and looked up again.

"Sister Taohong, we’re so close—if you die, I’ll make sure to look after your little Huahua. He’s still young; I won’t let a stepmother bully him." Huahua, Taohong’s son, was crying nearby. Le'er patted his head. "Go ahead and drink it, Sister. If you down the whole bottle, it’ll be quick and painless. If you drink too little, it’ll hurt like hell."

"You... you bastard Le'er! I’m not finished with you!" Sister Taohong suddenly threw the pesticide bottle to the ground and collapsed, wailing. "Heartless Sha Dahai, I won't give you the satisfaction! *Sob*... my little Huahua... my poor, bitter Huahua... why is my life so hard?"

At this moment, Taohong’s mother and Sister Guihua rushed upstairs. Some picked up the bottle, others comforted Taohong. The situation was suddenly under control.

The old Party Secretary wiped the sweat from his forehead. He had talked until his throat was dry, and only now did he let out a sigh of relief.

"Le'er, you really have a way with things."

"Not at all, I was just rambling," Le'er said modestly. "A blind cat caught a dead mouse."

"You're one 'blind cat' with very sharp eyes," Sha Youfu said, patting Le'er’s back with a laugh.

"Brother Youfu, you’re back?" Le'er patted his back too. "You’ve made a fortune, so where are the cigarettes? Bring out the good stuff. Secretary, let’s smoke Brother Youfu’s expensive cigarettes. Don't let a chance like this pass by."

"That bastard Le'er, he’s been sharp-witted since he was a kid."

"Exactly. No wonder he’s making so much money. His brain is just built differently."

Le'er ignored them and grabbed Sha Youfu and Sha Dahai. "Let's go. Come over to my place for a drink."

"I... Brother Le'er, how can I go? Won't things just blow up again later?"

"What are you afraid of?" Le'er laughed. "She’s only threatening suicide because you’re right here. If you weren't, would she? Everyone already thinks she’s gone crazy."

"Isn't that the point?" Sha Dahai said honestly. He had a thick beard, a large mouth, and full lips; he was a sturdy man and truly an honest soul. He had a great reputation in the village—strong, willing to help, and generally a quiet man. How did he end up with another woman?

"Let’s go, you idiot. Who told you to be a ladies' man?" Le'er scolded. "Once Taohong cools down, I’ll tell her you only kissed the girl and nothing more, and that you’ll never do it again. Haha... go home tonight, kneel by the bed for the night, and by tomorrow, she’ll be fine."

"What are you talking about? Where was I being a ladies' man?" Sha Dahai was shaking with anger.

"Then... where did that photo come from?"

"Where else..." Sha Dahai shot a hateful glare at Sha Youfu. Youfu shook his head. Dahai grumbled, "Anyway, it’s not mine."

Le'er had already seen the look between them and knew what was going on, but he didn't dare say more, lest someone actually drink the pesticide.

"Let's go, let's go. You’ve done enough shameful things," Le'er pushed Youfu. "I have something to discuss with you both."

The crowd mostly dispersed. Sha Dahai and Sha Youfu followed Le'er. Luo Yinxing stood far away, her eyes fixed on Le'er. Seeing Le'er and Li Ying walk over, she pretended to head home.

"Sister Yinxing, come with us. I have something to talk to you about."

"Sister Ying, what is it?" Luo Yinxing was overjoyed. She had been looking for an excuse to see Le'er.

"I'll tell you when we get there."

Li Ying smiled, and Luo Yinxing followed behind her. Le'er looked at her with some annoyance; she didn't dare meet his eyes and just walked with her head down, watching her own feet.

They soon arrived at Le'er's place.

"Sister Ying, Le'er, I’ll go make dinner. You guys talk."

"Yinxing, you're really diligent." Li Ying wasn't mocking her; Yinxing was indeed very hardworking. "Then I’ll trouble you. I have something to discuss with you later, too."

"Alright."

Yinxing happily went to cook. Le'er, Sha Dahai, and Sha Youfu sat in the main room. Li Ying used Le'er’s large tea mug to brew some strong, coarse tea, knowing the villagers preferred it over the refined stuff.

"Brother Youfu, you were trying to kill Brother Dahai, weren't you?" Le'er’s face darkened as he stared at Sha Youfu.

"I... how could I?"

"You didn't?" Le'er was getting angry. "You idiot, dare you say that photo of the girl isn't yours?"

"Uh..." Sha Youfu lowered his head. "You... can you read minds? How did you know?"

"Hmph, with your brain, you can only fool Sister Guihua," Le'er poured them tea into large bowls. "Does Brother Dahai look like he’d do something like that? You couldn't bear to throw away that photo, so you used your silver tongue to plant it in Dahai’s wallet, right? Are you still planning to meet up with that girl?"

Li Ying listened in surprise; she hadn't realized Le'er had this talent. Looking at the two men, she finally understood the truth.

"Le'er... I thought Sister Taohong was broad-minded... I didn't think... sigh, I truly deserve to die. Please don't tell anyone. If my wife finds out, she’s not like Taohong; she really might drink the pesticide."

"Look at the mess you two made. If Taohong had really drunk that stuff today, what would you have done? Tell me, what would you have done?"

"I was wrong. I’ll never do this again." Sha Youfu was ten years older than Le'er, yet he didn't dare talk back. "Le'er, come up with a way to settle this for Dahai, and I’ll catch a hen for you to eat."

"Forget it. Why are you bragging?" Le'er said dismissively. "You’ll catch a hen for me? Do you have the guts? Without Sister Guihua’s permission, would you dare pluck a single feather from your house?"

Sha Youfu was famously henpecked.

"That's true... hehe... Le'er knows his brother's pain," Youfu said, trying to butter him up. "You’re smart, think of a way for your brother."

Le'er thought for a moment.

"The only way is to push the blame onto 'Strong-boy'."

"Uh... that's it!" Sha Youfu slapped his thigh. "Pin it on him. He doesn't care anyway, he’s always messing around with women."

Sha Dahai’s face was dark, and he remained silent, though he looked slightly relieved. He had taken the fall for Sha Youfu many times before; he was the only one willing to be his scapegoat.