LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 24 - I
When Pei Xing arrived, he realized that it was a worker who had given Shi Yi two large pears. These pears were likely grown by the worker. The larger pear weighed almost a pound, with thin skin and crispy, juicy flesh, making it perfect for quenching thirst on hot days.
Shi Yi thought that it was a gesture of kindness to help him cool down, so he didn’t want to accept it. However, the worker genuinely wanted to express his gratitude for the meals they provided, but he couldn’t find the words to refuse, so he accepted the pears with a smile.
Holding a pear larger than his face with both hands, Shi Yi took two big bites, causing pear juice to smear all over his face. He wiped it away with his sleeve and then offered the pear to Pei Xing, saying, “It’s so sweet! You should try it too.”
Pei Xing held his hand, took a couple of big bites, and his eyes subtly wandered over Shi Yi’s moist, red lips as he commented, “Indeed, it’s very sweet.”
He then picked up some ice wrapped in a handkerchief and applied it to Shi Yi’s lips.
Shi Yi, excited and feeling playful, sighed and handed Pei Xing the pear in his hand. He used the ice to cool his face and, noticing the iced juice in Pei Xing’s hand, took a sip. The cold, sweet aroma of strawberry juice seemed to go straight to his heart.
Pei Xing squinted his eyes, devoured the pear in his hand, and tossed it aside.
Liu Yingying, observing this scene from a distance, had a malicious look on her otherwise innocent and beautiful face.
However, the peaceful moment was shattered by a sudden commotion. Zhou Yan rushed out of the forest with Song Ning on his back. A group of people behind him carried a man covered in blood, which sent a wave of shock through the onlookers.
“Hey! Isn’t that Yingying’s older brother?”
Liu Yingying rushed over as if awoken from a dream and nearly fainted at the sight.
Pei Xing and Shi Yi, alarmed and worried about the situation, approached to see Song Ning’s back covered in blood. His eyes were closed, and his face was pale. The injured man on the ground had twisted and bloody legs, blood still oozing.
Zhou Yan appeared angry; his eyes cold as he glared at the unconscious man on the ground.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, they rushed to get medical help. In their village, there was only one doctor, who was called to the village chief’s house.
Desperate, they decided to seek a doctor in the county town. Pei Xing handed red blood powder and Huiming Pills to Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan, still agitated, explained, “If Liu Hu hadn’t pushed Xiao Ning, Xiao Ning wouldn’t have been hurt.”
He then recounted that there were people hunting in the mountain. He and Song Ning went up to pick wild mushrooms and collided with them.
Unexpectedly, the group was chased by a wild boar, which affected them as well.
He and Xiao Ning were rushed by the wild boar and he, himself, was entangled by the thing and couldn’t get away.
It was at this time that Liu Hu was chased by another wild boar and hid behind Song Ning in a panic then pushed Song Ning directly to the wild boar and ran away.
Fortunately, that man’s legs were trampled by the wild boar which made Zhao Yan felt a bit better.
Zhou Yan was worried and angry, Pei Xing patted him and said, “We’ll discuss it later. First, let’s check on Song Ning. I’ll go to the county to find a doctor.”
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By the time, Pei Xing called the doctor to the village, it was already late and the doctor stayed overnight to care for Song Ning.
When Song Ning woke up the next day, it was a relief to discover that his injuries were external, and he had no internal damage. It would take him about eight days to recover and return to work in the fields.
There were rumors circulating in the village about Liu Hu’s injuries, speculating that Song Ning had caused them. Now, with Liu Hu also disabled, there were fears that he might remain so for life.
On that day, after Shi Yi had delivered the gummy candies he made to Song Ning, he lingered on the roadside for a while as a group of women, some young girls and wives gathered together, pointing at him. Some even sneered at him, calling him shameless.
In response, Shi Yi boldly retorted, “I think you have too much free time!”
The woman appeared shocked that Shi Yi dared to stand up for himself, and her companions began to hurl insults. “You heartless person, it was him causing someone to be disabled. He is a loser just like his mother. You’re not a good person either. You’re a sly seductress fox.”
Shi Yi, angered by their audacious accusations, couldn’t help but laugh. “Seductresses are more attractive than you. You are just a jealous person. As for Song Xiucai, he’s never harmed anyone. Those who do evil will harm themselves, but not a victim. I know that in my heart.”
Shi Yi continued to fume as he returned home, taking a few big sips of herbal tea to calm himself. He remained oblivious to the fact that Liu Yingying was among the crowd, and he had no idea that she had grown resentful after he blamed her brother for his injury.
Her brother was only nineteen years old, and he had always been kind to her. This incident left him deeply disheartened, and he began blaming Song Ning for it, convinced it was all his fault.
People who had been on the hunt that day had witnessed what had transpired and knew that Liu Hu was the one who caused the harm. Nevertheless, they could only restrain their own family members from spreading rumors, as the son of the village chief was injured, and they couldn’t afford to explain the truth.