Chapter 185
Chapter 185
Rain came hard and fast in the mountains.
In an instant, the wind scattered the white mist shrouding the peaks, while heavy black clouds pressed low over the ridgelines.
Thunder rumbled as the sudden downpour drummed against the concrete yard in front of the stilt house.
The red paper Double Happiness decorations prepared for the wedding quickly bled and tore loose, while two red lanterns spun beneath the eaves.
A gust hurled a spray of rain into the house, scattering ashes from the firepit all over the main room.
The woman in the blue apron who had brought Qin Ying inside cried out and hurried to collect the mountain produce drying in bamboo trays along the veranda.
Qin Ying rose to help.
Seeing this, the woman in the blue apron said apologetically, “I’m terribly sorry. The dead take precedence, so everyone in the village went over there to help first.”
Qin Ying gave her a faint smile. “No one can predict an accident like this. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
As she spoke, she bent down and picked up a bamboo tray as large as a millstone. The distinctive scent of dried wild mushrooms wafted up from it.
By the time she had helped carry all the trays into the main room of the stilt house, one side of her body had been soaked by the windblown rain, and a strand of hair clung to her cheek.
The middle-aged woman in the blue apron brought Qin Ying a brand-new red towel. “I’m so sorry. Look at you, you’re soaked. Here, dry yourself off.”
Before handing it over, she explained awkwardly, “My daughter bought too many towels for her dowry. This one’s clean and unused.”
“Thank you.”
Di Shang had already withdrawn into her sleeve. Qin Ying accepted the towel.
She casually ran her hand over it. Only after finding nothing unusual did she gently dab the raindrops from her face.
The wooden door of the stilt house swung shut, keeping out the wind and rain but plunging the room into gloom.
Overhead, a light bulb yellowed by years of smoke from the firepit gave off a dim glow.
Qin Ying sat beside the firepit, turned slightly to one side as she dried her hair. She lowered her zipper a little, exposing a slender stretch of pale, jade-like neck.
Her hand suddenly stilled, and she looked to the side.
The woman in the blue apron was tending the fire, but her eyes were fixed openly on Qin Ying’s face and neck.
“Young lady, your skin is so fair.”
Even as she spoke, her gaze remained glued to Qin Ying’s neck.
Qin Ying immediately pulled her zipper back up, only for the woman to complain, “We’re both women. What are you being shy for?”
As she spoke, flames surged up in the firepit with a whoosh.
“My surname is Mo. You’re about the same age as my daughter, so just call me Aunt Mo.”
For some reason, Aunt Mo abruptly became much more enthusiastic toward Qin Ying. Smiling, she said, “Look how wet your clothes are. I’ll find you something else to wear.”
Qin Ying refused without hesitation. “No, thank you.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll find you something new to change into. I promise it’ll be clean.”
Aunt Mo reached for Qin Ying, but she leaned away and repeated firmly, “There’s no need to find me clothes. I don’t intend to change.”
That was simply Qin Ying’s nature. In a situation like this, she would rather offend someone than change into some random outfit in a stranger’s home just to spare their feelings.
Apparently not expecting her to be so unyielding, Aunt Mo’s face flashed with embarrassment.
“Young lady, don’t look down on us mountain folk. We keep ourselves clean.”
Someone else might have softened and accepted the offer just to prove they harbored no such prejudice.
But Qin Ying was different. Guilt trips didn’t work on her.
She sat beside the firepit and said, “My clothes will dry by the fire. There’s no need to trouble yourself.”
Having been rebuffed, Aunt Mo’s hollow cheeks twitched. Without another word, she walked away.
The rain continued to fall outside. Qin Ying watched the flames as the Thunderbird hidden inside her hood stirred.
Qin Ying sensed a prying gaze settle on her.
She turned her head, only to see the pitch-black staircase leading to the second floor.
Qin Ying turned around, and the gaze immediately latched onto her back again.
She simply stood, picked up her little stool, and moved elsewhere.
With her back against the wall, she faced the stairs, arms folded as she waited to see who was spying on her.
The clatter of pots and dishes came from the kitchen, followed by the aroma of food.
Qin Ying’s expression shifted slightly. She took an emergency ration biscuit and a bottle of mineral water from her backpack.
She opened the package and had barely taken two bites when Aunt Mo came out carrying a bowl.
“Young lady, I made you something… to eat.”
Seeing Qin Ying taking large bites of the ration biscuit, Aunt Mo trailed off.
“Why did you start eating already?” Aunt Mo bustled over and eagerly thrust the bowl into Qin Ying’s hands, reaching to snatch away her biscuit. “Eat this.”
The bowl contained rice topped with stir-fried green peppers, cured pork, and wild mushrooms.
Qin Ying took one look and pushed it away.
“I’m already full.” As she spoke, she gulped down several mouthfuls of mineral water and refused again.
After Qin Ying went that far, Aunt Mo truly became annoyed. She stomped off, kicking and banging things as she went.
Even then, however, she made no mention of throwing Qin Ying out.
The mountain rain continued for two straight hours. It was nearly afternoon, yet showed no sign of letting up. Qin Ying rose to her feet.
She slung on her backpack and opened the door of the stilt house.
Seeing that she was about to brave the rain and leave, Aunt Mo appeared from nowhere at just the right moment.
She was all warmth and enthusiasm again, as if she had already forgotten her earlier anger.
“It’s pouring out there. Where are you going, young lady?”
Qin Ying replied politely, “I still have things to do, so I won’t stay any longer. Thank you for your hospitality.”
She stepped outside, only for Aunt Mo to grab her right arm and continue persuading her. “There’s no rush. The people you’re waiting for should be back any minute now.”
With a faint smile, Qin Ying peeled Aunt Mo’s fingers off one by one. “I’m not waiting for them anymore.”
Aunt Mo couldn’t match her strength. Just before Qin Ying could break free, her phone suddenly rang.
She paused, then saw Yin Minmin’s name on the caller ID.
The call connected to a deafening crash of thunder and torrential rain, followed by Yin Minmin’s voice.
“We’ll… be right… back.”
Qin Ying called out twice, but there was no answer. All she could hear was howling wind and rushing water.
Then the call disconnected.
Aunt Mo had also heard the voice over the phone. She smiled. “See? What did I tell you?”
“The wind and rain are fierce out there. Just stay here and don’t worry.” She took Qin Ying’s hand and rubbed her thumb across the back of it.
Qin Ying frowned and pulled her hand away. Aunt Mo didn’t seem offended. Instead, she teased, “Your hands are as soft as tofu. You were born to enjoy an easy life.”
“There’s no need for you to concern yourself with that.” Qin Ying retreated two steps.
Just then, several people in black raincoats approached through the rain, shouting for Aunt Mo to bring them some liquor.
The blond-haired man called Zhang Lao San was among them. When he saw that Qin Ying was still there, he broke into a broad grin.
The men fanned out, completely blocking the doorway.
Aunt Mo knitted her brows and stepped in front of Qin Ying. Lowering her voice, she said, “These men turn into real bastards once they’ve had a few drinks. Come with me.”
She turned and led Qin Ying up to the second floor.
As they climbed the stairs, Qin Ying could still feel that gaze following her every step of the way.
There were only two rooms upstairs. One door was tightly shut, while the other room was reasonably clean and filled with bedding and other dowry items.
Aunt Mo pointed inside. “Sit in here.”
“My daughter is next door. A bride isn’t allowed to see outsiders, so whatever you do, don’t go over there.”
With that, she headed downstairs without waiting for Qin Ying to respond.
She left Qin Ying alone amid the piles of dowry items.