If it weren’t for Ding Yao being prepared, Song Xiuyan felt that he might have implicated her. The moment she rushed out to throw the powder, he was so scared that his heart almost stopped beating.
Ding Yao shook her head and gestured, “I don’t want to go to the capital.” She did not feel any kinship with Lin Hu, only a strong sense of wariness. She would not learn who wanted her head if she went to her uncle. It would be better if she stayed.
Song Xiuyan did not want to send Ding Yao away, but if it meant her safety… Well, it was better the known devil than the unknown. “It’s fine if you don’t want to go to the capital. You can head to Spirit Stone Village and stay there for a few days. I’ll give you all the money we earned from selling the lingzhi; that way, your father and stepmother might not force you to sell the Snake Swallowing Stone.”
Ding Yao looked at Song Xiuyan, her eyes wide open. “Do you think I’d drag you down?”
Song Xiuyan quickly shook his head. “How can that be? I would have died if it weren’t for your Wolf Repelling Powder.” He was confident in his victory over those two men if they stuck to fists and kicks, but the odds changed when they drew their swords. There was too great a room for error.
Ding Yao smiled, miming, “I’m glad you aren’t treating me like some burden. I can make more Wolf Repelling Powder for your protection.”
“My grandfather taught me how to make it. He said it deterred ferocious beasts by causing a burning sensation in those it comes into contact with. Not many people or beasts can fight through the searing pain. Don’t worry. You’re a strong martial artist, and with the help of my medicinal powder, you’ll beat them before they realise what’s happening.”
Song Xiuyan was very surprised. How could a frail young girl like Ding Yao so calmly talk about immobilising someone using medicinal powders? He thought Ding Yao would be frightened and had prepared himself to cheer her up.
Recalling the events earlier that night, Song Xiuyan revised his judgement. Ding Yao’s petite form hid a courageous young girl who would endanger herself for the sake of others. She was no ordinary girl.
Ding Yao rolled her eyes when she noticed Song Xiuyan staring at her. What was there to see? She was nothing before Song Xiuyan’s ruthlessness when equipped with a sword. He could incapacitate his foes easily just by drawing his sword. It was not something a regular country bumpkin could do. Ding Yao was sure that Song Xiuyan was hiding some profound secret.
Song Yang was a fiercely loyal young man. When he deciphered Ding Yao’s meaning, he smiled and said to Song Xiuyan, “Big Brother, Ding Yao is right. There’s nothing to worry about; we’ll deal with whatever comes our way. You should protect Big Sister Ding Yao while I watch our younger siblings.”
Ding Yao rose early out of habit. She watched Song Yu boil some soup and medicine, accurately measuring the right dosages for children with roundworms. He was mature for his age, seriously reminding the children with roundworms to be careful and observe good hygiene practices. He even instructed them not to go to the toilet without adult supervision. He was caring and patient.
Ding Yao nodded discretely. She had to say that Song Yu did a good job and would be a good disciple.
Once Song Yu treated his patients, he received money for his services. He counted his earnings and had to check to make sure he got the amount right. “Haha! I’ve made two hundred yuan! We can buy plenty of rice now!
Meanwhile, Song Xue showed off the rope she had woven, boasting loudly, “Big Brother, Big Sister Ding Yao, do you think it looks pretty? Choose whichever one you like best. I’ll exchange the rest in town for some money. Then, I’ll treat everyone to meat!”
Song Yu laughed at her. “Are you saying you will exchange a few pieces of rope for meat? Song Xue, are you dreaming?”
Song Xue smirked, looking pleased with herself. “You don’t understand, do you? Third Brother, Song Yi, said these ropes go for a high price if the weaving methods used to make them are unique. If I had better materials, they would fetch an even higher price when sold to people in the capital!”
“It’s all thanks to Big Sister Ding Yao,” Song Xue said, “Big Sister Ding Yao taught me how to weave!”
Song Yi would keep his promise to Song Xue. Once his legs healed, he would go to the capital and sell the ropes woven together by Song Xue. They should fetch a good price. Unfortunately, it was not a product they could make much money for long. Competition in the capital was fierce; sooner or later, people would reverse engineer the techniques involved in their creation, thereby cutting their profits.
Song Yi leaned back in his wheelchair, a soft smile on his lips. He quietly watched his Fourth Brother and Fifth Sister bicker. He was blessed to live a life full of hope. He had cute younger siblings and an amazing older brother. Even Big Sister Ding Yao was someone he viewed favourably; she was their family’s lucky charm. Since she became part of the family, life had improved by leaps and bounds, and the future looked bright.