Song Yu glanced at his older brother. Song Xiuyan may have seemed stoic, but he knew his big brother was likely chewing on his nails, beside himself with worry. Song Yu hoped his sister-in-law would not go back on her word, continuing to bring joy and laughter to their family.
Song Yi was the calmest person in the Song family. He smiled and said to Ding Yao, “I’ve already agreed with Boss Cheng. I’ll report to the company the day after tomorrow. Boss Cheng plans to go to the capital to discuss business. Maybe he’ll let me tag along. Let’s meet up in the capital.” Song Yi even got the address from Lin Qiang.
Ding Yao gave Song Yi a big smile. “Okay, then… the capital… I’ll see you there.”
When the people in the village knew that Ding Yao was going to the capital, they all put down the work they were doing to send her off. They were all unwilling to let Ding Yao leave, worried that she would not return after seeing the capital’s prosperity.
No one in the village had had to go to town for treatment since Ding Yao settled down. They could trade a few kilograms of rice with Ding Yao for medicine to treat an illness that would cost them hundreds of yuan in town.
Although Ding Yao was young, her medical skills were the real deal. So far, she had been able to treat all the diseases the villagers contracted. Ding Yao and Song Yu even taught them about medicinal herbs for free. As long as they were not afraid of getting their hands dirty, they could save money by foraging for medicinal herbs in the mountains during their spare time.
It was many times better than working part-time. At first, people thought Ding Yao was an omen of bad luck, spreading her ill fortune to any who got close to her. They did not expect her to be a little fairy spreading good luck everywhere she went. No one could bear the thought of her leaving and not coming back.
Big Head Liu’s wife, who had been cured of pneumonia after drinking medicine for five days, quickly went to her house to packing peanuts and sunflower seeds that had just been dried and gave them to Ding Yao. She told her to treat them as snacks on the way to the capital. Another woman, whose son had suffered a nose bleed, packed some sweet potatoes and hand-made noodles into a box for Ding Yao to enjoy.
The other villagers also brought many things, saying they were for Ding Yao’s grandmother and grandfather.
Zhao Caiyun’s mother brought even more things, all homemade farm snacks; Ding Yao only brought peanuts, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, and the things she could carry. Before she left, she left Song Xiuyan a 10,000 yuan passbook and brought the other 10,000 yuan as a backup.
Before Ding Yao got into the car, Zhao Caiyun pulled her to the side and said, “I don’t know if I’m overthinking things… but I feel like there’s something wrong with your uncle. The woman who tried bribing me the other day was likely a man pretending to be a woman.”
“He wore makeup and had the capital’s accent. The person who poisoned me also had the capital’s accent. They’re probably the same person. It’s too much of a coincidence for a place as small and remote as Spirit Creek Town.”
“Very few people venture out here from the capital. Moreover… that day… I’m pretty sure I saw your uncle lurking around. In any case, you should be careful. If you’ll take it, my advice is not to go where he is, but if you must head there, be careful. Don’t throw away your life.”
After Zhao Caiyun finished speaking, he realised everyone was staring at him. He lowered his head, shuffling awkwardly away.
Ding Yao said a quiet “thank you” to Zhao Caiyun’s retreating form. The villagers felt it was rather strange. How could someone like Zhao Caiyun be worthy of Ding Yao’s gratitude?
Lin Qiang heaved a sigh of relief when Ding Yao stepped into the carriage. Spirit Creek Town rented a small, shabby carriage. It had two rows of seats. Lin Qiang and Wen Jiang sat on one side, while Ding Yao and Xu Zhizhi sat on the other. There was a small coffee table separating the two sides. Though the carriage was not in the best condition, it was stable.
It was Xu Zhizhi’s first time going on a long journey. She buzzed with excitement and a sense of trepidation. She wanted to lift the carriage curtain to see outside but felt it would be rude to impose on those seated in front. Before setting out, Xu Zhizhi’s grandfather had spoken to her regarding the basics of etiquette.
Xu Zhizhi listened seriously and thought she would have to repeat what she had learned to Ding Yao. She did not expect Ding Yao to be much calmer than her. Ding Yao smiled and placed the snacks the villagers had showered upon her on the coffee table and said, “Everyone… let’s eat.”
Ding Yao helped herself to some peanuts. Her movements were elegant, and her expression was natural. Ling Qiang was in a good mood as he ate some peanuts. “These peanuts are delicious. They’re so sweet and aren’t greasy at all. They’re the best peanuts I’ve eaten,” he said.
Wen Jiang added, “You may not know this, but these peanuts are a speciality of Spirit Creek Town. It grows in the sandy soil unique to the area. They would still taste sweet even if you were to eat them raw. Just boil them in salt water and leave them to dry; you don’t need to add anything else, and they’ll taste great.”