Chapter Summaries

Su Qiao and Big Treasure settled into a comfortable life at Old Hu Er's house while the villagers endured her antics and waited for Chen Ligeng and his wife to return. He Jianjun secretly sought a way to remove Su Qiao, while He Yongqiang continued plotting against her.

• He Jianjun let Su Qiao leave but warned her not to cause more trouble, and she said she might take chickens to eat.
• Su Qiao and Big Treasure left to roast meat as the villagers urged He Jianjun to deal with her.
• He Jianjun sent people to find Chen Ligeng and his wife and secretly watched Su Qiao for a chance to get rid of her.
• Su Qiao drove Old Hu Er's family from their home and moved Big Treasure in with her.
• Su Qiao and Big Treasure spent their days cooking, resting, and gathering wild fruit and herbs while the villagers avoided her.
• After more than a week, the affected villagers recovered, but He Yongqiang still plotted to make Su Qiao suffer and die.

He Yongqiang persuaded He Meili to help him retaliate against Su Qiao, and He Meili recruited Wu Chunni to lure Big Treasure out and deliver a message. Wu Chunni agreed after He Meili promised to help her escape a forced marriage and find work in the city, then went to Old Hu Er's house to carry out the plan.

• He Yongqiang secretly urged He Meili to help him get revenge on Su Qiao, and she reluctantly agreed to lure Big Treasure out and deliver a message.
• He Meili asked Wu Chunni to help, but Wu Chunni initially refused because she feared Su Qiao.
• He Meili promised to stop Wu Chunni from being married to Old Cripple and to help her find work in a big city.
• Wu Chunni, tempted by the chance to escape the village, agreed to the plan.
• He Meili explained how to lure Big Treasure out, and Wu Chunni headed to Old Hu Er's house.

After He Yongqiang's men lured Big Treasure to the fishpond and he nearly drowned, Su Qiao rescued him. Big Treasure briefly recalled being swept through strong water but could not remember more, and Su Qiao took him home to recover; 444 then asked whether they should attack their enemies directly.

• Wu Chunni warned Su Qiao that Big Treasure was being held and told her to come to the threshing ground that night.
• Su Qiao learned Big Treasure had fallen into the He family's fishpond and rushed there to save him.
• Su Qiao pulled Big Treasure from the water and revived him on the shore.
• Big Treasure said he remembered falling into strong current before, but he could not recall anything else.
• Su Qiao took Big Treasure home, warmed him with a bath, fed him, and put him to bed.
• 444 asked Su Qiao whether they should attack their enemies directly.

Su Qiao drugged Wu Chunni and He Yongqiang, intending to punish them for nearly drowning Big Treasure and ruin Wu Chunni’s hopes of leaving the village. They were discovered together at the Ancestral Hall, and He Jianjun demanded an explanation from his daughter, He Meili.

• Su Qiao prepared medicinal powder and settled Big Treasure before sneaking into the Wu Family's home and carrying off Wu Chunni.
• Su Qiao knocked He Yongqiang unconscious at the threshing ground, brought him and Wu Chunni to the punishment platform, and made them swallow medicinal powder.
• He Meili went to check on her brother and found He Yongqiang and Wu Chunni entangled together on the platform.
• The villagers gathered, but the pair could not be separated until Liu Yufen pulled Wu Chunni away and covered her with Wu Yingxiong's shirt.
• He Jianjun sent He Yongqiang home, dispersed the villagers, and demanded that He Meili explain what had happened.

He Yongqiang woke to find that he had slept with Wu Chunni in front of the village and was ordered by He Jianjun to marry her. He accused Wu Chunni of plotting against him, rejected her explanations, and left their future together bitterly uncertain.

• He Meili said she had followed her brother to the Ancestral Hall and seen what happened, while Liu Suzhen comforted her.
• After villagers restrained him until daybreak, He Yongqiang woke and learned he had been with Wu Chunni instead of Su Qiao.
• He Jianjun ordered He Yongqiang to marry Wu Chunni, but He Yongqiang refused and insulted her.
• He Yongqiang dragged Wu Chunni from the Wu Family and accused her of conspiring with Su Qiao to trap him.
• He Yongqiang warned Wu Chunni he would not treat her well or share a bed with her, then pushed her down when she tried to explain.

Wu Chunni was forced to marry He Yongqiang, while he secretly waited for a chance to take revenge on Su Qiao. Su Qiao struck first, repeatedly dunking He Yongqiang in his family’s pond and leaving him terrified and exhausted.

• Wu Chunni agonized over her situation, fearing the villagers would blame her for helping He Yongqiang harm Big Treasure and luring Su Qiao out.
• Under pressure from the villagers, He Yongqiang agreed to marry Wu Chunni but resented her and continued to hate Su Qiao.
• He Yongqiang planned to settle his grudge with Su Qiao when Chen Ligeng and his wife arrived in the village.
• Su Qiao shoved He Yongqiang into his family’s pond and broke the branch he grabbed to keep himself from falling.
• Su Qiao repeatedly jabbed He Yongqiang underwater with a bamboo pole whenever he surfaced, tormenting him over what had happened to her Little Friend.

Su Qiao threatened He Yongqiang after he targeted someone she cared about, warning she would destroy his family if they came after her. She reunited with Big Treasure and agreed not to go near the pond again, while deciding to finish matters in the village and leave with him.

• Su Qiao threatened to drown He Yongqiang and condemned his family for acting as though they controlled the law.
• Su Qiao warned He Yongqiang that she would kill his father, mother, and sister if they came after her.
• Su Qiao took her knife and He Yongqiang's fish bucket and left him behind.
• Su Qiao met Big Treasure, took his hand, and told him she had caught fish for dinner.
• Big Treasure admitted he was afraid of the pond, and Su Qiao agreed not to go near it again.
• Su Qiao resolved to settle matters quickly and take Big Treasure away from the village.

Su Qiao left the village before dawn to travel to town, planning to cross the mountains and return before dark. The villagers were relieved she had gone, while Big Treasure stayed behind.

• Su Qiao left Big Treasure a drawing saying she would return before dark, then took the Wu Family's hidden boat and rowed downstream.
• Su Qiao told 444 she would cross the mountains to reach town and return quickly, despite the wolves and cliffs.
• Villagers saw Su Qiao leave and spread the news, feeling relieved that the Female Tyrant was gone.
• Villagers lamented that the Hu Family had wasted money dealing with Su Qiao.

Su Qiao traveled to town to contact Xiao Lian’s family, arrange for a house, and buy supplies before returning to the village by crossing the mountains. She found Big Treasure waiting by the river and tried to make up for leaving without him by giving him the things she had bought.

• Wang Guizhi and the villagers blamed Chen Ligeng for bringing Su Qiao to the village and planned to demand money from him.
• Su Qiao reached a nearby town, contacted Xiao Lian’s family, and paid a deposit to a real-estate agency for a house in the provincial capital.
• Su Qiao spent her remaining money on daily necessities, clothes, shoes, and fried chicken for herself and Big Treasure.
• Su Qiao abandoned her boat and crossed the mountains, returning to the village before dark.
• Su Qiao found Big Treasure waiting by the river, caught him when his numb legs gave way, and offered him the things she had bought.
• Big Treasure asked where Su Qiao had gone, then turned away despite her explanation and gift.

Su Qiao returned from town and found Big Treasure waiting by the river, upset that she had left without him. She comforted him with food and promises, then gave him new sportswear to try on.

• Big Treasure tried to hide his tears and refused Su Qiao’s food, though he secretly wanted it.
• Su Qiao offered Big Treasure hamburgers, fries, and fried chicken, and he finally accepted them.
• Big Treasure told Su Qiao he had waited by the river all day after finding her drawing and realizing she had gone to town.
• Su Qiao reassured Big Treasure that she would take him with her if she ever left, and he said he wanted to be her brother.
• Su Qiao showed Big Treasure the sportswear and shoes she had bought, and he eagerly changed into the new clothes.

Su Qiao gave Big Treasure new clothes and food, then promised to take him along the next time she left the village. Big Treasure asked to learn martial arts, and Su Qiao also gave him art supplies so he could draw on paper.

• Su Qiao told Big Treasure not to undress in front of other people, and he changed into the new tracksuit she had bought him.
• When Big Treasure started taking the clothes off to keep them clean, Su Qiao told him clothes were meant to be worn and promised to take him shopping next time.
• Su Qiao gave Big Treasure a hamburger, and he shared a chicken leg with her as he asked why she had returned over the mountains instead of by boat.
• Big Treasure warned Su Qiao that there were wolves on the mountain and insisted on going with her next time, so she promised to take him.
• Big Treasure asked Su Qiao to teach him martial arts, and she promised to teach him self-defense.
• Su Qiao told Big Treasure she had bought him picture books, drawing paper, paints, and brushes so he could draw on paper instead of stone or sand.

Su Qiao bought drawing supplies for Big Treasure, who revealed remarkable artistic skill while drawing a castle. The villagers worried that Su Qiao’s return meant their troubles would continue, and Widow Li appeared as Big Treasure finished his picture.

• Su Qiao gave Big Treasure drawing pencils, paints, and a sketchbook after promising to teach him.
• Big Treasure eagerly began drawing and made a detailed castle with a garden.
• Su Qiao noticed his skill and wondered about his forgotten past, but decided he belonged with her regardless.
• The villagers saw Su Qiao return and complained that Chen Ligeng had brought trouble to the village.
• Widow Li praised Big Treasure’s drawing and remarked that it was a pity.

Su Qiao spoke with Widow Li, who urged her to leave the village with the boy before Chen Ligeng and his wife returned. Widow Li explained why she could not escape herself, and Su Qiao offered to help her.

• Widow Li revealed that she had once been a teacher and warned Su Qiao to leave the village with the boy as soon as possible.
• Widow Li explained that the villagers and the two people watching her had repeatedly caught and brutalized her when she tried to escape.
• Widow Li warned that Chen Ligeng and his wife were ruthless and had many people who could help them.
• Su Qiao offered to help Widow Li, but Widow Li told her to focus on protecting herself and urged her to take the mistreated boy with her.

Su Qiao grew impatient with He Jianjun’s lack of progress in finding Chen Ligeng and his wife, so she put pressure on him by arranging for He Meili to be found at Wu Ping'an’s house. When He Jianjun and Liu Suzhen confronted her, Su Qiao accused him of stalling and plotting against her.

• Widow Li worried that Su Qiao might leave without Big Treasure and decided to wait before asking her for help.
• After more than a week without news of Chen Ligeng and his wife, Su Qiao decided to put pressure on the people responsible.
• He Meili ran out of Wu Ping'an’s house in disarray, prompting villagers to suspect Su Qiao was behind it.
• He Jianjun and Liu Suzhen confronted Su Qiao at Old Hu Er’s house, and Big Treasure took up a wooden club to defend her.
• Su Qiao told He Jianjun that his ten days of silence made her suspect he was stalling and looking for a way to deal with her.

Su Qiao told He Jianjun and Liu Suzhen that their children had earned the consequences she arranged, then agreed to wait three more days for the Chen Ligeng couple before leaving with Big Treasure. He Meili protested her marriage to Wu Ping'an, but the families went ahead with it after the village learned she had run from his home.

• Su Qiao taunted He Jianjun and Liu Suzhen over their son’s and daughter’s behavior and defended arranging He Meili’s marriage to Wu Ping'an.
• Su Qiao agreed to wait three days for the Chen Ligeng couple, and promised Big Treasure that they would leave together for a big city where she had bought a house.
• He Jianjun returned home, learned what his children had done to Big Treasure and Su Qiao, and furiously scolded them both.
• He Meili refused to marry Wu Ping'an and ran toward the river, but the village learned she had fled his home.
• The families chose an auspicious date, and He Meili married Wu Ping'an despite her protests.

Su Qiao prepared her home after learning that Chen Ligeng and Guo Caixia had returned with three men. When the four men broke into her courtyard, her traps surrounded them with snakes and centipedes, and she appeared with Big Treasure and a bound woman in red.

• Wu Ping'an's family regretted being tied to He Meili, whom they considered demanding and unable to work.
• Chen Ligeng and Guo Caixia returned to the village with three burly brothers.
• Su Qiao learned of their arrival from 444, called Big Treasure home, and spread medicinal powder around the house.
• The four men crept into Su Qiao's courtyard at night and were surrounded by snakes and centipedes drawn by the powder.
• Su Qiao and Big Treasure appeared under the courtyard lights, with Su Qiao carrying a bound woman in red and Big Treasure holding a wooden club.

Su Qiao trapped Chen Ligeng, Guo Caixia, and the three other men among venomous snakes and centipedes, terrifying them into staying still. She left them in the courtyard overnight, warning that the creatures would bite if they moved.

• Su Qiao revealed the snakes and centipedes surrounding the men and threw Guo Caixia onto a small patch of powder-free ground.
• Big Treasure pointed out that Guo Caixia had wet herself, and Su Qiao told him not to embarrass her further.
• Su Qiao cut Guo Caixia free and carried her through the creatures, which parted to let Su Qiao pass.
• Guo Caixia tried to move toward Chen Ligeng, but he ordered her to stand still as the snakes moved with her.
• Su Qiao left the group in the courtyard overnight and warned them that the snakes and centipedes would attack if they moved.

Su Qiao kept Chen Ligeng and four others trapped among venomous snakes and centipedes overnight, then hung them from a banyan tree surrounded by the creatures. When He Jianjun and the villagers arrived, the snakes chased them until Su Qiao used the sound of her chopsticks to make them retreat.

• Su Qiao left Chen Ligeng and the others among the snakes and centipedes overnight while she took Big Treasure inside.
• At dawn, Su Qiao and Big Treasure tied up the five men and hung them from a banyan tree, then used powder to draw snakes and centipedes around it.
• He Jianjun and the villagers rushed over after hearing the men scream, then froze when they saw the creatures covering the tree.
• The snakes chased the fleeing villagers until He Jianjun called for everyone to stop moving.
• Su Qiao tapped her bowls with chopsticks, and the snakes backed away to guard the banyan tree.

Su Qiao and Big Treasure frightened the villagers with their threats and revealed that Big Treasure had recovered his speech and clear thinking. Big Treasure rejected Liu Yufen as his mother and shared a few memories of a wealthy home, leaving Su Qiao wondering whether he had remembered his past.

• Su Qiao teased the villagers about her venomous creatures, while Big Treasure offered to hang them from trees.
• The villagers realized Big Treasure could speak clearly and suspected Su Qiao had cured him.
• Su Qiao asked Big Treasure whether he wanted to acknowledge Liu Yufen, and he refused, recalling how she mistreated him.
• Big Treasure told Su Qiao he was not an idiot and said his real mother lived with him in a huge castle.
• Big Treasure showed Su Qiao a castle drawing and remembered a butler, many servants, and people in black guarding them.

Su Qiao confronted the villagers and the traffickers hanging from a tree, challenging them to call the police and exposing their fear of being punished for their crimes. Chen Ligeng refused to call the police and tried to bargain with her to free them.

• Big Treasure told Su Qiao he barely remembered his father, and she comforted him by saying that her affection was enough.
• Su Qiao asked He Jianjun whether he dared call the police, but he and the villagers stayed silent.
• Su Qiao taunted Chen Ligeng about calling the police, and his men warned that doing so would expose their crimes.
• Su Qiao mocked Guo Caixia as she wept beneath the snakes and centipedes, condemning her for harming other women.
• Chen Ligeng admitted defeat and offered to have the others release Su Qiao if she let them go.