Chapter 22

Xu Han thought, I really am a fairy growing vegetables.

Seeing the knowing look on her face, Qiao Xinde immediately lost his nerve. He forced a smile and said, "Well, niece, we were just angry and did something stupid on impulse. We won't dare do it again. You're a generous person, so please let us off this once. We promise we won't repeat it."

"Let you off?" Xu Han sneered. "Uncle, you think I'm awfully generous."

"Niece, niece, we were wrong. Please don't call the police. We really won't set our sights on this plot of land again. Please, let us off this once." Seeing that things were going badly, Luo Yangxiu immediately changed her tune. She was practically ready to kneel before Xu Han.

Xu Han: "..."

You really knew when to bend and when to stretch!

Just then, Gu Yanqing tugged at Xu Han's sleeve. She turned to look at him. "What?"

"It's so cold, and it's the middle of the night. The local police might not come out," Gu Yanqing whispered in her ear. "Let them go, and I'll make sure they never trouble you again."

Xu Han jolted. "Murder is illegal."

Gu Yanqing laughed. "Where did your mind go?"

Since Gu Yanqing had said so, Xu Han trusted his methods. Dealing with Qiao Xinde's family would indeed be easy for him. Besides, the last time they had faced the police, they had worn the same cowardly expressions and promised never to do it again, swearing to turn over a new leaf. Yet they had gone right back to their evil ways afterward. She and Grandma Qiao were two vulnerable women—who knew what they might do next?

People like them were impossible to guard against.

Having thought it through, Xu Han said, "Fine. I'll let you off this time. But however many of my vegetables you killed, you'll compensate me for every one of them."

"No, no, no, we hadn't even gotten the chance yet." Luo Yangxiu said, "We'd just arrived at the vegetable plot when your weasel came."

In the end, Qiao Xinde and Luo Yangxiu left after thanking her profusely. Xu Han closed the courtyard gate and looked down to see Yellow Immortal leisurely grooming his ruffled fur.

Xu Han had only bathed him a few days ago and taken him to the village clinic for his vaccinations. After all that commotion, Yellow Immortal was dirty all over again, just like when he had first arrived.

Gu Yanqing shone his flashlight on Yellow Immortal. "Not bad. You've earned merit."

"Thankfully, we had Ah Huang tonight. Otherwise, tomorrow we'd probably only be able to watch a whole field of vegetables wither, with nowhere to seek justice."

Ah Huang seemed to understand Xu Han's words. He looked up at her, chest puffed out and head held high, seeming quite proud of himself.

Xu Han could not resist rubbing his smooth fur. Ah Huang nudged her hand with his head.

Gu Yanqing said, "You two women live alone with a child. It would indeed be safer to keep something fiercer to guard the house. How about I bring you a Border Collie?"

"No need. Ah Huang is enough." Xu Han felt that their conversation was becoming a little too intimate, so she yawned as cover. "I'm going to sleep."

Gu Yanqing said, "Good night."

The night passed without incident.

Grandma Qiao's room was farther inside, so she had not heard anything the night before. But when she got up in the morning, she was surprised to find that her granddaughter seemed to be getting along quite well with Mr. Gu. Mr. Gu had even accompanied her to pick vegetables in the field and received a basket of vegetables from Xu Han in return.

Grandma Qiao was delighted inside. Could it be that the two of them were getting back together?

In Grandma Qiao's mind, Xu Han and Gu Yanqing had always been a couple who had broken up after an argument. She had no idea about all the twists and turns involved.

Breakfast was thick, fragrant white rice porridge, served with homemade pickled long beans stir-fried with minced pork and a small dish of pickled cherry radishes. Both dishes were savory and well-seasoned. With the porridge, one could easily finish a bowl in just a few bites, warming both the stomach and the heart.

Koukou was already fine. Xu Han fed him some thick rice soup, and the little fellow giggled happily, looking utterly carefree. Xu Han bent down and kissed his little face.

Gu Yanqing watched the warm scene between the two of them, his gaze gentle.

Everything seemed peaceful and harmonious.

That was until Gu Yanqing stepped out to answer a call. When he returned, he said to Xu Han, "Sorry, but I have to go back first. One of my cousins' sons who's staying at my place for the time being isn't feeling well. I need to go check on him."

Xu Han's face suddenly turned deathly pale.

Gu Yanqing asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Go." Xu Han lowered her head and did not even look at him.

"Then I'll come see you next time," Gu Yanqing said.

Xu Han's tone was cold. "There's no need. I wasn't joking when I said it last time. Sorry, Mr. Gu, but please respect my wishes. Don't come looking for me again."

Gu Yanqing: "..."

She changed her expression faster than flipping a page.

But Gu Yanqing really was in a hurry. He did not press her about why her attitude had changed so suddenly. He even left without taking the basket of vegetables Xu Han had given him.

Meanwhile, her foolish son, who had become somewhat familiar with Gu Yanqing, kept looking curiously in the direction Gu Yanqing had disappeared, as though still expecting him to return.

Seeing this, Xu Han could not help sighing. The cousin's son Gu Yanqing had mentioned was the male lead, Gu Mingyuan.

Just thinking of that name made Xu Han's heart tremble.

For Koukou to grow up healthy in both body and mind and live a good life, Xu Han had already moved far away from that city full of trouble. She had also tried her best to avoid getting involved with those people.

Yet the shackles of fate seemed to remain locked around her, leaving her unable to break free.

Xu Han decided that she would keep her distance from Gu Yanqing in the future and stop welcoming him into her home.

Two peaceful days passed.

That day, Xu Han was worrying over how the vegetables in the fields were growing too quickly and in too great a quantity for them to finish. The school did not need that much either, and they would spoil soon. Then someone knocked on the courtyard gate. Xu Han went out and opened it, only to find Alai, the man who had delivered bamboo two days ago.

More frighteningly, he was holding a whole pig's head in his hands.

"Miss Qiao," Alai stammered shyly out of habit upon seeing her. "May I ask if your Yellow Immortal is here? I'm here to fulfill my vow."

Transmigrated into a Book

Sweet Romance

Sweetness Is Justice