Chapter 32

Chapter 32

The group was pale from vomiting, but there was a hint of joy and relief on their faces, like they'd just survived something and felt a huge weight lifted off them.

Feng Xia was still sitting on the chair in the main room, watching them with a smile. Five adults and one child had drunk over half a bucket of the medicinal water. Li Meihua fetched an empty jar, intending to save the leftover, thinking about Da Chun, who had touched that enamel mug once or twice—who knows how she was doing? She wanted to save the medicine for Da Chun to drink.

Feng Xia didn't stop her. Li Meihua filled the jar, then watched as the medicine water slowly turned clear, eventually becoming plain water. Right in front of everyone, it turned into plain water. Their wariness of Feng Xia grew even stronger. Such methods were utterly unfathomable. The Feng family's psychological defenses were completely shattered; they no longer dared to oppose Feng Xia, only wishing this Demon Star would hurry back to the army. This girl was just too creepy.

Li Meihua stared at the jar, dumbfounded. She wanted to glare at Feng Xia but didn't dare. She angrily dumped the water outside, then turned and led her two children back to their room. Feng Chengzong, who had been force-fed a bellyful of water by his mom and then puked it all up, looked totally out of it, but his eyes were still glued to the candy and malted milk on the table. Li Meihua practically dragged him away. She really didn't dare let her son touch Feng Xia's stuff anymore—that would be like asking to die.

Feng Xia split the stuff into three piles and tossed a few candies to Feng Jinbao. Even though Feng Jinbao had taken the antidote earlier, he'd only had a small dose. If he kept being exposed to the poison, he could still get sick. But this time, his hands were intact, without any sores, clearly because he'd listened to his mom and sisters. Feng Xia liked people who did what they were told, so she gave Feng Jinbao a few candies to sweeten his mouth.

Feng Jinbao took the candies and eagerly popped one into his mouth. He knew that before she left, Feng Xia had left a pack of candies for his sister and mom, so he could have three or five a month. He looked up to this sister with admiration and love.

She was tougher than his oldest sister, second sister, or even his mom. His dad, uncle, and grandparents didn't dare touch her. Though young, Feng Jinbao wasn't oblivious when his father beat people. Feng Jingui and Feng Jinlian were kind to him, and he didn't want them to get hit, but he couldn't stop it. Feng Xia, however, could. Ever since she showed her fierce side, Feng Aihua had restrained himself, no longer daring to beat his wife and daughters recklessly. In Feng Jinbao's heart, Feng Xia was the strongest person—the strongest in the whole village of Daba.

Feng Xia ignored the little kid's bright eyes. She told Zhang Ling and her daughters to put the stuff away, then went back to her room. The military bedding inside was a bit messy, clearly someone had been through it. The enamel mug was in even worse shape—chipped and dented. Feng Xia smiled, not caring. These people would never dare touch her stuff again. But she didn't like using stuff other people had touched, especially people she didn't get along with.

She picked up the enamel mug and walked out of the room. The Feng family was still resting in the main room, but the second they saw that mug, they jumped back like they'd seen a ghost and scrambled out of the yard in no time. Feng Xia didn't care. She handed the mug to Zhang Ling and told her to use it for tea and not worry about the chip.

Zhang Ling wouldn't dream of minding—she was thrilled. Even with the chip, the mug had clear patterns and looked nearly new; someone might even buy it if she sold it. Zhang Ling thanked Feng Xia profusely. Soon after, Feng Jingui and Feng Jinlian came over with a pile of fluffy items—two rabbit-fur vests they had made for Feng Xia. The sisters were gentle and virtuous, their sewing skills much improved. Feng Xia tried them on and found they fit perfectly. She smiled and praised her sisters for their handiwork, and the atmosphere grew warm.

Later, Feng Xia went up the mountain and caught a few wild rabbits and pheasants. Though winter rabbits weren't as plump as in spring or summer, they still had a unique flavor. Feng Xia had Zhang Ling braise the meat, and they feasted in her room that evening. The Feng family, smelling the aroma, itched with craving, wishing they could gnaw on the bones for a taste.

Zhang Ling, her two daughters, and Feng Jinbao huddled behind the stove and shared a bowl of meat. Feng Jinbao was given a couple of pieces to sample. He had grown more sensible and didn't pester his mother for meat. After everyone finished, he soaked some rice in broth and drank a big bowl, feeling quite content.

Zhang Ling patted her daughters' heads, silently reflecting that the best decision she had ever made was helping little Feng Xia back then. This girl truly remembered old kindnesses.

Feng Xia spent four leisurely days at home. During that time, the Feng family avoided her like mice fleeing a cat, barely daring to stay indoors. The men preferred braving the cold outside to being in the house. Li Meihua and Zhao Yuee stayed in their rooms without stepping out. Li Meihua, in particular, kept Feng Chengzong confined, forbidding him from playing outside. If he cried or threw a tantrum, she beat him ruthlessly until he was subdued, his former spoiled temper gone.

Li Meihua had finally realized that if Feng Chengzong provoked Feng Xia, he would truly die. This girl wasn't her own flesh and blood—she was a demon.

On her last day off, Feng Xia went to catch two pheasants. As she pondered whether to stew or braise them, she noticed Feng Chun had returned.

Feng Chun rode a women's bicycle, a red scarf around her neck, wearing a brand-new blue cotton coat. Her cheeks were fairer than before, and she had the charm of a young woman, though she was only sixteen.

Li Meihua, seeing her eldest daughter, joyfully went out to greet her, holding Feng Chun's hands and fussing over her—a stark contrast to her cold, venomous treatment of Feng Xia.

Feng Xia wasn't bothered. She took the pheasants to the kitchen for Zhang Ling to cook, then stepped out to find Feng Chun sitting in the main room, drinking sweetened water. Feng Xia's keen nose easily caught the sugary scent from the cup.

Li Meihua sat nearby, asking about her daughter's trivial matters, a smile on her face, looking less harsh than usual.

Feng Chun noticed Feng Xia too. Her feelings toward this sister were complicated. In her past life, this younger sister had died young, leaving little impression. In this life, however, Feng Xia seemed like a different person—strong and formidable, nothing like the vague, timid figure she remembered. Moreover, Feng Xia had connections with the military, which would wield significant influence in the coming decades. Feng Chun didn't know what Feng Xia did in the army, but if she married well, her future would be secure.

Feng Chun looked at Feng Xia with mixed emotions. Feng Xia had grown taller, still slender, but her skin was fair as snow, her hair jet-black and glossy, her eyes sparkling like spring water—gentle yet cold. She was an exceptionally beautiful young girl.

"Second Sister, when did you get back? Why didn't you come find me at the supply cooperative?" Feng Chun asked, her tone natural and warm, as if they were close.

Feng Xia had no intention of engaging with her. She wasn't surprised that Feng Chun had landed a job at the town's supply cooperative. Feng Chun's words and actions were markedly different from before, leading Feng Xia to suspect she, too, had come from the future—though a different future from Feng Xia's, likely one from this timeline's later era. In common terms, it was a rebirth.

Being reborn, it was normal to seize some opportunities.

Feng Xia's suspicions were confirmed in her chats with Feng Jingui and Feng Jinlian. Feng Chun had once saved a big shot while out, and out of gratitude, he arranged for her to work at the town's supply cooperative. Working there was a prestigious, glorious, and lucrative position. Feng Chun's reputation had even briefly surpassed Feng Xia's, with young men from nearby villages sending inquiries about marriage.

Li Meihua walked through the village with her head held high, basking in praise for raising such a fine daughter.

So Feng Xia wasn't surprised by Feng Chun at all.

But Feng Chun wouldn't let Feng Xia off easily. "Second Sister, what's wrong with you? So rude? Your big sister is talking to you."

Li Meihua tugged at her daughter's hand, signaling her to ignore Feng Xia. Feng Chun didn't notice, but Feng Xia's sharp senses picked up on it—Feng Chun spoke with an air of arrogance, an unconscious superiority, trying to mimic city folk, which came off as awkward. Feng Xia had no desire to deal with her.

Seeing Feng Xia head straight into her room without a word, Feng Chun's eyes darkened, a stifling frustration building inside her.

Was this really her second sister?