Chapter 12: The Allure of Beauty

“Bang!”

The sudden collision nearly sent Ning Hua tumbling to the ground.

Fortunately, she reacted quickly, stepping back a few paces to steady herself against the wall behind her.

Otherwise, the entire basket on her back would have spilled.

Rubbing her aching nose, Ning Hua came to her senses and looked up at the man who had bumped into her.

He lay motionless on the ground. Judging by his tightly shut eyes and pale, thin lips, she guessed he might be injured.

But after sizing him up, Ning Hua couldn’t help but silently admire: this man fits perfectly within her aesthetic.

His hair was short and messy, thick black eyebrows framing deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, and tightly pressed thin lips. His sharply defined, chiseled face was striking—thick eyebrows and star-like eyes, distinct features, a masterpiece any woman would be proud of.

She wondered what a sight it would be if those eyes were to open.

Additionally, a faint scar ran along his left eyebrow, adding a rugged masculinity to his whole visage.

Having admired his looks, Ning Hua turned and walked away.

Without a trace of hesitation or longing.

Once she was far enough, the man on the ground suddenly opened his eyes and gazed in the direction Ning Hua had left.

Whether it was disappointment or something else, Juncheng Xia slowly rose, staggering as he walked away.

Ning Hua had no idea what was on Juncheng Xia’s mind.

If she did, she would have scoffed coldly: picking up men by the roadside is hardly advisable.

Especially since the man’s tiger’s mouth bore a thin callus.

And even on the ground, his body remained tense.

What did this mean?

It meant he wasn’t unconscious, nor was he someone to be trifled with.

Ning Hua felt her life was chaotic enough as it was. Even if the man matched her taste, it wasn’t enough to compel her to help.

Perhaps it was the vigilance she’d developed in a past life—she couldn’t be as naive and warm-hearted as people in this era.

Ning Hua returned to the main team and took a detour to the back mountain.

When she came down from the mountain, her basket carried a wild rabbit, concealed under a generous layer of wild vegetables.

On top of the basket was a bundle of branches of various thicknesses.

“Hey, Ning girl, heading up the mountain to gather firewood?”

A woman working in the fields at the mountain’s base looked Ning Hua over and smiled.

“Yes, Aunt Cui,” Ning Hua replied shyly.

As she passed by, Aunt Cui puckered her lips and turned to gossip with the other women nearby.

“You know, since the Flower family lost the two elders, only the old matriarch Hua and Su Qiuxin—the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law—and a cousin remain. Whoever marries Ning Hua in the future will have to look after two elderly and one youngster as well, won’t they?”

The women’s conversation drifted on.

“Heh, isn’t that a matter of mutual consent?”

“That’s not so certain! I heard the old matriarch Hua is paralyzed. Who knows if one day Su Qiuxin and her daughter might be in a bad mood and just starve the old lady for days. Then…”

“Well, that’s actually possible! Everyone in the team knows how the old matriarch used to torment Su Qiuxin and her daughter.”

“But isn’t there still that brat Hua Hao? With him around, he wouldn’t just watch Su Qiuxin and her daughter starve the old matriarch, right?”

“Tch! Hua Hao’s just an ungrateful scoundrel! It’s better to count on Su Qiuxin than on him!”

...

Ning Hua heard every word of their chatter clearly, despite walking away.

Since she took that potion from her game inventory to alter her physique, she was no longer the same as before.

Not only was she as strong as an ox, but her agility had improved significantly.

Naturally, her senses had sharpened, too.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t dare venture deep into the back mountain of the team.

She let the village women’s gossip wash over her. After all, with so many events happening in her family, it was impossible not to be the subject of talk.

Only time could soothe the storm.

As soon as she arrived home, Su Qiuxin saw the large bundle of firewood on Ning Hua’s back and hurried to help unload it.

“You never carry less, do you?”

While speaking, Su Qiuxin went to the kitchen and poured a bowl of cool water for Ning Hua.

Just in time, Ning Hua was thirsty and downed the water in one gulp.

“Mom, I’m not tired.”

Handing the bowl back, Ning Hua swept the yard with her eyes. “Where’s Hua Hao?”

Su Qiuxin glanced toward the western house and replied softly, “He’s in your grandmother’s room.”

Upon hearing this, Ning Hua’s lips curled slightly.

“Mom, I caught a rabbit on the mountain. Could you make spicy rabbit for dinner?”

She reached into the basket, pulled out the rabbit by its ears, and handed it to Su Qiuxin, casually mentioning it.

Though she could cook herself, compared to the meals Su Qiuxin had made these past days, Ning Hua preferred to wait and eat.

“Oh? Such a plump rabbit! How about we eat half tonight and salt the other half to dry?”

Su Qiuxin looked at the rabbit, pleasantly surprised.

Ning Hua sighed helplessly. “Make it all.”

“All right, all right.”

Su Qiuxin dared not refuse Ning Hua now.

Ning Hua knew the older generation valued thrift.

But with plenty of game in her inventory and storeroom, there was no need to be sparing.

If it weren’t for Hua Hao still at home, she’d have taken out three or five pieces to cure and dry.

“When it’s done tonight, save a bowl for me to take to the team leader’s uncle’s house.”

Hearing this, Su Qiuxin no longer felt reluctant and went off to prepare.

She felt content with life these days.

Ning Hua wiped her face and headed toward the old matriarch Hua’s room.

Opening the door, a foul smell greeted her.

Hua Hao sat on a stool by the kang bed, his gaze heavy and fixed on the old matriarch lying there.

Seeing this, Ning Hua raised an eyebrow with amusement.

In just a few days, this brat Hua Hao was showing signs of turning dark.

If this went on longer, tsk tsk!

Anticipating the outcome, Ning Hua was naturally eager to watch it unfold.

“Tomorrow, you’ll come work with me.”

Leaving these words behind, Ning Hua turned and returned to her room.

Hua Hao turned his head and glared at her departing back, his eyes flickering with cold hatred.

He had thought of resisting.

But…

Casting a disdainful glance at the shabby old matriarch on the kang, Hua Hao rose, disgusted, and went outside.

For three days, he had to help Su Qiuxin clean, cook, and chop firewood, plus assist the old matriarch with washing and laundry.

When would this torment end?

At this moment, Hua Hao deeply missed the days when his parents were still alive.

What was Ning Hua doing upon returning?

Of course, gleefully counting money!

She had searched the belongings of Elder Hua and the two brothers, gathering over two hundred forty yuan in cash, plus some miscellaneous bills.

Then she rummaged through the old matriarch Hua’s room and that of Elder Hua and his wife, finding nearly six hundred more yuan in cash and a thick stack of various receipts.

One had to admit, the old matriarch was quite the saver.

But now, everything was hers for the taking.