Li Chuntao’s departure was completely unknown to Yang Xiaocui, as her mind was entirely focused on her meeting with Yang Daniu.

She finally awaited the moment when the family went down to the fields.

After the family left, she took advantage of a moment when the children weren’t paying attention, went to the base of the wall outside the yard, and found the boiled eggs hidden by Yang Dong.

The moment she saw the boiled eggs, a harsh gleam appeared in her eyes; no matter the cost, she absolutely couldn’t let anyone know about her feigning illness.

If the Yang Family found out, her and Yang Dong’s marriage prospects would be ruined.

Not only would her reputation be ruined, but she also wouldn’t be able to live a good life.

She returned to the yard, quickly finished the house chores, and then told Yang Dabao to watch over his younger siblings because she had to go out for a bit.

"Aunt, where are you going?"

After all, Yang Dabao wasn’t a child anymore—he was already ten years old, so she had to give a reason. She said she was going to find Yang Dong to see if he could bring back some good food for the family. Yang Dabao, hearing this, didn’t say anything.

After all, last time, Uncle Yang Dong had brought them a whole pot of delicious food.

Since she was going to Nanshan, Yang Xiaocui was afraid the villagers might get suspicious, so she carried a basket. If she was seen, they would just think her family didn’t have enough food and maybe she was going up the mountain to find some. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Seeing his aunt carrying a basket, Yang Dabao didn’t get suspicious; he just thought it was for holding the food Uncle Yang Dong would give them.

Yang Xiaocui set off for Nanshan just like that.

Nanshan wasn’t far; it was a mountain next to the back mountain that Xiaoxiao bought. It was also the passage to Stone Village.

Nanshan was also a mountain villagers often visited, and the outskirts already had a small path trodden by villagers.

Yang Xiaocui had only just entered Nanshan when someone suddenly appeared behind her, startling her. Recognizing him, she saw it was Yang Daniu.

Only to hear Yang Daniu say, "Why so slow? I thought you weren’t coming, and I was about to go out and shout about you pretending to faint."

His mischievous tone made Yang Xiaocui’s expression change, "Brother Daniu, I wasn’t pretending to faint, don’t speak nonsense. The reason I agreed to come here is that there were too many people on the road yesterday. I was afraid if you shouted, everyone would believe you."

"Wow, got quite a sharp tongue. You’re so young, usually so quiet, who would’ve thought you had such a scheming mind? Honestly, that boy from the old Yang Family marrying you, what a waste," Yang Daniu said with a roguish demeanor, playing with a branch in his hand.

Seeing Yang Daniu like that, Yang Xiaocui felt uneasy, so she spoke softly, "Brother Daniu, I really wasn’t pretending to faint. The doctor came to see me; I fainted from hunger. We’re relatives; I call you Brother Daniu. Can you not spread false rumors? If you tell the villagers I pretended to faint, I won’t even be able to clear my name."

"Haha, if you want me to keep quiet, you gotta bribe a little, right?" Yang Daniu said, gesturing with his hand, meaning to shell out some money.

Yang Xiaocui’s heart sank, indeed Yang Daniu intended as such. She somewhat knew Yang Daniu; idle all day, not working to support the family, fine, but constantly indulging in drink and gambling, stealing money from home. Because of a good-for-nothing like him, the family lived in hardship.

Because of his ways, at his age, already twenty-five, he still couldn’t get a wife.