"What are you looking at? It must be big."
Tian Da Jiao was in a bad mood, all because of Qin Hongi, delaying them from picking wild vegetables. It was too late to go to Dayan now, with one side of the village here, the other side there.
At this rate, they wouldn’t have picked much by the ti they went back to cook. Surely, they’d be nagged at ho!
Next ti, she mustn’t listen to Sweet Root Wife. Why take care of Qin Hongi? If her legs can’t manage, she should co to the North Slope on her own, not drag so many people along with her!
So when she heard Sweet Root Wife suggesting to go find her, Tian Da Jiao retorted with a bad attitude.
The other wives were also dissatisfied. Everyone had a husband or mother-in-law at ho. Even if the husband didn’t nag, the mother-in-law surely would.
Sweet Root Wife fell silent and started picking wild vegetables.
They didn’t co to pick wild vegetables every day, just every few days, and a few of them would gather to go together. It wasn’t too hard on the ti, plus it was a bit of fun.
When it was almost ti to return and cook, Qin Hongi still hadn’t shown up. It had been over an hour, even if she was having stomach trouble, she should have co back by now.
The wives couldn’t help but look towards the back mountain. Could sothing have happened?
With this thought, they didn’t need to discuss it. They all headed towards the back mountain. She had co out with them; if sothing had happened, they wouldn’t feel good about it.
Sweet Root Wife and Tian Da Jiao were quick, walking in front. Standing on the North Slope, they didn’t see a trace of Qin Hongi.
"Oh my god, could she have been taken by a wolf?!" Tian Da Jiao was startled, her heart pounding. What were they going to do?
"Don’t panic, don’t panic. Sister Qin said if there was danger, she’d scream. We haven’t heard any screams, so nothing must have happened!" Sweet Root Wife said, but she was sweating on her forehead as well.
"Quiet! Listen! Is soone talking?" Another wife shushed them, making them stop talking and listen intently.
Once quiet, they did hear soone talking. It was faint, continuous, muttering sothing that wasn’t clear, intermixed with a whimper, like they were pleading.
The won exchanged glances and followed the sound. The area had lots of big rocks, remnants from past landslides. You might sotis spot a wild Rabbit near these rocks.
"There!" Sweet Root Wife, with sharp eyes, spotted a bare leg sticking out from behind one of the rocks.
Seeing the shoes that Qin Hongi had on, they got a fright and hurried over.
"Oh my!"
"Dear !"
"Oh my god!"
The three who rushed over first were taken aback by the sight behind the rock, and after a gasp, they ran back covering their faces.
"What happened?"
"Tell us, what happened?"
Returning, their faces were red, a mix of anger and disbelief, muttering curses but refusing to say what had happened.
This made those behind curious, stepping around to see, they reacted the sa, running back with red faces, cursing as they went.
No wonder they reacted this way. Though all were married with children, there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed. So matters are ant for ho and private. Just what was this!
Turns out, they found Qin Hongi there, completely undressed, mouthing and moving, with her hands not idle, the posture and murmurs utterly repulsive even at her age!
Sweet Root Wife, with a thin skin, was the first to rush there and now felt her stomach churn, unable to utter anything harsh, just kept muttering, "These city folks are really open!"
Tian Da Jiao was already jumping and swearing, calling her shaless and morally corrupt.
Finally, after the cursing, the sound from behind the rock continued unabated, and the group of wives was at a loss about what to do next.
"Go get her husband, what else can we do!" Tian Da Jiao turned to leave, unable to stay another mont; the sounds behind the rock were only getting louder.
When the group of wives ca knocking, Luo Aiguo was at ho smoking. His family’s conditions were better than Luo Er’s, but still limited, as he smoked rolled cigarettes.
When he heard the chattering of the won, he felt struck by lightning, thinking he misheard.
A group of wives speaking leaves no room for doubt, and he tossed aside his cigarette, rushing towards the back mountain.
Old Mrs. Luo heard the chatter clearly and couldn’t believe it either. Luo Xuqiang was halfway through putting on his jacket as he followed out the door.
When Luo Aiguo saw Qin Hongi, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Was this his wife?
Luo Aiguo desperately tried to wrap her in clothes, but everything got torn, covering one side but exposing the other.
Qin Hongi was carried back by Luo Aiguo, who couldn’t fathom how he got back ho. The body on his back squirming, murmuring, driving him utterly livid!
But even if he wanted to strangle her, he had to wait until they were ho, couldn’t disgrace themselves outside!
Luo Xuqiang was no better off. Normally, families would be at ho cooking and eating, but those wives couldn’t keep their mouths shut. A bit of chatter in the courtyard, and soon everyone in the front and back yards heard it. Going ho and telling their families, the story like a spark in a haystack, ready to ignite.
As they carried her back, they wished the whole village wouldn’t co out to watch.
Luo Xuqiang, shirtless, draped his clothes over his mother’s body, not just covering but also holding in place, else it would fall off with her every move!
His face buried into his chest, feeling if there were a hole in the ground, he’d gladly crawl into it!
Both father and son didn’t know how they made it ho, their faces burning hotly!
At ho, Old Mrs. Luo was left with no choice but to acknowledge it, crying and cursing for this disgraceful girl to be thrown out!
With Old Mrs. Luo’s commotion, Luo Aiguo felt dead inside.
Such a scandalous event wouldn’t need until tomorrow. Before dinner was even over, the whole Kao Village knew!
Whether Qin Hongi was possessed or had a fetish, this incident would be the talk of the village for years to co!
By dawn, gossip had spread suggesting Luo Aiguo’s inadequacy. If he were fine, why would his wife go to the mountains to sort herself out?
Qin Hongi, once carried ho by Luo Aiguo, slept soundly till morning. Waking up with a blurry mind, clarity soon struck, and mories flooded back, turning her face deathly pale.
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