Chapter 41: No Days of Peace

Although the treehouse was built high, there was no need to carry water up from below; a large bamboo pipe had been hollowed out to bring water up, though how the water pressure problem was solved, probably no one could explain except the late Old Bai.

Originally, Bai Xi had wanted Chen Zhaodi to bring back two fish, but Chen Zhaodi adamantly refused: “It’s already hard enough for the young mistress to keep Little Black fed.”

Little Black, mentioned for no reason, silently looked up and wished it could roll its eyes; it was easy to feed, wasn’t it?

After Chen Zhaodi left, Bai Xi resumed her cross-legged meditation. Little Black, having seen this many times and knowing Bai Xi was cultivating, quietly crouched nearby, ears perked, alert to the slightest sound.

Seeing Little Black act so sensibly, Bai Xi felt even more at ease in her practice.

On the first day, Chen Zhaodi had at least chosen the smallest fish for Little Black to eat, but thereafter, it was always Bai Xi’s leftovers that were fed to it.

Noticing its treatment had changed, Little Black immediately growled at Chen Zhaodi to express its dissatisfaction. Its mistress had said it was allowed one fish a day—how could she short it?

Even though Chen Zhaodi couldn’t understand Little Black’s words, she could guess its meaning, and she responded meaningfully, “So you want to snub the young mistress’s leftovers? You’ve only been with her for a short while, and already you’re picky?”

Hearing this, Little Black immediately stopped growling. How could it disdain its mistress? It just feared Bai Xi would eat less to save food for it.

Of course, the main thing was, Little Black worried it wouldn’t get enough to eat. Fortunately, although Chen Zhaodi didn’t cook separately for it, she did make a bit extra.

Seeing Little Black behaving, a smug look flashed across Chen Zhaodi’s face. “With me here, try acting up if you dare. So what if you caught the fish? Who knows what would have happened to you without me!”

Little Black seemed to understand Chen Zhaodi’s meaning. It went over to Bai Xi, seeking comfort, and Bai Xi stroked its head and said,

“You don’t really like fish anyway. Once you can hunt, bring back more meat, and I’ll have her cook it for you. If you catch too little, you’ll just have to go hungry.”

The last part she said only in her heart.

Little Black was instantly delighted.

While Chen Zhaodi was busy in the kitchen, she overheard Bai Xi’s words, glanced back, and found the way Bai Xi absentmindedly comforted Little Black amusing. The young mistress had learned to act and speak like an adult, and she did it flawlessly.

Anyone seeing a five-year-old child with round, sparkling eyes turning this way and that, eating sunflower seeds as she casually comforted a young tiger, would find the scene hilarious.

Little Black didn’t feel brushed off at all. It was eager, waiting for the day it could show off its hunting skills.

The rain lasted for two days before stopping.

During those two days, Chen Yi kept watch by the roadside. He had made up his mind: the next time the giant mushroom appeared, he would rush out and grab it first.

Though he had admitted fault after being scolded, he wasn’t convinced at heart. He had seen the giant mushroom more than once—why did no one believe him?

As for his mother’s claim that there were no mushrooms so big, and that mushrooms couldn’t walk, Chen Yi didn’t believe it. The young mistress lived in a treehouse, after all, and there was a huge tree and a treehouse—so why not a giant mushroom?

Bai Xi wasn’t aware that Chen Yi was waiting to catch a mushroom. She hadn’t left the house these past two days; there was plenty of fish to eat.

Once the weather cleared, Chen Daliu rang the village bell to call everyone to work.

In half a month, it would be harvest time, and the fields needed to be drained; otherwise, working with mud up to the knees would be exhausting.

Chen Zhaodi had family matters and needed to return home for three days. She had her relatives inform the village chief when they went to work, and she herself made a special trip to the treehouse to tell Bai Xi.

“Oh, I know. Go ahead,” Bai Xi said, waving her hand to show she understood.

Arrangements had already been made for someone to cook for her.

Before leaving, Chen Zhaodi didn’t forget to put out the marinated fish to dry, and gave gentle instructions.

“Miss, don’t touch the fish. Let them dry for a day, and by evening, they’ll be ready. Later, whoever comes to cook will collect them for you.”

After Bai Xi nodded, Chen Zhaodi hurried off.

On a branch off the treehouse stairs, two bamboo sieves were set up, holding the fish marinated for two days to dry. Bai Xi and Little Black could see them whenever they went up and down.

While the village kept cats, none dared come near the treehouse because of Little Black, and as for the villagers, no one would risk touching Bai Xi’s things.

Near lunchtime, Bai Xi returned to the treehouse with Little Black, but she was stunned when she saw who had come to cook in Chen Zhaodi’s place.

“Did Chen Zhaodi arrange for you to cook for me?” Bai Xi’s soft, adorable face wrinkled as she looked at the newcomer’s belly, round as a watermelon.

Li Jia quickly nodded. “Miss, I’ll be cooking for you these three days. Don’t worry, I’m quite good at it.” If she didn’t live next door to Chen Zhaodi and have a good relationship, the job wouldn’t have fallen to her.

Bai Xi hesitated. “Your belly…” There were plenty of people in the village; surely they wouldn’t send a pregnant woman with such a big belly to cook for her.

Li Jia replied immediately, “Don’t worry, Miss. I’m quick with my hands, and my belly won’t get in the way. Just a couple of days ago, I was still working in the fields.”

With that, Li Jia went straight into the kitchen and, following Chen Zhaodi’s instructions, got busy making Bai Xi’s meal with practiced efficiency.

Country folk weren’t so delicate. Pregnant women working were common, and cooking was the lightest task.

Seeing this, Bai Xi thought for a moment about the many times she’d seen pregnant women working in the fields, and said nothing more.

Li Jia had asked Chen Zhaodi several times for the chance to cook for Bai Xi. Now, with Chen Zhaodi away, it was finally her turn.

She had been married here for six years. In the first three years she had two children quickly, but both were girls. The fourth year brought another girl, and now, in the sixth year, she was pregnant again, fearful it would be another girl.

Her mother-in-law hadn’t said anything, but Li Jia knew she wanted a grandson.

Everyone knew that in the countryside, not having a boy was unacceptable—a boy was needed to carry on the family line.

Li Jia was from another village, and her original family was not good. Although Niuluo Village wasn’t too obsessed with sons, the idea was ingrained in her. Seeing others who married the same year as her already had sons and daughters, while she had no son at all, made her increasingly anxious.

Back in her hometown, women who couldn’t bear sons were sometimes sent back in disgrace, and those abandoned women lived hard lives. Not having a son meant hunger and beatings were common.

Her mother-in-law hadn’t shown any such intention yet, but what if one day she did?