The Third Blood Orange

After Liao Xue left, Shen Qiancheng's temper grew even more erratic.

She insisted on hot water for washing and pre-squeezed toothpaste, which was one thing. But every meal, she'd pull a long face, take one bite, spit it out, and then refuse to eat another bite with a dark expression.

The Village Chief smoked, the worry lines between his brows deepening. His wife, wearing an apron, was sun-drying a small bag of wheat, planning to mill it into flour to see if Shen Qiancheng would eat.

Village Chief's Wife was terrified that Shen Qiancheng might starve to death in their home.

The subject herself, Shen Qiancheng, hungry, set down her chopsticks and said to them, "Village Chief, Auntie, come in. I have something to announce."

Village Chief's Wife and the Village Chief had never seen Shen Qiancheng treat them so amiably; even her beaming smiles were usually reserved for Liao Xue.

They were both a bit apprehensive, fearing Shen Qiancheng might say something earth-shattering.

Shen Qiancheng propped her chin on her hands, her smiling eyes fixed on them, and said cheerfully, "I'm leaving tomorrow. Happy, right? When I get back, I'll file a report, and the group will soon send people to survey the site and build the school."

The thing they'd longed for suddenly materialized before their eyes like a dream. Village Chief's Wife felt surprise first, then joy, and finally a hint of reluctance.

Although President Shen had a bad temper and a foul disposition, she wasn't a bad kid at heart.

Given how good she was to Liao Xue, Shen Qiancheng was truly kind inside.

Shen Qiancheng smiled faintly. "Congratulations. No need to thank me; I've just really gotten bored here."

The Village Chief sighed. "President Shen..."

Village Chief's Wife jumped in, afraid the Village Chief might get sentimental and try to persuade Shen Qiancheng to stay a few more days.

"President Shen, let me pack your bags for you. Your ID and other documents, clothes, and such—don't forget to take them all..."

Shen Qiancheng hated partings and nagging most of all, so she quickly waved her hand. "Alright, alright—go do whatever you need to do. Don't hover here and get on my nerves."

It didn't matter that her kindness was spurned. Village Chief's Wife was so immersed in the joy of Shen Qiancheng's imminent departure that she didn't care what Shen said. What if they argued and made Shen unhappy, and she decided to stay a few more days?

The Village Chief wanted to say more, but a glare from Shen Qiancheng silenced him.

Shen Qiancheng returned to her room and took out the backpack she'd brought when she arrived. Her documents were still inside, untouched. Aside from clothes—except for the one she'd given Liao Xue—she packed them away.

Within minutes, everything was ready. Shen Qiancheng sat on the edge of the bed, feeling lost. Her phone screen lit up with a message from Liao Xue.

Liao Xue: [Packing reminders: 1. Don't forget your documents—especially your ID. 2. Fold your clothes before putting them away. Actually, forget it—I'll come over tonight to fold them. 3. Charge your phone fully...]

Shen Qiancheng looked at the words on the screen, her heart warming. Not a shred of impatience; she read every word carefully and replied with a sticker of a little rabbit saluting, meaning "received."

The pangs of hunger swept over her like the wind. Shen Qiancheng typed on her phone.

The thought of Liao Xue made her stomach growl.

Shen Qiancheng: [See you tonight. I want to eat your cooking. I'm starving to death in the Village Chief's house.]

Liao Xue laughed out loud at the pitiful bunny sticker crying tears, just as Mother Liao came in asking what she wanted to eat.

Liao Xue shook her head. "I'll cook tonight."

Mother Liao, who'd exhausted herself trying to please Liao Xue, naturally agreed.

After dinner, Liao Xue was still only allowed to cool off in the yard. She looked up at the wall and saw the bright moon hanging high. She beckoned Liao Feiyu, who was running around chasing his own shadow.

Liao Feiyu, having been scolded last time because of Liao Xue, had kept his distance from her.

But the little boy was the most observant person in the whole family.

Liao Xue took Liao Feiyu's hand, covered in unwashed grease from dinner.

"Feiyu, do you want to eat candy?"

Liao Feiyu, a child who didn't hold grudges, broke into a grin at the mention of candy and nodded vigorously. "Mhm mhm, I want some!"

Liao Xue glanced at Mother Liao, who was washing dishes, and tugged at Liao Feiyu's hand. "I'll give you money; have Mom take you to the corner store."

Liao Xue held a twenty-yuan bill—an astronomical sum for a child like Liao Feiyu.

Soon, Mother Liao was dragged out of the house by Liao Feiyu, who was crying and making a fuss.

Only when no sound came from outside did Liao Xue move.

Shen Qiancheng sat in the yard, bored, watching the moon, her eyes heavy with sleep.

"Meow~ meow~ meow~"

Why was there a kitten crying?

Shen Qiancheng frowned and looked up to see someone trying to climb over the wall, hands and feet grappling for purchase but unable to get over due to unsteady balance.

Shen Qiancheng was certain the kitten sounds came from this person.

Because that person was Liao Xue.

Shen Qiancheng went over, gave her a hand, pulled her down from the wall, and caught her in a full embrace.

The moonlight was like gauze, and the scent of grass thrummed restlessly.

More importantly, there was the aroma of food.

Liao Xue's face was rosy as she handed over a lunchbox—the same one from the back mountain when she'd snatched Liao Xue's meal.

"Eat it while it's hot."

The steaming food ignited Shen Qiancheng's appetite. Along with the sultry summer night breeze, she devoured the meal Liao Xue had painstakingly carried over.

"Didn't I say I'd come to you? Why did you come here?"

Liao Xue watched Shen Qiancheng eat intently, like admiring a perfect sculpture. Asked a question, she was as flustered as a student called to answer, and stammered, "I... I was afraid the food would get cold."

Shen Qiancheng took another bite. "Without you, I can't eat or sleep. I'm restless. What would I do without you in the future?"

Liao Xue soothed Shen Qiancheng's back and comforted, "I'll always be by your side. I'll cook for you every day from now on."

Shen Qiancheng's hand paused mid-bite, then resumed eating without any sign of anything wrong. "Do you like the sun or the moon?"

What connection did that have to the previous topic?

Liao Xue looked up; the moon above was translucent and brilliant. She said hesitantly, "I see the moon."

"Good taste," Shen Qiancheng said, setting down the lunchbox and clapping Liao Xue on the back. "Compared to the sun, I prefer the moon. The moon isn't as fierce as the sun, but its light is like silk, giving people gentle strength."

Liao Xue nodded along, then picked up the lunchbox and closed the lid.

"My ID," she said.

Shen Qiancheng glanced down at Liao Xue's ID. The photo was from when she was about sixteen, not fully grown and gaunt from weight loss, not as lovely as her now-rounder face.

A glint passed through Shen Qiancheng's eyes, and she tucked the ID back into Liao Xue's hand. "No rush, just keep it with you. I'm not obliged to hold onto it for you."

Shen Qiancheng wouldn't take it, so Liao Xue couldn't force it; she put it away awkwardly.

Sensing Liao Xue's disappointment, Shen Qiancheng patted her shoulder. "Meet me at the bus stop at the foot of the mountain at eight tomorrow morning."

"Eight?" Liao Xue repeated, her tone tinged with worry. "Isn't that too late? I need to get up at six to pack..."

Shen Qiancheng listened quietly to Liao Xue's concerns, then reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair from Liao Xue's lips, smiling. In her eyes flickered a stubborn, vengeful light. "Since we've decided to leave, we have to strike them their hardest when they're closest to success."

Liao Xue didn't understand, but Shen Qiancheng must be right.

The trip to the corner store for candy hadn't taken long, and Liao Xue had little time with Shen Qiancheng. With the time set, Liao Xue had to go back—before Mother Liao came home.

Just as Liao Xue's feet touched the ground and her bottom hit the stool, Mother Liao's voice came from outside, scolding Liao Feiyu.

"All day long, all you think about is candy. Candy's bad for your teeth. If your teeth ache later, you'll have to get them pulled. One by one, till you don't have a single tooth left..."

Liao Feiyu, emboldened, never took Mother Liao's threats lightly—they were about as effective as farts. He chewed a piece of candy, holding a lollipop, while Mother Liao carried a few bags of spicy strips. The two pushed open the gate and entered the yard.

Mother Liao's first glance landed on Liao Xue sitting in the yard.

Liao Feiyu might not listen to her, but Liao Xue had to.

"Are you crazy?" It was the last night, and Mother Liao had stopped pretending—she'd had enough of that act. Hands on hips, she said, "Out here in the wind instead of sleeping? Get back to your room, you eyesore!"

Liao Xue, afraid that Mother Liao would notice her stiff body and ragged breathing, felt relieved and hurried back to her room.

Before she reached the door, Mother Liao suddenly called her name. Liao Xue answered with a start, turned around, and forced her face to look as normal as possible facing Mother Liao.

Mother Liao scratched at a mosquito bite on her face and said casually, "I heard that damn President Shen is leaving. Why don't you go ask her for your wages?"

So that was it. Liao Xue's heart settled back down, and she replied crossly, "I don't want to see her at all."

Who would know she'd seen Shen Qiancheng just ten minutes ago?

Liao Xue's expression of disgust and hatred didn't look fake, so Mother Liao felt at ease—they truly had fallen out. Smiling, she said, "Oh well, if you don't want to see her, then don't. Get a good night's sleep. Get up early tomorrow—six o'clock—to start packing. Our son-in-law's hired the best makeup artist and styling team for you..."

They hadn't even gotten the marriage certificate, and she was already affectionately calling him son-in-law.

Liao Xue lowered her eyes, which Mother Liao took as shyness, but in truth, the fierce hatred in them was uncontrollable.

Mother Liao, with the air of someone experienced, said, "Still shy? After tomorrow night... haha, I won't say more."

Liao Xue sneered inwardly—what would tomorrow night bring for a fool like her?

The same moon hung over everyone's head. Shen Qiancheng shut the doors and windows tightly, turned on her phone, and dialed a number saved as "Third Kid."

After two rings, it connected.

A lazy, aggressive female voice came through. "Heh, the people coming for you are almost there, and you still have time to call me?"

Shen Qiancheng let out a long sigh, closed her eyes, and hid her surging emotions.

"No need for him to send anyone. I'm on my way back myself. You come pick me up."