101 The Awful Stench
Xia Wan originally wanted to see Xia Ru embarra.s.sed up close, but she couldn’t stand the smell. She went back to her room and took out a piece of cloth to cover her nose, but she still looked through the window at Xia Ru soaking in feces.
In the bucket, Xia Ru was struggling. “I don’t want to soak in s.h.i.t! I don’t want to!”
However, she had no more strength left. After being forced into the bucket by Song Yan and Xia Jiang, the foul smell rushed into Xia Ru’s mouth and nose. She felt nauseated and retched. She could not help but feel like vomiting. However, she slowly realized that the feeling of being bitten by ants was gone. The discomfort in her body was slowly recovering, and her strength was coming back.
Xia Ru wasn’t stupid. She knew that Xia Wan’s prescription had taken effect. She immediately endured the pain and began to soak in the bucket.
Song Yan saw that Xia Ru had stopped struggling and was quietly soaking in the bath. She felt a little relieved. It seemed that Xia Wan’s prescription was really effective.
Xia Wan looked on coldly. Xia Ru’s embarra.s.sment and pain were only the beginning. Back then, Xia Ru had arrogantly made her parents kneel down and apologize, while Song Yan even stepped on the back of her mother’s hand.
At that time, they had s.n.a.t.c.hed away the marriage that belonged to her. Not only that, but they had also taken revenge on her family with such a bad att.i.tude. It caused them to lose their livelihood, eventually driving them into a corner until they died.
Xia Jiang was her uncle by blood, Song Yan was her aunt, and Xia Ru was her cousin.
He was clearly her close family member, but he was the source of her family’s death.
Xia Wan closed her eyes and hid the hatred that surged in her eyes.
“Wanwan, how are we going to eat in this stinky house?” Yan Han’s question finally pulled Xia Wan back from her thoughts.
She turned around to look at the person who had come. It was her mother, Yan Han. At this time, Yan Han was also wearing a strip of cloth on her mouth and nose, and she looked a little more agile than before.
Xia Wan thought that her mother must have been a very good-looking person when she was young. It was a pity how weathered her face had become after all the hardships she had suffered in the Xia family.
Her eyes slowly turned gentle. “Mom, since we can’t eat at home, let’s go to a restaurant.”
Yan Han’s eyes widened, but she immediately waved her hand. “That won’t do. We can cook on our own, so why go to a restaurant? It’s too expensive to eat out.”
Xia Wan smiled and took Yan Han’s arm affectionately. “Mom, the three of us are exhausted from selling clothes. Even if you don’t think for yourself and Dad, you should think for my brothers and me, especially my brothers. They’re still growing up. If they go hungry, they won’t be able to grow any taller, and it’ll be hard for them to find a wife.”
As expected, when Xia Wan brought out the topic of her brothers, Yan Han’s heart softened.
If it were only her and Xia Hai at home, they would have had enough to eat a few steamed buns. Even if it smelled bad, they could still eat it. However, the three children had sold clothes all day, and if they did not get a hot meal, they would be aggrieved.
“Alright, I’ll go get your Dad. Let’s go to a restaurant.”
Yan Han finally made up her mind and went to call Xia Hai.
Soon, the family was all gathered and ready for dinner. They had just walked out of the house when they saw Chen Lian, who was about to go to the kitchen.
Chen Lian saw that their family was neatly dressed and asked, “What are you guys planning to do?”
Chen Lian got a little suspicious. This family had never gone out in such an orderly manner before.
Xia Wan had already thought of an excuse. She pinched one of her acupoints which caused her face to go very pale. She said to Chen Lian with a pained expression, “Aunty, I’m so uncomfortable right now. I’m already very tired from looking for a job today, and now that I smell this stench, I feel way worse. If I continue to stay at home, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get up tomorrow. I’m going to pick some herbs now.”
Chen Lian clearly did not believe her and asked, “You’re just picking herbs. Why are there so many people? And why didn’t you bring a basket?”
Xia Wan didn’t expect Chen Lian to react so quickly. Fortunately, she wasn’t lacking of words and immediately said, “I can use it directly when I pick herbs. As for my parents, they still have to work in the fields. Why? Do you want to come along?”
As she spoke, Xia Wan’s att.i.tude became warmer, and she took the initiative to say to Chen Lian, “Auntie, the house smells awful. You should go to the fields with us. We’re just pulling out the weeds today, and we’ll be back very soon. By then, the smell in the house will be lighter.”