Chapter 3: The Unlucky Child

Yet, not a single person in the entire village voiced any objection. Niuluo Village was united and deeply committed to its traditions, so even though people from neighboring villages whispered that Niuluo was acting foolishly, no one dared say it to their faces. After all, it wasn’t their own food being consumed—why risk unnecessary trouble with loose talk?

While Bai Xi ate, Mrs. Chen moved deftly around the room, tidying up, heating water, and preparing a bath for her. Only after confirming several times that Bai Xi could manage on her own did she finally leave.

Once, she had dined on rare delicacies and nibbled on immortal fruits at will, but now she was reduced to eating meals bland and meager. Lying in bed, the more Bai Xi thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt.

“Heavens, how have I offended you?” she cursed skyward in exasperation, only for a terrible clap of thunder to answer her, making her fall silent at once. Hadn’t she suffered enough—couldn’t she even complain a little? How petty!

Just then, a long bolt of lightning tore through the sky, and in the next instant, rain poured down as if a hole had opened above.

In the Chen household, Ma Lian’er, who had just returned from delivering Bai Xi’s meal, was expressing her worries to her husband about Bai Xi’s lackluster appetite. But as thunder rumbled and rain began pounding the earth, both stopped short in astonishment—then burst into joy.

“It’s raining!”

“Heaven has opened its eyes!”

With the rain, the villagers of New Village breathed a collective sigh of relief. Some who had considered sneaking water while Niuluo Village was distracted felt especially fortunate now—they hadn’t tried during the day, so they’d avoided any consequences. If Niuluo had caught them, it wouldn’t have been worth it.

“Wonderful, it’s finally raining!”

“Thank heavens!” Some remembered how Bai Xi had fallen into the stream at noon and been rescued—then the rain came that very night. They couldn’t help but silently give thanks.

The rain lasted two days. The crops in the fields and the vegetables in the gardens drank deeply, turning a lush, vibrant green that delighted everyone. Even those braving the downpour to bring Bai Xi her meals wore broad grins.

After two days, Bai Xi finally resigned herself to her fate. When the sun returned, she left her treehouse.

The treehouse was truly impressive—built over three months by skilled hands, small but complete, with a bathing room and kitchen. Even through the relentless rain, it had neither leaked nor swayed.

Several villagers had wanted Bai Xi to move into their homes during the storm, but she refused. With a glance back at her sturdy little dwelling, she set off towards the stream, her short legs carrying her along.

As she walked, everyone she passed—old and young—greeted her warmly.

“Out for a walk, little madam?”

“How’s your health, little madam?”

“Take it easy, little madam.”

“Here, have some sunflower seeds.”

“Would you like some dried sweet potatoes?”

“These are milk candies my father bought in town—please, take them.”

Even when Bai Xi kept a stern face, no one felt intimidated by the tiny girl. There was respect, yes, but far more affection and care. As the flower sprite had said, Niuluo’s people truly were kind to her. She noticed that everyone, young or old, wore patched clothes, yet when a ten-year-old girl offered her a milk candy, she swallowed hard but showed no reluctance in giving it away.

The laborers’ clothing was poor, yet this freeloading child wore finery. Aside from a few outfits her parents had left her, the clothes she wore—both the day she fell into the water and today—were purchased collectively by the villagers.

And at this time, everything required ration coupons, only available in town, which was a half-day’s journey away. For most things—soy sauce, vinegar—they shopped at the commune’s supply store.

“You eat it. I don’t want to take treats from children!” Bai Xi replied, trying to keep her little face stern, her voice soft and childish.

The girl, Chen Rui, was surprised, as if Bai Xi hadn’t heard her. She repeated, “Little madam, this is milk candy—it’s fragrant and sweet.”

“I know. I’m your elder—wouldn’t I know that? I said I won’t eat it. You go play and eat it yourself. Don’t follow me,” Bai Xi said, face still set.

She was indeed their elder, but she was so small, and she liked sweets just as much as they did. Her father had even told her to bring two candies for the little madam when she left home.

As for Bai Xi’s admonition not to follow, Chen Rui simply pretended not to hear. After all, two days ago, the little madam had fallen into the stream, frightening everyone. The children who had been with her still knelt in the ancestral hall as punishment.

Her father and the village head had made it clear: from now on, everyone must keep an eye on the little madam—never let her near the stream, the pond, or the back mountain.

Unable to shake Chen Rui off, Bai Xi soon found herself trailed by several seven- or eight-year-old children. From a distance, it looked as if a little leader was parading her entourage of kids throughout the village.

Since she couldn’t go to the stream, Bai Xi headed towards the fields instead. The children trailed after her, at the age for boisterous play, but obediently followed her, leaving Bai Xi both bemused and exasperated.

In the fields, villagers were turning the water with their hoes. The rice needed plenty of water, but after two days of rain, the fields were nearly flooded; without draining some, the crops would rot.

Seeing Bai Xi approach, the workers immediately called out in greeting.

“Little madam, you’re here!”

“Be careful, the path is slippery. Go play elsewhere, little madam.”

“Don’t come here—it’s muddy, you’ll dirty your clothes.”

Their tone was courteous and respectful with Bai Xi, but towards the children with her, their words grew sharp.

“What’s wrong with you, bringing the little madam here?”

“Are you itching for trouble? If she falls in, see how your parents deal with you!”

“Who put her up to this? Don’t you know it’s dirty? Looking for a beating, are you?”

“You little rascals, begging for a spanking…”

Bai Xi, watching Chen Rui and the others being scolded, could only feel helpless. She’d insisted on coming; the children couldn’t stop her, and now they were being blamed for it.

Though Chen Rui and the rest felt aggrieved, they kept quiet and even glanced back at Bai Xi as if to say, “Don’t worry, little madam—we’re not angry with you.”

Bai Xi could only sigh to herself.