Chapter 68: Preparing for the Storm

Bai Xi kept Chen Zhaodi on because of her excellent skills, good temperament, quick hands, and the fact that she never gossiped. The villagers had wanted to take turns delivering meals to Bai Xi again, hoping to get close to her and bask in her good fortune, but since Bai Xi refused, they could only give up. Still, whenever there was something good, they always thought to offer some of it to Bai Xi out of respect.

Bai Xi wasn’t foolish. She knew the villagers sincerely cared for her. Otherwise, in such hard times, who would spare a bite of food for an outsider instead of their own children? There was the influence of Niuluo Village’s inherited customs, the gratitude owed to Bai Xi’s late parents, and, most of all, genuine affection for her.

When Xiaoshunzi and the others arrived, Bai Xi was standing with her feet on Little Black’s back, using the tiger’s furry coat to tickle her toes. Seeing her playing with the tiger made the boys both envious and admiring—who else but their young mistress could play with a tiger like this?

“Good day, young mistress,” they greeted in unison.

“You’re here,” Bai Xi replied, and the sight of them reminded her of how she’d unwittingly gotten them into trouble. She felt a twinge of guilt, nudged Little Black off to the side to play, and invited the boys to sit wherever they pleased.

“Are you still in pain?” she asked.

They all shook their heads, but Tian Mi glanced at Xiao Liuzi, who had gotten the worst of it. Xiao Liuzi shook his head as well and answered, “It doesn’t hurt anymore, young mistress. Don’t worry, we’re all right.”

Bai Xi hadn’t planned on calling them over so soon, but considering the villagers’ concerns, she decided it was best to see them, lest anyone suspect something supernatural had happened to them. She understood now: although there were literacy classes and educational talks from time to time, in the village, the older folk still clung to old beliefs.

Niuluo Village was actually quite progressive compared to others, where such incidents were even more common.

Bai Xi was not the most patient person—truthfully, she didn’t feel like being patient at all—but still, she offered the boys a few words of comfort, which left them, already awed by her, even more touched.

“Take it easy for the next few days,” Bai Xi said. “Don’t run around.”

She gestured with her chin toward a half-full bag of popcorn on the table.

“Here, divide this among yourselves.”

The popcorn had been brought back a couple of days earlier by Bai An’an as a gift for Bai Xi. An’an attended school in town and only came home once a month. When she returned a few days ago, she made a point of visiting Bai Xi and gave her the popcorn, which she had bought with two cents saved from her own frugal meals.

Bai Xi had eaten a little that day, and after her meal just now, she remembered it and took it out for the boys.

The boys were deeply moved, their eyes glistening with tears. Only their young mistress cared for them—parents and grandparents only knew how to scold and punish, but their young mistress gave them treats and comfort.

They seemed to have forgotten that it was Bai Xi who had given them pumpkin seeds in the first place.

As Xiaoshunzi and the others left the treehouse, they ran into Bai An’an on his way over. Seeing them eating popcorn, An’an was surprised, but since he had given it to the young mistress, it was hers to share as she pleased.

He was on his way back to school and had come specifically to say goodbye.

“Young mistress.”

“Help yourself to some water,” Bai Xi replied, not about to pour it for him herself.

An’an was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but seeing that she seemed to have something to say, he obediently took a teacup and poured himself some water.

“You won’t be back for another month, will you?”

“That’s right.”

“Study hard.”

“Don’t worry, young mistress, I’ll make sure not to bring shame to Niuluo Village.”

Bai Xi nodded, watching An’an, who watched her in return, waiting for her to continue.

When Bai Xi batted her lovely big eyes at him, An’an hesitated, then asked, “Young mistress, is there something you want to say?”

“No, nothing.”

“Oh, well, then I—”

Just as An’an was about to take his leave, Bai Xi spoke up. “Oh, right. Last time you mentioned you could borrow books from the library, didn’t you?”

She continued without waiting for his reply, “When you go back, find time to borrow a few books for me—books on farming and animal husbandry. Bring them back next month when you return. I need them.”

An’an was taken aback by Bai Xi’s serious request and instinctively wanted to ask why she needed such books, since she was still young and barely literate.

But Bai Xi didn’t give him a chance to ask. She fished five yuan out of her pocket and gestured for him to take it.

An’an took it reflexively, only to hear Bai Xi say, “Keep the money. If you can’t borrow the books, buy a few instead.”

Spending money on books was not a small matter, especially such a large sum. An’an immediately felt the money burning in his hand.

“But, young mistress—”

Bai Xi waved him off, not letting him finish, and pulled out another fifty cents for him. “This is for your pocket money.”

She knew that An’an had only been able to buy popcorn by hauling firewood to town and selling it. Since she now had money and nowhere urgent to spend it, she wasn’t about to be stingy.

Fifty cents was a decent sum—enough for a week’s worth of snacks if spent frugally. An’an refused to accept it.

“No, young mistress, that popcorn was a gift to you. I can’t take your money.”

“Stop fussing and just take it.”

At that moment, Chen Daliu came by and, seeing the scene, stepped in to support Bai Xi.

“This is from the young mistress. Just take it, and remember her kindness. Do a good job for her.”

An’an wanted to protest further, but Bai Xi had already turned to discuss other matters with Chen Daliu. Left with no choice, he pocketed the money. Upon learning that the books were for the villagers to study, he looked at Bai Xi with newfound admiration.

Who said their young mistress was a burden or a hanger-on? She was spending her own money to buy books to help Niuluo Village change its fate.

Yes, the teacher had said last week that reading could change one’s destiny. How remarkable their young mistress was—so young, never having attended school herself, yet she already understood this.

If Bai Xi could have known what An’an was thinking, she would have scoffed. She had heard from Chen Weiguo’s family that food supplies outside the village were tight and people were going hungry. If things continued, it wouldn’t be surprising if starvation and edema claimed lives.

To prevent famine in the city, grain requisition quotas would likely increase, making life in the countryside even harder. Bai Xi had a hunch that this was coming soon.

In her mind, the villagers of Niuluo were now her people. As a dignified nine-tailed fox spirit, how could she allow those under her care to go hungry? She owed it to them—after all, she lived off what they provided, and if she wanted to enjoy it with a clear conscience, she had to do something in return.