After Transmigration, I Picked Up A Husband and Daughter
Chapter 203 Blocking Someone to Death

Chapter 203: Chapter 203 Blocking Someone to Death

Outside the door, Lady Zhao’s voice finally returned, but her cries, tinged with a sobbing tone, and her trembling accusations, caused the whole courtyard to shudder.

Tears still marked her face, her eyes wide, her fingers quivering as she pointed at Xie Xinghua, each word uttered as though it drained all her strength, the confluence of fear and rage in her emotions solidifying into an undeniable force in the air.

The villagers stirred at the sound, rumors spreading quickly, those who had witnessed the incident at the sidelines recalled the flash of the knife in Xie Xinghua’s hand, all filled with lingering fear.

They hurried to spread the word, and soon, the search for the village chief became frantic, his silhouette weaving through the beginning and end of the village, urgency and anticipation written on every face.

Inside the kitchen, Xie Xinghua’s movements ceased abruptly at Su Yu’s reminder, the dough suspended mid-air, her hands frozen above the steaming heat.

Su Yu’s gaze was warm and resolute, her words like a spring breeze that gently soothed the restlessness in Xie Xinghua’s heart.

At that moment, the air in the kitchen seemed to freeze, leaving only Su Yu’s tender comfort echoing through the space.

When Su Yu mentioned Da Ya’s safety and the steep ransom, Xie Xinghua’s world seemed to drain of color in an instant.

Her figure swayed, like a leaf about to fall in the wind, thankfully grasping Su Yu’s timely and firm hand for support, preventing her from collapsing.

One hundred taels of silver was, to this family, a gargantuan sum, representing not just wealth but also a boulder pressing down on their hearts, suffocating them.

The words that followed from Su Yu were like beams of light that pierced through the gloom in Xie Xinghua’s heart.

Treating the human trafficker’s illness in exchange for Da Ya’s freedom sounded like a gamble yet was filled with hope.

Light reignited in Xie Xinghua’s eyes, reflecting her expectations for the future and her endless gratitude towards Su Yu.

In the end, Xie Xinghua’s kneeling thanks was not only for Su Yu’s help but also a vow for the long seven days of waiting that lay ahead.

Su Yu’s response was filled with familial understanding and support, deepening their kinship.

Leaning on the table, Xie Xinghua silently counted the passing seconds, each one seeming to be a step closer to Da Ya’s return.

At that moment, her heart was filled with anticipation and a quiet resolution—for Da Ya, for her family, no matter what difficulties the future held, she would face them with courage.

As she slowly approached the stove, the warmth of its glow enveloping her, it seemed to foreshadow that the seeds of hope had been kindled and the light was about to arrive.

She smiled cheerfully and said, "Oh, Lady Zhao is finally going to split the household, something I’ve long desired! First, I need to fill my belly to have the energy to argue with her properly."

"Da Ya has always been stubborn, often complaining that I didn’t separate from her grandmother earlier. In the end, it’s my fault as her mother for inadvertently dragging her into this."

"When our Da Ya comes back, travel-worn, and sees that Lady Zhao and I are leading separate lives, she will be as happy as a blooming flower, the joy in her heart... oh, just thinking about it makes me happy."

Su Yu looked into Xie Xinghua’s eyes, twinkling with hope, and her heart softened; she simply couldn’t bear to shatter this rare moment of anticipation with the harsh reality right now.

Yet the longing for home in Da Ya’s heart was no longer as strong as it had been.

After all, there was Lady Zhao, fixated on taking her life.

Sigh, such complicated troubles could wait to be resolved in the future.

The whims of children are ever-changing; perhaps by the time Xie Xinghua speaks to her with kind, soft words, Da Ya’s attitude might shift.

By the stove, water merrily bubbled, emitting a gurgling sound, as Xie Xinghua skillfully dropped slices of dough into the pot, one by one. They floated to the surface like joyful little fish, swiftly rising to the top.

Afterward, she carefully added a few pieces of fresh green cabbage leaves that danced with the slices of dough in the rolling boil.

Before serving, Xie Xinghua deftly added a few drops of crystal clear lard, followed by a pinch of salt—a simple gesture that nonetheless exuded an enticing aroma, completing a bowl of noodles that was refreshingly unpretentious.

Su Yu pursed her lips as if she could smell the tempting fragrance. Just then, her stomach aptly growled in protest. Despite a morning’s work that had yielded a table full of dishes, she had not yet had the chance to taste even a bite.

"Big sister, your cooking is truly unmatched—that aroma goes straight into the nostrils, so tempting! Any leftovers? Give me a bowl too, to satisfy this craving."

Seeing Su Yu’s craving expression, a warm current rose in Xie Xinghua’s heart, and she replied with a smile brimming with warmth, "Yes, yes, I made extra today. Second brother, Xixi, come and try some too!"

Indeed, Xie Xinghua had prepared more than usual today. Lately, when cooking, she always made plenty, eating it in big mouthfuls as if eating any less would give Lady Zhao an advantage.

Although Jiang Ziling and Xixi had already had lunch, they couldn’t resist trying half a bowl each as Su Yu ate with relish.

Xie Xinghua, on the other hand, was busy serving the food inside, taking care of her family first, and she herself had no time to eat a bite.

In the courtyard, Lady Zhao remained in a daze, clutching her money chest without letting go.

Quietly beside her, Jiang Xunzhong was silently packing his things.

The nosy neighbors noticed the rich contents of Lady Zhao’s money chest and were full of curiosity about the upcoming division of property, crowding around unwillingly to leave.

Hearing the big news about a knife-wielding assault in the village, the village chief hurried over, pale-faced, clearly frightened.

The importance of human life was a concept he understood better than anyone.

Xie Xinghua was usually honest and law-abiding, but now that something had happened, she was most likely driven to have no choice.

However, regardless of the circumstances, injuring someone was going to require taking responsibility. If she were to be given a heavy sentence, what would happen to her family?

With a heavy heart, the village chief approached the entrance of the courtyard, grabbed a person nearby, and asked urgently, "Is everyone okay? Why didn’t you all stop it?"

"No worries, nobody was hurt; the axe just hit the chest. Right now, they’re busy discussing the separation of the household."

Upon hearing this, the village chief’s heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled down. His throat was so dry it felt like it was smoking, and he swallowed several mouthfuls of saliva.

Good, as long as nobody was injured, that was more important than anything else.

As for the separation, it was not impossible.

In this household, day after day of chaos, it was only a matter of time before disaster struck.

Gathering himself, he stepped into the courtyard.

As soon as Lady Zhao saw the village chief arrive, she clung to him like a lifeline, nearly crawling over to him on her knees with the money chest that still had the axe in it.

"Village chief, you must judge this for me!"

The odd, pungent odor emanating from her was like a mixture of aged mildew and cheap perfume.