bookrebus Chapter 18: Ex-husband slaps her in the face
Chapter 18: Ex-husband slaps her in the face
Suddenly, a big cut was made on the old bachelor's back, and blood gushed out.
He turned his head in astonishment, his eyes locked on Ah Bei, and shouted in a trembling voice: "You...how dare you hurt me?"
Abei then went up and stabbed the old bachelor a few more times until the old bachelor lay in the snow and struggled for a few times before finally stopping moving.
The white snow in the yard was stained with blood, like red plum blossoms blooming in the snow.
Jiang Nianwei was also a little stunned for a moment. Taozhi heard the noise outside and screamed in fear, her voice sounding particularly harsh in the cold wind.
Jiang Nianwei came back to her senses and quickly ordered: "Close the door and pretend you didn't see anything. Don't let the women in the family come to this yard."
Taozhi was also knowledgeable, so she quickly calmed herself down and closed the door.
Ah Bei knelt in the cold snow, his frail body swaying in the cold wind, tears in his eyes, "I did all this, and I am willing to take all the blame."
"You should get up first."
Jiang Nianwei squatted down carefully and gently checked the breath of the man on the ground and found that he was dead.
After making sure that she had not attracted the attention of the people around her, she quickly turned to Abei and whispered, "Abei, shovel away the snow here and dig a big hole in the backyard. We need to bury his body first to avoid unnecessary trouble."
"Don't you blame me?"
"You did this to save me, how can I blame you?"
Time was running out, so Jiang Nianwei also joined the digging. Not long after, her shovel suddenly touched something hard.
She carefully dug up the surrounding soil and unexpectedly found two more skeletons. Judging from the size and shape of the bones, they should be two young girls. An indescribable grief and indignation surged in Jiang Nianwei's heart. These two innocent girls must have been harmed by that hateful old bachelor.
She wrapped the girl's body carefully in clothes and found a good place to bury it. Abei buried the old bachelor's body casually in the soil and then piled thick snow on it.
The temperature is low now, and there is no smell if the body is buried in the soil. Even if someone finds the body, they have probably left here long ago.
The two of them finished the job in one go. After they finished, Jiang Nianwei felt terrified. It was not because she had killed the old bachelor, but because she was afraid of being discovered.
Ah Bei lowered his head and spoke slowly after a long while. His voice was low and firm: "He is not a good person."
Jiang Nianwei took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound calm. "I know, this matter is over. Don't mention it to anyone else."
Abei was surprised that Jiang Nianwei not only did not blame him, but even helped cover up the body. For a moment, an indescribable complex emotion rose in his heart, as if they had some kind of common connection.
After they finished dealing with all this, Jiang Lanxu and Jiang Lixuan also came back with firewood. Jiang Nianwei did not mention this to them.
Jiang Lanxu looked at the land covered by severe cold, and he couldn't help but feel worried. Their food wouldn't last for a few days, so he suggested, "I see traces of wild boars in the nearby woods. Maybe we can try our luck and see if we can hunt something. We can also enjoy some fresh game."
He selfishly wanted to hunt some fresh food to replenish his pregnant wife and sick father.
Jiang Nianwei also saw what he was thinking, "Why don't I go with you!"
"You have always been delicate, so you are still..."
Before she finished speaking, Jiang Nianwei swiftly picked up the bow and arrow beside her.
Seeing this, Jiang Lanxu paused for a moment and said, "Okay, since you have this intention, let's go together!
Jiang Nianwei may not be outstanding in martial arts, but her archery skills are accurate and she controls the strength well, and she can often hit the target with one arrow.
The officers at this time turned a blind eye to such things. After all, their barren mountain was covered with heavy snow and escaping would mean death. Moreover, if they hunted animals, the officers could also enjoy a feast.
"Abei, you stay here and take care of the others." Abei nodded hurriedly and watched them go away.
At the entrance to the forest, they indeed found traces left by wild boars.
Seeing the three of us still wandering in the woods, several villagers in coarse clothes shook their heads and sighed, and advised us, "That wild boar is very cunning. We hunters can't do anything about it. You should just give up."
Jiang Nianwei smiled slightly and responded nonchalantly: "It's okay, we just want to try it."
She and her two brothers first set up the trap, and then put two apples in it as bait to attract the wild boar.
Jiang Lanxu climbed up a towering tree with a nimble figure. He carefully stuck his head out and scanned the surrounding jungle with a sharp gaze.
After a moment, he whispered, "The wild boar should be not far away. We have to be careful."
Jiang Nianwei could already hear some faint sounds, while Jiang Lixuan hid behind a tree, waiting for the wild boar to appear and pull the trap.
Jiang Nianwei gently took out an arrow, and her fingers gently stroked the arrow, feeling the cold and solid texture. Her eyes passed through the arrow and looked at the open space in front of her, which was the direction where the wild boar might appear.
Sure enough, not long after, a huge figure rushed out from the open space.
It was a wild boar, with a burly body and sharp fangs. If you were butted by it, you would probably really go to see the King of Hell.
Jiang Nianwei showed no fear. She decisively shot an arrow in the direction of the wild boar. The arrow accurately pierced the wild boar's right eye, causing it to roar in pain.
The severely injured wild boar instantly became extremely violent and began to run around. Seeing this, Jiang Lixuan quickly tightened the net in his hand and was almost dragged away by the violent wild boar.
At this critical moment, Jiang Nianwei drew her bow again and shot several arrows in succession. Each arrow accurately hit the wild boar's vital points. The ferocious wild boar finally couldn't hold on and fell to the ground.
Fortunately, several officers noticed the commotion and rushed over. When they saw the three people catching the wild boar, they immediately smiled happily and said, "Thanks to you, we can enjoy a feast today."
Jiang Lanxu took out the dagger he carried with him and began to bleed the wild boar, and then began to cut up the pork.
Not only the police officers, but also the prisoners who were exiled together were given some wild boar meat, except for the Qin family, which Jiang Nianwei simply turned a blind eye to.
At dusk, wisps of smoke gradually rose from the fire in the yard.
In the big pot, wild boar meat was tumbling in the boiling soup. The wild boar had thick skin and meat, so Jiang Nianwei deliberately put a lot of spices in the pot to cover up the fishy smell.
As night fell, the wild boar meat that had been stewed for an hour finally became soft and delicious.
Jiang Siyu couldn't wait to taste it, but she almost grimaced because of the burn. She chewed it for a few times, and the expectation on her face gradually turned into disappointment. "Oh, I thought it would be so delicious, but it tastes worse than the pig raised at home."
Jiang Yan stroked his beard and said, "It's good enough if there's something to eat. Don't be so picky."
The eldest sister-in-law ate it with gusto. "Although it is indeed not as good as domestic pork, the taste is still unique."
"The wild boar I hunted today was all thanks to Nianwei's extraordinary archery skills."
"Nianwei has always been like this. She has been good at everything since she was a child, including horse riding and archery. I don't know why she suddenly stopped learning."
Jiang Yan couldn't help but feel proud. He had never slacked off in cultivating Jiang Nianwei since she was a child, and everyone could see his daughter's growth today.
Jiang Nianwei suddenly recalled an old story. There was a time when she really liked horse riding and shooting, but for some reason she later became interested in the pipa. She seemed to have the impression that it was because of someone.
Jiang Yan also warned: "Just be careful when you go out hunting, don't get hurt."
"I understand, Father."
Seeing Ah Bei next to him looking distracted, Jiang Nianwei picked up a piece of meat and gave it to Ah Bei, "Don't worry, when you are stronger, I will find a way to help you remove the nails."
Ah Bei's originally depressed state was slightly cheered up, "Thank you, Miss."
After the eldest sister-in-law and younger sister went back to rest, Jiang Nianwei calmly said: "You may be wondering why you didn't see the owner of this cottage. Actually... I accidentally killed him."
Ah Bei looked up with a look of surprise, and the rest of the people fell silent immediately. You know, in the past, Jiang Nianwei was a person who would not even step on an ant to death, but now she talked about the murder with a calm face.
A layer of mist appeared in her eyes, pretending to be a little uneasy and frightened, "He wanted to flirt with me, and I accidentally hurt him. Who knew that he would die? Moreover, we dug up two corpses in the backyard. I'm afraid they were all people he killed..."
Jiang Lanxu heard this, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. "I have long felt that this person has behaved improperly. Now that he has ended up like this, it can be said that he has brought this upon himself. If he dies, then he dies. There is no need to say more."
Jiang Lixuan also responded: "Nianwei, you don't have to blame yourself. You are not wrong. This is just an accident."
Jiang Yan was even more fortunate that the man did not hurt his daughter.
Turning around, Jiang Nianwei whispered in Ah Bei's ear: "In this case, you don't have to worry."
Abei was slightly stunned.
……
When Qin Ziqian went to the stream to fetch water, he discovered that for some reason everyone here had meat to eat, except his family.
After some inquiries, they found out that it was a wild boar hunted by the Jiang family. Everyone had a share except for a piece of meat.
Since coming to the deserted village, he has not eaten any meat. Naturally, he is greedy, and a feeling of resentment rises in his heart. It seems that the Jiang family is deliberately targeting them.
Chewing on the cold, hard steamed bread, he really couldn't swallow this anger, so he borrowed hunting tools from the villagers.
After all, he was once the Marquis of Yuanshan who had made great military achievements. Hunting was not a problem for him at all. Not to mention wild boars, hunting rabbits, foxes and the like should be easy.
The officers did not stop him. Everyone was busy eating meat and had no time to care about him.
Qin Ziqian took his bow and arrow and went to the mountains. Before he had gone far, his limbs were frozen by the cold wind. The forest was pitch black, and he thought it was a rabbit. The leaves on the trees had all fallen.
A man was walking alone in the woods. He heard the roar of a wild beast. He was so scared that he ran away. However, he was tripped by a branch and fell directly into the snow. He struggled for a long time before he got up.
Not only did he come back empty-handed, but he also had a big bump on his head.
Seeing this, Zhuang Qiuhe couldn't help but complain, "Ziqian, you went out hunting with so many people, how come you came back in such a mess? Our remaining food is almost gone. If there is no more food, we will starve to death here."
Qin Ziqian looked helpless and unwilling after hearing this. He said in defense, "How can you know how hard it is? Hunting seems simple, but it is actually very difficult. Moreover, it is so cold today that the prey hides very deep. It is not easy to find them. If I can find them, I will bring back seven or eight rabbits. How can I return empty-handed?"
Zhuang Qiuhe could only hold Qin Mengrui and sigh.
The next morning, just after daybreak, Qin Ziqian could not wait to take his hunting tools and stepped into the forest, determined to catch a fat rabbit today to impress others.
Unfortunately, at this moment, Jiang Nianwei's figure jumped into his sight.
She was concentrating on aiming at the rabbit in the distance, with the arrow on the string, ready to be fired at any moment. Seeing this, Qin Ziqian couldn't help but reveal a sarcastic smile, "A woman should just stay at home to take care of her husband and children, and she's still hunting rabbits. It's simply ridiculous."
Jiang Nianwei did not respond to him at all. She aimed at the jumping rabbit not far away with a firm look in her eyes and decisive actions. She shot an arrow and hit the target. She walked forward neatly and gently lifted the rabbit's ears.
Her eyes were full of teasing, "Since the Marquis is so powerful, why don't you let me see your abilities?"
How could Jiang Nianwei not know Qin Ziqian's abilities? When he was learning martial arts under the guidance of his teacher, he often cheated and acted lazy whenever possible.
If it weren't for the hereditary title of marquis, what could he have done?
Qin Ziqian thought that he performed poorly last night because of the dim light, but now it was daytime and there was plenty of light, so he would definitely be able to hit the rabbit. Jiang Nianwei was able to hit it just now because she was just luckier.
Qin Ziqian wandered in the forest for a long time, and finally caught a glimpse of a gray rabbit behind a thick old tree. He was delighted and drew his bow and arrow without hesitation.
The arrow flew out, but did not hit the target as he wished, but instead went straight to the brim of a policeman's hat not far away.
The arrow flew almost right over the officer's head, just a hair's breadth away. The officer was frightened out of his wits, and his face turned ashen in an instant.
"Damn it, which blind bastard dares to shoot an arrow at my head? I will skin him alive!" The officer roared and walked towards Qin Ziqian angrily.
Seeing this, Qin Ziqian felt panic in his heart, his throat rolled, and he forced himself to swallow his saliva in nervousness.
He pointed at Jiang Nianwei who was standing beside him and said in a trembling voice, "Officer, it wasn't me, it was her! She shot the arrow!"