Chapter 135: The Scheming Man’s Stratagem

When Bai Yan woke up, the scent of delicious food immediately caught her keen nose. She wrinkled her nose slightly and climbed out from under the covers.

As she glanced downward unconsciously, she was surprised—her clothes had changed? Rising to move, the stifling heat she had felt moments ago had completely vanished. It was quite a miracle! Yet, she had no memory of how it happened.

In the pot, a vegetarian porridge bubbled gently. Hearing the sound, Jiang Chengyan turned around and saw Bai Yan standing there with bright eyes. Spotting him, she sweetly called out, "Husband?"

Her husband's face looked somewhat pale today, as if he lacked energy.

Bai Yan, full of vitality, bounced over to Jiang Chengyan’s side. He held a spoon in one hand, and with a slight movement of his arm, gently circled her head with his elbow. Because of their height difference, Bai Yan felt no discomfort.

“What happened after you got lost?” Jiang Chengyan asked the little rabbit. What he needed most urgently to know now was the identity of the man who smelled of pine resin.

Bai Yan leaned against Jiang Chengyan, hugging his waist with both hands, her voice muffled. “I started feeling unwell halfway there, so I found a cave. Inside that cave…”

She recounted the events slowly and without concealment, and Jiang Chengyan finally learned the details about that man.

No, rather, the youth.

“He gave you two skewers of candied hawthorn? You ate them?” Jiang Chengyan questioned.

Bai Yan shook her head. “Strangers’ gifts aren’t to be eaten—that’s what mother taught me. I didn’t eat them. Then, when he left, I slipped out through the back exit of the cave.”

“When I came back, I heard you were going to take a concubine,” Bai Yan said.

Jiang Chengyan scooped some porridge and denied firmly, “There’s no concubine.”

“Then will you give me all the money?” Bai Yan’s priorities were always refreshingly simple.

Without hesitation, Jiang Chengyan nodded, “Of course, all of it.”

Bai Yan gave a delighted sound and reached to find the money pouch, but the man’s hand caught her wrist.

“Do you really like candied hawthorn?” Jiang Chengyan suddenly asked.

Bai Yan blinked in confusion and nodded, “It’s tasty, sweet and sour.”

“How about I buy some for you this afternoon?” Jiang Chengyan suddenly smiled at Bai Yan. At that moment, she was completely captivated by his charm, forgetting that such a smile was often a sign of danger.

“Okay,” she obediently agreed.

And so, that very afternoon, Bai Yan indeed received two skewers of candied hawthorn from Jiang Chengyan.

Not only that, but for the next half month or so, Jiang Chengyan bought her candied hawthorn every day—several skewers each time.

At first, Bai Yan was very happy, thoroughly enjoying the treat each day.

But… as time went on, eating so many every day… now, whenever she saw candied hawthorn, she just wanted to run away.

One day, while she was pollinating fruit trees in the field, she spotted Jiang Chengyan coming from afar, holding two skewers of candied hawthorn.

Seeing the skewers, before Jiang Chengyan could get close, she quickly took off running, giving him no chance to catch her.

“Little darling, come and eat some candied hawthorn,” Jiang Chengyan called out, standing still and waving.

Bai Yan: “...” She couldn’t hold back anymore and crouched down on the ground, gagging.

Eating it every day, every day! It’s no wonder she felt sick.