Chapter 15: Turmoil

Shao Diandian’s morning did not unfold as she had hoped. Instead of dreaming of the base’s pharmacy, she simply slept until dawn. Upon waking, she felt a pang of disappointment, quietly wondering if the benefits for those who had traveled through time only came once. Had she known, she would have taken more medicine out. Since the pharmacy was unreliable, she resolved to visit the town’s clinic.

After dressing, Shao Diandian stepped outside and noticed she had risen later than the previous days; everyone else at home was still wrapped in slumber. She went to the backyard to wash up and took a moment to look at her reflection in a basin of water. Having been in this world for several days now, she had yet to carefully examine her face. Though she had gained some weight, her features were still quite pleasing; if she slimmed down, she would undoubtedly be a little beauty.

In the kitchen, Shao Diandian steamed a basket of white flour buns, cooked a pot of sweet potato porridge, and boiled ten eggs. She controlled her diet slightly but was not overly strict. She believed weight loss was a gradual process; starving oneself or suddenly eating too cleanly would inevitably lead to binge eating later.

After finishing breakfast, she went to wake Shao Erdang. Upon entering the room, she saw three little ones wriggling beneath the covers. Were they awake? Recalling last night’s events, a twinge of guilt stirred in her heart. Orphaned children were already pitiful, and their father was so unreliable. Was it such a big deal for them to call her “mom”? If they wanted to, she would let them. It wouldn’t cost her anything.

With this mindset, Shao Diandian gently pulled back the quilts covering the three little ones. Their hair was a messy tangle, and they looked at her with wide, innocent eyes. Shao Diandian chuckled softly. The three quickly raised their small hands to cover their faces, shy. She laughed heartily and, surprisingly, didn’t wake Shao Erdang, who lay sprawled out, drooling.

She had originally planned to wake Shao Erdang but changed her mind. “I’m going to the town. Do you want to come with me?” Twenty minutes later, Shao Diandian led the three spirited little fellows out the door.

Though she could walk to town herself, it would be tough for the three children. Fortunately, Old Li’s ox cart was at the village entrance, seemingly about to depart. “Better to be lucky than early,” she thought, taking the children over.

Several villagers intending to head to town were gathered around the cart. At the sight of her wanting to board, they all scattered except for Xiao Wu, who hadn’t left. Her household had run out of salt and sewing supplies, and her mother-in-law had sent her to town to buy some. She still feared Shao Diandian.

“Not leaving?” Shao Diandian, already seated on the cart, asked. Xiao Wu hesitated but then climbed aboard. Shao Diandian sat with the three children on one side, Xiao Wu opposite, with a pile of rice and grain that Old Li was helping the villagers sell at the shop.

Xiao Wu seemed hesitant to speak, wanting to say that the pastries yesterday were delicious—her two daughters were old enough but had never before tasted town pastries.

Just as the cart left the village, Wang Laizi came aboard. He caught sight of Shao Diandian and froze for a moment. “Is that Fatty Ya? Bringing your son to town?” he greeted with a sly grin.

The Shao family of three were bullies in the village, and Wang Laizi was no better—often involved in petty thefts and quite lecherous. Shao Diandian ignored him completely.

Not daring to provoke Shao Diandian, he glanced at timid Xiao Wu and smiled slyly, sitting beside her. “Sister, going to town?” he asked, leaning in. Xiao Wu shifted uneasily to the side.

Wang Laizi pressed closer, “What are you buying? I can help carry it.” His leg touched hers; no matter how she moved, he shamelessly pressed against her, one hand pretending to accidentally reach for her back. Xiao Wu’s body stiffened. He revealed an evil grin.

Suddenly, Shao Diandian sprang to her feet and kicked him off the cart! Old Li, unaware of the situation, hurriedly stopped the cart. “What happened?” he asked, looking back. Wang Laizi spat blood, one tooth knocked loose, furious: “Fatty Ya! Why did you kick me?”

Xiao Wu looked at Shao Diandian with tears in her eyes. Shao Diandian placed one foot on a bench, speaking arrogantly, “I don’t like you, so I kicked you. Got a problem with that?” “You—” Wang Laizi glanced at Xiao Wu beside him. Was Fatty Ya standing up for Xiao Wu? Impossible—Shao Diandian wouldn’t be that kind! But he hadn’t even provoked her!

He couldn’t make sense of it and, without expecting an explanation, cursed as he walked away. Old Li said nothing and resumed driving the ox cart. Shao Diandian neither asked after Xiao Wu nor comforted her, as if she had seen nothing, simply disliking Wang Laizi.

The cart stopped at the market entrance. Shao Diandian lifted the three children down. Xiao Wu followed, summoning courage to whisper, “Th-thank you.”

Shao Diandian had scouted the clinic yesterday and remembered the way. She led the three children through the bustling street, drawing many curious glances. Triplets were rare, let alone such adorable ones. They had bragged in the village yesterday, believing today would be a chance to show off in town. They puffed out their chests and strode confidently, their air of pride making passersby almost burst into laughter.

“What’s everyone laughing at?” Shao Diandian muttered to herself, turning to look back at the children. Just then, a horse-drawn carriage came hurtling recklessly down the street. “Move aside! Get out of the way!” the driver shouted in panic, trying to rein in the horse, which was completely out of control.

“You three—” Shao Diandian tried to warn the children to dodge, but when she looked back, they were already hiding behind a burly man, showing quick instincts.

Chaos erupted on the street as Shao Diandian bent down to scoop up a little girl who had fallen at her feet. A vendor’s cart barreled toward them, nearly crushing the child. The runaway carriage was about to crash into the crowd.

At this critical moment, a youth dressed in splendid clothes burst through a broken second-floor window, without hesitation crashing into the horse!