The woman looked very young, around twenty-five, with bruises on her face and an unremarkable appearance.
Song Zhi looked her up and down, not only avoiding her exposed skin but also noticing the many large and small wounds on her body.
One of her legs was also unnaturally positioned, appearing to have been broken. Her calf had atrophied, making it drastically different in thickness from the other.
This woman had also suffered abuse.
Song Zhi couldn't recall how many women with broken legs he had seen; he had no idea what they had all been through.
The woman glanced at Song Zhi once, then retreated to a corner, piled up some straw, and began to sleep.
As she moved, the dog chain hanging from the beam rattled, eliciting dissatisfied grunts from three plump pigs.
The woman showed no inclination to communicate, so Song Zhi waited outside with Fu Chengwei.
They strictly remembered Mei Nan's instructions not to leave teammates alone, especially not women, even though this particular woman seemed formidable.
Inside, Ning Wei finished massaging the old woman's back and then chatted with her for a long time.
The old woman spoke to her entirely in dialect, and Ning Wei pretended to listen with great effort.
Only when the old woman wanted to get up to cook did Ning Wei mention she was leaving.
"Stay for lunch. My husband and son will be back soon. I'll make you scrambled eggs. I heard they love free-range eggs in the city; they say they're very nutritious."
Ning Wei found it hard to refuse the warm invitation and said, "Alright then, but I need to inform my team leader first."
Seeing that Ning Wei was willing to stay for a meal, the old woman's face broke into a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum, her entire face creasing.
"Go quickly. You can also help me with the fire later. I actually have two old items at home, but they are in my son's room. I'll have him show them to you when he gets back."
Ning Wei was overjoyed at this prospect. "Then I'll go tell the teacher right away."
Ning Wei practically skipped out of the house and waved to the two people waiting outside, then walked to a pomegranate tree.
She relayed the old woman's words to them verbatim.
Fu Chengwei found it peculiar. "Didn't she say she didn't have these things at home? Why is she being so nice to you?"
"Perhaps it's because I helped her, or maybe for other reasons. You two go back first. I'll observe a bit longer."
Song Zhi was a little worried and wanted to wait nearby.
But Ning Wei didn't want that. The villagers would stare at their group constantly if they saw them. If Song Zhi stayed there, it would surely draw attention.
"You can trust me to handle things; there will be no danger. I even plan to talk to the woman in the pigsty if I get the chance. Don't just stand here; Mei Nan is alone at the village chief's house. You should go check on him."
Song Zhi finally nodded. Before leaving, he told Ning Wei that the woman in the pigsty had also had a leg broken and didn't seem inclined to talk.
Ning Wei nodded to show she understood.
After Song Zhi and Fu Chengwei had gone far, she strode back into the old woman's courtyard.
The old woman was bent over, rummaging in the chicken coop for eggs. Seeing Ning Wei return, she happily said, "You're in for a treat today. I found three. I'll stir-fry them with garlic sprouts later; I guarantee it will make your mouth water."
Ning Wei reciprocated with a flood of kind words, making the old woman feel delighted.
They chatted like old friends, one peeling potatoes while the other handed her a stool.
The old woman looked Ning Wei up and down with satisfaction, pleased with her attentiveness.
Together, they prepared the midday meal. Ning Wei then went with the old woman to the kitchen, holding plates while the old woman cooked, their coordination seamless.
The midday meal was soon ready.
The old woman's son and husband arrived one after the other, precisely on time.
Because the weather was pleasant, they carried the low dining table out into the courtyard.
Ning Wei emerged from the kitchen with bowls and chopsticks, just as she bumped into the old woman's son.
The man's eyes lit up when he saw Ning Wei, and he immediately reached out to help her.
Ning Wei subtly stepped back and steadied herself.
"You must be Brother Li, back already? Auntie has the meal ready."
Calling him "Brother Li" made the man's heart flutter.
He quickly went inside to change into clean clothes and washed his hands. By the time he came into the courtyard, Ning Wei and the other two were already seated.
The old woman had deliberately left the seat next to Ning Wei open, creating an opportunity for her son.
The old woman had taken a liking to Ning Wei, not only because she was educated but also very perceptive. More importantly, when Ning Wei mentioned her parents' work in running large companies, the old woman felt her future would be secure if Ning Wei and her son could form a union.
With these factors in play, the old woman found Ning Wei more and more pleasing, as if she were already her own daughter-in-law.
The old woman's son was named Li Bai, reportedly born during the day, hence the name.
Ning Wei had remarked at the time that there was a renowned poet in history named Li Bai, suggesting that Brother Li must also be quite talented.
The old woman said proudly, "My son was often praised by his teachers when he was studying. However, due to the inconvenient transportation here, he only finished junior high and didn't continue his education. It's our failing that we held back our child's future."
Just then, Li Bai arrived.
He looked at Ning Wei, blushing slightly, and feigned asking, "Mom, who is this?"
The old woman immediately explained, "Her name is Ning Wei; she's a college student from the city, here to survey historical artifacts. You know, you have those two old items in your room. After the meal, you can show Ning Wei."
Li Bai readily agreed, gazing at Ning Wei's profile and involuntarily swallowing.
Ning Wei's expression remained calm. She finished the meal with the Li family of three.
During the meal, Ning Wei heard coughing from the pigsty and immediately asked the old woman, "Is there anyone else at home?"
The old woman shook her head and pointed without reservation at the woman in the pigsty, saying, "This is my daughter. She had a fever when she was young, which damaged her brain, and she became mentally ill."
Ning Wei happened to look over and asked with some confusion, "Why is she locked up in there?"
Li Bai quickly explained, "My sister isn't well mentally. When we let her out before, she would attack people with a kitchen knife. We had no choice but to lock her up."
The old woman, seeing her son's meaningful glance, quickly placed a piece of egg into Ning Wei's bowl with her chopsticks, saying, "Daughter, don't mind her; please eat."