"Husband, we can't beat them. Let's run...
Meng Po knew Di Yao had things to do in the evening, so she let her leave early.
Carrying a bucket of water, Di Yao first went to Xiang Yun's place.
Xiang Yun had been guarding her vegetable patch and had already cleared away the rotten seedlings that couldn't be salvaged. She was just waiting for Di Yao's life-saving water.
Di Yao watered the patch together with her, and Xiang Yun insisted she stay and rest for a while.
"Your water looks so clean. May I ask where you got it?" Xiang Yun had drunk two large bowls after confirming it was potable, then set some aside, and finally watered the ground. Even now, the sweet aftertaste lingered in her mouth.
The water this girl brought was a treasure. She had to find a way to get more... If only she could keep using such clean water from now on, that would be wonderful.
Di Yao's expression froze for only a moment, then she laughed it off vaguely.
She had regretted her promise to Xiang Yun this morning almost as soon as she made it. She wanted to help, but she wasn't stupid.
If the well were in her own home, she would unhesitatingly let everyone use it. But the water was borrowed from Meng Po, and it was used to make Meng Po Soup. She didn't dare to spread the news, nor gamble on whether Xiang Yun would tell others.
She couldn't even imagine how the entire Wrongful Death City would react if they knew Meng Po had drinkable water.
And today Meng Po had specifically told her she didn't want it known. Di Yao didn't want to cause trouble for herself.
But Xiang Yun seemed completely oblivious to her predicament and persisted, a hint of reproach in her tone.
"Miss, we're neighbors. Who knows how long we'll be here together? Neighbors should help each other, shouldn't they? You help me fetch water this time, next time I'll help you. Otherwise, how could I have the face to ask again?"
Di Yao had hoped to brush it off easily, but Xiang Yun's greed was written all over her face. Di Yao felt a headache coming on. "Actually, you don't need to help me. I have my husband at home."
Seeing Xiang Yun's smile fade, Di Yao added fuel to the fire: "Sister, you don't know—my husband dotes on me the most. He can't bear to see me work. The moment I start laboring, he gets so worried. Helping you today was just me being bored and wanting some exercise. As for fetching water in the future, don't trouble yourself. The well in the city is very close to my home."
After Di Yao repeatedly declined, Xiang Yun's face turned sour. She let go of Di Yao's hand abruptly and even wiped her own hand on her clothes.
Di Yao felt a bit sour inside, but she began to feel glad she had refused Xiang Yun's request outright.
A favor received is a debt of gratitude; a favor asked for repeatedly breeds resentment. She would take this as a lesson.
Di Yao stood up to take her leave, but unexpectedly a burly man came out of the house, holding a club and looking fierce and formidable.
The man was Xiang Yun's lover here in the Underworld. Both of them had unfinished lifespans and lived close by. Over time, they had hooked up. This morning, Xiang Yun had told him about Di Yao's offer of clean water. Greed took hold, and they decided to find out where it came from.
But Di Yao had been cautious and refused to tell them no matter what.
Di Yao realized she might be in trouble. The man backed her step by step until she was nearly cornered against the fence.
She was about to call for Xibian to fetch Wei Xunzhou, but she couldn't find the dog anywhere—she remembered she had sent it home earlier.
The man stopped advancing. Xiang Yun stepped forward and pressed Di Yao again. Their underlying greed was fully exposed.
"I told you, I don't know. Are you going to beat me to death?" Di Yao tried to steady her voice, pretending to be calm.
"How could that be? Don't forget where we are. Even if we do fight, you won't die. At worst, you'll get hurt." Xiang Yun smugly draped her arm over the man's shoulder.
The man tapped his club in his hand.
Di Yao glanced toward home, hoping to see some neighbors... But it would be best if Wei Xunzhou happened to step out.
"What? Still waiting for your man to save you? I advise you to give up that hope. Tell us what you know, and we'll let you go." Xiang Yun grabbed Di Yao's chin and twisted her face back, forcing her to look at her.
Seeing the red finger marks already forming on Di Yao's face, the man clicked his tongue, somewhat pitying her pretty face, and told Xiang Yun to let go.
Xiang Yun rolled her eyes and kicked the man hard. "You horny bastard! If you still want to protect this little bitch, see how I deal with you. If I get the water, I won't tell you either!"
Seeing their attention shift, Di Yao's mind worked quickly. She started acting.
Suddenly, she stepped forward, reached past Xiang Yun, and grabbed the man's arm. She shook it gently and softened her voice: "Big brother, please let me go."
As she spoke, afraid she didn't look seductive enough, she blinked furiously at him.
The man was instantly mesmerized, his expression lecherous.
Xiang Yun immediately bristled. She tore Di Yao's hand off the man with considerable force.
"Ah! Ow..." Di Yao pretended to be in pain, frowning.
The man's heart softened at once, his features relaxing.
Seeing this, Xiang Yun twisted his ear and yelled, "Who are you looking at? Can't you see this fox spirit is seducing you? Besides, this girl already has a man. How dare you—"
The man curled his lip in disdain. "Don't you have a man too? And now you're with me."
Di Yao was surprised to learn they were in that kind of relationship. She seized the opportunity to add more fuel: "Sister, it's all my fault. Don't blame this big brother..."
Xiang Yun saw through Di Yao's little scheme, but the man didn't. He really thought his charm had won the little beauty's heart.
Xiang Yun slapped the man and pushed him back. "Get lost! Go home. This has nothing to do with you."
Seeing them successfully divided, Di Yao took her chance and slipped out through a gap.
They reacted quickly, realizing they had been tricked, and immediately cooperated again.
The man was near the gate, so he took two steps and blocked it. Xiang Yun, being agile, chased Di Yao around the yard.
Panicked, Di Yao ran toward the freshly watered, muddy vegetable patch. She couldn't jump over it, and Xiang Yun had already cut off her retreat.
Gritting her teeth, Di Yao stepped into the mud and ran as fast as she could. Though unintentional, she trampled a patch of the few surviving seedlings.
Her once-clean embroidered shoes were now caked with thick mud, heavy and dirty, severely slowing her down.