Chapter 146: Betting
Shang Wan walked to the fisherman’s position to check.
Normally, fishermen all like quiet places, so the fish won’t be easily scared away.
This person is really interesting, deliberately going to places with lots of children. Is he confident in his fishing skills, or is his intention elsewhere?
A shiny object caught Shang Wan’s attention. She bent down to pick it up, stuffed it into her sleeve, and conveniently washed her hands by the riverside.
To be fair, nourished by spiritual spring water, her hands were still like they had never done heavy work, with slender fingers, white and tender like scallion tips, without even a decent callus.
The water reflected an oval-faced beauty, with delicate and enduring features, lines softer compared to Shang Wan’s own face, without a trace of aggression.
Her eyebrow tip gently raised, the inherent flamboyant aura of her soul instantly shattered this soft harmlessness, contradictory yet carrying a strange attractiveness.
Staring at the reflection in the water, not having looked in a mirror for a long time, Shang Wan had almost forgotten that this body was that of a beauty.
Her index finger lightly touched the water surface, ripples spreading out layer by layer, and the beauty’s reflection also dissipated.
The sun set in the west, Shang Wan carried two grass carp that were still flopping and returned home.
While Xiao Huan was cooking the fish, she asked about the fisherman.
Xiao Huan said, “If the fish isn’t cooked well, it has a fishy smell. To cook it well, you need to add more seasoning. Many villagers are reluctant to do that, so few people eat fish, and even fewer go fishing.”
“I’ve only seen Luo Da, Uncle Liu, and Uncle Zhang fishing. Little Mountain does take a small net to catch some small fish to fry and eat. But frying things uses a lot of oil. He said he only nets once a month, otherwise his big brother will beat him.”
In Shang Wan’s impression, none of the people Xiao Huan mentioned matched the fisherman.
Xiao Huan said, “Sister, we can also get a net to catch some small fish. I’ll fry crispy small fish strips for you, crunchy with bones, both crispy and fragrant. I guarantee you’ll like them.”
Shang Wan felt her appetite hooked, nodding, “Tomorrow we’ll borrow a net from Little Mountain, net a few baskets and try it.”
“Okay.”
After dinner, after coaxing Yuan Yuan to sleep, Shang Wan lay alone on the yellow ox’s back, staring blankly at the pitch-black night sky.
Clouds blocked the moon, only a few sporadic stars twinkling, emitting faint light.
Shang Wan was engrossed when suddenly the sound of a wheelchair rolling over small stones came to her ears. She didn’t turn her head, but raised her hand and tossed a transparent object to the newcomer.
Lu Chengjing raised his hand to catch it and examined it closely in his palm.
A loose small clump, it looked like fishing line.
He asked, “Where did it come from?”
“Riverside.” Shang Wan’s tone was somewhat lazy as she simply recounted the matter of the fisherman.
“I don’t think he’s from the village. When I went to check, I found this small clump of fishing line on the ground.”
Lu Chengjing didn’t understand Shang Wan’s meaning for a moment. Isn’t it normal for a fisherman to carry fishing line?
Shang Wan drawled, “Gao Laotai was strangled to death, with several neatly aligned bruise marks on her neck, almost cut into the flesh. I’ve been wondering what exactly strangled Gao Laotai until I saw this clump of fishing line.”
Lu Chengjing frowned at the fishing line, thinking of a possibility, “You suspect the killer of Gao Laotai isn’t Gao Qi?”
“Rather than saying Gao Qi is the killer, it’s better to say he’s a victim. That would explain his huge changes before and after.”
Shang Wan tsked lightly, “We might all have been deceived by the killer. Gao Qi might have died even earlier than Gao Laotai. The crazy Gao Qi that the villagers saw that day was probably the killer or the killer’s accomplice in disguise.”
Lu Chengjing gripped the fishing line tightly, “It’s just a clump of fishing line, it doesn’t prove anything. Gao Qi could have used it to murder too.”
“Indeed, it’s all just my guess.” Shang Wan sat up from the ox’s back, crossed-legged facing Lu Chengjing, her eyebrow tip gently raised, “How about a bet?”
Lu Chengjing looked at her, his eyes unconsciously softening with a smile, “Bet on what?”
“Bet on… whether something will happen in the village tomorrow.” Shang Wan’s tone was meaningful.
“I bet something will happen.” The two said almost in unison.
Shang Wan whistled, spread her hands, “The same, looks like no bet.”
But Lu Chengjing asked, “What about the stakes?”
Shang Wan crooked her finger at him. Lu Chengjing wheeled closer, tilting his ear to listen.
Shang Wan leaned over, whispered two sentences in his ear.
Lu Chengjing’s originally fair ears suddenly burned like fire, his pale lips pursing uncomfortably.
Shang Wan reached out to pinch the nearby earlobe, her voice lowered, carrying a hint of seduction, “Want to change your mind?”
Lu Chengjing coughed lightly and turned his head away. His fingers on the wheelchair armrest fidgeted with the edge uncomfortably, his long thick eyelashes trembling fiercely.
Shang Wan watched his reddened ear root leisurely, thinking he was still so easy to tease.
Her voice carried a laugh, “Husband, you haven’t answered me yet.”
Lu Chengjing’s fingertip trembled, he turned back to look at her.
The woman’s moist almond eyes curved slightly, brimming with laughter like a refreshing clear spring.
The night breeze brushed by, a familiar fragrance wafted over, lingering at his nose.
Lu Chengjing’s heartbeat seemed to skip a beat. He pursed his lips, pursed again, and after a long while, lowered his eyes and gave a soft hum.
Shang Wan secretly tsked, he was so obedient she almost couldn’t bear to tease him.
However, teasing her own pet fox, how could that count as bullying?
“So unwilling? Then forget it, no bet.” Shang Wan jumped off the ox’s back and walked away.
“Wait.” Lu Chengjing reached out to grab her arm, pulling her back forcefully.
Shang Wan spun with the force, sitting on his lap, lowered her head, their eyes met.
Lu Chengjing said lowly, “Don’t be angry, I bet.”
Shang Wan’s lip corner curved lightly, her two arms lifted to wrap around the youth’s neck, leaning close to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek.
The warm soft touch growing familiar, Lu Chengjing’s fingertips trembled. His right hand slowly, slowly lifted, gently resting on Shang Wan’s waist side, encircling the person in his arms in a protective and possessive posture.
Shang Wan extended her index finger to scratch the youth’s chin, “How did you get so obedient?”
“I want you to be happy.” Lu Chengjing caught the mischievous finger on his chin and gently kissed it at his lips.
Shang Wan was indeed quite happy.
Her gaze fell on the youth’s beautifully shaped lips, feeling the color too pale, so she raised her hand to press and rub until they were tinged with a bit of bright color before letting go.
“Pretty good at coaxing people, where did you learn that?”
The heat at Lu Chengjing’s ear root hadn’t faded. He caught Shang Wan’s fingertip and kissed it again, curving his eyes in a light laugh, “All taught well by you, wife.”
Shang Wan had the illusion that her disciple was about to be slapped to death on the beach. She cleared her throat, “Not bad, keep it up.”
She pushed on Lu Chengjing’s shoulders slightly to stand up, but the hand at her waist exerted greater force, pressing her back down on his lap.
Shang Wan: ?
Lu Chengjing’s two hands encircled her, resting his chin in her shoulder socket, rubbing gently.
Loose black hair brushed his face and neck, bringing a slight itch.
Though not spoken, it was obvious he wanted to hold a bit longer.
Shang Wan felt like she’d been rubbed by a cat.
No, hers was a fox.
Whatever, foxes are fluffy too, let him rub.
