Rebirth 70: I am a Koi

I counted the 1.37 yuan in my hand, which was the income from selling peaches today. Although it was not much, it was the first time I earned money through my own efforts since my rebirth, which was of great significance.

When I returned to the village entrance, it was getting dark. I deliberately slowed down my pace and glanced around casually, feeling a little uneasy. Ever since Mu Xuewei asked me about the origin of my new clothes in a sarcastic tone last time, I felt that there was something wrong with the way she and Liu Meiqin looked at me, like a poisonous snake staring at its prey, cold and greedy.

In order to avoid a direct conflict with them, I deliberately took a detour to go home through a secluded path. The chirping of crickets in the grass by the roadside made the surroundings seem even more eerily quiet.

Suddenly, I keenly noticed that there seemed to be someone behind me!

I turned my head sharply, but I only saw a blurry figure flash by and disappear into the night. Who was it? Was it my illusion?

My heartbeat quickened, and I tightened my grip on the basket, forcing myself to calm down. Maybe it was just a passerby, and I was overthinking it.

I comforted myself and quickened my pace towards home.

However, in the following days, the feeling of being followed did not disappear, but became stronger. I was sure that I was not mistaken, because every time I came back from going out, I could always see that sneaky figure not far away.

What on earth were they trying to do? Were they sent by Liu Meiqin and Mu Xuewei to spy on me?

The thought gave me chills. I had to find out who they were before I could take any countermeasures!

"Hanchuan, I..." I told Bai Hanchuan what had happened in the past few days, twisting the corners of my clothes anxiously.

After listening to my story, Bai Hanchuan frowned, and a cold light flashed in his eyes: "Don't be afraid, I will find out the truth about this matter."

He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the setting sun in the distance, his tone firm and cold: "I want to see who is behind this!"

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on his face, outlining a golden edge on his stern profile. His unique military aura made me feel inexplicably at ease.

"Don't worry, I will protect you." Bai Hanchuan turned around, his deep eyes full of determination.

His promise was like the warm sun in winter, dispelling the haze in my heart. I nodded, clenched my fists, and secretly made up my mind: I must become strong as soon as possible to protect myself and the people around me!

Bai Hanchuan was very efficient. He told me the results of the investigation early the next morning.

"The person following you is a private detective hired by Liu Meicen. She suspects that you have money, so she wants to find out your background." Bai Hanchuan's tone was calm, but I knew that he must be filled with anger in his heart.

I took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in my heart. Liu Meiqin, you really won't cry until you see the coffin! Since you want to know my secret so much, I won't let you do it!

"I understand. Thank you, Hanchuan." I looked at him gratefully, with a determined light flashing in my eyes. "I will handle it carefully."

This incident made me more alert, and I had to speed up my plan. I found the village chief and proposed to contract more barren hills to plant fruit trees.

"What do you want so many barren hills for? You won't see any income from them for several years!" The village chief looked at me in surprise, as if I were a madman with crazy ideas.

"Village chief, don't worry, I have a way to make them profitable as soon as possible." I said confidently.

With my persistence and the help of Bai Hanchuan, the village chief finally agreed to my request. I used the money I earned from selling peaches in the past few days to buy a large number of fruit tree seedlings and fertilizers, and started a vigorous planting plan.

At the same time, I did not relax my vigilance against Liu Meiqin and Mu Xuewei. I installed a simple alarm device at home and strengthened the care of poultry and livestock to prevent them from doing it again.

However, I underestimated their greed and viciousness.

A week later, I received an invitation from the town to attend an important social evening.

"Jinli, this is a great opportunity! You must dress up well and try to make more friends at the party." Liu Meiqin enthusiastically helped me choose clothes, but there was a barely perceptible viciousness in her eyes.

I looked at the strange smiling face in the mirror, and suddenly I had an ominous premonition in my heart... Liu Meiqin's attentive attitude made me feel sick. The more enthusiastic she was, the more uneasy I felt. I suppressed my disgust and said lightly, "No, I can choose my own clothes."

"Hey, kid, how can you talk like that! Your mother is doing this for your own good. She's worried that you won't know the rules and will embarrass yourself if it's your first time attending such an occasion!" Mu Jinyao interrupted sarcastically, her tone full of ridicule.

I glanced at her coldly and said nothing. The mother and daughter sang the same tune, just wanting to trick me into going to town and then take the opportunity to humiliate me.

On the day of the party, I deliberately wore the simplest clothes and put on light makeup, which formed a sharp contrast with Liu Meiqi and Mu Jinyao who were dressed up.

"Hey, Jinli, why did you come here dressed like this? This is a town banquet, not your vegetable garden. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at for dressing like this?" Liu Meiqi couldn't help but start making fun of me as soon as she saw me.

I pretended not to understand her sarcasm and smiled faintly: "I'm used to dressing like this. It's fine as long as it's comfortable."

In the banquet hall, people of all kinds gathered together, drinking and chatting. As soon as Liu Meiqin and Mu Jinyao entered the room, they were like butterflies, socializing everywhere and quickly became one with the group of people.

I was sitting alone in a corner, quietly observing the people and things around me. Suddenly, a greasy middle-aged man came towards me with a wine glass in his hand. He stared at me with lustful eyes, which made me feel very uncomfortable.

"Miss, why are you sitting alone? Come, have a drink with me!" the man said, and was about to reach out to pull me.

I dodged his dirty hands in disgust and refused coldly: "Sorry, I don't drink."

"Oh, you're quite cool! Do you know who I am? I'm..." The man wanted to continue pestering, but was stopped by a strong hand.

"Sir, please respect yourself!" Bai Hanchuan appeared beside me at some point. He stared at the man coldly, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

The man was intimidated by Bai Hanchuan's momentum and walked away in disgrace. I looked at Bai Hanchuan gratefully, he always appeared at the critical moment to protect me from harm.

"Why are you here?" I asked in a low voice.

"I'm worried about you." Bai Hanchuan said lightly, but there was a hint of imperceptible tenderness in his tone.

My heart warmed up and I was about to say something, but suddenly I heard a cry of surprise from the crowd. I looked up and saw Liu Meiqin and Mu Jinyao standing in the middle of the crowd, their faces pale and their bodies trembling...