FDNL CH 32

Chapter 32

The Widow (1/2)

The pregnant woman fell, but it was Su Lianyi who screamed.

The pregnant woman was young, with a delicate bone structure, a small face no larger than a palm, and refined features. Unfortunately, her skin was dark and covered with spots and scars. Her eyes were clear and innocent, like a little deer, seeming completely unacquainted with the ways of the world. Due to this sudden accident, her small mouth opened slightly as she leaned against Su Lianyi, staring at her in a daze.

If anyone else had been the cushion, the pregnant woman might have been injured. But who was Su Lianyi? Her soft, pliable body was not just for show. The pregnant woman remained unharmed, and only Lianyi screamed.

“Miss… could you… get off me?” Previously, the urgency of the situation had left no room for Su Lianyi to think, but now, calm had returned—and her back ached terribly. It wasn’t just the pain of hitting the ground; the wound from the stones scratching her back made it burn even more.

“S-sorry… s-sorry…” The little-deer-like pregnant woman panicked, shaking her head repeatedly.

Thinking of her own notorious reputation, Lianyi guessed that this timid woman was afraid of her. She could only helplessly twitch the corners of her mouth into a “smile,” trying to appear friendly. “It’s okay. You can get down now. My back… it hurts a little…” No, it didn’t hurt a little—it burned like fire.

The pregnant woman blinked her bright eyes, thought for a moment, and then slowly climbed off Su Lianyi.

Lianyi was very patient with people, especially women, children, the elderly, and the weak. Considering the pregnant woman’s limited mobility, she gritted her teeth and waited patiently.

“Ah! Blood… blood… you’re bleeding!” The pregnant woman’s slender fingers trembled as she pointed to Lianyi’s back, too shaken to speak clearly.

Lianyi had expected a wound—the stone edges were sharp, and in spring, wearing light clothes, cuts were inevitable. “It’s nothing.” She tried to push herself up but found that her right wrist also ached. It had been injured when she threw aside the water bucket. The wrist, not exactly slender to begin with, was now swollen thicker than her forearm.

“It’s nothing,” Lianyi said, bracing herself with her left hand to stand. “Are you alright? Any discomfort?”

“You… you’re… bleeding… what should we do?” The pregnant woman was small, reaching only to Lianyi’s ear. Her face was pale with fear, trembling as she covered her mouth in panic.

Su Lianyi could only laugh and cry at the absurdity. She was the one injured! “It’s fine, I’ll handle it myself later. Where’s your family? You’re frail and pregnant—how can you do such heavy labor?” The water bucket from the well weighed at least two kilograms empty, and once filled, easily seven or eight. Even a healthy person like her struggled to carry it. How could a frail pregnant woman manage?

Hearing this, the pregnant woman’s large eyes widened even more. “Y-you… you don’t recognize me anymore?”

Lianyi was taken aback. Could she be an old acquaintance? “Miss, to be honest, I injured my head a few days ago and can’t remember some things. Could you remind me—what is our relationship?”

The pregnant woman’s eyes were full of surprise and curiosity. “Su Lianyi, I’m your neighbor. You always call me the silly widow and bully me. You’ve taken my rouge, taken my handkerchief, and you always splash dirty water in front of my house.”

“…” Su Lianyi was speechless. If the pregnant woman was telling the truth, this girl must be incredibly naive! Even more naive than Su Bai! Clearly she had been bullied, yet held no resentment. Only a pure aura remained, without a trace of anger.

“Really?” Lianyi asked, doubting it.

The pregnant woman quickly nodded, rolling up her sleeve to reveal her left arm. A large bruise marked her slender, dark arm.

“Yes, this happened a few days ago when you came to my house to snatch a comb and hurt me.” Her soft, delicate voice inspired pity.

“…” Su Lianyi’s mind was in a whirl. What was going on here? “I… hurt you?” The real culprit, of all people, had even bullied a naïve little widow? Taking something is one thing, but why hit her?

The pregnant woman nodded seriously. “I just wanted to remind you—the comb is sharp, so be careful when using it. But you thought I’d resist… so… you hit me…”