Hu Feng knew where the red fruit trees were. There was a small forest nearby. And there were a few red fruit trees in it. Last year, when the villagers harvesting peanuts, a child fell on the red fruit tree and died.
“Don’t go. I’ll go with you after cutting this part.”
Bai Zhi bowed her head and cleaned up the pot and bowls. She didn’t see the serious look in Hu Feng’s face. She also didn’t hear what he said. She simply said: “Okay!”
Hu Feng took the sickle to start working, while Bai Zhi took their things back to the carriage. She then took the bamboo pole she brought before and went to the distant woods.
The woods were a bit far from the wheat fields in the village, but close to the peanut fields. At this time, people were busy harvesting wheat, no one can be seen in the peanut fields at all.
Bai Zhi walked along the path. When she was about to enter the woods, she saw two children, aged 7 or 8-years-old rushing out the woods and looked in panic. One of them even fell on the roadside. The other child, who was in the front didn’t even care. He ran away with all his might as if someone was chasing after him.
The boy who fell climbed up from the ground, patted the soil on his clothes a few times and ran away with loose hair.
Bai Zhi wanted to stop the boy and ask him a few questions, but before she could open her mouth, the child had run away. She didn’t see who’s the boy in the front, but she recognized the boy who fell. It was the son of Wang Daniu. When he came to her to buy rice, he took his son. The boy was particularly naughty. At that time, there were still several steamed buns on the table. He said that he was hungry. Zhao Lan gave him a piece. But who would have thought that the boy will eat another two and then put the remaining four on his sleeve, saying that he was still hungry.
Zhao Lan had a good heart, so she just let it go. She let him hide the remaining steamed bun on his sleeve. Wang Daniu saw what his son did with his own eyes. Obviously, he was encouraging his son. He even praised his son for being smart.
Later, among those people who sold rice for a high price and caused trouble to the Hu Family, Wang Daniu was also there. He also came to complain for a personal reason.
Bai Zhi continued to move forward. When she passed through the ground where Wang Daniu’s son fell, she saw a few red fruits that were crushed.
A handkerchief embroidered with the word ‘Yun’ was left behind. It must be his mother’s name.
Bai Zhi picked up the handkerchief and a few red fruits that scattered on the ground. She was thinking to return it when she sees the boy. Otherwise, he might be beaten when he comes back home.
Bai Zhi took a few steps forward when suddenly, she heard someone crying for help. She felt like she misheard it, so she stood still and listened carefully again. And indeed, someone was crying for help in the woods.
Bai Zhi rushed int the woods with the bamboo pole. The voice was getting low and hoarse. Obviously, his condition was getting worse.
Under a tall red fruit tree, she found the person who was calling for help. It turned out to be a child, who looked like 8 or 9-year-old. On his side, there were many red fruits scattering. His blue-grayed upper clothes have many dark red spots. She couldn’t tell if it was blood or juice of red fruits.
Bai Zhi dropped the bamboo pole in her hand and rushed to the child. “What happened? What’s wrong with you?” Bai Zhi stretched out her arm and checked the boy’s pulse. His pulse beats fast and there was no sign of weakening.
The child looked at her with a pale face and said while crying: “It hurts, it hurts!”