Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

”No, it definitely won’t kill anyone. It’s just a potion that will make a woman unable to become a mother,” Guo Dongmei said slowly. As she spoke, however, her left hand restlessly stroked her own abdomen.

’If Zhao Nuanyue can’t have children, then even if she marries into the Hua family and has a great relationship with Hua Yusen, the Hua family will never stand for it. As the eldest son of the eldest grandson, he must have an heir.’

’That would mean Zhao Nuanyue would either have to divorce Hua Yusen or, if they stayed together, they would be forced to adopt a child from a relative.’

’Zhao Nuanyue living a life of frustration—that would make Guo Dongmei happier than simply killing her.’

”My God, unable to have children?” Wang Yuan was stunned, her eyes wide and her breathing ragged. ”A potion like that actually exists in this world?”

”The world is a vast place, full of wonders. If secret palace remedies like this existed in the past, why couldn’t they exist now?” Guo Dongmei shot back. ”So? Are you willing to do it?”

Wang Yuan remained silent.

”As long as you complete this task, I can get you a better position.” Seeing Wang Yuan’s silence, Guo Dongmei continued to up the ante. ”If you’re willing to do this, I’ll transfer you to a much better job in a government compound, not some logistics role in a factory.”

Hearing Guo Dongmei’s words, Wang Yuan was stunned once more, her eyes flashing with pleasant surprise.

’My God, I could actually get a better job?’

’What a respectable thing that would be! The Wang Family has never had such good fortune for generations.’

’Before the Liberation, the Wang Family were servants for wealthy households. After the Liberation, they got into factories, but were just hard-working, uncomplaining laborers.’

Guo Dongmei’s promise was incredibly tempting to Wang Yuan, so she nodded. ”Alright, I’ll do it.”

Hearing Wang Yuan agree, Guo Dongmei burst out laughing. She just knew Wang Yuan would cooperate with her.

That a lowly woman like Zhao Nuanyue could actually mock her and stand on equal footing with her infuriated Guo Dongmei. That was why she had asked that ’master’ for this potion—to make Zhao Nuanyue miserable for the rest of her life.

”A wise person understands the circumstances. Wang Yuan, you are a smart woman. As long as you complete your task, I will get you a new job,” Guo Dongmei said slowly, gradually coaxing Wang Yuan. ”We might have many more opportunities to cooperate in the future, so go ahead and do it without any worries.”

Wang Yuan nodded, then asked, ”This time, when I carry out the task, there won’t be anyone else around. Even if I use the potion, you won’t know if I really did it. What if you suspect me again?”

”Heh heh, that’s simple. After taking this potion, Zhao Nuanyue’s health will slowly decline. She’ll have a persistent cold for a month, maybe even longer, but she’ll slowly get better after treatment,” Guo Dongmei answered. ”If someone has a cold for a day or two, no one might notice. But if Zhao Nuanyue has a cold and fever for one or two months, I’ll definitely be able to find out.”

Hearing this, Wang Yuan nodded.

Just then, Guo Dongmei’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Wang Yuan. ”I certainly hope you don’t tell Zhao Nuanyue about this. If I find out you two have teamed up to trick me... well, I might not be able to do anything to Zhao Nuanyue, but I can make sure you, Wang Yuan, die without a burial plot. Your family will also suffer hardship and endless misfortune.”

Guo Dongmei’s threat made Wang Yuan tremble in fear.

”I won’t! I absolutely won’t! Ever since we worked together that one time, we’ve been on the same side. How could I dare tell Zhao Nuanyue the truth?” Wang Yuan hurriedly explained. ”The last two times I saw Zhao Nuanyue, I could clearly feel her distance. She wasn’t warm like she was in Nianqiao Village. It’s obvious she doesn’t consider me a friend at all. Even if I begged her, she probably wouldn’t help me. Since that’s the case, why shouldn’t I work with you? Even though you don’t see me as a friend either—just a pawn—at least you can give me what I want. Like you said, it’s a mutually beneficial relationship where we both gain something. Of course I wouldn’t give you up to work with Zhao Nuanyue instead.”

”Not bad, not bad. You really know how to read the situation. Zhao Nuanyue would never give you what you want, but I can, and I’m willing to,” Guo Dongmei said with a smile. ”The potion you’ll be using is in that box. Don’t forget to take it when you leave.”

”Okay.” Wang Yuan stepped forward and picked up the small, exquisite box with both hands. She opened it and saw a small porcelain bottle inside. She carefully placed the box in her bag. ”It’s getting late. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking my leave.”

”There’s nothing else. Oh, right, there is one thing I need to remind you of. Zhao Nuanyue is getting married on the Returning to Truth Festival. That’s only a little over two months from now. Once she marries into the Hua family, your chances to act will be much fewer, so you need to hurry,” Guo Dongmei added as a reminder. She couldn’t stand seeing Zhao Nuanyue happy, so she hoped Zhao Nuanyue would be poisoned before her wedding to Hua Yusen.

Wang Yuan nodded. ”Two months is more than enough.”

”Good. I’ll be waiting for your good news then,” Guo Dongmei said with a broad smile, as if she could already foresee the living hell Zhao Nuanyue’s life was about to become.

”I’ll be taking my leave, then,” Wang Yuan said before turning to go.

At the doorway, she happened to run into Guo Donghai.

”Wang Yuan, are you all done talking?” Guo Donghai asked enthusiastically, his eyes glued to her.

His wife was an assertive, career-driven woman who always overshadowed him. To make matters worse, the old man of the family approved of this ”tigress,” so Guo Donghai could only swallow his frustrations at home. When he was out, he had a particular fondness for gentle, sweet, demure women.

This Wang Yuan fit his criteria perfectly. In that sense, Guo Donghai was a tiny bit better than Li Gongming; at least Guo Donghai didn’t go after married women—he just liked unmarried young ladies!

”We’ve finished talking. It’s getting late, so I should be going,” Wang Yuan said softly, no longer as nervous as she was at the beginning.

”Yes, it is quite late. It’s dark out, and it’s not safe for a young woman like you to walk alone. Let me give you a ride,” Guo Donghai said softly, dangling the car keys in his hand.

’Hearing the conversation between her big brother and Wang Yuan from behind, Guo Dongmei couldn’t help but smile wryly. ’If Sister-in-law finds out that I was the one who brought this Wang Yuan home, and that she’s now getting entangled with Big Brother, she’ll be furious.’’

”COUGH, COUGH!” Guo Dongmei coughed twice. ”Big Brother,” she reminded him, ”Sister-in-law has a cold. Aren’t you going to go inside and check on her?”

Hearing his sister’s words, Guo Donghai looked a bit embarrassed, then immediately frowned and said, ”Don’t mention her to me.”