After tearing open the delivery box, Qi Huan took out the fresh eggs and postpartum porridge and shook them.
"Now you should believe, right? I can't hide so many things, it's really something I conjured. In the future, I'll conjure even more things. But you have to keep it a secret for me."
"Are you really a fairy who descended to the mortal world?"
Li Shuchen's expression was complex as he scrutinized Qi Huan from head to toe. With her messy hair and pale, thin cheeks, except for her lively eyes, she didn't look like the little fairy in the fairy tale books at all.
If it weren't for her delicious cooking and her suspicious behavior, he would have long exposed her and wouldn't have followed her to investigate.
"Oh, when I descended, I landed face-first."
"..."
With the deception over, Qi Huan finally felt relieved.
She also figured out that Li Shuchen was the "leader" of Yan Qinghe's trio. If she could handle him, she wouldn't have to worry about the others. Most importantly, he had no intention of sending her to meet the King of Hell.
Since that was the case, she would live well in this era.
Carrying the heavy delivery box, Qi Huan became even more eager to accumulate enough points to exchange for a storage space of a thousand points. Otherwise, she could only take things out but not put them back, which was truly troublesome.
"Give it to me."
At this moment, Li Shuchen took the delivery box, took a long stride, and walked ahead of her.
Afraid that passersby would suspect, he supported the delivery box with one hand and covered most of it with his long sleeves.
Seeing this, Qi Huan's steps became lighter, and she walked out of the alley. Following the instructions of the old lady, she made a right turn and saw the signboard of a ready-to-wear store.
"Shopkeeper, which kind of cotton-padded jacket is the cheapest?"
As soon as she entered, she got straight to the point.
She wanted the cheapest one so she could use the remaining money to buy Li Shuchen a set as well. After all, she had just boasted about taking care of his food and clothing.
Although her words sounded plain, the shopkeeper still greeted her with a smiling face.
"Young lady, this way, please."
The shopkeeper went around to the left side of the counter and took down a set of dull gray coarse cloth cotton-padded jacket, handing it to her.
"Due to the color and style, this set has never caught anyone's eye. If you want it, you can have it for 800 wen."
"So expensive?"
"Here, the winter is long and harsh, and we don't produce cotton locally. We rely on merchant caravans to bring it in. Cotton-padded jackets are in short supply, and this one is already the cheapest..."
Seeing Qi Huan starting to examine it, the shopkeeper continued to promote, "There's plenty of cotton stuffed inside, very warm. The gray color is also resistant to dirt, so you won't look messy even after wearing it for a whole winter."
Qi Huan didn't rush to respond. She pointed at Li Shuchen and asked, "Is there anything suitable for him to wear?"
"I don't need it."
"You need it."
His clothes were still in the original room. Qi Huan didn't know about it at the time. She wanted to hide something in the wooden box by the bed, but when she opened it, there were only a few thin undershirts and a few sets of spring and autumn outerwear inside.
That's why she insisted on buying clothes for him.
Giving him clothes would also earn her some points. It was a safe bet.
The shopkeeper was naturally willing to do more business and highly recommended a larger gray cotton-padded jacket to Qi Huan.
"These two sets of clothes are made from the same piece of fabric, the craftsmanship and materials are good. If you take them together, I can give you a discount. One and a half taels, five hundred wen will do."
Qi Huan, who initially intended to haggle, was pleased with the sincere offer from the shopkeeper. The price was indeed very low, so she readily agreed to the deal.
Remembering that her sleeve was still torn, she asked the shopkeeper if she could borrow a needle.
After handing her the needle, the shopkeeper began attending to another customer who had just entered.
With the thread in place, Qi Huan attempted to sew up the torn cuff. However, since she hadn't taken off her clothes, she could only use one hand, and accidentally pricked her own arm with the needle.
"How clumsy."
Li Shuchen placed the delivery box at his feet, shielding it with his body. He took the needle from her hand and skillfully started sewing it up.
During the two years of exile, he had learned things he had never touched before.
Qi Huan looked up, getting a close look at him for the first time, and once again she was struck by his handsome appearance.
He suddenly leaned in, preparing to bite off the cotton thread with his teeth.
Qi Huan's heart started racing. It was the first time in her past and present lives that she had been so close to a handsome guy, and she felt a little uncomfortable.
She stepped back, causing the needle to prick Li Shuchen's face.
"..."
"Little fairy, it seems you landed headfirst." Li Shuchen put down the needle, picked up the delivery box, and walked out of the door with a dark face.
Qi Huan quickly held onto the newly bought cotton coat and chased after him.
With the remaining copper coins from buying the clothes and the sixty-seven wen from selling spicy cabbage, she now had over one hundred wen.
She went to buy some salt and a piece of fatty pork to make lard.
The sun had already started to set, probably past noon, and Qi Huan didn't want to cook anymore.
Using the last few copper coins in her purse, she bought two vegetable buns and brought them home to share with Li Shuchen.
"Act of kindness +1, points +100."
Then she gave the cotton coat to Li Shuchen.
"Act of kindness +1, points +100."
Qi Huan laughed inwardly, earning a lot of points today.
For the next half day, her gaze remained fixed on Li Shuchen, always ready to help him.
Li Shuchen caught a glimpse of her gaze, and her words from this morning echoed in his ears, "Li Shuchen, I came for you."
It seemed to be true.
A fleeting smile flashed in Li Shuchen's eyes as he remembered the strange movements she made at the restaurant.
"Little fairy, did you use magic to make the child spit out peanuts?" he asked.
"No."
Qi Huan eagerly explained, "It was Heimlich maneuver."
"Oh?"
"Li Shuchen, I want to do something and need your help!" Qi Huan had a brilliant idea. She could write down the steps of the Heimlich maneuver so that other children who might encounter such a situation could receive timely treatment.
After hearing her thoughts, Li Shuchen pointed out a practical problem, "Have you considered that most of them can't read?"
"Oh..." She felt a little disappointed.
The legendary gods were supposed to be emotionless and desireless, but the expression on the little fairy's face was truly rich.
Li Shuchen furrowed his brows slightly, deep in thought. Then he took the initiative and said, "I can draw it for you."
"You can also paint? You're truly a talented person," Qi Huan praised him without reservation.
Without further ado, she first fetched a few sheets of rice paper, then stood by, grinding the ink, and explained the key points of the Heimlich maneuver.
Soon, Li Shuchen meticulously drew each step.
Qi Huan carefully dried the ink and raised the paper to admire her artwork. As she looked closer, she noticed something amiss.
"Is this savior you drew supposed to be me?" she asked.
"Why not?" Li Shuchen replied.
"Oh, you've done a good job." Qi Huan saw herself in a painting for the first time, even though her features were only roughly sketched, she still felt satisfied.
The next day, Qi Huan used the money Li Shuchen earned from copying books to buy flour and mix it into a paste. She found a wall and posted a notice on it.
"Attention, parents with children at home!"
As a crowd gathered, Qi Huan spoke loudly, "Fellow villagers and parents, please try to avoid giving young children hard foods like peanuts. In case a child chokes, don't panic. Learn the Heimlich maneuver, it can save lives in critical moments."
"You, girl, why do you keep saying such ominous words? Who are you cursing?" an angry young woman carrying a basket retorted.
Before Qi Huan could explain, someone in the crowd spoke up for her.
"You don't understand. This Heimlich... whatever technique is really effective," Zhong Hu proudly shared, holding his son, "My family's grain was snatched back from the Gate of the Underworld by Miss Qi using this method."
"That's right," Qi Huan nodded. "Dear neighbors and fellow villagers, take a little time to learn the Heimlich maneuver, so you can be prepared for any emergency."
At that moment, an elderly woman, bent over and wiping away tears, said, "Yes, learn it... If I had known this technique at the time, my poor Zhuang Zhuang wouldn't have suffocated."
After comforting the elderly woman, the crowd quieted down and listened attentively as Qi Huan explained the steps depicted in the illustration.
