Chapter 88: Overcoming Fear
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the living room, the Wan brothers heard Ye Ling’s crying and rushed out.
Hearing that there was a snake in the sack, Wan Xue was momentarily stunned before asking, “Sister Lingling, a couple of days ago you asked me about Auntie Tan’s whereabouts. Did you buy this snake from her or did she give it to you?”
Ye Ling wiped her tears and stuttered, “I caught it…”
The courtyard fell into a deep silence.
After a moment, Wan Feng’s voice was dry as he asked, “Lingling, what did you say? You caught it?”
While Wan Feng wasn’t particularly afraid of snakes, he certainly wouldn’t dare to catch one himself. For Ye Ling, a delicate city girl, to have caught a snake herself was unbelievable.
Min Nan’s shock was even more profound.
He knew just how afraid Ye Ling was of snakes. So why did she suddenly decide to catch one?
Seeing Ye Ling still crying, Min Nan felt both anxious and heartbroken. He hurriedly told Wan Hai, “Take that sack away.”
Wan Hai had no choice but to gather his courage and take up the sack containing the snake, throwing it into a corner of the courtyard.
“Alright, it’s fine now. Wan Hai has thrown that sack far away. Don’t be afraid…” Min Nan tried his best to comfort Ye Ling in a gentle tone.
Ye Ling wiped her tears and looked at the sack. After a moment of hesitation, she hoarsely said, “I’m not scared. I also don’t know what came over me…”
“Okay, if you’re not scared, then you’re not scared. Go inside and rest for a while. I’ll prepare dinner. Are braised beans acceptable? I know how to make this dish,” Min Nan spoke softly as if coaxing a child.
Ye Ling shook her head. “No, Auntie Tan wants me to eat snake meat tonight.” The room fell silent once more.
After a long while, Wan Feng’s voice trembled as he said, “Lingling, I think you’re on your way to becoming the second Auntie Tan in our village. You’re too terrifying.”
Wan Hai managed a stiff smile too, then turned to Min Nan, saying, “Well then,
Min Nan, go deal with that snake.”
Min Nan glanced at Ye Ling a few times to make sure she had calmed down before saying, “Alright, I’ll go deal with it. You go rest inside for a bit.”
That night, after Min Nan finished preparing the snake meat, Ye Ling went to the kitchen and turned the snake meat into a dish. Looking at the plate emitting a rich aroma, Ye Ling finally felt that she was no longer afraid of snakes.
This feeling, this experience, was extraordinary.
At dinner, Wan Hai and Wan Feng watched Ye Ling calmly eat a piece of snake meat. They exchanged glances and saw fear and disbelief in each other’s eyes.
Was this a woman? This was too frightening!
“Sister Lingling, weren’t you scared of snakes?” Wan Xue whispered.
Ye Ling nodded. “Yes.”
“Then why did you learn how to catch snakes from Auntie Tan?” Wan Xue was thoroughly puzzled.
Ye Ling didn’t know how to explain, so she could only put on a serious expression and say, “I just wanted to overcome myself!”
At this moment, the others’ feelings toward Ye Ling were similar to those Auntie Tan had initially held.
Was this girl’s mind alright?
Min Nan ate the snake meat in silence, occasionally glancing at Ye Ling.
After dinner, Wan Hai went to wash the dishes. Ye Ling heated water for a bath before going to sleep. As she was about to carry the basin to the backyard, she saw Min Nan walking over, his gaze profound as he looked at her.
Ye Ling paused. “Big Brother Min Nan, is there something you want to talk about?”
Min Nan remained silent for a moment, then finally asked, “Why are you forcing yourself to do things you don’t want to do?”
In an instant, Ye Ling understood what Min Nan wanted to ask. She blinked, then relaxed into a smile. “There are some things that people just have to do.” Though Ye Ling’s smile was carefree, Min Nan felt a weight settle in his heart.
He realized that he didn’t truly understand Ye Ling.
He had always thought of Ye Ling as a delicate and adorable flower.
However, Min Nan would rather have Ye Ling be that delicate flower. He didn’t want her to bear the things she feared and worried about. He wanted to see her face life happily and easily, and he would do his best to shield her from storms, protect her innocence, and provide her with a sense of security.
But now, it seemed that Ye Ling had never thought of relying on him, or anyone else for that matter.
“Ye Ling, what stories do you have that I’m unaware of?” Min Nan thought.
As he watched Ye Ling’s figure gradually fade away, Min Nan’s eyes grew deep and his expression became melancholic.
After her shower, Ye Ling lay on the bed and slept soundly, not even dreaming.
The next day, Ye Ling woke up refreshed. She picked up the little basket from the corner of the room and headed up the mountain to collect herbs..
