Tao Lengshuang's expression remained unchanged as she quietly asked, "How many people?"
Mo Lingxi held up one finger. "Judging by the footsteps, it's an ordinary person, likely from our village or a neighboring one. We don't know their intentions yet."
Tao Lengshuang didn't look back, unable to guess who it might be. "Let's hurry back. It's much safer at home."
Mo Lingxi understood her concern for their home and quickly walked her in that direction, shielding her. "I'll find out who it is."
Tao Lengshuang gave a soft hum. It was indeed necessary to find out. Being watched like this was not just uncomfortable, but also a source of trouble and danger.
The two soon disappeared around a corner.
The person watching them was none other than Tao Dagou.
After seeing Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi leave, he scurried back.
"Dad!"
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw a large group of people, from their village and beyond, staring at him. He flinched.
"Dad, Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi are back," he said, panting and rubbing his hands together. "I don't know where they came from."
Tao Laoda, looking like a ruffian leader, nodded with feigned seriousness. "Dagou, keep watching. We need to wait for a good opportunity."
"Tao Lengshuang's family has endless rice and meat. If we can get our hands on it, we won't have to worry about this winter."
Everyone present became excited.
"Meat! That's real meat! I haven't eaten meat in months. I've forgotten what it tastes like."
"I haven't eaten a full meal in days... No, I haven't had a proper meal in days. I've been eating tree bark and such."
"This time, we must grab some rice and flour. To eat a full meal, even if we die, we'll die as well-fed ghosts."
Tao Laoda was pleased with their words, his eyes filled with malice. Tao Lengshuang dared not support him, and he would make her regret it for the rest of her life.
Meanwhile, Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi, who had just returned home, learned from Shen Ershen that Tao Fangfang had tried to snatch Xiao Feng and was caught and locked in the kitchen.
"Mo family's, you don't know how vicious Tao Fangfang is. She grabbed Xiao Feng and ran."
Tao Fangfang stroked Xiao Feng's head, comforting him. "Xiao Feng, you'll be fine. Next time, you need to learn to use the powder. No one will be able to take you away."
Xiao Feng hugged his mother's leg, his voice weak. "Mom, Tao Fangfang almost took me away."
Tao Lengshuang knew Xiao Feng was still shaken. She picked him up and gently patted him. "Our Xiao Feng is the bravest little man, isn't he?"
Xiao Feng obediently rested on her shoulder, holding her neck with his small hands, listlessly unwilling to speak.
Tao Lengshuang thanked Shen Ershen and Wang Sanshen, and with Mo Lingxi, took Xiao Feng back into the house to soothe him.
The couple was patient, and after a short while, Xiao Feng perked up again.
Once Xiao Feng regained his spirits, Tao Lengshuang instructed Mo Lingxi to look after him and went to the kitchen alone.
Entering the kitchen, she saw Tao Fangfang, bound and gagged, lying on the ground with a look of terror in her eyes.
Tao Lengshuang picked up a cleaver and stared fiercely at Tao Fangfang. "I must say, you have quite the nerve to try and snatch my son in broad daylight."
The cleaver reflected a cold, chilling light, scaring Tao Fangfang into shaking her head vigorously and pleading with her eyes for Tao Lengshuang not to kill her.
She hadn't enjoyed true wealth and luxury yet, and she still had so much money to spend. She didn't want to die.
"Don't worry, I won't take your life."
Tao Lengshuang pulled out the rag from her mouth, her eyes full of ferocity. "Why did you try to snatch my son? If you can't give me a satisfactory answer, you know the consequences."
Tao Fangfang was so scared she was about to wet herself. She dared not lie. "No... it wasn't me who wanted your son. Someone wanted to buy your son."
She stammered out the whole story, emphasizing that the person was willing to pay a large sum for good-looking children.
Tao Lengshuang immediately knew someone was targeting her family, but she didn't know if it was a hidden enemy or someone else.
"You really are blinded by money."
Anyone could see something was wrong, but Tao Fangfang, for the sake of money, disregarded everything. This person was truly disgusting.
Tao Fangfang kept begging her, regretting not waiting longer, but today was the best opportunity.
Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi had been home all along, and Xiao Feng hadn't gone out. Today was the first chance she had managed to find.
The other party had said that the more beautiful the child, the more valuable they were, fetching at least dozens of taels of silver.
That was dozens of taels of silver!
Tao Lengshuang would not let Tao Fangfang off easily. She said slowly, "Do you know that for a doctor, there are many ways to make someone taste endless suffering without dying?"
Tao Fangfang cried, tears and snot streaming down her face, begging Tao Lengshuang desperately, fearing that she would truly torture her.
Tao Lengshuang placed the cleaver at her neck. Seeing her frozen in fear, her face pale, she sneered.
"Tao Fangfang, what do you think I should do with you?"
Tao Fangfang was so scared she couldn't even speak. Along with her fear, more resentment brewed.
Tao Lengshuang had such a venomous heart.
It was just a child. She wasn't incapable of bearing more. Yet, she treated her like this for a child. It was truly detestable.
Tao Lengshuang, seeing her expression, knew what she was thinking and swiftly swung the cleaver, grazing her face.
"Ah!"
Tao Fangfang was so scared she lost control of herself. She shook her head frantically and foolishly. "No, no, no, I won't dare again, I won't dare again..."
Before she could finish, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
Tao Lengshuang recoiled in disgust, covering her nose and mouth. "Truly disgusting."
With such little courage, she dared to snatch Xiao Feng.
Tao Lengshuang did not intend to let Tao Fangfang off easily. She asked Shen Ershen and Wang Sanshen for help and had Tao Fangfang hung at her doorstep.
She wanted Tao Fangfang and those behind her to understand the severe consequences of trying to harm her and her family.
After dealing with this, she spoke to Mo Lingxi about it. "It seems we can't let Xiao Feng go out anymore. The other party has their eyes on him."
Mo Lingxi agreed. He stroked Xiao Feng's head. "I will arrange for someone to watch over Xiao Feng. You don't need to worry about anything else."
Tao Lengshuang couldn't help but worry. She gently instructed Xiao Feng to stay at home and not even go near the doorstep.
At least until the matter was resolved, or the other party stopped watching their family, Xiao Feng could move around freely outside.
It was a pity for the child that even playing wherever he wanted was a luxury.
Xiao Feng was very well-behaved and sensible, saying he would stay obediently at home and not go anywhere.
Tao Lengshuang felt even more pity for him and promised to make his favorite steamed egg for him that night.
Xiao Feng's eyes lit up, his mouth watering with anticipation.
Although their lives had improved considerably, they still couldn't afford to eat meat and eggs frequently.