Chapter 5 — When the Spider Plant Turned Black

In my youth, I worked at a pharmacy for a few years, so I have breathed in every kind of medicinal scent imaginable.

The mother-in-law’s expression flickered slightly. This was the first time I had ever heard my mother speak of this past. Previously, she had only mentioned working as a sales clerk at a supply cooperative, never once alluding to a pharmacy. She reached out and grabbed my hand.

Rainfall, come into the room with me. I have something to give you.

The mother-in-law immediately chimed in. What could possibly be in there that cannot be taken out here? My mother turned her head back.

This is a private matter between women. Does my esteemed in-law wish to listen in on that as well?

The corners of the mother-in-law’s mouth twitched. She did not press further. The moment the bedroom door closed, my mother locked it securely from the inside. Her hands were trembling.

That herbal tea she brewed for you, did you smell it carefully?

I pulled out the mineral water bottle I had concealed.

I saved a portion of it.

My mother took it, and the mere action of slightly loosening the cap caused her complexion to turn utterly pale. She hastily twisted it shut again.

Have you been soaking your feet in it?

I soaked them on the very first day, but after that, I poured all of it into the potted orchid.

My mother’s strength seemed to leave her limbs, and she collapsed heavily onto the edge of the bed.

Thank goodness.

My chest constricted tightly.

Mother, what on earth is this substance?

She lowered her voice.

There are several ingredients in here that the uninitiated must not meddle with casually.

What will happen if they do?

She glanced down at my lower abdomen, then lowered her gaze to my feet.

At the very least, it will cause chronic coldness in the womb and make conception difficult. At its worst, it ruins a woman's entire physical constitution.

A loud ringing filled my head. Outside, the voice of the mother-in-law suddenly rang out.

In-law, have you finished talking yet? The fresh tea has been brewed.

My mother gripped my hand tightly.

Do not drink anything of theirs, under any circumstances.

Mother tucked the bottle of tea into her handbag.

I am taking this with me.

I felt a surge of anxiety. Won’t this alert the enemy before we strike? She sneered coldly.

She delivered it right to your doorstep; are we still supposed to worry about whether she knows?

I had never seen my mother like this before. Usually, she spoke in gentle tones and whenever a conflict arose, she would always advise me not to act rashly. But today, there was a fierce fire burning in her eyes. Outside, the mother-in-law knocked on the door once more.

In-law, come out and have some tea.

My mother raised her voice. Coming right out. She opened the door, her face already transformed into a mask of polite smiles. The mother-in-law was standing outside holding two teacups. The liquid within was crystal clear, completely unlike the dark, muddy-brown brew of previous days. However, my mother refused to accept it.

I suffer from high blood pressure. I cannot drink tea.

The mother-in-law looked over at me.

Then Rainfall can drink it instead.

I replied coldly. I do not wish to drink it either. The mother-in-law’s hands froze suspended in mid-air. Suddenly, my mother pointed toward the balcony.

In-law, you grow that pot of orchids so splendidly. Do share a small cutting with me.

The mother-in-law’s eyelids twitched.

There is nothing special to share. The flower shop downstairs sells them for ten yuan a pot.

Yet I happen to favor this particular pot.

My mother strode forward and reached out to snap off a tiny green shoot. The mother-in-law instantly lunged forward.

Do not touch it carelessly. Your hands will get dirty.

My mother had already swiftly wrapped the tender shoot in a tissue and tucked it away.

It is no matter. I do not mind a little dirt.

The mother-in-law’s expression finally hardened into an awkward scowl.

Did you come here today, in-law, specifically to inspect my flowers?

My mother turned back, offering a cold, thin smile.

And to see whether my daughter is living a good life here.

As those words fell, the mother-in-law did not utter another syllable. At noon, Research returned home. Upon finding my mother present, he was visibly taken aback for a moment.

Mother, why have you come here?

My mother replied. I missed my daughter, so I came up to visit. Research hung his coat upon the wall rack.

Why did you not give advance notice so I could have gone to pick you up?

My mother cast a sharp gaze upon him.

Whether you picked me up or not is of no consequence. What matters is that I arrived precisely when I was needed.

He caught the unusual undertone in her voice, his eyes sweeping across both me and his mother.

Has something happened here?

The mother-in-law instantly flushed with feigned grievance.

What could possibly have happened to me? I have cared for her out of the goodness of my heart, yet she and her mother treat me like common criminals being interrogated.

Research furrowed his brows deeply.

Rainfall, what kind of scene are you making with my mother now?

My mother stood up from her chair.

Do not question my daughter just yet. Ask your mother instead—what on earth is the concoction she has been brewing for her to soak her feet in day after day?

Research’s facial expression froze rigidly in an instant.