A Divine Farmer

Chapter 204 - In Your next Life I'll Leave It to You

Although Zheng Hong was not a world-class beauty, she originally had a fair and attractive face. Now, however, her face bore several scars that not only stripped away its beauty but also gave it a somewhat frightening appearance.

“What happened to your face? Who did this to you?” Zhang Xiaolong had been wondering why this woman had changed so much. After seeing the wounds on her face, he began to piece things together.

“Who else but that jerk Wang Fugui,” Zheng Hong spat out the name with venomous anger. “He claimed my face would bring him shame, so he ruined it. He thought that would solve everything, but now he's the laughingstock from head to toe. I intend to make him a cuckold. One affair isn't enough; I want every man in the village to sleep with his woman, to shame him to his very bones.”

Hearing her voice seething with hatred, even the normally composed Zhang Xiaolong felt a shiver run through him. “Xiaohong, you're being foolish. Do you think you're hurting Wang Fugui? You're only hurting yourself!”

“I can't worry about that now. I'm already ruined. Who would give me a second glance?” Zheng Hong's voice wavered between laughter and tears. “Since I'm already in this state, I want to make his life miserable, even if it kills me!”

“I've always said, if you have any problems, you should come to the village chief or to me. Why didn't you listen? Why degrade yourself like this?”

Zhang Xiaolong didn't know whether to feel pity for her or anger towards her as he looked at the woman before him.

Clearly, the illnesses affecting the men in the orchard and the village women were all connected to her. Some married women had even been infected by their husbands. This epidemic was spreading like wildfire.

If Zhang Xiaolong hadn't caught on early, the entire village might have suffered.

Despite the damage to her face, Zheng Hong could still wear a veil, and once she undressed, few men could resist the temptation.

“What's the point in telling you? Can you restore my face?” Zheng Hong cried softly. “I know you're a good person, but it's all too late. I'm already like this; where can I go? Please, just leave. I'm so tainted now; I fear I'll even sully you by standing close.”

Zhang Xiaolong shook his head. “Zheng Hong, do you realize you're sick? All the men you've been with are sick too. If this continues, the entire Clear River Village will suffer!”

“That would be better. Even though I was willing, each of those men got sick because they wanted to take advantage of me. They're not good people. It would be better if we all died together!” Zheng Hong wasn't scared; in fact, she seemed pleased.

“You've lost your mind. Even if those men were at fault, they don't deserve to die, do they? And the women in the village haven't wronged you, yet they're getting sick too. Do they deserve this?” Zhang Xiaolong retorted angrily.

Zheng Hong gave a cold smile. “I can't do anything about that. When I was brought here by Wang Fugui, I couldn't leave, and he forced himself on me every day. No one pitied me then!”

“Regardless, let me check on your illness. It could be dangerous. You're sicker than anyone else, do you understand?” Zhang Xiaolong stepped forward, seizing her wrist.

But Zheng Hong wrenched her arm away. “You don't need to worry about me. Mr. Xiaolong, you're a good person, but if you hadn't convinced me to stay back then, I wouldn't be in this mess. Right? You think I've brought disaster to Clear River Village, don't you? So wouldn't it be cleaner if I just died? But let's be clear, those men came of their own will. Their deaths are not my concern.”

After speaking his piece and seeing no response, Zhang Xiaolong realized that Zheng Hong had completely given up on life.

She knew there was no point in living any longer, so she might as well be reckless. Blinded by her hatred for Wang Fugui, she decided to use her body to exact revenge on him, indifferent to any consequences.

“Fine, Zheng Hong, I'll accept what you've said. I was wrong before, and I owe you an apology.”

Zhang Xiaolong exhaled, trying to calm the situation. Angering her further would do no good; after all, he couldn't just kill her.

“Look, things aren't as dire as you imagine. Let me take a look at your illness; I'm confident I can cure it. And about the scars on your face, do you believe they're beyond repair? I'm here to tell you they're not. Just because others can't fix something doesn't mean I can't. If you're willing to work with me, I can assure you that I'll restore your face to its pristine condition. Is that alright?”

Initially, Zheng Hong had little patience for his words, but suddenly, her whole body trembled. “What did you say? My face can be restored?”

“Yes, you've been working at the market, so you must have heard from Ms. Lianzi or others about my reputation. I'm known for keeping my word and not making empty promises,” Zhang Xiaolong stated earnestly. “If I promise to heal you, rest assured, I will.”

His words hit Zheng Hong like a sledgehammer, and after a while, she collapsed onto the worn bed that had been used by countless men, her fists pounding the mattress.

“Why didn't you tell me sooner?” she sobbed uncontrollably. “I'm now a woman scorned, tainted from head to toe. Even if my facial scars heal, how can I show my face to anyone?”

Zhang Xiaolong let out a soft sigh, understanding the depth of her anguish. She hadn't sought his help earlier, and no one, not even Ms. Lianzi, knew she was hiding here, leading to this irreversible situation.

“Don't dwell on it too much. Once I've healed your face, I'll also cleanse your body thoroughly,” he said, trying to console her. “I owe you that much. Afterwards, you can go wherever you wish. I own a company in Qingyang City; you could work there, or if you prefer to start anew somewhere far away, I can provide you with some money. You'll be able to live well anywhere, with no one aware of your past. Does that sound good?”

“Mr. Xiaolong…” Zheng Hong cried even harder, longing to rush into his embrace but fearing she would soil him. She remained huddled on the bed, “I owe you. I realize my mistake… My body is tainted now, but in my next life, I promise to give you a pure and clean self…”

“Stop talking nonsense and let me see what's wrong with you!” Zhang Xiaolong said as he extended his hand, channeling a strand of his energy to diagnose her condition.

Upon examination, he confirmed that the illness indeed originated from a woman's most private area, aligning with his earlier suspicions.

Considering Zheng Hong's extensive list of intimate partners, it was unclear who had transmitted this infection to her, and subsequently, how she continued to spread it to others.

Thankfully, the situation wasn't too dire. Zhang Xiaolong was confident that he could find the right remedy, especially with the aid of his spiritual power, to treat this disease.

The real challenge lay in how to cure Zheng Hong and then how to heal the rest of the villagers. Moreover, the scars on Zheng Hong's face presented another significant issue.