Shierdaogou Village, a small mountain village sealed within the embrace of the mountains, surrounded by continuous peaks stretching for dozens of miles. A small river meandered through the heart of the mountains, resembling a long dragon with twelve bends, hence its name, the Twelve Bend River.
The river water was so clear that one could see the fish swimming. Where the mountains covered the land, the air was fresh and the environment beautiful. Shierdaogou Village lay at the innermost part of the Twelve Bend River. The village was not large, with only sixty to seventy households.
At the village entrance stood an old elm tree, said to be several hundred years old, its branches and leaves lush and verdant. Red cloth strips hung from it, representing the prayers of the villagers for generations.
Beneath the large tree, several small stools were arranged, where a group of women sat. They chatted, and while doing so, engaged in needlework, knitting sweaters, and other crafts. Their laughter and conversation made the time pass without boredom.
As evening approached, the women gradually returned home to prepare meals. Only two women remained, chatting idly while secretly casting glances at the small path leading out of the village towards the fields.
Taohua! She had married into the village two years ago. Her favorite attire was a sky-blue long dress. Standing at one meter sixty-five, she was quite beautiful. Beside her, a small boy playing on the ground was her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Xiao Hu.
Wang Yan! Thirty years old, standing at one meter sixty, she often wore a black leather short skirt and a matching vest. Her voluptuous figure and long, slender legs made many of the village men unable to resist swallowing their saliva.
These two women were both good-looking and well-figured, and at the prime age of blooming womanhood! Especially Wang Yan, whose gaze was particularly captivating. The only regret was that their lives had not been fortunate.
Six months prior, a local tycoon from a neighboring village came to hire farm laborers. About ten strong men from the village, along with a four-wheeled vehicle, went along. Unexpectedly, on the winding mountain road back in the evening, the vehicle overturned on a steep slope.
Those on board were injured or disabled, and crucially, two people died on the spot. These two were Wang Yan's and Taohua's husbands. From then on, the two young wives became beautiful widows.
During the off-season, many women from the village would come to chat and gossip under the large tree at the village entrance. These two also came often. Although not wealthy, their lives were relatively carefree.
There were two paths leading out of the village, north and south, both leading to the fields. On the southern path, a bouncing figure was walking towards the village, and the eyes of both Taohua and Wang Yan lit up.
Lu Fan, standing at one meter eighty, was not only handsome but also the only child from the village to have been accepted into university, reportedly to study medicine. However, he had returned to farming before completing his studies.
The main reason was that his father had his legs broken in the same car accident and was now paralyzed in bed, and his mother was also in poor health. Thus, he became the sole pillar of the family, abandoning his studies to return to farming.
"Knowing astronomy above and geography below, and everything in between. How to get rich, how to avoid misfortune... Can cure irregular menstruation, specializes in infertility..."
Just then, a lecherous old Taoist priest, dressed in a Taoist robe and with a messy beard, suddenly appeared from the northern road.
The old Taoist not only looked lecherous with his messy stubble but his Taoist robe was also dirty. As soon as he rounded the bend, he saw the two beautiful women sitting at the village entrance. His eyes lit up, and he sauntered over with a grin, muttering incantations.
"This female benefactor, I see a dark aura around your brow and your eyes lack spirit. It seems you may face misfortune soon!" The lecherous old Taoist spotted Taohua and approached her, striking up a conversation.
"You old rascal. Spouting nonsense, get lost." Taohua was gazing intently at Lu Fan approaching and was annoyed by the old Taoist's interruption. She shoved him away and cursed him angrily.
"This female benefactor! I see you..." The old Taoist's gaze fell upon Wang Yan. This woman was truly captivating.
"Don't block my view, scram!" Wang Yan pushed him away impatiently before he could finish. Useless fellow, blocking my view of my little dream lover!
"Sister Taohua, Sister Wang Yan! You're both out sunbathing here!" Lu Fan, just returning from the fields, greeted them with a smile upon seeing Taohua and Wang Yan.
This child was naturally cheerful and very polite, greeting everyone he met.
"Lu Fan! Finished with the field work? Come, sit with your sister here and rest for a bit. Don't call me 'Sister-in-law' anymore. That dead ghost is long gone, why call me that? Calling me 'Sister' sounds so much better!" Seeing Lu Fan approach, Taohua warmly beckoned him over.
"Sister Taohua! I'm not tired, I still need to go back and check on my small clinic!" Lu Fan smiled and waved his hand, intending to leave.
"Oh, Lu Fan! I was waiting for you! These past few days, my leg has been constantly cold, and I can't sleep at night.
You're a village doctor, aren't you! Can you take a look for me!" Seeing Lu Fan about to leave, Taohua immediately picked up Xiao Hu and said.
"Wow! Little brother! I see you have unusual bone structure, you're a good material for cultivation, and you will surely achieve great things in the future.
However, great people often face hardships. This humble Taoist has calculated with his fingers, and you are destined for a great tribulation!" Suddenly, the lecherous old Taoist blocked Lu Fan's path and spoke volubly.
"I have a great tribulation? Then tell me, what kind of tribulation will it be?" Lu Fan smiled slightly. He had studied medicine and did not believe in superstitions at all. So, he asked playfully.
"Little brother! You've asked the right person! Let me tell you, this humble Taoist is the Abbot's junior uncle from Qingyun Temple on Mount Wutai... proficient in Buddhism, skilled in divination..." The lecherous old Taoist, seeing Lu Fan's interest, immediately began to promote himself.
"Stop! Just tell me what tribulation I will face! If you don't, then scram quickly. Don't be so cryptic here!" Lu Fan pushed the lecherous old Taoist away.
"Little brother! You are destined for a great tribulation! I have calculated with my fingers, it is a 'peach blossom' tribulation!" The lecherous old Taoist shouted urgently as Lu Fan was about to leave.
"Get lost, you old bastard! I am the peach blossom! If you keep spouting nonsense here, believe it or not, I'll scratch you to death!?" Taohua immediately became displeased. You scoundrel Taoist! How dare you ruin my good mood.
Taohua put Xiao Hu down and lunged at the lecherous old Taoist. She reached out to scratch him.
"Ah... Ah... Little brother! You must remember, you are destined for a tribulation... a great tribulation... a peach blossom tribulation..." The lecherous old Taoist, being scratched, turned and ran, shouting as he went.
"Hahaha..."
"Hahaha..."
A burst of laughter from Wang Yan and Lu Fan followed behind him.
Taohua, having chased away the lecherous old Taoist, returned with a triumphant look and picked up Xiao Hu.
"Lu Fan! You're the only handsome and talented young man in our village now. If I, Taohua, don't 'kidnap' you, who else will? Heh heh! Come on! Give sister a leg massage!" Taohua walked over with Xiao Hu in her arms and said to Lu Fan.
"Ahem... Sister Taohua! That... Although I studied medicine, I didn't graduate!
Why don't you go find my dad? My dad is home right now! He's a genuine village doctor! With a license!" Lu Fan swallowed hard and moved aside slightly.
Although Taohua was beautiful, Lu Fan could tell she had other intentions. However, at present, Lu Fan was solely focused on making money. He hadn't considered matters of romance.
"Nonsense! Your dad has been paralyzed in bed for several months, and you expect him to massage my leg? I don't need him!
Besides, is my leg something anyone can touch? You silly boy, besides you, I won't let anyone else take advantage of me!" Taohua nudged Lu Fan with her elbow and gave him a knowing look, deliberately lowering her voice.
"Sister Taohua! But I don't have a license... I wouldn't dare treat anyone randomly. Haha! You! You'd better go find my dad!" Lu Fan said, then skipped away.
"Lu Fan... Don't run! You run... You can't escape no matter how much you run!" Taohua picked up Xiao Hu and chased after Lu Fan.
Watching Taohua chase after Lu Fan, Wang Yan's expression flickered. After a moment of hesitation, she quietly got up and walked towards the village.