Chapter 2

Marrying a man who is still in a coma!

In this era, a woman’s life would almost be over!

Not only the onlookers but even Pei’s mother, who was initially furious, were stunned, staring at Jiang Xi without saying a word for a long time.

They feared they had heard wrong.

They were also afraid she was acting impulsively.

At this point, Jiang’s mother reacted and pulled Jiang Xi anxiously: “Big sister, don’t talk nonsense!”

An Auntie from the Jiang family also spoke up: “Yes, big sister, you are a good child, but Pei Lao San is in such a state. If you marry him, you will become a widow. Isn’t that pushing you to your death?!”

Pei’s mother’s eyes, which had just shown a glimmer of hope, dimmed again after hearing these words, but the anger was gone.

She looked at the girl in front of her with relief and said in a hoarse voice, “Auntie knows you are a good child. I’m just sorry for you. Our family’s current situation isn’t suitable for you to marry into; otherwise, it would really ruin your life. Auntie just said it in anger, don’t take it to heart.”

Pei’s mother finally softened. The relationship between the two families had always been good. Jiang Xi was like a daughter to her. If she hadn’t made arrangements in advance, the people who came to the Jiang family to propose marriage would probably have overwhelmed them.

After spending so much time together, they developed feelings for each other. The doctor had clearly explained her son’s condition, so how could she truly let this girl marry him?

“Yes, yes, don’t be like this. We are not ungrateful. We will return the money when the time comes…” Mother Jiang nodded repeatedly, trying to pull her daughter back.

Jiang Xi broke free and said seriously: “I won’t! Mother, I have already rejected the man I saw today. I will not marry anyone else.” She looked at Pei’s mother firmly and said, “I’m not being impulsive. I hesitated too, but I couldn’t get over it. Brother Pei San needs me right now. It’s right for me to marry him.”

Pei’s mother was moved to tears again and also a bit touched: “Are you serious?!”

Pei’s mother is not young anymore. Her third son was born when she was almost 40. Her two earlier sons were raised by her mother-in-law, who had the same selfish personality as her own.

If she cared for the third son without any recognition, her other sons would definitely be unhappy, especially as they were also thinking about their brother’s pension.

If the third child had someone who cared for him during his last days, he wouldn’t have suffered so much, right?

Jiang Xi nodded again, her lips curling into a faint smile, and her attitude was calm: “Really, if I abandoned Brother Pei San, I would never be able to sleep or eat in peace. I have thought about this for a long time and have made up my mind. Auntie, I will marry him and take care of Brother Pei San.”

Her voice was gentle and clear, and everyone around could hear it clearly. The villagers were shocked.

Mother Pei was overjoyed and held her hand, shaking. Although she was reluctant to let Jiang Xi marry and become a widow, as a mother, she had her own selfish thoughts. Jiang Xi’s firm attitude made her fully reconsider.

She was so excited she didn’t know what to do. Jiang’s mother beside her was extremely flustered: “Big sister, what nonsense are you talking about? Do you really want to be a widow?”

The villagers also chimed in: “That’s right, this is not a good thing. Big sister, think it over carefully!”

“Ah, this child is too honest…”

Some people even thought maliciously: “Is it because of the pension? I heard that when Pei Lao San got into trouble, the army gave him a lot of money!”

Mother Pei listened, her excitement subsided a little. After glancing at the various looks around her, she said, “Come on, let’s go inside and talk.”

After saying that, she took Jiang Xi into the Jiang family that she had just despised.

_

There were people looking around outside the yard.

But once you enter the house and close the door, no one else can see you.

Jiang Xi came in cooperatively, and Jiang’s mother followed closely, trying to persuade her daughter to calm down: “Don’t be impulsive and risk your whole life. Marriage is not a fun thing.”

She paused, looked at Pei’s mother with concern, gritted her teeth, and said, “If anything happens to Pei Hejun, you will be a widow in the future, and it will be difficult for you to remarry.” 

Pei’s mother’s face darkened, but she held her breath and said nothing. This was the truth, and she had to think it over carefully.

Jiang Xi looked at Jiang’s mother with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

She was curious about her mother’s current motivation. Was she really thinking about her daughter, or was she trying to get her daughter a better marriage and take care of the family for a long time in the future?

Mother Jiang pulled at the corner of her clothes unnaturally. She was a thin woman who looked to be in her forties or fifties. Her face was very weathered by life, and her eyebrows were still delicate. Her eyebrows revealed a sense of timidity. She was a little flustered by her daughter’s gaze: “Big sister, why are you looking at me like that?”

Jiang Xi did not answer but asked in a deep voice: “Mom, let me ask you, have you forgotten what the Pei family did to our family before? How will we get it back? Take my betrothal gift^[1]a gift given before marriage, typically to the bride’s family? Do you think it’s enough? Can you afford it?!” 

Jiang’s mother felt even more ashamed, anxious, and panicked, and almost cried: “But I can’t give you up for your whole life!”

Jiang Xi said firmly: “I am willing, that’s enough.”

Mother Jiang noticed her daughter’s attitude. In the past, her eldest daughter had a soft temper and would not resist her like this. Now that she was like this, she must have made up her mind. She stamped her feet in anger and said, “I’m going to find your uncle!”

She ran out.

Mother Pei, who had been silent to calm herself down, said worriedly, “Xiaoxi, your mother…”

Jiang Xi smiled and shook her head: “It’s okay, Auntie. Brother Pei San is in this situation, we can’t delay. I’ll pack my things and go back with you today.”

Mother Pei was shocked: “How can this be possible?” She quickly shook her head and said guiltily: “This matter has already wronged you. How can you not hold the banquet?”

Jiang Xi said helplessly: “My mother went to call my uncle. You know what my uncle is like. I’m afraid it will be difficult for me to leave when he comes. It’s better to go early.”

Mother Pei was convinced, but she also felt more guilty: “Okay, I’m sorry for wronging you. Don’t worry, I will treat you well in the future. If the third brother really…” She choked and said softly: “If he really goes, my Pei family will be your mother’s family in the future. When the time comes, I will find a good man for you and prepare a dowry for you ^[2]refers to the property or money brought by a bride to her husband on marriage..”

Speaking of dowry, she shouted anxiously: “Hey, I came in a hurry and didn’t bring anything. When I go back, I will send the betrothal gifts. Your Brother Pei San has a lot of money, even three turns and one ring ^[3]a traditional Chinese phrase indicating a large amount of money.!”

She spoke generously and was not worried that Jiang Xi was doing it for money.

Because no matter how much money you have, it can’t compare to a girl’s life, especially since this girl was someone she had watched grow up, and she still believed in her character.

But Jiang Xi shook her head.

Pei’s mother was surprised.

Jiang Xi held her arm and shook it, saying embarrassedly: “If you give these, my uncle will take them away. It’s better to keep them to buy medicine for Brother Pei San.”

Mother Pei’s heart warmed up. What a good child! She was even more touched. However, she still had to face the reality. As Jiang Xi said, her uncle was not easy to deal with. Mother Pei was very worried: “Your mother and uncle will definitely not agree with this. You will be caught in a dilemma.”

“Really? If you really want to give a betrothal gift, just give it to me. Giving it to my mother is like giving it to my uncle, which is like throwing meat buns at a dog.” ^[4]phrase that indicating something wasted or useless. Jiang Xi said firmly: “Besides, it’s their business if they don’t want to. They have no right to control who I marry. The Marriage Law stipulates that women are free to marry, and they have no right to stop it.”

Pei’s mother was mostly convinced. This was correct, but there were two bad points. Uncle Jiang Xi would definitely make a fuss, and Jiang Xi’s own reputation would also be bad.

Jiang Xi added fuel to the fire and lowered her head in worry: “And don’t just look at the money now. Brother Pei is not in good health and will definitely need medicine in the future. I have to take care of him. Even if I go to work, I’m afraid I can only take care of my own food. It’s better to save this money. Reputation is not as important as living, don’t you think?”

Mother Pei completely agreed: “What you said makes sense.”

Jiang Xi smiled: “Then I’ll pack my things and leave quickly.”

_

Jiang’s mother went to look for the original owner’s uncle, but the two families were not in the same brigade, and it took more than an hour just to walk there and back.

Therefore, Jiang Xi packed up the original owner’s things carefully.

There weren’t too many things, just some clothes, and the original owner’s school books and pens. All together, they could fit into a schoolbag and a package.

Just as she was about to leave, two heads popped out of the door.

Two skinny little girls, one big and one small, looked at her pitifully. The smaller one whispered, “Big sister, are you really leaving?”

The older one had red eyes and said nothing.

But both of them expressed their dependence on and reluctance to leave her.

Since their mother is unreliable, they rely on their sister for protection. Once their sister is gone, no one will protect them anymore, because their mother likes sons and they are not sons, so she likes their uncle’s sons.

Jiang Xi was silent.

She was very clear about her future. She didn’t want to get entangled with Jiang’s mother and the original owner’s uncle, but she had never thought about the original owner’s two sisters.

In her previous life, Jiang Xi was an only child and had no brothers or sisters. She didn’t know what to do.

But the book also describes the ending of these two people. They were sent by their uncle to be child brides because the Pei family no longer helped the Jiang family, and Jiang’s mother could not afford to raise two little girls alone.

In other words, this home is also a den of wolves for them. ^[5]refers to a place, where someone is in danger or is being mistreated.

Jiang Xi couldn’t move her feet. She couldn’t bear to see the two little girls end up in such a miserable situation. After thinking it over, she made up her mind, put down her package, and ran to Pei’s mother. Her cheeks flushed as she whispered, “Auntie, you mentioned giving me three turns and one ring for the betrothal gift. Does that still count?”

Mother Pei was puzzled but nodded: “Of course, I’ll give it to you when the time comes. You can decide how to use it.”

Jiang Xi took a deep breath and said, “Three turns and one ring will cost a lot. I don’t want it. I want to use my betrothal gift to take my two sisters with me. My uncle might marry them off, so I’ll use the money to support them. Is that okay?”

Mother Pei hesitated but eventually agreed: “It’s up to you to decide. However, if your mother wants them back, I can’t help with that.”

Jiang Xi smiled: “Thank you, Auntie! I’ll handle the rest.”

She told her two sisters, “Hurry up and pack your things to come with me!”

The two girls were excited: “Really?! Can we go too?”

“Yes, hurry up and pack, or you might not be able to leave when mom comes back,” Jiang Xi said.

The girls quickly packed. Jiang Xi and Pei’s mother led them out. They met many villagers who were surprised: “What are you doing?”

Pei’s mother felt embarrassed, as they hadn’t even had a wedding banquet yet. She was confused and stayed silent.

Jiang Xi openly said, “I need to take care of Brother Pei San’s situation first.”

The villagers were shocked and talked about it for a long time.

_

When Jiang’s mother returned with her brother, she found the house empty and a note on the table. She handed it to her brother and asked, “What does it say?”

Zhang Hu read it and turned green: “This girl said she’s getting married and went to the Pei family! She’s really lost her mind. She even said she’d raise her two younger sisters as a betrothal gift. Who gave her the courage to do this?!”

Zhang Hu was angry: “Has she always been this foolish?”

He was about to go after her but stopped. The Pei family was difficult to deal with, and he needed help. He couldn’t go alone.