Chapter 13

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiang Jiang stood outside the pigpen feeding the pigs. The Lin family had several boys, and Jiang Jiang couldn’t quite play with them; she spent more time with Fengzhen. As winter set in, it became harder to gather pig feed. After a long morning in the mountains, she returned with less than half a basket.

Next time, she could go with Fengzhen to Junfeng Mountain to gather pig feed. That area had fewer people, more trees, and better grass.

As Jiang Jiang fed the pigs, she pondered these thoughts when Fengyin walked over. The wound on her face had already scabbed over. She glared at Jiang Jiang and couldn’t help but spit out, “Pah, you jinx!”

Seeing this wild child made her angry. If it weren’t for Jiang Jiang, Lin Youqing and her husband might have adopted her instead.

Jiang Jiang tightened her lips. She had little interaction with Fengyin and didn’t think she offended her, so she couldn’t understand why she was insulted.

However, after being called a jinx several times, Jiang Jiang chose to ignore it and turned to head back with the pig feed bucket.

“Cursed your own parents, huh? How unlucky! I wonder if you’ll bring that bad luck to our home!” Fengyin sneered.

“I heard you even stole Zhou Fugui’s wife’s jewelry. You’re just a wild child without parents. Now that you’re in our house, you’d better keep your hands clean. If you dare steal anything, I’ll make sure my grandma breaks your hands and feet!”

Jiang Jiang felt the blood rush to her face, and she couldn’t help but clench her fists, tightly pressing her lips together without saying a word.

The harsh expression of Zhou Fugui’s wife seemed to flash before her eyes, the overwhelming accusations drowning her. Not only did she scold and hit her, but she also dragged her dead parents into the insults.

She hadn’t stolen anything; she didn’t even know what Zhou Fugui’s wife’s jewelry looked like.

“Lost your voice? All you know is that you’re a jinx, a thief! I didn’t know you were also mute. What’s wrong? You can act but can’t take responsibility?!” Fengyin taunted, hands on her hips, pointing at Jiang Jiang’s forehead.

“I didn’t!” Jiang Jiang suddenly glared at her and raised her voice.

“Oh, so you dare to fight back?” Fengyin pushed her.

Jiang Jiang stumbled back a couple of steps from the push. Seeing Fengyin about to shove her again, anger flared inside her, and she couldn’t help but push Fengyin down to the ground.

“Wah… Third Aunt, Jiang Jiang is bullying me!” Fengyin cried.

“She’s just a bad child. Look at her, taking advantage of the moment when no one is around to bully me. Her so-called obedience and understanding are all just acts!”

Seeing Fengyin tear up and He Guijuan approaching them, Jiang Jiang’s heart sank like a rock.

“I didn’t…” Jiang Jiang lowered her head, unable to help but defend herself, but soon looked down again.

He Guijuan gave Jiang Jiang a comforting glance, pulling her behind her before addressing Fengyin. “Fengyin, regarding what just happened, I apologize on behalf of Jiang Jiang. I’m sorry.”

“Auntie, but…”

Fengyin had more to say, but He Guijuan interrupted her directly. She even bent down to fix Jiang Jiang’s hair, which had been tousled by the wind. “Let’s go back and try on the clothes Mom made for you and see if they fit.”

Fengyin was so furious she nearly dug her nails into her palms.

Just like that, the issue was brushed aside with a light apology?

But He Guijuan clearly wasn’t willing to entertain her further.

If Fengyin continued to press the matter and created a scene in front of Grandma Lin, it would only push He Guijuan further away. Clenching her fists in frustration, Fengyin had no choice but to relent.

Once back in the house, Jiang Jiang still felt uneasy.

“Mom, it was Fengyin who insulted me first.” Jiang Jiang explained.

“I know, I heard everything from the side.” He Guijuan replied.

After observing Fengyin’s actions and words over the past few days, He Guijuan found it hard to believe that she was only five years old.

“Fengyin is a cunning child. You need to be careful when you’re around her in the future.”

“Mom apologized to Fengyin on your behalf earlier because she didn’t want to escalate the situation. After all, there wasn’t anyone else around, and if it blew up, the family would just think I was favoring my own daughter.” Guijuan squatted down, helping Jiang Jiang take off her old clothes and put on the new dark red cotton jacket.

“You are my daughter; no matter what happens, I will always believe you are a kind and obedient child.”

As Jiang Jiang listened, her clenched fists relaxed, and warmth filled her heart.

Mom didn’t believe Fengyin’s words.

Mom said she would always believe she was a well-behaved and kind child.

—o—o—o—

He Guijuan had made Jiang Jiang a cotton jacket and a vest from the dark red fabric. She planned to use the remaining beige fabric to make her daughter another outfit for spring and autumn, which could also serve as a base layer.

No matter how good the old clothes were, they couldn’t compare to the new ones. Jiang Jiang was beautiful, and the dark red jacket looked particularly stylish on her, not at all rustic.

“Look in the mirror and see if you like it.”

“I like it.”

He Guijuan looked at Jiang Jiang, feeling completely satisfied. She smiled and said, “Then don’t take it off; just wear it.”

Jiang Jiang touched her new clothes, hesitating for a moment. “Maybe I should take it off first and wear it again during the New Year.”

Today was the twenty-eighth day of the lunar New Year, just a few days before the holiday, and wearing new clothes for the New Year felt more ceremonial.

“Okay, whatever you prefer.”

Jiang Jiang carefully folded the new clothes she had changed out of and put them away in the cabinet before putting on her old floral cotton jacket.

In the evening, He Guijuan casually mentioned to Lin Youqing what had happened during the day.

“Last time, that girl Fengyin falsely accused Jiang Jiang of pushing her. I don’t know if it was her own idea or if the adults instigated her,” He Guijuan said. If it was the adults teaching her, that would be one thing, but if Fengyin had such thoughts at such a young age, it would be truly frightening.

“Fengyin has targeted Jiang Jiang repeatedly. If there’s another time, I won’t care about your second brother and sister-in-law’s feelings anymore. I won’t let it slide so ambiguously; she must apologize to Jiang Jiang and recount everything that happened in detail.”

Jiang Jiang had been dozing off, but upon hearing her name, she instantly woke up halfway.

“Mom, what did you say? Fengyin said I pushed her? When did that happen?” Jiang Jiang’s small face turned pale.

“That was the day before we went to the market. The bruise on her face was from that fall. However, your dad and I don’t believe you pushed her; we all know you’re not that kind of person.” He Guijuan tucked the blanket around her more snugly.

“Why would Fengyin do that? I didn’t even know her back then.”

As soon as she asked, Jiang Jiang realized the answer.

Her mom and dad treated her so well; Fengyin would want parents like that, too.

In a lowered voice, Jiang Jiang whispered, “As long as Mom and Dad don’t believe it, I’m fine.”

Lin Youqing gently patted the child’s head, sighing, “It’s unfortunate that our girl has to suffer.”

“Dad, I don’t feel wronged. As long as you believe me, that’s enough.”

She had grown used to it. As long as her mom and dad believed her, no matter how many tricks Fengyin used, she wouldn’t achieve her goal.

He Guijuan felt a bit tired too. She hugged Jiang Jiang and kissed her little cheek. “Let’s go to sleep.”

—o—o—o—

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