Chapter 5 : Would you like to be a stepmother?

Jiang Li pushed against the courtyard door, but it was bolted shut. She could hear muffled voices inside, yet no one answered her knocking.

So they really locked her out on purpose.

Jiang Li was soft-hearted, but even the gentlest person had their limits. If they wouldn’t let her sleep, she decided they wouldn’t get to sleep either.

She banged loudly on the door, shouting, “Fire! There’s a fire! Come put it out!”

In an instant, the dogs in the area began barking wildly. Aunt Jingui’s husband rushed out of the neighboring house without even putting on his coat. Aunt Jingui, looking panicked, called out, “Lizi, where’s the fire?”

It was the peak of summer, and the village houses were built close together. A fire could mean disaster.

The Jiang family erupted into chaos. Jiang Li’s grandmother, Mrs. Zhou, hobbled out on her bound feet, arriving faster than anyone else. Behind her came Jiang Hongmei with her hair a mess. Wang Juhua and Jiang Changyi followed barefoot, their arms bulging with bundles of belongings they had grabbed in panic.

Mrs. Zhou’s sharp triangular eyes scanned the surroundings, but seeing no flames, she turned her fury on Jiang Li. She raised her walking stick and aimed to strike. “I’ll beat you to death, you little jinx! First, you cursed your parents to their deaths, and now you’re cursing our house to burn!”

Jiang Hongmei, eager to add fuel to the fire, sneered, “Grandma, beat her! She’s been out all day without doing any work. She just wants to eat for free!”

Jiang Li dodged the attack and darted into the yard, forcing Mrs. Zhou to chase her. The commotion resulted in the large water jar being smashed, and the old woman seethed with rage.

Catching her breath, Jiang Li shouted, “Today is my mother’s memorial day. I went to the mountain to visit her grave.

No one in this family remembered her mother’s death anniversary, but she, as a daughter, did not forget.”

The air grew still at her words. Mrs. Zhou’s walking stick froze mid-swing. After calculating in her head, she realized it truly was the anniversary of Xu Shuzhen’s passing.

“So what?” Mrs. Zhou snapped. “Your mother was a jinx who killed my son! Why should she deserve incense from my Jiang family?”

Aunt Jingui stepped forward and hugged the crying Jiang Li protectively. She glared at Mrs. Zhou, her voice sharp. “Grandma Tianci, watch your mouth. Xu Zhiqing was a recognized martyr by the commune. Slandering her like this could get you reported and sent to a labor camp!”

At the mention of “labor camp,” Mrs. Zhou faltered. Her mouth flapped, but she dared not continue cursing in front of Aunt Jingui.

Jiang Hongmei, refusing to back down, shouted, “Grandma, she’s lying! She wasn’t on the mountain today. She went to the county’s supply and marketing cooperative!”

Mrs. Zhou’s sharp eyes turned back to Jiang Li. “So you lied, did you?”

Jiang Li seized the moment to counter, shouting, “Jiang Hongmei went to meet Qi Shaoqiang today to cancel their engagement!”

The color drained from Jiang Hongmei’s face. Wang Juhua grabbed her arm in panic. “Hongmei, are you crazy? Why would you cancel the engagement?”

Mrs. Zhou abandoned her attack on Jiang Li and turned her wrath on Hongmei. She swung her cane down on the girl’s back. “You fool! You don’t want to marry into the Qi family? What do you want, the Jade Emperor himself?”

Jiang Changyi stubbed out his pipe, his face darkening. “Hongmei, explain yourself.”

Knowing she could no longer hide it, Jiang Hongmei snapped, “I am canceling the engagement! Qi Shaoqiang and I have no feelings for each other, and I won’t marry him!”

“Who said you have a choice?” thundered Jiang Changyi.

“I just won’t marry him! If Jiang Li wants to marry him, let her!”

Her father’s patience snapped, and a loud slap echoed across the courtyard. “You idiotic girl! Lock her in her room, no food for her tonight. Let’s see how long she lasts!”

As the Jiang family descended into chaos, Aunt Jingui ushered Jiang Li out of the house.

“Chunlan, fetch the leftover steamed buns,” Aunt Jingui instructed, her voice kind but firm. She looked at Jiang Li with concern. “This poor child must be starving after everything those people put her through.”

Chunlan fetched a cup of warm water and quickly heated the buns.

From the west room, a woman’s shrill voice pierced the air. “You’re always helping her! How much food do you think we have? My own grandson doesn’t even eat enough!”

Jiang Li’s sharp ears caught every word. She knew she couldn’t let Aunt Jingui’s kindness cause trouble in her household.

She stood up, bowing slightly. “Aunt Jingui, Chunlan, thank you for your kindness. It’s late, I should head back now.”

Chunlan hurried after her, pressing the warm steamed bun into her hand. “Don’t listen to her. She just has a sharp tongue. Don’t take it to heart.”

Jiang Li smiled. “I didn’t hear a thing.”

Under the moonlight, her eyes sparkled, bright and unyielding, as though nothing in the world could crush her spirit. Chunlan couldn’t help but admire her.

“Lizi,” Chunlan said cautiously, “have you ever thought about a match? If you got married, maybe life wouldn’t be so hard.”

Jiang Li shook her head instinctively. Marriage wouldn’t solve her problems, she trusted only her own efforts and abilities.

Lowering her voice, Chunlan continued, “Just hear me out before you refuse. Do you remember Zhuang Guoliang from the next village? He was in our class in primary school, though he was much older.”

Zhuang Guoliang. The name triggered memories of the book’s plot. He was the male lead, a man with a shady past, secretly reselling pork on the black market. But during the reform era, he became a successful businessman, eventually becoming the richest man in the county.

Chunlan added, “He sent a matchmaker to talk to my mom. He’s offering 200 yuan as a bride price. You wouldn’t need to pay a dowry. All he asks is that you treat his two kids well. He’ll devote himself to you completely. Think about it, okay?”