Chapter 3: Can’t Remember

Jiang’s father and elder brother had gone to the fields, while Jiang’s mother was at home picking soybeans from a basket, planning to make some tofu for dinner. She was also starting to worry—her grandchildren had been out for a long time, and she was thinking of going to look for them.

The Jiang family lived close to the river, and since Qin Man had the mind of a child, the elders were always afraid that the little ones might accidentally fall in.

Just as she was thinking about it, Jiang Cong arrived home with the children. The family of four walked back cheerfully, with the two adults on the sides and the two little ones in between. Just from appearances, Jiang Cong and Qin Man looked like a well-matched couple.

“Grandma, we’re back!” Little Yu was the first to let go of her mother’s hand and run ahead to greet her.

“Slow down!” Qin Man called out from behind.

“Alright!” Jiang’s mother replied with a warm smile.

“Grandma, are we having tofu for dinner?” Little Yu’s sharp eyes noticed the soybeans in her grandmother’s basket and immediately guessed.

The family’s financial situation wasn’t great. Even the cheapest pork cost 0.78 yuan per jin (about 500 grams), so just having tofu was already a treat.

“That’s right! Little Yu is so smart!” Jiang’s mother never hesitated to praise the children.

“Then let me help you pick the soybeans, Grandma!” The little girl’s tiny hands eagerly reached into the basket.

Meanwhile, Qin Man and Jiang Cong had also returned. When Jiang’s mother looked up and saw them both drenched from head to toe, she quickly set aside her work and asked in concern:

“Xiao Zhu, what happened? Why are you soaking wet?”

“Nothing much, I just fell into the river,” Qin Man replied nonchalantly.

“What? You fell into the river? Did you choke on water?” Jiang’s mother became even more anxious.

Hearing the commotion, her eldest daughter-in-law, Song Mei, pushed open the wooden door and leaned lazily against the frame.

“Mom, what are you worrying about? If she had choked on water, would she still be standing here?” Song Mei rolled her eyes.

Qin Man glanced at her upon hearing that remark.

“What kind of thing is that to say? Xiao Zhu is just simple-minded. She doesn’t know any better,” Jiang’s mother scolded, clearly displeased with Song Mei’s attitude.

Song Mei, however, looked even more disdainful. In her eyes, her in-laws had always favored the younger son. Since Jiang Cong had gone to university and had a bright future ahead of him, their parents naturally doted on him more while neglecting the eldest son.

Song Mei was a petty and calculating woman, always making snide remarks over trivial matters.

“I’m fine now. I’m not a child anymore. I’m a normal person again!” Qin Man announced.

She had never liked being called a fool, so being labeled as such made her uncomfortable.

However, no one took her words seriously—except for Jiang Cong.

“Mom, sister-in-law, after Xiao Zhu fell into the water and was rescued, her mind recovered. She also remembers many things now,” Jiang Cong explained, making them finally take the matter seriously.

Jiang’s mother took a while to process this.

“Wait… Are you saying that Xiao Zhu’s mind is back to normal? She’s not foolish anymore?”

Jiang Cong and Qin Man both nodded.

“I’ve recovered. I’m not foolish anymore. I’m an adult now. My name is Qin Man. You can call me Manman or Xiaoman from now on!” Qin Man introduced herself.

She really couldn’t get used to the name “Xiao Zhu.” In her previous life, her colleagues used to call her Manager Qin. After she was promoted to Director, she hadn’t even gotten the chance to hear people address her as “Director Qin” a few times before she inexplicably ended up in this place.

—

By dusk, Jiang’s father and Jiang Cheng had returned. As the family gathered around the table for dinner, Jiang’s mother shared the news about Qin Man’s recovery.

Jiang’s father was stunned for a long time before setting down his chopsticks and taking a good look at Qin Man.

The Jiang family had strong genes. Even though Jiang’s parents had been worn down by time, traces of their youthful features could still be seen. Jiang Cheng, the eldest son, was a strong and handsome man. Years of working in the fields had made him physically sturdy, his wheat-colored skin glowing with health. He was also a man of few words, exuding a rugged masculinity.

“Now that you’ve recovered, do you remember anything from before? Who your parents are? Where you came from?” Jiang’s father asked. “Since you and Ah Cong already have Jiang Yu and Jiang Li, now that you’re well, we should find your parents and inform them. Ah Cong should also bring some gifts to formally meet them and show respect.”

Jiang’s mother had asked the same thing earlier in the afternoon, but Qin Man couldn’t remember anything. Her memory only went back to the fateful night she and Jiang Cong had spent together.

Qin Man had never been from this village. She had suddenly appeared one day, and when people asked about her past, she had known nothing—and she had been mentally slow.

“I’ve regained my intelligence and some of my memories, but I don’t remember who my parents are. I have no recollection of my past,” Qin Man said, shaking her head.

It was true—she couldn’t remember a thing beyond what had happened since arriving here.

“That’s alright. If you can’t remember, don’t force it. Maybe it will come back to you over time,” Jiang Cong reassured her, placing a piece of tofu into her bowl as a small gesture of comfort.

Wow.

Qin Man looked at the soft, tender tofu soaked in chili sauce in her bowl.

Her husband was quite the considerate man.

Her impression of him improved significantly.