Chapter 65: A Six-Month Agreement

Qiao Jiangxin carried the books, walking through the village towards the north.

This time, she had a chance. She wouldn’t let herself be left behind. She would study hard and not be an illiterate like in her past life.

“Woof woof woof,” a sharp bark came.

Qiao Jiangxin looked up, her eyes flashing with disgust.

It was the Chen family’s dog, as annoying as its owners.

“Go away!”

She stamped her foot, and the dog retreated a few steps, barking again.

“Beast, I’ll kill you if you bark again!” Qiao Jiangxin bent down to pick up a stone.

Hearing the dog barking and someone shooing it away, someone came out of the house.

“Luo Luo, stop barking…”

Chen Wende called to the barking dog.

Qiao Jiangxin looked up, her expression momentarily dazed.

Army green pants, a white short-sleeved shirt. Compared to the villagers, Chen Wende was much fairer, with a scholarly air.

To a country girl who hadn’t seen much of the world, Chen Wende was tall, handsome, kind, and cultured a very excellent man.

That’s what Qiao Jiangxin had thought, even though his gaze towards her was always indifferent.

Qiao Jiangxin remembered that when Che Jinmei took her to visit Chen Wende’s family, he had stood at the door, looking just like this.

This image was imprinted in her memory from her adolescence.

Back then, Qiao Jiangxin didn’t know what liking someone or love meant.

But she believed that marriage was for life, and couples should be good to each other.

So, when Chen Wende’s manuscripts were repeatedly rejected, when everyone sneered at his uselessness, Qiao Jiangxin didn’t dare to blame him, taking on the responsibility of the whole family like a man.

She worked tirelessly in the fields, haggling fiercely, always acting like a shrew when the family had conflicts with others.

But after Chen Wende became successful, he forgot that during his struggling years, Qiao Jiangxin had supported their family.

When he was unrecognized, Qiao Jiangxin was his only fan, even though she didn’t understand what he wrote.

He only remembered that marrying a wife like Qiao Jiangxin was a lifelong blemish.

Qiao Jiangxin turned and walked past him.

Even though she had avenged herself in her past life, her hatred remained.

She regretted wasting her life on him.

Chen Wende’s gaze followed Qiao Jiangxin until she disappeared.

He knew her, Qiao Daya.

His mother had mentioned her many times, saying she was capable, like a man.

She was beautiful, hardworking, and skilled in farming.

Qiao Jiangxin’s indifferent gaze stung Chen Wende.

He didn’t understand why Qiao Daya looked at him like that.

His mother was right; Qiao Daya was beautiful, like a vibrant wildflower, full of vitality.

But she wasn’t his type. He liked lilies like Chi Suzhen.

She spoke softly and politely, cultured and refined, sharing his interests and a rich spiritual world.

Not a vulgar country girl who only knew how to farm and weed, yelling and cursing in the streets.

Che Jinmei stood at the doorway, looking at Qiao Jiangxin’s back and recognizing her.

“Wende, this is the Qiao family’s eldest daughter I told you about.  Mom wasn’t lying, right? She’s pretty, isn’t she? If she were fairer and dressed up, she’d be prettier than your classmate, Chi.”

Chen Wende’s eyes flashed with impatience, but his voice was gentle, “Mom, stop it. One is a wildflower from the countryside, and the other is a pure and noble lily. Can they be compared?”

Che Jinmei’s face darkened, “Wende, I’ve never said anything bad about Chi’s daughter, but Chi Suzhen isn’t suitable for our family.”

Che Jinmei recalled Chi Suzhen’s visit.  She wore a white dress, repeatedly wiped the chairs with a handkerchief before sitting down, and even when the dog passed by her feet, she looked disgusted, patting her skirt.

Such a girl, so out of place in the countryside, wouldn’t suit the Chen family.

How could she help her son support the Chen family?

Che Jinmei grabbed Chen Wende’s arm, pleading, “Wende, I’m an experienced person.  Life is about daily necessities, not poetry. You’re 24.  Don’t delay any longer.

Chi’s daughter is willing, but her parents aren’t.  The three major appliances, the bicycle, and the dowry they want… even if we borrow and scrape together the money, then what?

Won’t we need to eat and drink? What about our family?

Your younger siblings are still young, your father’s health isn’t good, and I’m getting old. This family will eventually be yours.”

Che Jinmei patted Chen Wende’s hand, “Daya is different. She’s a well-known capable girl in this area. Only she is suitable for our family.”

Seeing her son unmoved, Che Jinmei’s tone became angry, “If you had graduated and gotten a stable job, I wouldn’t have objected to your free love with Chi Suzhen.

But now?

Our whole family has pinned our hopes on you, and you go to some dance with that girl.

You’ve ruined your life.

If the school hadn’t testified for you, we might have had to get you out of prison.

Wuwuwu… I still don’t dare to tell anyone about this.

Wuwuwu, Wende, you’ve made your father so angry!

Just be sensible, let us worry less. Think about the family, okay?

I know you’re not willing, but that’s fate…”

Chen Wende felt suffocated by Che Jinmei’s pleas.

Again, again, why couldn’t he be with Suzhen?

His voice was filled with humiliation, “Mom, even if I didn’t graduate, even if I didn’t get a job, I can still earn money to support you. Give me six months.

If I can’t earn enough rice and flour from my writing in six months, I’ll listen to you and marry Qiao Daya.”