Chapter 22: Becoming Lu Jianshen’s Woman First

Seeing that Jiang Rourou didn’t agree, she sat down and started to cry, certain that Ye Meiping would soften. From childhood, there was almost nothing she couldn’t solve with tears.

Even if it were the moon in the sky, Ye Meiping would pluck it down for her.

Sure enough, seeing her cry, Ye Meiping’s anger subsided. She repeatedly comforted herself that Rourou was just a child who didn’t understand anything. What was the use of getting angry with her? In the end, it would only damage their Mom-daughter relationship, which wasn’t worth it.

If anyone was to blame, it was Jiang Xiangxiang. Why did she agree to Lu Jianshen’s proposal and marry him? She was too bold and deserved a lesson.

Ye Meiping said, “Rourou, think again. What’s so good about Lu Jianshen? If you marry him, he’ll be in the army, and you’ll be home alone.”

Jiang Rourou replied, “I’m willing. I think Lu Jianshen is perfect. Mom, if I can’t marry him, I’ll die.”

Ye Meiping said, “But you saw Tian Xiu’e’s attitude. They’ve already agreed with Jiang Xiangxiang, and that dead girl won’t agree to changing the marriage to you.”

The kick she received earlier still hurt.

And Tian Xiu’e’s blows were also painful. Ye Meiping felt pain all over her body; she must have been beaten by them.

At this moment, she really didn’t want to provoke Jiang Xiangxiang again.

Jiang Rourou sobbed, her crying momentarily pausing. She thought about it and realized Ye Meiping was right. With Jiang Xiangxiang’s fierce nature, it was unlikely she’d agree.

Jiang Xiangxiang had suddenly changed, becoming difficult to deal with. But Jiang Rourou was unwilling to give up.

Over the years, she’d gotten almost everything she wanted. When she pushed Jiang Xiangxiang into the river, she hadn’t expected Lu Jianshen to pass by.

If she had known, Jiang Rourou would have jumped in first.

Now, Jiang Xiangxiang had gotten a great advantage, and just thinking about it made Jiang Rourou feel resentful. No, she had to take it back.

“Mom, what if I become Lu Jianshen’s woman first?”

“What?”

“If I have a relationship with Lu Jianshen, he can’t marry Jiang Xiangxiang,” Jiang Rourou said firmly, lowering her hands. “Mom, think about it. He agreed to marry Jiang Xiangxiang because he saved her from drowning, ruining her reputation, forcing him to propose. If I have a relationship with him now, wouldn’t he have to marry me?”

“Rourou!” Ye Meiping hesitated, mainly because of Tian Xiu’e. Her manner clearly showed she disliked her and Rourou. If Jiang Rourou insisted on marrying him, wouldn’t she be asking for trouble?

When Lu Jianshen goes to the army, Jiang Rourou would have to live with Tian Xiu’e. Could she tolerate it?

“I don’t care. Let’s do it this way. Mom, if you don’t help me, it won’t work, and you’ll be embarrassed. I must marry Lu Jianshen.” Jiang Rourou insisted. “Whether you agree or not, I’ve made up my mind.”

“You…” Ye Meiping urged, “If it doesn’t work, I’ll talk to Jiang Xiangxiang again. As long as she agrees not to marry Lu Jianshen, you still have a chance.”

“It’s too late. She won’t agree. I said we should have acted when she had a fever, but you hesitated.” A cruel look flashed across Jiang Rourou’s face. “We should have killed her, eliminating the problem.”

Jiang Rourou had a plan. She would say Lu Jianshen ruined her reputation and drove her to death. Now, she had no choice but to resort to this.

Seeing her determined expression, Ye Meiping felt even more uncomfortable. “Lu Jianshen is a soldier; he’s not easy to approach. Are you sure you can…?”

Jiang Rourou said, “Mom, this depends on you. They’re coming to propose tomorrow and will have dinner at our house. You’ll cook and entertain him, or put medicine in his brown sugar water. He won’t taste it.”

Ye Meiping said, “No, no, I don’t have any medicine.”

Jiang Rourou said, “I’ll find a way. Mom, don’t worry. After I marry him, I won’t forget you. Lu Jianshen is a soldier with a high allowance. We’ll split it, and we’ll live a good life. Our good days are ahead!”

Then, she quickly went out to find medicine.

Ye Meiping couldn’t stop her. She sat on the kang and cried. Lu Jianshen was only good-looking and had a good job; he had no other advantages.

Why did they both like him? It was abnormal.

Especially Jiang Xiangxiang. At such a young age, she had secretly promised to marry someone. She didn’t act like a proper girl.

No, she had to discipline her.

Ye Meiping stood up and wanted to go out, but she came back. She couldn’t go. Jiang Xiangxiang was not acting normally; if she went crazy, what would she do?

She didn’t think she could control Jiang Xiangxiang. The girl was like a madwoman, resorting to violence at the slightest disagreement. Her ability to belittle others was also remarkable.

She had lost so much face in front of her neighbors. Tomorrow, the gossiping women in the village would make fun of her.

Ye Meiping felt even more wronged and cried, wondering if Jiang Rourou’s words were reliable.

Putting it in brown sugar water, it really wouldn’t be tasted.

Thinking this, Ye Meiping quickly searched her box for brown sugar. She found that all her valuables were gone. There wasn’t even a package left. Everything in her box was gone.

At first, she thought it was an illusion. Ye Meiping rubbed her eyes, but her things were still missing.

Gone?

All her hard-earned savings were gone.

Ye Meiping thought of something and frantically climbed onto the bed. The money and tickets in the small box were also gone. The box was empty. Her house had been robbed.