Chapter 38: She Sold Her Daughter to Me

Jiang Xiangxiang tried to peek inside, but even stretching her neck, she couldn’t see anything clearly. This position was awkward. Should she adjust?

Thinking this, she moved slightly, hooking her arms around his neck to find a more comfortable position. Much better.

Lu Jianshen stiffened. Having spent a long time in the army, he’d never been this close to a woman before. He was quite flustered by her actions.

Jiang Xiangxiang coughed. “Lu Jianshen, move forward a bit. I want to see what’s going on.”

Lu Jianshen: “…”

He was tall enough to see inside, but he didn’t want Jiang Xiangxiang to. He felt it would soil her eyes.

It wasn’t appropriate.

Jiang Xiangxiang grew anxious. “Lu Jianshen, I’m talking to you! Move forward! If you don’t, they’ll block the way, and we won’t be able to get in.”

She was impatient, afraid of missing the show. She’d been holding back since the beginning, and now she was frustrated at the prospect of missing it.

Lu Jianshen remained still, but others moved around the couple, mostly neighbors—grandpas, grandmas, uncles, and aunts. They were all experienced people and didn’t fuss over such things.

Besides, they were there for the spectacle, the gossip. Otherwise, why would they have bothered to come?

Seeing Lu Jianshen wouldn’t budge, they quickly squeezed past the couple. Murmurs and excited chatter erupted from the crowd.

“Wow, they really know how to have fun! Is that why Ye Meiping is so nice to Jiang Rourou? Are they in cahoots?”

“No wonder I disliked Jiang Erya(Second Girl). Their relationship is like a married couple! Look how close they are! It’s not the same as a mother-daughter relationship!”

“Wait, wait… I think I see someone else in the room!”

“…”

Jiang Xiangxiang was startled. Another person? Really? Something felt wrong. Shouldn’t it just be Ye Meiping and Jiang Rourou?

She hadn’t planned for this.

Seeing her confused expression, Lu Jianshen whispered, “A man. Old Liu from the east end of the village. He’s hiding by the door… pulling up his pants!”

He felt a little embarrassed saying this in front of Jiang Xiangxiang, but on second thought, there wasn’t much to be embarrassed about. He had to tell her.

She would find out sooner or later anyway.

Jiang Xiangxiang was surprised. Who was Old Liu? As a newcomer, she didn’t know him. Could Ye Meiping have a secret lover behind her father’s back?

That would explain it. Her father wasn’t home to supervise her, and who knows what Ye Meiping might do when she’s lonely at night.

Wang Fugui hadn’t expected this scene. His face darkened. “Get them! Tie them up!”

He was furious. The village usually had a good reputation, free of scandals. But it seemed things weren’t as he thought.

Everyone had been waiting for this command. As soon as Wang Fugui spoke, people rushed in, dragging Ye Meiping and Jiang Rourou off the kang (heated bed).

Ye Meiping was fine. Older and less attractive, and not well-liked, so they just tied her up without any further incident.

Jiang Rourou, however, was different. She’d always acted superior in the village, looking down on everyone.

Now, she was revealed to be nothing but a slut. While tying her up, many people took the opportunity to grope her.

Jiang Rourou screamed and struggled, the effects of the drug mostly worn off, but she was still weak. Her cries and struggles entertained the crowd.

Jiang Xiangxiang was about to take a closer look when a shadow fell over her. Lu Jianshen used one hand to cover her eyes.

She was stunned. He was strong! She felt safe in his arms.

Jiang Xiangxiang’s eyelashes fluttered against his palm. “Lu Jianshen, there are so many people here. You can’t deprive me of my right to watch the show! Let go!”

Lu Jianshen’s voice was hoarse. “No, it’s too much. Wait until they’re dealt with. Okay? Village chief, please stop them.”

Wang Fugui reacted, his voice booming. “Enough! Anyone who continues will be going to the police station!”

His authority was effective. The crowd quieted down, their leering expressions gone. Only Jiang Rourou’s muffled sobs could be heard.

Ye Meiping, however, couldn’t cry. Her face was pale. She thought, It’s over. Everything is over. How could this happen?

She’d been tricked. And earlier…

Old Liu never expected buying a wife would lead to this. He was pinned to the ground, unable to move or escape. Hearing about the police station made him even more panicked.

Old Liu quickly spoke. “Village chief, it’s me! I’m not a thief! Ye Meiping allowed it. She sold her daughter to me. We had a deal.”

Wang Fugui: “What did you say?”

Old Liu: “Ask her! She’s right there! Ye Meiping told me to come today, that she’d give me Jiang Xiangxiang as a wife. She said I could just come in and take her, no need to worry. She said I had to subdue her…”

Jiang Xiangxiang: “…”

Given to him? There was more to this.

She’d known Ye Meiping was trouble, but this was beyond just being bad. She was vicious.

Truly vicious.

Lu Jianshen’s face was dark, his aura menacing. “Is this true?”

Old Liu: “Of course! She even charged me fifty yuan! I thought the woman in the room was my wife… no, I thought it was Jiang Xiangxiang, so I went in. But then those two women clung to me, I couldn’t push them off! I didn’t mean to!”