Chapter 101: Forgot His Identity

They arrived in the village.

Inside the Jiang family’s second room, Jiang Meixin, having failed to obtain abortion pills at the county hospital, had eventually obtained a generous package of medicine from a black clinic. 

She didn’t dare to take it immediately, so she checked into a small hotel and took the pills there.

Soon after, her stomach felt as if it was being cut by a knife. She endured agonizing pain for three days, confined to the hotel room.  She only returned to the village when her money ran out.

Even after returning, her stomach continued to feel uncomfortable.  As the only college student in the village, her parents expected her to bring them honor, so she stayed indoors, sleeping in until late. 

Her parents dared not question her, and her sister-in-law, who was having an affair, didn’t dare to complain.

Jiang Meixin rested for five days before finally recovering somewhat.  It was the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, and the Chinese New Year was just a few days away.

The weather was frigid, but the sun shone brightly at noon.  Jiang Meixin, rarely venturing outside, lay in the yard to bask in the sun.

Maxim!” a voice called from the wall outside the yard.

Jiang Meixin hadn’t heard that name in a long time and didn’t recognize the caller.

Meixin, Jiang Meixin!” the voice called again.  Finally, Jiang Meixin snapped out of her reverie and looked up.

Liu Fujuan?” she asked, confused.  She couldn’t understand why Liu Fujuan was visiting her.

Liu Fujuan laughed, her round face flushed, either from the sun or the cold.  Lying on the wall and laughing seemed incredibly silly and tacky to Jiang Meixin. 

If Liu Fujuan wasn’t the village chief’s daughter, she wouldn’t have bothered to acknowledge her.

Ah, isn’t this Fujuan? You came to play with my Maxim’s?” Zhao Meihua, working in the kitchen, emerged at the sound of voices. 

She was delighted to see Liu Fujuan, feeling that her daughter’s college status had elevated their social standing. 

She was convinced that the village chief had sent Liu Fujuan.

Why? Because her daughter was the only college student in the village.  Zhao Meihua was eager to show off her daughter’s achievements.  She opened the door and invited Liu Fujuan in. “Why are you talking from the wall? Come inside.”

Since the incident with the second daughter-in-law, no outsiders had visited their home. Zhao Meihua was unusually enthusiastic.

Liu Fujuan smiled shyly, her gaze drifting past Zhao Meihua and landing on Jiang Meixin, who was still reclining on the rocking chair, eyes half-closed.

Meixin, do you want to go play?” she asked.

No, Jiang Meixin replied curtly.

She had no desire to play with Liu Fujuan now that she was a college student.  Liu Fujuan, who couldn’t even pass the college entrance exam, was beneath her.

Liu Fujuan, undeterred, smiled and scratched the back of her head. “You’ve been in college for a while now. It’s been a long time since you’ve been back.  We all want to hear about college life.”

Isn’t the big city full of people? Does everyone there really have a bicycle?” she asked innocently.

Liu Fujuan, a simple village girl, was curious about the city. Her timid and curious demeanor was a stark contrast to her usual cheerful self.

Zhao Meihua was beaming with pride.  Look, even the village chief’s daughter was deferential to her daughter. She pushed Jiang Meixin’s arm. “Meixin, Fujuan came to see you.  Go play with her.”

“No,” Jiang Meixin refused, still feeling unwell.  She wasn’t sure if the medicine had been too strong, but she was still bleeding and didn’t want to move.

Zhao Meihua, noticing Liu Fujuan’s disappointment, pulled Jiang Meixin inside.  She pulled out ten yuan from her pocket and stuffed it into her daughter’s hand.

Your second brother doesn’t have a wife yet.  Go shopping with that silly girl, Liu Fujuan, and see if you can find a wife for him.”

This was her plan.

Jiang Meixin glanced at the ten yuan, finding it insufficient.  “Ten yuan?  You want me to help my second brother find a wife? Mom, where have you seen college students so cheap?”

You… Zhao Meihua was furious at her daughter’s attitude.

She reluctantly pulled out another ten yuan and stuffed it into Jiang Meixin’s hand. “Go and give your second brother a good look. If you can find him a wife, I’ll give you another fifty yuan.”

Jiang Meixin thought of her brother, Jiang Erlang, who had been silent and withdrawn since his wife and daughter died. She scoffed. “Mom, look at my second brother. 

Even if someone marries him for my college status, do you think it will last?”

Zhao Meihua knew that her second son had become increasingly depressed.  He was often withdrawn and silent, except for the occasional outburst of anger directed at Wu Xingzi. 

It was difficult to find a wife for a man who was unassuming, quiet, and thin. 

But that’s why Zhao Meihua was willing to pay twenty yuan for Jiang Meixin to go out and help. If Jiang Erlang were a more desirable prospect, she wouldn’t have been so willing to part with the money.

Liu Fujuan waited patiently outside, watching Jiang Meixin walk out of the house, a frown etched on her face. She pretended not to notice Jiang Meixin’s displeasure and approached her with a smile. “Let’s go, Meixin. Let’s go play.”

Jiang Meixin swatted her hand away. “What’s wrong?”

Liu Fujuan winced, her hand throbbing.  She looked at Jiang Meixin, confused.

Jiang Meixin, showing no remorse, said, “Why are you in such a hurry? The people in this village are just ignorant.”

Liu Fujuan, her lips pursed, lowered her head and said nothing.

Jiang Meixin walked down the village street, feeling a sense of disgust.  People covered their mouths and noses as she passed, clearly showing their disdain for her.  Perhaps it was her attitude that made Liu Fujuan hesitant to speak.

Liu Fujuan followed behind, her head down, never initiating conversation.

Is it her? Gu Dongqing, who had been hiding in the shadows, asked Xu Xueyou.

The Jiang Mingyue you’re looking for, is it her?