Chapter 14: Don’t Let the Tears Fall

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Jiang Mingyue?

Gu Dongqing raised his eyes, observing the figure surrounded by villagers not far away.

She seemed fragile, yet standing there, she exuded a strength that suggested nothing could shake her.

Before meeting her, he had never experienced erotic dreams. But since getting to know her, not only had he begun to dream, but her face appeared every time…

Village Chief Liu Yongzheng remained fair and composed, even as Aunt Jiang’s complaints grew louder.

Liu Yongzheng ultimately instructed Aunt Jiang to compensate Jiang Mingyue’s family one hundred yuan for the crops she had encroached upon.

After the autumn harvest, I will move the boundary stones you moved back to their original positions.

If you try to take advantage again, the village will reclaim your land,” he declared firmly.

Aunt Jiang was not pleased with this decision, but Liu Yongzheng showed no willingness to engage further in her complaints.

Knowing that Second Aunt Jiang was a difficult person and that Jiang Mingyue might not be able to confront her after leaving the village committee, Liu Yongzheng called for the village accountant.

Xiao Zuo, come here. Debit one hundred from the village’s account to the second girl of the Jiang family. You’ll need to discuss this with Jiang Congwen to recover that amount.”

Hey, that’s great!” Accountant Zuo quickly tallied one hundred yuan to Jiang Mingyue.

Aunt Jiang felt as if the ground was crumbling beneath her.

What was happening? Instead of gaining from this situation, she was being forced to pay a hundred yuan?

This isn’t fair! You witch! Don’t think I don’t know what you promised the village chief! You’re just a discarded piece of trash!”

“Pah!”

Jiang Mingyue’s slap came swiftly, interrupting Aunt Jiang’s tirade.

Zhao Meihua, if you can’t learn to speak decently, then just shut your filthy mouth.”

Jiang Mingyue’s hands trembled slightly after the slap.

Her expression was grave.

Liu Yongzheng’s face twisted with anger; he refused to let Accountant Zuo go to the Jiang family’s second room alone. He wanted to address the matter with Jiang Congwen directly.

Though the village cadre was a minor official, he still held authority. Aunt Jiang’s constant insults and slanders against state officials would not go unchecked.

With a stern expression, the village chief walked toward the Jiang family’s second room.

The villagers, drawn to the commotion, followed suit.

In the clearing in front of the village headquarters, only Jiang Mingyue and Gu Dongqing remained beneath the tree.

The man beside Gu Dongqing shifted, and Gu Dongqing, who had been poised to leave, instead found himself drawn back toward Jiang Mingyue.

“Jiang Mingyue.”

A familiar voice rang out.

Jiang Mingyue looked down, ignoring him.

Gu Dongqing chuckled. “What’s wrong? Just had a verbal battle with the shrew, and now you’re silent?”

His tone dripped with mockery.

Jiang Mingyue clenched her fists at her sides, her hands loosening and tightening, but she never lifted her gaze to meet his.

Gu Dongqing sensed something was off.

The smile on his face faded.

Hey, Jiang Mingyue, are you about to cry?

Before he could finish, Jiang Mingyue looked up, her eyes red and glistening with unshed tears.

“What does it have to do with you?”

“I…”

Gu Dongqing had never seen Jiang Mingyue like this before. He was momentarily taken aback, unsure of how to respond.

As she brushed past him, Jiang Mingyue quickly made her way home.

“Hey, hey!”

Watching her walk away, Gu Dongqing’s rational mind told him to ride back to town. But instinct was stronger than reason, and he found himself unable to control his actions.

Before he could think further, he had already caught up with her.

Hey, Jiang Mingyue, don’t cry. You’re angry just scold her or fight back. If you can’t do it, tell me, and I’ll handle it for you. What do you think?”

Gu Dongqing walked alongside her, pushing his bicycle.

“It has nothing to do with you.”

Jiang Mingyue wiped her eyes with her sleeve, determined not to let the tears fall.

She had died once and was not the fragile person she used to be.

Even if a knife were to cut her arm, she would remain composed and not shed a tear.

But there was one thing she couldn’t accept: the thought of her children.

In her previous life, confined to the wood shed of the Dong family, her greatest guilt before her death was not being able to give birth to her two children. She had been pregnant with them but couldn’t bring them into the world…

“Jiang Mingyue, Jiang Mingyue.”

Gu Dongqing chased after her, persistent.

At that moment, Jiang Xinyue approached, having come to find her sister. Spotting Jiang Mingyue’s red eyes and Gu Dongqing standing beside her, she instinctively grabbed a stone the size of a bowl.

“I’ll beat you to death for bullying my sister!”

“Gu Dongqing?”

Jiang Mingyue was still worried about her children, but seeing her sister rush over with a stone made her quickly intervene.

“Xinyue, what are you doing?”

Hit him! He bullied you!” Jiang Xinyue waved the stone threateningly at Gu Dongqing.

Gu Dongqing replied, “Jiang Mingyue, you have to explain what happened.”

Jiang Mingyue held Jiang Xinyue’s hand down gently. “No, Xinyue, you misunderstood.”

She briefly recounted the events that transpired in the village, which incensed Jiang Xinyue. She glared at Gu Dongqing with disdain and dropped the stone from her grip.

Sister, that jerk Zhao Meihua dares to bully you! I’m going to her house right now!”

What are you going to do? The village chief is over there; don’t act recklessly.”

I won’t be foolish. I’m just going to see what’s going on.

With that, Jiang Xinyue dashed away. After running a short distance, she turned around and shouted loudly, “By the way, Gu, you better not bully my sister, or I’ll definitely beat you up!”

As she spoke, she bared her teeth in a fierce grin, waving her fists in a mock threat.

Caught off guard, she almost tripped over a stone, nearly tumbling to the ground.

Jiang Mingyue…couldn’t help but chuckle at her sister’s antics.

Gu Dongqing raised an eyebrow, “You and your sister have completely different personalities.”

Is that a problem?” Jiang Mingyue replied calmly.

Gu Dongqing ruffled his short hair, “I don’t mind if you two are different. It’s just that I’m alone, without a wife, children, or siblings.”

Jiang Mingyue offered no response.

As they neared Jiang’s house, noticing Gu Dongqing had no intention of leaving, she paused and looked back. “Comrade Gu is a busy man, and my home is simple, so I won’t invite you in.”

“Huh? I’m not busy,” he replied.

Jiang Mingyue raised her gaze, locking eyes with Gu Dongqing, understanding his unspoken desire to come into her home.

What’s wrong with you?” she asked, still not inclined to invite him inside.

Don’t be so wary of me. I’m not a bad person.

No bad person ever claims to be good,” Jiang Mingyue retorted.

Gu Dongqing chuckled.

So, Comrade Jiang thinks I’m a bad person?” he asked, a hint of challenge in his voice.