Chapter 16: What Did the Dong Family Do to Her?

What’s wrong?

Lost something?

Gu Dongqing asked.

Jiang Mingyue shook her head.

“It’s okay.”

Her home was in front of her, and she stopped, looking at Gu Dongqing.

Comrade Gu, I’ll contact you if we have any news.”

With that, she turned and entered the yard.

Second girl, who is that person outside?” the old lady’s voice sounded from inside.

Her eyesight wasn’t great, and she could only see a tall figure, not his face.

Jiang Mingyue smiled and said, “I’m asking for directions.”

“Oh, then you have to tell me properly.”

Well, grandma, don’t worry.” Jiang Mingyue helped the old lady walk to the wooden bench under the eaves and sit down.

She continued sorting the medicinal herbs.

Gu Dongqing looked at the mud-brick courtyard in front of him, listening to the occasional laughter coming from inside. The corners of his lips curled up slightly.

Asking for directions…

Tsk!

What a heartless person!

At such a young age, she’d already mastered the art of deception, being cold and hard-hearted…

If he had agreed to help her gather evidence initially just to learn what Duan Ping had done to him, now he was even more curious about what the Dong family had done to her.

That’s why she was like this.

For now, there was no way to figure it out immediately, so he could only take things step by step.

Not long after, Jiang Xinyue returned, a wide smile on her face.

Sister, grandma, you won’t believe how miserable Zhao Meihua was when she got beaten. Jiang Congwen never stopped hitting her. Zhao Meihua’s face was swollen like a pig’s head.”

She even acted out the scene, playing the roles of Jiang Congwen and Zhao Meihua in turn.

Very vivid.

Jiang Mingyue and Jiang Manyue were amused, and grandma also smiled.

Nai, this is the hundred yuan that the village chief helped us get back from our second aunt.”

Jiang Mingyue handed the money to the old lady.

The old lady waved her hand. “Your grandfather and I are old, and you will be in charge of this family from now on. You can take the money, and you three sisters can buy new clothes each.”

The Jiang family was poor and burdened with debt. Not only the sisters but also their grandparents hadn’t bought new clothes in years.

Jiang Mingyue smiled and said, “There’s no rush for new clothes.”

If they used the hundred yuan to buy fabric for clothes, each of them could get a decent set.

But right now, they needed money more than new clothes.

Jiang Mingyue decided to start a small business in town, so she saved the hundred yuan as her starting capital.

The old lady, being old, wasn’t aware of her granddaughter’s plans, but she simply supported her.

Jiang Xinyue was excited. “Sister, are you really going to be a street vendor?”

Well, we can’t afford to live on farming income alone. You’ll have to go to college in the future, and Manyue will need to go to college too. Grandpa and grandma’s pension money…”

Sister, I don’t need to study anymore. I’ll help with the work at home, and the burden won’t be so heavy,” Jiang Xinyue said.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Mingyue’s face darkened as soon as she finished speaking. “Xinyue, what are you talking about?”

“Sister…”

Jiang Xinyue was a little afraid of Jiang Mingyue’s stern look.

Jiang Mingyue realized her tone was harsh. She calmed down and said softly, Don’t worry about things at home. Just help out during summer vacation. Leave the rest to your sister.”

“Trust me, okay?”

She spoke with sincerity that was hard to doubt.

Jiang Xinyue nodded hesitantly. She didn’t say anything, but she had her own concerns.

Jiang Mingyue finished sorting the medicinal herbs and decided to go to town to sell them tomorrow. She also planned to inquire about the addresses of Dong Jianguo’s two lovers.

Early the next morning, she and Jiang Xinyue set off.

Man Yue stood beside her grandma, eager to go with them.

Jiang Mingyue could only comfort her with a smile. “When my sister isn’t busy, I’ll take Man Yue to town with grandpa and grandma.”

After comforting her sister, the two sisters left with their baskets on their backs.

The road from Qianjin Village to Tonglin Town was wide and flat, but the sisters still had hatchets tucked under their backpacks.

This was Jiang Mingyue’s idea.

It was always better to be prepared, whether you needed them or not.

Upon arriving in town, they went to the medicinal herb purchasing station. The sisters set their baskets aside and waited for the station staff to inspect their goods.

The mountains in this area were rich in wild medicinal herbs. If people weren’t working in the fields, most would choose to go up the mountains to dig for herbs.

After all, the purchasing station would buy anything, making it a good source of income for the villagers.

There were three or four people ahead of them in line, but it didn’t take long for the sisters to reach the front.

The station staff seemed impressed by the fact that the Jiang sisters had sorted and packed everything cleanly, without any dirt clinging to the herbs.

Soon, the weighing process began.

The person in charge of registration was a young woman. She picked up a book to record the details. When she saw Jiang Mingyue, she exclaimed, “Jiang Mingyue?”

“Liu Qiuju?”

Jiang Mingyue was surprised to see her junior high school classmate.

Liu Qiuju laughed, but didn’t say anything.

Jiang Mingyue had no intention of engaging with her.

After calculating the weight of the herbs, they took the receipt to the finance department to settle the bill.

The sisters earned a total of fifty-eight yuan.

This was more than Jiang Xinyue had expected.

Jiang Mingyue gave her sister eight yuan in change, keeping the remaining fifty for herself.

Sister, why did you give me so much money?

It’s your hard work!” Jiang Mingyue said with a smile. “Don’t be too dissatisfied with it.”

She needed the extra money to support her family, so she couldn’t give it all to Jiang Xinyue.

The eight yuan was essentially a gift.

Jiang Xinyue understood.

I don’t have anything to buy. Sister, please take the money back.”

It’s been a long time since we came to town. You have nothing to buy? Then bring something back for grandma, grandpa, and Manyue.”

“Okay.”

The sisters left the purchasing station with their baskets on their backs. As they were about to walk away, someone called out to Jiang Mingyue from behind.

Jiang Mingyue turned around and saw Liu Qiuju.

She looked at her sister, and the two of them walked towards the entrance of the purchasing station.

“Liu Qiuju, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Mingyue had been introverted and shy in junior high school. She didn’t like to talk and only focused on her studies. She would go home to work after school, so even though they were classmates, they were only acquaintances.

Their relationship wasn’t close.

Liu Qiuju’s eyes darted around Jiang Xinyue’s face before settling on Jiang Mingyue.

“I have something to ask you.”

Did that mean Xinyue couldn’t listen?

Jiang Mingyue frowned, considering that the other woman was from the purchasing station, she reluctantly allowed Xinyue to step a few paces away.

Liu Qiuju couldn’t wait to grab Jiang Mingyue’s hand. “Jiang Mingyue, it’s been rumored that you have a wild streak and messed around with men right after getting married, so the Dong family disciplined you, right?”

Jiang Mingyue frowned, looking at Liu Qiuju, who seemed curious. “Who told you that?”

Do you need to ask? It’s been all over town. Everyone knows about it!”

After Liu Qiuju finished speaking, she nudged Jiang Mingyue with her elbow. Why would you leave a good family like the Dong family and not cherish it, but go out with other men?

Do you have any inside information?