Chapter 99: A College Student Named Jiang Mingyue

Why would he need so much money?

There’s no way he could borrow that much!

This IOU is fake! It must be fake!

Duan Ping insisted, still refusing to accept the truth. 

She believed someone was deliberately harming them.

The police officer sighed, “Comrade Duan, I know this is hard to accept, but our investigation reveals your son was involved in gambling two months ago.  We believe this money was borrowed for gambling.”

What? Impossible! Chengcai, my obedient child, a college graduate from the Workers’, Peasants and Soldiers University, a good young man he wouldn’t gamble!” Duan Ping couldn’t believe it.

She had forgotten that her husband, Dong Jianguo, had been capable of bribery despite his seemingly honest demeanor. Why would it be impossible for her son to gamble?

The mother and daughter, defeated and despairing, left the police station as dusk began to fall. They hurried towards Duanjia Village, Dong Yumei’s pace slowed by the pain in her injured shoulder.

As soon as they left Tonglin Town, they were followed. Though it wasn’t completely dark, the road was deserted. 

As they passed a secluded forest, they were ambushed, dragged into the woods, and assaulted by a group of thugs. 

The sounds of struggle, laughter, and curses gradually faded into the quiet night.

The Dong family’s debacle quickly became the talk of the town.  Neighbors shared the story, along with the news that Dong Chengcai had gambled away his money and fled. 

Duan Ping and Dong Yumei, rather than seeking refuge with their own family, were reportedly married off by the Duan family Duan Ping to a forty-year-old bachelor, and Dong Yumei to a lame widower with several children. 

The Duan family had shown no mercy, focusing solely on collecting the bride price.

Jiang Mingyue found the whole situation darkly humorous. The Dong family’s downfall was immensely satisfying. 

She hoped Duan Ping and Dong Yumei would face significant challenges in their new lives. As for Dong Chengcai?  She hoped he’d never return.

Boss, I’ll take a basket of dumplings,” a new customer called out. Jiang Mingyue snapped out of her thoughts and served the dumplings to the young man. 

His attire and accent suggested he wasn’t from the town, but he seemed harmless.

Jiang Mingyue accepted the payment and invited him to sit.

Sister, have you heard? Jiang Meixin is back,” Jiang Xinyue announced, having returned from the village that day.

Jiang Mingyue, who had a moment of free time, asked, “What’s wrong?  Why are you mentioning her?”

Their relationship had always been strained. This sudden mention made her suspicious.

Jiang Xinyue explained, “It’s not gossip; I just found it strange that she’s been staying home since she returned.

She is a college student now, so why would she want to spend her vacation in this village?”

Jiang Mingyue understood her cousin well. Jiang Meixin’s personality made her unlikely to choose such a lifestyle.

Jiang Xinyue scoffed, “Her grades were never as good as yours.  It’s just luck that she even got into college.”

She couldn’t help but feel resentful. Why had her own second sister, despite her hard work, failed to get into university, while Jiang Meixin had succeeded?

She recalled her Aunt Zhao Meihua’s reaction upon receiving Jiang Meixin’s acceptance letter.

Jiang Mingyue felt a pang of sympathy but knew it was all water under the bridge. Her own college dreams were long gone, replaced by the joy of her pregnancy. 

It’s a pity I didn’t go to college. Xinyue, you have to study hard and fulfill your sister’s dream.”

Don’t worry, sister, I will definitely pass the exam,” Jiang Xinyue declared confidently.

As Jiang Mingyue was about to offer further encouragement, the young man at the table interrupted.

Excuse me, comrades, could I ask you something?” Xu Xueyou shyly addressed them.

Jiang Mingyue nodded.  “What is it?”

I’m a student at Nanjing University. I’m looking for a female student named Jiang Mingyue. Do you know her?”

Xu Xueyou had noticed the similarity between the name “Xinyue” and the name he was looking for.

Jiang Mingyue? Jiang Mingyue was taken aback.  Jiang Xinyue blinked in surprise. 

Sister, do you know him?

Jiang Meiyue chimed in, “I don’t know which village this Jiang Mingyue is from, but my second sister’s name is Jiang Mingyue.”

Xu Xueyou was stunned. “Your name is Jiang Mingyue too? Are there many people with that name here?”