Chapter 23

However, Jiang Ying eventually moved into the Xie family’s house. Jiang Tian only heard about this when she went to exchange a piece of cured pork for some pickled cabbage with Aunt Zhang.

Jiang Tian couldn’t help but wonder if the female lead, after being reborn, had been kicked in the head by a donkey. The Xie family’s reputation in the village was already in tatters, yet she still went running over there willingly.

Aunt Zhang also shook her head. “That Jiang educated youth really knows how to stir up trouble. She’s lazy and won’t work, got herself shunned at the educated youth spot, and now she’s gone to the Xie family… I reckon it’ll be nothing but chaos over there too.”

Jiang Tian wasn’t worried; she was just there for the drama, so she was actually looking forward to seeing how Jiang Ying would clash with the Xie family.

Meanwhile, at a certain military district in the suburbs of the capital—

Lu Shiyue had just returned from a mission. When he saw the telegram, he immediately called his father down south to relay the news.

He then requested leave to return home and told his grandparents as well.

When old General Lu Zhenglin learned that his daughter had passed away, the grief hit him hard. But when he heard that he still had a granddaughter, and learned about her hardships, both he and his wife were distressed and wanted to go see her.

But Lu Shiyue quickly persuaded them otherwise. The telegram had already been delayed by a week when it reached him, and by now the northern province had already entered winter. The elderly couple, at their age, would have to transfer trains several times—too much trouble.

“Grandpa, Grandma, how about we wait until next year? When I get leave, I’ll go with you. That way it’ll be much easier.”

The elderly Lus had no choice but to agree.

“Alright then. For now, let’s prepare more things for our granddaughter and grandson. You run down to the post office and send them over.”

As for Jiang Er, the child Jiang Tian had taken in, they extended their love to him as well.

Grandma Lu said, “I remember Shili only brought one military coat with him. Send the other three we still have at home.”

Although they hadn’t met their granddaughter’s husband yet, Lu Shili had briefly described Xie Chen’s past. Since he was already married to their granddaughter, he was family too.

Listening to his grandparents naming every item with a share set aside for that “yet-unmet grandson-in-law,” Lu Shiyue couldn’t help feeling a little sour.

Next year, when he finally got leave, he was determined to go see this “brother-in-law” of his. If he turned out to be unreliable, he wouldn’t hesitate to break them apart.

At this very moment, Xie Chen was at home being fed by his wife, grinning ear to ear while holding a piece of paper.

That’s right—today Jiang Tian and the others had taken advantage of the clear weather to ride the donkey cart into town to get their marriage certificate.

In this era, “getting a marriage certificate” meant nothing more than receiving a single slip of paper.

The four of them even went to take several photos, though those wouldn’t be ready for a couple of days.

“What are you giggling at like a fool for?”

Of course Jiang Tian knew why, but she still couldn’t help teasing him.

It had been nearly two months since she transmigrated here, and the year was almost at its end—late December.

Each member of the household had changed significantly.

Xie Chen had visibly gained weight. After she had checked his pulse, she could tell he was almost fully recovered. He could now chop firewood and shovel snow without breaking into a cold sweat.

Little Ear had also grown taller—already taller than most six-year-olds.

His small face was no longer sallow; thanks to eating meals cooked with spring water every day, his skin had brightened, and his cheeks were now rosy.

Lu Shili, too, had grown stronger. With nothing else to do during the day, he would take Little Ear outside to practice archery, with Xie Chen joining in as well.

And Jiang Tian herself was gradually getting used to life here.

On the last day of December, the village distributed grain and meat.

Jiang Tian and Jiang Er went to collect their share, and Lu Shili tagged along for fun. The three went together.

Xie Chen stood at the door, watching them leave with puppy-dog eyes. Jiang Tian turned back to see him like that, laughed, and waved him back inside.

She secretly decided she’d cook something extra special for him in her space tonight to make up for it.

When they arrived, villagers were already lined up.

Although the three of them were near the end of the line, they still drew plenty of attention.

Food distribution day was when the whole village gathered, so this was Jiang Tian’s first public appearance before everyone.

“Is that Jiang Tian and her little brother? They look completely different now.”

“Of course they do. Didn’t you hear? She got better the day after her wedding. Then Lu educated youth came too. Word is, the first time they went to town, they came back loaded with supplies.”

“Not only that, they even set up a plastic greenhouse. A few of the village cadres have them at their homes now too.”

“If Jiang Tian’s lucky, then the unluckiest must be the Xie family. The day after she got married, they came mooching and ended up cutting ties. And now that her family’s come for her, well, they don’t get a share of that blessing.”

Those words hit Chen Meiling and Ma Yueying right in the heart. Both women felt sour, and after collecting their rations, they slunk away.

When it was Jiang Tian’s turn, the village chief handed her the food. She took one look and couldn’t help but shake her head.

Her and Little Ear’s yearly work points had earned very little.

Seeing that the meat portion wasn’t even enough for his sister to make one good pot of braised pork, Lu Shili asked the village chief if they could purchase some extra.

The village usually kept some reserves for emergencies, and if someone wanted to buy grain, that was fine. But there wasn’t any extra meat—only grain.

Following Jiang Tian’s suggestion, Lu Shili bought twenty jin of cornmeal and twenty jin of rice.

She planned to use the cornmeal to make big pancakes for the New Year’s iron pot stew.

As for the rice, it never hurt to have more. Especially since everyone’s appetite had noticeably grown lately.

Just as they were about to head home, the postman arrived.

“Which one of you is Comrade Lu Shili?”

Lu Shili turned. “That’s me.”

He presented his identification, and the postman handed him three oversized parcels.

“These are your packages.”

The moment he saw them, Lu Shili already knew who had sent them.

“Sis, these are from Grandpa. Let’s take them home.”

“Alright.”

If there was one thing Jiang Tian had loved most in her past life, it was opening deliveries.

The three of them carried the heavy packages home, each of them with their arms full, catching the eyes of those still lingering around.

“Tsk, tsk, look at those three big parcels, stuffed to the brim. That’s enviable.”

“What’s the point of envying? They’re not for you. Face it—you just don’t have that kind of luck.”

The educated youths were at the end of the line, so they saw everything clearly.

Wang Dayou couldn’t help clicking his tongue in envy, while Lin Muyu and Gu Zhenguo kept their expressions calm—but the longing in their eyes was unmistakable.

Jiang Ying’s eyes flashed with hatred. If Jiang Tian had just let her rent a room, she wouldn’t have been forced to move in with the Xie family.

The first day there was tolerable—at least there was meat and eggs. But by the second day, it was back to the same old misery.

Her meals were even worse than what they’d had at the educated youth spot, leaving her face pale and sallow.

Still, the kang bed was warm, so she grudgingly endured it.

As for Jiang Cheng, she had other thoughts. Lately, she’d gotten along well with Lin educated youth, but Jiang Cheng only wanted the best.

So, she was already plotting to find a chance to get close to Lu Shili.