Chapter 7 : Your love is worthless

Jiang Li immediately caught the enticing scent of chicken soup and darted out of bed. By the time she arrived, Jiang Changyi’s family was already seated at the dinner table. Without hesitation, Jiang Li plopped down, grabbed a large chicken drumstick, and began to devour it.

Old Mrs. Zhou’s eyes flared with anger, her heart aching as if each bite Jiang Li took pierced her chest. “Eat, eat, eat, like a ghost starving for food! Do you even think of the men in the family, the ones doing all the hard work? How dare you eat before them?”

Fuming, Old Mrs. Zhou snatched the remaining drumstick and offered it to Jiang Changyi. Yet Jiang Li paid her no mind, continuing to feast with apparent delight. Her appetite had soared since coming here, and the free-range chicken’s tender, savory meat melted in her mouth.

Watching her, Jiang Changyi spoke warmly, masking the manipulation in his tone. “Lizi, you’re of age now, and we’ve been thinking about your future. There’s a young man, a retired soldier with a good family background. Handsome too. If you marry him, you’ll live a life of ease.”

As he waxed lyrical about Qi Shaoqiang’s virtues, Wang Juhua’s face darkened. The better the marriage prospect sounded, the angrier she felt that it was being handed to Jiang Li instead of her own daughter, Hongmei.

“You must remember, Lizi,” Wang Juhua chimed in sharply, “your uncle is putting you before his own daughter. You’ll owe him your gratitude forever.”

Jiang Changyi waved dismissively, a counterfeit smile on his face. “Don’t say that. To me, Lizi and Hongmei are the same. I don’t need gratitude, just for you all to live well.”

He sighed theatrically, his eyes growing misty. “If, in the future, you can lend a hand to Tianci and Hongmei, I’ll die a happy man.”

Jiang Li maintained a façade of gratitude while mocking him inwardly. His supposed affection for her was an elaborate ruse to maintain appearances. The truth was evident: Jiang Changyi’s generosity was a strategic ploy to secure her obedience.

In the original story, Jiang Li, blinded by misplaced loyalty, married Zhuang Guoliang, and even after his success, the Jiang family continued exploiting her shamelessly. Not this time, she vowed.

“Uncle,” Jiang Li said softly, “a match this good should go to Sister Hongmei.”

The room fell silent. Wang Juhua’s eyes darted nervously, while Jiang Changyi faltered. “Hongmei… Well, she’s not as educated as you, and… she worries about fitting in with city folk. You’re a high school graduate, Lizi you’ll do just fine.”

“But wasn’t Sister Hongmei engaged to Qi Shaoqiang already? How could I possibly marry my cousin’s fiancé?” Jiang Li exclaimed, wide-eyed, feigning shock while pocketing a two-flour steamed bun.

“No, no, we’d make it clear,” Wang Juhua stammered, “that it’s Hongmei’s decision to step back. No one would misunderstand.”

“And tarnish her reputation for a lifetime?” Jiang Li’s timid voice now carried steely resolve. “I refuse. I won’t steal my cousin’s engagement. What will people say?”

Wang Juhua broke into a cold sweat. Jiang Li had cornered them perfectly. Desperate to defend Hongmei’s image, she could only grit her teeth. Jiang Changyi tried to defuse the tension with an insincere chuckle, but Jiang Li had already excused herself.

Once outside, Jiang Li strolled aimlessly, allowing the heated conversation to fade. The summer sun bore down on the village, but the streets were empty as the villagers took their midday rest. She paused under a tree by a stream, wiping sweat from her brow with a handkerchief, and mused about catching fish for an evening meal.

A loud, irritated male voice shattered the calm. “Jiang Li! Why don’t you want to marry me?”

Jiang Li glanced up, her brow furrowed in annoyance. Across the stream stood a tall man, his tattered clothes soaked in sweat. Pushing his bicycle to the side, he waded across the stream with determined strides.

“Who are you?” she asked, unimpressed.

The man froze momentarily, a mix of hurt and frustration on his face. “You don’t remember me? I’m Zhuang Guoliang! We sat together in elementary school.”

Recognition dawned on her face. “Oh, you’re the one who pulled my braids and threw mud at me every day? Why are you even here? Do you think we’re friends?”

Zhuang Guoliang’s expression darkened. “I was a kid! I didn’t know better. I’ve always liked you, Jiang Li. That’s why I acted that way.”

Jiang Li folded her arms. “You liked me? Then why didn’t you propose directly? Instead, you bullied me. And now you expect me to believe you care? You already have two kids and smell like a pigsty. Why should I marry you?”

Zhuang Guoliang flushed, his confidence faltering. “Those were mistakes. I didn’t love her, it just happened. But I love you. Always have.”

Jiang Li scoffed. “Love? You couldn’t control yourself, married someone else, and now you want to drag me into your mess? Keep your ‘love’ to yourself. It’s not worth my time.”

Zhuang Guoliang reached for her arm, desperation in his voice. “Jiang Li, please listen—”

She shoved him aside with a strength that stunned him. “People like you take kindness for weakness. Not anymore.” Without another word, she walked away, leaving him dumbfounded by the stream.