Chapter 45

Jiang Ruan visited Cheng Chunying’s body. It looked peaceful, as if she had anticipated this ending.

The Lu family was despicable. They hid Lu Zaiqiang and claimed they didn’t know his whereabouts. Currently, he was on the run and wanted by the authorities.

After Cheng Chunying’s death, a note with the village committee’s stamp was found among her belongings, revealing the truth, Xun Li had not exploited the price of eels in Dawang Village. As a result, no buyers were willing to purchase the Cheng family’s eels, not even at a low price. The 200-plus pounds of eels remained unsold.

The Cheng family tried to stir up trouble in the city, making a lot of noise initially, but suddenly they quieted down. They claimed that Cheng Chunying had accidentally fallen and hit her head, and decided to drop the case. Meanwhile, the Lu family was working hard behind the scenes, even asking the Cheng family to sign a letter of forgiveness.

Only Cheng Xinwang and his mother mourned Cheng Chunying’s death, utterly devastated. They refused to sign the letter.

Uncle Cheng argued, “Xinwang, the dead are gone, but the living need to continue. There’s over 200 pounds of unsold eels, and we can’t continue the eel business in the future. If we sign the letter, the Lu family is offering 500 yuan. Why not take the money?”

“Why not?” Cheng Xinwang retorted angrily. He wanted Lu Zaiqiang to pay with his life for the murder. He glared at his father and said, “Dad, if you dare to sign it, then I won’t acknowledge you as my father anymore.”

“Xinwang, your uncle is right. This was your sister’s own fault. After marriage, she should have followed her husband’s wishes. Not only did she refuse to have children and continue the family line, but she also kept coming home for support. If she hadn’t gone to the police, your brother-in-law wouldn’t have beaten her so severely. Actions have consequences, you can’t entirely blame your brother-in-law.”

If there was any blame, it was the Cheng family’s corruption at its core. It all began with their initial report against Xun Li, which ultimately led to his sister’s tragedy.

Disappointed beyond measure with his father, Cheng Xinwang realized that his sister had already seen through it all. That’s why she had told him to help their mother leave and get a divorce once he was capable enough.

A heated argument broke out within the family. Cheng Xinwang even struck his uncle and was beaten by his father in return. His mother, trying to protect him, was also hit. In the end, the Cheng family kicked him and his mother out, threatening to remove them from the family registry. Surprisingly, this was exactly the result Cheng Xinwang had been hoping for.

With no place to stay in Dawang Village, Cheng Xinwang was afraid his mother might fall into despair. Kneeling, he pleaded, “Mom, Sister may have foreseen the outcome. She didn’t want Lu Zaiqiang to kill us after the divorce, and she didn’t want us to carry the burden of having a murderer in the family. That’s why she chose to die with him, ensuring he would spend the rest of his life in prison. When she came home yesterday, she told me to take you away. Mom, this is all I have to hold on to now. Please, don’t do anything foolish. Otherwise, I don’t know what the meaning of life would be.”

His mother cried uncontrollably but eventually regained her composure. Together, they went to the city to arrange Cheng Chunying’s funeral.

Xun Li was released and informed Jiang Ruan that he could continue the eel business for about another month. He transferred control of the four villages he managed to her, ensuring that whatever she purchased could be sold at the collection station.

Jiang Ruan and Qin Ao kept busy buying eggs and eels. Overwhelmed, Jiang Ruan invited Cheng Xinwang to help, paying him five yuan per day.

Before leaving, Cheng Xinwang asked, “Last time, I overheard you on the phone. You suspected that the anonymous letter Lu Zaiqiang received was written by Mu Xuehui. How did your boyfriend confirm it was her?”

Jiang Ruan sternly replied, “Don’t speak carelessly. We’ve already gotten too involved in your family’s matters. Do you want us to make enemies for you?”

Cheng Xinwang quickly clarified, “That’s not what I meant. I’m just really curious and want to get justice for my sister. What business was it of that informant whether my sister had children or not?”

If Jiang Ruan mentioned Mu Xuehui, she would have to bring up Qin Yan, and she wasn’t willing to get Qin Yan involved. Besides, his suspicion was only a guess.

After some thought, she decided that any revenge was ultimately Cheng Xinwang’s responsibility. “Yes, it really was none of their business. If you want justice for your sister, you should find out who it was.”

Seeing her unwillingness to divulge any more information, Cheng Xinwang respected her discretion. Perhaps Jiang Ruan lacked concrete evidence and didn’t want to wrongly accuse anyone, even if they had a grudge. He found this quality admirable.

He then asked, “After the eels are sold, what’s your plan?”

Jiang Ruan replied, “I’ll continue collecting whatever I can. I can’t just sit around doing nothing. I want to earn a lot of money to support Brother Qin Yan, to make sure he has the best of everything.”

Cheng Xinwang was taken aback. “But you’re a girl. Why would you go to such lengths?”

Jiang Ruan sighed, “Brother Qin Yan is going to college, and the gap between us is getting wider. I realized that I can’t bridge the cultural gap between us, so I’ll just make a lot of money and secure my position in the family.”

Cheng Xinwang commented, “But what if he doesn’t need you to support him? Money can’t sustain a relationship.”

Jiang Ruan shrugged, “Then there’s no choice. I’d just have to support someone else.”

Just then, Cheng Xinwang pointed behind her and said, “Your boyfriend is here.”

Jiang Ruan turned around to see Qin Yan, who had just arrived. She was overjoyed. “Brother Qin Yan, I was just about to finish selling the eels, go home, take a bath, and come find you.”

Eels have a distinct fishy smell, and after handling so many of them all day, Jiang Ruan felt she had absorbed the odor herself.

Qin Yan didn’t mind. He smiled and said, “If I didn’t come, you’d be taking care of someone else.”

Jiang Ruan replied, “Don’t worry, as long as you don’t run away, I won’t look after anyone else.”

Cheng Xinwang felt embarrassed listening to them and soon left to meet Xun Li, as they had arranged.

Xun Li was watching a small eatery across the street that was being renovated to sell pickled fish, his expression inscrutable.

Cheng Xinwang lowered his head in frustration. “Brother Li, I couldn’t find out if the anonymous letter was written by Mu Xuehui. Jiang Ruan wouldn’t tell me, and maybe she really doesn’t know.”

“Then we’ll investigate ourselves,” Xun Li said. “I’ve been to prison. I won’t accuse anyone without solid evidence. But Mu Xuehui is highly suspicious. I don’t believe her claim about having a dream.”

Cheng Xinwang agreed, “If she could really dream about things, then why didn’t she foresee you being reported or my sister being abused? She’s just a liar.”

Xun Li had two letters, one of which was a copy of the anonymous report accusing him of exploiting the villagers. The handwriting on both letters matched, and it was written with the left hand.

“Whoever informed on your sister and reported me is the same person,” Xun Li explained. “Mu Xuehui is the prime suspect. I rejected her once, and if she’s the one who reported me, she’ll be cautious around me. That’s why I can’t approach her directly.”

He added, “I’m not helping you because of your sister. I need you to get close to Mu Xuehui and find out her secrets. Are you truly willing?”

Cheng Xinwang replied, “I’m willing, but how do I get close to her?”

Xun Li pointed to the pickled fish shop across the street. “The compensation she received for the chicken plague has already been spent. The renovation has stalled because she’s out of money. You need to make some money first, then find a way to approach her.”

Indeed, Mu Xuehui was short on funds. She went home to ask her father for money to continue renovating the pickled fish shop. Her stepmother, Shen Yuzhen, offered 200 yuan and urged Mu Yongwang, “The child is ambitious, and we should support her. I have over 200 yuan here. Let’s pool it together.”

Mu Yongwang asked, puzzled, “You only ask for living expenses each month. Where did this money come from?”

Shen Yuzhen, with her hands pale and wrinkled from soaking, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said warmly, “Da Bao and Xiao Bao don’t need new backpacks this year, the old ones can still be patched up and used. I saved some money there. With the kids at school during the day, I had time to work at a restaurant washing dishes. I could earn a little extra. Huihui’s shop is a big deal, and we need to hurry with the renovation, or the rent will be wasted.”

Mu Yongwang felt a pang of heartache. “I’m a department head, and yet my wife has to wash dishes? Let’s go now, and I’ll help you quit the part-time job.”

“But about Huihui’s shop…”

“She should just focus on her studies and wait for job placement. Why bother with running a business?” Mu Yongwang shook his head.

The last time Huihui wanted to open a braised chicken shop, Mu Yongwang gave her two thousand yuan from his savings, and her birth mother also contributed two thousand. That was quite a bit, more than enough to support her dream. But in just over a month, she had used it all up. This time, he wasn’t going to indulge her again.

“Huihui, I’ve already supported your ambitions. You have two younger brothers, and I’ve done my duty as a father. You’re a college student now, you can’t keep asking the family to bear the burden.”

Mu Xuehui felt dizzy with anger. In her previous life, her father had remarried Qin Yan’s mother and had gone all out to support her. But now, in this life, after marrying Shen Yuzhen, he treated the stepchildren like his own flesh and blood.

Even though she was furious, she had to swallow her pride. Grabbing the 200 yuan that her stepmother had offered, she said, “Dad, then I’ll go ask Mom.”

“Your mother is pregnant. The two thousand she gave you before already exhausted her and your stepfather’s savings. If you’re sensible, you won’t ask them for the little money they need for baby formula.”

Mu Xuehui staggered, then regained her balance. “Why didn’t Mom tell me?”

“I happened to see her during a prenatal checkup. She probably didn’t want to upset you. She was planning to tell you later. Huihui, if you don’t bring up money, I wouldn’t have told you either. You need to understand your mom’s situation, it’s your stepfather’s first child. Don’t bother them right now.”

Shen Yuzhen sneered inwardly. This stepdaughter seemed a bit selfish. When she heard that her mother had remarried and was pregnant, her expression became frighteningly resentful. What a terrifying child.

…

When Mu Xuehui was at her wits’ end, Han Qingqing came to see her. Han had visible wounds on her face that hadn’t fully healed. It was said that she and her mother had been beaten by relatives at her ex-brother-in-law’s engagement party when they tried to stop it.

Normally, Han Qingqing wouldn’t go out in public with her injuries, but she had good news to share with Mu Xuehui.

“My brother-in-law earned some money in Pengcheng,” she said excitedly. “I told him your restaurant needed funding, and he immediately lent me two thousand yuan to invest as a partner. We can run the business together. What do you think?”

Mu Xuehui didn’t want to agree. Initially, Han Qingqing had been her employee, and now she was about to become her business partner. The thought made her uneasy. But given her dire need for money, it didn’t matter who the investor was, as long as there was money, it was fine.

For the sour fish restaurant, a stable supply of fish was needed. Black carp, known for its few bones and lack of muddy taste, was ideal, but large ones were hard to find.

At the market, Mu Xuehui happened to see Cheng Xinwang selling fish from a reservoir, including a tub of lively black carp.

“Can I buy all your black carp? Do you deliver?” she asked, stepping forward.

Cheng Xinwang’s eyelids twitched slightly as he quickly put on a friendly smile. “Of course! Just tell me where you need them delivered.”

…

When the sour fish shop reopened, Mu Xuehui couldn’t be there because of her classes. Han Qingqing, now an investor, had her mother and older sister, Jiang Jianchun, help out in the kitchen.

Jiang Ruan had arranged to meet Qin Yan for lunch at the school gate and noticed that the previous braised chicken shop had reopened as a sour fish restaurant.

Curious to try something new, she asked, “Qin Yan, would you mind if we had sour fish today?”

Qin Yan had been curious to taste the food at Mu Xuehui’s shop. “Sure, let’s go for sour fish,” he replied.

They ordered a large, medium-spicy pot of sour fish. Qin Yan, who wasn’t much of a spicy food eater, only had a few bites before putting down his chopsticks to watch Jiang Ruan eat.

The food was decent, but sour fish was a dish that any competent chef could easily replicate and modify, spreading across the streets. It lacked competitive edge, but with consistent effort, the business could be more profitable than working a regular job.

The shop filled up quickly. One of Qin Yan’s roommates arrived with his girlfriend, looking for a table. Seeing that Qin Yan’s table had two empty seats, they asked if they could share.

Jiang Ruan wanted to continue her conversation with Qin Yan, but she knew better. The table belonged to the restaurant, and it was originally meant for four people. There was no reasonable excuse to refuse, especially to Qin Yan’s roommate.

She scooted over to make space.

Qin Yan wasn’t thrilled. There were other four-person tables they could have joined, but his roommate had chosen theirs at his girlfriend’s insistence.

With a neutral expression, he introduced them to Jiang Ruan. “This is Xu Zhongjin, and his girlfriend, Lu Sijing.”

The name Lu reminded Jiang Ruan of Lu Zaiqiang, the man who killed his wife and fled. Although they shared the same surname, it didn’t necessarily mean they were related.

Xu Zhongjin ordered a non-spicy dish to suit his girlfriend’s taste but glanced longingly at the medium-spicy fish with dried chili peppers. It seemed he enjoyed spicy food, too.

Lu Sijing, on the other hand, scrutinized Jiang Ruan’s flawless complexion, hoping to spot some flaw but found none.

She had once liked Qin Yan, who was not only a top scorer in the college entrance exams but also handsome, tall, and cheerful. However, she found out before enrolling that Qin Yan was already engaged. Reluctantly, she settled for Xu Zhongjin, whose family was well-off and who was a local, but he was still no match for Qin Yan.

This left her feeling a bit disappointed.

Xu Zhongjin couldn’t help comparing Qin Yan’s fiancée with his own girlfriend. While his girlfriend was attractive, Qin Yan’s fiancée had a pure and sweet look, her eyes untainted by the world. There was no comparison.

However, Xu Zhongjin knew not to speak ill of others, especially in front of them. Yet Lu Sijing brought it up, saying, “Qin Yan, your girlfriend is so young. Isn’t she going to continue her studies?”

Before Qin Yan could respond, Jiang Ruan jumped in. “Everyone has their strengths. You’re good at studying, so keep it up. I’m good at other things, and I already have a goal. I won’t necessarily be any worse off than you in the future.”

Realizing that Qin Yan had the capacity to make people uncomfortable without showing it, Xu Zhongjin quickly changed the topic.

He asked Lu Sijing, “About that fugitive who killed his wife, Lu Zaiqiang… does your family have any connection to him? That could be a problem if a background check is required for government jobs.”

Lu Sijing frowned. “Don’t even mention that person. He used to call my dad ‘Uncle,’ but they’re not real relatives—just distant acquaintances.”

“That’s good to know. You should make sure your family cuts ties with them.”

“Of course. His family has even tried to ask my dad to pull some strings for a lighter sentence, like a bunch of flies. It’s annoying, and who knows where he’s hiding?”

Catching Lu Sijing deep in thought, Qin Yan began recalling his previous life. After graduation, Lu Sijing couldn’t enter public service due to her grandfather’s corruption charges. She ended up working at Qin Yan’s fledgling company and soon developed feelings for its grim and brooding boss.

However, when she saw no future with Qin Yan, she attempted to sabotage his company and steal the entire business.

At the time, Qin Yan had done some investigating and found out that Lu Sijing’s grandfather had fathered a son with a child bride before the Revolution. That son later had a child, Lu Zaiqiang, making Lu Sijing and Lu Zaiqiang first cousins.

Her father, lacking a son, had treated Lu Zaiqiang as a favored nephew.

Could it be that Lu Zaiqiang was being sheltered by Lu Sijing’s family, while they put on a show of distancing themselves?

While pondering this, Han Qingqing brought over a complimentary cold dish, timidly asking Jiang Ruan, “Can I go home tomorrow for my mom’s birthday?”

Tomorrow is Jiang Ruan’s biological mother, Qian Suwen’s, birthday. Feeling annoyed with Han Qingqing, Jiang Ruan said, “Are you asking just to make me look unfilial?”

Han Qingqing’s face flushed red, and she bit her lip. “Why would you think that? Mom raised me for over ten years, and I really do want to go back and celebrate her birthday.”

It was the first day of business, and the restaurant was packed. Jiang Ruan rarely came to this area, but it was near Qin Yan’s school.

She didn’t want Qin Yan to step out of the school only to hear gossip about his girlfriend’s questionable behavior. Especially with classmates around today, things needed to be kept clear and proper.

Jiang Ruan replied, “The way you’re asking is really out of line. Why don’t you tell everyone how we were swapped as children? I suffered while you enjoyed the life that should have been mine. The ‘mom’ you’re referring to is now my aunt by marriage, and I’ve already been legally adopted out. She hasn’t invited me for her birthday, so I don’t even know if I’m going. If you want to visit your adoptive mother, then go ahead. Why pretend to ask for my permission?”