Chapter 3 My Life is Hard

After finishing speaking, An Ruoyan didn’t wait for a reply and went straight into the bedroom, leaving Shi Meijiao to stew in her frustration. Shi Meijiao stomped her feet angrily. Normally, the lethargic An Ruoyan always obeyed Huang Jinxiu, but this time, she refused to go break up with Zhou Shuchen.

Shi Meijiao thought about her previous life—after going to the countryside, unable to handle farm work, she had to marry a peasant. Because she never bore a son, by the time she was in her forties, her in-laws pressured her to have a child. Eventually, due to injury, she could no longer bear children. The in-laws blamed her for the family line ending and beat her to death in anger. Meanwhile, An Ruoyan married Zhou Shuchen, stayed in the city, never had children, was loved by her husband, adored by her in-laws, and eventually became the factory director’s wife. Shi Meijiao still remembered seeing An Ruoyan and Zhou Shuchen’s interview on TV the day she died.

How could she not hate her? She was supposed to be the heiress of the Shi family—her father was the deputy director of the steel factory. She should have married into the Zhou family; she and Zhou Shuchen were a match. In her past life, An Ruoyan, that scheming girl, stole her life and her marriage. This time, she wouldn’t let it happen.

Shaking off her thoughts, Shi Meijiao, eyes red, looked at Huang Jinxiu: “Ruoyan must be blaming me. Forget it, I’ll let her have Shuchen. Even though Shuchen loves me, I’ll persuade him to love Ruoyan too.”

Seeing Shi Meijiao’s pitiful expression, Huang Jinxiu felt heartbroken and comforted her: “Don’t think too much. Just focus on being with Zhou Shuchen. I’ll warn Ruoyan over there.”

Shi Meijiao said, “But Ruoyan met Shuchen first. She must think I’m stealing him.”

Huang Jinxiu’s voice suddenly rose: “It’s that brat’s fault for not keeping the man! How can she blame you? Don’t worry, tomorrow Mom will drag her to break up no matter what.”

Hearing this, Shi Qiang was even more pleased with his second wife and spoke up at the right moment: “Tomorrow I’ll sign An Ruoyan up for the countryside program. Alright, let’s eat.”

The three of them looked at the table, dumbfounded. Shi Qiang’s face darkened as he scolded Huang Jinxiu: “Petty, unfit for public appearances. I give you so much money a month, and you’re so stingy even when cooking.”

Huang Jinxiu looked at the empty plates with only soup left and felt wronged. Although Shi Qiang was deputy director, he only gave her thirty yuan a month, and they had to eat refined grains. If she didn’t budget carefully, not only could she not save, she might even have to pay for groceries herself! But she didn’t dare say this—she truly loved Shi Qiang and feared he would think she couldn’t manage a household and reject her. She quickly apologized and grabbed her bag to go buy groceries.

The house had poor sound insulation, so An Ruoyan couldn’t help but overhear their conversation. Rolling her eyes at them mentally, she thought about going to the countryside program—well, such a good opportunity, she certainly wouldn’t hog it for herself.

After resting in her space for the night, An Ruoyan got up early the next day. When she came out, Huang Jinxiu was cooking noodles. Peeking over, An Ruoyan said, “Add two more eggs.”

Huang Jinxiu couldn’t stand An Ruoyan. If she hadn’t eaten all the food yesterday, she wouldn’t have been scolded by Shi Qiang.

“Eat, eat, eat… always eating. Add more eggs? Do you deserve it? You, who can’t even control your husband’s money!”

An Ruoyan calmly stood there: “I don’t deserve it? And you do? You can’t even support your daughter and still dare to scold me!”

Huang Jinxiu had no retort and could only gasp angrily. Being a second wife wasn’t easy! Her daughter thought only of herself—she shouldn’t have given birth to this brat.

As the noodles were ready and brought to the table, Shi Qiang and his daughter came out, drawn by the smell—but still a step behind An Ruoyan. She had already taken the eggs from Shi Qiang and Shi Meijiao’s bowls into her own.

Shi Qiang’s expression wasn’t good, but with his status, he couldn’t say much.

Shi Meijiao, however, didn’t care: “Ruoyan, you’re so rude! Taking all the good stuff for yourself, what about Mom and Dad? Dad works to support the family, Mom manages the house. You’re so inconsiderate!”

“Hmph… if you’re sensible, be more sensible and stop whining.”

Shi Meijiao was shocked—An Ruoyan actually spoke to her this way: “How dare you talk to me like that? I’m your elder sister!”

“You’re my elder sister? My dad only gave birth to me.”

“You… you’re so vulgar.”

“Stop talking. You just wanted the eggs, and I refused.”

Shi Meijiao angrily reached for An Ruoyan’s bowl to take some. Quick as a flash, An Ruoyan scooped eggs and made spitting sounds into her own bowl. Shi Meijiao nearly vomited: “You’re disgusting! Where’s your femininity?”

An Ruoyan didn’t answer, just put the eggs into Shi Meijiao’s bowl: “Here, you wanted some, right? I’ll give it to you.”

Shi Meijiao ran off without breakfast, forgetting to ask when An Ruoyan would go see Zhou Shuchen.

“Tsk, tsk, not eating? Such a waste, so inconsiderate,” Shi Qiang said, frustrated at the spectacle. He cleared his throat: “Another batch is going to the countryside soon. You don’t have a job, so I plan to sign you up.”

An Ruoyan nodded: “Fine! I don’t need you; I’ll sign up myself.”

“Mm…” Shi Qiang verbally agreed but still worried, so before leaving for work, he reminded Huang Jinxiu to watch over her.

As soon as Shi Qiang left, Huang Jinxiu urged An Ruoyan to get out and do her business. An Ruoyan, eyes still closed, leaned on the sofa.

Anxious, Huang Jinxiu buzzed around like ants on a hot pan, afraid An Ruoyan would back out, causing Shi Qiang to be angry again—after all, she had worked so hard to appease him last night.

Just as Huang Jinxiu was about to smash something in frustration, An Ruoyan stood up: “What are you staring at? Is your brain broken?”

Huang Jinxiu hurried after her, and the two went to the youth office to sign her up for the countryside program. Huang Jinxiu cruelly registered An Ruoyan to go to the Northeast.

An Ruoyan glanced at it, indifferent. She had her space with a supermarket—food and warmth weren’t an issue. She didn’t know if the two people going with her would suffer, but she’d think about that later. She also had to figure out how to bring them along, since she was leaving for the countryside the day after tomorrow. Huang Jinxiu was far too eager.

The youth office staff looked at Huang Jinxiu several times: “Are you sure you want the child to leave the day after tomorrow? There’s barely any time to prepare.”