Chapter 42

No one expected Li Aimei to be so determined. 

Xisheng’s mother was confused, but neither side was willing to give in. Divorce often becomes a matter of stubbornness. The second divorce is believed to lead to decline, and the third to exhaustion.

As both sides were adamant, Xisheng, who lacked opinions, could only beg.

The team leader wanted to mediate but was an outsider. He felt that Xisheng and his mother were not handling the situation well. Though Li Aimei was a woman, she was good at work, unlike Xisheng, who only had brute strength. He pretended not to see how his wife was being mistreated.

The village’s reputation was being harmed by the old woman’s actions. It was uncommon to see a daughter-in-law abused like this.

The team leader thought that after the divorce, Xisheng would struggle to find a good wife because of his mother’s bad reputation. He might even ask Li Aimei to come back.

Pei Shengcai agreed with this view. Jiang Xi asked Jiang Yu to bring a pen and paper to write a divorce certificate.

Divorce these days only requires a certificate in duplicate.

However, an issue arose: Xisheng’s mother insisted that Li Aimei return the original betrothal gift: “If you don’t return it, I won’t divorce you! Why should you leave after taking my betrothal gift?”

Li Aimei was angry but couldn’t argue back. The betrothal gift had been used up by her family long ago.

But she was determined to divorce. She was excited at the thought of leaving such a family, so she was anxious about the situation.

Jiang Xi suggested, “How about converting all the work points, laundry, and cooking Li Aimei has done for your family into money, then subtracting what she has spent, and checking if it’s enough to cover the betrothal gift?”

Li Aimei was surprised but grateful, agreeing that she deserved compensation for years of hard work.

Pei Shengcai was pleased and agreed. He remembered that during their eight years of marriage, Li Aimei earned only eight work points in most years, and up to ten work points during busy farming seasons.

Xisheng mother: “!”

She was shocked: “How can this be calculated?”

Jiang Xi smiled: “Why not? Aren’t you getting a divorce? You have to return the betrothal gift, and of course, you need to compensate for what Li Aimei has done in your house. Unless you want her to work for you for eight years doing laundry, cooking, and cleaning, it wouldn’t be fair, right?!”

“You! You are talking nonsense!” Xisheng’s mother stamped her feet in frustration.

But the team leader continued calculating with great interest. He found out that the original betrothal gift was only 80 yuan. Even if we subtract the cost of food and daily necessities for Li Aimei, the work she has done over the years is worth much more than 80 yuan.

Not to mention she did laundry, cooking, and chopping wood every day. These tasks are hard to calculate in money terms right now, but hiring someone to do this work would cost much more than 10 yuan a month.

“Forget it, forget it!” When Xisheng’s mother heard the result, she rushed to stop it.

Li Aimei smiled through her tears. For the first time, someone had clearly counted her contributions, showing her that she hadn’t lived for free!

After eight years of marriage, Xisheng’s mother had often mentioned the 80 yuan dowry, insisting she had spent that amount and Li Aimei should work for them for life without complaint. Li Aimei had believed it.

Now, realizing that she didn’t owe them anything and that they actually owed her, she felt a sense of liberation. This divorce was the right decision.

Xisheng’s mother tried to halt the process, but Pei Shengcai looked at Li Aimei for her opinion. As the person involved, her choice mattered most.

Li Aimei glanced at her mother-in-law and her husband, then nodded calmly: “That’s fine.”

She knew continuing to argue was pointless. The mother and son would not pay any more, so agreeing to the divorce was enough.

Xisheng’s mother was relieved and urged the team leader to finish the divorce certificate quickly, fearing it would be too late. Jiang Xi then suggested something to Li Aimei.

The divorce certificate, in triplicate, meant one copy for the team leader, and one for each party.

The process was unexpectedly quick and easy. 

Xisheng’s mother anxiously shouted: “Then get out of here quickly!”

Xisheng tried to intervene but was silenced by his mother. He followed her, obedient and quiet.

Li Aimei felt a bit nervous. The divorce was final, and she worried she might become homeless. Although she didn’t regret her decision, the reality of it was daunting.

At this moment, Jiang Xi, who had been observing silently, stepped forward and said, “Pack your things and come over here.”

Li Aimei was surprised. Was something wrong?

But Jiang Xi said nothing more.

Li Aimei decided to pack her belongings quickly, worried her things might be thrown out by her mother-in-law.

_

After everyone left, the yard was empty.

“This is a poor child,” Pei’s mother sighed.

Jiang Xi nodded, “But she won’t have a bad life.”

Li Aimei is strong and capable, earning eight work points, showing her ability to support herself. The only issue is how others will perceive her. Without Xisheng and his mother, she will likely live better.

Pei’s mother, a traditional woman, worried about the gossip that might follow the divorce. She thought everyone would soon know and might say unpleasant things.

However, she also knew times had changed, and a woman could survive well without a man.

“I hope so,” said Pei’s mother.

Just then, her daughter-in-law said, “Mom, I want her to live in the room over there. Is that okay?”

Mother Pei was surprised: “You want to take her in?”

Jiang Xi smiled and said, “Li Aimei might have talent in this work. She helped me with drying herbs and picking them before. She remembered their names and uses. I want to take her as my apprentice so she can support herself in the future.”

Mother Pei hesitated, but Jiang Xi tugged at her sleeve and said, “Mom, I’m not a soft touch. I won’t be responsible for her food and drink. She will handle that herself. I’ll only lend her a pot for a while. Don’t worry about it.”

Seeing Jiang Xi’s pleading expression, Mother Pei reluctantly agreed: “Do whatever you want.”

Even if the house is small, doing a good deed can bring blessings.

“Thank you, Mom! You are so kind!” Jiang Xi was delighted.

_

With fewer patients recently, Jiang Xi went back to her room. Pei Hejun, who couldn’t walk yet, was reading a book in bed. His eyes brightened when he saw her.

Jiang Xi asked, “Do you need to go to the bathroom?”

Pei Hejun could now control himself, except for the first two days when he had trouble. He just needed help to get to the toilet.

Since Jiang Xi couldn’t manage it and Pei Zhong was also a patient, she would ride her bike to find Pei Deyi, who would take Pei Hejun to the toilet, while Jiang Xi walked behind him.

It was inconvenient, but better than before. At least Pei Deyi could address the issue with money, but money couldn’t solve problems like washing dirty clothes and mattresses.

The house became cleaner, and Jiang Xi no longer needed to secretly fumigate it.

The only downside is that she can’t claim the mission rewards openly!

Jiang Xi now subconsciously thought that Pei Hejun might need to go to the toilet when he looked at her. 

But when she asked, Pei Hejun, who was half lying on the bed, was silent for a moment and shook his head: “No.”

He looked down at his legs, which were still weak and powerless, feeling sad. He realized that these were the only traces he had left in Jiang Xi’s heart. He had just felt happy seeing her and wanted to talk to her.

Jiang Xi, being straightforward, didn’t take it too seriously. She squatted down, pulled out a box from under the bed, and found a large piece of coarse cloth and a mat. 

She took these items and went outside to the pharmacy.

The pharmacy was a room converted from the Pei family’s house. Despite having two doors, the space was still quite large. There was a large medicine cabinet against the wall, and some sundries were placed there, leaving a lot of space. Jiang Xi laid out the mat, covered it with worn cotton wool, and finally placed the coarse cloth on top.

A simple bed was set up.

Jiang Xi worked slowly, and by the time she finished, Pei’s mother called out from the yard: “Xiaoxi, Ai Mei is here.”

“I know,” Jiang Xi replied, hurrying outside. She saw Li Aimei, who looked a bit disheveled after the divorce. It was normal for her to be like this, given Xisheng’s mother’s temper and how she might have packed her belongings.

Li Aimei smiled awkwardly, showing a mix of anxiety and hope.

Jiang Xi smiled and waved: “I have something to ask you.”

Li Aimei was puzzled: “What’s the matter?”

Jiang Xi explained, “After the busy farming season, I’ll also be busy. My two younger sisters used to help me, but now they have to go to school. I want to ask if you would help me. When you learn to treat patients, the work points you earn will be yours. You don’t have to work full time. You can work during the farming season and come here when you have a break.”

Li Aimei was surprised: “You want me to help you?!”

Jiang Xi nodded: “You are now registered in the Sixth Brigade. With the autumn harvest just passed, it’s better to stay here than to leave and struggle. You can ask the captain for help; he has a lot of influence now. Stay here and live in this room,” she pointed to the room she had just cleaned up. “But let me make it clear: I will only provide you with a place to stay. You need to earn your own food. I can lend you some things for now.”

Li Aimei was silent, knowing that Jiang Xi was offering her help.

She had heard that people in the village wanted to send their children to Jiang Xi to learn a skill, but since Jiang Xi preferred girls, no one had sent their child. Those who were willing were waiting and watching, while those who were reluctant thought it was not worth the investment, as becoming a disciple required both a gift and sending the child to work.

Li Aimei didn’t expect to get such an opportunity.

“Don’t you want to?” Jiang Xi pretended to be annoyed and crossed her arms. “I’m thinking of studying in September and need someone to help me.”

Li Aimei was about to respond but felt choked up, her throat tight with emotion. She could only nod vigorously, tears falling onto the ground.

After a moment, she said, “I’m afraid I might embarrass you here…”

“It’s okay. I’ve told my parents. Once the door is closed, no one will be disturbed,” Jiang Xi reassured her with a smile and let her in. “You can stay here temporarily. I’ll find some wooden planks in a few days to make a proper bed.”

“No, no, this is fine!” Li Aimei shook her head, looking at the large, new piece of coarse cloth on the ground. She picked it up, folded it carefully, and handed it to Jiang Xi. “I can’t use such a good thing. You keep it. I have a bed sheet here.”

She revealed a bed sheet, which was old and patched but still usable. She spread it out, patted it, and put some clothes on one end to use as a pillow. Looking up at Jiang Xi with bright eyes, she said, “Thank you, Doctor Jiang. I will work very hard for you!”

Jiang Xi quickly waved her hand: “No, no, this is not a big favor to me.”

Li Aimei smiled but didn’t take her words seriously. To her, Jiang Xi’s kindness was a huge favor.

Jiang Xi said, “Go tell the captain. You’re a great worker, and he will definitely let you stay.”

Li Aimei nodded with tears in her eyes and left through another door leading to the clinic. If she stayed here, she would disturb the Pei family, but she really had nowhere else to go. She worried that returning to her parents’ home might lead to another forced marriage, making her situation worse.

So she reluctantly accepted Jiang Xi’s kindness.