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Back then, Grandpa Lin arranged this engagement for Lin Qingmei because he wanted her to have a good husband’s family—someone who would take care of her after he and Grandma passed away.
He never expected the Cheng family to be so snobbish. After his death, they immediately distanced themselves from the Lin family.
To preserve their reputation, the Chengs planned to string Lin Qingmei along. Then, when she was ready to marry, they could flip the situation and accuse her of breaking the engagement and being disloyal.
Too bad for them, they encountered Lin Qingmei—who didn’t give a damn about her reputation. There was no way she’d let herself be stuck with such an ugly fiancé.
Lin Qingmei was a sucker for good looks. Someone like Cheng Youjin, with such a forgettable face, could never catch her eye—not even if her life depended on it.
Now that he and Lin Qinghua had taken a liking to each other, it was the perfect excuse for her to call it off. Two disgusting people belonged together—how convenient!
Lin Qingmei happily returned home with the jade pendant in hand, while Cheng Youjin stood there looking anything but pleased.
He had long considered that jade pendant to be as good as his, yet Lin Qingmei had snatched it away so quickly.
“Youjin-ge, are you okay? Qingmei-jie must’ve misunderstood our relationship. Maybe I should go talk to her and explain everything,” Lin Qinghua said sweetly, pretending concern while secretly adding fuel to the fire. Now that Cheng Youjin and Lin Qingmei had fallen out, it was the perfect chance to lock him down.
Cheng Youjin’s parents were both salaried workers, and their income wasn’t low. It was a great match, and she was determined to grab it.
“Qinghua, you’re just too kind. Now that I’ve broken off the engagement with Lin Qingmei, we can be together openly.”
“Youjin-ge, I don’t mind being wronged. I know I shouldn’t love someone I shouldn’t, but the moment I first saw you, I fell for you. But you were Qingmei-jie’s fiancé, so I tried to suppress my feelings. I know it’s wrong, but I love you too much… Youjin-ge, do you hate me for that?”
“How could I! I like girls like you—kind and sensible. You’re way better than Lin Qingmei. A girl like her doesn’t deserve love. She’s better off marrying a mud-legged peasant and working in the fields every day.”
“Youjin-ge, you’re so good to me~”
Seeing that Cheng Youjin was about to pull Lin Qinghua into his arms, Li Chun’ya finally spoke up to stop them:
“Ahem ahem! What do you two think you’re doing? Hugging and cuddling in broad daylight? Have you no shame?”
Li Chun’ya had originally planned to keep quiet. Her granddaughter stealing Lin Qingmei’s engagement was satisfying, but she didn’t get along with Lin Qinghua’s mother.
Her eldest daughter-in-law (Lin Qinghua’s mother) had always been domineering at home, using the excuse that she gave birth to the eldest grandson. If Lin Qinghua also married well, then she and her husband would completely lose their status in the family.
“Youjin-ge, this is my grandma.”
“Oh, hello Grandma Lin. I’m Qinghua’s… fiancé—Cheng Youjin.”
“Hmm. Qinghua, let’s go. The accounting exam is about to start.”
Li Chun’ya nodded politely at Cheng Youjin.
“Then go do your exam, Qinghua. I’ll head off now. Let’s meet at the movie theater tomorrow at noon—my treat.”
Cheng Youjin had mainly come to Linjiawan today to break off the engagement with Lin Qingmei. Now that the matter was settled, he headed home.
There were about a dozen people who came to take the accounting exam that day, plus a bunch of onlookers, crowding the entrance of the brigade office.
“Did you hear? That Lin Qingmei girl signed up for the exam today. Her grades are so good—no doubt the accountant position will go to her.”
“My son Jianguo gave up on the exam the moment he found out Lin Qingmei was taking it. They were classmates for years.”
“Well, your Jianguo never once beat her in exams anyway. No wonder he doesn’t want to compete with her for such a good position. But it’s true—Qingmei’s got a sharp mind. If the college entrance exam hadn’t been canceled, she’d definitely be the first university student from Linjiawan.”
“Good grades don’t mean you’re good with numbers. Accounting requires attention to detail. My Qinghua is perfect for that role,” grumbled Li Chun’ya, clearly annoyed at everyone praising Lin Qingmei. So what if she was an orphan? Was it necessary for the whole village to flatter her?
“Li Granny, are you dreaming? Your Qinghua’s grades aren’t even as good as my son’s, and you have the nerve to say she’s fit to be an accountant?”
“Yeah! Everyone here has eyes—we know what’s what.”
“Aunties, uncles, grandpas, and grannies, please don’t listen to my grandma’s nonsense. I just want to give it a try. Whether I pass or not is another matter,” said Lin Qinghua, bowing politely.
Even though she was boiling with rage inside, she had to keep up appearances. Aside from the teacher from County No.1 High School, today’s exam was also being supervised by the commune’s leadership.
She had acted sweet and sensible for so long—she couldn’t let it all go to waste because of gossip.
“Now that’s a good girl,” the widow Huang sneered. “Unlike your grandma, who’s just out of control.”
Huang Widow had always been at odds with Li Chun’ya, and seeing her get scolded now was too tempting not to pile on.
“You shut up, Widow Huang! One more word and I’ll rip your mouth apart!”
Li Chun’ya was trembling with rage. If Lin Qinghua hadn’t held her back, she would’ve rushed over to scratch her face.
“You wanna come at me? Come on, who’s afraid of you? You’re just a narrow-minded shrew. Your whole family’s shameless. Third Aunt was always so good to you people. Now that she’s barely passed, you’re already scheming to take her house and even trying to marry off Qingmei to just anyone! Pah! Your family’s hearts are black. The old ones are trying to steal Qingmei’s house, and the young ones are stealing her fiancé…”
Widow Huang let loose a torrent of curses—deliberately trying to provoke Li Chun’ya into hitting her. That way, she’d achieve her goal.
The exam was about to start, and that person should be arriving soon. If he saw her in such a miserable state, he would definitely take her away from this awful place.
No one liked her here. Living in this village was worse than death.
“You… you’re full of crap! When did I ever try to take my brother-in-law’s house? Stop spreading lies! And my Qinghua doesn’t even know Lin Qingmei’s fiancé—don’t you dare slander her!”
“Oh? Then swear it. Swear to the heavens that if any of your family covets Lin Qingmei’s house, your younger son will drown at sea next time he goes fishing.”
They say no one knows you better than your enemies. Widow Huang had been sparring with Li Chun’ya for years—she knew exactly who she cherished most.
Having her swear on her younger son’s life? No way she’d dare.
“You wanna die? Widow Huang, you wretched old hag—I’ll rip your mouth apart!”
Consumed with hatred, Li Chun’ya shook off Lin Qinghua’s hand and lunged at her.