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◎The Twenty-Second Day of the King of Scrolls◎

Jiang Wanzhou frowned and asked, "And you are?"

The middle-aged man smiled and said, "I'm the deputy director of the textile factory. Your mother should have mentioned me to you, right? We were supposed to meet today, but I didn't expect to run into you here."

Jiang Wanzhou looked bewildered and turned to her mother, "Mom, what's going on?"

Jiang's mother then realized what was happening and gave an embarrassed smile.

"Wanzhou, Mom originally wanted to introduce you to someone, this deputy factory director. I thought he was a good person with a stable job, but things got in the way, so I didn't tell you beforehand."

"Your aunt recommended this place, right? So, how much is it?"

Jiang Wanzhou felt a wave of helplessness. She hadn't expected that her mother would still be thinking of arranging blind dates for her under these circumstances.

No wonder Xinglian asked her about this a few days ago; she had figured out what Jiang's mother was thinking.

Looking at the deputy factory director in front of her, she felt absolutely no liking for him.

Upon hearing this, the deputy factory director's expression changed slightly, but he still forced a smile and said, "Comrade Jiang, don't be so quick to refuse. Although I'm a bit old and not particularly good-looking, I have a stable job and income, and I'm sure I can make sure you live a good life in the future."

Jiang Wanzhou frowned and said, "Deputy Factory Director, feelings cannot be measured by material conditions. My mother only represents herself."

"She wants to get married, but if you don't want to, then let's just forget about it."

"What nonsense are you spouting, you little brat! You've been corrupted by your sister-in-law!" Jiang's mother said angrily, grabbing Jiang Wanzhou's ear and twisting it.

Seeing that Jiang Wanzhou refused so decisively, the deputy factory director felt a little embarrassed.

He said sarcastically, "Hmph, don't think you're so high and mighty. Let me tell you, a country girl like you is lucky to have married me."

Jiang Wanzhou rolled her eyes inwardly upon hearing this, thinking about the scenario where she should be given a blank check to fill in as she pleased.

She uttered the typical lines of a naive and innocent female lead with practiced ease: "Please have some self-respect! Although I come from a rural background, I also have my own dignity and choices. I will not compromise myself because of your status or material conditions."

Seeing the atmosphere getting increasingly tense, Jiang's mother quickly tried to smooth things over, "Deputy Factory Director, please don't be angry. My daughter is just being unreasonable. I'll talk to her properly when I get back."

The deputy factory director snorted coldly, "Hmph, there's nothing more to say. Since she doesn't like me, then forget it."

After saying that, he turned and stormed off.

Jiang Wanzhou: Brother, are you really not going to hold on any longer?

Watching the deputy factory director's departing figure, Jiang's mother was both angry and anxious. "You brat, why were you so impulsive? That deputy factory director has such good prospects; it would be such a pity if you missed out."

Jiang Wanzhou snapped out of her daze, took her mother's hand, and asked earnestly, "Mom, do you love us?"

Jiang's mother was stunned.

On the way back, Jiang Wanzhou didn't say anything more, only her mother glanced at her a few times as if she wanted to say something but didn't.

—

As soon as Jiang Wanzhou arrived in the village, she was dragged to the pigsty by Jiang Weiguo's grandson, who was squatting at the entrance of the village.

The pigsty was a row of five mud-brick houses, and these days it always had a foul odor.

Jiang Wanzhou walked over there carrying a basket of pig feed, and saw Jiang Weiguo squatting at the foot of the pigpen wall with a furrowed brow in the distance.

Several aunties, sisters-in-law, and children were gathered around, all responsible for feeding the pigs, their heads drooping.

"What's going on?" Jiang Wanzhou's heart skipped a beat, and she slowed her pace.

She had just returned yesterday when Jiang's mother called her to town, so she didn't pay any attention to the pigsty.

All I know is that a few litters of piglets were added to the pigsty recently.

Xinglian chuckled and said that although there were no mountains or wild boar pens here, unlike the heroines in novels who could go up the mountain to get meat.

But at least you get a bigger cut of meat.

"Is Wang, the girl from the third son's family, here?" An old man wearing a straw hat looked up and saw her, then sighed, "What a worry, swine fever!"

"African swine fever?" Jiang Wanzhou's heart sank.

These days, pigs from the production team are more precious than gold nuggets.

She walked over quickly and peered through the wooden fence—the pigs, which should have been grunting and scrambling for food, were now lying listlessly on the ground.

In the innermost pigpen, two stiff piglet corpses lay starkly exposed.

Jiang Wanzhou quickly said, "Why not isolate them? Uncle, could you arrange for a few people to isolate the sick people first?"

“It started the day before yesterday,” Jiang Weiguo said, pulling out a large rooster-shaped cigarette. “At first, two of the piglets weren’t eating, and we thought they were just cold, so we didn’t pay much attention. But one of them died yesterday, and two more died this morning. Even the big pigs are starting to look listless…”

The surrounding commune members chimed in with their own opinions:

"I think something was bumped."

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?! Don't talk nonsense! My wife's village had a similar incident last year, and in the end, all of their dozen or so pigs died, and the village didn't see any meat for a whole year!"

"What are we going to do? There are still four months until the Chinese New Year. Without pigs, how will we get our year-end bonuses?"

Jiang Wanzhou remained silent, her gaze sweeping over the pigsty.

The ground was dark and covered with feces and uneaten pig feed. Several sick pigs were huddled together, panting as they breathed.

Although she didn't study agriculture, she still has basic hygiene knowledge of modern society. In this environment, it would be strange if she didn't get sick.

He clearly explained this before he left.

Just as he was pondering this, a high-pitched voice came from behind him. Without turning around, he knew it was Jiang's mother.

"Oh dear, what's going on? Captain, my husband Hu Sheng said something happened to the pigs in the team?" Jiang's mother, carrying an empty basket, swayed over and glanced around the pigpen.

She suddenly raised her voice, "I was wondering why I felt something was off a while ago. My daughter-in-law, that woman, is pregnant, and she's been coming to the pigsty every day. Could it be that she brought her here?"

As soon as these words were spoken, several pairs of eyes turned to Jiang Wanzhou.

Shen Xinglian is Jiang Wanzhou's sister-in-law. This statement is not only a veiled reference to Jiang Wanzhou, but also a direct dig at Shen Xinglian.

Jiang Wanzhou's face darkened.

Damn it!!! Xinglian was only six months old!

Jiang Husheng chimed in, "Mother's right! I saw Shen Xinglian loitering near the pigsty the other day. She's from the city, who knows what she might be carrying! Captain, I think we should let her come over. If it's really her fault, let her take responsibility!"

"Are you still my second brother?!" Jiang Wanzhou's temper flared up instantly.

She threw the basket in her hand at her, saying, "My sister-in-law is pregnant, giving birth, and pregnant again. She's never even been to town since she married into the family. If you want to smear my sister-in-law, you need to have evidence."

"Second brother, you should also think about yourself. What makes you so trustworthy? Just because you can't get the unemployment allowance from your eldest brother's return, you think you can kick your sister-in-law out so that your eldest brother can support you!"

Although Jiang Renzhou said he was unemployed when he returned, Jiang Wanzhou and Shen Xinglian knew that Yuan Wen knew he had a mission.

"You brat, how dare you talk to your brother like that!" Jiang's mother jumped up and down, scolding, "I'm only doing this for the good of the team! If it weren't for your brother's kindness, who would want to marry that unlucky fellow?!"

"Which of the offspring of capital is any good? Don't even mention that her uncle is still overseas and alive."

"You want your sister-in-law to come while she's pregnant?" Jiang Wanzhou sneered. "If something really happens, Mom, how can you face your eldest brother? Or are you just hoping something happens to your sister-in-law so that your eldest brother can focus on raising your second son?"

These words struck a nerve with Jiang's mother. Her face flushed red, and she reached out to tear at Jiang Wanzhou: "You little bitch, was I born to be so biased towards outsiders? I should have kept you locked up in the outhouse after I gave birth to you!"

"Are my older brother and I your children?" Jiang Wanzhou asked, puzzled.

"What are you doing!" Jiang Weiguo suddenly stood up and shouted, "What kind of time is this to be fighting amongst yourselves!"

He glared at Jiang's mother, "The eldest son's wife is pregnant, how can she go to the pigsty to cause trouble? Jiang the Second, if you keep talking nonsense, I'll deduct three days' work points from your pay!"

Jiang Husheng shrank back and dared not utter a sound.

Jiang's mother, however, was unwilling to give up, muttering, "We can't just stand by and watch all the pigs die, can we? In my opinion, it's her..."

"Little sister!" A clear, cool voice came from behind the crowd.

Everyone turned around and saw Shen Xinglian standing there, supporting her waist. Her face was a little pale, and there was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, indicating that she had walked in a hurry.

She was washing clothes by the river when she overheard a passing commune member saying there had been an accident at the pigsty, and she was worried that Wanzhou wouldn't be able to handle it.

Shen Xinglian arrived just in time to hear Jiang's mother still gossiping.

"Why are you here?" Jiang Wanzhou quickly went over to support her. "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Shen Xinglian shook her head, her gaze falling on the sick pigs in the pigpen, her brows furrowing slightly: "Let me take a look."

Ignoring Jiang's mother's resentful gaze, she turned to Jiang Weiguo and asked, "Uncle, can I go in and take a look?"

"What are you doing going in there?" Jiang's mother shrieked. "Don't let your illness affect you and my eldest grandson!"

"Mom, didn't you just want me to come over?" Shen Xinglian's voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable calmness.

“My dad used to work at an agricultural research institute and taught me some methods for livestock disease prevention, which might be helpful.”

"Your father? The one who committed suicide?" Jiang's mother scoffed. "What does he know! Perhaps he's trying to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble?"

"Liu Cuihua!" Jiang Weiguo's face darkened completely. "The commune has already made a decision about Comrade Shen's father's situation. It's not your place to spout nonsense! If she's willing to help, let her take a look!"

As he spoke, he jumped down from the wall and opened the wooden gate of the pigsty: "Eldest daughter-in-law, be careful, don't get too close."

Shen Xinglian nodded, and Jiang Wanzhou, still worried, followed her inside.

As soon as you enter, a strong, pungent stench mixed with the smell of decay hits you.

Jiang Wanzhou couldn't help but wrinkle her nose, but Shen Xinglian seemed not to smell anything. She walked straight to the sick pig, squatted down and carefully observed it—looking at the pig's eyes, turning over its ears, and smelling the remaining feed in the pig trough.

"How is it?" Jiang Weiguo asked anxiously, wringing his hands at the door.

Shen Xinglian stood up, dusted off her hands, and her voice clearly reached everyone's ears: "It's not from any clashes or bad luck, it's more like a bacterial infection."

"Bacteria?" Jiang Weiguo had never heard of that word before. "What's that?"

"It's just that unclean things can infect you through what you eat, drink, and breathe," Shen Xinglian tried to explain in layman's terms. "Look at this ground, piles of feces, and the pig feed isn't fresh. Sick pigs and healthy pigs are mixed together, so bacteria will definitely spread faster and faster."

Jiang Wanzhou's eyes lit up; this coincided with what she had just thought.

"What should we do?" an old man feeding pigs asked anxiously. "Is there no hope?"

“There’s still hope,” Shen Xinglian said confidently.

[Author's Note]

Jiang Wanzhou: (starry-eyed)

—

This is the first time I've written this type of article, and the more I write, the more something feels off. I finally got a good friend to take a look.

It feels like a very "synopsis-based" story, and the characters lack any distinctive features. [crying emoji][crying emoji]

While maintaining updates, I will revise the text. I will post an announcement regarding the revision progress.

I will pay attention starting from this chapter.

The only difference is that some emotional moments were described in detail (the kind of pain that's difficult to describe), and the pacing was adjusted. It shouldn't need to be reread.

Lastly, thank you everyone for your likes and comments these past few days, and thank you to all the lovely readers who have been following along! [kissing emojis]