Chapter 17 The Moon of Yesteryear
This incident served as a reminder to Xie Ning: if the conflict cannot be resolved, then it should be shifted.
Madam Zhang was keeping an eye on Zhang Mingyuan's marriage, but if her youngest son couldn't control his concubines, she would inevitably be overwhelmed with worry. Xie Ning didn't think Zhang Congzhi could control Ruan Xue.
Zhang Congzhi was not the kind of spoiled brat who would make things difficult for his wife. One reason was that he would not let any other woman get pregnant with his child, but Ruan Xue just happened to get pregnant.
Then there was only one purpose: Ruan Xue wanted to enter the Zhang family and deliberately got pregnant.
Xie Ning was right. Ruan Xue did want to enter the Zhang family, but not as a concubine; she wanted to become the Zhang family's legitimate second wife.
Her confidence stemmed from Zhang Congzhi's love. Zhang Congzhi didn't like Zhang Ermai, otherwise why would he have had no children for so many years? Moreover, he never brought Zhang Ermai to any banquets.
Indeed, arranged marriages are feudal dregs. We are no longer in a feudal society; we should advocate free love! She is prettier and more knowledgeable than Zhang Er's wife. Only someone like her is qualified to stand by Zhang Congzhi's side and help him, instead of an ignorant woman who only knows how to stay in the inner quarters and embroider.
After leaving Xie Ning's place, Ruan Xue did not return to the small house that Zhang Congzhi had prepared for her, but instead took a car back to her original home.
Upon entering, one sees a woman in a dark, brightly colored cheongsam leaning against the window, white smoke rings escaping her lips, her alluring face appearing and disappearing, captivating the soul.
However, a hint of disgust flashed in Ruan Xue's eyes, especially when she smelled the strong smell of smoke.
But when the woman turned around, she composed herself, her face filled with a gentle smile. "Big sister, why are you back? Where are Father and Mother?"
As he spoke, he put his bag on the table, took out a bottle of perfume from it, and put it into the woman's hand. "Sister, I got my salary a few days ago and specially went to the department store to buy you this perfume. What do you think? It smells wonderful."
Ruan Yuan rubbed Ruan Xue's head and smiled, "Xue has grown up and can earn money to support the family now."
Looking at her graceful younger sister, Ruan Yuan was very happy. Even though she was in the mud, her sister was like a sunflower, clean, pure, and full of sunshine.
"Dad is still at the construction site and hasn't come back yet. Mom went to buy groceries, and I reckon she'll be back soon."
Just then, a woman wearing a light blue jacket opened the door and came in. Seeing Ruan Xue, she hurriedly stepped forward to greet her and said with a smile, "Your eldest sister gave me the money, and I bought a string of pork. I'll make cabbage and pork dumplings later. Don't you love my dumplings the most? I also bought a fish. I'll make fish soup for you later. You've worked hard, so you need to nourish yourself."
Turning her head, she saw the cigarette in Ruan Yuan's hand and scolded, "Xiao Yuan, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but girls should smoke less. It's a waste of money and bad for your health. Keep that cigarette for your father, understand?"
Ruan Yuan stared silently at the cigarette butt in her hand, then stubbed it out. Her mother was concerned about her, and she had to listen. But without smoking, she couldn't sleep because of her frustration... Oh well, she'd overcome it slowly.
When Ruan's father returned, dinner was already prepared. Because he returned late, the Ruan family ate dinner late as well. Under the dim light, sitting at the small square table, Ruan Yuan felt a rare sense of peace.
Ruan Xue picked up a piece of fish, but before she could even put it in her mouth, her stomach churned, and she vomited violently. Her pale face pained her mother, but then, as if remembering something, she pulled Ruan Xue into the room and whispered, "Xiao Xue, tell your mother honestly, are you pregnant?"
Ruan Xue frowned and took a sip of warm water, her tone full of impatience, "Mother, is that even a question? But why can't pregnant women eat fish?"
Ruan's mother choked for a moment, "Pregnant women can't stand the smell of meat, that's why you vomited... Tell me, whose child is this?"
"Of course I'll go with her! Who else could it be? Do you think I'm the eldest sister?" Ruan Xue rolled her eyes at her mother, then frowned and asked, "Why is eldest sister back today? Isn't she...?"
As she thought of something, Ruan Xue's disgust intensified, as if even mentioning it would bring bad luck.
Ruan's mother didn't think there was anything wrong with it, after all, she also felt it was bad luck. "What else could it be? She said she wanted to get married and came back to discuss it."
She sneered as she spoke, full of disdain, "Marry? Someone like her? Who would want her? A whore ridden by thousands, just like her own mother, even if she were given away for free, no one would want her. Otherwise, why did your father marry your mother instead of that woman? If your mother hadn't not given birth to a child for several years, and if that woman hadn't knelt at the door, Ruan Yuan would probably still be in that brothel!"
But what difference is there between her and those prostitutes now? They're all the same kind of goods.
"Since she's saying she's getting married, has my eldest sister said who she's going to marry? Or should you and Father arrange the marriage for her?"
"He said he was from the Black Dragon Gang and had helped her. They liked each other and were thinking of settling down together. The man said he didn't mind her background, but with her background, what man wouldn't mind? Even if he's a thug, who wouldn't want a clean and innocent girl?"
Then, Ruan's mother lowered her voice and said, "I have a distant relative who works for a wealthy family. They said that family is looking for someone to marry into a family to bring good luck. I think your eldest sister is a good match. The other party is offering a dowry of eight hundred silver dollars!"
"Someone like her, would any wealthy family want her?" Ruan Xue scoffed.
Then Ruan's mother whispered a few words in her ear, and Ruan Xue was finally satisfied.
While the mother and daughter were discussing exchanging their eldest daughter for eight hundred silver dollars, the father and daughter eating at the table remained silent.
Ruan Yuan took a few bites and then felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She paused, put down her chopsticks, and got up. She took out a handkerchief wrapped in her bag and handed it to her father. “Dad, here are thirty silver dollars. You and Mom are not in good health, and Xiaoxue has just started working and doesn’t have much of a salary. Please take this money to help with household expenses. Also, your back is not good. You should go see a doctor. Don’t delay.”
Ruan's father's hand trembled, and he said in a muffled voice, "Stop working there, come back. Didn't you say you wanted to get married? Bring him back for your father to see."
"Hey!" Ruan Yuan smiled brightly, her eyes full of anticipation for the future. "Xiao Xue has graduated, and the pressure at home is not so great anymore. I was thinking of quitting too. You know, that job doesn't sound good. He promised to take me out and find me a job in a textile factory so that we could support you and Mom together."
"You like that kid that much?"
"Yes, he doesn't look down on me. He always thinks of me when he has something good to eat or drink. He wants to live a serious life with me. I feel at ease." Ruan Yuan's smile never faded. She was gentle and tender, and her heart and eyes were full of "him".
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