The old man with the goatee glanced at the aunt's lip movements again and said confidently:
"You were born, but you selectively forgot that memory."
Wen Jiaojiao wanted to slap herself a few times. Why did she have to spout this nonsense about selective amnesia? Now she was speechless.
She plopped back down on the stool, anxiously extending her wrist and urging:
"I'm giving you one more chance to take my pulse, so take a good look." I became a mother without any pain.
Who could accept this? If word gets out, I'll be the village's gossip headline again tomorrow. I've been trending in the village so many times already.
Wen Zhaoye's fingertips dug deep into his palm, a surge of disappointment churning in his dark eyes, overwhelming his usual self-proclaimed composure.
He breathed heavily, still holding onto a sliver of hope that the old man with the goatee would give a different answer.
The old man with the goatee withdrew his hand, sized her up, and guessed:
"Yes, I have given birth, and it was within the last year or two." You wouldn't have gotten pregnant at fifteen or sixteen, would you?
Upon hearing this, Wen Jiaojiao felt as if she had been struck by lightning. For a moment, she didn't know whether to admit it or to smash up his business.
After all, Wen Jiaojiao had already booked hotel rooms with Xu Dajun before she ran away, and considering she'd been gone for two years, many people would assume she must have given birth. So, admitting it wouldn't be a big deal.
Conversely, if one doesn't acknowledge it, according to the thinking of people in this era, they would most likely have to spread the rumor that they are infertile.
If Xu Cuifen finds out, she'll definitely make a huge fuss about taking me to the hospital to confirm it. If they find out I'm a virgin, it'll probably be a nightmare.
But if I were to admit it, wouldn't Wen Zhaoye and the villagers bring it up two hundred times a day in a sarcastic tone?
Wen Zhaoye lowered his eyes and bowed his head, a cigarette between his fingers. The wisps of smoke he exhaled slowly blurred the melancholy in his eyes.
Nicotine soothes the intense restlessness in one's heart, but it cannot take away even a trace of depression and annoyance.
After understanding, Wu Ying laughed and stepped forward:
"Oh~ Jiaojiao, so you really have a child? Tell your aunt how you took care of yourself and recovered your figure so well. And where is the baby? Why don't you bring it back for your mom to see? Your mom would definitely love it."
Why is she here too?
Could Wen Zhaoye have done this on purpose?
Wen Jiaojiao's chest was filled with boundless anger. She stood up abruptly and said irritably:
"Mind your own business. If you dare say another word, I'll have my mom scratch your face. Don't believe everything you hear. He's just a conman."
Wu Ying let out a soft snort, and said in a strange tone:
"When people are swindling money, why don't they just say you've never given birth? Why do they insist on saying you have? And just because I don't say it doesn't mean others won't. There are plenty of villagers on this street. Who doesn't know you, the 'celebrity'?"
Wen Jiaojiao glanced at the crowd and, sure enough, recognized many of the faces from the village. Her face burned, and she turned to leave.
Well, I might as well give up on living. I'm just embarrassing myself every day.
Upon seeing this, the old man with the goatee, no longer maintaining his inscrutable demeanor, hurriedly stood up to block the way, shouting:
"Hey, you haven't paid yet."
Wen Zhaoye stared intently at her delicate face with his dark, inky eyes, not missing a single expression or reaction, and said in an ambiguous tone:
"How about I take you to the county hospital for a check-up? In case he touches the wrong person, I'll come back, smash his stall, and break his legs."
The old man with the goatee froze in fright: "..."
Fortunately, my wife and I are the type to move around after a single operation. Once you left, we'll pack up our stall and head out overnight.
After much deliberation, Wen Jiaojiao felt that Wen Zhaoye's scheme was likely a sign that he suspected her, and she was waiting to take her to the hospital to confirm it.
Amidst the various stares of the crowd, she lowered her long eyelashes, pursed her lips, and said to the old man with a hint of annoyance:
"I can give you the money, but not because I think you're good at making predictions."
If Wen Zhaoye couldn't get her permission to go to the hospital for a checkup, his heart felt as if it had sunk to a bottomless abyss, filled with an overwhelming chill, a coldness that wouldn't melt even in the sweltering summer heat.
He had no interest in listening to the old man with the goatee rambling on about how difficult it was to complete his studies, or how he had to pay ten yuan for a diagnosis since he hadn't bought the medicine. He simply tossed him ten yuan and said in a hoarse, forlorn voice:
"You can go now."
Although Wen Jiaojiao knew she was being taken advantage of, she didn't dare to utter a sound. She followed silently behind, afraid that he would turn around and relentlessly pursue the matter.
Aside from the bad reputation, the identity she took was actually quite good; having a good mother is rare in any era.
However, given Xu Cuifen's temperament, she would definitely fight me to the death once she found out that I wasn't the real Wen Jiaojiao.
I already had a bad start, getting a terrible hand, and now I've been dealt a terrible hand.
But it doesn't matter. The more others curse me, the less guilty I feel about stealing Wen Jiaojiao's identity and getting all the benefits for nothing.
After all, when she comes back, no one in the village should gossip anymore. I'll bear all the scorn and find a new way to make a living. It's a win-win situation for both of us.
Wu Ying watched the two figures disappear, beaming with joy:
"This little girl has actually given birth. Let's see how she and her mother can act so arrogantly in the village now."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
