The voice was as doting as ever.
In his previous life, his older brother had gone to serve in the army in a faraway place, and after his mother died, he was so angry that he never came to see her again.
Jiang Xing patted her on the back and then pulled her down, saying, "It's already eight or nine o'clock, get up and eat." He then took a water glass from the old table next to him and handed it to her.
She took a few sips and felt her throat was less dry. Looking around, she saw a string of origami cranes and some paper stars in the room. This was her bedroom.
She wiped away her tears, forcing a wet smile, "Brother, you're still here..."
"What are you saying, Wanwan? I've been here all along..."
Having finally managed to talk to the girl, Jiang Xing hesitated for a moment before deciding to speak his mind, "Wanwan, didn't you used to clamor to marry Wentao? In my opinion, it's better if you don't."
"Marry Wentao?" These words completely cleared Jiang Wanqing's mind, which had been somewhat hazy. She looked at the calendar on the table, which showed January 30, 1980. It was the third year since the college entrance examination was reinstated, and the reporting date for the second batch of people returning to their hometowns. Wentao was using marriage as leverage to get on the list of people returning to their hometowns, and today was the day.
In her past life, after she married Wentao, she grabbed him in the snow and demanded he return the money he had stolen, but was instead pinned to the ground and violently beaten.
At that time, she was pregnant. After beating her, the man kicked her stomach hard. "That's it. The baby will be lost, right? No money is needed, and no abortion surgery is needed. Just beat her a few more times. Just like your father, run him over with your motorcycle and you won't have to pay him."
Fresh blood kept flowing from the baggy trousers.
The man walked away nonchalantly, muttering as he went, "It's fucking disgusting, all blood. I should have just married Yunyan from the start. She could have run a mahjong parlor and made tons of money to herself. What a useless piece of trash."
She braced herself on the ground, trying to get up, but her body felt glued to the earth. The pain intensified, affecting all her senses, as if she were being forcibly torn apart, with blood flowing out, revealing gruesome intestines, and even the formed fetus...
A sudden metallic taste rose in her throat. Ignoring her headache, she quickly asked, "Brother, has the list of educated youth returning to their hometowns been submitted?"
Jiang Xing looked at her, puzzled. "It seems like we have to submit it by noon today."
She couldn't sleep. She swayed as she got up, grabbed the bed and chair, and ran to her father's study. She pushed open the door and shouted with all her might, "Dad, I'm not marrying Wentao anymore. Report Fu Yi to the authorities."
An old study comes into view, with broken windows covered by a few old newspapers, and the light is not strong.
Jiang Jianjun was writing a notice when he turned around and looked at his still sick daughter. He was a little surprised. How did Wanwan know to replace Fu Yi? But when he saw his daughter's sickly appearance, he immediately forgot about it and said irritably, "Wanwan, you're being silly again. If you're sick, just lie down and rest."
Jiang Jianjun's tired eyes stood out against his wrinkled face.
If the list is changed, it will be very troublesome if Fu Yi's family, who should have returned to their hometown, comes knocking on the door. Wanwan insists on marrying Wentao, so for their future, we should try to get Wentao to return to his hometown. Fu Yi is suitable because he has no family background, and the other educated youth who returned to their hometowns are simply untouchable.
In most educated families, only one educated youth can return to their hometown. If they miss this opportunity, they don't know when the next chance to return will come.
Finally, Jiang Jianjun got annoyed and said, "Wanwan, stop messing around. The list is already drawn up."
Jiang Wanqing knew his father was stubborn and that this matter was likely to be settled. Suddenly, he had a sudden inspiration. "Dad, I had a nightmare that high-ranking officials from Fu Yi's family came to our door. Your brigade leader was removed from his post and a note was made on his file. My brother failed the college entrance exam because of a misconduct issue in his file."
Jiang Xing appeared from behind and helped Jiang Wanqing up in time. He also didn't want his sister to marry Wen Tao, so he said a few words, "Dad, my little sister really had a nightmare and was covered in cold sweat. This might be an ominous sign."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jianjun's sallow face turned even darker with fright. "Little sister really had such a nightmare?" Jiang Jianjun looked at Jiang Xing with suspicion.
"Dad, don't you believe me? Look at my little sister's face."
Jiang Jianjun also looked over, and Wanwan's face was so pale it was almost transparent. Jiang Xing's college entrance examination was of utmost importance, and having such a dream was already considered unlucky. Besides, being found to have manipulated things privately would definitely give people something to talk about.
After much hesitation, Jiang Jianjun made a careful decision: "Sister, I think so too. There's no rush for Wentao to return home." After saying that, he quickly drafted a new list, revised it, and hurriedly sent it over.
Jiang Jianjun left in a hurry, leaving a trail of footprints in the snow. Jiang Wanqing stood at the door for a long time, her hand gently stroking her belly.
Jiang Xing helped Jiang Wanqing sit back down on the stool, and said with emotion, "Wanwan, your dream came at just the right time."
"Hmm." Jiang Wanqing felt a huge weight lifted from her heart and slumped into the stool, feeling completely relaxed. If she had helped Wentao get on the list of those returning home, even if she didn't want to marry him in the future, her parents would definitely force her to marry him for the sake of face. Not to mention that in the following years, her father, Jiang Jianjun, was actually punished and lost his position as the brigade leader, and her brother failed the college entrance examination but did not finish his studies. The Jiang family declined from then on.
I can never marry this man again in this lifetime, nor can I bring misfortune to his family.
Jiang Xing stood to the side, arms crossed, grinning foolishly. "Girl, you've finally figured it out. I remember Wen Tao saying behind my back, 'I don't want to marry a rural woman at all. She's illiterate and we have nothing in common.' I had a big fight with him last time, and when I told you about it, you didn't believe me. You said I was lying to you. I've always remembered that."
Jiang Wanqing came to her senses and realized that it really had happened. At that time, she was completely fooled by Wen Tao and didn't take his brother's words to heart at all, always thinking that he was deliberately slandering her. She turned around and went back into the house, sat on the stool, picked up the teacup on the table, and took another big gulp.
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