Jiang Li: …
Girl, are you okay?
Jiang Li actually wanted to see what kind of nonsense the other woman was about to pull. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Protectively standing in front of Xiang Zhou, Jiang Xiaoxiao wore a righteous expression. “The leaders have said that love and marriage are matters of freedom and shouldn’t be interfered with by anyone. Comrade Xiang no longer has feelings for you and chose to break up. You really shouldn’t keep pestering him again and again.”
“I’m pestering him? Are you joking?” If not for her upbringing preventing her from cursing another woman outright, Jiang Li would already be swearing. “What makes you think I’m pestering him?”
“If you weren’t pestering him, why would you come block him at the hospital?” Jiang Xiaoxiao didn’t believe a word Jiang Li said. In her eyes, Xiang Zhou was handsome, respectable, and had a good profession—no one would willingly break up with someone like him.
Since Xiang Zhou was currently pursuing Jiang Xiaoxiao, he was terrified of misunderstandings. Looking at Jiang Li’s beautiful face, he too assumed she had come seeking reconciliation. After all, he knew she had always liked him. Sighing, he said, “Comrade Jiang, we did once share a revolutionary romance, but after spending time together, we realized we weren’t suitable for each other.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao proudly lifted her chin and puffed out her chest.
See? Even if you’re pretty, Xiang Zhou still doesn’t like you.
More and more people gathered around to watch.
Recently, the story about Director Jiang of the Beicheng Grain Bureau mistakenly raising someone else’s daughter for nineteen years had practically become local news. Now that both parties involved were present, who wouldn’t want to watch the drama unfold?
Ye Suqin also took advantage of the crowd to hide near the back, peeking through gaps between people.
Xiang Zhou continued acting like a victim tormented by unwanted pursuit. “Comrade Jiang, I truly did have genuine feelings for you. But our values are too different. There are many excellent men in the world—you really don’t need to cling to me.”
“And now you’ve even come to my workplace. This… this…” He looked around dramatically, putting on airs. “You’re delaying me from treating patients and saving lives. Look at all these fellow townspeople waiting for me.”
Shaking his head, he sighed. “You really are too immature.”
Among the crowd were patients who had been waiting all morning. Thinking their appointments had been delayed because of Jiang Li, and hearing Xiang Zhou speak so convincingly, they actually started believing Jiang Li was refusing to accept the breakup.
“I’ve seen this kind of crying-and-making-a-scene refusal to break up plenty of times. Young lady, this is your fault. These days nobody forces marriages anymore. When two people separate, they should do it peacefully.”
“The doctor still has patients to see. If you want to argue, can’t you wait until after he finishes?”
“Exactly! Don’t waste sick people’s time! I still have work this afternoon.”
Seeing people taking their side, Jiang Xiaoxiao became even more smug.
Who would’ve thought that Jiang Li, who had remained fairly calm until now, suddenly let two streams of tears roll down her pale face. Her delicate brows scrunched together as though she had suffered a tremendous injustice.
“Comrade Xiang… when did I ever say I came here to pester you for reconciliation?”
The redness at the corners of her eyes bloomed like peach blossoms, tears gathering on her eyelashes like shattered diamonds. She looked heartbreakingly pitiful.
The complaining crowd instantly fell silent.
The nurses exchanged glances, their fists practically clenching in anger.
No one understood the situation better than they did.
If Xiang Zhou dared continue throwing accusations at Jiang Li, they were ready to grab brooms.
Even Xiang Zhou himself stared blankly for a moment. “Then why did you come looking for me…?”
“A month ago, when your mother needed surgery and you were desperately borrowing money everywhere—you remember that, right?” Jiang Li pulled a promissory note from her pocket, tears shimmering in her eyes.
The moment Xiang Zhou remembered, his face darkened instantly, alarm bells ringing in his head.
Bad.
When they broke up, Jiang Li had clearly agreed not to pressure him about repaying the debt anymore. He hadn’t expected her to go back on her word.
But in public, he couldn’t deny the debt, much less openly say he had no intention of repaying it.
Jiang Li handed the note to the nearby head nurse, kindly pointing out the borrower’s name and fingerprint seal.
The head nurse glanced at it and immediately shouted excitedly at the top of her lungs, making sure everyone in the hospital could hear:
“Oh my! Doctor Xiang, your name really is on this IOU!”
At this point, Xiang Zhou had no choice but to grit his teeth and admit it.
“I remember. Comrade Jiang, you were willing to lend me money to save my mother’s life, and I’ll be grateful forever. But… feelings really can’t be forced.”
Taking back the IOU, Jiang Li’s willow-shaped eyes reddened as she spoke pitifully. “Exactly. Feelings can’t be forced. You broke up with me one moment and immediately pursued my foster sister the next. Clearly your feelings aren’t as important as money.”
Xiang Zhou: …
Cold sweat rapidly formed on his forehead as he noticed everyone staring. He hurriedly denied it.
“Comrade Jiang Li, you misunderstand! I’m not together with Comrade Jiang Xiaoxiao.”
Right now was the critical period before his internship officially converted into permanent employment. If rumors spread that he was two-timing women, his political conduct evaluation would fail. Forget becoming a full doctor—he’d probably be kicked out immediately.
This was Beicheng, the capital. There were plenty of ambitious rural interns like him desperately trying to secure a foothold in the city.
But Jiang Li ignored him completely. The moment money was mentioned, she looked heartbroken.
“The money I lent you was saved little by little by living frugally. Now that we’ve broken up, and you originally promised to repay it within one month, the deadline has long passed. I want my five hundred yuan back immediately.”
“That’s all my hard-earned money.”
The moment this came out, the crowd’s attitude toward Xiang Zhou instantly changed.
No wonder the girl looked on the verge of tears.
Anyone who lent out five hundred yuan without seeing a cent returned would cry too.
“Five hundred yuan?!” Jiang Xiaoxiao blurted out. In all her years on the island, she had rarely even seen a hundred yuan. “Where did you get that much money?”
“I saved my salary every month.” The original owner had very little desire for material things. Most of her money had gone into supporting the Jiang family, and she hadn’t even bought herself new clothes in years.
Jiang Li extended her hand in a different direction. “Aren’t you Xiang Zhou’s girlfriend now? I heard Mother gave you some money. It’s not impossible for you to repay him on his behalf.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face burned bright red. Nervously glancing around, she said, “Don’t talk nonsense! Brother Xiang Zhou and I aren’t dating.”
She wasn’t stupid.
Jiang Li and Xiang Zhou had only broken up yesterday. If she started dating him today, wouldn’t everyone know she stole Jiang Li’s boyfriend?
Though in truth… she absolutely had done it on purpose.
Half a year ago, while lying in bed, she’d suddenly had a dream.
In the dream, she was actually the biological daughter of an elite Beijing government family. But because of a medical accident, the babies had been accidentally switched after surgery. She, who should have grown up privileged, had instead been sent to a remote island.
Meanwhile, the woman who was supposed to be on the island had attended a worker-peasant-soldier university, become a doctor, and eventually married the director of the biggest hospital in Beicheng.
When she woke up, she immediately insisted on traveling north.
And sure enough, everything in the dream came true.
Only this time, she found her biological parents forty years earlier than in the dream.
Looking at Jiang Li’s pale and beautiful face, Jiang Xiaoxiao felt deeply wronged.
The one who should’ve suffered poverty, gotten tanned, and become ugly should have been Jiang Li.
Five hundred yuan!
If she hadn’t been mistakenly sent to the island, the job earning five hundred yuan would’ve belonged to Jiang Xiaoxiao!
Since heaven had given her a second chance, she was determined to reclaim everything that belonged to her.
The student recommendation spot was hers.
And the future position of hospital director’s wife could only belong to her too.
“Not dating?” Jiang Li sniffled, sounding even more aggrieved. “But I just heard the nurses say you’ve already come to see Xiang Zhou several times. If you’re not dating, why are you visiting him so often?”
Everyone suddenly realized—
That’s right.
If they weren’t dating, why were they constantly meeting?
Didn’t an unmarried man and woman know to avoid suspicion?
Xiang Zhou hurriedly explained. “Xiaoxiao’s about to report to university, and she happened to be assigned to the same school I graduated from. She came to ask me about the school and what study supplies she should prepare.”
“Oh. I see.” Jiang Li clearly didn’t believe him. Pretending to wipe away tears that had already dried, she said, “Regardless, debts must be repaid. Hurry up and return the money. I still need to go home early.”
Sweat covered Xiang Zhou’s forehead.
When he’d promised to repay within one month, he had been certain kind-hearted Jiang Li wouldn’t pressure him. Besides, once they married, wouldn’t her money become his money anyway? Why would repayment matter?
Who could’ve predicted the switched-at-birth scandal in the Jiang family?
Ever since learning the truth, all he wanted was to switch marriage targets.
He was still only an intern earning thirty yuan a month, and his mother’s surgery had already drained the family dry. Where could he suddenly find five hundred yuan?
Helpless, Xiang Zhou looked pleadingly at Jiang Li. “Can’t you wait a little longer? We dated for nearly half a year. You know what kind of person I am. I promise I’ll repay you once I save enough money.”
Before Jiang Li could answer, someone in the crowd finally snapped at Xiang Zhou’s shamelessness.
“Doctor Xiang, now this is your fault. Five hundred yuan isn’t a small amount! My family couldn’t earn that even if we worked two years without eating or drinking! When you borrowed the money, you were the one who promised one month. Did you never think about how to repay it? Or were you planning from the start not to repay anything?”
“And another thing—you’re clearly juggling two women at once. Stringing Jiang Li along while flirting with Jiang Xiaoxiao too. Yet you accuse Jiang Li of pestering you? That’s slandering a woman! Completely shameless! If rumors spread, how will this young lady ever get married?”
Jiang Li barely suppressed her laughter.
As expected, even without her saying anything, plenty of people could tell Xiang Zhou was cheating.
“She didn’t even accuse you of anything, yet before officially breaking up, you were already cozying up to this dark-skinned girl. Sounds to me like your moral conduct has serious problems!”
“Moral conduct problems!”
Hearing those words, half of Xiang Zhou’s soul practically froze.
Things absolutely couldn’t continue escalating.
To calm the situation, he lowered his voice and pleaded with Jiang Xiaoxiao.
“Xiaoxiao, help me. We’ll be family in the future anyway. If this spreads, it’ll damage my career prospects.”
That was true.
Earlier today, Jiang Xiaoxiao had already accepted Xiang Zhou’s confession. She had even casually mentioned having savings.
After finally reuniting with her biological daughter, Xu Huili had given her a bankbook containing a full five hundred yuan as compensation.
Having grown up poor on the island, Jiang Xiaoxiao had never seen so much money before. She had immediately locked the bankbook away.
Just thinking about losing the five hundred yuan made her heart bleed. But the moment she heard it could affect Xiang Zhou’s career, another thought occurred to her.
Speaking softly enough that only the two of them could hear, she said, “I’ll help you repay it, but you have to register our marriage.”
Hearing this, Xiang Zhou was overjoyed.
There was actually such a good deal?
Immediately relieved, he pressed both hands onto Jiang Xiaoxiao’s shoulders. Looking at her dark, sunburnt skin, he suppressed his disgust and said tenderly:
“Xiaoxiao, trust me. I’ve finally realized my true feelings. The only love of my life will always be you.”
Reassured, Jiang Xiaoxiao finally relaxed.
In her dream, Xiang Zhou would become a hospital director in the future, live in a villa, and have endless wealth.
Compared to all that, what was five hundred yuan?
“At this moment it’s money, but in the future it’ll be nothing!”
“Jiang Li, who do you think doesn’t have five hundred yuan?!”
Even while saying that, Jiang Xiaoxiao’s heart bled at the thought of handing over the money.
“Brother Xiang Zhou borrowed money to save his mother’s life. His mother still hasn’t fully recovered, yet you’re already forcing him to repay you. When you two were dating, Brother Xiang Zhou treated you so well. You’re completely heartless!”
“That’s right. I lent the money because I saved Comrade Xiang’s mother’s life. Technically speaking, I’m practically a lifesaver.” Jiang Li smiled generously. “But since you care so much about Doctor Xiang, why not repay the debt for him? Then the life-saving favor becomes yours. Once you marry into the Xiang family, Auntie Xiang will definitely worship you.”
“Don’t talk nonsense! I’m only standing up for justice,” Jiang Xiaoxiao hurriedly denied. “Brother Xiang Zhou is a doctor who has saved countless lives and accumulated good karma. I just can’t bear seeing such a good person being bullied.”
Then, gritting her teeth, she added, “I didn’t bring the bankbook with me. I’ll give you the money tonight when we get home!”
“With this many witnesses watching, if you don’t pay me back, I’ll just come ask Doctor Xiang for it again.”
The moment Jiang Li finished speaking, Xiang Zhou’s expression stiffened as he prepared to persuade Jiang Xiaoxiao all over again that she absolutely had to pay.
Only then did Jiang Li finally relax. The hand she’d been using to wipe tears shifted into fanning her face.
Putting on this whole performance was exhausting!
Meanwhile, the supposedly righteous Jiang Xiaoxiao now had to face the judgmental stares of everyone around her.
After seeing all this unfold, who still couldn’t understand her intentions?
If they weren’t involved romantically, would Jiang Xiaoxiao really repay Xiang Zhou’s debt for him?
She had only just reunited with the Jiang family and was already stealing the foster daughter’s boyfriend. If that wasn’t shameless desperation, what was?
Those two were perfectly matched—like a scale rod inseparable from its weight.
A lot of people felt disgusted. Some patients who had originally come to see Xiang Zhou even found him unlucky and deliberately switched to different doctors at the registration window.
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked on the verge of tears. Thinking about the five hundred yuan she was about to lose, her eyes watered. Especially when she saw Jiang Li smiling faintly at her, hatred surged stronger and stronger inside her.
“Jiang Li, just you wait!”
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
“Comrade Jiang Li!”
Jiang Xiaoxiao turned toward the hospital entrance, where a girl with twin braids was waving.
The color instantly drained from Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face, turning deathly pale.
Seeing Jiang Li about to walk over, Jiang Xiaoxiao abruptly grabbed her arm.
“What are you doing? That’s my classmate. She called the wrong name.”
After saying that, Jiang Xiaoxiao no longer cared about the lost five hundred yuan. She hurried off toward the girl who had shouted, moving so fast it was like she had wheels of fire under her feet—as though a tiger were chasing her.
Jiang Li remained behind, deep in thought.
Their names were completely different. How could the girl possibly have called the wrong person?
Remembering how the Jiang family kept trying to silence things, afraid the original owner would make a scene, Jiang Li’s thoughts suddenly connected together.
The moment she figured it out, it felt like a stone pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe. Bitterness surged up her throat, and she forcibly suppressed the tears again.
These were the body’s original emotions.
No wonder.
Worker-peasant-soldier university recommendations were incredibly valuable. After waiting an entire year, there might only be three spots available, and many senior workers never got one. Even if Jiang Xiaoxiao had taken over the original owner’s job, she was still a newcomer.
What exactly had the Jiang family done to let the recommendation fall into Jiang Xiaoxiao’s hands?
Now it seemed obvious—
The Jiang family had simply allowed Jiang Xiaoxiao to directly assume the original owner’s identity.
Not only had the job position gone to Jiang Xiaoxiao, but every honor and achievement Jiang Li had worked for at the Grain Management Bureau had also been credited to Jiang Xiaoxiao.
This wasn’t merely giving away a job.
They were trying to replace Jiang Li’s entire life.
Thinking about how Jiang Xiaoxiao would continue using her name for work, marriage, and everything else in the future made Jiang Li feel physically sick.
Only after the crowd gradually dispersed did Ye Suqin finally stand up from where she had been squatting behind everyone, holding her pregnant belly.
A nurse thought she felt unwell and came over asking whether she needed help.
Ye Suqin waved her off. The way she looked at Jiang Li had become complicated. Then she glanced in the direction Jiang Xiaoxiao had left and spat on the ground.
“Bah! Shameless little fox spirit homewrecker, stealing another woman’s man!”