The next day.
A faint ray of morning light shone through the small window of the storage room, casting itself onto the wooden bed.
As a little bird pecked a few times at the window, Jiang Li slowly woke up. Before she could fully gather her senses, the small door started banging loudly again, followed by Jiang Xiaoxiao’s smug voice outside.
Jiang Li: …
Day after day after day.
“Jiang Li, hurry up and get out of bed! Grandma already went to the Zhou family. In a bit, Director Zhou is coming to meet you for matchmaking!”
“And don’t blame me for not reminding you to wash up and dress nicely!”
The voice suddenly stopped.
The small door was pulled open, and the smug smile on Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face froze stiff.
“Try shouting one more time.” Jiang Li glanced at Jiang Xiaoxiao’s bruised red-and-blue nose and curled her lips into a smile. “I guarantee this door can smash your face again.”
Startled, Jiang Xiaoxiao immediately covered her nose. Then she suddenly remembered something, rolled her eyes, lowered her hand, and sneered triumphantly:
“What are you acting so proud for? Once you marry into Director Zhou’s family and become a stepmother raising two children, let’s see how long you can stay arrogant!”
“Director Zhou this, Director Zhou that.” Jiang Li’s tone was indifferent. “Sounds to me like you’re the one who wants to marry him.”
As she spoke, she turned her head and shouted, “Mom, Jiang Xiaoxiao says she likes Director Zhou—”
“Jiang Li!” Jiang Xiaoxiao instantly lost all composure and lunged forward furiously, trying to cover Jiang Li’s mouth. “Who said I like Director Zhou? A divorced old man is only worthy of you!”
Back on the island, Jiang Xiaoxiao had seen all kinds of foul-mouthed shrews. But no matter how vicious they were, none could compare to Jiang Li’s shameless tactics.
Before, no matter how much she insulted or mocked Jiang Li, Jiang Li never dared to talk back and had always been like a soft persimmon easy to squeeze.
So why did she suddenly seem like a completely different person now?
Suddenly—
A sharp gleam flashed through Jiang Xiaoxiao’s eyes. She deliberately glanced around before leaning in and whispering:
“Haven’t figured it out yet? You really are stupid. Dad and Big Brother both took leave today and are waiting at home. The whole family’s here. Looks like this marriage is already decided. Maybe they’ll even skip the matchmaking process and go straight to registering the marriage!”
After saying that, Jiang Xiaoxiao strutted away proudly like she had won a battle.
But in the next second, her smile froze.
“No matter how stupid I am, I’m still smarter than you. Your face got smashed by a door and now you look like a clown.” Jiang Li mocked her before shutting the door directly.
Then she frowned.
While talking to Jiang Xiaoxiao earlier, she had noticed the kitchen’s back door had been locked. She climbed onto the bed and lightly pushed at the small window, but no matter how hard she tried, the frosted glass window wouldn’t budge.
Looks like the Jiang family was afraid she’d run away.
Jiang Li let out a cold laugh. She opened a redwood chest, pulled out a fountain pen, then took out a blue-covered notebook and sat cross-legged on the bed.
Opening the notebook, she sharply wrote several large words—
Letter of Accusation!
In the letter, she clearly detailed how the Jiang family had secretly manipulated things and stolen the worker-peasant-soldier student recommendation quota, writing from the perspective of a former employee of the Grain Bureau.
After capping the pen, Jiang Li tucked the finished accusation letter into her pocket.
During breakfast, Jiang Li didn’t say a word.
Instead, Xu Huili looked at her with a complicated expression and took the initiative to bring up the matter.
“Xiao Li, you’re not young anymore. You don’t have a job now, and the neighborhood office is finalizing the list for countryside relocation. So we thought about finding you a marriage.”
Jiang Li didn’t answer and simply continued eating.
“The other party is the director from your elder brother’s department. His character and abilities are both excellent. Your grandmother already went to call him over, and he’ll come at noon to meet you.”
“Listen to Mom. Staying in the city after marriage is much better than suffering in the countryside.” Xu Huili held Jiang Li’s hand on the table and earnestly persuaded her. “One of my coworker’s daughters was sent to the countryside. Farm work tortured her until she became skin and bones.”
Jiang Li pulled her hand back. After finishing breakfast, she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief before finally looking up.
“Am I really that desperate to get married? You had to rush over first thing in the morning to arrange a marriage with a divorced man?”
“Or…” Jiang Li looked at Jiang Qingfeng, who was silently gnawing on a steamed bun, “you just want to sell your daughter to trade for Big Brother’s future?”
“Shut your mouth!”
Bang!
The previously quiet kitchen nearly exploded.
Jiang Yumin’s face was dark as iron, his jaw clenched tight and cheeks rigid with fury.
“The family raised you for nineteen years and protected you while you grew up! Back when Xiaoxiao was starving on the island, this family never deprived you of food or clothing. We’re arranging this marriage for your own good, and this is how you repay your parents?!”
Jiang Li showed no fear and met his gaze directly.
“My biological family also raised Jiang Xiaoxiao for nineteen years. When she returned to North City, she even brought back a jade bracelet. I’m sure my family also gave her the best conditions possible. So while you demand things from me, what exactly are you planning to give back to my family?”
“Oh, now you dare talk back too!” Jiang Yumin roared, raising his hand in anger, about to slap her.
“Yumin!” Xu Huili hurriedly stood to stop him, sweat already forming on her forehead. “What are you doing?! Jiang Li, hurry and apologize to your father!”
“Mom.” Jiang Li felt a sharp ache in her chest. Suppressing the original owner’s lingering emotions, she looked directly at Xu Huili. “Why did the student quota have to be given to Jiang Xiaoxiao? I already had a job and didn’t need to go to the countryside. I earned my place in school myself!”
Xu Huili froze.
She knew giving both Jiang Li’s job and school placement to Jiang Xiaoxiao was unfair. Originally, she had wanted to at least preserve Jiang Li’s job, but the quota and job came bundled together, leaving her with no choice.
Jiang Xiaoxiao had begged endlessly because she wanted to study medicine.
Xu Huili already felt she had failed her biological daughter for nineteen years. She couldn’t deny her this one wish too.
“Xiaoxiao already studied medicine on the island for two years. She needs this opportunity.” Xu Huili averted her gaze, unable to look at Jiang Li anymore.
Jiang Li’s heart hurt and hurt—
Then suddenly, it didn’t hurt anymore.
She knew the original owner had finally given up completely.
“When I was little, I studied medicine with Grandpa the entire time. You knew perfectly well that I spent two years fighting for this student recommendation just to attend medical college.”
Grandpa Jiang had been a famous traditional doctor in the countryside near North City. He and Yang Zaohua had three children: eldest son Jiang Yumin, second daughter Jiang Lan, and youngest son Jiang Ren.
Two people in the Jiang family had inherited Grandpa Jiang’s medical teachings.
One was Jiang Ren, who inherited the family practice, attended medical university, and was now vice director of the county hospital.
The other was the original Jiang Li. Unfortunately, Grandpa died too early, and she hadn’t learned much before her family forced her into grain industry school instead.
“Why bring that up now? Grandpa’s been dead six years already. Besides, you were still young back then—what medical skills could you possibly have understood?” Xu Huili quickly changed the subject. “Enough. Director Zhou will arrive soon. Go get ready.”
After breakfast, the entire family eagerly waited for Director Zhou.
The residential compound basked in beautiful spring weather, and more bird nests had appeared in the trees. The little old lady specially wore a cloth headband and strode energetically along. Her tiny green-bean-like eyes were filled with pride.
Nearby stretched a long stone platform fitted with several water taps, where neighbors chatted noisily while scrubbing laundry.
Suddenly, someone noticed the neatly dressed man walking behind the old lady and called out:
“Sister Yang, where are you taking Director Zhou?”
“Where else?” Yang Zaohua grinned brightly. “Taking him to meet our Xiao Li.”
“Didn’t your Xiao Li already give her job to Xiaoxiao? Why’s Director Zhou meeting her then?” someone asked in confusion.
“What else could it be? Our Xiao Li’s at the age to start dating.”
As soon as Yang Zaohua finished speaking, the woman’s mouth curled in disdain.
Just recently, she had tried arranging a blind date between her niece and Director Zhou, but he hadn’t liked her. After Yang Zaohua walked away, she muttered bitterly:
“People who know understand she’s arranging a match for Xiao Li. People who don’t would think she dressed herself up like a blooming flower for her own blind date.”
Another neighbor whispered, “Director Zhou’s already in his thirties, right? Xiao Li’s only nineteen.”
“Tsk tsk. Biological daughters and adopted daughters really are treated differently.” Another sighed. “The Jiangs must think the adopted daughter is taking up space, so they’re rushing to marry her off. Otherwise, with the Jiang family’s conditions and how much they used to dote on Jiang Li, how could they bear to marry her to a divorced man?”
Short and walking quickly, Yang Zaohua couldn’t hear the gossip behind her. Wanting to marry Jiang Li off as soon as possible, her wrinkled face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.
“Little Zhou, I’m not bragging. In this whole grain station compound, our Jiang Li is one of the prettiest girls around. She can study too, and after marriage she can help educate your children. There’s no one more suitable to be your wife.”
“Yes, I’ve long heard about Comrade Xiao Jiang’s achievements at the bureau,” Director Zhou said. “Two consecutive years as an outstanding representative. Her work ethic and ideological character have always been excellent.”
Director Zhou wore a dark blue work uniform with two fountain pens tucked into the front pocket. His hair was slicked shiny with pomade, making him look energetic and spirited. In his left hand he carried fabric, and in his right a large box of canned fruit.
After entering the room, Zhou Xueming scanned the house and immediately spotted Jiang Li sitting slenderly in the corner. His eyes lit up instantly.
Other people wore blue floral jackets too, but Jiang Li somehow looked especially striking in hers. Her face was beautiful as a flower, like a movie star stepping out from a television screen.
“You must be Comrade Jiang Li?” Zhou Xueming walked over excitedly and placed the fabric and canned fruit on the table. “Look at that—we both worked at the bureau before, yet we somehow never met!”
Jiang Li held her book silently.
Xu Huili quickly smoothed things over. “She just woke up and still hasn’t fully come to her senses.”
“It’s fine. Young people like to sleep extra to recover their energy.” Zhou Xueming simply assumed Jiang Li was shy. He patted the canned fruit box. “These are gifts I brought for you. When you don’t feel like eating, try some.”
Behind them, Yang Zaohua’s eyes gleamed at the sight of the canned fruit. She hurried over to take it and enthusiastically invited him to sit down.
“Little Zhou, you’re too polite. Why bring gifts?”
A few days ago, she had seen the same canned fruit displayed at the department store. The sales clerk had said it was the most popular canned fruit in the country—sweet and delicious—but expensive, costing a full two yuan a box.
How could Jiang Li deserve something so good?
She had to save it for her eldest grandson!
“Of course it’s proper etiquette.” Zhou Xueming sat beside Jiang Li. The closer he looked, the more charming he found her. He nodded repeatedly before turning to Jiang Qingfeng.
“Qingfeng, I’ve long heard your younger sister performs excellently at the factory. It truly lives up to the reputation.”
The leader’s praise immediately flattered Jiang Qingfeng, who quickly stood up to shake hands.
“Director Zhou, my younger sister is a bit mischievous. Please take care of her in the future.”
A department head who managed hundreds of people and whom he normally never even had the chance to meet was now about to become family.
Such good fortune had once been unimaginable to him.
Looks like he shouldn’t be too biased against Jiang Li after all. Once she became the director’s wife, he would surely benefit with a promotion too.
“Take care of her? From now on, we’ll be family—no need for formalities.” Zhou Xueming’s words made it obvious he had already decided on Jiang Li.
Jiang Li kept a cold face the entire time, nearly wanting to vomit up last night’s dinner.
Gradually, the whole family took turns praising Jiang Li in every exaggerated way possible, making her sound like a heavenly treasure unmatched on earth.
Listening to everyone praise Jiang Li, Jiang Xiaoxiao grew increasingly dissatisfied.
If she hadn’t dreamed that Xiang Zhou would become the future hospital director, would this Director Zhou ever have ended up with Jiang Li?
Sure, he was divorced, but he still had genuinely excellent conditions and was even a government cadre. Being a cadre’s wife would be incredibly prestigious.
At the Grain Bureau, Jiang Xiaoxiao had long heard countless people trying to arrange blind dates for Director Zhou after his divorce. Matchmakers had nearly worn down the Zhou family’s doorstep. Yet Jiang Li acted aloof and pretentious about something others could only dream of.
“What an act.”
Ever since returning to North City, she had helped people at the Grain Bureau improve their health and even treated residents in the family compound. So why did nobody ever praise her?
Just then—
A frantic shout came from the doorway.
“Xiaoxiao! Is Xiaoxiao home? Hurry and take a look at Dajun!”
Auntie Li rushed in carrying her grandson. Seeing the room packed with people, she knew the timing was terrible, but she had no choice. Sweat covered her forehead as she anxiously searched for someone.
“Xiaoxiao, hurry and check on Dajun! See what’s wrong with him!”
Not only Auntie Li, but many residents from the grain station compound had also gathered after hearing Director Zhou was meeting the Jiang family. They had all come to watch the excitement.
Seeing the crowd at the doorway, Jiang Xiaoxiao immediately stood up straight.
“Auntie Li, don’t panic first. Put Dajun on the chair and let me examine him.”
Her chance to show off had arrived.
Jiang Xiaoxiao directed Auntie Li to place the child onto two redwood chairs pushed together. As soon as the child lay down, Jiang Xiaoxiao pretended professionally to feel his pulse while reassuring Auntie Li.
“Don’t worry, Auntie Li. Dajun doesn’t have any serious illness. Kids are just like this—their bodies are weak and easily infected by random viruses. It looks scary, but it’s nothing major.”
Originally frantic, Auntie Li finally relaxed slightly after hearing it wasn’t serious.
“I don’t know what happened. Early this morning Dajun started complaining about stomach pain and vomiting. Now he doesn’t even have any energy left.”
“He ate something bad. Just ordinary indigestion. Luckily, there’s still some medicine left at home.” Jiang Xiaoxiao released the child’s hand and went back to her room to prepare medicine. Returning, she handed it over. “Just boil this and let him drink it.”
Auntie Li quickly stood up with her barely conscious grandson and thanked her repeatedly.
“Xiaoxiao, thank you again.”
As she spoke, Auntie Li reached into her pocket for money.
Jiang Xiaoxiao jumped in alarm and hurriedly waved her hands.
“No, no, no! This little bit of medicine isn’t worth much. As long as Dajun gets better, that’s enough.”
Under current policies, openly charging money could easily give people an excuse to criticize or persecute her.
Jiang Xiaoxiao wasn’t that reckless. She only wanted a good reputation to squeeze Jiang Li out.
“Then thank you.” Auntie Li happily saved several yuan and cheerfully said to Jiang Yumin, “Old Jiang, Xiaoxiao truly deserves to be part of the Jiang family. Her morals are impeccable!”
Even Zhou Xueming felt his future father-in-law had raised his daughters well. Not only was the adopted daughter outstanding, but the younger daughter wasn’t bad either. Just as he prepared to add some praise of his own—
Someone who had remained silent the entire time finally spoke.
“The child’s already slipping into unconsciousness. Are you sure you don’t want to take him to the hospital?”
Looking at the less-than-six-year-old child lying weakly in Auntie Li’s arms, one arm hanging limply downward, Jiang Li simply couldn’t ignore a life as a doctor. In the end, she couldn’t bear staying silent.
Jiang Xiaoxiao had been enjoying all the praise and couldn’t tolerate being questioned.
“What unconsciousness? Isn’t he perfectly fine? He still has enough strength to open his eyes! He’s just had diarrhea all morning and skipped breakfast. Anyone would feel weak!”
The more she spoke, the angrier she became.
“I studied medicine on the island for two years at least! You don’t understand anything, so can you stop interfering when I’m treating patients? If you delay someone’s illness, can you take responsibility?”
Jiang Li stood up and walked over to Auntie Li. She also checked Dajun’s pulse, then confirmed her diagnosis before letting go.
“If you truly studied medicine seriously for two years, then which of this child’s symptoms looks like indigestion to you?”
Her eyes burned with anger as she demanded:
“And where did you get the nerve to make random diagnoses and gamble with human life?”