Jiang Xiaoxiao felt terribly guilty. In truth, she wasn’t confident in reading pulses at all—her master had only taught her the basics.
Fortunately, she had memorized the entire Barefoot Doctor’s Manual from beginning to end. The symptoms of Auntie Li’s grandson matched exactly the description of pediatric diarrhea in the handbook.
There was no way she could be wrong.
“Who are you trying to scare?!” Jiang Xiaoxiao remembered that the residents from the grain station compound were all watching outside, so she stubbornly refused to admit fault. “If this isn’t indigestion, then what is it?”
“Jiang Li, I know you don’t like me and just want to drive me out of the Jiang family.” As Jiang Xiaoxiao spoke, tears squeezed out of her eyes. “B-but I really did study medicine! Everyone in the compound can testify for me.”
The neighbors gathered outside the Jiang house immediately chimed in to support her.
“Comrade Jiang Xiaoxiao really can treat illnesses. The medicine she prescribed for me worked great.”
“Yeah, the medicine she gave me worked even better than the clinic’s.”
Someone who disliked Jiang Li even spat sunflower seed shells onto the ground. “It wasn’t easy for Xiaoxiao to return to Beicheng. Jiang Li, stop trying to persecute her all the time.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao lowered her head and pretended to wipe away tears.
Auntie Li held her grandson and clutched the medicine, anxiety churning in her heart. Her daughter-in-law had married beneath herself and only had this one child. Normally Auntie Li already had to endure plenty of scolding from her daughter-in-law. If something happened to the boy, who knew how badly she’d be cursed?
“If Xiaoxiao says it’s indigestion, then it’s indigestion. If something happens, I’ll take responsibility, alright? Comrade Jiang Li, stop blocking me—I still need to go home and boil the medicine!”
Jiang Xiaoxiao’s medicine really was effective. Auntie Li had experienced it herself when she had a sore throat; after drinking the medicine and sleeping for one night, she recovered completely. Surely this time would be the same, and she could even save several yuan by not going to the hospital.
As far as she was concerned, Jiang Xiaoxiao was a wonderful person!
As for Jiang Li—
Auntie Li eyed her suspiciously. “I heard the old Jiang family say you studied medicine under Doctor Jiang before, but you were just a little girl back then. How much could you possibly have learned?”
“Compared to you, I trust Xiaoxiao more!”
The child, not yet six years old, lay limply in his grandmother’s arms. His tiny hand dangled weakly, and his little face looked exhausted.
At this point, Jiang Li withdrew her gaze and gave one final warning as Auntie Li carried the child out the door:
“The medicine Jiang Xiaoxiao prescribed doesn’t match the illness—it’ll actually make things worse. Two hours after taking it, he’ll start vomiting blood. If you still want the child to live, send him to the hospital immediately. Otherwise, even Hua Tuo himself wouldn’t be able to save him.”
Vomiting blood?
Auntie Li’s heart skipped a beat in fright, but she turned and spat. “Pah, pah, pah! My grandson just has ordinary indigestion. Why would he vomit blood? Stop cursing him!”
Zhou Xueming was a leader at the grain management office. Since something like this had happened, he naturally stepped forward to mediate.
“Alright, that’s enough. Everyone disperse.”
The family compound residents had all come for gossip. Who didn’t know that Jiang Li used to be the most beautiful flower in the grain station compound—the prettiest of them all? Seeing usually stern and old-fashioned Director Zhou unable to resist picking this flower only two months after his divorce, they teased him openly.
“Director Zhou, looks like you’re pretty interested in Comrade Jiang Li!”
“Comrade Jiang Li is much prettier than your ex-wife, huh?”
“When are we getting invited to the wedding banquet?”
“We’ll make it happen soon,” Zhou Xueming replied with a smile, the crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes lifting. “When the banquet happens, everyone will be invited.”
After years in a high-ranking position, how could he fail to see the Jiang family’s intentions in marrying their daughter to him?
Naturally, he could also tell Jiang Li was unwilling. But if he agreed, the marriage would happen. Could Jiang Li really defy her parents? Besides, a new wave of rural relocation campaigns was coming soon. Though he was divorced and had two sons, under these circumstances, Jiang Li was still considered lucky to marry him.
Xu Huili pulled Jiang Xiaoxiao into the bedroom and lowered her voice nervously.
“Xiaoxiao, was Auntie Li’s grandson really suffering from indigestion?”
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked aggrieved. “Mom… why don’t you trust me either?”
“It’s not that. Jiang Li did study medicine under Grandpa for several years. It’s not that I don’t trust you—it’s that I trust Grandpa too much.” Xu Huili felt increasingly uneasy, especially after Jiang Li confidently declared that the child would vomit blood. “Grandpa’s medical skills were famous throughout Beicheng back then. Important officials even traveled to the countryside to see him.”
It was precisely because of Grandpa Jiang’s reputation that the Xu family had agreed to let their daughter marry beneath her status into the Jiang family. Otherwise, how could an ordinary farmer hope to marry the daughter of the deputy director of the Grain Management Bureau?
“Jiang Li was raised by Grandpa from the age of eight, with her third uncle—who also studied medicine—beside her. She only returned to Beicheng at twelve. Maybe she really does know something.”
“Mom!” Jiang Xiaoxiao had begun feeling nervous herself, but hearing Jiang Li’s age at the time immediately relaxed her again. “Forget eight—even twelve is still just a child! Medical books are obscure and difficult. How could Jiang Li possibly understand them? I’m the one who properly studied medicine for two years. Why trust her instead of me?”
“Alright, alright.” Xu Huili didn’t have the heart to keep doubting her daughter. Stroking Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face, she examined her carefully. “When we have time, we should go to the department store and buy you more cold cream. Your skin’s gotten a little fairer.”
But deep down, Xu Huili knew Jiang Xiaoxiao had probably inherited her complexion. No matter how much effort she put in, people would still think her skin looked somewhat dark and dull.
“Comrade Xiao Jiang, Comrade Xiaoxiao is doing good deeds for the people. You really shouldn’t question her just to gain attention.”
Zhou Xueming already treated himself as part of the Jiang family.
In his eyes, Jiang Xiaoxiao’s return had stolen too much attention away from Jiang Li, upsetting her emotionally and causing her to act irrationally.
Such behavior was dangerous—one day it might even embarrass him publicly. Yet he couldn’t bear to give up Jiang Li, so he could only offer timely warnings.
“Comrade Zhou.” Jiang Li stopped reading and looked up with a faint smile. “Since you think Comrade Jiang Xiaoxiao is so wonderful, logically you should be arranging a blind date with her instead.”
Zhou Xueming looked awkward. He wasn’t blind. One woman was ordinary-looking, while the other was stunningly beautiful. Naturally he knew which one to choose.
“That’s not what I meant.”
The Jiang family had already cleared out the living room to give the two of them space alone.
Jiang Li didn’t respond further. Leaning back, she resumed reading her book. Combined with Zhou Xueming’s endless chatter, it was honestly rather sleep-inducing.
Yang Zaohua sat nearby sorting soybeans with a dustpan. As she watched the scene inside—Zhou Xueming talking endlessly while Jiang Li ignored him and read calmly—she grew irritated. Slamming the dustpan onto the floor, she immediately switched to a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum when Zhou Xueming looked over.
“Xiao Zhou, the weather’s so nice outside. Why don’t you two go for a walk by the river?”
Zhou Xueming agreed immediately. “The sunshine is lovely today. A walk sounds good.”
Then he smiled and asked, “What does Comrade Xiao Jiang think?”
“Oh, there’s no need to ask her opinion. Even if she doesn’t want to go, she’s going!” Yang Zaohua reached out to drag Jiang Li up by the arm.
Jiang Li’s arm sank downward. In the tugging, Yang Zaohua nearly fell flat on her face before barely managing to steady herself.
With a fake smile, Jiang Li said, “Grandma, I’m going to get to know Comrade Zhou better. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for you to tag along?”
“Cut the nonsense.” Yang Zaohua lowered her voice. “Don’t think I don’t know what tricks you’re planning. Let me tell you plainly—the boarded-up doors and windows at home were all my idea. You think you can run? Dream on! Alive, you belong to the Zhou family. Dead, you’ll be their ghost. Even your grave will be in the Zhou family ancestral plot!”
Just then, Ye Suqin entered carrying a basket of vegetables and set it casually on the table.
“Little sister, are you heading out?”
Jiang Li nodded.
While Yang Zaohua and Zhou Xueming were talking, Ye Suqin glanced around and quietly leaned closer.
“This Zhou Xueming is no good. You absolutely cannot marry him.”
Jiang Li was surprised. She couldn’t understand why Ye Suqin, who had always targeted her before, was suddenly helping her. Then she remembered how the original Jiang Li had usually treated Ye Suqin and immediately understood.
From their past interactions, it seemed the original Jiang Li had already realized Ye Suqin was soft-hearted beneath her sharp tongue.
…Had Ye Suqin finally come around?
Just as Jiang Li was about to nod, a rolled-up slip of paper was quietly pressed into her palm. Looking up, she saw Ye Suqin giving her a meaningful nod.
The previous night, after learning of the Jiang family’s plans, Ye Suqin had tossed and turned sleeplessly in bed.
Though it was supposedly for her husband’s future promotion, she couldn’t shake her unease. In her view, Jiang Qingfeng already earned fifty yuan a month including subsidies—far better than life in the countryside. A promotion might sound prestigious, but it wouldn’t increase their income by much. Yet they were trying to suck Jiang Li dry for it.
Ye Suqin truly couldn’t stand it. Early that morning, she went out and used her connections to inquire about Zhou Xueming’s ex-wife.
What she discovered shocked her.
Zhou Xueming had divorced because he was caught cheating. His ex-wife had caught him in bed with a female accountant from the procurement department.
And there wasn’t just one mistress.
There were two.
If Jiang Li married into the Zhou family, wouldn’t she be jumping straight into a pit of fire?
After uncovering the truth, Ye Suqin hurried home anxiously. Upon reaching the family compound, she heard Zhou Xueming had already arrived at the Jiang house. In desperation, she scribbled the information onto a slip of paper.
The three of them headed toward the riverbank to enjoy the scenery, with Yang Zaohua following not too far behind—just close enough to overhear their conversation.
“Comrade Xiao Jiang, after marriage you won’t need to work or tire yourself out looking for a job.” Zhou Xueming had already planned their married life. Looking at Jiang Li’s flawless skin, determination filled his eyes. “You just need to stay home, take care of the family, and look after the two children.”
Passing by a supply cooperative, Jiang Li went inside and bought a large bag of soda. She handed one bottle to Yang Zaohua.
“Grandma, this one’s orange flavored. Give it a try.”
At the sight of the sweet soda, greed flashed in Yang Zaohua’s tiny eyes. She licked her dry lips. These days, everyone craved sweets—even she was no exception.
Still, this adopted granddaughter was actually willing to buy her soda?
Suspiciously, Yang Zaohua snatched the whole bag over and peered inside. “You didn’t drug the soda, did you?”
“Grandma, how could you say that?” Jiang Li looked wronged. Her willow-leaf eyes reddened instantly, crystal tears shimmering within them. “It’s all legitimate goods from the state supply store. How would I dare put anything in it? I just felt touched that Grandma found me such a good marriage and even came out in the sun to supervise things.”
Watching a beauty like Jiang Li look tearful made Zhou Xueming’s heart practically melt. He hurried to reassure her.
“Grandma Yang, I helped buy the soda myself. There’s definitely nothing mixed into it.”
“Enough! Of course Grandma trusts you.” Yang Zaohua hooked the bag over her elbow, bit the cap off an orange soda bottle, and gulped it down in one go. Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she immediately opened another.
Jiang Li observed calmly while casually chatting with Zhou Xueming.
Finally—
After finishing the soda, Yang Zaohua clutched her stomach and urgently searched for a restroom.
“I’m going to the toilet. Don’t even think about running!” she warned Jiang Li.
“Don’t worry, Grandma.” Jiang Li smiled leisurely, lowering her head just enough to reveal a slender stretch of pale neck. “Such a wonderful marriage opportunity—why would I abandon it?”
“Good that you know it’s wonderful. Stop causing trouble and marry into the Zhou family obediently.” Unable to hold it any longer, Yang Zaohua hurried into the public restroom.
“Zhou Xueming.” Once she was gone, Jiang Li’s tone turned colder.
Still intoxicated by Jiang Li’s smile, Zhou Xueming’s heart pounded wildly. Though this wasn’t his first marriage, Jiang Li had utterly bewitched him. Assuming she had finally accepted him willingly, he stepped closer.
“Comrade Xiao Jiang?”
“You’re very familiar with Ji Ping and Xi Yingqiu, aren’t you?” Jiang Li had secretly read Ye Suqin’s note while inside the supply cooperative.
Those bits of information could serve far more purposes in her hands.
Hearing the two names, Zhou Xueming’s expression darkened instantly.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing much. You dared to fool around—are you afraid people will find out?” Jiang Li smiled faintly. “I just happen to have some evidence.”
Both of Zhou Xueming’s mistresses had gained benefits in the procurement department through him. If the scandal became public, he—as department head—would be the first dragged down.
He immediately realized what Jiang Li wanted and sobered up completely.
“Fine. Tell me what you want.”
Jiang Li enjoyed the river breeze, her mood brightening.
“Don’t look so serious. I never said I’d report you. As long as you agree to one thing, I guarantee your department head position will remain as stable as Mount Tai.”
She had learned the villain’s manipulative speaking style perfectly.
Her willow-leaf eyes curved as she smiled.
“Since my grandmother loves the Zhou family so much, why not have someone from your family marry her instead? Wouldn’t that be nice?”
Since Yang Zaohua was so devoted to planning for her grandson’s future, shouldn’t she sacrifice herself a little too?