“Brother Yanqing, here are the paper and pen. Write quickly!” Li Xuemei said with a mix of reproach and resentment as she placed the paper and pen into Xu Yanqing’s hands, urging him on.
“Xuemei, should we write my name or yours as the debtor? It’s all because Lu Zhenzhen keeps harassing us every day, making you feel insecure.”
Xu Yanqing spoke indignantly, feeling deeply troubled. He didn’t blame his wife for pressuring him either; he only resented Lu Zhenzhen for suddenly becoming so uncooperative.
“Brother Yanqing, let’s write both our names as debtors. We’re husband and wife, one and the same. I hope Sister Zhenzhen won’t disturb us anymore from now on.”
Li Xuemei said with a pitiful tone, though inwardly she thought that even if it were twelve thousand yuan instead of twelve hundred, she wouldn’t care.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have the money on hand right now. If there were a way, she would have repaid it immediately, just to keep Lu Zhenzhen from ever coming to their home again.
In her previous life, two months later, Xu Yanqing’s family and Lu Zhenzhen returned to Hushi, where they soared to success and became the city’s wealthiest family.
Thinking of this, a spark of jealousy burned within Li Xuemei, threatening to consume her entirely.
Her father was the village chief, and she was the village’s most beautiful flower—educated, pretty, and beloved by everyone.
How could she have ended up as a maid in the end?
Although she had won Xu Yanqing’s heart, she had no official status and had to wash clothes, cook, and care for the children for that foolish woman, Lu Zhenzhen.
Heaven truly favored her, allowing her to be reborn!
In this life, she, Li Xuemei, was destined to be the wife of the wealthiest man, living a life that would make everyone envious.
With that thought, she haughtily flung the IOU written by Xu Yanqing onto the auntie.
“Take a good look. It’s written in black and white: Xu Yanqing and Li Xuemei owe Lu Zhenzhen twelve hundred yuan in full, to be repaid within two years.
Auntie, take this to Sister Zhenzhen and tell her not to come to our home ever again.”
“Auntie Lanhua, quickly check if there are any mistakes.” The auntie who had received two yuan earnestly handed the IOU to Auntie Lanhua.
On the way, the auntie supporting Lu Zhenzhen sincerely apologized, “Zhiqing Lu, I’m sorry. It was our fault for being blind before. Seeing you marry such a good man like Gu Ye, no one would have suspected any ulterior motives.”
“Yes, yes, Zhenzhen, I also owe you an apology.” Second Aunt Gu offered a perfunctory apology, having received one yuan.
“Zhenzhen, you shouldn’t go to the Xujia family anymore. You might not know what people in the village are saying about you.
Although you weren’t formally married to Gu Ye, your marriage certificate is real.
We aunties have inquired about it. Gu Ye is a soldier, and they say he’s even become an official. He probably can’t divorce so easily.
No matter how high or low his rank, he’s still an official. Since you’re the one who benefited, you should settle down and live peacefully with him.
Zhenzhen, no matter what others say from now on, don’t take it to heart. Just close your door and live your life in peace.”
“…”
These words were a bit harsh!
But Lu Zhenzhen wasn’t angry. First, she truly had no energy, and second, the words were blunt but not unreasonable.
Although it was partly because of the one yuan, at this moment, the auntie genuinely meant well for her.
Thinking this, Lu Zhenzhen clutched the money in her arms even tighter. Money wasn’t everything, but it was indeed a good thing.
“Yes, Zhenzhen, you should live well with Gu Ye from now on.” Second Aunt Gu said, not entirely against her conscience.
If there was anyone happiest about the bride-swapping incident two months ago, it was undoubtedly Second Aunt Gu.
Gu Ye’s father was the village storekeeper and the elder brother of Second Aunt Gu’s husband. He once saved the village chief during a flash flood.
Not only did the village chief give Gu Ye the village’s military enlistment quota, but he also betrothed his beloved youngest daughter, Li Xuemei, to Gu Ye.
At the time, no one thought this was excessive, as it was earned by Elder Brother Gu with his life. After his death, the three Gu brothers divided the family property.
The closer the brothers, the more likely they were to compare themselves. Second Aunt Gu secretly envied her sister-in-law, but she never let others know.
Who would have thought Gu Ye was an unlucky man? On his wedding day, he actually brought home the wrong bride.
The day after the mistaken wedding night, Second Aunt Gu and the villagers weren’t without suspicions. But no matter how they compared, Gu Ye was superior to Youth Xu in every aspect.
Ten years ago, Gu Ye might have been lacking, but after serving in the military for a decade, it was said he had even become an officer.
No one knew exactly how high his rank was, but he was certainly better off than Youth Xu. So everyone believed it was fate.
Whenever she saw her eldest nephew’s newlywed wife causing endless trouble, Second Aunt Gu wanted to eat an extra bowl of rice at every meal, though she could only manage an extra bowl of wild vegetable porridge.
Especially when Gu Ye was driven away by that troublemaker, she wished she could set off firecrackers in celebration. Whenever she had time, she would join others in watching Lu Zhenzhen make a fool of herself.
But she truly never expected the truth to be like this. Seeing how guilty Li Xuemei looked and how readily she gave Lu Zhenzhen 663 yuan.
Second Aunt Gu was seething with envy. When she glanced at the scrawny Lu Zhenzhen, who looked incapable of bearing children.
Her envy lessened somewhat. What use was having money?
One needed descendants to carry on the family line!
She and her sister-in-law were the same age, yet she already had four or five grandchildren. Meanwhile, since her sister-in-law’s son married, people had been gossiping behind her back every day.
As they spoke, they had already arrived at the Gu family’s doorstep. Lu Zhenzhen looked up and saw the traditional three-room house.
Though it also had earthen walls, the roof was covered with gray tiles. The central room was the main hall, with bedrooms on either side, and a slanted-roof kitchen on the right.
From the kitchen came a mocking female voice, “Sister-in-law, how can you still have the heart to cook?
Look at what kind of trash your Gu Ye married. How does she still have the face to go to Youth Xu’s house?
Our Gu family must have had the worst luck for eight lifetimes to end up with such a shameless slut.”
“Exactly! Auntie is too soft-hearted, still letting her stay at home. If it were my mother, she would have kicked this shameless tramp out long ago.”
“Third Aunt, Fangfang, don’t worry. Gu Ye will divorce her sooner or later,” said a firm female voice.
The conversation inside was heard not only by Lu Zhenzhen but also by Second Aunt Gu, who shouted awkwardly, “Sister-in-law, your daughter-in-law is back.”
Lu Zhenzhen walked directly into the main hall, clutching several bundles of money, and ran into Mother Gu, who had just emerged from the kitchen.
Dressed in a gray cotton jacket and black pants, Mother Gu looked flustered when she saw Lu Zhenzhen, her sallow face filled with unease.
She rubbed the hem of her clothes with both hands, lowered her head, and asked, “You’re back. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. Could you please make me something good to eat? Here’s ten yuan for you,” Lu Zhenzhen said awkwardly.
If she still had the strength, she would have cooked for herself and never asked for help. As she spoke, she handed Mother Gu a ten-yuan note.
But Mother Gu didn’t take it, clearly shocked by her words and actions.
Seeing this, Lu Zhenzhen remembered that whenever the original host returned home, Mother Gu would routinely ask if she had eaten.
And the original owner would always yell at her fiercely, “Mind your own business. If you really want to interfere, then tell your son to divorce me.”
“Take this and make me something good to eat. I’m starving,” Lu Zhenzhen said, clutching the six bundles of cash in her arms as she headed toward her bedroom.
According to the aunt who had helped her earlier, Mother Gu was forty-six this year, but she looked like an old woman, with strands of hair on both sides already turning gray.