Ji Yanshu returned home.
The moment she saw her family, she could no longer hold back her emotions and burst into tears.
They were all flesh-and-blood people.
How could they become cannon fodder supporting roles in the book, with no one caring whether they lived or died?
Fortunately, she had been reborn and still had the chance to stay away from the so-called male and female leads.
How wonderful!
Father Ji and Mother Ji returned home after work, preparing to wash up and change clothes before going to their new son-in-law's house for dinner.
But they saw their daughter crying as soon as she entered the house.
They immediately panicked.
Mother Ji rushed forward in one swift movement, "My dear, did someone bully you?"
Ji Yanshu shook her head, then nodded.
Zhou Heng had indeed bullied her.
Fortunately, she wasn't masochistic and wouldn't give anyone else the chance to hurt her again.
Father Ji was a man of few words, having been an honest farmer all his life.
Now he was also anxiously watching his daughter.
"Who bullied you? Tell your mother, let's see if I don't deal with them!"
Mother Ji had given birth to Ji Yanshu at forty.
The family had four sons, with only one daughter who was also the youngest.
They treasured her dearly!
Mother Ji was fierce and protective of her family. Since Ji Yanshu's job required dealing with Production Team members, whenever she encountered difficult ruffians, Mother Ji would stay by her daughter's side, afraid she might suffer losses.
Now she rolled up her sleeves, looking ready to seek justice.
Ji Yanshu suddenly laughed through her tears.
Such wonderful family – in her previous life, that ungrateful son of hers didn't know how to cherish them.
To please his stepmother, he actually cut off contact with the Ji family.
Fortunately, he wouldn't be born in this lifetime.
That troublesome creature, if he must be born, should be reincarnated into the womb of Zhou Heng's true love.
Let their "main character group" live happily together, and stop harming innocent supporting roles!
"My dear?"
Seeing her daughter crying and laughing alternately, Mother Ji was somewhat confused.
Ji Yanshu wiped her tears.
She asked: "When will little brother return?"
Mother Ji: "What do you need him for? He went to collect fertilizer and probably won't be back for another half hour. He said to let your father and I go to the Zhou family first, and he'll come later."
Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Mother Ji immediately shut her mouth.
Ji Yanshu: "Get me a burlap bag."
Mother Ji instinctively asked: "What do you need a burlap bag for?"
Ji Yanshu: "To vent my anger!"
Father Ji: "Who do you want to bag?"
Mother Ji was shocked, "We should discuss things properly. If necessary, I'll stand up for you, but you can't leave any evidence. Many people are eyeing your position."
Managerial jobs required educated people to do them.
The Production Team had received a batch of Educated Youth, most of whom couldn't do farm work.
Positions like accountant, work-point recorder, school teacher… everyone was competing for these jobs.
Her daughter was responsible for managing labor, assessing work points, and distributing compensation.
Not only were the Educated Youth interested, but even locals wanted to snatch this job away.
Being cared for by her parents made Ji Yanshu want to cry even more.
Her voice choked with tears, "If I don't beat up Zhou Heng, I'll feel wronged."
If he didn't like her, why did he date her?
Why did he marry her?
Every single thing was initiated by him.
With just one phrase about not understanding love when young, he became the pure, rugged male lead.
Everyone praised him.
While she became the cannon fodder female supporting role.
Even after death, she would be dragged out to be compared with the female lead, and incidentally getting scorned a few times.
Ji Yanshu felt furious.
She had done nothing wrong.
Even if she had to stay away from the male and female leads, she still needed to vent her anger!
Mother Ji cautiously asked: "Did you get the marriage certificate?"
Ji Yanshu shook her head, "No, and we never will."
Mother Ji wanted to ask for details, but seeing her daughter's red-rimmed eyes, she feared making her more upset and could only keep her questions to herself.
Patting Ji Yanshu's hand, she said, "Go wash your face. I'll stew a chicken for you."
It was originally agreed that both families would have a meal together.
But now her daughter had returned in tears, with Zhou Heng nowhere to be seen—clearly it was his fault.
What was the point of having this meal now!
In the countryside, chickens were raised with purpose—the hens were kept for laying eggs.
Even though the Ji family was relatively well-off, with their working son occasionally sending money and ration coupons home, slaughtering a chicken without any special occasion was truly something they couldn't bear to do.
Ji Yanshu composed herself.
"Slaughter the rooster Zhou Heng's family gave us during the engagement."
Mother Ji said, "Didn't you say you're not getting the marriage certificate? Then the betrothal gifts and such should all be returned."
Their family prided itself on integrity and couldn't afford to be stained with the reputation of taking advantage.
The family didn't lack this bit of meat. Ji Yanshu could do without it—she simply wanted to vent her anger.
Once the news spread, her family would surely be anxious and upset.
It was only right to let them nourish themselves.
Whether in her past life or this one, Zhou Heng had wronged her.
Didn't he owe her compensation?
"He deceived me into marriage—he deserves this!"
"Deceived you into marriage?"
On her way home, Ji Yanshu had already figured out where Zhou Heng had gone.
She was also certain he had been reborn.
That was why he couldn't wait to find his "true love" and refused to marry her.
She didn't cover for Zhou Heng. "He went to find Xu Huifang."
"Xu Huifang…"
Mother Ji repeated the name. "Is she that capitalist's daughter, the one who carries night soil?"
Xu Huifang came from a bad class background, and many people avoided her, afraid of getting into trouble.
There was a female Educated Youth with a similar name, so Mother Ji wasn't sure if she had the right person.
Ji Yanshu hummed in confirmation.
"She's Zhou Heng's beloved. Just wait—Zhou Heng will soon come to break off the engagement."
"What? He wants to break off the engagement?"
Mother Ji raised her voice.
Father Ji cautioned, "Keep your voice down. If outsiders hear, they'll gossip."
Turning to Ji Yanshu, he asked, "Are you sure that boy is involved with that capitalist's daughter?"
Ji Yanshu nodded. "Yes. If you don't believe me, go check the Cowshed."
Their daughter wasn't a fool.
If she said Zhou Heng was in love with the capitalist's daughter, it must be true.
Father and Mother Ji exchanged glances.
Their hearts sank.
Mother Ji had thought the two young people had just had a quarrel and might make up eventually.
She never expected Zhou Heng had someone else in his heart.
And he even wanted to break off the engagement!
Then what about the past two years when he was dating their daughter—helping with household chores and giving her malted milk powder?
What was that all about?
Playing with their feelings?
Instantly, anger surged within her.
"How dare he break it off? If anyone breaks it off, it should be us! What kind of diseased chicken is he? Eating it would make you sick—filthy!"
Mother Ji forgot about cooking. "Old Ji, bring the things. Let's go to the Zhou family and demand an explanation!"
Only their daughter had the right to call off the engagement. Zhou Heng wanting to dump their daughter? Dream on!
He was older and just average-looking.
Their daughter was like a fresh flower stuck in cow dung—marrying into the Zhou family was their good fortune!
Yet Zhou Heng wasn't satisfied.
Truly, the ugly ones make the most trouble!