In her previous life, Qin Yuan had returned home from the county town, only to fall into the river that very night.
The day after the accident—which was this very day in her previous life—she had been forced to marry Xia Junsheng’s memorial tablet, becoming the Xia family’s “widow.”
On the third day of her widowhood, Xia Min had whined, “My brother is dead. I’m so heartbroken that I can’t even work in the fields anymore.”
Then Hu Yinglian had threatened, “In that case, make that jinx give you her university admission slot. Let her stay here and atone for what she’s done. Otherwise, we’ll all die together!”
And just like that, the university admission slot that the entire Qin family treasured as much as their own lives had been snatched away.
Later, Xia Min used that slot to become a state-employed teacher. She transferred her household registration out of the village, secured a government-paid job, and became the envy of everyone in the village.
Meanwhile, Qin Yuan had lived like a slave in the Xia household.
Branded as the jinx who had harmed their family, she took care of Xia Junsheng, the “benefactor” who had supposedly returned from the dead. She waited hand and foot on Hu Yinglian, her black-hearted mother-in-law. She even had to grow grain and vegetables to earn money and support Xia Min—the sister-in-law who had stolen her university admission slot.
What an exquisitely calculated scheme!
Presumably, that mother-daughter pair from the Xia family was still dreaming the same beautiful dream in this life.
Heh.
Too bad for them.
She, Qin Yuan, had returned with all the memories of her previous life!
This time, she would never let a single member of the Xia family get what they wanted.
She would never repeat the tragedy of her previous life.
Instead of waiting for those black-hearted people to rack their brains trying to steal her university admission slot, she might as well sell it herself first.
Not only would she get money for it, but she could also use the influence of the buyer to secure a chance of survival for her benefactor.
From Section Chief Wang’s tone, Qin Yuan had already realized that whoever wanted to buy the admission slot was definitely an influential figure in the county.
People like that had power and connections.
Arranging a hospital admission or calling an ambulance would be effortless for them.
But Qin Yuan was merely a girl from a remote mountain village who had lost her father and had neither power nor connections. Even if she exhausted herself trying, it would still be extremely difficult for her to break through all those layers of so-called “regulations” and get her benefactor treated in time.
She wouldn’t lose out on this deal!
More importantly, she had been reborn.
She clearly remembered that the national college entrance examination would be reinstated at the end of this year.
Even if she gave up this final admission slot for a Worker-Peasant-Soldier university student, she would still have the college entrance examination.
She would still have another opportunity to attend university and escape rural life.
But if her benefactor failed to receive treatment in time, there would never be another chance to save him.
If that happened, what would be the point of holding on to the admission slot and becoming a university student?
Leaning against the wall, Qin Yuan thought everything through.
Her eyes gradually became clearer, and her determination grew stronger.
In fact, the moment she imagined the despair on the faces of the Xia mother and daughter when they discovered she had sold the university admission slot, she couldn’t help laughing.
Hahaha!
They were definitely going to lose their minds, weren’t they?
Just as expected, those who had no idea that the college entrance examination would soon be reinstated were extremely eager to buy the admission slot.
Less than twenty minutes later, the telephone rang.
Qin Yuan hurried over and picked it up.
“…Hello?”
“Qin Yuan?”
It was Section Chief Wang. His voice carried a hint of impatience and unease, but even more excitement.
“Good, you’re still there. I’m calling to tell you that the other party agreed! But your situation is rather complicated. You need an identity for him, a guarantor, official approval, and arrangements for medical treatment. None of that is easy to handle.”
Qin Yuan remained silent.
Something told her that Section Chief Wang was deliberately making the situation sound difficult.
There had to be more.
Sure enough, Section Chief Wang gave a strategic little cough before continuing.
“Well, since you’ve already agreed to sell the admission slot, I’ll tell you the truth. The person buying your slot is a comrade working in the Civil Affairs Department.
“His daughter happens to be the same age as you, and she meets the requirements for a Worker-Peasant-Soldier university student. Unfortunately, she wasn’t recommended this year. They originally planned to wait another year, but then they heard there won’t be any more recommendation slots after this. That’s why they’re willing to pay for yours. Understand?”
Qin Yuan deliberately made her voice sound indifferent.
“So what? I don’t care who he is, and I’m even less interested in his daughter’s circumstances. If he can’t get this done, I won’t sell him the slot!
“Like you said, this is the last opportunity for recommendation. I can find someone else capable of getting things done and negotiate with them instead. I’m not worried about finding a buyer.”
“Hey, you girl! You really don’t have any patience!”
Section Chief Wang scolded her with the air of an elder, but his tone became noticeably more sincere.
“I’m only telling you this because they’re serious about buying it. They’ve already started thinking of a solution for you. There’s just one crucial issue that requires your cooperation.”
“Go ahead.”
“Section Chief Li came up with the quickest and easiest solution for your friend—we’ll simply give him an identity!”
Section Chief Wang sounded rather pleased with himself.
“There’s a missing person registered in the district under his jurisdiction. His name is Sun Yulin, and he’s twenty-five this year, about the same age as your friend.
“Five years ago, Sun Yulin was recommended by his work unit to go elsewhere for further studies. After that, he completely disappeared. Not even a single letter came back.
“His family consists of only his elderly father. The old man is reclusive and doesn’t interact with his neighbors. Apparently, the relationship between father and son was poor too. When Sun Yulin was young, his father often beat him.
“His son has been missing for all these years, but the old man never went looking for him, nor did he cancel his household registration. That means Sun Yulin’s household registration is still active, and his records are complete.
“So Section Chief Li’s idea is simple—have your friend temporarily assume Sun Yulin’s identity. That way, he’ll become a registered resident of the neighborhood under Section Chief Li’s jurisdiction.
“Then the neighborhood office can act as his guarantor, the hospital can process the necessary approval, and the ambulance can come pick him up. Problem solved!”
After hearing all that, Qin Yuan’s heart tightened.
Assuming someone else’s identity really didn’t sit well with her.
But compared with her benefactor’s life hanging by a thread, things like guilt, apologies, and principles could temporarily be set aside.
Nothing was more important than keeping him alive.
And to be fair, this truly was the fastest way to obtain an identity for him.
What other choice did she have?
Wait obediently for all the proper procedures to be completed?
That would be nothing more than following the rules while waiting for him to die!
Qin Yuan’s voice trembled slightly.
“Fine. Then tell Section Chief Li to coordinate an ambulance immediately! We really can’t wait any longer on this end.”
“Ahem, ahem! I haven’t finished yet, young comrade. Be patient. Be patient!”
Section Chief Wang’s sudden fake cough and deliberate pause immediately put Qin Yuan on alert.
“What else is there? This plan can work! Once my friend wakes up, we’ll figure out a way to restore his real identity.
“And if Sun Yulin’s family objects later, I’ll personally visit them to apologize. I’ll compensate them with money or whatever else they want!”
“Hahaha!”
Section Chief Wang burst out laughing.
“You’re certainly an honest one. Why would you need to apologize? If we’re really going to arrange this, there’s no way we’d let the old man find out.
“But Section Chief Li says that although we have an identity available, the Civil Affairs Department can’t simply pull someone’s household registration and personal records for no reason. We need a legitimate justification, don’t we?”
Qin Yuan was thoroughly irritated by his habit of dragging things out and talking in circles.
“Section Chief Wang, I have a critically ill patient here! If you can do it, then do it. If you can’t, I’ll find someone else. Whatever you have to say, just say it!”
“My goodness! You’re so young, yet you have quite a temper! We’re only trying to help. We were worried you wouldn’t agree to what comes next, so we’re explaining everything clearly. And now you’re getting impatient with us!”
“Section Chief Wang! I’m trying to save someone’s life! I’m even willing to sell my university admission slot. What could possibly be left that I wouldn’t cooperate with?
“I’m begging you. Whatever else you need me to do, just tell me!”
The smugness in Section Chief Wang’s voice was so obvious that even the telephone couldn’t hide it.
“Fine, then I’ll say it directly.
“If Section Chief Li wants a legitimate reason to access Sun Yulin’s household registration and personal records, the simplest solution is marriage.
“You marry Sun Yulin.
“And I mean officially marry him—with a proper marriage certificate.
“Only after becoming his legal family member can you go to the neighborhood office and sign the supplementary paperwork required for his guarantee.
“Besides, it’ll make things easier for you when you’re taking care of him at the hospital.
“Otherwise, think about it. A man who’s unconscious and supposedly ‘returned after being missing for years’ suddenly shows up. The hospital and neighborhood office will obviously have to notify his father.
“And when his father arrives, what do you think will happen?
“Will he recognize this man as his son?
“Or will he immediately report him as an impostor?”
Qin Yuan: “…?!”
What kind of ridiculous situation was this?!
I’m trying to save someone’s life, and you’re telling me I have to get married first?!??
【Today’s Mini Theater】
Section Chief Li & Section Chief Wang: It’s settled! That’s the plan—get married!?
Qin Yuan: Fine! As long as it’ll save his life!?
Little Puppy Wang: Great! I have a wife now!?
Sun Yulin: Not great! Because I don’t!