Ding Shichen clenched his fists. “Don’t change the subject. Just tell me—do you agree with my proposal or not?”
As long as Jiang Li was smart, she would agree. After all, she wanted to escape the Jiang family, and now going to town meant a better life—there was no reason to hesitate.
“I don’t agree.” Yet Jiang Li was not ungrateful. In her previous life, she would devote her entire life to the Jiang family simply out of familial ties.
Now the Ding family had helped her, and how could she just leave?
“Since I’ve decided to marry you, I won’t abandon you. If you want to chase me away, forget it.” Jiang Li pressed her hand to the corner of her eye.
“You’ve seen what I can do to earn money. I not only know about herbs, I also know some medicine. If you’re really worried about your younger brothers, you better live properly and take care of them yourself.”
“Otherwise, once I get to town, I could just take the money and run—believe me or not?”
“Don’t think I can’t do it. I was able to sever ties with the Jiang family; how much harder would it be to do something for you? You’re not family to me.”
As she spoke fiercely, she reached for the bandages on his leg without caring what he thought.
Whether it was her fast movements or the contradictions in her words, Ding Shichen was momentarily stunned.
By the time he reacted, Jiang Li had already torn open the bandages on his leg.
The once-dark bandages were soaked with layer upon layer of dried blood.
The leg, which had undergone surgery, now had reopened wounds and even signs of ulceration.
Fortunately, Ding Shichen’s constitution was strong, and he had not yet developed an infection or fever.
But no, following the trajectory of the previous life, if this continued, the wound would inevitably become infected and kill him.
“What are you doing?” Ding Shichen saw her staring intently at his wound and hurriedly tried to block her.
But he moved too quickly, stumbled, and fell awkwardly to the ground.
Even worse, the movement aggravated his injury, causing him to groan in pain.
The Ding brothers rushed in at the sound, and seeing their eldest in such a state, they angrily pushed Jiang Li away.
“What did you do to my brother? You wicked woman! He helped you, and you treat him like this—are you even human?”
Third brother Ding Shian shoved Jiang Li aside, while fourth brother Ding Shijie glared at her, unable to believe such a beautiful sister could do something so extreme.
Ding Shijun helped their eldest back into his wheelchair and, seeing the torn wound, furrowed his brow.
“Brother, your leg?”
“I’m fine. Don’t let Mom know. Just wrap it up,” Ding Shichen tugged the blanket to cover the wound and quietly instructed Ding Shijun.
Jiang Li, who had been pushed to the floor by Ding Shian, quickly got up. “Your wound is already infected. If this continues, you’ll lose this leg.”
“Shijun, I need you to rewrap his wound. Go fetch some of the herbs we need. Shian, if you don’t want something to happen to our brother, you’d better stand with me.”
“And you, Shijie, I’m no saint, but I would never harm someone who helped me. Go boil some water—I need to sterilize the scalpel and clean your brother’s wound.”
Having given her orders, she saw the three brothers staring at her oddly.
Jiang Li didn’t want to explain further. She pointed at Ding Shichen’s leg:
“Your brother had surgery on this leg, but he didn’t rest properly afterward. The wound never healed. Now it’s red and ulcerated. If it continues, he could die from infection.”
“Don’t think I’m exaggerating. Shijun, Shian, you’ve all gone to middle or even high school—you know what I’m talking about, right?”
“I’ll listen to Sister-in-law. I’ll go fetch the herbs. Shijie, Shian, you two help her too.”
Ding Shijun had always suspected what was wrong with his brother’s leg, but Ding Shichen forbade him from asking, so he never dared pry. Now that Jiang Li had pointed it out, it was a good thing—the eldest was the backbone of the family. He absolutely could not get hurt.
“Shijun,” Ding Shichen called with a stern face, “don’t listen to her nonsense. It’s not that serious. I know my own injury. You all go rest.”
“I just saw it myself; I’m not blind,” Ding Shijun clenched his fists. “This time I’m not listening to you, Shian.”
Ding Shian hesitated for only two seconds before deciding to follow his second brother.
The second brother wouldn’t lie. He had seen it himself—something was really wrong with the eldest’s leg. It seemed he had misunderstood Jiang Li. She had only been checking his wound, which caused the fall.
“I’ll follow my second brother. Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. What do you need me to do?” At fifteen, Ding Shian already understood many things, almost like a half-grown man.
Seeing him apologize so readily, Jiang Li felt relieved. Compared to the Jiang family, who never admitted fault, Ding Shian was infinitely more sensible.
It seemed coming to the Ding family had been the right choice.
Jiang Li smiled and patted his shoulder. “Sister-in-law doesn’t blame you. Cleaning the wound might hurt a little. Later, just hold your brother down for me.”
“I’ll go boil the water,” Ding Shijie ran toward the kitchen.
Seeing the three younger brothers switch sides so quickly, Ding Shichen could only helplessly glance at Jiang Li.
“Why do you like meddling so much? You know a few herbs and think you’re a doctor. I know my leg—don’t worry about me.”
“You already married me with three rooms as the bride price. How can it be meddling if I take care of you?” Jiang Li winked at him.
“Have you forgotten? I’m your wife. I don’t want to be a widow, so you better behave.”
…
The three Ding brothers quietly left the main hall.
“Sister-in-law’s really bold. She actually talked to big brother like that?”
“The key is that big brother can’t do anything about it.”
“Do we have to listen to her from now on? She seems pretty reasonable.”
“If she’s right, we listen. As long as she doesn’t harm the Ding family, she’ll always be our sister-in-law.”
…
Their voices faded, and Jiang Li calmed herself. She stepped forward and tugged at the blanket covering Ding Shichen’s leg.
“Ding Da-ge, I’m not joking. Marriage isn’t child’s play. You married me to help me, but since we’re husband and wife, why not take this relationship seriously?”
“I promise, as long as I stay in the Ding family, I will wholeheartedly care for this household. Don’t say I’ll be a burden to you.”
“When your leg heals, I might even become good at earning money—then it’ll be my turn to enjoy life.”
“But if after some time you still don’t like me, or even dislike me, I won’t cling to the Ding family. I’ll leave on my own—you won’t have to push me out.”
“But until then, can we at least try to live together?” Jiang Li’s expression was earnest. She wasn’t joking.
Ding Shichen’s heart skipped a beat. He knew clearly that he didn’t dislike Jiang Li. He had often heard Shijun speak of how she helped the Ding family, and he even felt a little grateful.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have helped her even at the cost of the house.
But he also knew his leg would never recover fully, so…
Well, since she refused to leave, she might as well stay. At least someone could help watch over the younger brothers, though some plans would have to be reconsidered…