2
That night, Jiang Miaomiao dreamt of a simpler life, far removed from the world of Shen Zhiwen but instead lived honestly in the countryside.
She and Song Weizheng were childhood sweethearts and naturally ended up together.
After Song Weizheng became successful, he enjoyed a life of wealth and ease.
When Jiang Miaomiao woke up, she realized she had returned to the seventies, before she had made any major mistakes.
Jiang Miaomiao was overjoyed and immediately resolved to stay with Song Weizheng and live a life of luxury.
When Jiang Suisui first read this part, she couldn’t help but frown.
Although rebirth stories were often about giving people a second chance to reach the pinnacle of their lives, some protagonists seem overly utilitarian in their approach. It felt odd to read about it.
Jiang Suisui continued reading and finally saw her own name mentioned after Jiang Miaomiao’s death.
In the book, Jiang Suisui was the only daughter of Jiang Miaomiaos’ long deceased fourth uncle. Raised by Grandpa Jiang and Grandma Jiang from a young age, she was deeply pampered and developed a domineering and capricious personality.
Jiang Miaomiao felt that being given a second chance at life was an opportunity to make up for the regrets of her past.
She wanted to renew her connection with Song Weizheng, just as she had in her dream.
The first obstacle was Jiang Suisui, the village beauty who was spoiled by Grandma Jiang had developed a haughty and dismissive attitude toward everyone. She had taken a particular interest in the poor young man, Song Weizheng, and frequently approached him.
However, Song Weizheng was known for his cold demeanor and paid her little attention. In response, she resorted to deliberately falling into the water, hoping to force Song Weizheng to rescue her and thereby make it easier for her to pursue him and secure a marriage.
Unfortunately, in the original story, the female cannon fodder schemes failed.
Jiang Suisui from the modern era couldn’t help but cover her face in embarrassment. She was still the village beauty, wasn’t she? Was this how she chases after a man—by throwing herself at him?
Suddenly, it hit her, and she stared wide-eyed, stunned. Had she, while still groggy and confused earlier, subconsciously mentioned wanting to marry Song Weizheng?
Realizing this, Jiang Suisui couldn’t help but feel frustrated with herself. Perhaps she wasn’t much better than the cannon fodder in the story after all.
Beauty truly could be deceiving!
In a rural setting of the seventies, where people struggled to have enough to eat and wear, how could there be such a handsome man!?
Jiang Suisui shook her head and sighed. After all, a novel was just a novel.
Yet here she was, inside the world of that very novel, and had become the story’s malicious female cannon fodder.
She tried to recall the few chapters she had read, most of which detailed how the heroine constantly undermined the cannon fodder, making her look foolish and ultimately causing her to lose her reputation and be hastily married off.
Then, the story abruptly cut off.
Jiang Suisui wondered what kind of grudge could the author possibly have against this cannon fodder?
She lay in bed, staring blankly at the seemingly leaky roof tiles, feeling a deep sense of despair.
When Jiang Suisui realized she had been reborn in the novel, she was excited.
Growing up, she spends most of her time at home, protected like a fragile glass, cherished by her parents and brother.
She often looked out the window at the sky, wishing she could play freely like others.
She longed to experience the joys and sorrows of ordinary life and to have a sweet, perhaps slightly complicated, romance.
Like a normal girl.
But Jiang Suisui couldn’t, she could only smile faintly and tell her family, she was fine and there was no need to worry.
She had already caused them enough concern, so she felt she should be more considerate and not add to their worries.
When she closed her eyes on the hospital bed, there were no major regrets. She believed her parents and brother would carry on just fine. Without her as a burden, life would likely be much easier for them.
Still, it was a pity that she hadn’t lived her life as freely as she had wished.”
Now, Jiang Suisui wasn’t sure whether her current situation was a blessing or a curse.
Getting a second chance at life, even if it was within a novel, was a stroke of luck—especially having a healthy body, something she had desperately longed for in her previous life.
But the unfortunate part was that she had become a disposable cannon fodder in the story, the type that antagonizes the heroine white covering the male lead. Jiang Suisui feared her fate might end up worse than death…
The golden rule of novels: if you’re a side character doomed to fail, remember—cherish your life and stay far away from the main characters.
At this thought, Jiang Suisui shot up in bed.
Aiya! What had she done?
She had succeeded where the original cannon fodder had failed!
She and Grandma Jiang had coerced the male lead into marrying her!
Panicking, Jiang Suisui scrambled out of bed and rushed out the door to find someone.
Just as she stepped out the door, she saw Grandma Jiang approaching with a concerned expression. “Suisui, why are you up? Are you feeling better?”
Clinging to the last bit of hope in her heart, Jiang Suisui cautiously asked. “Grandma, about Song Weizheng, did he…” Was he still here? She wanted to call it off! She’s not marrying him!
Before Jiang Suisui could finish, Grandma Jiang gave her a helpless look, then took her hand and patted it. “Everything had been agreed upon, you don’t have to worry!”
With a thud, Jiang Suisui felt her hopes shatter.
“It’s all been agreed?” she asked incredulously.
This was too fast! Was agreeing to marriage really this casual these days? Didn’t the male lead even put up a fight?
Grandma Jiang nodded, “He’s just waiting to send the matchmaker over tomorrow morning.”
She continued, “You’ve had your eye on him all this time, and now you’re causing a fuss? Are you trying to make life difficult for your grandma?”
Grandma Jiang clutched her chest dramatically, as if overwhelmed with frustration. “A woman can’t afford to wait too long!”
Jiang Suisui suddenly felt dizzy, as if she could already see the future where she was repeatedly humiliated by the male and female leads.
“Grandma…” she hesitated, “Isn’t this a bad idea? A forced marriage wont’ bring happiness. If he doesn’t want to marry me, maybe we should just forget it.”
Upon hearing this, Grandma Jiang stared at her in astonishment, then raised her hand to feel Jiang Suisui’s forehead and cheeks, sighing in concern. “Suisui, you didn’t actually hit your head when you fell in the water, did you? Don’t scare Grandma!”
Jiang Suisui: “…”
“Grandma! I’m fine, I was just a little confused when I first woke up, but I’m okay now!”
But Grandma Jiang didn’t seem to hear her. She pressed Jiang Suisui back under the covers, tucking her in tightly.
“You just rest a bit longer. No need to rush getting up. If you’re still not feeling well tomorrow, I’ll call a doctor to come check on you.”
Seeing the genuine concern on Grandma Jiang’s face, Jiang Suisui could only sigh in helplessness.
It’s no wonder Grandma Jiang didn’t understand. For the past two years, the original Jiang Suisui had been relentlessly chasing after the male lead. The more he ignored her, the more determined she became.
The original Jiang Suisui had a bold personality, and her teenage heart wore its feeling openly. She spent her days doing nothing but trying to get the male lead’s attention, and when he ignored her, she’d get close to his family instead.
Over time, not only did the people of Dayan village know about this, but even the neighboring villages had likely heard about the village beauty relentlessly chasing after the poorest boy in town.
Although Grandma Jiang didn’t think much of Song Weizheng, she couldn’t stop her granddaughter’s obsession. If she didn’t help arrange the marriage, who knew what kind of mess Suisui would get herself into?
Grandma Jiang looked at Jiang Suisui’s pale cheeks, likely drained from her near-drowning, and recalled her strange behavior when she woke up. Suddenly, she slapped her thighs and wailed. “Aiyooo! My poor fourth son! You let too soon! And now I can’t even take care of the daughter you left behind!”
Seeing this, Jiang Suisui quickly sat up and patted her back to soothe her. “Grandma, grandma, please don’t cry! I’m really fine…”
She didn’t dare say anything more, if her behavior strayed too far from the original Jiang Suisui it might raise suspicion among her family.
However, once Grandma Jiang’s emotions flared up, there was no stopping her. She began to mournfully ramble, and in the process, Jiang Suisui unintentionally picked up on some details that hadn’t been mentioned in the original story.
Jing Pingan, Jiang Suisui’s father was the youngest and fourth son of the Jiang family.
When Grandma Jiang was pregnant with him, she had an accident while working in the fields and fell, leading to Jiang Pingan being born prematurely at seven months. As a result, he had a frail constitution from birth.
In this era, most people struggled to have enough food, let alone afford a tonic to strengthen the body.
Grandma Jiang had named him Jiang Pingan, hoping that he would live a peaceful life.
This made Jiang Suisui think of her own parents, who had a similar wish for her when they named her, hoping she would live along and peaceful life.
Sadly, neither Jiang Pingan nor Jiang Suisui could live as peacefully as their names suggested.
When Jiang Pingan came of age, Grandma Jiang used a large part of her dowry to find him a wife. But the good times didn’t last. Before the girl was born, Jiang Pingan fell ill and passed away.
Less than two years after giving birth to their daughter, the widow, seeing it was a girl, wasted no time and quickly returned to her parents’ home. Within two months, she had remarried.
It was said that she married a widower with three sons in the next village and never came back to see her daughter again.
Grandpa Jiang and Grandma Jiang took the newborn in and raised her themselves.
Perhaps to make up for the early loss of their youngest son, Grandma Jiang doted on this granddaughter excessively. By the time she turned seventeen, she had never been made to do farm work, and they even paid for her education.
This made the female cannon fodder the most spoiled child in the Jiang family—perhaps even more pampered than the boys.
Jiang Suisui thought to herself that no wonder the female cannon fodder’s character turned out so overbearing and capricious. With all that pampering, it’s only natural to be spoiled.
“Grandma…” Jiang Suisui gently reassured. “Don’t be sad, I’ll be fine.”
Grandma Jiang gradually stopped crying, letting out a heavy sigh. “I’m old, and there’s nothing more I hope for. I just want to raise you well and find you a good family to marry into. Once you’re settled, I can rest easy.”
Hearing this, Jiang Suisui couldn’t help but feel touched. Even though she wasn’t the original owner, she could still feel Grandma Jiang’s genuine love and care.
Coming into an entirely unfamiliar era, taking on someone else’s identity, but still being surrounded by loved ones who cherished her—this, she realized, was a blessing in itself.
Jiang Suisui closed her eyes and silently spoke to herself of how the original Jiang Suisui was doing? Or perhaps she entered another world just like her? She’s sorry for taking over her body, but fate was something none of them could control. She promises to care for her loved ones as if they were her own, so please be at ease.
When she opened her eyes, her heart felt a little lighter. Since she arrived, she accepted her fate. Even if this world was once part of a novel, it was now her reality and in this reality she would embrace her new life fully.
**