3
Recalling the fate of her character in the novel, Jiang Suisui wanted to make one last attempt to resist. Leaning against her grandmother, she playfully and a bit coquettishly said, “Grandma~ Hearing you talk like this, I don’t even want to get married anymore. Once I do, I won’t be able to see you as often. How about I just don’t get married at all?”
After speaking, Jiang Suisui mentally gave herself a thumbs-up: Perfect plan! Surely this would tug at Grandma’s heartstrings.
“But Grandma can’t be with you forever,” her grandmother sighed, thinking she was just being childish. “How will you manage if you don’t get married? Once your grandpa and I are gone, your aunt and uncles will have their own families. What will you do then?”
“Besides, you’ve already been like that with Song Weizheng! In everyone’s eyes, your reputation is already compromised. If you don’t marry him, who will you marry?”
Jiang Suisui’s eyes widened in shock. “W-what do you mean, ‘like that’? How is my reputation ruined?”
Her grandmother sighed in frustration, as if scolding her for not understanding. “Just look around. Everyone in the nearby villages knows you like him. And after what happened today, people are already gossiping. You got soaked and he carried you—he’s seen and touched you. If you don’t marry him, it’ll be hard to find another match in the future!”
Hearing this, Jiang Suisui felt resigned. She had a vague understanding of this time period—where strict boundaries between men and women were still in place. Public displays of affection, even as simple as hugging, could get you accused of being indecent or even arrested for misconduct.
Once there was any intimate contact between a man and a woman, it was nearly impossible to explain it away.
Even married couples were too embarrassed to hold hands or link arms in public.
With such conservative views and fear of gossip, it was likely that even if she didn’t marry the male lead, Jiang Suisui’s grandmother would quickly arrange another match for her to settle down.
Though Jiang Suisui longed for love, she didn’t want to tie herself to a blind, emotionless marriage.
In the face of an unfamiliar era and unknown people, the male lead might just be her safest option.
At least… at least the male lead was handsome! Jiang Suisui, ever the sucker for good looks, consoled herself with that thought.
But then again, there’s the female lead in this novel! Stealing the male lead and ruining a destined relationship? That’s not right…
As she reluctantly agreed, panic bubbled up inside her. This was bad. The original supporting character failed miserably and got humiliated—now she’s about to marry the male lead. Was she about to meet the same doomed fate?
…
Song Weizheng left the Jiang household, paying no attention to the gossip that followed him all the way home. He walked in silence with his unreadable expression.
He had barely set foot inside when the courtyard gate suddenly swung open, and a small figure came hurtling toward him like a cannonball, crashing into his chest.
Song Weizheng quickly steadied her by the shoulders, frowning, “Don’t run so fast!”
“Brother!” The intruder was none other than his little sister, Song Yuxue.
At just eight years old, she was small and skinny. Her face was flushed from running, and she was panting heavily. Despite being out of breath, she wasted no time in blurting out, “Brother! What happened at the Jiang house? Why is everyone talking about it?”
When Song Yuxue came home from school, she overheard people gossiping, saying all sorts of mysterious things about her brother and the Jiang family. Some even winked and smiled at her, teasing, “Looks like your family has some good news!”
Completely confused, she had rushed home in a panic.
Song Weizheng patted her head. “It’s nothing. You might be getting a sister-in-law soon.”
“…Huh?” Such a huge piece of news delivered in such an offhanded way left Song Yuxue momentarily stunned, unable to process it.
“What exactly happened?” she pressed, eager for more answers.
Song Weizheng briefly explained what had happened, and when Song Yuxue heard the whole story, her face flushed with anger. “Isn’t this bullying? How can they force you to marry her? You’re her lifesaver!”
She puffed out her small chest, ready to storm over to the Jiang family to argue on his behalf.
Song Weizheng stopped her. “You’re just a kid, don’t overthink it. What’s the difference? Marrying one person or another is all the same to me. Besides, didn’t you always say you wanted me to marry and give you a sister-in-law?”
“But not like this…” Song Yuxue felt indignant on her brother’s behalf.
“It’s fine,” Song Weizheng reassured her. “It’s just an engagement for now. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
…
Jiang Miaomiao was reborn.
She looked around her small, familiar childhood room. Though simple, it filled her with an overwhelming sense of security.
Facing the mirror, she saw a girl with sallow skin, slightly frail, and dry hair. Yet, despite her appearance, there was an unmistakable sense of youthful energy.
She was no longer the naive village girl who blindly sacrificed everything for Shen Zhiwen, nor the middle-aged woman worn down by life’s relentless hardships. She was Jiang Miaomiao, young and full of potential once again.
Everything from her past life was wiped clean in this moment—she had a chance to start over.
Jiang Miaomiao was overwhelmed with joy, almost moved to tears, ready to kneel and thank the heavens.
This must be divine mercy, a sign of favor—Jiang Miaomiao was destined for an extraordinary life!
After the initial euphoria, she calmed herself.
Her mind drifted back to a scene she had seen on TV before her rebirth: Song Weizheng, tall and handsome in a sleek black suit, being interviewed on a business program.
“Mr. Song, could you share with us your entrepreneurial journey?”
At that time, Song Weizheng was already in his fifties, yet he looked as youthful as ever, unlike her, who felt as if she were in her sixties or seventies.
Song Weizheng spoke with calm maturity, “The 70s and 80s were times of poverty but also of opportunity. I can only say that I seized the opportunities available…”
From this interview, Jiang Miaomiao learned that Song Weizheng had begun his business ventures in the 70s and 80s and had gradually built himself up into a business tycoon.
However, when she reflected on her own memories of that era, all she could recall were the endless chores and agricultural work.
As a teenager, Jiang Miaomiao had struggled daily just to have enough to eat and stay warm.
She had always dreamed of a life free from worries about food and clothing. This was why, when she first encountered the glamorous, well-dressed intellectual youth from the city and heard their descriptions of urban life, she was easily captivated.
She was drawn to Shen Zhiwen’s refined and gentle demeanor, so different from the rough country men, and yearned for the city life he represented.
Shen Zhiwen had promised that he would return.
In her past life, Jiang Miaomiao believed him and even hoped he would take her with him.
Now, thinking back, Jiang Miaomiao gritted her teeth in anger. Shen Zhiwen had deceived her terribly in her previous life, exploiting her completely before walking away and marrying into a wealthy and influential family.
In this life, if she ever encountered him again, Jiang Miaomiao swore she would make him pay.
But for now, she was grateful that fate had been kind to her, giving her a chance to return to a time before she followed Shen Zhiwen to the city, when everything could still be salvaged.
She opened the door, stepped out into the yard, and breathed in the fresh, familiar countryside air, basking in the freedom of the sunlight.
At that moment, Mrs. Chen from the neighbor’s house passed by and approached her with a friendly greeting. “Miao girl, I heard that Suisui’s engagement has been settled. When are you planning to arrange your own engagement?”
Jiang Miaomiao was taken aback. Suisui? An engagement? Her headstrong and willful cousin? Did this happen in her past life?
She quickly grabbed Mrs. Chen’s arm, urgently asking, “What engagement? When did this happen?”
Aunt Chen looked surprised. “How come you don’t know about your own family’s affairs?”
She pointed ahead. “It’s happening today. Song Weizheng is at your grandmother’s house with a matchmaker.”
Jiang Miaomiao felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
Song Weizheng? Engaged to Jiang Suisui?! Was something wrong with her rebirth?
No, it couldn’t be—there must be some mistake!
Ignoring Mrs. Chen, Jiang Miaomiao stormed ahead, determined to find out what was really going on.
Aunt Chen called out from behind, “Hey, Miao girl, what’s the matter? Why are you ignoring me? Really…”
As she walked, Jiang Miaomiao’s mind raced. What time was it exactly? Was there an engagement in her past life?
Although she had been entirely focused on Shen Zhiwen, if there had been an engagement in her family, she would have certainly noticed.
And she remembered that, until she left the village, Song Weizheng hadn’t been engaged or even had a potential partner.
How could he be involved with Jiang Suisui now?
Wait a minute! Jiang Miaomiao suddenly recalled that there was a time when Jiang Suisui had a sudden crush on Song Weizheng.
Unfortunately, Song Weizheng ignored her. In an attempt to catch his attention, Suisui deliberately fell into the water, hoping for a dramatic rescue.
But instead of a heroic save, Song Weizheng simply used a bamboo pole to pull her out without touching her.
After Jiang Suisui was rescued, she cried out dramatically, vowing to repay the life-saving act with her own body, but Song Weizheng still ignored her.
The incident became a well-known joke in the village.
Jiang Miaomiao hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, but upon hearing about it, she couldn’t help but sneer in disdain.
Her cousin, born in the same year, had led a very different life.
From birth, Jiang Suisui had been pampered by Grandma Jiang, fed well, and spared from farm work and household chores. As a result, Suisui had grown up plump and well-fed, unlike Jiang Miaomiao.
With her overbearing and annoying personality, Jiang Suisui often flaunted herself in front of Jiang Miaomiao.
From birth, Jiang Miaomiao was never expected to achieve much. Not being a son was a disappointment to her mother. She had to help with household chores from a young age and began working in the fields when she was just a few years old.
Jiang Miaomiao had always found Jiang Suisui irritating, so when she heard that Song Weizheng had rejected Suisui, she was almost gleeful.
So… what’s going on now?!
Filled with immense confusion, Jiang Miaomiao arrived at her grandmother’s house, where a crowd had gathered outside the gate, eager to watch the spectacle.
In this era, with everyone leading dull lives, any bit of excitement or news—be it good or bad—drew a crowd.
She squeezed her way in and reached the door just as she heard the matchmaker’s cheerful voice from inside, “I’m telling you, these two are truly a perfect match! They look so good together!”
Song Weizheng stood quietly to the side, his back turned, making it impossible to see his expression.
Grandma and Grandpa Jiang were seated in chairs, listening to the matchmaker’s jubilant remarks.
Meanwhile, Jiang Suisui was being physically pulled by the matchmaker, while Song Weizheng stood nearby, being praised for his good looks and suitability.
“Song Weizheng?” Jiang Miaomiao suddenly called out.
At the sound of her voice, not only did Song Weizheng turn, but everyone in the room looked over.
Jiang Miaomiao forced a stiff smile under their gaze. “What’s going on here?”
Grandma Jiang’s face darkened as she saw the matchmaking process interrupted by Jiang Miaomiao. “What are you doing? Can’t you see? Go on, go away and don’t be a nuisance.”
Grandpa Jiang took a puff from his pipe and said calmly, “Miaomiao, Suisui is in the middle of her engagement discussion. Just sit quietly for now and don’t interrupt.”
Hearing this, Jiang Suisui, who had been passively going along with the arrangements, suddenly perked up.
Miaomiao? Was it really Jiang Miaomiao? The reborn female lead, Jiang Miaomiao?!
**