“Don’t want to eat? Then starve.”
Accompanied by a cold, hard male voice, the dilapidated door was pushed open, and the brilliant sunlight outside instantly flooded in.
Jiang Yingying squinted slightly as a tall man walked in.
He wore a coarse cloth shirt, washed until faded, and a pair of black pants that clung to his long legs. His features were chiseled, and his exposed arms were dark and powerful.
At nearly 1.9 meters tall, his entire being exuded two words: fierce…
Jiang Yingying couldn’t help but shrink back. She had the memories; this was her husband-in-name, Shen Yao…
He blocked more than half of the already small doorway, his dark eyes, which were fixed on Jiang Yingying, filled with coldness. “You made a scene for so long last night, but I’ll say it again: I won’t touch you. And you can go home whenever you want.”
His voice was laced with annoyance and impatience, as if he couldn’t stand to look at her for another second.
Although she had just finished digesting the mountain of memories in her head, it didn’t stop Jiang Yingying from putting her skills to use.
She slowly slipped on her shoes, then blinked her almond-shaped eyes pitifully and complained in a delicate voice, “Why are you being so fierce? You’re scaring me…”
The woman’s long, black hair cascaded down her back. Her face was fair and alluring, and she was still wearing yesterday’s red blouse.
The buttons were loose, revealing her snow-white neck, the curve of which became even more distinct when she looked up at him…
Shen Yao’s expression predictably darkened. He gritted his teeth and looked away, his tone growing even fiercer. “Speak properly!”
In her past life, Jiang Yingying’s mother had married into a wealthy family. To curry favor, she had taught herself the art of being a “green tea” from a young age, finding that a sweet tongue and a bit of coquetry could get her anything she wanted.
So, after being snapped at, Jiang Yingying pursed her lips and timidly looked up at him. “Hubby, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault for not knowing how to talk. Please don’t be angry, okay?”
Shen Yao froze…
This woman actually called him hubby! Simply… simply shameless! Utterly indecent!
“Jiang Yingying, if you don’t want to eat, then stay in your room! But I’m warning you, if you dare to disrespect my parents, I’ll throw you out!”
With that, he strode out and slammed the door, not wanting to see this vixen of a woman for another moment…
After he left, Jiang Yingying pouted. She had barely said a few words, and he had already run away?
Searching through her memories, she recalled that Shen Yao’s family was supposedly the poorest on the west side of the village, and rumors claimed he was an exceptionally vicious fighter.
A year ago, someone had made the mistake of harassing Shen Xiaoyun, and he had single-handedly taken on seven or eight hooligans, managing to come out on top…
Jiang Yingying’s heart tightened at the thought. This man wouldn’t be abusive, would he? No, no, this man was not for her…
Getting beaten was her greatest fear!
The empty room contained nothing but a bed and a simple table. To say it was bare-walled would not be an exaggeration.
A large, red “double happiness” character was still pasted on the door…
Jiang Yingying looked around before touching the hard bed, feeling the urge to cry. She had never lived in such poor conditions. Besides, she knew from watching TV shows how hard life in the countryside was during this era.
Not only was there not enough to eat, but you also had to work in the fields! Water and electricity were inconvenient, there was no internet, no phone. She might as well just die…
She sniffled and, for some reason, found a small mirror under the pillow. Looking at her reflection brought a small measure of comfort.
This face was the same as her original one—bright-eyed, pearly-toothed, and captivatingly beautiful. Not only that, but it was even more youthful…
It was a tragic story, really. She had choked to death on a fishbone. This was the countryside in the late 1970s. Her mind was a jumble, the original owner’s experiences flipping past like pages in a book…
The original Jiang Yingying had just celebrated her twentieth birthday. In a desperate attempt to keep a city-bred youth, Cheng Wenjian, from returning home, she had resorted to drugging and seducing him. But through a twist of fate, Shen Yao from the same village drank the drugged water instead.
A man and a woman, alone together. Although they hadn’t gone all the way, her reputation was completely ruined, and she had no choice but to marry him…
According to the original owner’s memories, Shen Yao had no desire to marry her either. In fact, he detested her, as he had been framed.
That was why on their wedding night yesterday, the man hadn’t even entered the room, let alone slept in the same bed. The original owner had a fiery and stubborn personality. The thought of not being with Cheng Wenjian sent her into such a rage that she simply… passed away.
And then, unlucky her had arrived…
Jiang Yingying lay listlessly on the bed, staring blankly at the dark beams overhead. How sad. Did this mean she had to say goodbye to pretty clothes forever?
Just then, a knock came from the door. It was a light, somewhat cautious sound. “Yingying, you must be hungry. Come out and have something to eat?”
“Mom, why are you being so polite to her? My brother didn’t marry a wife; he married a matriarch!”
“Xiaoyun, be quiet!”
“Hmph, sleeping until noon on the first day of her marriage. She doesn’t even call you ‘Mom’!”
Of the voices outside the door, one sounded weary and old, the other young and indignant. They belonged to Shen Yao’s mother, Li Xuelian, and his younger sister, Shen Xiaoyun.
Another knock sounded on the thin door. Shen Xiaoyun shouted impatiently from outside, “Jiang Yingying, come out and eat!”
“You girl, call her Sister-in-law!”
Li Xuelian was a kind and gentle person. Although her son’s marriage had been sudden, now that the girl had married into their family, they had to treat her well.
“Yingying, dear! Mom made some corn porridge. Get up and have a little!”
Shen Xiaoyun pouted unhappily. Who did she think she was, some high-and-mighty lady?
But with her mother present, she didn’t say anything more, just knocked on the door again. “Hurry up and get out here!”
Her brother had already been working in the fields for two hours since early morning, yet his wife was still lying in bed. She didn’t even cook and had to be personally invited to eat. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got!
Besides, Jiang Yingying was no good. She used that vixen face of hers to try and climb the social ladder every day, flirting with every single one of the city-bred youths in the village!
How could a good man like her brother marry such a woman!
Jiang Yingying sighed. If she didn’t eat, she would starve to death. So, she glanced in the mirror again, admired her own beauty one more time, then cleared her throat and replied, “Coming.”
The original owner’s voice was sweet and crisp, with an unconscious delicacy to it. Hearing it made Shen Xiaoyun’s face darken even further.
She knew it! Her brother had married a fox spirit!
Jiang Yingying got dressed. Unsure of what awaited her outside, she clutched her stomach and stepped out of the room with a sense of unease.
The Shen family was indeed very poor. The courtyard was large but dilapidated, enclosed by walls of packed earth. There was a main hall and three side rooms.
At that moment, a large family was gathered around a worn-out table in the middle of the main hall.
Seated at the back was her father-in-law, Shen Qinghong, who was chronically ill and unable to work. Next to him were two skinny children, one about five and the other about three.
Seeing Jiang Yingying enter, they huddled together nervously before cautiously speaking, “Auntie.”
The eldest son of the Shen family and his wife had both passed away, leaving these two children behind.
Shen Xiaoyun, who was serving the meal, rolled her eyes and slammed a bowl onto the table. “If you want to eat, serve yourself!”
Hearing this, Li Xuelian lightly slapped her. “Xiaoyun, is that any way to talk to your sister-in-law?”
Then, she smiled at Jiang Yingying. “Hungry, dear? Have some porridge…”
Shen Yao, off to the side, said nothing. He took the bowl, filled it, and placed it on the table before saying coldly, “Eat.”
Jiang Yingying gave him a sweet smile. “Thank you…”
Shen Yao’s dark eyes swept over her charming face before he impassively looked away…
On the table was a pot of simple corn porridge and a large basket of mixed-grain flatbreads in the center. There wasn’t even a single side dish.
Jiang Yingying’s heart ached, but she was genuinely hungry now, so she picked up her bowl and began to sip from it in small mouthfuls.
The warm, corny aroma was surprisingly delicious…
Jiang Yingying ate with refined manners and graceful movements. Her hair was loosely tied back, and her watery eyes were half-lowered.
Shen Xiaoyun bit her lip and snorted, “Putting on an act!”
Bang!
Li Xuelian set her bowl down heavily, her usually kind face turning stern. “Xiaoyun, apologize to your sister-in-law!”
She knew her daughter disliked Jiang Yingying, but that was no reason to bully her!
Shen Xiaoyun looked up in disbelief, feeling utterly wronged. Her temper flared. “I won’t! If she hadn’t done that shameful thing, why would my brother have married her!”
“Xiaoyun!”
This time, it wasn’t just Li Xuelian; Shen Qinghong also spoke up. “Be quiet!”
“I’m just telling the truth!”
Shen Xiaoyun stuck her neck out and glared at Jiang Yingying. She just couldn’t stand this woman’s attitude!
In the entire village, her reputation was the worst!
Besides, who didn’t know that the one this woman truly liked was that city-bred youth!
Jiang Yingying put down her bowl and smiled at her parents-in-law, then spoke softly, “Dad, Mom, my sister is still young and speaks without thinking. I won’t hold it against her.”
Her eyes reddened as she continued, “It’s all my fault. I caused trouble for everyone on my very first day here…”