“Huanhuan.”
The voice came before the person appeared. As soon as the words fell, a beautiful woman dressed in a light gray top emerged from behind the curtain. Her hair was dark and glossy, braided into a plait coiled at the back of her head, revealing an exquisite oval face with willow-leaf eyebrows, large eyes, a high nose, and red lips. Her fair skin practically dazzled in the sunlight.
No wonder the original owner, despite growing up in the countryside exposed to wind and sun, was so fair—she must have inherited her mother’s good genes.
Thinking this, Chu Youhuan couldn’t help but glance at Chu Songqiang beside her, who was almost as dark as the Thunder God, and silently congratulated herself over and over again.
“Sister-in-law.”
Zhou Huaiqing was the first to speak. His eyes uncontrollably fixed on the newcomer, and his hands hanging at his sides tightened. This world was truly unfair—back then, that fool Chu Songqiang didn’t know what kind of dog’s luck he had stumbled upon, actually managing to stand out among so many young men from all the surrounding villages and pluck such a delicate flower!
If he had been born just a couple of years earlier, would the outcome have been different?
Zhao Chunrong’s full attention was on Chu Youhuan lying in the hospital bed. As for others, she didn’t spare them half a glance. She responded perfunctorily, then quickly pushed past Zhou Lifang, who was blocking the way, and sat down on the edge of the bed. The cloth bag she was carrying was unceremoniously shoved into Chu Songqiang’s hands.
“Let Mother take a good look at you.”
Zhao Chunrong grabbed Chu Youhuan’s hands, examining her up and down, left and right. When she saw the two wounds on her face smeared with ointment, her eyes instantly reddened. She couldn’t help but glare fiercely at the culprit.
The latter shuddered, guiltily lowering her head, yet her eyes kept drifting uncontrollably between the mother and daughter’s faces. The more she looked, the more beautiful they seemed; the more she looked, the more envy and resentment she felt. Why hadn’t she been born with such a pretty face?
“Mother will stay in the hospital these next few days to take good care of you. Tell me whatever you want to eat.”
Hearing this, Zhou Huaiqing’s expression changed. Judging by the tone, the Chu family didn’t plan to leave the hospital anytime soon.
That wouldn’t do. He had already handed over money, ration coupons, and goods. If he let them stay longer, wouldn’t all his efforts be in vain? As long as Chu Youhuan didn’t show her face in the village for a day, this matter wouldn’t be settled. Moreover, staying a few more days would mean spending more of the Zhou family’s money. If they spent extravagantly and ran out, they might just find another excuse to extort more from them.
He couldn’t gamble on whether the Chu family would act with conscience and honor their verbal agreement.
But before he could say anything, the mother and daughter had already begun exchanging heartfelt words.
“Mother, I don’t want anything to eat. I just want you to stay with me.”
Chu Youhuan’s tears fell as soon as she spoke, fully embodying the image of a delicate, fragile flower who had suffered a great ordeal and needed comfort and care. After speaking, she leaned against Zhao Chunrong’s shoulder and took out the envelope Zhou Huaiqing had given her earlier.
“Mother, please give this money to Brother. It’s my fault…”
“Huanhuan!”
Hearing the first half of the sentence, Zhao Chunrong felt her heart melt with tenderness, feeling utterly comforted. But upon hearing the second half, she was so startled that she quickly interrupted Chu Youhuan. She glanced subtly at Zhou Huaiqing and Zhou Lifang, and only when she saw their expressions unchanged did she quietly let out a sigh of relief.
She had always been a low-key and cautious person by nature, never speaking openly about things until they were absolutely settled. Back when Deming was selected to attend Gongnongbing Daxue, she had kept it from everyone in the family, fearing that someone with ill intentions might find out and sabotage the opportunity.
But who could have imagined that while external threats were easy to guard against, internal ones were far more difficult to prevent.
She never dreamed that Huanhuan would have the audacity to drug her own family, ruining Deming’s future. After the incident, she was both furious and heartbroken, unable to believe that the child she had raised with her own hands could be so foolish, failing to inherit even a fraction of her intelligence.
Disappointed and disheartened, she couldn’t even bring herself to look at her.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, something terrible happened.
Huanhuan was her only daughter. During her pregnancy, she had nearly miscarried due to her own gluttony, and it was only after much difficulty that the child was safely delivered. Because of this, she felt a deep sense of guilt toward Huanhuan and had inevitably spoiled her.
The heart is always biased. Seeing her daughter suffer so much, the resentment and frustration she had felt toward her over this period seemed to dissipate, replaced only by overwhelming pity.
Zhao Chunrong temporarily set aside her complicated emotions and shifted her gaze to the envelope being handed to her, a flicker of suspicion and curiosity rising in her heart.
As a mother, she knew her daughter’s temperament better than anyone—a spoiled, selfish child with sky-high ambitions. Whenever she got her hands on something good, she would either cling to it tightly or take it to the Zhiqingdian to curry favor. So why would she willingly give away this money now?
And specifically to Deming?
Recalling what her eldest son had told her yesterday, Zhao Chunrong couldn’t help but wonder—was this really her daughter? Or was someone behind the scenes pulling the strings?
But then she dismissed the thought as overthinking.
Huanhuan had nearly exposed the family’s shame in front of outsiders, proving she hadn’t grown any wiser. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, or maybe the beating had knocked some sense into her—straightened out a few twisted wires in her brain.
“Silly child, didn’t you just say you weren’t feeling well? Lie down and rest for a while.”
Zhao Chunrong avoided the injuries on Chu Youhuan’s face as she wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, gently coaxing her to lie down. Then, she glanced toward the door, signaling for the others to step outside.
Once they left, the ward grew much quieter, with only the faint sound of a little boy by the curtain clamoring for canned fruit.
Chu Youhuan slowly opened her eyes, her heart pounding like a drum.
The original host’s mother was truly no simple woman. She had been in the ward for a while, quietly eavesdropping, and had waited until the critical moment to step in and cut off Zhou Huaiqing’s words.
And that scrutinizing look she had given her earlier was sharp—for a moment, Chu Youhuan had felt as though she had been seen through. Fortunately, nothing came of it.
Then again, whether it was transmigrating into a book, borrowing a body to return to life, possession, or rebirth…
These things were all too fantastical. Even if ordinary people considered the possibility, they would hardly believe it. Besides, with the recent crackdown on feudal superstitions, everyone had been thoroughly frightened. Who would dare risk their life by bringing up such intangible matters?
And without any evidence, as long as she stubbornly denied it, what could anyone do to her?
From now on, she was rightfully Chu Youhuan, the Chu Youhuan born in Ganye Village.
Not long after, Zhao Chunrong returned, thinking Chu Youhuan had fallen asleep. But as soon as she approached, she met those peach-blossom eyes—identical to her own—wide open, moist and lively.
“Mom, I smell chicken soup.”
Hearing this, Zhao Chunrong couldn’t help but laugh and scold, “You really have a sharp nose, you little rascal.”
With that, she carefully took out a thermal flask from the cloth bag she had brought. It was bought from the Gongxiao She last year when her father broke his leg and was hospitalized in the city—a purchase the family had gritted their teeth to make. Yesterday, before leaving her parents’ home, she had grabbed it on a whim, and today it came in handy.
“It’s been simmering all morning. Try it.”
As soon as the thermal flask was opened, the unique, savory aroma of chicken soup wafted out, tantalizing the senses. Even Chu Youhuan, who was accustomed to fine food, couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.
But she knew how to act sweetly and pushed the spoon toward Zhao Chunrong. “Mom, you have some first.”
Zhao Chunrong felt pleased but was too embarrassed to take food from a patient. She quickly shook her head in refusal, but unable to resist her daughter’s insistence, she took a sip. The golden chicken soup warmed her from the inside out, bringing a smile to her lips.
“Alright, alright, you drink it.”
With that, she pushed the thermal flask and spoon back toward Chu Youhuan. But instead of drinking immediately, Chu Youhuan asked about Chu Songqiang.
“There’s a pile of tasks waiting for your dad at the brigade, so I told him to go back first.”
After saying this, Zhao Chunrong thought Chu Youhuan missed her father and added with a smile, “When we get home tomorrow, I’ll have your dad make Huoxiang Yu for you. The paddies are being drained these days, and every household can get at least two of the fish raised there. Your brother should be lining up to collect them right now.”
Earlier, she had told Zhou Huaiqing they would return in a few days to keep him on edge—to make sure he didn’t think their family was easy to bully just because they accepted the money. But while the words were spoken, the actions couldn’t follow suit. The Zhou family had invested so much time and effort into securing the village Party secretary position and wouldn’t give up easily.
By leaving the hospital early and returning home, they would be giving the Zhou family face and avoiding an outright confrontation.
Thankfully, Huanhuan wasn’t seriously hurt, otherwise…
A cold glint flashed in Zhao Chunrong’s eyes, but remembering her daughter was right beside her, she quickly pushed the thought aside. Just as she was about to change the subject, she glanced over and saw Chu Youhuan hanging her head, shoulders trembling slightly as she silently shed tears.
This sudden sight startled Zhao Chunrong, her eyes widening in alarm. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?”
Chu Youhuan didn’t speak, only crying harder. Large teardrops fell onto the quilt, avoiding the steaming chicken soup, leaving faint, circular stains.
“Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Seeing her silent, Zhao Chunrong grew flustered and was about to fetch a doctor when Chu Youhuan grabbed her hand.
“Mom, my brother must hate me to death.”
Chu Youhuan bit her lip and lifted her head, revealing a face full of remorse and helpless confusion, perfectly portraying someone who had done wrong but didn’t know how to make amends.
Seeing this, Zhao Chunrong remained silent for a moment, simply using a handkerchief to wipe Chu Youhuan’s tears. Watching her cry pitifully, she couldn’t truly harden her heart and ignore her. With a stern expression, she scolded, “So you finally realize?”
Hearing Zhao Chunrong’s sarcastic tone, Chu Youhuan’s heart settled back into place, though she didn’t show it on her face. Instead, she gripped her mother’s hand even tighter, her eyes pleading.
“Mom, it was only after getting hurt this time that I truly saw who really cares for me. In this world, only family bound by blood can be relied upon. I know I was wrong—you can’t abandon me. From now on, I’ll listen to you and never act foolishly again.”
She had made such promises many times before, but only this time did Zhao Chunrong detect a genuine sense of resolve in her words.
Fine, she’d give Huanhuan one more chance. This family couldn’t truly fall apart.
She sighed. “When we get back, apologize properly to your brother. He cares for you the most and won’t really hold it against you.”
These words signaled Zhao Chunrong’s agreement to help mend the relationship between the siblings.
Having resolved several major matters in one day, Chu Youhuan’s anxious heart finally steadied a little. She nodded vigorously and sweet-talked Zhao Chunrong with a few more flattering words, coaxing a smile onto her mother’s face. Only then did she wipe her tears and begin savoring the chicken soup she had been craving for so long.
So delicious!
Watching her daughter obediently lower her head to drink the soup, Zhao Chunrong felt an indescribable emotion in her heart.
They say setbacks help people grow. Huanhuan had likely truly learned her lesson this time—this fall was a good one, a fortunate one! She just hoped it wasn’t a passing whim; lasting change would be the real blessing.
Most importantly, she must not remain fixated on Hu Huiqing.
Marrying a city dweller was appealing—after all, who wouldn’t want to move to the city for a better life? But city people were also divided into different classes. Marrying the right one meant a life of comfort; marrying the wrong one would be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all effort for nothing.
Zhiqing were said to be city folk sent down to support rural construction, but in reality, their household registrations had been transferred here as well. The chances of returning to the city in the short term were slim. With no relatives or roots here, they were less reliable than local young men whose backgrounds were well-known.
Moreover, if his family had good conditions and solid connections, they would have already helped arrange a job or found another way out—why would he need to endure hardship in the countryside?
If Huanhuan married him, she might even end up supporting him financially.
Most importantly, he didn’t like Huanhuan and had no intention of marrying her. If he did, how could he have let Huanhuan become the laughingstock of the entire village? Forced matches yield no sweetness; marriage shouldn’t breed enmity. Why make things so ugly?
Even if, because of Huanhuan, Hu Huiqing had taken Deming’s spot and attended Gongnongbing Daxue, it didn’t mean he would be willing to “repay kindness with gratitude.” Investing time in him would only be a waste, tarnishing her reputation for nothing.
For a woman, marriage was a second chance at life. She understood better than anyone how important a good husband and a good in-law family were.
Whether Huanhuan’s remorse was genuine or just a tactical retreat, as her mother, she couldn’t stand by and watch her daughter make the same foolish mistake again.
Recalling what her sister-in-law had mentioned to her yesterday, Zhao Chunrong’s thoughts stirred. Knowing her daughter’s health wasn’t seriously compromised, she immediately said, “Later, come with me to the Gongxiao She.”
Meanwhile, on the second floor, outside a certain office, Xu Chenxin greeted the nurse still on duty and walked through the door.
After a tiring morning, he finally had some free time and allowed himself to relax completely. He casually closed the office door while deftly unbuttoning his white coat.
As a special appointee, the hospital dared not treat him carelessly and had arranged the best office for him, complete with a private rest area and an en-suite bathroom. Though small, it was fully equipped.
Xu Chenxin entered the bathroom, dampened a towel, lifted his black short-sleeved shirt, and wiped away the sweat on his body.
He appeared tall and slender, yet his physique was far from lacking. Beneath the white coat lay well-defined, solid muscles—broad shoulders, a narrow waist, lean and powerful. His skin was slightly fairer than that of the average man, exuding an indescribable allure under the dim light.
Just as he finished wiping off the sweat and was about to take a nap, the phone on the desk rang.
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