Jiang Meilan acted swiftly. Once she confirmed her sister was willing to swap identities with her, she immediately sprang into action.
First came the clothes.
They exchanged all their clothing, though truthfully there weren’t many sets to begin with, and all were patched-up hand-me-downs.
Then came their hair. Jiang Meishu preferred wearing one thick braid, while Jiang Meilan liked styling two braids.
They proceeded to recreate each other’s hairstyles.
Jiang Meilan practiced braiding her hair like her sister, while Jiang Meishu adopted her sister’s usual appearance.
Although the twins looked identical, Jiang Meilan was more capable and thus appeared more vibrant and healthy.
Jiang Meishu, due to her frail constitution, looked thinner and paler.
However, unless someone knew them well, the difference wasn’t noticeable.
After swapping clothes, they emerged from their room.
Jiang Meishu still felt uneasy, so she applied some lipstick her sister had saved up to buy by skipping meals, dabbing it lightly on her cheeks.
Her pale complexion instantly gained a rosy glow.
Jiang Meilan had it easier – she simply needed to appear pale.
They exchanged glances. “Shall we go out?” Jiang Meilan asked.
Jiang Meishu tugged uncomfortably at her borrowed clothes and nodded. “Let’s go.”
When the cloth curtain was drawn aside,
Wang Limei, Jiang Lamei, and Lin Qiaoling all turned to look simultaneously.
Frankly, all three were momentarily stunned. “Which of you is Meishu? Which is Meilan?”
Since Jiang Meilan and Jiang Meishu were identical twins deliberately imitating each other’s mannerisms, telling them apart proved genuinely difficult.
Jiang Meilan breathed an inward sigh of relief. “Can’t you tell?”
This confirmed their identity swap was quite successful.
Jiang Meishu blinked but remained silent.
Wang Limei assessed them critically. “I can’t tell just looking, but once you start working, I’ll know immediately who’s Meishu and who’s Meilan.”
Jiang Meishu was the delicate sister who couldn’t carry heavy loads or perform strenuous tasks.
Jiang Meilan was the capable one who handled all household chores effortlessly.
Just one glance at their work would tell any mother which was the older and which the younger sister.
Jiang Lamei observed, “I think this works. Even we can’t tell them apart. Actually, for the blind dates, neither Factory Director Liang nor Shen Zhanlie would recognize the switch.”
After all, both men were essentially strangers to the sisters.
Their only prior exposure had been photographs of Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan.
“Even so, we should commit fully to the act,” Jiang Meilan said with characteristic steadiness. “Better safe than sorry.”
“For these next few days at home, everyone must call me Meishu.”
“And call Meishu Meilan. We can’t slip up ourselves.”
Wang Limei and the others naturally agreed.
However, when evening came,
Father Jiang and Elder Brother Jiang returned from work, glanced briefly at the Jiang sisters, and went inside without noticing anything amiss.
It was Younger Brother Jiang who, returning from school with his backpack, nose buried in a book as usual –
the quintessential bookworm oblivious to his surroundings –
who paused after walking past them.
He suddenly backtracked and stood before Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan,
studying them intently.
Closing his book, his handsome features clouded with confusion. “There’s something different about you two.”
His words hung in the air.
Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan exchanged a glance. “What seems off?”
It was Jiang Meishu who asked this.
As soon as she spoke.
Younger Brother Jiang tucked the book into his pocket, looking puzzled. “Second Sister, why are you dressed like that? And why are you imitating Eldest Sister’s way of speaking?”
Jiang Meishu had forgotten about her brother—a straight-A student who was usually the most observant.
“You can tell?”
Younger Brother Jiang retorted, “Of course! The differences between you and Eldest Sister are so obvious. How could I not notice?”
Jiang Meishu’s heart sank. “What differences do you see?”
She needed to improve!
Younger Brother Jiang stood a meter away, scrutinizing her carefully. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but—”
He thought for a moment. “Second Sister, you’re delicate and too lazy. Even from ten meters away, I can sense your lazy bones and the unmotivated vibe you give off.”
Jiang Meishu glared at him. “Watch your words!”
Younger Brother Jiang grinned. Though he usually carried a steady, scholarly air, his smile softened it, revealing a touch of youthful innocence. “Hehe, it’s just that you look easy to fool. My eldest sister is different—her demeanor is rock-solid, and she’s full of energy and spirit.”
Jiang Meishu, “…”
She felt she might never be “full of energy” in this lifetime.
She was hungry.
Starving, in fact.
Every day, she felt panicked from hunger.
It had been two days since she transmigrated, and aside from cornmeal, it was still cornmeal. The worst part was that they weren’t even allowed to eat their fill of cornmeal—it was diluted with water.
That was just too much.
Jiang Meishu said coolly, “I hope your future brother-in-law won’t have such sharp eyesight, or our whole family will be doomed.”
As workers at the Meatpacking Factory, they were planning to deceive the factory director.
Wasn’t that like dancing on your own grave?
Younger Brother Jiang smirked. “I have a feeling this isn’t very reliable.”
If even he could tell the difference between his eldest and second sister,
couldn’t Factory Director Liang and Shen Zhanlie do the same?
Jiang Meishu was also worried. She furrowed her brows. “We’ll just have to try and see what happens.”
After hearing Younger Brother Jiang’s suggestion, Jiang Meilan immediately took action with her usual efficiency. “Meishu, follow my lead. Try to steady your presence. Also, when you look at someone, stare straight at them without flinching. Be firm!”
Jiang Meishu thought for a moment, then stared straight at Jiang Meilan, her eyes focusing inward. “Like this?”
Jiang Meilan tapped her forehead. “That’s cross-eyed.”
“Be serious.”
“Meilan.”
Hearing this, Jiang Meishu felt a bit dazed. She hadn’t expected her sister to adapt so quickly.
Jiang Meishu looked at her and called out, “Meishu.”
She imitated Jiang Meilan’s usual demeanor.
Before Jiang Meilan could respond,
Younger Brother Jiang gaped. “For a moment there, I couldn’t tell you apart.”
He couldn’t distinguish whether it was the eldest sister or the second sister.
Hearing this, Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan felt much more relieved.
Just as they were about to enter, Younger Brother Jiang suddenly stopped Jiang Meishu. “Sis, are you going on a blind date with Factory Director Liang?”
Jiang Meishu, “Yes, why?”
Younger Brother Jiang recalled, “Factory Director Liang’s son is in my class. He’s really arrogant—always skipping school and has a terrible temper.”
For someone like Younger Brother Jiang, who had fought hard for the chance to attend school, he simply couldn’t understand why anyone would skip classes.
Going to school these days is truly difficult. With only half a day for classes and the other half spent pulling weeds, he cherished every moment, but Liang Rui never seemed to care.
Jiang Meishu perked up with interest upon hearing this. “Tell me more about Liang Rui.”
“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.”
Younger Brother Jiang didn’t want to speak ill of others outside, not even to his sister. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Sis, if possible, try to mess up the blind date.”
This was advice from a bookworm.
Jiang Meishu, “…”
“Maybe you should stop talking.”
Seeing that his sister wasn’t taking his advice, Younger Brother Jiang hesitated, then awkwardly added, “Sis, I can’t beat Liang Rui in a fight.”
What if she ended up getting bullied?
Jiang Meishu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his words, but she was mostly touched. “Alright, I won’t make you fight.”
Younger Brother Jiang didn’t believe her and could only pray silently that his sister wouldn’t succeed in her blind date with Factory Director Liang.
He really didn’t want to become Liang Rui’s uncle.
He had a feeling Liang Rui would beat him to death!
With Younger Brother Jiang’s advice, things went much more smoothly afterward.
Under deliberate guidance from both sides, they quickly learned to perfectly impersonate each other—at least, they had successfully swapped identities at home so far.
Father Jiang and Elder Brother Jiang were unaware of the switch.
In other words, only Wang Lamei, Lin Qiaoling, and sharp-eyed Younger Brother Jiang knew the truth.
At Jiang Meilan’s specific reminder, “Don’t let our identities be exposed, or our whole family will be finished,” the others naturally kept their mouths shut.
Once things were stable at home,
Jiang Meishu kept complaining about being hungry.
She was genuinely starving. After searching the entire house, she couldn’t find a single thing to eat.
Even a mouse’s home was better stocked than theirs.
Wang Lamei had no choice but to take out the grain ration book and non-staple food coupon from the drawer. “Meishu, Meilan, both of you go out together. See if you can buy some food at the supply and marketing cooperative. While you’re out, observe whether the neighbors can recognize you.”
“Oh, and you also need to borrow clothes for the blind date. Ask Xiao Juan if she can lend you an outfit.”
All of this had to be done before the blind date.
They couldn’t possibly show up in tattered clothes, patched up countless times.
Unfortunately, Jiang Meishu completely missed the latter part and only heard the first half.
Jiang Meishu immediately grew excited. “Give me the grain ration book and the non-staple food coupon.”
“What about the money? The coupons?”
She held out her fair, delicate palm, fingers slender and without a single callus.
To be honest, the original Jiang Meishu had been raised very well by her family. Of course, this was only possible because her sister Jiang Meilan had shouldered the burdens for her.
Whatever Jiang Meishu refused to do, Jiang Meilan did instead.
“It’s all here, take it, take it. I’ve given birth to two little debt collectors,” Wang Lamei grumbled under her breath.
Jiang Meishu didn’t take offense. She grabbed the ration book and money and headed out with Jiang Meilan.
Jiang Meilan sighed helplessly and patted her sister’s shoulder as they stepped outside. “Be more composed.”
Jiang Meishu lifted her chin slightly. “I know.”
The moment they stepped out, she immediately dropped her earlier playful demeanor, squared her shoulders, and centered her energy.
Jiang Meishu felt she’d be perfect for practicing a round of Tai Chi.
The courtyard outside was bustling with activity, and she instinctively straightened up even more.
They lived in a Dazayuan, divided into front and rear courtyards, housing a total of thirteen families.
It was high noon, and quite a few people were washing vegetables at the water tank in the courtyard.
They watched as Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan came out.
Seeing an opportunity, Aunt Hehua immediately stopped washing the cabbage, wiped her hands, and walked over. With a fawning expression, she asked Jiang Meishu, “Meilan, is it true you’re going on a blind date with Factory Director Liang?”
She didn’t forget to reach out and grab “Jiang Meilan,” trying to cozy up to her.
After all, most people in their Dazayuan worked at the Meatpacking Factory. If one of them could become the factory director’s wife, wouldn’t they have a direct line to the top? Even the lower-level group leaders would think twice before bullying them, knowing the factory director’s wife lived in their courtyard.
They might even be able to report grievances.
They’d walk with their backs straighter!
To be honest, Jiang Meishu couldn’t carry heavy loads or do manual work, and her reputation in the courtyard was quite poor. The aunties didn’t particularly like her.
She was used to it.
She never expected to be treated so warmly by Aunt Hehua one day.
Jiang Meishu subtly withdrew her hand and, imitating her sister’s usual demeanor, replied primly, “It’s not settled yet, Aunt Hehua. Don’t spread rumors.”
Aunt Hehua’s eyes lit up. “So it’s true, then?”
“Meilan, when you become the factory director’s wife, you mustn’t forget about us!”
Everyone crowded around “Jiang Meilan” as if she were the center of attention, while “Jiang Meishu” was completely ignored.
Fortunately, “Jiang Meishu” didn’t mind.
“Jiang Meilan’s” smile was strained as she nodded. “Let’s talk about the future later, Aunt. My sister and I are going to the supply and marketing cooperative. We’ll chat another time.”
Once they left the Dazayuan, Jiang Meishu rubbed her face. “Sis, you’re this popular?”
Jiang Meilan shrugged. “I didn’t expect you to be this unpopular.”
She had stood in the crowd for so long, yet no one had even glanced at her.
Jiang Meishu pinched her waist. “Regret it? Giving me the popular identity and taking on the disliked one for yourself?”
It wasn’t entirely wrong to say the original Jiang Meishu was disliked by everyone.
Jiang Meilan, “Regret? Not a chance. I wish I’d swapped with you sooner. Being ‘Jiang Meishu’ is so comfortable.”
The world felt so much quieter.
“Truly, the lazy have their own blessings.”
Jiang Meishu gritted her teeth. “Haven’t you noticed? They didn’t even realize we swapped identities.”
“Indeed, they didn’t,” Jiang Meilan said. “Let’s go to our aunt’s place first, then to the supply and marketing cooperative.”
“If Xiao Juan and Xiao Gang also can’t tell us apart, we’ll be a bit safer.”
Jiang Meishu hummed in agreement. “But I’m worried Liang Qiurun might be different. What if he figures us out?”
As soon as she said this, Jiang Meilan dismissed it. “Impossible! In my previous life, I married him, and he never came home.”
Oops.
She’d slipped up.