If Qian Shi at least tried to cover her greed for Gu Yuan’s meat pancake by using Gu Feifei as an excuse, Gu San Ya didn’t bother with any pretense at all. As if Gu Yuan owed her something, she walked straight up and stretched out her hand.
“Give me the meat pancake.” She didn’t even bother calling her “Aunt,” just demanded it outright.
Gu Yuan was so angry she laughed—not just at Gu San Ya’s current attitude, but also at how she had treated the original host before. Gu Yuan simply gave her one word: “Scram.”
Gu San Ya hadn’t expected that response. Her eyes widened. “Do you even know what you’re saying? If you don’t give it to me, believe it or not, I’ll go find that Jiang fellow. You wouldn’t want the Jiang family to know you’re lazy, gluttonous, and bully your niece, right?” When she couldn’t get the pancake, she immediately resorted to threats.
Gu Yuan thought for a moment before digging up the information about this “Jiang” from her memory.
More than ten years ago, Old Master Gu—her father—had saved someone on the mountain. At the time, Gu Laoda’s wife, Yang Shi, had just given birth to Da Ya, while the other party had a son. So they verbally agreed to become in-laws and betroth their children. That family’s surname was Jiang, and the son was called Jiang Jinglun—the very “Jiang” Gu San Ya was referring to.
Since Old Master Gu was the one who saved him, and no specific daughter was named in the agreement, the original host once ran into trouble outside and was helped by Jiang Jinglun. He was educated, completely different from the rough village men—refined, gentle, and well-spoken. The original host fell for him at first sight.
Later, upon learning about the engagement between the families, she mistakenly believed she was the one promised to him. Since the Jiang family lived in the same village, and with her deliberate efforts, the two inevitably met often.
But the Jiang family’s situation was very different from the Gu family’s. When Old Master Gu was alive, he had been capable and left over ten mu of land, so although life was tight, they didn’t go hungry year-round.
The Jiang family, however, had Jiang Jinglun still studying, and his mother was often ill and needed medicine. Their life was much harder—during summer they could eat about seventy percent full with wild vegetables, but in winter, hunger was common.
When the original host found out, she felt heartbroken and began secretly supporting them.
Though she didn’t like embroidery, she learned it from her mother for Jiang Jinglun’s sake, giving him all the money she earned. Even the eggs her mother gave her for nourishment, she secretly passed to him.
And Jiang Jinglun? He would say things like “I don’t need it” and “don’t do this again,” yet he still accepted everything she gave him. Most importantly, despite all she did, he never acknowledged her status. His parents were the same—especially his father, who had proposed the engagement in the first place.
Despite her obvious devotion, they neither accepted nor rejected her, just kept her hanging.
On the surface, they claimed it was for her reputation. In reality, they looked down on her as a mere village girl.
Somehow, Gu San Ya found out about this and often used it to extort things from her. If the original host refused, she would bring up Jiang Jinglun. To maintain a good image in front of the Jiang family, the original host had no choice but to endure it, becoming completely controlled by Gu San Ya.
Not only did she have to share her food, she also had to give Gu San Ya a portion of her embroidery earnings—even doing her chores.
If Gu San Ya hadn’t mentioned it, Gu Yuan might have forgotten this entirely. Now that she had taken over the body, it was only right to settle this score.
Gu Yuan sneered and suddenly shouted toward the window, “Mother! San Ya says she wants my meat pancake, and if I don’t give it, she’ll hit me!”
The window was just a thin layer of paper. Gu Yuan believed it was better for a patient to have fresh air, so she had asked for it to be opened that morning, leaving a small gap. She was certain her voice would carry clearly.
And indeed, the soundproofing of a mud house was terrible. The moment Old Madam Gu heard it, she rushed out in her slippers. Without asking any questions, she started beating Gu San Ya.
“Eat, eat, eat—like a starving ghost! Have I not been feeding you? Your aunt is injured, and you still want to snatch her food? Heartless wretch, are you trying to kill her?”
At this moment, Gu Yuan was her reverse scale—anyone who touched her would suffer. Old Madam Gu showed no mercy, beating Gu San Ya until she ran around holding her head. Furious, she not only chased her off but also cut off her dinner.
Want to eat? Then you won’t get to eat.
Gu Yuan beamed, feeling no guilt at all—only satisfaction.
Among the entire Gu family, the one she disliked the most was actually Gu San Ya, even more than the transmigrated female lead Gu Liu. Aside from stealing the bracelet at the start, everything Gu Liu did afterward was provoked by the original host. If left alone, she wouldn’t bother with you.
Gu San Ya was different—she was like a sewer rat, a venomous snake lurking in the shadows. Anything she set her eyes on, she considered hers.
After beating Gu San Ya, Old Madam Gu came to Gu Yuan’s room, panting.
“That’s how you should be, my good girl. If anyone dares coveting your things again, just tell me. I’ll beat them senseless. A bunch of lazy donkeys, all they know is how to eat.”
She knew full well that Qian Shi had come earlier with Gu Feifei. Afraid her daughter might feel embarrassed, she had originally intended to intervene, but after hearing Gu Yuan handle it, she quietly left.
She knew she was getting old and might not be able to protect her daughter forever. It was best if her daughter could stand up for herself.
Gu Yuan stuck out her tongue sheepishly. She wasn’t really a child—complaining over such small matters felt a bit embarrassing.
After driving Gu San Ya away, Old Madam Gu didn’t stay long. With the heat making farm work impossible, everyone liked to take an afternoon nap.
After her outburst, no one dared bother Gu Yuan again. She slept until dusk.
The evening scenery was beautiful. Having slept so long, she wasn’t sleepy at all. Seeing the sky outside, she decided to go out for some fresh air.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw her third brother walking in, beaming with joy.
“Third brother,” she called.
Gu Lao San grinned. “Little sister, why are you out? Does your head still hurt?” In the whole family, aside from Old Madam Gu, only Gu Lao San and his wife truly cared for her without ulterior motives.
Touching her forehead, Gu Yuan said softly, “I’m much better. Slept all day, so I can’t sleep now. I just wanted some air. Third brother, did you just come back from the fields?”
In the entire Gu family, only Gu Lao’er and his wife liked to slack off. Gu Lao San and Gu Laoda were honest workers, especially Gu Lao San, who would work until it was too dark to see.
So she assumed he had just returned.
Gu Lao San shook his head and held out his hand mysteriously. “Guess what I brought you?”
His fist wasn’t tightly closed. Under the light, Gu Yuan could vaguely see something inside—it seemed alive.
She stared for a moment and honestly shook her head. “I can’t guess.”
He opened his hand, revealing the contents. Gu Yuan wasn’t prepared and cried out in surprise.
Gu Lao San laughed. “Got lucky today—I found a few cicada nymphs. I’ll have your third sister-in-law boil them for you later.”
Farmers craved meat but were reluctant to buy it. Every year when cicada nymphs emerged, it was their happiest time.
Unlike modern methods, they didn’t salt or fry them—just washed and boiled them.
Boiled cicada nymphs weren’t particularly tasty, but they were still meat—and free.
They usually appeared in large numbers in June and July. In May, there were only a few. Normally, Gu Lao San would take the kids to catch them later in the season. But today, thinking of his injured sister needing nourishment, he tried his luck early.
Gu Yuan was from the north. She recognized cicada nymphs and knew they were high-protein food. Modern ones were often contaminated with heavy metals, yet still sought after—these ancient ones were completely natural.
She tilted her head. “Third brother, they’re already out at this time?”
He scratched his head sheepishly. “There aren’t many now. When there are more later, I’ll catch more for you.” He thought she was disappointed by the small number—he had only caught five.
Curious, Gu Yuan reached out and poked one.
The moment her finger touched it, a ding sounded in her head, and a mechanical voice spoke:
【Pure natural, pollution-free cicada nymphs: 40 copper coins per jin】
Gu Yuan’s eyes widened in shock.
What did that mean? This could be sold for money? Forty copper coins per jin?!