Song Wei sneered. “What, is this your place now? Just because you’re here, I can’t be?”
Jiang Xiaowan immediately retorted, “Don’t talk nonsense!”
Seeing Song Wei sit down in front of her, Jiang Xiaowan became wary.
“What do you want?”
Song Wei smiled slyly. “I just want to ask you something. Your eyes are fine; you’re not blind. So how on earth did you fall for that scumbag Luo Yecheng? Was it his weak frame that can’t even carry a bucket of water? Or his macho ego and love for appearances? Or maybe his poverty combined with his shameless habit of living off women?”
Jiang Xiaowan glared at her, stomping her foot in anger. “Just because Brother Yecheng doesn’t like you doesn’t mean you can slander him! You’re so awful!”
Song Wei clicked her tongue and, hearing faint meows imitated by nearby children, immediately knew Luo Yecheng was approaching. Without hesitation, she grabbed Jiang Xiaowan’s arm and leaped into a tree.
Jiang Xiaowan let out a startled cry, quickly muffled by Song Wei.
Once they were in the tree, Song Wei held her tightly and teased with a playful smirk, “Don’t make a sound. I’m about to show you a good show.”
Jiang Xiaowan struggled, but Song Wei pressed a spot on her neck, rendering her limp.
Terrified, Jiang Xiaowan began to cry silently. Is Song Wei going mad because Brother Yecheng doesn’t like her? Is she going to kill me? Someone save me!
A few minutes later, footsteps approached. Jiang Xiaowan, concealed by thick branches, saw Luo Yecheng arrive below the date tree. She tried to call out, but Song Wei’s hand kept her silent.
“Don’t ruin the fun,” Song Wei whispered in her ear, her tone dark and mischievous like a villain’s. Jiang Xiaowan trembled harder.
“Look over there,” Song Wei said, gesturing toward Luo Yecheng.
Luo Yecheng stood impatiently under the tree, glancing around. Less than a minute passed before he grumbled, “Women are such trouble. We’re about to get married, and she still has so many issues.”
Jiang Xiaowan froze. She could hear him clearly from her vantage point. Is he talking about me?
The Luo Yecheng she knew was always polite and refined. This tone and attitude were completely unfamiliar to her.
She quickly reassured herself. It’s just a moment of frustration. It doesn’t mean anything.
But the next moment, her eyes widened in shock.
A woman suddenly ran up and threw herself into Luo Yecheng’s arms.
“Brother Yecheng, I knew you’d be here!”
Luo Yecheng quickly pushed her away, his expression flustered as he looked around nervously.
Seeing no one, he relaxed and scolded, “Why are you here? You need to leave.”
Wang Xiaohua pouted unhappily. “Didn’t you say yesterday that you missed me? Now you’re pushing me away? Were you lying yesterday?”
Luo Yecheng’s eyes flashed with annoyance, but his face remained gentle as he tried to soothe her.
“Of course not. But Jiang Xiaowan will be here soon. If she sees you, it’ll be a disaster.”
Wang Xiaohua huffed. “So what? Let her see. Then you can call off the engagement and marry me. Didn’t you say I was your favorite?”
Her face flushed, and her eyes shone with adoration. But Luo Yecheng’s gaze revealed only disdain.
Wang Xiaohua was plump, her looks average at best-nothing compared to Jiang Xiaowan. If it weren’t for the money and ration coupons involved, he wouldn’t even look at her.
“No, Xiaohua. If I cancel the engagement now, my reputation will be ruined. You love me, don’t you? You’ll understand and support me, right?”
He leaned closer and added softly, “Don’t worry. Once we’re married, I’ll find a reason to divorce her. Didn’t you say you hate Jiang Xiaowan? When I divorce her, her reputation will be destroyed. No one will want her then.”
Wang Xiaohua finally smiled, satisfied.
She and Jiang Xiaowan were from the same village and the same age. Jiang Xiaowan was the village party secretary’s daughter, while she was the village head’s granddaughter. Jiang Xiaowan was constantly praised, pursued by many men, while she had no suitors at all.
When she learned Jiang Xiaowan was engaged to Luo Yecheng, her jealousy nearly drove her mad.
Luo Yecheng had charmed her with his poetry, tales of the city, and seemingly resilient spirit. She couldn’t stand seeing Jiang Xiaowan get what she wanted.
“Fine, but you have to divorce her as soon as possible,” Wang Xiaohua demanded.
Luo Yecheng nodded perfunctorily, still glancing around nervously.
“Just go. If she sees you, it’ll ruin everything.”
“What’s the big deal? I’ll just say I ran into you by accident. She’s so gullible; she’ll believe anything.”
Above them, Jiang Xiaowan was already in tears.
Song Wei didn’t even need to cover her mouth anymore. She lay motionless on the branch, cold and weak, her mind replaying the conversation below.
It felt like a nightmare-a terrifying, surreal nightmare
But it wasn’t over yet.
From the other side, another figure appeared. Like Wang Xiaohua, this newcomer immediately hugged Luo Yecheng.
“Brother Yecheng!”
Luo Yecheng’s face turned pale. He tried to flee, but it was too late.
“Who are you calling Brother Yecheng, you shameless fox spirit!”
Wang Xiaohua’s voice was sharp and piercing. She slapped Lin Xiaocao across the face, who screamed and lunged at her attacker, pulling her hair.
“You wretch! How dare you hit me!”
“I’ll hit you again! Who told you to cling to my Brother Yecheng? You’re disgusting!”
“You’re the disgusting one! Look at you, fat as a pig, with a terrible temper. Even the village men don’t want you!”
Wang Xiaohua, humiliated, flew into a rage, tackling Lin Xiaocao to the ground and punching her repeatedly.
“Who are you calling unwanted, you miserable wench! Even your parents don’t love you! Do you think Brother Yecheng would?”
The two women screamed, slapped, and tore at each other, while Luo Yecheng edged away, ready to flee.
The commotion quickly drew the attention of nearby villagers.
The first people to arrive were Song Wei’s acquaintances, the ladies who peeled corn kernels with her.
Leave a Reply