I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 268 - 265: Mid-Autumn Festival

Monkey is a regular at the gambling tables in Liu Village. With a large family at home, and being the youngest, he wasn’t required to work. His parents often kept the good stuff for him, while his nieces just looked on.

With this reliance at home, Monkey grew lazier, not doing any proper work and spending his days playing cards with a few like-minded friends.

Jiang Zhenghui, however, was from another village, initially brought in by Old Sun. The first time this guy lost quite a bit, Old Sun enjoyed the benefits, and since then, this guy gradually joined them. This group consisted of seven people, and whenever someone was unavailable, others filled in.

Monkey didn’t like Jiang Zhenghui because he’d heard rumors that he was the illegitimate son of Li the Blind. At first, he thought those people were just blowing smoke, but once, he inadvertently saw Li the Blind secretly slip money to Jiang Zhenghui. Later, he tried to subtly inquire about Jiang Zhenghui’s relationship with Li the Blind. Surprisingly, Jiang Zhenghui, that bastard, didn’t hesitate to say he didn’t know him.

Heh, claiming not to know someone who’s giving you money, and you even took it.

The phrase "no three hundred taels of silver here"—this situation fit it perfectly. Since then, Monkey labeled Jiang Zhenghui as "Li the Blind’s bastard son" in his heart.

Why does Monkey hate Li the Blind so much? No matter what, he’s still an elder, not an equal, and there’s no reason for any entanglement.

No way, Li the Blind doesn’t act like a human!

It’s not only arsonists and murderers who are hated; Li the Blind flirted with someone’s sister-in-law, which was not only hateful but disgusting. If it weren’t for the concern over his sister-in-law’s reputation, Monkey’s family would have long confronted him, but over the years they’ve quietly undermined Li the Blind a lot, yet it’s still not satisfying.

What happened is like mud splatters on white pants; the traces won’t disappear.

"Monkey, are you playing today?"

"No."

"Come on, I saw Jiang Zhenghui is here too. Aren’t you the one who likes to mess with him the most? Let’s go have some fun."

Jiang Zhenghui is here?

Then, of course, I can’t let this pass.

Seeing Monkey sit opposite him, Jiang Zhenghui immediately wanted to leave, but someone already pressed down on his shoulder.

"Brother Zhenghui, that’s not right. We’re all here to have fun. Why do you want to run as soon as I come over?" The newcomer shouted with malicious humor.

I didn’t! That’s not me! I just don’t dare provoke this mad dog, Monkey, who bites anyone he can.

Luckily, he only brought twenty bucks. Today will be another day of losing it all.

I better escape quickly; there’s no advantage to be had where Monkey is.

"Uncle Zhenghui, let’s have a talk."

Jiang Zhenghui wanted to withdraw but found the arm across his neck as unyielding as steel.

"Brother Monkey, what can we talk about?"

"Of course, there’s something to talk about. First, I have to apologize to Uncle Zhenghui. I was young and foolish back then. I’ve offended you many times; please don’t hold it against me."

Jiang Zhenghui frowned. This Monkey was behaving unusually. He had been targeting him for so long, and although he always found it inexplicable, now he still felt bewildered, yet also... dubious.

"Brother Monkey, if there’s something you want, just say it. I, I..." I’m afraid of you behaving like this.

It’s hard to believe, seeing the older person ingratiate himself to someone a generation below.

But anyone who knows of Monkey’s past wouldn’t dare cross him. He does have the merit of never bullying the weak.

Indeed, the person is quite a rascal.

"It’s nothing much. What do you think of me?" He stood straight and tidied his collar—an odd act in front of an uncle.

Jiang Zhenghui’s face suddenly turned pallid.

"What, what do you mean by this?" Jiang Zhenghui didn’t know why but not only was his tongue tied, but his calves were also trembling.

Monkey: I just enjoy seeing you look so pitiful.

"Ahem... It’s nothing much. You know, I’m still single right now."

Jiang Zhenghui shut his eyes in agony—he knew it.

"I think Beishan is pretty good. How about I make a proposal?"

Jiang Zhenghui abruptly opened his eyes, thinking he must have misheard.

"What did you just say?"

"Uncle Jiang, what’s wrong? I said I like Beishan and want to marry her. Of course, if you two elders disagree, I can join her family instead."

Jiang Zhenghui looked incredulous. "You like my daughter?"

Monkey raised an eyebrow. "Who else?"

Jiang Zhenghui’s ears instantly flushed hot: So he had misunderstood.

"Ahem... Marrying my Beishan isn’t impossible, but you do know, my Beishan is in high demand. Recently, even the son of the Little Stone Commune leader came to propose, offering 500 bucks as a gift. You’re not prohibited from marrying Beishan, but..."

The message was clear—less than 500 bucks and you can’t marry my daughter.

Monkey sneered: Greedy!

"Since she’s already promised to someone else, I guess there’s nothing for me here."

Monkey made to leave, but Jiang Zhenghui quickly pulled him back.

Jiang Zhenghui, the type who never let good meat slip by if it appeared in front of him, without caring if he could eat it.

"Nephew Monkey, let’s talk properly. I, I can cancel over there, but the money..."

It all came down to money.

"No, wait, you said the other side gave a lot of money, and he’s the commune leader’s son, with genuinely good conditions and a lot of cash. Normally, marrying a bride costs twenty or so bucks; just how is your daughter gilded?"

Jiang Zhenghui: "..." So is he interested or not?

"No, Nephew Monkey, you, you want to give up?"

"If not giving up, what else can I do? I can’t afford your daughter. That’s it, move away!"

Jiang Zhenghui: "..." Forget it; he doesn’t want such a temperamental son-in-law.

Once people left, Monkey immediately changed his demeanor, slinking into the woods.

The person who had just been unyielding immediately sought merit with someone opposite.

"How was it? Didn’t I perform well?"

Jiang Beishan, still preoccupied with her father, brusquely replied to Monkey’s flattery, "Yeah."

Wei Houping didn’t mind her indifference. "Shall we go?"

"Hmm."

The two followed Jiang Zhenghui, and in the days that followed, "tailing" became part of their routine.

Over at Jiang Mingyue’s, she stayed home for several days, checking in sporadically at 42 Magpie Street for information. Without any news from the Southern Institute, it meant there were no missions for now.

During this period, as Jiang Mingyue helped Shen Fanghua prepare things for the Mid-Autumn Festival, one day she received a large gift from Yundian Agricultural Research Institute, likely due to the fruit trees she donated previously. This time they sent mooncakes and a basket of holiday gifts, along with several baskets of fresh osmanthus flowers.

The holiday gifts Jiang Mingyue gave to Shen Fanghua, while the osmanthus flowers were transferred to a space, for making osmanthus wine and tea. She also divided some for Shen Fanghua to make osmanthus cake and mooncakes.

On the day before Mid-Autumn Festival, An Jian sent a message hanging from Lightning’s neck, which Jiang Mingyue opened.

It wasn’t a mission, but rather an invitation to pick up holiday gifts at the Southern Institute.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Jiang bundled a lot of baked osmanthus mooncakes and cakes for her to share with colleagues.

To ease Mrs. Jiang’s mind, Jiang Mingyue didn’t refuse but immediately stored them in the space storage room.

She planned to distribute them based on the situation—not everyone deserved to taste Mrs. Jiang’s handmade cakes.

Upon receiving the holiday gifts, she casually tossed them into a basket: two large mooncakes, a half-pound of roasted peanuts, and a mixed nut pack.

Upon hearing she’d arrived, An Jian picked up his share from the logistics and handed everything to Jiang Mingyue.

"All yours, I don’t eat these sugary things as a bachelor."

Jiang Mingyue felt this was an excuse. Since someone extended kindness, she reciprocated with a gift.

Jiang Mingyue set down the basket, taking out a pinewood roasted chicken she had prepared beforehand and four osmanthus mooncakes made by Mrs. Jiang to give An Jian.

An Jian was thrilled inside: Although there was no wine, with roasted chicken it was still quite a treat. Jiang Comrade is indeed kind-hearted and worth befriending.