I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 297 - 282: The Heroine’s Unlucky Day

Zheng Honglian was pulled in by Xue Hong.

Of course, she is not innocent.

Life hasn’t been easy for her recently. Ever since the Jiang Family separated the elder son’s household, they no longer had the elder son’s wages coming in, and life took a nosedive. Unfortunately, everyone has their own little calculations: Wu Cuilan is mindful of her maternal family’s brother, Jiang Zhenghui is a useless gambler, the old lady just wants to enjoy life and is exceptionally good at keeping her daughters-in-law in line, Wu Cuilan and she are like mother and daughter.

At first, living in the old house was alright; she would massage the old lady’s back and shoulders, tell jokes to make her laugh, and in turn, the old lady would protect her. But ever since the village started distributing dividends, with the old lady’s family getting money every month, life became difficult. She was someone who could read the room, having grown up with it.

To continue living there, she had to offer the good things Xue Zongsheng gave her to the old lady, only then could she stay, but now she didn’t want to live there anymore, helplessly moving back to the educated youth base.

After Jiang Beishan got married, she became the drudge of the Old Jiang Family, sweeping, washing clothes, cooking. She wasn’t foolish enough to stay - she’s not their real granddaughter and won’t let herself be taken advantage of.

However, it seemed like the people at the educated youth base had all changed; some entered the brick and tile factory, others were accepted into the mushroom sauce factory, and everyone had a different light in their eyes, leaving her out of place among them.

Under the huge disparity in her heart, she took an introduction letter back to the city, mustered up the courage to visit her elder brother and sister-in-law, only to be slapped by her brother. That’s when Zheng Honglian learned her mother had been sentenced to death, with part of the reason being her.

Heh! She just wanted to say that the heavens have eyes.

Blamed by her brother and sister-in-law, previously unwelcome, they would from now on be strangers, though nothing was said, it was understood.

She, once again, was abandoned by others.

But the heavens wouldn’t leave her alone, before she even reached the village entrance, she was taken away.

Something happened to Xue Zongsheng, Jiang Zhenzhu immediately applied for divorce. At first, Xue Zongsheng did not agree, but after a stern warning from his grandfather, he agreed. Jiang Zhenzhu’s divorce went smoothly. After a failed marriage, she no longer had hopes for marriage, only wanting to focus on business and making money.

The business-focused Jiang Zhenzhu, even with just a day’s leave, came to Jing County to collect eggs from the mountains.

She didn’t really need to go into the mountains, as Shangfeng Village is at the mountain top, and one trip up could be exhausting. She wasn’t willing to go inside, always making the transactions at the mountain entrance. She came every Saturday.

Jiang Mingyue and An Jian rode their bikes to the foot of the mountain, and An Jian, familiar with the place, stored their bikes at Village Chief Li’s house.

"Thank you, Uncle Li."

Uncle Li, tapping the ashes from his pipe, waved repeatedly, "It’s no big deal, not worth mentioning. I’ll keep them safe for you; just go ahead without worry. By the way, where are you heading?"

An Jian was waiting for this question; he pointed forward. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Village Chief Li’s tanned old face showed no expression, but his tone was disapproving, "It’s not easy going there. Shangfeng Village used to have over fifty households; due to the inconvenient mountain descent, many have moved away over the years. I don’t even know how many families are left."

"Isn’t it difficult for them to deliver public grain?"

Village Chief Li shook his head, "They don’t need to deliver public grain. It’s too cold on the mountain, and none of the crops like wheat or rice can ripen; nothing grows successfully. As long as they don’t starve, that’s enough. Because of this, all the previous cooperatives have exempted them from public grain – there’s no other way, Shangfeng Village is too difficult."

An Jian and Jiang Mingyue exchanged glances: it was different from what they understood, it seemed they still needed to go up the mountain and take a look.

"Uncle Li, hearing this, I almost don’t want to go."

Jiang Mingyue nudged him, "I’m afraid it won’t do. The Gan Institute is sending you to find someone; if you don’t, my salary for this month will be deducted. My younger siblings are still waiting for me to bring money back to support the family."

Village Chief Li quickly asked, "Who are you going to find?"

"Lv Yan, have you heard of this person?"

Uncle Li’s eyes lit up, "I do know him. Most people in Shangfeng Village don’t come down the mountain, but this kid does often. One time, he came down and got bitten by a snake, he ran to my house crying for help. I took one look and laughed, it was just a harmless garter snake, it was a false alarm. Since then, I got to know him.

What? Are you looking for him?"

"Yes, do you know if he’s up the mountain?"

Village Chief Li shook his head, "That I don’t know; I haven’t seen him in a long time."

"Alright then, Uncle Li, you continue with your work, we’re going up to take a look."

"Are you really going? Then wait a bit."

After a moment, the honest old man brought over a bag of gray powder, "Take this with you and sprinkle it in dense areas of vegetation to ward off venomous snakes and insects."