Chapter 29 The Deceived Girl in the 1970s: Fake vs. Real Daughter Story (29)

This time around, Li Huimei, now Ye Huimei, swore she’d never be that stupid again.

She wasn’t going to demand a divorce between that man and Ye Xiaoxiao just so she could marry him. No, in this life, she was going to be his mistress, let Ye Xiaoxiao earn money for her to spend, and raise her son for her. All she had to do was keep the man happy, and she’d have more money than she could use.

Besides, Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t have children. No matter how much she earned, it would all eventually belong to her and her son.

The more she thought about it, the more Ye Huimei felt her past self had been a fool—working so hard and suffering so much, only to end up with less than she could’ve had by simply playing her cards smarter.

After Ye Xiaoxiao remarried that man in their last life, she stopped expanding her restaurant business and just held on to one place. Though it still made money, it was nothing compared to the early days.

If only she hadn’t gotten divorced, things might’ve been different. She wouldn’t have died with nothing more than that single restaurant left to her son.

She had underestimated Ye Xiaoxiao back then. She thought she was weak and easy to control, but it turned out the real loser was the man; he’d only gotten lucky by marrying Ye Xiaoxiao.

Well, this life, all of it, would be hers.

Still, she was puzzled. Why hadn’t Ye Xiaoxiao written home yet to ask about the Li parents’ whereabouts? Had the letter not arrived, or had it gotten lost?

She couldn’t wait any longer. She would take the initiative to write to her, pretend to be kind, and tell her the address. After all, the Li parents had said several times they barely made it through their hardship, all thanks to the medicine she (Ye Huimei) sent.

They’d thought she was the one sending it all and had rewarded her with all kinds of valuables when they came back. Ye Xiaoxiao still had over a thousand yuan they gave her before being sent down. So stingy.

Ye Xiaoxiao had no clue that someone was preparing to write her a letter, planning to manipulate her into once again working like a mule for others—earning money to raise someone else’s child.

Right now, Xiaoxiao was staring at Wang Jianjun. She didn’t want to stay and take care of Feng Qingqing with him, but she also couldn’t just leave suddenly.

She looked around. There were still three other people in the room, so it wasn’t just her and Wang Jianjun. It should be fine, right?

And the person the team leader had arranged to relieve her should be arriving any moment now, right?

Xiaoxiao checked the time. Maybe she could head to the state-run canteen for a meal? Or browse around the supply co-op?

With that in mind, she turned to Wang Jianjun. “Comrade Wang, the person the team leader arranged isn’t here yet, but they should be soon. I’m a little hungry, so I was thinking of going out for a bite. Can you keep an eye on Comrade Feng for a while?”

“No problem,” Wang Jianjun replied. “But didn’t you say earlier you didn’t bring any money or coupons? I have some; you can use mine.”

Xiaoxiao: … Right, she forgot her earlier excuse.

Seeing her pause, Wang Jianjun assumed she’d remembered and began pulling out cash and ration coupons.

She quickly stopped him. “I have a friend nearby. I’ll borrow from her and pay her back later.”

And then she dashed out, not wanting to get entangled with this group of messy people any more than she already was.

Especially with Zhang Jiabei—she was practically a madwoman now. Xiaoxiao had no desire to get targeted by a lunatic.

Leaving Feng Qingqing alone in the hospital was guaranteed to trigger Zhang Jiabei, but as long as she didn’t name Xiaoxiao, things would be fine. Wang Jianjun would clearly protect Feng Qingqing. But Xiaoxiao had no such protector.

She wasn’t afraid, but there was no reason to help Feng Qingqing take that kind of heat.

The young man in the next bed nearly laughed when he saw Xiaoxiao flee like her life depended on it. How badly did she want to avoid being dragged into this mess?

Even the old aunt started giving Wang Jianjun side-eyes. Were he and Feng Qingqing really involved in something improper? That girl had bolted like it was the plague.

Their suspicions weren’t unfounded.

Not long after Xiaoxiao left, the person arranged by the team leader finally arrived: Feng Zhaodi. She’d only come because the team leader promised ten work points—no one else had wanted the job.

Feng Zhaodi’s household was struggling. Her father-in-law was bedridden, her mother-in-law sickly, two sons still young, and her husband the only able-bodied worker. Ten work points were too valuable to pass up.

But she wasn’t alone. Zhang Jiabei had also come. After being promised by Wang Jianjun that he wouldn’t get involved with Feng Qingqing, she returned home only to find him gone.

Wang’s mother claimed he’d gone hunting in the mountains to bring back meat for New Year. But Zhang Jiabei didn’t believe a word of it.

She was convinced he’d run to the hospital to see that vixen and immediately followed.

What happened next was… predictable.

Zhang Jiabei arrived to see Wang Jianjun staring tenderly at the unconscious Feng Qingqing. She flew into a rage, clawing his face until it was bleeding.

No one could stop her. Most of the others in the ward were patients. In the end, it took hospital staff and the security team to break up the fight.

By the time Xiaoxiao returned, only Feng Zhaodi was left in the room.

“Oh, it’s you, sister-in-law. You’re on night duty? Great, I’ll leave it to you and head back,” she said cheerfully.

Feng Zhaodi stopped her. “Where did you go just now? Zhang Jiabei showed up and saw Wang Jianjun here alone with Feng Qingqing. Caused a huge scene.”

Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up. “Really? Tell me everything! Did they fight?”

Feng Zhaodi: … That’s a bit too gleeful. Isn’t she worried Zhang Jiabei might come after her?

She voiced the thought aloud.

Xiaoxiao looked confused. “What’s it got to do with me?”

“The team leader said you were the one watching her. If Zhang Jiabei hears that, do you think she won’t blame you?”

Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, paused, then frowned.

Given Zhang Jiabei’s current mental state… yeah, that sounded exactly like something she’d do.

“All I did was stand too close while watching the drama, and I got roped in by the team leader. Now I’ve somehow ended up in trouble too? I just went out to eat! She wouldn’t be that unreasonable, would she?”

Feng Zhaodi replied bluntly. “You think someone blinded by jealousy still has logic? She’ll definitely take it out on you.”

Xiaoxiao: … Just her luck.

The young man in the corner frowned too. He thought of that shrew’s earlier scene, then looked at Xiaoxiao’s petite frame—even bundled in thick winter clothes, she was obviously small.

Even the old couple nearby, who had stayed quiet this whole time, were now looking at Xiaoxiao with sympathy.

The old aunt sighed. “Girl, next time you watch a fight, stay at the back. If that woman causes trouble, you run straight to your team leader, alright?”

Xiaoxiao nodded, smiling. “Thanks, Auntie. Got it. But don’t worry—she can’t beat me.”

Neither the aunt nor the young man looked convinced. Only Feng Zhaodi, who had once seen Xiaoxiao kick someone flying, nodded in agreement.

Still, she added, “She’s acting like a madwoman now. You better be careful.”