Chapter 31 The Deceived Girl in the 1970s: Fake vs. Real Daughter Story (31)

Sister Chen returned to the hospital and gave her brother a teasing look when she saw he hadn’t eaten yet.

Chen Zhibin looked a little embarrassed, but now that his sister was back and clearly everything was fine, he could finally eat with peace of mind.

The others in the room had long figured it out—Chen Zhibin had a crush on Ye Xiaoxiao. Feng Zhaodi was quietly happy about this but also a bit worried.

The warm-hearted auntie saw that Chen Zhibin was feeling a little awkward, so she enthusiastically started asking Feng Zhaodi for information about Xiaoxiao on his behalf.

Meanwhile, Xiaoxiao was leisurely riding her bicycle around the town. After a few laps, she found a secluded spot to pull out some supplies—both what she’d bought and some items from her spatial storage, especially winter clothes.

She was quite glad she’d bought two vintage-style cotton coats for fun—one black and one army green. They looked just right for this era and wouldn’t draw attention.

Back then, her mom had complained she had no taste, asking why she’d bought such frumpy clothes—saying they were hideous. They even argued about it. Her mom claimed Xiaoxiao lacked fashion sense.

Now look at them—perfect for blending in.

Sigh, such a pity about her down jackets. They were all long-style ones that didn’t exist in this era, so there was no chance of wearing them.

To avoid catching up too quickly with Wang Jianjun and Zhang Jiabei, Xiaoxiao deliberately pedaled slowly. But she didn’t want to miss out on the drama when they got back to the village either, so she kept a reasonable distance.

But she still underestimated the allure of a bicycle.

As soon as she arrived, a crowd surrounded her.

“Comrade Ye, you bought a bicycle?”

“Comrade “Yeah, can I borrow it and take a ride one day?”

“How much did that cost? You’re so generous!”

“Comrade Ye…”

…

Surrounded by curious villagers, Xiaoxiao felt it was all so off—shouldn’t they be paying attention to Wang Jianjun, Zhang Jiabei, and Feng Qingqing right now?

But to escape the situation, Xiaoxiao quickly said, “Aunties, uncles, I didn’t buy it. It’s a friend’s; they just lent it to me to ride for a bit. I’ll be returning it in a few days.”

“Oh, really? We thought you bought it.”

“Your friend is really generous.”

“Are they working in town? Male or female?”

Xiaoxiao: “Please make way, everyone. I’m about to lose control and might fall over.”

As soon as people stepped aside, she quickly made her escape.

But just as she left, everyone’s attention turned to Wang Jianjun’s house—just in time, the argument had escalated, and the shouting could be heard from far away. The villagers all headed that way.

Xiaoxiao sped home, dropped off her things, and went to join the crowd.

She was curious to see how Wang Jianjun would handle this situation.

When she arrived, the courtyard was packed with onlookers. She couldn’t get close, but she heard Wang Jianjun’s loud shout, “Are you done causing trouble? Or do you really want a divorce?”

Sigh, too many people. Everyone was idle during the holiday, and despite trying multiple spots, she couldn’t see what was happening inside.

Then she heard the team leader’s voice, “Comrade Zhang, you know this argument won’t get you anywhere. Why don’t you calm down and tell us what you want?”

Zhang Jiabei shouted, “What do I want? I want Wang Jianjun to promise he won’t ever contact Feng Qingqing again! What’s wrong with that?”

Wang Jianjun: “She nearly drowned because of you, and you don’t feel a shred of guilt?”

Zhang Jiabei: “Don’t accuse me. She fell in by herself! Wang Jianjun, how could you slander your own wife over an outsider?”

Wang Jianjun: “Did I slander you? Would she have jumped in a second time if not for you? The first time might’ve been an accident, but the second was clearly your fault.”

Zhang Jiabei: “You were the one who saved her and then kept holding her. You even did mouth-to-mouth! With so many people around, why did it have to be you? Don’t you know how to avoid suspicion?”

Wang Jianjun: “You’re being unreasonable. I’m a soldier. If someone’s in danger, am I not supposed to save them?”

…

Seeing that they were going in circles, the team leader was furious. He took a deep breath and roared, “Enough! Keep arguing and you’re on your own—I’m not getting involved.”

Once the two quieted down, the team leader asked Wang Jianjun, “So what do you want to do? My suggestion is you both calm down and wait until Comrade Feng returns before making any decisions.”

Clearly, neither of them intended to wait.

Wang Jianjun: “Comrade Feng is still in the hospital. It’s our duty to take care of her.”

Zhang Jiabei: “No! We settle this now. You must promise to never see her again, and she must stop coming around!”

The team leader: …Forget it, they both have their minds made up.

Widow Wang panicked. “Jianjun, listen to your mother, okay? Don’t fight anymore. Yes, your wife is in the wrong, but you’ve already saved the girl. Let’s call it even and move on.”

After a long silence, Wang Jianjun said, “Mom, I’m just afraid Comrade Feng might try to take her life again.”

He shot Zhang Jiabei a glare—if not for her tantrums, this wouldn’t have spiraled like this.

Zhang Jiabei was furious and scared. She feared her fate was spiraling back to what it was supposed to be. Terrified of the same tragic ending, she shouted, “So what if she’s trying to kill herself? She’s faking it. I can do that too!

“Listen up, Wang Jianjun! If you keep seeing her, I’ll kill myself!”

Wang Jianjun snapped, “Then go ahead! I dare you. If you do it, I’ll never speak to Feng again.”

“Fine! I’ll do it now! If I die, you killed me! Everyone here is a witness—you’ll have to pay with your life! We’ll die together!”

Widow Wang lost it and started hitting her. “Go die then! And don’t you dare try to drag my son down with you! Dream on!”

“If you really die, I’ll have my son marry Feng Qingqing the very next day! Go ahead, kill yourself!”

She was livid. She’d always thought Zhang Jiabei was a good daughter-in-law. Even when her son gave all his wages to her, she kept her mouth shut.

What a faker. If not for this incident, they’d never have known who she really was.

Now she hated herself for being so blind. All the other female educated youths were better than this woman—especially the new ones, who were good-looking, had money, and had strong families.

Feng Qingqing especially—she heard her family background was decent. She might’ve even helped her son’s future.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she hit Zhang Jiabei even harder.

Xiaoxiao watched quietly from the crowd—no one stopped the beating. Zhang Jiabei didn’t fit in with the village or the other educated youths. No one was going to speak up for her.

Xiaoxiao shivered slightly. She became more certain than ever: never marry a local man. If you’re bullied, there’s no one to turn to.

And no—she didn’t help Zhang Jiabei. She wasn’t a saint. Zhang Jiabei had harassed her multiple times—why would she step in?

Pitiful people often bring it on themselves.

Once Widow Wang was finally done venting, the team leader had the two pulled apart.

Looking at the marks on Widow Wang’s face and neck, Xiaoxiao inhaled sharply. Zhang Jiabei was vicious. But now, was her marriage to Wang Jianjun truly at an end?

Then she saw Zhang Jiabei’s face. Oh wow. Was she going to be disfigured? A chunk of her hair had been ripped out. Xiaoxiao winced in sympathy.

Just then, Zhang Jiabei raised her head and locked eyes with Xiaoxiao—her gaze full of hatred.

Xiaoxiao: …Is she going to go full villain now?

Zhang Jiabei scanned the crowd—villagers and fellow educated youths—but no one said a word for her.

She was consumed with hatred. She would remember them all. One day, she’d get her revenge.

Then she saw Xiaoxiao looking at her. She thought Xiaoxiao was pitying her.

She didn’t need anyone’s pity! If not for Xiaoxiao, how could things have ended up like this?

Fueled by rage, she lunged at Xiaoxiao, aiming for her face.

Everyone scattered, but Zhang Jiabei was too close—she was nearly on Xiaoxiao in a blink.

Smirking triumphantly, she reached for Xiaoxiao’s face…

Only to be kicked flying by Xiaoxiao.

Everyone turned to stare. Xiaoxiao spread her hands, shrugged, and said, “Everyone saw that, right? This was self-defense. I didn’t provoke her—I was just here to watch. And she tried to ruin my face? How vicious. Am I really that pretty? So pretty it triggers jealousy? I never noticed.”

She touched her face. Smooth and delicate—still impressive considering she worked in the fields every day.

Thankfully, she had stockpiled plenty of skincare products in her bulk buys and found extras in the train storage. She could keep this up for a long while.

But she was running low on sheet masks—better ration those and mix them with snow cream from now on.

The crowd gave her complex looks. Upon closer inspection, she really was getting prettier and had that refined city-girl air. She was different.

Zhang Jiabei struggled to stand—Xiaoxiao hadn’t held back.

Furious, she glared and shouted, “Jealous of you? You really think I’m targeting you without a reason? And you dare kick me?!”

Xiaoxiao: “Honestly? I don’t remember ever interacting with you.”

Zhang Jiabei stared at her with hate. “Tell me—if you were supposed to be watching Feng Qingqing at the hospital, why was Wang Jianjun there when we arrived?”

Xiaoxiao: “Because Wang Jianjun showed up. I thought the team had reassigned the duty, so I let him take over. It was lunchtime, so I went to eat. Reasonable, right?

“I haven’t even asked to be reimbursed yet. A meal at a state-run restaurant cost me enough to buy two jin of pork and cook several meals at home.”

Wang Jianjun looked at Ye Xiaoxiao in surprise. She was lying?

Xiaoxiao lifted her chin slightly. So what? What could he say—that he’d snuck off to see Feng Qingqing? That would only make things worse.

Zhang Jiabei was livid. “I don’t believe you! The team leader clearly said, “Only female comrades would be assigned!”

Xiaoxiao: “He did, but the situation changed. You pushed Feng Qingqing into a river—I assumed Wang Jianjun was trying to make up for it. And as a soldier, he’s a man of honor. Even if you don’t trust him, trust the country! Soldiers are chosen by the nation to protect us common folk.”

She turned back to Zhang Jiabei’s twisted, furious expression.

“Honestly, what are you even arguing about? Are you afraid your husband will fall for someone else? Tsk, Zhang Jiabei. As a fellow educated youth, I’m ashamed to be in the same group as you. How can your heart be this toxic?”

Zhang Jiabei fainted on the spot.

Xiaoxiao exhaled in satisfaction—finally! That felt amazing. She hadn’t vented like this in a long time.

Everyone looked at her in shock—as if seeing her for the first time.

They already knew Ye Xiaoxiao could fight. Now they knew she could out-talk anyone too.

After all, Zhang Jiabei hadn’t fainted when Widow Wang beat her up or when she was kicked across the yard. But Xiaoxiao’s words? Knocked her out cold.

Amazing. Definitely not someone to mess with.

The villagers made mental notes: can’t win in a fight, can’t win in a verbal sparring match either.

Wang Jianjun looked at the unconscious Zhang Jiabei and finally snapped out of it.

He turned to Xiaoxiao. “Comrade Ye… don’t you think that was a bit too much?”

Xiaoxiao gave him a surprised look. “Wow, you suddenly grew a conscience? That’s rich coming from you. Weren’t you just pretending not to see anything a minute ago?”