Chapter 39 The Deceived Girl in the 1970s: Fake vs. Real Daughter Story (39)

As the atmosphere grew increasingly intimate, Chen Zhibin couldn’t hold back and kissed her. At first, it was just lips brushing lips. Xiaoxiao flinched slightly, but that gave him the opening to take charge. In no time, she was kissed into a dazed mess.

Worst of all, the shameless man used that moment to get her to agree to get their marriage certificate.

Xiaoxiao: She never thought she’d be someone who’d get married on a whim.

She hadn’t even been married at 28 in her original timeline, and now, at just 18, she was handing herself over. If her parents back in the modern world knew, would they think she’d finally made them proud and stopped worrying them?

After reluctantly seeing Chen Zhibin off, Xiaoxiao rode her bike home.

Yes, the bike was hers now. That meant she now had two out of the “three big pieces” of the era. Not bad!

When she returned to the village, the shiny new wristwatch on her arm naturally drew envious stares again.

While Xiaoxiao was living her best life, things were grim for the Li family couple on the northwestern farm.

Madam Li, used to living in comfort, got sick as soon as they arrived. Even after selling all her valuables, she wasn’t taken to a hospital and was just given some basic meds.

Just when she was getting a little better, working made her ill again.

In the previous timeline, by now the foolish, overly kind Xiaoxiao would’ve been sending them medicine and food. Though the farm always took a cut, they still got some, so life was bearable compared to others.

But this life? No more Xiaoxiao the human ATM. No one was helping them now.

Ye Huimei knew they’d get sick and need supplies but never thought to send any herself. She assumed that passing the message to Xiaoxiao was enough and never imagined Xiaoxiao might simply ignore it.

As for the Li brothers, even if they had some sense of filial piety, their wives had them under control. Considering how obviously biased their parents had always been toward their “beloved daughter” and fearing any backlash on their own kids, they chose to stay out of it.

They comforted themselves: Mom and Father were so good to Huimei; surely she wouldn’t be ungrateful.

Especially since even though she wasn’t their real daughter, the Li parents still gave her money—less than their sons, sure, but still more than she deserved, in their eyes. The idea that their parents’ resources had benefited an outsider made them even more complacent.

So they convinced themselves that their perfect daughter would take care of their parents.

In the previous life, that did happen. But it wasn’t Ye Huimei who helped—it was Xiaoxiao. Still, thanks to Ye Huimei’s manipulations, everyone thought it had been her. After the Li family was rehabilitated, she got the majority of the inheritance.

Which was exactly why, when Madam Li and then Master Li died and Huimei later fell on hard times, she sought help from her “brothers,” but they all turned their backs on her.

But in this life, with no more Xiaoxiao to exploit, Madam Li finally died, full of resentment. Master Li, every time he saw others being visited or receiving care packages, was consumed with hate.

He never expected that the children he raised would all be ungrateful brats.

Of course, he never once thought of Xiaoxiao. In his mind, he was lucky she didn’t hate them. After all, they’d never raised her and had even schemed against her for the sake of their adopted daughter.

That’s why, in the previous life, it had been so easy for Ye Huimei to take all the credit. No one ever expected Xiaoxiao to be the one helping behind the scenes.

Even when the truth came out later, Ye Huimei’s manipulations had convinced everyone it was her goodwill, not Xiaoxiao’s.

At this point, Xiaoxiao still didn’t know Madam Li had died or that Master Li was on the verge of snapping. If she did, she’d probably throw a party.

****

Time flew, and soon it was Xiaoxiao’s birthday.

Chen Zhibin arrived first thing in the morning to pick her up.

They went to take their wedding photos, then got their marriage certificate. Afterward, Zhibin brought her back to his house, where his whole family was waiting to celebrate her birthday.

Looking at all the carefully prepared gifts, Xiaoxiao felt a bit overwhelmed. There was even a brand-new women’s bicycle—shorter than a men’s model and without the high front bar.

Mother Chen handed her a large gold bracelet. “This was left by Zhibin’s grandmother. It’s yours now.”

Father Chen offered a red envelope, which Xiaoxiao guessed held a bankbook.

Sure enough, he said, “This is your betrothal gift. One thousand yuan. I’ve already deposited it; Zhibin will take you to change the passbook later.”

Mother Chen added, “Don’t worry, the ‘three rounds and one sound’ (three essential appliances and a bike) will all be prepared. When do you want to hold the wedding banquet? Want one in the village too?”

Xiaoxiao replied, “No need. I don’t have many close friends there. I’ll invite them to the banquet in town. For the rest, I’ll just hand out some candy. You can set the time.”

Mother Chen said, “Alright then. Don’t go back to work in the fields either. Rest at home. When Zhibin comes back next time, we’ll hold the banquet—how’s that?”

Chen Zhibin piped up, “Mom, I’ve got three days off this time. That’s plenty of time.”

Mother Chen glared at him. “You think things don’t need preparing? Or are you planning to just slap together something and brush Xiaoxiao off?”

Zhibin shut up immediately. He really just wanted to marry her as soon as possible, not shortchange her.

Sister Chen gave Xiaoxiao a red windbreaker—perfect for this season.

“I bought the fabric and made it myself. Do you like it?”

Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded, thanking everyone sincerely.

Father Chen said warmly, “You’re family now. No need to be so polite. This is your home too.”

Xiaoxiao: “Got it, Father.”

Father Chen was delighted. He handed over another red envelope. “This is your ‘name-changing’ money.”

Xiaoxiao accepted it and called out clearly, “Thank you, Father.”

Mother Chen handed her one too. Xiaoxiao took it and said sweetly, “Thanks, Mother.”

Sister Chen said, “Don’t forget me!” She handed over an envelope too.

Xiaoxiao took it and called out, “Thanks, Sister.”

Sister Chen hugged her excitedly. “From now on, you’re my real little sister.”

Chen Zhibin pulled his sister away. “She’s my wife, not your sister. So what does that make me?”

Sister Chen teased, “If you don’t mind, I suppose I can call you brother-in-law.”

Chen Zhibin ignored her and pulled Xiaoxiao back to their room. “My wife and I have things to discuss. You guys go do your own thing.”

Once inside, he gave Xiaoxiao another red envelope, eyes full of anticipation.

Xiaoxiao blinked. “Didn’t you already give me your savings? What’s this—a secret stash?”

Chen Zhibin shook his head. “It’s this month’s wages and some side earnings.”

She opened it. Over a hundred yuan—nice.

She took out ten yuan and handed it to him. “Here, pocket money.”

Chen Zhibin accepted it like it was treasure. Pocket money from his wife—he was giddy. But this wasn’t quite what he’d had in mind.

Xiaoxiao noticed his expression. “What? Not enough?”

Chen Zhibin quickly shook his head. “No! Wife, this is your ‘name-changing’ money. Now that we’re married, shouldn’t you be calling me something different?”

Xiaoxiao laughed. “And what should I call you? Husband? Darling? Old man? Brother Chen? Brother Bin? Brother Zhibin?”