Chapter 2

On the way home, Jiang Manzhu occasionally glanced at Li Linxi beside her.

Before the incidents with Li Lindong and Li Linnan, Li Linxi had a fairly comfortable life and was even able to attend high school. Unfortunately, with the sudden loss of two key family members who supported the family's entire economic situation, he had to drop out of school and return home.

Determined to be a good sister-in-law, Jiang Manzhu wanted to ease the awkwardness between her and Li Linxi, but she didn't know what to say.

"How was school? How are your grades?" Not that he was still in school.

"How's the family?" Given that his mother was gravely ill and she had taken off with the money, asking about this would only add to the trouble.

Since asking about his mother's illness was out of the question and talking about her clueless brother-in-law was too sensitive, she decided to wait until she could take her mother to the doctor before addressing these issues.

Li Linxi noticed Jiang Manzhu's gaze but, with his usually kind expression now cold and distant, clearly had no intention of engaging in conversation.

As they neared home, Jiang Manzhu quickened her pace, feeling awkward and as if someone wanted to harm her—mainly Li Linxi.

"Mom, Linbei, I'm back!" she shouted as she entered the house, hoping to avoid further scrutiny. She was trying to cover up her previous actions.

"Linxi, Linxi, come quickly and take Mom to the doctor." Upon entering her mother-in-law Liu Jumei's room and seeing her lying on the bed, looking pale and frail, Jiang Manzhu hurriedly called for Li Linxi to take her mother to the doctor.

Why hadn't they gone earlier? It was clear: they had no money. Going to a doctor without money would be pointless, and asking the villagers for a loan would be slower than finding a way to get the money herself.

Everything was her fault now! As the current owner of the original character's life, she had to shoulder all the blame and had no way to explain the difficulties.

"Linbei, quickly carry Mom and put her on Linxi's back. Linxi, let's get moving and take Mom to the doctor!" She urged, ready to take action and resolve the situation.

Li Linxi, not wanting to delay, quickly picked up his mother. Jiang Manzhu then spoke up.

"Linxi, our house is quite far from the doctor's place. Should we borrow a handcart?" Jiang Manzhu worried that Li Linxi might not be able to carry their mother and fall, considering his delicate build.

Despite his refined appearance, if he were to collapse in front of her, it would be embarrassing for the male lead. She didn't want him to blame her for suggesting this.

"No need," Li Linxi said, confident that he could manage carrying his mother and prepared to head out.

"You should know when to set aside your pride. Don't risk your mother's health for the sake of your own pride. What if you can't carry her halfway? Neither Linbei nor I have the strength for that." Jiang Manzhu, playing the role of the understanding sister-in-law, was trying to be considerate.

Li Linxi, after considering Jiang Manzhu's advice, reluctantly agreed.

"Linbei, go get our handcart," Jiang Manzhu instructed Li Linbei, who, despite his young age, was physically stronger and more capable than she was.

Li Linbei, a fifteen-year-old boy, resembled Li Linnan more than Li Linxi and had a darker complexion from working under the sun. When he heard his sister-in-law's instructions, he quickly went to fetch the handcart.

Li Linxi didn't seem very strong either, so Li Linbei was concerned.

"Third Brother, put Mom down." Li Linbei reached out to help with Liu Jumei, and Jiang Manzhu quickly assisted.

"Mom, Mom, wake up, are you okay?" He wondered if she had fainted from a high fever.

Liu Jumei, though barely conscious, still had some awareness but felt nauseous from being moved around. Responding to the calls, she struggled to stand but was quickly supported by Li Linbei and Jiang Manzhu, and they managed to place her in the handcart.

"Linxi, you push," Jiang Manzhu instructed Li Linxi after arranging Liu Jumei, "You're the only strong one here; if not you, then who?"

Li Linxi accepted the task without protest and began pushing the cart, while Jiang Manzhu and Li Linbei followed behind. Jiang Manzhu decided to 'win over' the younger Li Linbei.

"Linbei, do you know what great thing I did today?" Jiang Manzhu started, trying to solidify her image as a kind and self-sacrificing sister-in-law.

Li Linbei, still a child and not completely naive, looked at her with curiosity.

"Today, when Mom was ill, I took a thick bamboo stick and went to confront the wicked Yuan Zhqing, who owed money and was refusing to pay. We had a big showdown for three days… three rounds, and finally got the money back from the villain. Now we can take Mom to the doctor!"

I am so noble, invincible, and courageous, daring to fight against evil forces!

A disdainful snort came from the front. Jiang Manzhu pretended not to hear.

"Linbei, don't you think your sister-in-law is amazing? If anyone bullies you in the future, just tell me, and I will protect you." She spoke with a supposedly domineering tone, holding her little fist as if promising protection.

"Yes." Li Linbei, who was easy to persuade, seemed to still hold onto the previous impression of her, without realizing her true nature.

"You're such a good boy, Linbei. You're the best." Seeing that Li Linbei seemed to be unaware of her true self, Jiang Manzhu felt she still had room to maneuver.

She looked at Li Linxi pushing the cart ahead, noting how refined and handsome he looked. "Your third brother Linxi has also been a great help. If not for him calling others, that evil Yuan Zhqing would not have returned the money and would have even tried to hit us."

To the Li family, listen carefully! I'm completely opposed to that Yuan Zhqing. Don't misunderstand my relationship with him!

Jiang Manzhu subtly tried to remind Li Linxi, as he was the key person here. Otherwise, the unconscious mother and the naive younger brother wouldn't understand her intentions.

Li Linbei, who was not the main target, was outraged by the description of the bad person, "How can there be such a bad person!"

"Right? Our Linbei is so great. You'll protect your sister-in-law in the future, won't you?" Jiang Manzhu, with a gentle smile, shifted from promising to protect him to asking for his protection.

Li Linbei, without noticing the shift, seriously nodded and said, "I will definitely protect you."

"You're amazing, Linbei. Next time we go to the town, I'll buy you some candy." Jiang Manzhu's face lit up with a bright smile, like the sun shining.

Hearing about the candy, Li Linbei eagerly clapped his hands, "Okay, okay, okay…"

Though he hadn't received any candy yet, the anticipation made him happy, and the two chatted cheerfully.

Meanwhile, Li Linxi, overhearing their conversation, frowned slightly, not wanting Jiang Manzhu to deceive Li Linbei. "Linbei, come help."

"Oh…" Li Linbei quickly ran over to assist with the cart at his brother's call.

Jiang Manzhu watched this scene from behind and understood Li Linxi's concern about her potentially misleading Li Linbei. But it was okay; time would reveal one's true character.

It wasn't that she had to clear her name; the real issue was that with her parents gone, returning to the countryside meant she would have to support herself alone, which was beyond her capability.

Returning to the city was out of the question; a single, attractive woman wandering around would be easy prey for abduction.

In the later years, with cameras everywhere, it was difficult to get lost, let alone now. Staying with the Li family was the best option, but how life would turn out depended on her actions.

When they arrived at the doctor's clinic, which served not only their village but several nearby ones, the doctor frowned upon seeing Liu Jumei in such a state. "Why did you bring her so late?"

Jiang Manzhu touched her nose, thinking it was because they couldn't afford to pay on credit, and they had no money to bring her earlier.

"Doctor, please check my mother. Does she need an injection or medicine?" Jiang Manzhu quickly shifted the focus, hoping to get the prescription without further discussion.

After prescribing the medicine, the doctor required payment before administering the injection.

This doctor was a Western-trained physician, unlike the barefoot doctors from other villages.

Jiang Manzhu didn't realize the oddity of a Western doctor in a rural area, as she was more familiar with modern hospitals from her time.

The injection worked quickly, and Liu Jumei's fever subsided; her forehead was no longer so hot. Medicine was prescribed for continued treatment.

In those days, many people relied on endurance when sick because medical treatment was expensive. They would only go to the hospital if they absolutely couldn't bear it any longer.

"How do you feel now, Mom?" Jiang Manzhu, acting as a dutiful daughter-in-law, expressed her concern as she helped Liu Jumei out of the handcart.

"Much better." Liu Jumei, the previously mild-mannered mother-in-law, was still a bit dizzy but felt significantly improved, her tone calm.

"That's good. Linxi, Linbei, and I were so worried." Jiang Manzhu, showing sincere concern, reached out to help Liu Jumei out.

"You've all worked hard." Liu Jumei, touched, patted Jiang Manzhu's hand. Despite the loss of her eldest son and the hardships, she was grateful that Jiang Manzhu stayed with the Li family and cared for her.

Initially, she didn't like Jiang Manzhu, who was a delicate city girl and didn't like to work, and she used to urge her eldest son to help with the chores.

But her son liked Jiang Manzhu, so she agreed. After her son's accident and subsequent death, she had hoped Jiang Manzhu would bring good fortune, but it didn't work out as planned.

Liu Jumei saw Jiang Manzhu's dissatisfaction but felt guilty because Jiang Manzhu's efforts seemed genuine, especially when she cared for Liu Jumei and Li Linbei, even going to claim Li Linnan's martyr's pension.

She wondered if the original Jiang Manzhu knew this and deliberately caused conflicts with the female workers at the commune, only to end up marrying into the Li family after her parents in the city passed away.

At that time, Li Linnan was just ill, and with his soldier brother sending money home, they thought they could afford treatment. After Li Linnan's death and the loss of his brother's support, Jiang Manzhu likely planned to flee with the pension funds.

Whether or not Yuan Fengxin's background was genuine, or if someone deliberately set up traps, was uncertain.

"Mom, we are family. Families don't speak as if they're strangers. Let's go home. The sun is high, and it's getting hot." Helping Liu Jumei into the handcart, Jiang Manzhu then called for Li Linxi to pull it.

Li Linxi was still as silent as ever, with a pure and innocent demeanor that carried a hint of coldness, much like a handsome schoolboy from a campus novel.

He looked quite good, inheriting the best traits from his parents. Although his features might not be the most exquisite individually, they combined well to create an attractive appearance.

Watching Jiang Manzhu, who had charmed both his younger brother and mother, Li Linxi pursed his lips and said nothing, simply pushing the cart back.

The journey took about twenty minutes, and the weather was very hot. In his haste, he had forgotten to wear a straw hat, so he was feeling the heat.

When they finally arrived home, they encountered several people along the way. Jiang Manzhu, who knew she would be living in the village for several more years, greeted them cheerfully, "Yes, yes, I took my mother to see the doctor."

"It was thanks to the help from the uncles and aunts this morning that we got the debt back. Otherwise…"

"She's much better. My mother is improving, but she still needs some rest."

The villagers were astonished at Jiang Manzhu's transformed demeanor, especially since she had previously seemed aloof. After she left, they remarked, "This Jiang girl seems different from before."

"She used to look down on us, but now she's smiling at everyone?"

"Jiang Manzhu looks even more beautiful now. What a pity."

"She's always looked like that. But now that Lin Dong is gone, many young men must be trying to get close to her…"

Change starts with small actions, aiming to overturn the previous impression Jiang Manzhu had left with the villagers.

The other three remained silent. Liu Jumei, still feeling dizzy, sat in the handcart, occasionally jolted by the bumpy road.

"Linxi, be careful with the road. Mom is getting more dizzy from the shaking," Jiang Manzhu reminded.

By the way, was Linxi always this taciturn? It seemed like she had only heard him speak once…

How did he manage to become a top businessman? Businesspeople typically need good communication skills. He must have had a way with people or been a strategic genius, right?

She struggled to recall the details of his business empire and felt frustrated for not memorizing the book earlier.

Perhaps Linxi changed later? The book didn't describe his village life in the beginning; it only mentioned a wicked, unfaithful sister-in-law who used her looks to seduce others and caused harm to his mother and brother.

Now, he was just a pure and friendly high school student?

Observing Linxi, Jiang Manzhu thought she would learn more about him through continued interaction.

Linxi, unaware of her scrutiny, helped his mother to her room to rest and began preparing lunch.

"Linxi, go to the vegetable garden and pick some greens," Jiang Manzhu instructed, assigning him the task of picking vegetables in the hot sun while she cooked.

Linxi didn't protest and took the basket to go outside.

While one cooked and the other picked vegetables, Li Linbei only needed to help sweep the floor.

Li Linxi was quiet, but Li Linbei was chatty and had warmed up to Jiang Manzhu, calling her 'sister' instead of 'sister-in-law.'

When preparing the meal, Linxi first served Liu Jumei and prepared hot water for her to take her medicine afterward.

Jiang Manzhu was not used to the coarse grains of this era but said nothing and finished most of her meal.

During the afternoon rest, everyone went to their rooms. Jiang Manzhu, after much thought, decided to give the pension funds to Linxi.

Li Linbei, still too innocent to keep secrets, might inadvertently reveal things. Some topics were better discussed privately.

At that moment, Linxi was in his room organizing his things and thinking about the future. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. With a puzzled expression, he opened it to find his sister-in-law standing there with a slightly awkward look.

Frowning slightly, his cool demeanor turned serious as he heard her speak:

"Linxi, there's something I need to tell you about the pension for Lin Nan. When you weren't back yet and Mom was still unwell, I went to collect it."