Chapter 54: Her Second Rebirth, Her Second Cry

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“Looks like all those books you read weren’t a complete waste. You’ve got some brains after all.”

Xie Changzhi rarely spoke, but whenever he did, even words that sounded like praise immediately darkened Xie Yanzhi’s face.

Cheng Zhi hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. “All right, all right. Let’s discuss the whole matter properly.”

“I’ll handle Yun. I’m best at dealing with those young masters and spoiled heirs!” Xie Yanzhi said cheerfully.

“Then I’ll go speak with Auntie Jiang.”

Everyone’s eyes instantly turned toward Xie Tingyun. Even Xie Yanzhi wrinkled his nose.

Before he could voice any objection, Xie Tingyun spoke. “Cheng Yuan has already severed ties with the Jiang family. It would be inconvenient to keep getting involved. Besides, aren’t the two of you going to the county town to do business? Traveling back and forth would be troublesome, so don’t put yourselves through it. Since this matter began because of Yanzhi, I should contribute some effort. As for persuading people, I’m no less capable.”

Xie Tingyun’s words were concise and to the point, winning everyone’s agreement—everyone except Xie Yanzhi.

He folded his arms across his chest, rolled his eyes around once, and stared at Xie Tingyun as though he meant to glare a flower into bloom. Then he snorted.

With his head held high, he returned to his room.

Unusually, Xie Tingyun did not lose his temper. Instead, he followed him and knocked on the door.

Xie Changzhi and Cheng Yuan exchanged a glance, and both saw amusement in the other’s eyes.

There was no need for Cheng Yuan to concern herself with the matter, and she was more than happy to enjoy the respite. After giving her family a few instructions, she went about her evening.

Since there was no cake to make that night, she returned to her room early. She had just settled down to rest when a knock came from outside.

“Sister Yuan, may I come in? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

It was Jiang He’s voice.

Cheng Yuan quickly got up and opened the door. Jiang He, small as a sparrow, squeezed through the gap.

The food at the Cheng household had been good these past few days, and it had filled out her little face, making it fair and plump.

Her eyes were not especially large, yet beneath the candlelight they reflected Cheng Yuan’s figure.

She must have been struggling with something for a long time. Her lips were chapped, and she kept biting them tightly.

“What is it? Just tell me. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

As if by magic, Cheng Yuan took a small piece of malt candy from the cabinet and slipped it directly into the child’s slightly open mouth.

Perhaps the sweetness reached her heart as well, for Jiang He’s expression relaxed.

“Sister Yuan, will I still go back to my... mother later?”

She asked the question with great caution. Cheng Yuan paused before recalling what they had discussed during the day.

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If they helped Auntie Jiang drive a wedge between Old Madam Jiang and the others, Auntie Jiang would certainly be the final victor.

Jiang He was afraid—afraid that she would be sent back again.

Cheng Yuan smiled, warmth glimmering in her eyes. “He’er, stay here without fear. In a little while, you’ll be an orphan. There’s nothing wrong with living here with your sister.”

Her gentle tone was utterly at odds with the meaning of her words. Jiang He looked up in shock, her eyes widening as she stared at her.

“Sister Yuan...”

Cheng Yuan continued to smile with her usual gentleness. She had not originally intended to tell Jiang He so soon, but the child had been living in fear every day. Better to let the pain come all at once.

“Jiang He, you’re my little sister. I’m willing to listen to what you want. I can give you more time to think it over, and if you can’t bear it, I’ll respect your choice.”

Then her tone shifted.

“But if your mother and father remain alive in this world, you’ll never have the chance to begin a new life. Do you really want to stay trapped in that household forever?”

She lowered her voice and said nothing more.

Suddenly, Cheng Yuan blew out the candle, and the room fell into darkness, leaving only a faint trace of moonlight by the window.

“He’er, it’s late. Go back and get some rest.”

Cheng Yuan returned directly to the bed. When she turned her head, Jiang He rose like a wooden puppet and walked step by step toward the door. She opened it softly, then closed it again.

“Good night, Sister Yuan.”

The little girl’s voice carried a faint sob.

Only after the door had closed did the coldness on Cheng Yuan’s face give way to guilt.

She had manipulated He’er.

Even if Auntie Jiang and Uncle Jiang remained alive, Jiang He could still escape their control once she grew up.

This method could hardly be called convenient, but it was relatively gentle.

It was not because she was worried about the child or wanted her to live an easier life.

It was because she wanted to uproot the problem completely.

When Jiang He grew up and eventually understood what had happened, she could call Cheng Yuan vicious or selfish if she wished. Cheng Yuan could not be bothered to care.

All she knew was that if the grasshopper before her was not eliminated entirely, it would bring endless trouble in the future.

The quickest way was to cut through the knot at once. By the time Jiang He realized something was wrong, those two wretched people would have been dead for years, with weeds growing tall over their graves.

—

“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll come back to see you in a couple of days. You don’t need to pack so many things.”

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When she saw Cheng Zhi forcibly stuffing several meat cakes into her basket and preparing to add even more food, she quickly dodged and hid behind Xie Changzhi.

Cheng Zhi knew that her concern had made her frantic. With tears glimmering faintly in her eyes, she gave them a few more reminders before finally letting the two of them leave.

“Sister, I’ll study hard. I’ll miss you.”

Cheng Hu was a shy child. Only at the very end did he summon the courage to run a few steps after her.

Cheng Yuan smiled and encouraged him with a few words, then noticed Jiang He in the courtyard from the corner of her eye.

Her eyes were red, dark circles beneath them. She looked as though she had scarcely slept all night, and she had clearly cried herself hoarse.

Cheng Yuan merely smiled faintly before turning away.

A light snow had begun to fall again that day. The two of them had brought no umbrellas, and by the time they reached the county town in the ox cart, they had spent the entire journey brushing snow from themselves.

“Uncle Wang, park the cart in the courtyard when we arrive. There’s a side entrance here, so it won’t get in anyone’s way.”

Cheng Yuan had originally planned to ask Uncle Wang to come that evening, but when he heard they were going to clean the shop from top to bottom, he insisted on joining them.

“I already told your aunt I’d be staying at your place tonight. Since I’m not going home for lunch, she should know where I am. Besides, how could you two youngsters possibly clean everything properly? You still need me!”

Uncle Wang beamed. As soon as he entered the shop, he did not so much as glance around idly. He picked up a feather duster and began beating the dust from the walls.

“We can’t miss the cobwebs in these corners. Once I’ve knocked all the dust down, I’ll sweep the floor afterward. You two just wipe the tables and chairs.”

Cheng Yuan looked at the mere four or five chairs and two tables, and fell silent.

She felt a little helpless.

By the time she and Xie Changzhi had finished wiping the furniture, Uncle Wang had not even finished dusting two corners.

Cheng Yuan caught hold of Xie Changzhi, who was about to go help, and called to Uncle Wang, “Uncle Wang, we’re going out to buy breakfast. You carry on for now.”

Uncle Wang turned around, supporting his lower back, his ruddy face bright with happiness. “All right! Go on, the place is in my hands.”

Only after pulling Xie Changzhi out of the shop did Cheng Yuan explain, “People like Uncle Wang need to be allowed to work when they can. Otherwise, they feel uneasy.”

“But...” Cheng Yuan grinned and bought two baskets of meat buns, their savory fragrance rising into the cold air. “Since he worked, he absolutely has to eat the meat buns I bought for him!”