Chapter Nineteen: Restlessness Beneath the Eyes

The three-wheeled cart was still much faster than walking; a journey that took an hour on foot was covered in just over ten minutes. Xiang Yu had long arranged with her sister: she would go find Zhang Xiaoyan while her sister went shopping. This way, her sister could avoid being recognized by Liu Gang’s family.

If they couldn’t gather any information, it would only bring trouble to Zhang Xiaoyan.

Following the route Zhang Xiaoyan described the day before, Xiang Yu easily found her home, carrying a bag of red apples.

Zhang Xiaoyan was doing her English exercises and was delighted to see Xiang Yu. Her mother was equally warm, offering Xiang Yu sunflower seeds, candies, and peaches, then quickly went to the backyard to pick a large bag of peaches.

Since the young lady was polite enough to bring a bag of apples, the adults could not be rude in return.

Zhang Xiaoyan handed Xiang Yu a peach with a smile in her eyes. “Try it. Our peaches are really delicious.”

Xiang Yu did not hesitate, took a bite, and complimented, “It’s truly delicious. I’ve never tasted such sweet peaches before.”

Zhang Xiaoyan and her mother beamed with joy.

After eating the peaches, Xiang Yu quietly explained the reason for her visit.

Zhang Xiaoyan’s mother looked troubled, unsure whether to speak or remain silent.

This was a delicate matter that could offend someone.

Both families were from the same village; a misunderstanding could lead to enmity.

Zhang Xiaoyan shook her mother’s hand and coaxed her, “Mom, we have to help Xiang Yu. Last year, when I had an acute appendicitis attack in the middle of the night, you and Dad were plowing fields in the neighboring county. It was Xiang Yu who carried me to the hospital and took care of me all night and half the next day. I heard you only left after you arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoyan’s mother’s eyes filled with gratitude as she grasped Xiang Yu’s hand. “Girl, so it was you.”

Only then did Xiang Yu recall that there had indeed been such an incident in her previous life. No wonder Zhang Xiaoyan had been so kind and quickly befriended her.

Xiang Yu smiled shyly. “It was nothing. Helping classmates is only natural.”

This modesty made Zhang Xiaoyan’s mother feel a bit embarrassed but resolute to assist Xiang Yu’s sister.

“The Liu Gang family does have decent conditions in our village. His parents run a barbershop at the market, and Liu Gang learned the craft from his father. After mastering it, he went to work in the county, where he met a disreputable woman—dressed gaudily, several years older than him, and rumored to be divorced. Liu Gang insisted on marrying her, and his parents eventually consented, but it turned out she was not sincere. She extorted money and ran off. After returning, Liu Gang changed completely. He always smelled of perfume, took the village’s young men to nightclubs and shady places, and mingled in bad company for several years. He dressed flashily and spoke in a way that annoyed everyone, with a rough, disreputable air. Last year, he suddenly came back, claiming he was ill and stayed home for over half a year without going out. I heard from a few young mothers in the village that he had contracted a contagious disease because he didn’t take care of himself. After all these years of nonsense, he finally listened to his parents and started talking about getting married.”

Mindful of the two young girls present, Zhang Xiaoyan’s mother chose her words carefully.

Zhang Xiaoyan interrupted with disdain, “Such a person deserves to be a bachelor for life.”

Her mother gently tapped her to stop her from speaking crudely, then turned kindly to Xiang Yu. “Child, it’s best to tell your family not to marry into that family. From what I see, that young man hasn’t turned over a new leaf.”

What she left unsaid was that perhaps his illness had weakened him, sapping his energy for mischief, which was why he wanted to settle down. Yet, in his eyes, restlessness still lingered.

Xiang Yu felt a surge of anger but remained polite, sincerely thanking Zhang Xiaoyan’s mother.

To fully persuade her sister, Xiang Yu boldly asked for Zhang Xiaoyan’s mother’s phone number, hoping she could explain the situation to her sister directly.

Zhang Xiaoyan’s mother hesitated, but Xiang Yu did not hide anything and truthfully revealed that her parents planned the marriage for the sake of a high bride price.

Even with the truth told, her parents would not change their minds, and her obedient sister might not have the courage to resist.

Hearing it firsthand from someone who knew the situation would be more persuasive.

Zhang Xiaoyan had long been furious. No wonder Xiang Yu’s parents had recently been helping Ye Nuoxin’s family—such deep-rooted preference for sons.

The youthful sense of justice made her firmly grasp her mother’s arm. “Mom, just think of it as doing a good deed. Help Xiang Yu’s sister, or else the poor girl might fall into a terrible fate.”

Zhang Xiaoyan’s mother sighed lightly and nodded. Since fate had brought them together, she would not be able to rest easy ignoring it.

She looked at Xiang Yu. “Girl, you said you came with your sister, right? Let’s find a quiet place. You bring your sister there and I’ll talk to her face to face.”

She added reassuringly, “You’ve done your best. Let your sister decide for herself.”

Xiang Yu was naturally grateful and arranged to meet near a small grove by the school, halfway between Yangjiao Village and the small town market street. It was a perfect spot to approach from either side without arousing suspicion.

Xiang Yu found her sister being enthusiastically engaged in conversation by Liu Gang’s mother.

Xiang Yu quickly found an excuse to pull her sister away, refusing to even greet Liu Gang’s mother.

Liu Gang’s mother rolled her eyes silently. The girl was grown now, yet showed no manners at all.

She was somewhat prettier than her sister, but far more disagreeable.