If you don't consummate the marriage for three years and then marry a successful educated youth

Xiaomei snapped out of her daze, smiled, and shook her head: "No, I was just too shocked and didn't react for a moment. Fengjiao is really something, managing to handle a city person even in her second marriage."

"That's why my mother always tells me to learn from you, but your skills are something I can't possibly learn. How did you manage to do that? Didn't Shen Zhiqing go back to the city a long time ago?"

"Could it be that you two are still in contact behind the scenes? Did you already have contact before the divorce? And what happened after the divorce...?"

She had a growing suspicion that she might know why Jiang Lie insisted on divorcing Lin Fengjiao; it was most likely because her affair with Shen Zhiqing during their marriage had been discovered.

Lin Fengjiao panicked upon hearing this, her face changing: "Xiaomei, you're my good sister, there are some things you can't say carelessly, or I won't let you off the hook."

"It's perfectly normal for me to divorce Jiang Lie. He's as fierce as a wild beast. Can you honestly say you wouldn't be scared if you saw him? I can't help but tremble when he gets close."

"How are we supposed to live like this? Besides, he's all looks and no substance. He hasn't had a child in three years, is it my fault? He's just not capable."

Seeing her attempt to cover up her actions, Xiaomei became even more certain. It seemed that this was the reason; she had cheated on her husband, which was why she divorced Jiang Lie.

I never imagined that a divorced woman could hook up with Shen Zhiqing. God must be blind.

He said insincerely, "Fengjiao, you're really amazing. You managed to get a divorce. If you hadn't, how would you have had the chance to marry someone from the city?"

"No matter how capable Jiang Lie is, he still has to go into the mountains to hunt and do dangerous work. It's hard to say what day he might die in an accident. It can't compare to city people who eat government-subsidized grain."

"If the people in the village find out that you've married into the city, they'll be so embarrassed."

Lin Fengjiao smiled and seemed quite pleased with her words: "That's right, who am I, Lin Fengjiao? How could they possibly compare to me? Xiaomei, you're not very bright either."

"Why did you have to tell your in-laws about your checkup? Just pay for it yourself. If it really isn't your problem, you can hold your head high after the report comes out."

Xiao Mei's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this. She lowered her head and feigned pitifulness, saying, "But I have no money. I have many brothers and sisters on my mother's side, and all the money in my husband's family is in my mother-in-law's hands. I have no money."

"It's okay, you don't have money but I do. I'll lend you some to go for a medical check-up, and you can pay me back when you have the money. It's nothing."

"Really?"

Lin Fengjiao nodded and said, "Of course, I, Lin Fengjiao, am the most loyal. You are my good sister, and now you're being bullied by your in-laws for not having children. It's no big deal for me to help you out."

Looking at her proud demeanor, Xiaomei felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, as if it were a condescending act of charity.

What does she have? She's just a little luckier than me because she's an only child. If her parents had more than one child, she wouldn't have the good life she has now.

He feigned emotion and said, "Wow, Fengjiao, you're amazing! Everyone in the brigade envies you because you're an only child. Having parents who wholeheartedly protect you makes all the difference."

Lin Fengjiao was flattered by the praise and said proudly, "Of course, that's the advantage of being an only child. My parents weren't this good to me when I was little. They only became this good after they were sure I couldn't have any more children."

"You're so stupid. Why didn't you drug your dad when you were five or six? That way, since they don't have other children, they'd still treat you well like they did when you were little."

"If you were an only child like me, at worst you would marry into the city, and your parents would protect you wherever you go."

Xiao Mei's pupils contracted, and she looked at her in disbelief, her lips trembling slightly: "Feng Jiao, you didn't drug your parents, did you? That's why they haven't had any other children."

Lin Fengjiao made a shushing gesture: "I didn't do anything. They were destined to be childless, weren't they? Otherwise, they wouldn't have waited until I was seven to have a second child and still couldn't keep it."

"If it can't be saved, it has nothing to do with me. As for the future, I just don't want my mother to suffer. Isn't that great?"

Looking at her innocent and natural appearance, Xiaomei felt a chill run down her spine. This tone and attitude were definitely related to her parents' loss of their child. How terrifying.

She was only seven or eight years old at the time, how could she have such deep thoughts? What's wrong with Lin Fengjiao? She thinks she's the real fool, how can she compare to the other party's ruthlessness?

Lin Fengjiao patted her shoulder and said with a smile, "I didn't say anything. Anyway, I envied you when I was little, I was envious when I was five years old. But after you had your younger brother, I stopped envying you."

"Xiaomei, you chose your own fate. I gave you a chance, but you didn't use it. Otherwise, you would be much better than me now."

Xiao Mei felt as if a large hand was gripping her heart. Her smile was somewhat forced as she continued to agree, "Yes, Feng Jiao, you really are... farsighted. It's truly admirable."

The two chatted for a while, then Xiaomei, somewhat lost in thought, went back to her husband's house.

As the sun set and the weather cooled down, Lin Fengjiao carried a basket to the hillside to dig for wild vegetables. Her steps were light and her face was smiling; she looked very happy.

I caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of my eye and instinctively walked over.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Jiang Lie turned around and looked back.

Lin Fengjiao pursed her lips and looked at him: "Jiang Lie, what are you doing here? You didn't come here to wait for me, did you? Shouldn't you be working in the fields at this time?"

"What's it to you?"

"...What kind of attitude is this? We were husband and wife before, after all. Do you have to be so cold to me? Let me tell you, you'll regret this one day."

"That Wen Yao is just using you. How could a city girl like her possibly be interested in a country bumpkin like you? Don't end up getting dumped without even knowing how."

Jiang Lie said, "That's my business, it has nothing to do with you. At least she's willing to really live with me, unlike you who made me a monk for three years."

Lin Fengjiao blushed: "You shameless person, all you think about is sex. You're nowhere near as good as Shen Qingshu, who's much more refined and cultured."

"An illiterate person is still an illiterate person. I've heard that Wen Yao comes from a scholarly family and has read much more books than the average person. You, being illiterate, must have communication problems."

"When she makes sarcastic remarks, you won't even realize it. You should spend more time reading and learning to read, so you don't get pressured to get a divorce."

Jiang Lie squatted down and continued working, as if he hadn't heard her words.

Lin Fengjiao was completely ignored, and her anger flared up: "Hey, why are you pretending to be dead again? Let me tell you, no girl will ever truly like you like this."

"I'm just trying to be helpful. If I marry someone from the city, we'll probably never see each other again. We grew up together, so what's wrong with me giving you some advice?"

"Jiang Lie, are you deaf? Why are you ignoring me? And you're just pretending to be dead. Let's see what kind of life you'll have in the future. Really..."

When Wen Yao emerged from the woods, the black birthmark on her face was gone. The two stared at each other in surprise.

Lin Fengjiao stared blankly at her face.