Time-Travel: The Tragic Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Makes a Comeback

CHAPTER 145: The Pretty Educated Youth in the 1970s (13)

　　During Jiang Jing’s three days of leave, the two were practically inseparable.

　　They went shopping together, and once they got home, they stayed indoors, cuddling up and enjoying each other’s company.

　　His parents knew the newlyweds were still in their honeymoon phase, so they never disturbed them. They left for work early, ate lunch at the canteen, and came home in the evening to share a meal with the couple and check on how they were doing. Once it got dark, they would return to their own room to rest.

　　Now that they had finally experienced the pleasures of married life, the two were thoroughly caught up in their passion, their relationship as sweet as honey.

　　Every night, they kept each other busy until the middle of the night.

　　Jiang Jing was full of energy, seemingly blessed with an endless supply of vigor.

　　After taking the restorative pill, Xia Shuang’s body had also become much more resilient than before.

　　Needless to say, their life as husband and wife was blissfully harmonious.

　　Xia Shuang’s fair, delicate face was flushed a peachy pink, her refreshed complexion making her look even more charming and alluring.

　　She couldn’t help feeling that marrying Jiang Jing had been such a lucky catch. He could hold his own in public and take care of things in the kitchen at home. Honestly, there was hardly anything about him she wasn’t satisfied with.

　　On the fourth day, Jiang Jing returned to work.

　　He left for work at seven in the morning, came home briefly around noon, then headed out again at two or three in the afternoon. He wouldn’t return until seven or eight in the evening.

　　Since he was still a newcomer learning under an experienced senior, his working hours ran a little later than usual.

　　Worried that her daughter-in-law might have trouble adjusting or get bored staying home alone, Jiang Jing’s mother would sneak back whenever she had some free time. She always brought bags of snacks, food, and drinks for Xia Shuang. Sometimes, she even took her daughter-in-law along to eat at the neighborhood office cafeteria.

　　They carried on like this for two days.

　　That day, Xia Shuang changed into the clothes she had worn on the day she returned from the countryside, preparing to visit the Xia family.

　　Jiang Jing had left for work early that morning, leaving only her and her mother-in-law at home, who occasionally came back during the day. Xia Shuang let her know about her plans.

　　Jiang Jing’s mother went back to her room and returned with a red envelope, which she handed to Xia Shuang. She reminded her, “Whether your relationship with them is good or bad, you still need to observe the proper courtesies. After all, they raised you. Even if it’s just for appearances, you’ll earn yourself a good reputation in the eyes of others. It’s not like we can’t spare this little bit of money.”

　　Xia Shuang tried to hand it back. “Mom, there’s no need. I have money of my own.”

　　“Your father and I have money too, and more than you two young newlyweds. Jiang Jing has only just started working and hasn’t received his salary yet. The money you have is what you’ve saved privately for yourself. Keep it for emergencies in the future. Be good and take it.”

　　“Stay at your family’s home as long as you feel comfortable. Have a chat with your family. If you feel wronged or don’t want to stay any longer, just come back. Once Jiang Jing gets off work, I’ll have him ride his bicycle over to pick you up.”

　　Xia Shuang felt warmth spread through her heart. She put an arm around her mother-in-law’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “Mom, you’re just too good to me.”

　　Jiang Jing’s mother hugged her back and patted her gently, smiling. “It’s only right. A harmonious family makes everything go smoothly. Besides, having such a beautiful and sensible daughter-in-law has fulfilled my dream of having a daughter of my own.”

　　Having worked at the neighborhood office for so many years, Jiang Jing’s mother had met all kinds of people, and she was genuinely pleased with Xia Shuang.

　　Although Xia Shuang wasn’t from the local area, her hometown wasn’t far away, and she was a city girl too.

　　She was educated, beautiful, and poised, with an open, confident manner. In Jiang Jing’s mother’s eyes, she stood out more than any of the young women she had met.

　　Some people’s potential could be judged simply by the way they spoke and carried themselves. Her son had always been rather indifferent toward such things. In the past, he’d never paid much attention when she tried to introduce him to potential partners. But now, he had found someone he truly liked, and he clearly cherished her deeply.

　　To put it bluntly, parents naturally developed a higher opinion of someone they loved because their own child loved them. Naturally, Jiang Jing’s parents were no exception.

　　……

　　Xia Shuang set out in the morning and arrived at the Xia family home in less than an hour.

　　Following the route she remembered, she made her way to the house and was just about to knock when the door suddenly opened.

　　A young woman with her hair tied into two braids stepped out.

　　Seeing Xia Shuang standing at the doorway, the woman jumped in surprise. “Who are you? Why are you standing at someone’s door?”

　　Xia Shuang had never seen her before, so she casually replied, “This is my home.”

　　Sun Wanwan was momentarily speechless. Then she remembered that Xia Jun apparently had a younger sister and asked, “Are you Xia Shuang?”

　　“I am.”

　　After answering, Xia Shuang looked at the woman’s face again.

　　She knew who Xia Shuang was?

　　But the original Xia Shuang’s memories didn’t contain any impression of this woman.

　　Seeing the confusion on Xia Shuang’s face, Sun Wanwan gave a light cough. “I’m your brother’s girlfriend. My name is Sun Wanwan. We’ve been preparing for our engagement these past couple of days. Your parents must have told you to come home, right?”

　　Xia Shuang raised an eyebrow and casually humored her. “Mm.”

　　Sun Wanwan noticed that Xia Shuang was wearing old, dusty clothes. Still, she had a rather pretty face, and despite having just returned from the countryside, her cheeks were rosy and fair.

　　“Looks like the food at your educated youth settlement must be pretty good. Your skin is so nice, and you haven’t gotten tanned at all.”

　　“Mm. We had meat when we slaughtered pigs for the New Year, and since it was cold, I didn’t do much work. My skin got fairer from staying bundled up.”

　　After that, Xia Shuang tried to fish for more information from her.

　　“Sister-in-law, you’re so beautiful, and the clothes you’re wearing look really well-made. They must have cost a lot. Your family must be richer than mine. My brother really is lucky! How did you and my brother meet?”

　　Being called “Sister-in-law” made the corners of Sun Wanwan’s mouth lift, and Xia Shuang’s repeated compliments only pleased her further.

　　Sun Wanwan couldn’t help lifting her chin a little as she smiled. “You’ve got quite an eye for these things! There are only two outfits like this in the entire department store. And yes, my parents are both officials. As for how I met your brother, a friend introduced us. Your brother seemed like an honest man, so I thought I’d give him a chance.”

　　In truth, Sun Wanwan wasn’t being entirely honest. She had spotted Xia Jun in a crowd and took an immediate liking to him, then asked a friend to arrange an introduction.

　　The Xia family had good genes. Their son was tall and handsome, while their daughter was gentle and beautiful.

　　Xia Shuang casually asked another question. “Sister-in-law, how long have you and my brother been together?”

　　Sun Wanwan glanced at her. “Over half a year. Didn’t your family tell you?”

　　Xia Shuang shook her head. “They probably just haven’t had the chance. I’ll ask my parents about it later. Go ahead and take care of your business.”

　　Only then did Sun Wanwan remember why she had come out in the first place. “I made plans to go shopping with a friend, so I won’t keep chatting with you. We can talk another time.”

　　With that, she left.

　　Xia Shuang pushed open the door and went inside.

　　No wonder they had been talking for so long without anyone coming out. It turned out there was no one else at home.

　　The Xia family was an ordinary household, yet Xia Jun and Xia Shuang, despite being only a year apart in age, had been treated worlds apart.

　　To keep his eldest son from being sent to the countryside, Xia’s father had given up his job for him.

　　As for Xia’s mother, she worked as a seamstress at a garment factory, so her son wasn’t suited to take over her position.

　　But when it was Xia Shuang’s turn to go to the countryside, her parents cried and complained that they were powerless to help. Her mother said she needed to keep her job to support the entire family and couldn’t give it up. She told Xia Shuang to go to the countryside for a few years and gain some experience, promising they would find a way to bring her back eventually.

　　The original Xia Shuang had a quiet, gentle temperament and naturally wouldn’t argue with her parents. So she obediently packed her bags and went to the countryside.

　　Xia Shuang found the whole thing ridiculous just thinking about it. Why couldn’t they spend the wages their daughter earned after taking over a job? Besides, their son would earn a salary too if he took over a position. The whole family could clearly have found a way to keep both their children in the city, yet they had insisted on sacrificing their daughter by sending her to the countryside.

　　And after asking around just now, Xia Shuang had finally pieced together what had happened.

　　In her previous life, the family her eldest brother married into had some influence, so the Xia family had naturally been keen on the match.

　　Later, when they learned that their daughter, who had been sent to the countryside, had married a poor farmer, and a fool at that, they immediately threw some money at her and disowned her in disgust. She had never been favored to begin with, after all.

　　Afraid that keeping in touch with her would damage their reputation and invite gossip, they later pretended they had no such daughter and never visited her again. They had even forgotten she existed.

　　This was also what eventually drove the original Xia Shuang to a breakdown. Unable to bear the despair of waiting for her family to come for her, she finally took her own life.

　　Xia Shuang clicked her tongue and plopped down into a chair.

　　The Xia family’s home consisted of just two large rooms, so from where she sat, she could see the entire layout at a glance.

　　The small bed the original Xia Shuang had used before leaving for the countryside was long gone. In its place stood a brand-new five-drawer chest.

　　Looking around, there wasn’t a single trace of the original Xia Shuang’s belongings. Instead, there were items that clearly belonged to another young woman, presumably her future sister-in-law.

　　After all, she had a key to the family home.

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