Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Jiang Dajie heard that someone had come for Jiang Liling’s hand and knew it was the Xu family. He smirked, unable to suppress his joy.

Then, as if flipping a switch, he snarled at Jiang Liling with a vicious glare.

"Jiang Liling, listen well—today you’ll go quietly into that marriage." She’d better not make a scene.

Jiang Liling shot back, "What if I refuse? What’ll you do about it?"

"Trying to threaten me?"

"Heh."

Jiang Dajie stammered, realizing he truly had no leverage—his threats and fists didn’t scare her.

Jiang Liling laughed and stepped out from behind Jiang Weien, tossing Jiang Dajie a glance before heading for the door.

"Li Ling, don’t go out!"

Zhang Cuifen fretted about the wedding party outside.

Jiang Liling waved her off. "Relax, Auntie. Just watch the fun."

Even Jiang Weien, who’d moved to stop her, froze mid-step at her words.

Once Jiang Liling exited, the others spilled out after her.

"Sister Yiwei, what’s happening? Things feel off inside and out."

Jiang Honghong clung to Jiang Yiwei’s arm.

"Nothing’s wrong. We’re here to see Sister Li Ling steal the show."

Jiang Yiwei guided her to a prime viewing spot.

"Something’s bothering my sister."

Jiang Honghong noticed Jiang Ningning’s stormy face.

"Oh right! I know why she looks like that."

Jiang Honghong pieced it together.

"Why’s that?" Jiang Yiwei asked, curious what had Jiang Ningning fuming.

"Before I came in, that crone got in her ear."

She pointed at a wrinkled woman whose face twisted with cunning—plainly up to no good.

Jiang Yiwei followed her gaze.

"That hag must’ve spouted some poison. No wonder my sister’s livid." Jiang Honghong’s eyes gleamed with certainty.

"Sister Yiwei, am I wrong?"

She stared up, grinning for validation.

"That's right."

It wasn’t like Jiang Yiwei disliked Jiang Ningning and was talking nonsense. With Jiang Ningning’s personality, if the group coming to marry Jiang Liling hadn’t said something to her, she wouldn’t have had that look on her face.

In fact, Jiang Yiwei could even guess what that old woman had said to Jiang Ningning.

Because the way that old woman looked at her and Jiang Honghong was like eyeing them like livestock.

Jiang Yiwei raised an eyebrow—was it possible Wu Xueying and Jiang Dajie had already discussed marrying Jiang Liling off to these people back then?

Jiang Liling’s marriage to the Xu family must have been set up by that old woman, likely a matchmaker. Seeing they were all unmarried girls, she naturally wanted to arrange matches for them.

But the matches she arranged were ones none of them would stomach.

None of them wanted to marry a fool.

No matter how much she tried to set them up, it was impossible. She’d be disappointed.

Because not every parent was like Jiang Dajie and Wu Xueying, ready to sell their daughter off for cash.

On this, they were much luckier than Jiang Liling.

But Jiang Liling had the heroine’s plot armor—she could resolve any problem.

"Dajie, Xueying, the Xu family is here to marry your daughter! Hurry and let your girl come with us!"

Aunt Liu’s drooping triangular eyes lit up with satisfaction as she looked at Jiang Liling.

Indeed, Jiang Dajie hadn’t lied to them—Jiang Liling was beautiful.

Even the Xu family was pleased. The children she bore would surely be smart and good-looking. That thousand-yuan dowry was money well spent.

"Li Ling, they came for you. Get moving." Wu Xueying grabbed Jiang Liling’s hand, trying to drag her toward Aunt Liu and the Xu family.

But Jiang Liling yanked her hand away immediately.

She glared coldly, as if looking at a stranger.

She turned to Aunt Liu and the Xu family and said:

"You got no shame? Your son is a fool, yet you still want to take a bride home? What for? What’s he even good for?"

"I doubt a fool can manage anything, yet you still expect a wife to get pregnant and carry on the family line. You’re that hard up for a son?"

"Your son is an idiot—why drag a decent girl into this? Aren’t you afraid of karma?"

A fool of a son wanting to marry a young, beautiful college student—they’ve lost their damn minds.

To any girl, they were nothing but leeches, sucking her dry.

Jiang Liling knew that if she didn’t marry today, with that thousand yuan in their hands, there’d be plenty of parents like Jiang Dajie and Wu Xueying who’d sell their daughters for cash, dumping them into this mess.

If he’s already a fool, why force a wife on him?

"Damn right!"

Jiang Yiwei started clapping hard—Jiang Liling had nailed it.

If my son were normal, it would be one thing, but he’s a fool. Marrying a girl to him would simply be ruining her life.

"Yiwei."

Jiang Sanjie signaled with his eyes for Jiang Yiwei to behave and not cause trouble. Only then did she lower her hands.

She inwardly criticized the Xu family.

Sixth Auntie and the Xu family didn’t look good, especially the Xu parents. Their son was a fool, but no one had ever dared to say it so openly in front of them.

And now they were being told not to marry their son off.

Xu Mother glared at the Jiang couple, “Didn’t you say your daughter is very well-behaved? Why is she saying such nasty things?”

Jiang Dajie and Wu Xueying had told them that Jiang Liling was very well-behaved and obedient.

But the words Jiang Liling was saying now, even a fool could tell that she was far from the good and obedient child the Jiang couple described.

“No, she usually listens to us. She just had an argument with us and said these things to provoke you.”

Jiang Dajie quickly denied it, even willing to say that he and his daughter had argued, and Jiang Liling was deliberately trying to anger them.

“I don’t believe it.” Xu Mother wasn’t convinced.

She was still calculating how to make Jiang Liling submit once she entered their home, making sure Jiang Liling would be obedient. After all, their son’s mind was indeed not right, and if the wife was disobedient and unruly, it would be a problem.

“My parents never tell the truth. If you believe them, you’re as foolish as your foolish son.” Jiang Liling looked at Xu Mother with disdain and mockery.

Her words were merciless.

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

She deliberately kept calling him "your idiot son" at every turn.

Anyone with a shred of conscience, knowing their son is an idiot, wouldn't dream of ruining some girl's future.

Since you're so shameless and utterly heartless, Jiang Liling wasn't about to mince words.

"My parents didn't tell you, did they? They've never cared for me since I was little—I never even listened to them."

Watching the increasingly grim expressions of Mrs. Xu, Mr. Xu, and Aunt Liu, Jiang Liling felt a twinge of satisfaction.

"Also, I never agreed to marry your idiot son."

"I advise you to drop this wife-hunting business—stop ruining innocent girls."

Marriage is a rebirth. A good match is fine, but a bad one ruins a girl's entire life.

Since your son is an idiot, leave other girls alone—let them be!

Mrs. Xu turned red with anger, glaring at Jiang Liling as if she wanted to tear her mouth apart.

Aunt Liu shot her a sharp look and calmly said, "Your parents have already taken 500 yuan. You will marry our son—no two ways about it."

Your family had already taken the money—Jiang Liling had to marry.

"Oh please!" Threatening her? Jiang Liling wasn't the least bit afraid.

"Then go find my parents. Whoever took that money can marry him themselves—just don't come for me." She didn't take the money, so whoever did should deal with it. "Now listen here, girl, that won't do. It's you we want to marry—you're the one being married off, like it or not."

Here’s the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

It was originally agreed that the one who was supposed to get married was Jiang Liling.

Jiang Liling crossed her arms, "Oh? There's one thing I forgot to tell my parents."

Jiang Liling smirked at Aunt Liu, "I’ve already gotten legally married to someone else. If you try to force me into another marriage, it’s impossible."

"What? You got married?" Wu Xueying shrieked.

Married?

Jiang Liling married? Impossible—Wu Xueying refused to believe it.

It must be a lie made up by that good-for-nothing girl just to avoid marriage.

"She’s definitely lying. This girl is just giving us trouble."

"In-laws, please wait—let us knock some sense into her."

The whole time, Jiang Dajie refused to believe Jiang Liling was married.

All the things Jiang Liling said were just because she didn’t want to marry, didn’t want to marry the Xu family’s simple-minded son.

"Uncle, whether Sister Li Ling is married or not—just because she didn’t tell you doesn’t mean it’s not true." Jiang Yiwei had a look of amused satisfaction.

She believed Jiang Liling’s words.

"Uncle, you never cared about Sister Li Ling. For all you know, she might actually be married." Jiang Honghong scoffed with a smirk. They were so indifferent to Jiang Liling that if she really had gotten married and didn’t tell them, they’d be none the wiser.

But if it were Jiang Honghong, she wouldn’t tell them either—who told them to act like jerks?

Jiang Liling looked at Jiang Dajie like he was a joke.

"Dad, it’s true. I really did get married."

She knew they didn’t believe her, but every word she said was true.

"Liling, you actually got married?"

Jiang Weien and Li Xiaowan also couldn’t believe Jiang Yiwei was actually married.

"Dad, Auntie really did get married. I even had the wedding candy from her and her husband."

Jiang Kangmin grabbed his sister’s hand.

"You knew? Why didn’t you tell us?"

Jiang Kangmin glanced at Jiang Weien’s expression, his eyes shifting guiltily, and whispered, "I promised Auntie. If she didn’t tell, I wouldn’t either."

Jiang Kangmin had promised Jiang Liling—unless she said something, he wouldn’t either.

"Brother, don’t take it out on Kangmin. If you’re gonna blame anyone, blame me."

Worried Jiang Weien would yell at Jiang Kangmin, Jiang Liling spoke up for him.

Jiang Liling was the one who told Jiang Kangmin to keep her marriage quiet. If anyone’s at fault, it’s her.

"No way, there’s no way you’re married." Jiang Dajie and Wu Xueying refused to believe Jiang Liling was truly married.

"Believe it or not, it’s the truth."

Of course they didn’t want to believe she was married—that meant losing the thousand yuan. Naturally, they dreaded losing that money, but it was undeniable.

Like it or not, they had to accept this bitter news.

Jiang Liling took great pleasure in their pained expressions.

"Go check the household register—I’m not in it anymore."

When she married, she’d already moved her registration out of their household.

"Xueying, check the register."

Jiang Dajie ordered Wu Xueying to look, and she scurried inside to dig it out. Sure enough, Jiang Liling’s name was gone, just as she’d said.

The loss of that thousand yuan over Jiang Liling’s marriage hit Wu Xueying hard.

"Boo-hoo, there goes our thousand yuan!"

But she quickly swallowed her grief—she was out to make that little bitch pay. She’d get her compensation.

She shot up from the ground and charged at Jiang Liling, jabbing a finger at her.

"You good-for-nothing! Who the hell did you marry? You didn’t even consult us—how dare you marry behind our backs!"

"That’s a thousand yuan down the drain—you owe us!"

Who had she married? The audacity to sneak off without their knowledge!

"The second you shoved me off to the countryside as a replacement, you forfeited any right to call yourselves my parents."

From the moment they’d conspired with Jiang Ningning to send her away as an educated youth, she’d died there in every way that mattered.

After that, they didn’t get a say in her life.

She didn’t owe them a damn explanation for anything.

"As for compensating you? Keep dreaming."

If they wanted a thousand yuan, they’d have better luck wishing on a star.

"So you’re still holding a grudge."

Wu Xueying knew she resented them.

But they were her parents—she owed her existence to them. That didn’t give them the right to run her life.

"Yes, I hate you. I hate you, you cold-hearted, thankless parents."

She hated them for dooming her to that wretched, animal-like existence in her past life.

Now that she was reborn, her life was hers alone. No one else got a say.

"You little traitor!" Jiang Dajie lunged at Jiang Liling, swinging for a slap.

Jiang Liling yanked Wu Xueying into the path of the blow, leaving a stinging red mark on her face.

"Jiang Dajie, you hit me!"

Wu Xueying covered her face, stunned that he'd hit her.

"Idiot, I was trying to hit her! You’re the one who got in the way! Where else was my slap gonna go?"

She blamed him, but he blamed her for inexplicably shielding Jiang Liling.

"I don’t care who you hit, but if you dare lay a hand on me again, I won’t hesitate to report you to your bosses about what kind of man you are—one who picks on women—and if you even deserve to work there."

If he dared to hit her again, she would march straight to his workplace. Even if she couldn’t get him fired, she’d make sure he never got promoted.

"You wouldn’t dare!"

That worthless bitch actually dared to threaten him.

"Try me." He could test her if he wanted—she’d show him exactly how bold she was.

That shut Jiang Dajie up—he didn’t dare push further. He couldn’t risk Jiang Liling making a scene at his factory.

Goddammit! She always threatened to cause trouble at his workplace. Jiang Dajie felt humiliated but couldn’t do a damn thing about her.

"Jiang Dajie, Wu Xueying, your daughter’s already married, yet you still dared to pocket our money!"

Mother Xu had originally wanted a live-in caretaker for her son—someone to replace her and her husband. They’d only agreed to pay a thousand yuan in betrothal gifts because Jiang Liling was a college student, and her parents kept swearing she was obedient and would dutifully care for their son.

"We didn’t know she was married!"

Jiang Dajie played the victim.

They really hadn’t expected Jiang Liling to be married.

Had they known, none of this would’ve happened.

Suddenly remembering something, he yanked Jiang Lixi closer.

Panicking, she struggled desperately and cried out, "Dad, no! Not the idiot!"

She tried with all her might to break free from Jiang Dajie’s grip, but it was useless. Terrified, she begged Wu Xueying, "Mom! Mom, save me!"

Wu Xueying did have some affection for Jiang Lixi and had never intended to marry her off to a fool. But just as she was about to speak, Jiang Dajie cut her a look, forcing her to silently close her mouth.

Jiang Lixi’s heart sank.

Wu Xueying wouldn’t intervene, but Jiang Weien wasn’t having it—because Jiang Lixi was also his sister. No matter who it was, he wouldn’t let them marry into the Xu family.

"Dad, you can’t marry Lixi into a family like that!"

The Xu family’s son was a fool. Marrying Jiang Lixi off to them would destroy her.

Neither Jiang Liling nor Jiang Lixi should marry into the Xu family.

But Jiang Dajie didn’t care. He was determined to get that thousand yuan.

"This isn’t your business. Butt out!"

Don’t get in the way of him making money.

"Dad, I can’t. I won’t just stand by and watch my sister marry into such a family."

Jiang Weien refused.

**Revised Translation:**

"Eldest Brother, please save me!" Jiang Lixi wept bitterly. At this moment, Jiang Weien was her only hope.

"What do you know? If we marry her off, I get a thousand bucks!"

"You're my son—the eldest. Of course, you’ll get most of this money anyway."

Jiang Dajie may have been unhappy with Jiang Weien, but he was still his eldest son. When he passed, everything would mostly go to him.

Couldn’t he see this was for his own good?

"Cut the crap, Dad. Don’t use ‘what’s best for Eldest Brother’ as an excuse for your greed."

Jiang Liling found Jiang Dajie’s words utterly ridiculous.

How noble—pretending it was all for Jiang Weien’s sake. That’s just lip service.

He was just greedy. He’d never had the guts to earn real money himself, so he resorted to selling his daughters.

"Shut it!" Jiang Dajie snapped at Jiang Liling.

If not for her, he’d have that cash by now. He wouldn’t have had to wait, forcing Jiang Lixi to replace Jiang Liling in marrying into the Xu family.

"Ha! As if!"

Jiang Liling burst into laughter, but the more she laughed, the angrier Jiang Dajie grew.

This wasn’t the moment for this. Seeing the darkening faces of the Xu family and Aunt Liu, Jiang Dajie was terrified they’d demand their money back.

Glaring at Jiang Weien, who still stood in his way, he barked, "Move it!"

Don’t stand between him and his payday.

"Not happening."

Jiang Weien reached to pull Jiang Lixi to his side, but Jiang Dajie blocked him. He wasn’t letting her go that easily.

"Drop it, Eldest Brother."

"You’re betraying your own kin."

Jiang Erjie and Jiang Sanjie stepped forward to drag Jiang Lixi toward Jiang Weien.

Once free, Jiang Lixi dove behind Jiang Weien like a hunted animal, clinging tightly, afraid of being caught again.

To Jiang Lixi, Jiang Dajie was a straight-up monster now. She even seethed at Jiang Liling—if not for her, he’d never have targeted me.

"Lixi, get over here!"

Blocked by Jiang Erjie and Jiang Sanjie, Jiang Dajie couldn’t pull Jiang Lixi back.

Frantically shaking her head behind Jiang Weien, Jiang Lixi cried, "No! I won’t marry that idiot!"

She refused to marry that idiot.

"You want to marry? We wouldn’t want you anyway."

All along, Madam Xu had been hearing Jiang Lixi keep calling her son a fool.

Here's the improved translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Just because her son is slow doesn't mean she appreciates people calling him that.

Besides, Jiang Lixi isn't even a college graduate—that rude little thing, their family wouldn't want her.

"Aunt Liu, let's call off this marriage deal between our family and the Jiangs today."

"Since none of their daughters want to marry into our family, and they're not good enough for us anyway."

"I know."

Ever since Jiang Liling mentioned she was married, Aunt Liu knew the engagement between the Xu and Jiang families couldn't proceed.

She took a few steps forward and said to Jiang Dajie, "Dajie, we had a deal that Jiang Liling would be the one to marry over. Since your daughter's already married, this whole thing's off."

"Dajie, just return the 500 yuan the Xu family gave you, and we're square."

If the marriage couldn't go through, Jiang Dajie would have to return half of the bride price the Xu family had given him.

The moment Jiang Dajie heard he had to hand it back, his face fell—he wasn't about to give back a single cent.

"Aunt Cai, we messed up with Liling getting married, but Lixi isn't. They're sisters—why can't Lixi take her place?"

Jiang Liling and Jiang Lixi were sisters. If Jiang Liling couldn't marry over, then Jiang Lixi could.

"Over my dead body! Our family wants a daughter-in-law who's obedient, well-behaved, and a college graduate. Your daughter doesn't measure up one bit."

Jiang Lixi wasn't even close to what we want, yet they still tried to push her onto them.

The Xu family wasn't that hard up.

For a thousand yuan, we've got families lining up to marry their daughters to our son—even if he's slow.

"Hand over the money now."

Mrs. Xu didn't want to waste words. Right now, she just wanted Jiang Dajie to return the money. "That's right, Dajie, just give the money back. Don't put me in this spot."