Chapter 4: Resigned to Fate

Chapter 4: Resigned to Fate

"Why are you hitting me again?"

"Because you're asking for it!"

"Big Sis, that's not fair! What did I do this time?"

Jiang Yaozu blinked pitifully, but she just rolled her eyes, disinclined to humor him. Jiang Hudi, however, chimed in, gloating.

"Who told you to trick her into the ditch? Her mind wasn't quite right to begin with, and now she's truly gone off the rails, on and off. I have to follow her every day, squatting by that little ditch until the mosquitoes know me by name. Hmph, you totally deserved that beating!"

No one had actually ordered Jiang Hudi to follow Jiang Zhaodi, but the child had been terrified by her mother's frantic state that day. She couldn't shake the feeling that if her eldest sister had truly drowned in the ditch, it would have been entirely her fault for not watching her properly. So now, she kept a very close eye on her.

"It really wasn't my fault. Who tricked her?"

Thinking about the reason he got beaten every single day, Jiang Yaozu's tears flowed freely.

"Fish-scale clouds in the sky, fish in the ditch jump and fly. Lumpy clouds in the sky, fish in the ditch multiply! Grandma's rhyme clearly says it just like that. Eldest Sister went into the ditch herself and didn't catch anything because she has no luck with food. What does that have to do with me? Why beat me over and over? Fine, I won't say it anymore! Boo hoo, no one's reasonable…"

If he wanted to cry, let him cry. Nobody felt like dealing with him.

Xu Shi looked at her eldest daughter, her eyes filled with worry.

"Why do you keep splashing around in that ditch all day? Aren't you afraid of drowning? Have you forgotten you choked last time? Can you please not go anymore? Can't you give me a break?"

"Okay."

The quick, decisive "okay" took Xu Shi by surprise; she had expected to have to argue again.

"Really, you won't go?"

Her eldest daughter being so agreeable all of a sudden was a bit hard to get used to. Jiang Wan smiled, picked up a coarse grain bun from the table, and took a bite.

Coarse grain lived up to its name—it scraped her throat going down.

She swallowed all that fine, lingering bitterness and dull ache.

She knew there was no going back.

"Mm, I've already learned how to swim. I promise I won't drown again, so I don't need to go splashing around aimlessly."

"That's good."

A faint smile finally appeared on Xu Shi's face.

"I'm busy working all day and don't have time to watch Second Daughter and Third Son. Can you help me keep an eye on them from now on? Take Second Daughter with you when you go out to play."

Jiang Wan looked up at her.

"Got it, Mom. You better eat quickly. If you don't, I'll hit Third Brother."

"Hehehe, you silly girl. Alright, alright, I'll eat now. You all hurry up and eat too. Get washed up quickly before it gets dark to save some lamp oil."

At their mother's command, the children quickened their pace.

After eating, washing up, and lying in bed, Jiang Wan stared out the window at the jade disk hanging in the sky, unable to sleep for a long time.

Ancient people never saw today's moon, but this same ancient moon still lights the way for those who are lost.

Clearly the same moon, how could it separate two worlds? Who would want to come to this crappy ancient era? No air conditioning, no Wi-Fi, no food, no drink, no future—just thinking about it made life seem hopeless.

How good it was back when she worked at the Third Hospital?

Besides the old director, her mental state was the most stable. She was often praised by name during big meetings: Xiao Jiang was the most popular doctor in the Third Hospital's psychiatry department. She could truly connect with patients, her future was bright, blah blah blah...

Nothing like this wretched place, where she felt irritable all the time. Back then, it was only when her colleagues and patients were getting along that they could persuade her, the expert, to step in.

Sigh.

She let out a long sigh.

"Jiang Zhaodi, what are you doing not sleeping in the middle of the night?"

Jiang Hudi, sleeping on the other side of the bed, turned over and looked at her with wide eyes.

Under the moonlight, her bright eyes shone exceptionally.

"Don't call me that nickname. It makes me irritable."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"It means you should go to sleep now, and tomorrow morning we're changing our names."

"Why change our names?"

"Why so many questions? If you keep chattering instead of sleeping, I won't hit Third Brother later!"

"No, Big Sis! I'll sleep right now!"

Jiang Yaozu getting a beating was currently her greatest source of joy. How could she just stop? The little girl quickly turned to face the wall, trying to fall asleep instantly.

Jiang Wan smiled a little, finding joy in her misery, then helplessly closed her eyes and resigned herself to fate.

Outside the window, the moon, looking very pleased, shifted its gaze from the windowsill. Then, with all its might, it cast its silver light, illuminating the way home for the person racing hard down the official road.

Around the time the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, the several large horses that had been running desperately for so long were finally allowed to rest by the river to drink and eat.

"Brother Jiang, are you almost home?"

"Mm, probably about half a day's journey left."

The stubble-faced Jiang Huailiang took the rations from his guard, sat down on the ground with a robust air, and began stuffing his mouth with flatbread. After gulping down half a waterskin of water to quench his thirst, he looked around, a nostalgic expression on his face.

"When I was conscripted by the court, the first place we stopped to rest was right here by this Black River. I cried half the night back then, truly resolved to die, feeling like I'd failed my parents, wife, and children."

He squatted by the river, looked at his travel-worn appearance, quickly scooped up some water to wash his face and hands, and futilely tried to smooth his hair, trying to make himself look somewhat presentable.

Zhang Jingguang laughed at him.

"I say, Brother Jiang, why do you seem so anxious about bringing your family back? It's not like you—more like a shy little wife, hahaha!"

The others burst into laughter as well.

These were comrades who had survived the trenches together, and in private, they didn’t bother with formalities or hierarchies.

Jiang Huailiang splashed a handful of water toward them, then stood up, cursing.

"What do you bunch know? This is what they call—ah, yes—homesick nerves."

"Is it homesick nerves, or nervous around your wife?"

Zhang Jingguang was a solid guy, but his mouth was sharp as a razor.

"I heard your wife is a real looker. Just look at your rough-looking self now. Don’t let people mistake you for her father when you two stand together! Hahaha! Brother Jiang, is that what you’re worried about?"

The soldiers around them joined in the laughter, making Jiang Huailiang so mad he was fuming.

"Get lost, all of you! A bunch of uneducated brutes—don’t meddle in the affairs of educated men!"

Still fuming, he tilted his chin toward that troublemaker Zhang Jingguang and fired back.

"At least I've got a family, unlike some who's still single at this age! Prince of Huai granted us officers permission to return home to fetch our families. What's a lone wolf like you butting in for?"

That jab hit Zhang Jingguang right where it hurt. He sprang up from the ground with a roar, eyes wide as copper bells.

"Why the hell can't I return to my hometown?! You all get to go back for your wives, kids, parents, and show off to the neighbors in all the surrounding villages. Why can't I go pay respects at my family graves? I'm going back! Let my parents underground know their son has made something of himself—he's a general now!"