Chapter 6: Changing Names

Chapter 6: Changing Names

The old woman's wailing couldn't stop the fact that her grandson was being beaten. Fortunately, the old man stepped up at the critical moment. Slapping his thigh, he blurted out his consent.

"Change it! So you just want to change your names? We'll change them! First, put your brother down, and let's discuss what names to pick."

"There's no need for a special discussion."

The assailant readily released the poor kid in her grasp, allowing Old Wang Shi to rush over and snatch her darling away. The grandmother and grandson went inside, crying "my treasure, my darling."

"Anyway, we're not children of some high-ranking officials or nobles. We can just use the names Mother originally gave us.

I was born in the evening, so I'll be called Jiang Wan.

Second Sister was born around dawn, so she'll be called Jiang Han.

The meanings are quite nice, simple and easy to understand."

In truth, Old Jiang, who was illiterate, couldn't see what was so good about these two names. What was wrong with Zhaodi and Hudi? They were memorable and meaningful—just hearing them made it clear they were dutiful older sisters who cherished their younger brother.

But now, he no longer called the shots over the Eldest Daughter. For the sake of his precious grandson getting fewer beatings in the future, Old Jiang could only purse his lips and nod in silent agreement.

Mother Xu Shi and her two daughters all smiled. Especially Jiang Hudi—no, Jiang Han!

The little girl whispered her new name softly several times, then used the branch in her hand to scratch out the two characters wildly on the ground.

Then she blinked excitedly.

Who knew how much she detested that awful name Jiang Hudi? Why should she have to protect Jiang Yaozu, that little pest who had loved bullying her since they were little?

The only reason she didn’t join her older sister in beating him was that she was too small and weak to win. Otherwise, she’d thrash him eight times a day and get back at him for all the times he bullied her!

Jiang Wan didn’t pay attention to what was going on in the little girl’s head. Seeing that the old man didn’t object, she walked to the stone table to help her mother with the vegetables and reminded him cheerfully.

"Grandpa, remember to go to the clan leader’s house later and change mine and Second Sister’s names."

"Got it. You’re always a handful—when you were foolish, you made us worry, and now that you’re not foolish, you give us headaches every day! Just stop hitting the third one, and I’ll go take care of this for you right now."

The old man grumbled to himself as he walked out, hands behind his back. His grumbling all the way amused the two sisters so much they could hardly keep from laughing. Xu Shi chided them.

"If you wanted to change your names, why didn’t you talk to me first? How could you embarrass your grandparents like that to their faces? You two are unreasonable."

Jiang Han pursed her lips, casually set aside the branch—the "divine artifact" for keeping her brother in line—and reached out to help her mother and sister. But the little girl couldn’t resist sassing, even to her own mother.

"As if telling you would’ve made any difference. If not for Big Sister’s recent craziness, do you think Grandpa would’ve agreed to change our names? What kind of awful names did they even give us? If they like them so much, why don’t they call themselves Zhaodi and Hudi? Obviously—"

"Enough! The more you talk, the more outrageous you become. They are your own grandparents—how dare you speak so recklessly?"

Xu Shi stopped her work, frowned, and stared at her younger daughter, frightening the little motormouth into silence. Jiang Wan spoke up to smooth things over for her sister.

"Second Sister didn’t mean any disrespect to Grandma and Grandpa. She was just complaining. Don’t worry, I understand the situation."

"Good that you understand."

Since her eldest daughter had spoken up to stick up for her, Xu Shi had to save face for her. She turned to meet her gaze, looked into the child’s clear, intelligent eyes, and sighed softly.

"It’s already hard enough for women to make their way in this world, and these are especially chaotic times. Being able to live safely under the protection of our elders is a blessing in itself. Don’t ask for too much, alright?"

"Understood."

"Mom, I understand too."

Seeing that her two daughters were fairly obedient, Xu Shi regained her gentle smile and softly taught them some rules for conducting themselves in society.

Just like many years ago, when her own mother had taught her and her sister, her words were full of kindness.

The summer weather was truly stifling hot. When the blazing sun beat down on them without restraint, it always gave people the illusion of being roasted.

After filling their bowls and gulping down a watery porridge at the table, Jiang Wan told her mother and took her siblings back to that familiar little stream.

First, because it was hot, and it was cooler under the shade of the trees by the water than at home. Second, during this time, Jiang Wan had become quite familiar with this little stream and had seen some small fish and shrimp moving about.

Although they were small, they were still a bit of meat, weren’t they? She thought she might try to catch a few, bring them back, and make a soup to add some freshness and give the family a treat.

As for going to the back mountain to hunt—that was not an option for now. Even though her strength had indeed increased compared to before, anything edible, whether animal or plant, in the outer areas of the back mountain had long been picked clean by the people nearby.

To find anything substantial, she’d have to venture deep into the mountains. Not only would the family elders never agree, but Jiang Wan’s own limitations wouldn’t allow her to seek death like that? A person terrible with directions—what wishful thinking was that?

Forget it, forget it. She’d just have to lay low for now.

Anyway, since she had already accepted her fate and didn’t want to die, she could only brace herself and properly integrate into this miserable world. Ah.

She skillfully took off her shoes, stepped into the water, and bent over to feel for fish.

Jiang Han and Jiang Yaozu, the twin brother and sister who had never seen eye to eye, squatted on the east and west banks respectively, just watching.

"Sis, should I come down and help you?"

Since her beloved new name had been settled, the little girl had never again called Jiang Wan by her full name.

Before, it was because she felt her own name was awful and unchangeable. Frustrated and helpless, she held onto the mentality that she shouldn’t be the only one with an ugly name, so she called the foolish older sister by her full name every day.

Now, there was no need to vent her anger anymore. In fact, the joy brought by her new name was directly reflected onto her now-crazy older sister.

A child’s likes and dislikes were just so clear-cut.

"No need. There’s probably nothing in this ditch anyway. I’d guess the villagers have already combed through it seventeen or eighteen times. I’m just idly feeling around again. What would you come down for?"

"I’m bored, and the water’s cool. I could also take a bath—in this heat, I’m almost smelly. I just—"

Before she could finish, Jiang Yaozu, squatting on the east side, interrupted with a trembling little voice.

"Big Sister, there are bandits!"

"What?"

Not processing the third child’s words immediately, Jiang Wan straightened up and saw the little chubby child pointing toward the village’s main road with a terrified expression.

"Really, Big Sister, bandits on big horses are coming this way! Just like Grandma said—they’re all on tall horses with scruffy beards. Wuwuwu, the man-eating bandits are here! Don’t eat me…"

The coward started wailing and took off running, but a swarthy man galloping forward yanked his reins sharply, making him jump so much that he fell to the ground with a plop.