Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 548: Xiaoqi sequel

Chapter 548: Xiaoqi sequel

I’ve always thought that my sister and I were not the children of our parents.

After all, even the poorest people in the village would not treat their children like this.

I thought they disliked me for being a boy, which was why they would beat and scold me at every turn.

But after Yueyue was born, our lives only became more difficult.

When she was just three months old, my mother refused to breastfeed her anymore, with my father spending all his time mixing with local hoodlums, we were left to fend for ourselves. I could only sneak small handfuls of rice every day, cook it until it was soft, and feed it to Yueyue.

Yueyue was a good girl, a tiny being who looked at me with round eyes.

I had to go up the mountain to collect firewood and cut pig grass.

Since our mother didn’t care about her, I could only tie her to my chest with two strips of cloth, freeing my back to carry the basket.

Sometimes when I found some wild fruits on the mountain, I would pick a few, squeeze out the juice, and feed it to her.

Some kind villagers took pity on us and quietly gave us coarse bread. On the days when I couldn’t steal any rice, I would soak the bread in hot water and feed it to her.

As Yueyue gradually grew up, my parents ordered her to do laundry at home while I foraged for wild vegetables in the mountains.

At that time, Yueyue was only just over a year old. Every time I left, she would stand still in the courtyard, waiting for me to come home.

Most of the uncles and aunts in the village were good people. However, none of them were wealthy, and as their parents were still alive, we couldn’t always expect them to pity us and give us food.

There were many children in the village. And every time they called me a beggar, I wondered why those two people couldn’t just die?

If they died, at least I could freely take Yueyue begging.

At least, we wouldn’t have to endure their scornful laughter anymore.

The first time I saw Lin Nanzhi was on the day she got married and moved here.

I was spotted stealing rice. My parents beat my sister and me and punished us by not allowing us to eat for three days.

As we passed their courtyard, Yueyue and I happened to see the bride stepping down from the bullock cart.

She was very beautiful.

Her smile was also beautiful.

The villagers always set up a big banquet, but since my parents were not liked by anyone, we siblings naturally couldn’t join them.

We could only hide quietly behind the courtyard wall, listening to the bustle inside.

I didn’t expect to see her at that time.

We were sitting by the courtyard wall, sharing a small bread, while she was peering at us over the wall.

"Hey, kid, catch."

What she threw down were two bright red eggs.

The next time I saw her, she was standing with her young brother.

I thought she was a good person and would have a smooth life.

But her young brother disappeared.

I watched as she ran around the back mountain, carrying her child on her own.

Her aunt and uncle fell ill one after another, causing her burden to become heavier and heavier.

In the end, it was just her and a small baby.

I felt it shouldn’t have been like this, but I couldn’t provide any help because I still had Yueyue to care for.

Life was very tough for Yueyue and me.

No one ever thought that her young brother would come back.

Things should start looking up for her.

Diniu (the underworld spirit) finally took action.

When those two people wanted to escape, I blocked their door with firewood.

They died in that room.

The villagers said that Yueyue and I were pitiful, but only we knew how happy we were when those two people went to hell.

I no longer had to watch little Yueyue wash our family’s clothes all by herself.

That disgusting man would never stick his hand down Yueyue’s pants again.

I could finally live alone with Yueyue.

Before we had a chance to enjoy our good days, Yueyue’s illness worsened. She was so thin that her bones could be felt directly.

That woman helped us once again.

The village started to be plagued by famine.

The grains we had prepared were stolen.

Old man Wang took pity on us and took us with him.

But to protect us, he died amongst the refugees.

Wang Jingzhi should hate us.

He took old man Wang’s remains and left, and Yueyue and I were left without support once again.

She was still so small, she shouldn’t have died in this filthy place.

Then I met Yuanbao.

She was fair and soft, surrounded by many people who loved her.

I thought how wonderful it would be if Yueyue could have a life like hers.

Yuanbao liked me very much. Everyone said that I was her future husband.

But every time I see her gleaming eyes, I feel a little ashamed.

I knew I was only staying because of her fondness for me, like a leech clinging on.

But I wanted Yueyue to live well and to live a long life.

I dared not be too good to Yuanbao, knowing that things easily obtained often aren’t cherished.

But Yuanbao was such a good girl.

She was kind, clever, and lively, like a little sun.

As Yueyue’s condition got more severe, she seemed even more anxious than me.

She ran off to Yan City alone.

Just to buy the ginseng that could save Yueyue’s life.

I knew I liked her, but I dared not show my true feelings.

The leader said that if I didn’t like her, I should leave, not enjoying her kindness while rejecting her.

Yuanbao came back, but I seemed no longer the person she liked.

She was still very kind to Yueyue, putting beautiful flowers in the vase at Yueyue’s bedside.

She would chat with Yueyue every day.

She was good to everyone in the village, everyone except me.

I was a bit sad, but also somewhat relieved.

At least this way, Yueyue could stay.

But why does my heart hurt so much?

Even when we moved to Datian Village, she continued to avoid me.

I saw her with the other kids, protecting a boy named Erniu, just like she used to protect me.

My rationality finally snapped.

Why could someone like Erniu win Yuanbao’s affection?

Why did they try to scare her like that?

When that man called Zhuzi tried to hurt her again, I could not hold back.

I took his whip from him, lashing him time and time again.

Everyone else walked away, and I kicked him into the river.

The splashes he made... they were really beautiful.

I didn’t want to take care of that person called Erniu.

But Yuanbao liked him, so I carried him back.

I knew my deeds would be discovered one day.

The old woman wasn’t crazy; she wanted to avenge her grandson.

I was somewhat jealous. Even someone like Zhuzi had a grandmother who loved him dearly.

I pulled out my own knife, but then I saw Yuanbao and Yueyue.

I couldn’t let them see.

I thought, dying here, this must be where I am destined to end up.

The river was so cold.

I thought I saw a tear in the corner of Yuanbao’s eye.

If possible, I hope that next time, I could be the one to protect her.

I never thought I would survive.

I thought I had arrived at the Underworld, but the flock of bleating sheep seemed real.

The one who saved me was a Hu Shang merchant.

He said his name was Gu Lang, a merchant from the Western Region doing business in the Central Plain.

I didn’t know how to tell him, that one could not do business in the Central Plain now without risking their lives.

He said he was heading to Yan City, where the girl he liked lived.

I had my selfish motives.

Now everywhere lacked food, if I brought him back, would everyone be able to eat meat?

I don’t know why his luck seemed extraordinarily good. We encountered no danger along the way.

Only in Huaiyang, we stumbled upon a team of soldiers ambushed by river pirates.

I recognized that person, the general who had stayed in our village.

We drugged the pirates’ food and rescued the wounded soldiers.

All the river pirates were annihilated, and the starving sheep once again had fodder.

Only then did I realize that the general named Twelve, this time was transporting a large amount of food, hurrying towards Yan City.

We finally set foot on the road back home.

I could see Yueyue and Yuanbao again.

But I felt I owed my savior Gu Lang. I should have told him when he mentioned the girl he liked, Lin Nanzhi.

She was already married, I fear by the time we return, her child will be laughing.