Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s
Chapter 61 - 060 Pretending to be sick

Chapter 61 - 060 Pretending to be sick

The matchmaker Hua found it amusing, but since she wasn't in her own household, she felt it inappropriate to laugh out loud and could only suppress her laughter. This marriage was clearly a no-go, and the money was gone too. Had it worked out, Brother Biao would surely have paid her handsomely.

Thinking the matter was over, who knew Grandma Tian would roll up her sleeves, slam the table, and angrily declare, "This matter is not up to her. Hua the matchmaker, I have the final say in my granddaughter's affairs! Now that her father is no longer here, she must take his place in fulfilling filial duties to me. You go and tell Chen Biao, that Tian Sangsang has agreed. Have him prepare the wedding feast and wait for her arrival."

"But Tian Sangsang doesn't agree!" Hua the matchmaker said helplessly. "What good does your agreement do? If the wedding feast is ready but the bride doesn't show up, Brother Biao will come after me, and he might even bring people to smash my home!"

Grandma Tian replied, "You just tell him—three days from now, our family will make sure the bride is there. Say it's our family's decision; if anything goes wrong, it won't be your responsibility."

Hua the matchmaker's eyes immediately lit up as she rubbed the mole on her face, contemplating the risks of this plan. Taking another look at Grandma Tian, she saw the old woman's confident demeanor and eagerly asked, "What's your plan then?"

The Tian Family's favoritism, well, she had seen that many times before. Today wasn't anything out of the ordinary. But now, they were being exceptionally biased, scheming to settle debts for the third household by selling the eldest household's daughter. Since it wasn't her own niece, Hua the matchmaker couldn't care less. Besides, if her own niece were so ugly, she'd sell her off without hesitation too.

"This is our family's business. I haven't thought of the full plan yet. For now, don't spread the word. Once three days pass, and the entire village knows Tian Sangsang is to marry Brother Biao, it will be impossible for her to back out."

After Hua the matchmaker left, Chen Guilan immediately scooted over to ask, "Mom, Tian Sangsang's a hefty girl, strong as an ox. What's your brilliant plan? Are we really going to tie her up and drag her to the wedding?"

"If she won't behave, tying her up will be the only option!" Grandma Tian tapped her cane several times.

That day, after hearing from the third daughter-in-law that Brother Biao was talking marriage, they immediately sought out Hua the matchmaker, afraid that Brother Biao might refuse. Who would've thought—when Hua brought up the idea, Brother Biao agreed. He even said that if Tian Sangsang and her son moved in together, the debt wouldn't need repayment. Such a favorable deal, how could Grandma Tian not jump at it? The unexpected hitch came when Tian Sangsang refused. Hmph! Who cares whether she agrees or not? This wedding is happening!

"Grandma." Tian Tian walked over, affectionately wrapping her arm around Grandma Tian's, her smile impossibly tender. "If Cousin doesn't listen to you and refuses to marry, what will others think of us if we tie her up? Besides, she's so strong—we might not even manage it. What if she accidentally hurts you, Grandma? That would be terrible."

"Tiantian, what do you suggest we do?" The sound of her granddaughter's voice was music to Grandma Tian's ears. Her entire mood lifted.

On her delicate, gentle face, Tian Tian revealed a trace of sorrow. "Cousin is devoted to her son right now. If we could get her son, she would listen to us. After all, we're doing this for her own good. She doesn't know how to live—wouldn't it be better for her to marry Brother Biao? She'd have money and food. Isn't that much better? Why can't she understand our intentions?"

Originally, the plan was just to trade her for money, but Tian Tian managed to frame it as being for Tian Sangsang's good. Grandma Tian looked at her with satisfaction—that's her granddaughter! So obedient, so kind, always thinking of others, and so beautiful too. In the future, she had to find a man from the city for Tian Tian. The family's success would be pinned on Tian Tian. As for Tian Sangsang, that unlucky burden—better to get rid of her quickly, before she's an eyesore to everyone.

Elsewhere, the day before, Aunt Tian from the second household had left Tian Sangsang's home with stomach cramps. Only after an extended bout of diarrhea did she feel somewhat relieved. Upon learning of this, the second household decided to make a move first. If Tian Sangsang still wouldn't agree, they'd figure out another plan.

"Oh my, oh my! Dr. Li, my stomach still hurts—please check what's wrong with me!" Aunt Tian clutched her belly, putting on a dramatic show as she wailed.

Dr. Li glanced at her and said, "Your condition is already fine. You just ate too much greasy food and upset your stomach. You're okay now. Remember, moderation is key—even the tastiest food can cause trouble if you overindulge."

Aunt Tian grumbled, "Oh my, oh my! Is it really better now? My stomach still aches—could you have made a mistake, Dr. Li?"

Dr. Li was a bit displeased. As the village's only doctor, he always ensured thorough examinations before concluding. How could he make a mistake? Was she questioning his medical expertise? Besides, this person had come to see him two or three times already—what was she trying to pull?

"I assure you, you're fine. But if you're still experiencing pain tomorrow, then come back."

"How can I wait until tomorrow, Dr. Li? I feel miserable now—what should I do?"

Dr. Li asked, "What exactly feels bad?"

"It's stomach pain, dizziness, nausea, lack of energy. Dr. Li, why don't you prescribe me some medicine?"

"Alright, I'll give you some antimicrobial medication." Though she wasn't ill, Dr. Li relented and prescribed some harmless medicine.

"I fly to you, the rain softly falls; your embrace surrounds me, making me whole. I fly to you, no distance too far, though the journey's marked by sadness and scars..."

"You said you love lilacs the most, because your name matches theirs. Such a melancholy flower, such a wistful soul!"

A peaceful morning in the quiet mountain village. Wisps of cooking smoke curled upwards as Tian Sangsang hummed a tune while turning eggs with a spatula. The golden oil coated the eggs, which puffed up rapidly—deliciously aromatic.

Breakfast was simple: plain congee accompanied by a variety of light dishes—braised food, fried eggs, braised tofu, all essentials.

The mother and son were eating at the table when the sound of footsteps rustled in the courtyard. Moments later, a surprise visitor—Chen Guilan—entered the main room.

Chen Guilan greedily eyed the braised food on the table, inhaling the rich aroma wafting her way. Yesterday her sister-in-law had claimed Tian Sangsang's household was doing well, and she had doubted it. But now she was utterly convinced. Goodness gracious, they were having meat and eggs so early in the day, while her family's breakfast consisted of congee, pickled vegetables, a small plate of peanuts, and a small plate of sweet potatoes. Even that was considered a luxury for her large family, and they rarely ate their fill.

"Sangsang, there's something wrong with your braised food. Could it be mixed with something unclean?" Chen Guilan cut straight to the point. "Your Aunt from the second household ate it yesterday, came down with diarrhea, and now she's bedridden, unable to work in the fields. Their whole family is furious and wants you to go over and take a look."

Tian Sangsang detested people who barged in without knocking. Even if there was no door to knock on, couldn't they at least call out first?

Setting down her chopsticks, Tian Sangsang looked at her coolly and said, "Third Aunt, my braised food is perfectly clean. If Aunt from the second household has health issues, why come to me? You should take her to the doctor."