Chapter 63: The One and Only Heroine

With Tang Xin no longer supporting her, coupled with the exclusion from the other educated youths, Meng Jia's days had become unbearably difficult. Every day, she toiled endlessly, yet her stomach remained empty, filling her with resentment and indignation. Upon hearing that Tang Xin had received another parcel, Meng Jia decided to try her luck and pay a visit.

Meng Jia had never truly understood why Tang Xin’s attitude shifted so abruptly after that night. Could it be that Tang Xin discovered she had drugged her? She doubted it—those herbs were ones she’d learned about in her previous life, researching their effects on men and women online. She had specifically gone up the mountain to collect them, intending to experiment in this life. The villagers knew nothing of the herbs’ special properties, and only a combination of several was needed for them to work. Meng Jia had gathered them separately, always with the utmost caution, ensuring no one saw her.

Yet, regardless of how unlikely it seemed, Tang Xin’s change began from that night, and Meng Jia’s life had worsened ever since. Meng Jia even questioned Tang Xin’s identity—if she herself could be reborn, who was to say others couldn’t? Though Meng Jia fancied herself the unique protagonist of this world, she couldn't guarantee Tang Xin wasn’t favored by the heavens as well.

If Tang Xin had also been reborn, Meng Jia was even more perplexed. In their previous lives, right up until death, she and Tang Xin had always been close friends, never falling out. Why, after one rebirth, would Tang Xin suddenly turn against her?

Of course, Meng Jia couldn’t figure it out. Tang Xin’s situation was different—hers wasn’t rebirth, but something more fashionable: transmigration into a novel.

Whatever the case, Meng Jia understood one thing: now that Lu Liqin ignored her, she couldn’t return to the city, and without Tang Xin’s assistance her days were growing increasingly bleak. The most pressing issue was to win back her best friend, at least so she could continue to use the food and drink coupons at will.

And there was that loan note—thinking of it made Meng Jia even angrier. She felt Tang Xin was never truly sincere with her, never considered her a real sister. Was it so unreasonable to borrow a few things and not return them immediately? Did Tang Xin really have to push her so hard, making her sign a loan note? Surely, that was excessive.

Fang, the matriarch, said nothing, but Li Xiyue followed her out, casting Meng Jia a sidelong glance.

With a careless air, she said, “You and my sister-in-law aren’t on good terms—what are you doing here?”

Rude little brat, Meng Jia fumed inwardly, but her face maintained a flawless smile. She prided herself on her composure; after all, she had lived more than thirty years longer than these villagers, considering herself superior in every way.

Meng Jia knew Li Xiyue’s reputation—throughout the Harvest Brigade, she was notorious for being spoiled, willful, and unreasonable. When Meng Jia and the others first arrived, this little girl constantly hung around the educated youths, immediately setting her sights on Lu Liqin, the best-looking and most privileged among them.

Li Xiyue shamelessly did all sorts of things, which Meng Jia exploited to convince the original protagonist that Lu Liqin had lost interest. That led the original to seek out Li’s eldest son, and Meng Jia had investigated thoroughly, knowing that after Tang Xin married into the Li family, Li Xiyue would be the most difficult sister-in-law.

Indeed, Meng Jia’s prediction proved true; once the original protagonist married Li Sheng, this young sister-in-law made her life miserable. But in this life, it was Tang Xin, transmigrated from another world, who married into the Li family, and her character and abilities far surpassed the original’s.

It wasn’t the scandalous affair in the novel that brought Tang Xin into the Li family, but genuine affection—Li Sheng truly wished to marry her. Thus, the in-laws were highly satisfied with their new daughter-in-law, and Fang handed over the household keys on Tang Xin’s second day. The younger brothers and sisters were all well managed under her authority.

The chaotic life Meng Jia imagined for Tang Xin after marriage never materialized. Tang Xin was not bullied by the family, neither elder nor younger. Li Xiyue behaved at home because her mother said so, and listening to her sister-in-law brought benefits. This unexpected visit from Meng Jia, smiling sweetly, was met with skepticism.

In this household, her mother’s smile was the most pleasant, yet when mistakes occurred, her mother was the first to punish her harshly. Li Kai, the smiling tiger, taught Li Xiyue from a young age that people had two sides; those who smiled at you might not have your best interests at heart.

Especially now, Li Xiyue’s eyes lingered greedily on her sister-in-law’s parcel. She’d noticed, besides food and drinks, a small bag containing a red hair ribbon and a butterfly hairpin—both stunning and unlike anything she’d ever seen. None of the brigade girls, nor the female educated youths, owned such things. Clearly, her sister-in-law’s parents had sent these treasures from the big city. Li Xiyue resolved to mend her relationship with Tang Xin.

After several days together, even if Li Xiyue still felt envy and resentment in her bones, she understood her sister-in-law’s nature: tough words, soft heart. If she pleaded a little, flattered her brother and sister-in-law, she’d surely get something good from Tang Xin.

Before she could figure out how to ask, that so-called educated youth Meng Jia showed up. Li Xiyue was naturally displeased; she knew well that many of Tang Xin’s good things had previously been swindled away by Meng Jia. In Li Xiyue’s mind, Tang Xin’s treasures were essentially hers, or at least belonged to the Li family if not directly to her. Why should an outsider get them?

So, Li Xiyue had no intention of showing Meng Jia any kindness, her words sharp and her tone harsh. This only made Meng Jia feel even more smug—see, Tang Xin was clearly having a miserable time with her in-laws. The mother-in-law was petty, and the sister-in-law was obnoxious and difficult; surely, Tang Xin would never have any peace here!

No one else noticed Meng Jia’s inner scheming. She continued smiling as she said, “Tang Xin’s in the house, right? I’ll go find her.” Without regard for the family’s wishes, she stepped right through the door, calling out, “Tang Xin, I’ve come to see you!”

Upon entering, she saw Tang Xin seated in the center, holding a bowl of steamed egg custard, savoring each bite, with a small cake beside her. Meng Jia seethed inside—all these things should have been hers!

Resentful but careful not to show it, Meng Jia offered Tang Xin a gentle smile. “Tang Xin, how have you been these days? I’ve wanted to visit you for a while now. You don’t know how worried I’ve been for you since you got married, wondering how you’d fare with your in-laws. But I’ve been so busy working in the fields, today was the first chance I could make time to see you.”