RYEY – Chapter 98 Being Beautiful Is a Hard Life

Xu Laidi’s expression shifted rapidly—from a cold sneer to a silly grin, then to a mocking laugh, and finally, she laughed so hard that tears streamed from her eyes. Chen Dazhu sat on a bench outside, his fists tightening unconsciously.

“What are you doing here?”

After finishing her laughter, Xu Laidi straightened her face and asked coldly. The sudden change left Wang Qin a little bewildered. Did Xu Laidi have some problem with her mind? How could she behave like this?

“Xu Laidi, I want you to help me find someone to build a woodshed and maybe raise a kang (a heated brick bed). If possible, can we also have a stove? I don’t want to eat with the people at the sent-down youth camp.”

Xu Laidi was about to refuse outright, but when she saw Wang Qin’s clean and innocent face, she couldn’t help but smile. Xu Laidi shouted loudly toward the outside: “Brother Dazhu, can you help my good friend?”

Chen Dazhu had been listening carefully to the sounds inside. Upon hearing Xu Laidi’s words, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He lowered his head and walked in.

“Miss, what do you want to do?”

“Brother Dazhu, right? I can’t really say. How about you take a look for yourself? Don’t worry, I’ll pay you for the work.”

Chen Dazhu nodded earnestly and followed Wang Qin away. Seeing the two leave, Xu Laidi quickly got up, went to the kitchen, searched around, and finally found half a steamed bun, which she devoured with hot water.

On the way, Wang Qin kept asking Chen Dazhu questions: If Xu Laidi was supposed to return to the city, why was she marrying you? And that Cheng Qiao is her stepsister, not very sensible, so please bear with her.

Chen Dazhu laughed. No wonder this woman went straight to Xu Laidi. She’s clearly the same type. Then, if he teased her later, he wouldn’t have to feel guilty.

They arrived at the sent-down youth camp. When Chai Jianmin heard the familiar voice, his heart started pounding. Chen Dazhu—Wang Qin had really called him over.

Chai Jianmin wasn’t a fool. Reflecting on his injury, his intuition told him that this wasn’t an accident but a human-caused mishap. As for who did it, it had to be either Chen Dazhu or Xu Laidi.

But based on his understanding of Xu Laidi, this woman didn’t have that ability. The answer came naturally: the culprit was Chen Dazhu. The reason was simple—he was competing with him for a woman.

Heh, judging by the way he spoke to Wang Qin, this man’s lower half was probably thinking again. It seemed Chen Dazhu was a hidden lecher. If that was the case, there was still a chance to fight back.

Chen Dazhu glanced toward the male youth dormitory, tempted to see Chai Jianmin’s cowardly look, but decided to stay low-key. Quiet joy was enough.

Looking at the rickety woodshed, Chen Dazhu’s mind raced. The village head was a man of honor and wouldn’t normally allow youth to live in such houses, fearing accidents.

But since they were allowed to live there, there had to be some hidden reason he didn’t know about. In that case, as long as he was careful—or even flipped the situation—he could benefit.

“Miss, building a woodshed needs timber and clay. Building a kang requires bricks. We can also put a fire wall along this wall, so it will be warm in winter.”

“Brother Dazhu, I understand. How much would it cost?”

“I estimate at least seventy or eighty yuan. Also, if you want to cook for yourself, you’ll need an iron pot and such. I have an old iron pot at home—I can give it to you.”

Hearing seventy or eighty yuan, Wang Qin hesitated a bit, but when Chen Dazhu said he would give her an iron pot, she felt Xu Laidi’s man wouldn’t trick her, so she agreed cheerfully.

Chen Dazhu, seeing Wang Qin agree so quickly, thought that she must have some money. He planned to find a way to get her money later and have a nice meal at a state-run hotel in the county town.

…

Cheng Qiao was sent to the hospital. The doctor immediately recognized her—such a beautiful face marred, anyone would feel it a pity.

They looked at her bangs, which sometimes floated to reveal the scar underneath. Though the scar had faded somewhat, it was still ugly.

“She was pushed off a cart again?”

The doctor asked, noticing Cheng Qiao’s pale face.

Cheng Qiao: “…”

“No, she was beaten by a shrew from the village.”

Doctor: “…”

Being a beautiful girl really is tough. Either you’re envied or suspected. Either you’re pushed off a cart or beaten—sigh…

“Where does it hurt?”

“Doctor, my stomach hurts.”

“Let’s check.”

“Doctor, I might be pregnant.”

“What?”

“What?”

Han Chunmei and the doctor were both surprised, then realized—Cheng Qiao was married now, so pregnancy was normal.

“How many months?”

Cheng Qiao had already calculated. She was reborn in mid-October and married in early November, so the pregnancy should be counted from mid-November, slightly delayed.

“Oh, just over a month.”

The doctor nodded and wrote a prescription for a urine test. If she was pregnant and had abdominal pain after being beaten, it could affect the baby.

The test results came quickly—positive. That meant Cheng Qiao was going to be a mother. Han Chunmei carefully placed her hands over Cheng Qiao’s belly and said gently: “Cheng Qiao, when your child is born, can I hold him?”

“Of course. When I’m busy, you’ll even help me take care of him.”

Han Chunmei smiled. She had planned never to marry in her life, but if Cheng Qiao let her help with the child, she’d be happy.

“Stay in the hospital for a couple of days; the fetus seems a bit unstable.”

After the doctor’s check, Cheng Qiao nodded. This child was different from the last life. In her previous life, no matter the hardships, the child was born safely. This time, there was some turbulence.

“Baby, don’t you want to come into this world? Mom promises to protect you fully this time.” Cheng Qiao held her belly, communicating with the child.

Han Chunmei quickly returned after handling the admission, helping Cheng Qiao into the maternity ward. Just as they sat down, Li Huan rushed in: “Qiao, how are you? Where does it hurt?”

Han Chunmei awkwardly stood up. Cheng Qiao quickly gave money and tickets to Li Huan to get food. After all the care Li Huan had shown her, he had to eat first.

Li Huan obediently left. Han Chunmei watched his back and nodded heavily. This slacker was genuinely good to Cheng Qiao. Remember, Cheng Qiao married Li Huan with a fortune.

If Li Huan knew Han Chunmei looked at him this way, he would probably glare at her: What do you mean? Cheng Qiao and I are true love. Even if she had nothing, she’s still my treasure.

After Han Chunmei finished her meal and left, Li Huan immediately closed the ward door. Cheng Qiao carefully looked around. Seeing only the two of them, she boldly took out the items she had prepared in the space.