Chapter 15: "Amnesia"

Although it was explained that over ninety percent of the families within the ten-mile radius around Xingfu Village struggled long-term just to meet basic needs, there was no doubt that distinctions and hierarchies existed even among the poor.

At the very top of this pyramid was a small group of people who, though frugal and careful with their money, lived in sturdy brick-and-tile houses and owned several plots of land. They did not feast daily on chicken, duck, and fish, nor did they dress constantly in silk and satin, but they never had to worry about having enough to eat or wear.

If any descendants showed promise in their studies, these families would tighten their belts and manage to afford the substantial expenses required for education.

Making up the vast majority of the pyramid were families who, despite owning a house and some land, had far too little to sustain the whole household. They often had to survive on meager food, wearing threadbare clothes patched time and again, with several family members—sometimes a dozen or twenty—crammed into dim, cramped, and simple dwellings. Every member had to be put to their fullest use to contribute to the family’s survival.

For the men, this meant hard labor; for the girls, labor often included being “sold.” Whether by marrying off to bring in a bride price or arranging marriages to secure wives for brothers, their original families reasoned that such daughters could not be raised in vain or given away without return.

Jiang Yuan, as Wang Xiaozhi said, had no house, no land, and was driven out of his foster parents’ home by the Wang family empty-handed. Even his current lodging was only temporary, loaned by Hao Yulin.

In the eyes of others, he was undoubtedly at the very bottom of the pyramid—without property, destined to save money for years to buy land and build a house, unable to afford a bride price, and lacking sisters to trade in marriage. He was the worst possible match in the marriage market.

That was why, despite Jiang Yuan’s own excellence, whenever Wang Xiaozhi tried to arrange a match for him, others would avoid him as if he were plague.

Wang Xiaozhi grew anxious and frustrated, but Jiang Yuan remained indifferent.

He said to Wang Xiaozhi, who was holding Chen Yuan’s hand, “I know what’s going on.”

He always brushed off her nagging with this phrase, making her so angry at times she wished she could kick him.

Chen Zhao, sensing his wife’s temper rising, quickly stepped forward to mediate, positioning himself between Jiang Yuan and Wang Xiaozhi.

“Ah Yuan, your sister’s right. Life’s harder for you than us. You might as well sell the fish and meat I gave you and exchange them for some coins,” he said, winking at Jiang Yuan, signaling him to go along with Wang Xiaozhi.

Jiang Yuan paused for a moment and replied, “I understand.”

Turning to Wang Xiaozhi, Chen Zhao said, “Xiaozhi, Ah Yuan already knows his mistake. Don’t take it to heart. He’s just like that—a quiet one. You know him well. He knows you mean well, but he’s clumsy with words and won’t say it.”

Wang Xiaozhi laughed, “So you’re the only one who knows how to talk, huh?”

Chen Zhao grinned, “Of course. Otherwise, how could I have convinced such a virtuous and beautiful woman like you to come home?”

Wang Xiaozhi glared playfully at her husband, scolding him half-heartedly, “What nonsense are you spouting in front of Ah Yuan and Yuan Yuan?”

Jiang Yuan, the perennial scapegoat, thought to himself: Now you remember to say that in front of me? When I was a child, you used the excuse of playing with me while secretly meeting Chen Zhao. Why didn’t you think then you were also sweet-talking and exchanging glances before my eyes?

As Jiang Yuan was silently reproaching, Wang Xiaozhi asked, “By the way, I haven’t asked—what are Guannian’s plans now?”

“She intends to stay in the village for the time being,” Jiang Yuan glanced at his sister and relayed the excuse she had prepared to pacify the villagers: “It’s unclear if she hit her head in the river, but she’s found she’s forgotten many things, including where her home is and who lives there.”

Wang Xiaozhi gasped, “Poor thing. Does that mean she has to keep seeing a doctor?”

Jiang Yuan nodded, “She definitely needs treatment, but it has to wait until we earn some money.”

Wang Xiaozhi looked puzzled, “We?”

Jiang Yuan glanced at his sister, “She knows about medicine, can sew, embroider, and cooks exceptionally well.”

Wang Xiaozhi: ...

For some reason, she felt Jiang Yuan was showing off to her. But how could this brat possibly be boasting? Guannian wasn’t even his wife!

Giving Jiang Yuan a sidelong glance, Wang Xiaozhi asked, “So, does she plan to make money by embroidery?”

Jiang Yuan shook his head, “She said embroidery strains the eyes.”

Wang Xiaozhi and Chen Zhao exchanged looks, their feelings mixed.

Women like them had nowhere to learn embroidery, yet Guannian actually complained that embroidery hurt her eyes.

Wang Xiaozhi calmed herself and asked, “She wouldn’t want to come with you into the mountains, would she? That work’s exposure to wind, sun, and rain, no warm meals, and collecting herbs is far harder than embroidery. What’s she after?”

“Safety,” Jiang Yuan replied.

He knew well that “straining the eyes” was just an excuse. The real reason was Guannian’s fear of being alone at home.

If half of his skills didn’t come from Hao Yulin, and if he hadn’t checked with Hao Yulin first, he would have already offered to teach Guannian some martial arts.

When he mentioned this, Wang Xiaozhi and Chen Zhao immediately recalled the incident when someone climbed the wall and trespassed into Jiang Yuan’s home.

Although they had heard that Jiang Yuan returned in time and Guannian was unharmed, they still couldn’t help but worry for her.

“That damned scoundrel!” Wang Xiaozhi couldn’t help but curse. “Luckily, you got back so quickly that day.”

Otherwise, she dared not imagine what might have befallen Guannian.

Jiang Yuan did not tell her that even if he hadn’t arrived so promptly, Guannian would never have allowed herself to be victimized.

A calm and composed young woman, armed with a knife and a stick, always ready to strike back at villains—Jiang Yuan trusted she had the wisdom and strength to protect herself.

The siblings chatted a little longer, mostly Wang Xiaozhi asking questions and Jiang Yuan giving concise answers.

When all Wang Xiaozhi’s concerns were addressed, Jiang Yuan pulled out a small oil-paper wrapped package and handed it to Chen Yuan.

“Well, I’m off. You all should get home early too.”

“Alright.”

“Goodbye, uncle.”

“Take care in the mountains.”

“Mom, it’s puffed rice candy!”

“You can only have one piece now.”

“Then I’ll break a bit off for mom and dad.”

“...”

Amid the cheerful chatter of Wang Xiaozhi and her family of three, Jiang Yuan quickened his pace and returned to his own home at the edge of the village.

In the main room, Guannian sat by the table, sewing patches onto his clothes by the dim light of an oil lamp, occasionally glancing towards the door.

When the creak of the courtyard gate sounded, she quickly put down her needle and cloth, looking up immediately in that direction.

Seeing it was Jiang Yuan, she breathed a sigh of relief and rose to greet him swiftly.