NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 82
When the military-green car drove slowly into Tian Tang Village that evening, it almost captured everyone's gaze.
It was during the lull of farm work that evening. The women who were chatting and repairing their shoe soles couldn't help but stand up, eager to join the commotion and witness the novelty.
After all, cars were a rarity in their village.
The car stopped in front of the Chen Family's ancestral home.
It had to be said that the Chen Family was quite capable - their ancestors had built the largest compound in the village. Not long after, the Chen Family prospered in business and the entire household moved to the city.
Years had passed since they were last seen, yet upon their return, they arrived in a car.
A circle of onlookers stood beneath the large willow tree in front of the gate, whispering among themselves, curious to see who from the Chen Family had arrived.
The car stopped, and a young man dressed in navy blue attire stepped out from the front, swiftly opening the rear door.
From the other side emerged a middle-aged woman with her hair neatly pinned up with wooden hairpins. She took two or three steps to the car door, using her hand to steady herself on the roof, careful not to bump into anyone.
The group of villagers who had never witnessed such a scene were left dumbfounded.
Next, a hand emerged, gripping the edge of the car door. Perhaps it was the heavy color of the car, but the hand appeared exceptionally slender and pale.
Shortly after, a pair of pristine black leather shoes landed on the ground. The shoes were so clean that they seemed out of place against the dirt.
It wasn't until the slender figure emerged fully that the onlookers regained their senses.
She was wearing a soft, rice-white blouse, her exposed skin even paler than the fabric. Her eyes were as black and distinct as ink paintings, with an upturned nose and an exquisite, beautiful face.
Only her petal-like lips were slightly pale, revealing a hint of frailty.
"That must be the Chen Family's young lady," the elders who knew the family deduced.
However, the Chen Family's young lady seemed to have a haughty demeanor. She cast a weak, dismissive glance at the onlookers, without uttering a word, and dragged her small leather shoes towards the house.
The Chen Family had dispatched people to tidy up the compound well in advance.
Jiang Yan sat on a lounge chair under the persimmon tree in the courtyard, watching as Old lady Wang and the servant Little Li busied themselves unpacking and settling in.
Her current mission was: To achieve the outcome of being despised by the male lead, Tian Yinian.
The storyline: You are a frail, sickly, pampered, and malicious supporting female character, sent to the countryside to recuperate. You were accustomed to a comfortable life in the city and found the countryside utterly boring.
The only person who piqued your interest was the college student Tian Yinian from next door, leading to frequent conflicts with the female lead, Liu Yue. However, Tian Yinian and Liu Yue had been childhood sweethearts, and your actions caused Tian Yinian to develop a dislike for you.
Later, due to rumors and slander, you became infamous.
Jiang Yan had arrived in this world over a month ago but had been staying in the city. Following the storyline, she was sent here to recuperate.
It was already winter, and sitting in the courtyard was a bit chilly. Old lady Wang was flustered as she placed a cushion on the chair and draped a small crimson cotton coat over Jiang Yan.
Looking up, she noticed a child peeking in from outside the gate.
Old lady Wang, accustomed to dealing with people, smiled and greeted the child warmly.
The child, around eight or nine years old, showed no shyness. Holding three sweet potatoes, he entered and loudly announced that his mother had sent them.
Old lady Wang offered him a handful of candied nuts, gently asking his name, where he lived, and so on.
Jiang Yan rudely took the sweet potatoes, peeled off the skin, and took a bite. They must have been steamed while cooking, still warm and a bit dry, yet sweet.
She heard the child introduce himself as Tian Zhennian, and realized he was the younger brother of the male lead, Tian Yinian, as their house was next to the large willow tree.
Tian Zhennian had a square face, his cheeks reddened from the cold outside. When he spoke, two dimples appeared on his face, making him look adorable.
He used his small, black bean-like eyes to observe Jiang Yan as she earnestly ate the sweet potatoes, occasionally popping candied nuts into his own mouth.
Seeing him continuously snacking, Old lady Wang chuckled and poured him half a bowl to take home.
Under the bare persimmon tree, Jiang Yan sat with lowered eyes, eating the sweet potatoes. Her red and white attire stood in stark contrast against her frail, pale complexion.
This was Tian Zhennian's first impression of her.
Tian Zhennian returned home, cradling the half-bowl of candied nuts. His mother, who was serving dinner, noticed and remarked, "They gave you quite a lot."
She then teased him, "Did you see anyone? Were they good-looking?"
"Incredibly beautiful," Tian Zhennian said, popping a sweet potato into his plump hands. "Like a celestial fairy."
The child's exaggerated words immediately drew laughter around the dinner table. Tian's mother playfully asked her eldest son, "Did you hear that, Yinian? Your brother said she's a heavenly fairy."
Tian Yinian showed no reaction, but his sister Tian Yulian was unconvinced, frowning as she said, "A heavenly fairy? She's just a city person. What's the big deal? And we even sent her food, who knows if she'll even look at it!"
Tian Zhennian, without looking up from his bowl, replied, "She ate it. I saw her eat it..."
Tian's mother immediately beamed with pride, "I knew it! City people are used to eating delicacies and spicy food. They'll appreciate our fresh, homemade dishes. We sent the right thing!"
Tian Yulian's expression soured.
Tian Yinian, a university student highly regarded in the village, was displeased by his mother's unabashed pandering.
...
In the Chen Family's city residence,
Old Cai hurried through the smooth, well-kept corridors, carrying a bag of still-warm pastries. He entered a somber room, furnished with strict formality.
The dark-blue curtains covered half the windows, dividing the room into distinct light and dark areas.
At the entrance, Old Cai informed the man standing by the window, reviewing account books, "The young lady is not in the compound. She has gone to the countryside. The Doctor said the young lady's frail constitution is innate, and no amount of treatment will be effective. He suggested she go to the countryside to regain her spirits, which might benefit her condition..."
The man wore gold-rimmed glasses, their lenses obscuring his unfathomable black eyes. His lips were painted a faint red, yet his facial features were sharp and alluring, with an air of malice.
Upon hearing this, he didn't even bother to raise an eyelid, scoffing dismissively, "Quack."