Chapter 253: Zhao Xin
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
When Zhou Lan arrived with her two daughters, Jiang Chuan had just finished recording the accounts. Chen Xing and Li Qing were distributing food to everyone according to the account book.
Originally, Jiang Chuan intended to help carry the grain, but everyone said that hands used for writing shouldn’t be worn out with heavy labor. They wouldn’t let him work, so he could only chat with his wife and children on the side.
Jiang Chuan told Zhou Lan about Zhao Xin fainting from hunger. Jiang Xia, listening attentively by the side, asked after hearing the story, “Dad, do you think Zhao Xin had some connection with our family before?”
“Why do you ask?”
“People in the village say she is an ‘Ice Beauty’, indifferent to everyone. But when my mom organized everyone to search for wild vegetables in the mountains, she also joined. She even smiled at me. I also remember when 1 took Xiao Gu to apologize at Little Fatty’s house, she was at the door looking after me. I feel she’s particularly friendly towards our family.”
Jiang Chuan remembered a joke Zhou Lan had made on the way back, suggesting Zhao Xin seemed different with them. When he thought about it, the way Zhao Xin looked at him seemed to have deeper meaning. However, when Jiang Chuan carefully went through his memories, he couldn’t recall ever interacting with Zhao Xin, which was strange.
Interestingly, Zhao Xin wasn’t a native of the village.
About ten years ago, she arrived in the village with heavy luggage. Villagers whispered among themselves that she might be carrying gold, as the clothes she wore looked too expensive for a villager.
To everyone’s surprise, instead of choosing a better house in the village, she bought a dilapidated one at the east end of the village. It had been uninhabited for years and collapsed just before she moved in, luckily not injuring her.
She was very beautiful and had a unique presence, making other women in the village feel overshadowed, leading them to dislike her.
However, the men, especially the single ones, flocked to help her rebuild her house. She always remained indifferent, not caring much about those helping her, and when invited by the village chief’s wife, she stayed at their house.
The village chief’s wife might be the only woman in the village who was friendly towards her.
After her house was rebuilt, countless men came to propose marriage, but she declined everyone. Some even tried to sneak into her room at night but were chased away by her screams.
She bought two large dogs to guard her house. The villagers, mostly familiar faces who still valued their reputation, stopped bothering her.
Although she led a secluded life in the village, rarely talking or causing trouble, she remained a hot topic of gossip, especially among the village women.
Zhou Lan clapped her hands, “Honey, have you noticed that Zhao Xin’s eyes look a lot like yours?”
Jiang Chuan, thinking his wife was daydreaming about romance novels again, quickly stopped her, “Don’t talk nonsense. In my eyes, there’s only you!”
“What are you thinking? I mean, you two look alike. Just like Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Gui both have triangular eyes, could you and Zhao Xin be siblings?”
Both Jiang Chuan and Jiang Xia were shocked by this unexpected guess.
But upon further thought, it seemed plausible.
In terms of appearance, Jiang Chuan’s family was considered the best-looking in the village. Many gossiped, questioning how old Jiang’s family could have such attractive members.
Zhao Xin was also exceptionally beautiful, described as stunningly cold. Just by looks, the two could indeed be siblings!
Zhou Lan’s imagination ran wild, envisioning a story where the older sister, in search of her lost brother, comes to a remote village and stays for ten years, tirelessly searching, only to find out he was right beside her all along.
“Stop!” Jiang Chuan, seeing Zhou Lan daydreaming, knew something was up. He quickly grabbed her arm, “Honey, can you rein in your imagination for a bit?”
Zhou Lan playfully smiled and nestled into her husband’s embrace.
Jiang Xia was speechless, feeling like a third wheel in their romantic moment.
“Wait, where’s Xiao Gu?”
