Sun Chan sneered, "If I had known you would treat me like this, I would have rather starved to death by the well than suffer a lifetime of hardship."
"You... you heartless girl! Is this how a daughter should behave? It was already hard enough for me to raise you!"
"I started working for you when I was three or four years old. I have never freeloaded at home. I owe you nothing. If you doubt me, why not ask others to judge? I'm just afraid you'll get scolded." With that, Sun Chan walked straight out.
"Stop right there! How can you go to the fields without a hoe?"
Sun Chan didn't stop. She wasn't heading to the fields. She had matters to resolve; she wanted to leave this village.
In her past life, she envied the girls from the same village who went to the city for work and school, but her husband feared she'd run away and never let her go to the city even once.
So, her entire life was trapped in that barren and isolated place, toiling like a donkey for years, ultimately dying of exhaustion in the cornfield.
Since she was reborn, she wanted changes to happen.
Sun Chan went to Wang Dan's house. They were primary school classmates, of the same age. Wang Dan now worked at a department store, and Sun Chan wanted Wang Dan to help her find a way out in the city.
Wang Dan was very pragmatic and astute. In her previous life, she advised Sun Chan several times not to rush into marriage: "People in the city marry when they're over twenty. You're only seventeen and can't even get a marriage certificate yet, so why rush? Work hard in the city for two years, then see. Besides, the man you're marrying isn't great. Why not reconsider?"
But in her past life, Sun Chan was too weak-minded, pressured by her mother and sister; coupled with Ding Hu's abandonment, she married nonetheless.
Zhou Jinzhu was the kind of person who once drove Wang Dan away with a broom, accusing her of corrupting his wife.
And Sun Chan didn't dare confront anyone for fear of being beaten, feeling sorry for Wang Dan in retrospect.
Just as Sun Chan stepped into Wang Dan's yard, she heard voices inside. There was also a bicycle by the window, a luxury item for countryside folks worth over three hundred yuan!
In the village, only wealthy families could afford this during gift-giving occasions.
Wang Dan seemed very angry, shouting, "I can't accept this! Either send your sister and her child away, and I'll agree, or we break off. Without you, I can still find someone to marry!"
"Dandan!" Wang Dan's mother Liu Yunlan reprimanded, "Watch how you speak!"
"Mom, leave it be. Captain Gu, this is my life. I can't agree to such demands. Let's end it. You're a good man, but we're not suited. You should go back." Although Sun Chan hesitated about hiding, the door opened and a tall man walked out, dressed in military uniform, in his twenties, looking genteel. Sun Chan had never seen him before, so she only glanced and quickly lowered her head.
Liu Yunlan escorted him out, appeasing him with a smile, "My Dandan is young; she's the only child at home, and a bit too headstrong. I'll scold her later. Please don't take offense."
"Auntie, it's okay. Relationships require mutual consent. I do have family difficulties that ordinary girls can't accept. I have things at home, so I'll head back first. Please don't scold her." Despite the treatment, Gu Junming remained calm, showing no anger and even defending Wang Dan, which impressed Sun Chan.
Liu Yunlan accompanied him outside cautiously.
Gu Junming merely glanced at Sun Chan before riding away.
Only when she saw Sun Chan did Liu Yunlan feel displeased; her daughter's relationship had just ended, and her mood was already bad. Plus, Sun Chan was a pushover, from a poor family. Could she be coming for a loan now that she's engaged?
"Chan'er, what brings you here?"
"I wanted to discuss something with Dandan." Sun Chan knew discernment, sensing their disdain. But the matter was urgent; she was set to be engaged to Zhou Jinzhu tomorrow, so she had to persist.
Wang Dan came out and, seeing her, instantly said with a smile, "Sun Chan, you're here? Sorry you had to witness it. Things didn't work out with my match. He's a captain, but his sister is divorced with a child, his father is blind, and his mother is sick. Living together after marriage is unbearable for me, so I ended it."
Wang Dan spoke candidly, leaving Sun Chan unsure how to respond, only managing a reluctant smile.
"Yes, it seems like we were not destined."
"Indeed, I still wish to find someone better." Wang Dan was attractive, with a round face and big eyes, a fuller figure fitting the beauty standards of that era.
Liu Yunlan remarked, "You shameless girl! Tomorrow the village will be buzzing with gossips, calling you arrogant!"
"What's wrong with that? I can't risk my future for reputation. Mom, hurry and make me some food; I'm hungry!"
"You're already old enough, yet you want me to serve you!" Although Liu Yunlan was displeased, she went inside. She didn't want her daughter's burdens to be heavy; ending it was better than a bad match.
Wang Dan handed a stool to Sun Chan, "Do you want to try some freshly picked persimmons?"
"No need." Sun Chan took a deep breath before resolutely saying, "Wang Dan, can you take me to the city?"
Wang Dan was stunned, looking at her in great surprise, "Have you really made up your mind?" This girl, always bullied by her stepmother and sister, was easy to manipulate. Wang Dan couldn't stand it sometimes, hence her advice. Unexpectedly, she was willing to go to the city.
Sun Chan nodded, "I've thought it through. Relying on others is not as good as relying on myself. I want to go out and see the world. Even if I don't make money, I won't regret it."
"Okay! Glad you've come to terms. But does your mother know about this?"
Sun Chan bit her lip and shook her head, causing Wang Dan some difficulty.
"You know your mother's temper. If she accuses me of leading you astray, that would be trouble for me."
Sun Chan urgently pleaded, "Rest assured, I'll never involve you nor tell anyone you helped me. Please, Wang Dan, you know what kind of life I lead at home. I don't want to marry Zhou Jinzhu!"
"Well... okay, I'm going back the day after tomorrow. You can find me at my house then."
Sun Chan said, "No, I'll go to the city, then find you there."
Tomorrow she was set to be engaged to Zhou Jinzhu. If she didn't leave now, her life would be over.
Wang Dan also thought meeting in the city was best. If someone saw her, she could say they met by chance.