Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Liu Yunlan found her new surroundings novel, but it also took some getting used to. She followed Juhua around, the two of them tidying up and chatting idly. When noon came, they even cooked lunch together, disregarding the custom that a new bride only begins cooking after three days.

Soon, Liu Yunlan began to relax quite a bit. She asked Juhua, "Juhua, there are still four fish left. Should we salt-cure them?"

Juhua glanced at the four large grass carp in the basket—leftovers from the pickled vegetable fish hotpot. She thought for a moment and said, "Let’s not cure them. We can give one to Aunt Zhang and eat the rest ourselves. I didn’t even get to properly enjoy the hotpot yesterday; there were too many people. There’s quite a bit of meat left, so that definitely needs to be cured. These bean sprouts probably have to be given away too. They’re fresh and will spoil if we don’t eat them. The cabbage is fine, though. We can put it in the cellar. As for this steamed pork with rice flour, we can have Grandma and Grand-aunt take some home, and that should take care of most of it."

In just a few words, she had everything sorted out. Mrs. Yang smilingly chimed in, "Your grand-aunt was just saying how delicious that steamed pork was. Mixing it with rice flour like that makes the fatty pork fragrant without being greasy. She said she had several pieces and that the lean meat was so tender even she could chew it. If they just ate the fatty pork, it might satisfy a craving, but at their age, it can easily upset their stomachs. She specifically asked me for some of the rice flour to take home and try making it herself."

Juhua quickly said, "We still have plenty of rice flour! Let her take some, and some of the steamed pork too."

After a busy day, the cleaning was finally done, the borrowed items had all been returned, and the things for the newlyweds’ homecoming visit the next day were prepared. Only then could the family truly relax, and they all fell into a deep sleep.

The newlyweds’ homecoming visit takes place on the third day. Early in the morning on the third day after the wedding, after receiving earnest reminders from his parents, Qingmu drove the ox-cart, taking his new bride to visit her family.

To cut a long story short, the young couple headed to Liujiatang, their hearts full of joy. Qingmu even found himself thinking, ’In another year, I’ll be bringing my wife and a child with me to Liujiatang.’ Liu Yunlan, for her part, was filled with anticipation. Growing up, this was the first time she had ever been away from her parents for so long.

Upon arriving at Liujiatang, they greeted everyone they met as they entered the village. By the time they reached the Liu Family’s courtyard, Liu Fugui and his wife, Mrs. Zhang, along with Liu Yunlan’s maternal grandmother, all came out to welcome them. Liu Yungen followed behind.

The joy on their faces was impossible to hide. Yet, for some reason, Liu Yunlan suddenly felt a sting in her nose, and tears threatened to fall. She managed to hold them back with great effort, took her mother’s and grandmother’s hands, and went inside. Behind them, Liu Fugui and his son helped Qingmu carry the things they had brought.

After exchanging some pleasantries, Liu Yunlan offered to help her mother with the cooking.

Mrs. Zhang quickly stopped her. "How could I possibly let you cook? You’ve only just come back for a visit. You should rest and chat with your mother. Yungen, go keep your brother-in-law company. I’ll make the meal; it’ll be ready soon."

And so, the three generations of women went into the kitchen. Mrs. Zhang brought a small stool for her daughter to sit on while she cooked. Liu Yunlan’s grandmother stoked the fire under the stove, and they chatted about personal family matters.

Liu Yunlan watched her mother bustling about, her head lowered as she asked questions about whether she was doing well at the Zheng Family’s home. Every so often, her mother would glance up at her, her face clearly full of joy, yet Liu Yunlan felt a pang in her heart and finally couldn’t hold back her tears.

Mrs. Zhang was frightened. She rushed to her side and asked in a panic, "Yunlan, what’s wrong? Did... Did Qingmu not treat you well?"

Her elderly grandmother also hobbled over, took her granddaughter’s hand, and asked softly, "Lan’er, what’s wrong? Tell Grandma. Is it that you’re not used to married life yet? Don’t you worry, it’s like this for every new bride—you miss your family. It gets better after a while."

Liu Yunlan did her best to stifle her sobs, shaking her head frantically. It took a while for her to stop crying. Sniffling, she whispered, "No, that’s not it. Qingmu treats me wonderfully. My father-in-law and mother-in-law are very good to me, and so is Juhua."

Hearing this, Mrs. Zhang let out a sigh of relief and said chidingly, "Well, that’s good. You gave me a real scare. I knew it, though. The Zheng Family are honest folk; they would never mistreat you. You silly girl, crying on your homecoming visit. It’s supposed to be a happy day! It’s such bad luck!"

With red-rimmed eyes, Liu Yunlan looked at Mrs. Zhang and asked softly, "Mom, you and Dad... are you two doing okay?"

The reason she was crying was that she sensed a kind of desolation. ’Yes,’ she thought, ’without me here, this house suddenly feels so desolate!’

Even though her parents and brother were all smiling, genuinely happy to see her return, she felt their smiles were somewhat forced. The joy was temporary; after the meal, their daughter would have to leave again. ’I’m not part of the Liu Family anymore,’ she thought.