When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chi Yun’er was so angry she almost laughed.

’Heh, just because he’s putting on a human face, does he think the world revolves around him? Does he expect everyone else to be an idiot, completely lacking any sense of decency?’

’They weren’t even related by blood. No woman would be willing to let her husband continue taking care of the childhood sweetheart he’d always treated like a little sister!’

And yet, Chi Yun’er put on a deeply wronged expression, playing to his massive ego and placating him for the time being.

"Zishu, you have to stop being so good to me. Otherwise... otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll do something terrible, that I’ll wish I could break you and Comrade Bian up."

"Zishu, just leave me to my fate. I’m just a poor, unwanted soul anyway. Who would care what happens to me?"

Jiang Zishi stared at her for a moment. He had been looking at that face for over a decade. No matter how beautiful she was, she didn’t have that same breathtaking impact on him that she did on others seeing her for the first time.

The moment he sensed her wanting to pull him into her arms again, the unease in his heart dissipated.

Jiang Zishi felt that habit was a terrifying thing. At times, it could make him lose his reason and allow his feelings to be controlled.

"Alright. If my keeping some distance will make you feel better, then I will. But if you run into trouble in the future, you can’t be thinking all this nonsense."

"Even if only out of the bond we share from our hometown, I could never just stand by and do nothing when you’re in trouble."

"Besides, Yumei is more magnanimous than we think. She won’t mind things like this."

Chi Yun’er nodded hesitantly and silently continued to hang the clothes to dry.

Jiang Zishi stood watching her, his hands stuffed in his pockets. After a long moment, as if having made up his mind, he finally spoke. "I told Uncle Minglei about finding you a job. He went to the commune to check on it this morning after he finished his work."

"Jobs are hard to find. Every position is spoken for, and people will fight tooth and nail for a temporary job that only pays around ten yuan a month."

"But you’re qualified, Chi Yun’er. As it happens, the commune’s brick factory is preparing its quarterly report and is in desperate need of accounting staff. Why don’t you go give it a shot?"

Chi Yun’er pursed her lips, giving him a plaintive look before lowering her head. "But... but the brick factory is far from here. With my small frame, how could I possibly make the trip back and forth?"

"I can’t expect someone to take me there and back every day, can I?"

"Besides, the brick factory is full of coarse men. For a delicate girl like me, wouldn’t that be like a lamb entering the tiger’s den?"

Jiang Zishi tried to persuade her gently. "Yun’er, there aren’t many jobs suitable for you in the first place. Uncle Minglei had to pull a lot of strings and hand over two cartons of good cigarettes just to get this opportunity."

"If he weren’t doing this as a favor to me, we wouldn’t even have this much. We’re not in a position to be choosy."

"My main concern is that without me here to protect and support you, if you just hide in the house and do nothing, people will start slapping a nasty label on you after a while."

"The brick factory would be pretty good, too. Uncle Minglei already asked about it for you. There are two other female comrades in the finance office to keep you company. You’re an educated youth in our village, so he’s definitely responsible for your safety and reputation."

"Besides, the brick factory is very close to the farm. I’ll go ask my brother to see if we can free up a small room for you there. It would save you the unsafe and exhausting daily commute."

"The job at the brick factory would only be temporary. We can take our time looking for something more suitable for you. How does that sound?"

Chi Yun’er kept her head bowed, tugging at the corner of her shirt as she asked softly, "Zishu, do you want me to go work at the brick factory that much?"

"Is it because I’m in the way of you and Comrade Bian?"

Jiang Zishi sighed softly. "Silly girl, I’m doing this to protect you."

"Yumei’s mother is a typical country woman—uneducated. There are many things we can’t reason with her about. Even if I use money to shut her up, she... she still wants us to keep a certain distance."

"I don’t have the power to stand up to the village chief’s family, so my only option is to entrust you to my brother."

Feigning utter heartbreak, Chi Yun’er blinked, and large, fat tears began to SPLAT onto the ground. "Since this is what you want, Zishu," she choked out, "then I’ll go. And I’ll never come back!"

"It’ll free up the house for you two... to use as your marital home..."

After saying her piece, she wiped away her tears, snatched up the enamel basin, and fled back into the house.

Jiang Zishi stood frozen on the spot, his face slowly twisting into a sinister expression as he lowered his gaze.

’Chi Yun’er’s very presence was a constant reminder of his shameful past, of how he had to grovel and beg for mercy. For a man with such a massive ego, it was a torment akin to being slowly scraped by a dull knife.’

’Never mind the business with Bian Yumin falling into the water. If Chi Yun’er was truly wronged, she’d eventually have to set the record straight. Her world was black and white; she would demand to clear the air sooner or later.’

’And with her possessiveness, she would absolutely never let him and Bian Yumin leave for university in the provincial capital!’