I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 425 - 364: In the Name of Hatred

Having received the confirmation, Yun Di happily went home.

Uncle Tiezhu heard Jiang Mingyue was back, and he sneaked into the backyard to look for her. After waiting most of the day, he finally saw her.

"Oh my! I say, niece, you finally came back." He then licked his lips, "So, do you still have that liquor? How about getting ten jars for your uncle?"

"Ten jars?" Jiang Mingyue laughed; this guy was really bold in asking.

Wang Tiezhu was quite skilled at persuasion, "Niece, it’s unavoidable! You’ve met my master from Lotus Village, he’s a drunkard who cannot go a meal without liquor, otherwise he’d be like a lost soul. You know he’s quite old now and this is his only small hobby. As his apprentice, I must do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Also, there’s your Granny Shi; my teacher’s wife is also a drinker. You wouldn’t believe it; several times I’ve stayed at her place and in the middle of the night, I’ve bumped into her stealing drinks. You don’t believe me, you can ask Yun Di; I’m not lying to you."

"So what?"

"So, Ming Yue, we can’t have less than ten jars here. Do me the favor and how about getting ten jars for Uncle Tiezhu to take?"

"No!" Jiang Mingyue coldly retorted and paid no more attention.

Seeing Jiang Mingyue not falling for his tricks, Wang Tiezhu got anxious.

"Don’t leave, Ming Yue, listen to Uncle. How about trading spices with you?"

Jiang Mingyue decided to show some respect to him and stopped in her tracks, "Uncle Tiezhu, I brew some for personal tasting only. You ask for so much; how could I possibly satisfy you? It would be better not to waste your time earning money. You might gather more grains next time you sell door-to-door."

She knew Wang Tiezhu was involved in selling grain under the guise of selling spices, claiming they were mountain products from his ancestors whenever questioned.

"Oh, niece, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease; there is hope!"

"No hope!"

"Nine jars"

"One jar"

"Eight jars"

"One jar"

...

In the end, Wang Tiezhu got two jars and immediately paid for them.

"I say, niece, you’re too stingy. This bit of liquor isn’t enough to split among people. Later, Master Niu will take one jar, and my teacher’s wife will surely take half of the other one; I won’t be left with much."

"Do you want it or not? If not, return it."

"I do, of course!" Wang Tiezhu quickly gathered his cart as if afraid she might change her mind.

"By the way, as for spices, I’ll take whatever you have."

"No problem, I’ll find a way, and ensure they’re delivered by dawn tomorrow."

Time was set, and they parted.

Actually, giving him two jars was a decision she had made a while ago. The good thing about Wang Tiezhu was that he never asked about the source nor tried to get close to her family to pry when she wasn’t home. He knew his boundaries perfectly. Though he seemed rough, he had a keen mind, which made him not to be underestimated.

No wonder he could safely navigate the countryside for years.

Even so, the quantity of liquor was this much; any more would be hard to explain.

It’s better to be cautious.

Meanwhile, at the Ning family in the village center, things weren’t easy these days.

The Ning family was already small; losing someone made the house even lonelier.

Ning’s father sighed all day; at his age, he didn’t really want a wife to warm the bed, but having no company beside him was uncomfortable.

Ning Er Ya was Ning Yan’s sister, and she was eighteen this year.

After her mother’s passing, she was less lively. Normally, when the father-son pair returned home, she’d slip into the kitchen to cook. After eating, she’d silently clean up and wash dishes, and if needed, she’d do laundry. Life was harder than before.

The more difficult things were now, the more she resented her mother. Why did she have to die? If she hadn’t gone to the city, she wouldn’t have died. She hated Jiang Zhenzhu too; rumor had it her mother fell into the river while chasing Jiang Zhenzhu, who saw her mother fall but didn’t jump in to save her, nor did she call for help, resulting in her mother’s death.

This was what she couldn’t accept. That was her beloved Ms. Zhenzhu!

How could she watch her mother die like that? Her mother had watched her grow up!

Ning Er Ya couldn’t accept it. If Jiang Zhenzhu were in front of her, she might tear Jiang Zhenzhu apart, regardless of considering her Ms. Zhenzhu. Her mother’s death was wrong.

Besides, what good came from her brother breaking ties with Jiang Zhenzhu? Their mother wouldn’t come back.

Her brother was just soft-hearted. If it were her, she’d demand a large sum from Jiang Zhenzhu to make her feel the pain.

Unfortunately, she didn’t know where to find them; her brother’s place in the city was unknown to her.

But now there seemed to be an opportunity.

"Dad, if I reconcile with Jiang Mingyue, do you think she will pay attention to me?"

After all this time raising her, Ning’s father could tell with a glance what his daughter was planning.

"Don’t provoke Jiang Mingyue; we can’t afford to cross her."

"Dad, what are you saying? How could I provoke Jiang Mingyue? I’m going to make amends with her."

Ning’s father snorted coldly, "You just hate Jiang Zhenzhu and your brother. You want Jiang Mingyue to deal with them; but do you even know your own weight? Daughter, listen to your father; let’s not cause trouble and stay away from the Jiang Family."

Ning Er Ya truly couldn’t understand; in her view, her father was a coward, afraid of everything, and even feared Jiang Mingyue. Shouldn’t he consider that those with shoes fear the barefooted? Anyway, her family was poorer than ever before.

Ning Er Ya decided to avoid her father; if she couldn’t get his support, she’d do it herself. When she succeeded, her father’s face would turn red.

Jiang Mingyue was surprised that Ning Yan’s sister came to her; she thought this crazy fan of Jiang Zhenzhu meant Jiang Zhenzhu was up to something, secretly plotting something malicious!

But this time, right or wrong!

"What’s the matter?" If nothing, get lost!

There was no courtesy of not hitting a smiling face here; for despicable actions, a beating wasn’t too much.

Ning Er Ya wasn’t expecting a cold reception, but she wasn’t one to back down easily.

In urgency, Ning Er Ya blurted out something, "Jiang Mingyue, I know who Jiang Zhenzhu is working for."

Next, she expected Jiang Mingyue to pursue the matter; Ning Er Ya indeed understood the art of negotiation.

But Jiang Mingyue wouldn’t be trifled with by someone who was overtaken by self-interest.

"Speak if you want, or get lost." I don’t want to waste my hearing!

Jiang Mingyue’s reaction actually spurred Ning Er Ya.

"Cui Xiaoxiao, I heard them call her during a fight."

Afraid Jiang Mingyue wouldn’t believe her, Ning Er Ya added, "It’s true! That woman came here before you returned to the city. One time she came with your grandma; yes, it was them three. I don’t know what they were saying. I tried to listen, but they wouldn’t let me and avoided me."