Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 20

“Does it look good?”

Baoli carved a chubby puppy out of wood scraps. The puppy, about the size of a winter jujube, hadn’t been polished yet. The smaller the object, the more it showcased fine craftsmanship. Using a carving knife, Baoli detailed the puppy’s eyes, making the wooden figure appear lifelike, adorable, and endearingly naive. Although it was just a rough prototype, it was already exceptional.

Jiang Mingting, born a year after Baoli, shared the same zodiac sign as him—a dog. One was born in the middle of 1958, the other in early 1959.

The moment Jiang Mingting saw the puppy that matched her zodiac sign, she adored it.

“I’ll carve a little flower on its head later. Once it’s polished, I’ll give it to you,” Baoli said, smiling innocently as he handed the nearly finished puppy to Jiang Mingting.

“I want that one,” Jiang Mingting replied, shifting her gaze from the puppy with the flower on its head to another block of wood on the table.

 This piece, also about the size of a winter jujube, bore the initial traces of a carving knife. From its outline, it seemed destined to become another puppy.

Jiang Mingting’s smile turned sweet as she gazed at the uncarved wood.

The two puppies, similar in shape, gave her an idea. The one with a flower on its head must be a cute little female dog, while the unfinished one would likely become a silly little male dog. Was this Baoli’s way of symbolizing the two of them?

Jiang Mingting preferred the puppy representing Baoli over the one that represented herself. She wanted to keep the male puppy and let Baoli hold on to the flowered one.

“Hehehe.” Baoli scratched his head. “Actually, I was planning to carve a little cow for Baobao.”

Sister Baobao had been born in the Year of the Ox. Baoli always felt there was an unshakable bond between Bao and oxen. He even suspected that his sister’s “bull-like strength” was linked to her birth year. 

However, many people were born in the Year of the Ox, yet his sister was the only one with such extraordinary strength.

If Baoli were more intuitive, he might have recognized Jiang Mingting’s desires. After all, it was just two small carvings. If she wanted the unfinished piece, he could easily give it to her and carve a new one for his sister later. But his words risked making her feel less important than his sister, potentially sowing discord between them.

Yet Jiang Mingting wasn’t an ordinary woman. She rubbed her face to cool it, only to make her cheeks flush even redder.

What on earth was she thinking? That Baoli, with his oblivious nature, could be romantic? This was her mistake, not his.

“Then don’t carve a flower for the puppy. Make it a little male dog instead,” Jiang Mingting suggested eagerly. “Also, give me a set of tools. I want to try carving a puppy myself, and then I’ll gift it to you.”

Exchanging wood carvings, she thought, would feel more meaningful.

“You’ll hurt your hands,” Baoli warned, his pragmatic nature outweighing any romantic notion.

Jiang Mingting grabbed his sleeve and gently shook it, her tone shy but insistent. “Then you watch over me.”

“Oh… okay,” Baoli stammered, his toes curling nervously as his ears turned bright red.

Just then, Xu Panhao arrived on a bicycle, carrying lunch for her son. 

She caught sight of the two young people in their tender moment and beamed like a proud, loving mother.

“Tingting is here too! Perfect timing. Auntie made her famous scallion pancakes. You must eat more!”

Xu Panhao adored Jiang Mingting. Tingting was tall, beautiful, and had a stable job—a rarity in their village. Many girls her age were still at home helping with chores or working in the fields. In Xiagou Village, only a handful of women had received an education and secured steady jobs.

With her son’s earnings combined with Tingting’s income, Xu Panhao felt assured about their future. Most importantly, Tingting’s intelligence would balance out Baoli’s foolishness, ensuring Xu Panhao wouldn’t have to worry about having slow-witted grandchildren.

Xu Panhao wore an almost saintly smile, akin to a benevolent Buddha saving all living beings. She feared that her true self might scare away this golden daughter-in-law.

Little did she know, Jiang Mingting was already well aware of the “heroic” tales of her future mother-in-law and great-grandmother.

Baoli, completely unbothered by the possibility of scaring his girlfriend, chattered on endlessly about his family. From the time he wet the bed as a child and got spanked by his mother, to the story of someone insulting his sister and being chased and scolded by his mother and grandmother for three days and nights, or when his grandmother tried to drag away a wild boar during a team hunting event—only to fail and be caught by everyone—he shared it all.

These tales, which might send most prospective daughters-in-law running for the hills, captivated Jiang Mingting.

To her, Baoli’s mother and grandmother were endearing figures. Their shrewd yet fierce antics to protect their family made Jiang Mingting admire them. She even began to yearn for their approval.

If she could one day be considered part of their family and receive their love and protection, she thought she would be truly blessed.

“Then I’m really lucky,” she said with a heartfelt smile.

Jiang Mingting was the kind of girl elders adored. Her round face, full cheeks, and apple-like nose gave her a “blessed” appearance. When she smiled, her crescent-shaped eyes exuded warmth and joy.

Xu Panhao had never seen her without a smile since their first meeting. Her naturally cheerful face had a way of lifting everyone’s mood.

To be honest, even Xu Panhao sometimes struggled with Baoli’s overly straightforward and inflexible nature. His bluntness often infuriated her. 

Yet, in all the time Jiang Mingting and Baoli had been dating, they’d never once quarreled.

It seemed Jiang Mingting had a unique way of interpreting Baoli’s frustratingly simple remarks, finding meanings that no one else could.

Xu Panhao knew that if Jiang Mingting ever left, it would be nearly impossible to find another girl who could handle Baoli like this.

Thinking of this, her smile softened even more.

“Mama, your smile is so scary, hehe,” Baoli teased, handing a piece of scallion pancake to Jiang Mingting before grabbing one for himself and stuffing his mouth.

If Baoli were reborn into modern times, he might know the term “pretentious” and apply it here.

“Eat yours,” Xu Panhao said, still smiling, but her words were laced with suppressed annoyance.

My own son, my own son… she repeated in her head, forcing herself to calm down and resist the urge to strangle him.

Jiang Mingting’s smile grew even brighter. She loved this kind of family dynamic—the warmth, the openness, and Baoli’s unfiltered honesty. She didn’t need to analyze hidden meanings or worry about veiled insults. Here, she felt peace of mind and heart.

Later…

“You actually came back!”

Jiang Mingting had just returned from Xinhong Town. As she stepped through the door, a teacup shattered at her heels.

“Why didn’t you close the door? Do you want everyone on this floor to laugh at us?” Wang Juan hissed in a low voice, hearing footsteps approaching from outside.

The people living in this building were all well-off, and some were her husband’s competitors. The last thing Wang Juan wanted was to be ridiculed by the neighbors.

The smile faded slightly from Jiang Mingting’s face. She closed the door quietly and headed to the kitchen for a broom to sweep up the shards.

“Tingting, my aunt and I know everything,” Jiang Mingmiao interjected, her eyes gleaming with pride and mockery.

Jiang Mingmiao had always thought her cousin was naive, but she hadn’t realized just how naive until now.

“I know you resent this family and our uncle and aunt because of me, but finding a partner like that to spite us? Isn’t that going too far?”

For some time, Jiang Mingmiao had been secretly observing Jiang Mingting. She had even followed her to Zhen Baoli’s woodcarving shop on multiple occasions and seen their affectionate interactions, which crossed the boundaries of mere friendship.

Jiang Mingmiao hadn’t kept this discovery to herself out of kindness. Instead, she promptly informed Jiang Chengshi and Wang Juan, shifting their attention from her own relationship with Huo Jun to Jiang Mingting’s “foolishness.”

“Your father and I raised you all these years, and this is how you repay us?”

Jiang Chengshi sat in the main seat, his expression dark and foreboding. 

Wang Juan, meanwhile, wore a look of wounded sorrow as she scolded Jiang Mingting.

“You will break things off with that country boy immediately. Your Uncle Liu’s son is a much better match. He’s the secretary to the mayor in Sanqiu Town, and both Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu adore you. You’ll meet him tomorrow and finalize the marriage.” Wang Juan spoke in a commanding tone, leaving no room for rebuttal.

“Am I really your daughter?” Jiang Mingting was silent for a moment before asking in a hoarse voice.

To them, was she even a person? Or had she overestimated her worth in their eyes? 

Perhaps, she thought bitterly, she was nothing more than a tool—a puppet. If she didn’t conform to their expectations, they would go to any lengths to erase her individuality.

It turns out not all parents love their children. 

Fortunately, after twenty years of emotional preparation, Jiang Mingting had accepted this truth without sorrow or regret.

“The ‘country boy’ you’re talking about is Zhen Baoli. He’s a skilled woodcarver, and I like him. I won’t leave him for the sake of someone I’ve barely met.” Jiang Mingting took a deep breath, feeling it was time to abandon the silence and submission of her past. “This is an era of free marriage. Arranged marriages are nothing but relics of feudalism. Whether you agree or not, I will marry Zhen Baoli. You care so much about your reputation, don’t you? Unless you’re willing to cut off my feet and silence my tongue, I’ll make sure everyone knows how the so-called honest and sincere Instructor Jiang Chengshi treats his daughter and niece like mere tools for social climbing.”

These words shattered the thin veil of their relationship.

Jiang Mingting wanted to be with Zhen Baoli, but not at the expense of dragging his family into turmoil. A happiness built on someone else’s suffering wasn’t what she desired.

“You… you dare to speak to us like this? After all we’ve done for you?” Wang Juan sputtered, turning to glance at her husband. When she saw Jiang Chengshi’s livid expression, her heart sank.

“If I had a choice, I wouldn’t want to be your daughter at all,” Jiang Mingting said evenly. “And if you could choose, I’m sure you’d rather Jiang Mingmiao were your biological daughter.” Her voice was calm, devoid of sadness or anger. Disappointment had numbed her long ago, leaving no room for resentment. “You’re my biological parents, yet you love your niece far more than you love me. My clothes, my food, even my belongings were always what Jiang Mingmiao didn’t want. You always told me to be considerate of her because she’s ‘pitiful.’ But tell me, what’s the difference between a child with parents like you and a child with none?”

Jiang Mingting’s gaze swept over their faces. “If your favoritism were truly born from sympathy for her, I might have understood when I grew older. But that’s not it, is it? Your so-called favoritism doesn’t come from love—it’s born of political ambition. You’ve used her to build connections, and me as a pawn to secure more. It’s disgusting, and it makes a mockery of what it means to be parents.”

Jiang Chengshi’s face twisted, unable to maintain his composure. His daughter’s words ripped apart his carefully crafted image and threw it to the ground.

“Shut up!” he roared. “You must be possessed to defy your parents like this for an outsider!”

Jiang Chengshi had always prioritized his career over his family, paying little attention to his daughter. With a niece as accomplished as Jiang Mingmiao, who brought him social benefits, Jiang Mingting had always been overshadowed. Now, instead of shame, he felt anger—the kind of rage one feels when bitten by their own dog.

“If you’re so bold, leave this house and never come back!”

To him, Jiang Mingting was now a rebellious liability. Forcing her into a high-status marriage might only backfire. She was no longer useful, so there was no point in keeping her around.

“The money you’ve spent on me is far less than what you’ve spent on Jiang Mingmiao, but I’ll still repay you for raising me. I’ll send money every month. Consider it the end of any bond we have as father and daughter.” Jiang Mingting felt a strange sense of relief. She had imagined this day would come with heart-wrenching pain, but instead, it felt like she had shed a heavy burden. “And don’t even think about taking revenge on the Zhen family. Barefoot people have nothing to fear from those wearing shoes. I’ve been your daughter for twenty years—I know exactly what you’re capable of.”

As she turned to leave, she added one last remark. “When I was younger, I didn’t understand the manipulations of my cousin. But after experiencing countless slights and betrayals, do you really think I still don’t understand? I just refuse to stoop to your level—it’s not worth it.”

“Evil creature! Evil creature!” Jiang Chengshi bellowed as she walked out.

Jiang Chengshi and Wang Juan were so enraged that their bodies trembled, but Jiang Mingting’s words still echoed as a warning. 

Over the years, Jiang Chengshi had flattered countless powerful figures and broken numerous rules to climb the social ladder. He wasn’t sure how much his daughter, who had lived under the same roof, knew. But in the face of her threat, he dared not act recklessly.

“I’ll treat you as dead if you ever step out of this house. From now on, Miaomiao is my real daughter!” Jiang Chengshi’s roar was filled with fury. 

To him, Jiang Mingting was nothing but an ungrateful, useless person who had no value to him anymore.

“Miaomiao, from now on, I will have only you.” He quickly grasped Jiang Mingmiao’s hand. 

She was an intelligent and caring niece, the one he hoped would bring him endless honor and glory in the future. One day, when Jiang Mingting regretted her decision and tried to come back, he would never forgive her.

Wang Juan followed suit immediately. Her resentment toward her daughter had grown over the years. Jiang Mingting had contributed nothing to the family, and now Jiang Mingting’s actions had effectively torn the couple apart. 

Wang Juan had long felt insecure because she hadn’t borne a son. There were few divorces in the army now, and though it wasn’t an absolute obstacle, it still had the potential to damage one’s career.

She feared that, one day, Jiang Chengshi might grow to dislike her and divorce her, especially if his career was at risk.

With that thought in mind, Wang Juan quickly adopted her husband’s mindset, trying to please Jiang Mingmiao. She had always treated her niece better than her own daughter. If Jiang Mingmiao succeeded, she was sure the girl would remember her aunt and protect her. Even if Jiang Chengshi wanted a divorce, Jiang Mingmiao would likely step in to prevent it.

Jiang Mingmiao hadn’t expected that her scheme to divert her uncle and aunt’s attention would yield such results. Jiang Mingting had now completely severed ties with the family, and she, Jiang Mingmiao, had become their only hope. All resources from now on would be directed toward her. No longer would she have to worry about Jiang Mingting suddenly changing her mind and trying to claim everything.

The villainous part of her rejoiced, but Jiang Mingmiao remained calm, offering soft, comforting words to her uncle and aunt, further solidifying her position in their eyes.

Baobao was allowed a day off at the end of every month. 

She took the bus to a stop two kilometers from her home, where Xu Panhao, having received word in advance, was already waiting.

Baobao sat in the back seat, her arms wrapped around her mother’s waist, and she received some good news from her mother.

Her brother, Baoli, was getting married.

For a brief moment, she couldn’t help but sympathize with her future sister-in-law. She wondered if the woman had nerves of steel to handle Baoli’s notorious bluntness.