Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 3 - 3 3 Distorting Facts

“How could Little Little have possibly ripped Da Ni’s clothes? Those garments were very durable; there is no way Little Little had the strength to tear them.”

The moment she heard that familiar voice, Chiang Xiao’s eyes overflowed with tears once again.

“Grandpa…”

The person who cherished her most in this world, and who showed her the greatest kindness, was her grandfather.

In her previous life, she had foolishly trusted the lies of that scoundrel Uncle Deng Qingjiang. He had convinced her that it was her grandfather who chased her father away and forced her mother to vanish from Siyang Village, leaving her a pathetic creature abandoned by her parents. Later, manipulated by Deng Qingjiang and his ilk, she had nearly severed all ties with her grandfather.

It wasn't until shortly before her death that she discovered the truth: while her grandfather was on his deathbed, he had been calling out her nickname incessantly. Yet, on that tragic day, she had hung up the hospital’s phone call before they could finish speaking, allowing her grandfather to pass away in sorrow and regret.

Haunted by these memories, Chiang Xiao could not stop herself from delivering a sharp slap to her own face.

She used this sting to wake herself up.

In this new life, she vowed to ensure her grandparents remained healthy and lived long, prosperous lives.

“Uncle Songhai, what a ridiculous thing for you to say. You clearly don't realize how vicious that wretched girl Chiang Xiao can be. She only acts obedient in front of you, doesn't she? It’s likely because she’s an orphan with no parents to guide her; she probably doesn't have a single thought in her head beyond wondering if she'll get her next meal…”

The sound of a heavy slap echoed from outside.

The woman’s shrill voice was cut off for a mere second before she resumed her shouting even louder, “Uncle Songhai, do you think slamming the table scares me? Am I lying? That miserable girl Chiang Xiao fell into the stream, and Da Ni was kind enough to try and pull her out, only to have her clothes ruined by that girl! This is the definition of biting the hand that feeds you! I don't care about your excuses; you are going to pay for those clothes, whether you want to or not!”

The woman's piercing screams completely drowned out her grandmother’s responses, making it impossible for Chiang Xiao to distinguish the rest of the conversation.

However, the memories were already flooding back.

The woman with the aggressive temperament was named Guiying. She was a neighbor and the wife of Ding Daqiang. The Chiang Family’s residence was located less than thirty meters away from the Ding household.

The "Da Ni" she spoke of was their eldest daughter. She was the same age as Chiang Xiao, and the two had been classmates for years.

Chiang Xiao finally recalled exactly when this took place and what had occurred.

Indeed, this specific event could be considered the spark that ignited the tragedy of her entire life. It was through this incident that she first witnessed the malice of the villagers, sparking an intense hatred for her home that eventually drove her to flee the mountain village for the city.

That year, Ding Dani had pushed her into the creek, where the waters were deep and freezing. After being pulled out, Chiang Xiao suffered from a relentless, high fever.

While she had been delirious and bedridden, she had no idea that Ding Dani had returned home to tell her parents a lie: that she had seen Chiang Xiao trip into the water and had rushed to save her, only for Chiang Xiao to rip her shirt during the struggle.

During that era, durable Poplin fabric had become a nationwide trend. Owning a sturdy poplin shirt was a status symbol. While many people in the urban areas were already wearing them, in this impoverished and isolated mountain village, those who could afford such a luxury could be counted on one hand.

Ding Dani had a cousin in the city who had gifted her some of the fabric, which she used to make a shirt. That very day was the first time she had worn it, specifically to brag in front of Chiang Xiao.

As for how the garment was ruined—it was true that Chiang Xiao had torn it!

Ding Dani was a master at twisting the facts. In reality, she had violently shoved Chiang Xiao. In that desperate moment of falling toward the deep water, Chiang Xiao had instinctively reached out and grabbed the nearest thing—the shirt—ripping the fabric with a loud tear.