Bai Fanglan realized that ever since she met Sun Chan, her luck had never been good! Truly a jinx.
Han Dong then said to Sun Chan, "I’ve found a job."
"Really? That’s great. Make sure to work hard," Sun Chan said with a smile. "From now on, you should focus on something serious and make the most of your circumstances."
"Sun Chan!" He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Would you be willing to give me a chance? How about us being together..."
"We’ll always be friends." Sun Chan patted his shoulder, "Keep it up. No matter what happens, I’ll support you."
Han Dong looked at her helplessly, knowing that his family’s background was significant and his parents were extraordinary, yet Sun Chan still rejected him. She really was... so different. Looking at her beautiful face, he felt a sudden stir in his heart, but quickly turned his head away.
Indeed, he didn’t come by in the following days; he went to work instead. Although he couldn’t do much at work, his parents were very relieved.
As for Li Zhaodi, she searched around but couldn’t find a caretaker job. After what happened, no one would hire her, and eventually, she ended up working as a vegetable washer at a daycare.
According to Aunt Wang, she worked herself to exhaustion, and her monthly salary was less than thirty yuan. She complained about being tired every day; it’s unlikely she’ll last long.
Bai Fanglan occasionally saw her at the hospital and glared at her harshly; Sun Chan tried to avoid her and avoid speaking with her. It wasn’t because she feared her, but engaging with such people was a pure waste of time. She was very busy and didn’t want any dealings with her.
Sun Chan was striving diligently, and her life showed some promise. However, Zhao Xiuxia from the village was in trouble. That day, she came back from the fields in the afternoon, exhausted to the point her legs felt like they would break. She collapsed onto the kang bed, unable to get up.
Zhao Xiuxia was full of regret! Why didn’t she keep an eye on Sun Chan back then? Otherwise, she wouldn’t have to endure this work! Now her daughter was studying outside, the family’s fields needed tending, the pigs needed feeding, the garden needed tidying, and water needed fetching for laundry and cooking. Additionally, she had to do the shared mandatory labor in the village. Not to mention, Zhou Jinzhu harassed her every few days, demanding people in a terribly rude manner.
And just as she was thinking about it, he showed up, walked in, and addressed Mother-in-law, "Sun Chan’s always missing, so how about Sun Lijuan instead? Anyway, I’ve seen what needed to be seen. With Sun Chan gone, just marry her to me."
Zhao Xiuxia was fuming with rage, suppressing her anger as she said, "Don’t worry; Sun Chan is right in the city. Once we have news, we’ll have her back for the wedding!"
"I’m eager to have a son, y’know! When will it be? Don’t think you can fool me, old hag!"
Zhao Xiuxia got up to chase him away, "Even if I don’t mind how you speak to me as your mother-in-law, it’s just these few days. Wait a bit; I won’t trick you, okay? We all live in the same village. How could I deceive you?"
Zhou Jinzhu cursed and left, while Zhao Xiuxia lay back on the kang bed, cursed Sun Chan for a while, and just as she felt a bit sleepy, she heard someone shouting from behind the house, "Zhao Xiuxia, your woodpile is on fire!"
Through the glass, she could see thick black smoke billowing, prompting Zhao Xiuxia to shout anxiously for help, then fetched water from the well, and after a long effort, they finally put out the fire; however, the woodpile was mostly burnt.
No need to ask; it must have been that damned Zhou Jinzhu!
As she cleaned up the remaining wood, all soaked and tossed aside, entirely unusable, she cursed loudly. Not daring to curse the Zhou Family, she could only curse Sun Chan, "That damned slut, when I find you, I’ll surely kill you! I raised you, and you end up backstabbing me? You’re nothing but a disaster star, a home-wrecker!"
Just then, two people walked past the outer courtyard. They were Ding Hu and Liu Mei, heading to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy cigarettes, alcohol, and candies for their wedding. Ding Hu originally stood tall, but since being with Liu Mei, he seemed to hunch over; he’d been scolded so much he had no temper left. He was now completely controlled by the Liu Family.
Hearing Zhao Xiuxia cursing Sun Chan, Ding Hu’s face slightly changed.
Beside him, Liu Mei scrutinized his face, "What’s up, you two are done, yet you still think about her? If you love her, I’ll call off the wedding to accommodate you! Let’s see how you get together!"
"No, I’m just wondering where Sun Chan could have gone. Running away is so irresponsible."
Ding Hu thought Sun Chan was just casually saying she wanted to leave; who would’ve thought she would actually run away? Who knew what she was doing in the city? Everyone said city folks were liberal; she might have lost her virtue already. When Ding Hu thought of Sun Chan’s pure face, he felt it was a waste. Why was he so dumb when they dated, never even held her hand, and now she’s with someone else, while he’s stuck with a woman ? Whenever he thought of his innocence being ruined by this shrew, he felt distressed.
Liu Mei snorted, "Ding Hu, let me tell you, drop those twisted thoughts! Don’t even think about Sun Chan, or I won’t give you a single penny of pocket money! I won’t pay a cent towards your family’s debts either." Finishing her words, she sashayed away.
Ding Hu watched her sturdy figure walk away, angry yet helpless, and could only follow Liu Mei ahead.
Zhao Xiuxia continued to shout inside the house, "Life can’t go on ; I must find that damned tramp!"
Time flew by, and Sun Chan had been working at the hospital for almost a month.
That day, she was carrying a basin to the ward when she saw Bai Fanglan, dressed youthfully and glamorously, walking out. Bai Fanglan then retreated.
Two passing young nurses spoke softly, "Doctor Bai looks so pretty today."
"Yes, it’s her fiancé’s grandfather’s birthday; of course, she has to dress up."
Sun Chan pondered whether it was Gu Lianzhang. Her hand instinctively touched her clothes pocket, but she knew Bai Fanglan wouldn’t help if she asked to pay back money, so she continued carrying her basin.
Bai Fanglan knew that Gu Junming was waiting at the hospital entrance; she dressed up specifically, wearing a black skirt and white mid-heel leather shoes, with her long hair cascading over her shoulders. No matter the time, Gu Junming always stood there straight, his figure like a towering tree. Bai Fanglan ran over, her admiration in her eyes unmistakably plain.
"What brings you here?"
"Your grandpa called the camp to have me come pick you up. Let’s go." Gu Junming maintained his usual gentle attitude, neither too close nor too distant.
"Really? My grandpa must have a great relationship with you! He’s actually been in contact?"
Gu Junming remained silent. During this time, Bai Chuan had been doing whatever he could, probably aware of his impending downfall, attempting to fight one last time. However, Gu Junming acted as if he knew nothing, letting him do as he pleased.
Gu Junming turned to leave, inadvertantly noticing a young girl supporting an elderly man with a cane, taking a walk in the courtyard.