Chapter 22: Chapter 22 The Truth about Falling into the Water Chapter 22: Chapter 22 The Truth about Falling into the Water Nameless Creek was somewhat terrifying to most villagers in Siyang Village, and young girls were especially afraid to get close as soon as the sky darkened. Yet, the spot was picturesque, exceptionally serene and quiet.
Perhaps because Chiang Songhai was a brave man who often went up Bai Gu Mountain to gather herbs, and had spoken of the mountain’s wild fruits, wildflowers, spring water, and the tranquility of Nameless Creek since Chiang Xiao was little, Chiang Xiao did not harbor the same fears as others did.
Chiang Xiao’s mother, Chiang Qingzhu, was the only daughter of Chiang Songhai and Ge Liutao and was renowned for her beauty throughout the neighboring villages. In that era, not having a male in the family was cause for gossip and disdain, and daughters had very low status at home, yet Chiang Songhai still doted on Chiang Qingzhu like a precious gem.
No one had ever imagined that at eighteen, Chiang Qingzhu would be shrouded in scandal—an unwed pregnancy that resulted in the birth of Chiang Xiao.
This incident caused a sensation back then in Siyang Village, and the amount of gossip and finger-pointing that the Chiang Family had to endure was unimaginable to anyone who hadn’t experienced it.
Yet, Chiang Qingzhu stubbornly refused to reveal the identity of the child’s father.
What’s more, when Chiang Xiao was only two years old, she ran away from home and had been unheard of ever since.
In truth, no one in the Chiang Family believed that Chiang Qingzhu was still alive.
In those turbulent years, the chances of a beautiful young girl who had run away surviving were practically nonexistent.
Chiang Songhai and Ge Liutao almost couldn’t withstand the series of devastating blows, and both nearly ended their lives with a bottle of rat poison.
But Chiang Xiao was still young. What would she do if they were gone?
It was precisely because they couldn’t bear to leave such a tender and delicate granddaughter behind that the couple persevered and raised Chiang Xiao.
But even with their protection and affection, Chiang Xiao’s childhood was difficult. Her mother had given birth out of wedlock, her father was unknown, and her mother had abandoned her. Many in the village pitied her, but even more despised her and harbored ill-will toward her.
As a child, the village bullies would often make up insulting rhymes about her, band together to pick on her, and play mean pranks on her. As a result, Chiang Xiao disliked playing with others, was always by herself, and became somewhat introverted. To avoid those children, she would often hide near Nameless Creek, sometimes staying for half a day at a time.
Yesterday, feeling somewhat stifled, she went to Nameless Creek again; indeed, it was rather late. She didn’t know why Ji Desheng was there, but when he saw her, he ran over to persuade her to go home quickly. Not wanting to get too close to Ji Desheng, she stepped back and then stumbled over a stone, nearly falling.
Ji Desheng’s quick reflexes saved her.
It was this scene that Ding Dani witnessed.
After she avoided Ji Desheng, Ding Dani ran up to her, hurling insults without rhyme or reason, calling her a Little Vixen and accusing her of clinging to Ji Desheng and arranging to meet him in such a secluded place. While spouting these accusations, Ding Dani even started pushing her.
At that moment, trying to avoid the spit flying from Ding Dani’s mouth, she kept backing up until she was close to the stream. With that push, she fell down.
But then, her instinct was to grab onto Ding Dani, which unexpectedly ripped Ding Dani’s shirt, yet she fell nevertheless.
After falling, she felt panicked, frantic, and scared, splashing around, begging Ding Dani to save her. But Ding Dani, trembling, just watched her then turned and ran away.
If she hadn’t clung to a clump of long water plants while flailing, she might have been swept downstream and drowned.