Reborn Wife Strikes Back in the 80s - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: I Don’t Want To Marry

Translator: virtual group Editor: virtual group

When it was lunchtime, Wang Guiying came with a basket by her side.

“It’s time to eat!” She called out.

Guo Xiang and Guo’er came out of the backroom.

Wang Guiying took out the three lunch boxes in the basket. Gu Zhennan had brought the lunch boxes back from work, which was not available in most rural families.

One of the three lunch boxes contained leafy greens, eggplant, beans, pickled radish, and chili sauce. The other two lunch boxes contained white rice for Ji Changlin, and sweet potato rice for Wang Guiying, Guo’er and Guo Xiang.

Both Guo Xiang and Guo’er were here, so Wang Guiying didn’t eat at home. She came over to eat with Ji Changlin.

She placed the lunch box containing white rice in front of Ji Changlin. She opened the lunch box containing the sweet potato rice, took two rice bowls from the basket, and filled two bowls for Guo Xiang and Guo’er. She ate with the lunch box.

Guo Xiang and Guo’er picked up their chopsticks and ate. Although it was sweet potato rice, it was still better than sweet potato porridge. At least there was rice.

Ji Changlin looked at his white rice and then looked at the sweet potato rice that the three of them were eating. He sighed in his heart and started eating silently without saying anything.

After eating, Wang Guiying cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks. Guo Xiang continued to study at the clinic while Guo’er and Wang Guiying went home.

“Mother, close the courtyard door at home. Don’t open the door if there are any visitors.” Guo Xiang reminded her and then said to Guo’er, “Guo’er, help me keep an eye on the door. Don’t open the door if someone troublesome visits.”

“Got it!” Guo Er nodded obediently. She wouldn’t be so stupid after suffering a loss today.

“You really do care about them,” Ji Changlin watched Guo Xiang send the two out and said from behind.

“Of course. They are my…” Guo Xiang shut her mouth. How did she become part of this family so quickly? Wasn’t she going to divorce Gu Zhennan? What if she couldn’t bear to part with him?

“Zhennan’s family isn’t bad. Zhennan is a good guy. You and Zhennan…” Ji Changlin looked at Guo Xiang.

“It’s unlikely for us to be together,” Guo Xiang shook her head. “In the past, I was very bright. It was the Guo family who forced him to marry me. He definitely doesn’t like me. I don’t know if there’s someone else he likes in his heart. I can’t just keep him to myself.”

“As for myself… I have never thought of getting married. Although my mother-in-law is a good person and Guo’er is very cute, Gu Zhennan and I…”Guo Xiang paused for a moment. “Let’s not talk about this for now. He’s not at home anyway. These things can wait.”

Ji Changlin nodded. Although he felt like she was avoiding it, Guo Xiang and Gu Zhennan were, after all, forced to be together. He couldn’t really say whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. Although Gu Zhennan’s character was good, things were different when it came to love. 

Moreover, Guo Xiang was a person who had her own opinions. She might not be willing to give in. Oh well, it wasn’t up to him to decide anyway. 

However, this girl had the potential to study medicine. It was worth teaching her.

Previously, he thought she wouldn’t try hard since she wasn’t willing to learn in the first place. However, when he saw her reading in the morning, he knew that she wasn’t against studying Chinese medicine. This was a good thing. Perhaps he would have a successor.

In the afternoon, Guo Xiang stayed in her room to read the medical books. Ji Changlin saw that she was engrossed in reading, so he did not go over to disturb her. He sat outside. Occasionally, someone would come and buy medicine. There was nothing he needed to do that required Guo Xiang’s help, so he did not disturb Guo Xiang at all.

In the evening, Wang Guiying brought food for Ji Changlin and Guo Xiang went back home.

“Doctor Ji, can I take two books home to read? I’ll return them tomorrow,” Guo Xiang waved the medical books in her hand and asked. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful with them.”

“Take them!” Ji Changlin nodded. He would never complain about her being too eager to study. 

Guo Xiang carried the two books and helped Wang Guiying carry the basket home.

After dinner, Guo’er started writing her homework. Guo Xiang took out the two medical books and started reading.

She didn’t feel it during dinner, but when she started reading the books, she realized that the lights were too dim, and her eyes hurt.

She looked at Guo’er, her eyes were almost touching the book.

“Mom, the light is too dim. Let’s change to a bigger one,” said Guo Xiang.

“Is it?” Wang Guiying was used to it. She was old and had presbyopia and had to look at things from a distance, so she didn’t feel it.

“Look at Guo’er. Her eyes are almost touching the book. Her eyesight will definitely get worse in the future. She is still growing. If she bends her back like this, she will start hunching,” said Guo Xiang.

“Exactly. I have told Mom before, but she said brighter light bulbs use too much electricity and waste money,” Guo’er pouted.

“Mom, if Guo’er ruins her eyes and her body, it will cost more money in the long run. Tha’s not worth it,” said Guo Xiang. She could understand that Wang Guiying wanted to save money, but being stingy with necessities would ruin her body. Wouldn’t that be a greater loss? 

“Guo’er doesn’t have much homework. It doesn’t take her long to finish them…” Wang Guiying was still hesitant.

“I still need to read my medical books,” Guo Xiang frowned on purpose and patted the book in her hand. “You see, the words in this book are small, so I can’t read it clearly. How about this? I will change to a bigger light bulb in my room. In the future, Guo’er can go to my room to do her homework, and I can also help her with it. This way, we won’t need to turn on two lights.”

“Ah… alright then!” Wang Guiying finally compromised. Her daughter-in-law studying medicine was a major matter that she should take seriously. 

Guo Xiang immediately stood up, “I’ll go buy it right away. How much is one light bulb?”

“Thirty cents,” Wang Guiying said, “I’ll go get the money for you.”

“No need. I just happen to have thirty cents with me,” Guo Xiang said. “Last time, I spent fifty cents on the crucian carp, twenty cents on the tofu, and four yuan on the food supply. I just happen to have thirty cents left.”

“You should save it for yourself…” Wang Guiying was a little embarrassed.

“No Need, Mom. It’s useless even if I keep it,” Guo Xiang said with a smile. 30 cents was really not enough to do anything, so she might as well spend it all.

Now that she thought about it, they were really poor. Once she spent the 30 cents, she would be penniless. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she did not have a single cent left.

In her previous life, she would never have thought that she would end up in such a situation. Back then, she would never keep track of her spending. Guo Xiang never thought this day would come when she would run out of money. Could it be a punishment for spending so much money in her previous life? Guo Xiang smiled bitterly.

After asking the location of the village’s small convenience, Guo Xiang bought a 30-watt light bulb. Once she changed it, the entire room lit up. In the past, the 15-watt light bulb was really too dark. The light was way too warm, and reading books was very difficult. 

“Mother, if you want to do needlework, come to my room too. Don’t hurt your eyes,” said Guo Xiang.

“Sure!” Wang Guiying nodded. She would’ve done it anyway. Otherwise, she would waste money by turning two lights on. 

“Mother, after I finish my homework, I might as well share a bed with Guo Xiang. Big Brother is not at home anyway,” Guo’er looked at Wang Guiying and then looked at Guo Xiang. She had always shared a bed with Wang Guiying. 

“You’ll disturb your sister-in-law,” said Wang Guiying.

Guo Xiang didn’t mind, “It’s okay. I’ll sleep fine!”

Seeing that she didn’t mind, Wang Guiying didn’t say anything, “You can’t be like this when your brother comes back, Guo’er.”

“I know,” Guo’er giggled.

Now it was Guo Xiang’s turn to feel embarrassed. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like if Gu Zhennan was at home. Fortunately, he wasn’t.